Horse Heads and Other Incentives (Imperial Remnant)

[Ashin Varanin]

BASTION

The conference room was simple and well decorated, its chairs comfortable and basic. Ashin sat at the head of the table, for the sake of blatant symbolism. She wore simple black clothes a great deal like a military uniform, the better to put her hosts at ease.

As the power players of the Imperial Remnant entered the room, she rose, a simple black cloak flaring out behind her.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Imperial Remnant, my name is Darth Desmius. I hold a position of some power within the Sith Empire, and I am here to negotiate the terms of our merger into one unified Empire. As I told your messenger, I intend for your Supreme Moff to remain as governor of the territory. Your Force-users would not be be compelled to join the Sith Order, though I'm sure you will find our incentives competitive. Access to holocrons, for example, and advanced training. I'm sure it has become clear to you that the only way you can survive and regain your galactic relevance is to join with us. Nevertheless, we consider this a merger of equals. What is your opinion?"

 

[Viera Kisep]

Vieara smiled, It had been a hard decision but the fact was, they had been barely scraping by. She wanted to use the Sith.. like they no doubt wanted to use them. Plus their new leader seemed to be much more likable than the last. She was in her full uniform, that of Supreme Moff, She noted the womans spot, it was blatant that was sure, She didn't yet take a seat, she extended her hand. " It is a pleasure ot meet you Darth Desmius, I am Viera Kesip. I agree, it seems to be the only way to survivive and regain relevance, We of course offer your two traitors to you, they plotted to become our emperor and his hand, in a way to somehow conquer the galaxy." She tossed a databad with all the data they had on the two sith and Emperor Magnus towards the darth, before taking a seat at the oppisite head. She would not submit so easy. " I am fine with the terms, I am honestly suprised your so willing to let us largely keep our selves in our own state. "

 

[Ashin Varanin]

The datapad settled into Ashin's hand. She nodded as the Supreme Moff settled into the chair at the other end of the table. It was, of course, impossible to make a table with only one end, and she had known Kisep would take that seat. It set a good stage for the rest, who would be faced with the two of them as authority figures on either side.

"Your military and administrative expertise is needed," she said. "I won't deny it -- many of our leaders are professionals, yes, but professionals in other fields. The Imperial Remnant is a gold mine of expertise in military affairs, administration, research and development, and so forth. It's possible that we need you as much as you need us.

"As I told your messenger," she added, "you can put to rest any concerns you have about assimilation of your own home-grown Forcer organizations. We have the highest respect for the legacy and memory of the Inquisitors, the Prophets of the Dark Side and the Imperial Knights. We will not force any of your people to join the Sith Order. However, their loyalty to the combined Empire must be absolute. Naturally, there are great benefits to joining the Sith -- access to holocrons, specialized training, that sort of thing. I suspect we will see a natural and orderly transition."

 

[Yusanis Kai Lsu]

A small group of Imperial Knights entered behind Viera. True, she was not Empress, however it was felt that she held a large amount of influence with her and needed to be protected should this group of Sith decide a hostile takeover was in order. However, Yusanis knew not why he was here as he was still a trainee, and though he was nearly complete with his training, he felt it wrong for him to be here. But that would have to wait. He had to make sure that there was no funny buisness to be had.

All the Knights knew why this meeting was taking place. The Empire was supposed to merge with the Sith Empire in order to gain some sort of influence again in the Galaxy. The Masters of the order had attempted to reason against joining forces with the Sith as it had never done well for the Empire in the past, however time was short and the Empire wished to be part of the Galactic stage once again and their warnings went unheard...And now here they were. Ready to hand over the Empire to these...seducers of the Force. But what reason would the Sith have for leaving the Knights in tact? Traditionally they were opposed to the Dark Side of the Force...Did this Sith intend to slowly corrupt them? His hand tightened into a fist in frustration.

 

[Viera Kisep]

" Yes, we both excel in different areas, few can claim mastery of the force like your many users have. While few can run with the efficiency of the Imperial Remnant, the discipline and and iron will. We also have the famed Dragon's Maw, and Imperial knights who represent the finest we have to offer. " She smiled, curious this meeting, "So I expect that such a gesture of letting us keep our force groups does not come cheap" She was not new to the dance of politics, despite being young she had grown up in this atmosphere, and her ruthlessness had let her get this spot. She had betrayed her own emperor.. granted he wasn't anywhere near the figure that this woman was.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"The concessions I'm prepared to make come at a cost, yes. A degree of political autonomy always does. You, personally, will answer to me, personally. No other Lord of the Sith will be able to give you orders. As I said, however, we need your people and their expertise. Your ships and personnel will be transferred around the unified Empire as appropriate for our joint defense, and to ensure that your people's professionalism and so forth are well integrated."

 

[Viera Kisep]

She knew it, but she had demands of her own, The Autarch and my Dragon's Maw are mine... I will allow the Dragon's Maw, to send advisors to whoever needs them but I will not accept my familly's ship in any one's hand except my own." The Autarch, had been maintained by the Kesip family since her great great great Grand father had it commisioned in his time as Moff of Sipar. She would not let the Sith have their filithy hands on her ship. She knew every crevice of that ship, haviing spent much time on it, Most of her men, who ran it, had known her since her father ruled the same ship. " If this is the case, I do hope something is approiated towards my defense, I can't do much with one ship no matter how impressive it is. and My space is far from yours, I have no doubt the mandolorians or Republic would love to take advantage of this fact. " She also was entertained on the thought that enemiy space was between the two of them. She looked at the woman in front of her, curious about her response knowing that no mater what, the leader of the Dragon's Maw was hers regardless perhaps she would toy with them and let them be the sith's .... in name of course.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Your personal flagship is befitting the governor of the sector, yes. And naturally, your sector will have a full share in our defense network. As sector governor, you'll have responsibility over the planetary defense forces, which will be made up of people, ships and equipment from our combined space. That's standard procedure. Larger forces, sector-level forces, will of course be part of the unified navy.

"In terms of uniting Bastion with the Sith Empire, I suspect a quick and orderly joint conquest of Gravlex Med is the best course of action."

 

[Zhaf Passik]

Zhaf shifted uncomfortably in the ranks of the knights. Shifting his form to resemble one was only a precaution to protect the Moff. The idea of storm troopers fighting alongside Sith was repulsive to him, but it was necessary for the Empire to regain its position it once held over the galaxy. Seeing that the room was safe enough, he shifted to resemble his Clawdite form again. Knights standing next to him were surprised at not noticing him, but maintained their posture. He had been around long enough that the troopers and other members of the Empire were to expect his occasional surprises.

He walked to the side of the Moff, not taking a seat to remain alert. The negotiations were calm enough, but had the potential to turn bloody. He was not here for the political details, but for the protection of Grand Moff Kisep.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin looked around the room, gauging the silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Empire, this is your only choice. One way or another, Gravlex Med or Dantooine is the next logical step for the Sith Empire's expansionary forces. A rising tide lifts all boats. We're growing your way."

It was as polite a way as she could manage to say join us or be conquered.

 

[Viera Kisep]

"I desire more independance, we are not a simple planet but a system of planets, of unique individuals. We demand to be more independant, I will not see my men, Men that have served me time and time again, swollowed by the hungry mouth of the Sith Empire, I propose to become some sort of vassal state, We of course Will lend our support with everything you do, declare war on who you declare war on, but we wish to have some degree of independance. The Imperial Remanant, does not trust your Sith lords. So I can hardly stand by and watch my men be put under untested men with a laser sword and anger issues. " She wondered what they thought of that, it was asking a lot, but she was hardly willing to let them abuse her men like she had seen them do. The way they let the sith control their forces.. she wouldn't back down, thought viera knew if all else failed they could join the republic.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin sat back in the chair, looking down the full length of the table. She steepled her hands and rested her fingertips against her lips.

"We've made significant concessions already, Viara. And our military is hardly untested -- we've seen battle at Junction, Concord Dawn, Mon Calamari and Gand recently. Furthermore, we have laws against summary execution by Sith. Our Sith are accountable to law. Our military commanders are professionals. Military integration and unification of command structures is an important part of being able to mount a join defense."

 

[Viera Kisep]

"Your right which is why I request that my units stay together, but intregrated into Greater Imperial Command Structure" She knew it wasn't ideal but it would let them have the independance that they wanted. " I am wary of your laws, but if they are as you say, I will appreciate them. Is there anything else we need to discuss, We have the military covered, Civilians will stay where they are at but are free to travel. Am I missing anything? "

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Only the single greatest concern, Veira." Ashin leaned forward. "Loyalty. Loyalty to you. I'm under no illusions; I understand why this meeting is so poorly attended. Your countrymen don't share your vision, and I daresay that if this merger goes through we may have to subjugate some of your worlds together. I'm told that some of your worlds will be unhappy with this, and Muunilinst alone will remain fully loyal. That much, I have foreseen. Then again, reasserting your control will be simple enough with our help."

 

[Viera Kisep]

" You are better informed than I thought, Yes, it may be because.. I sort of removed the Emperor from power, though.. the military has stayed with me as I planned. Of course I welcome the aid, and I think that this just might work, and if you assure me I answer only to you, as I do not like putting up with in betweens... then I would consider this merger a deal, and I will of course be availiable to you at your conveinence always" She smiled It seemed to be going much better than she thought. It seemed that maybe just maybe she could have most of the power she wanted and be on the galatic scale again. She looked to the woman and waited for a reply.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Yes. You will answer to me, and me alone. I cannot grant you a position on the Dark Council, for your own safety, but you will have diplomatic rank equal to any member of that Council. From time to time, I may send you orders through Darth Voracitos, the leader of that Council, or through others, but normally you will receive my orders directly from me.

"I've dispatched Lord Tirdarius to conquer Gravlex Med. He has a specific plan, and you are more than welcome to join that effort so long as you work in coordination with his plan. Further information will come to you through other channels.

"So. We have an accord."

 

[Viera Kisep]

" Yes we have an accord, and I thank you for this wonderful oppurtonity to further the reach of the Empire... I shall aid Lord Tirdarius, as he needs me. and I am glad to know that my rank will be recognized. " She hated.. the sith.. but one sith she didn't seem to hate was this woman.. the Empress.. She seemed reasonable... far more so than any other Sith she had known. She waited... wondering if there was anything else. Perhaps the woman had more on her agenda... but she doubted it.. the types that used the force didn't normally meet near as long as several politicians she knew.... This meant she would have to figure out what laws the sith empire had.. and make hers at least a little like them in name. Viera was already planning in her mind the various tasks that she was going to have to get done.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin stood. Ignoring the others around the table, she crossed the room to shake Veira's hand.

"Congratulations, Veira. We just founded an Empire."