Private Partisans

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The establishment of a government-in-exile was more daunting than he'd expected. United as they were in their mutual suffering, the Essonians across the galaxy were still different enough in their political ideologies as to make consolidation an easy task. Things had been a lot easier under the Imperium - the glory of governing their ancient homeworld had united the people. Its subsequent choice to embrace a full liberal democracy had been a source of pride for some, but an outrage to many. Trillions of credits had been poured into the reindustrialization of the core, and most of that had ended up as assets of the Galactic Alliance. Those that lost their property were compensated, but process had left a sore enough spot in the hearts of many to instill a bitterness to the state they had helped to bring into existence. Some had turned to Selectivism, others to more Nationalist ideals, and the shattering of proper Essonian unity had been the result.

Even still, the idea of working together to reclaim what had been lost was still appetizing enough to see those politically opposed united, at least for the time being. A handful of national leaders had come together at Cedric's behest, and plans for the reinstatement of the old Essonian parliament had been discussed. That idea had quickly been set aside in favor of a more centralized militaristic command structure, and given his past and his position as the lead organizer, Cedric was quickly selected for the position.

If they wanted to make a difference, they would need the support of the galactic powers. To do so would require a show of worth, a gesture the leadership agreed would lead to the fringe Essonian enclaves joining the cause, and secure the old borders in the event of liberation.

It was to that end that Cedric had put out his feelers in search of his countrymen and sympathizers. He awaited the handful of volunteers in the hanger bay of a civilian luxury starliner that just so happened to be heading toward the border of NIO and TSE space.

 

[Alyson Halle]

Politics. It was something those in power could never avoid, it followed them like a haunting specter, demanding every ounce of attention and impeccable precision. One misstep could end a career, or a life for that matter, in an instant. Those who spent their lives in power learned to play the political game or died, the most successful became leaders of entire planets, sectors, or empires. Politics had once again reared its ugly head for Alyson Halle.

Once more she had been called to the fray of politics, in service of her liege and lord. She took her duty very seriously. She was whatever Cedric required of her, whenever he required it. He oath of fealty was inviolable. Merides and Ession were bound inextricably as long as she lived.

The shuttlecraft landed in the bay to little fanfare. As far as the galaxy was concerned, she wasn't here. She took only her two most trusted bodyguards, and they all moved in generic combat armor. Her face and identity was to be concealed as much as possible. She was not an empress here, only a common thug. The only thing marking her as Meridian, was the Warrior Angel crest of Merides on her pauldron.

She approached her lifelong liege, kneeling in his presence, her bodyguards in extremely well trained synchronicity, did the same.

"I present myself once again to your service." She said, removing the hemlet on her head.

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[Renair Naki]

The sound of a lightfoils hum could be heard from afar before it was shut off. A human would slowly with wide eyes look down at the body of the man he had slain, his own clothing covered in cuts and green blood. The young male shook as he slowly kneeled in the grass before him, the wind blowing as the mans simple request echoed throughout his mind. For the first time in his life, he could not make a rational decision. Countless times he saw himself as the next thing of the greats, the man to lead armies...now, he saw himself differently. Looking back up, all that was left was the mans robes as he could not understand why this one man decided to give him a new chance, a new lease on life. Gathering his strength, he would slowly go towards the speeder bike nearby and grab a spade on it, digging a small grave for the mans robes. As he did so, a female voice echoed out from behind the male.

"Ashla has touched your soul...as had its chance to give someone the rest he deserved."

Slowly he would turn, his monocle barely on his own head as it fractured slightly from the previous fight. Before him was an hooded Essonian, a preacher of some kind as he walked with grace and elegance, touching Renairs shoulder as he felt a bit of calm as he looked away.

"Dear child, there is nothing to be ashamed of...we all make mistakes, as did he. He sought to rectify every mistake he ever made...he-"
"I am no angel either, I ha-"
"I know, you both did terrible things. Perhaps he saw that in you as he did himself. Perhaps...he wanted you to live a better life."

Very slowly, the Essonian Preacher would walk over to the robes and gently pull away from it, a stone knife as he walked over towards the male whom could not dig anymore, his eyes watering. Very slowly in his view, the stone knife was handed to him as the Essonian Preacher spoke.

"Your destiny...has only just begun. Ashla has touched your soul and you now know what must be done. Go find the man known as Cedric, in the starport north of here on a civilian luxury liner. Show him the stone knife, he will understand what it means. I will handle his grave here...I will ensure he is well taken care of now."
"What if I fail though?"
"Failure is just another word for trying again. Now go...before others arrive."

Slowly Renair Naki would overlook the Essonian Preacher as he felt confused for a brief moment before nodding, going over towards the Speeder Bike and mounting it, sliding the stone knife into his left glove. Looking over his shoulder, he watched the Essonian Preacher gently pick up the robes and fold them several times over, walking over to the grave. Turning on the Speeder Bike, he would dart it on forward as he never looked back. The Essonian Preacher though...would never finish digging in the grave, but merely vanishing with the robes in a small blue aura, never to be seen ever again.


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It had been nearly a full day and now...he felt strange. For the first time, he was able to eat foods he never could experience, to taste drinks that he never knew would be different from prune juice. Now he could bath normally for the first time, without worrying almost his allergies. Walking through the starport, he only carried a small duffle bag as he sold off nearly everything he owned as he had no idea what was to come. Having invested in his cloak/clothing being repaired and purchasing some books to study on the culture of the Jedi, he would walk forward into a strange scene. Before him was a short lady and a tall male. However with one glance, he knew that was the male to look for....he had seen him before on the news long ago. Slowly, he would stroll on over to him as he spoke out quietly, no longer the arrogant child...but more of the respected tone, as if his life had been changed.

"Sir, I am Renair Naki at your service...I was told to come here by one of the Preachers to...follow Ashlas destiny here. I...I was told also, to hand you this."

Very slowly, he would pull out of his left glove the small stone knife as it had a small cap at the bottom and presented it towards Cedric. Only he would know what it meant and perhaps, know what that means.

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Alyson Halle

 

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They gathered slowly.

As always, Alyson was by his side. The aging woman seemed to be a constant fixture in his life, her oath of fealty that was nearly thirty years old at this point remaining unbroken. It was that dedication, and the dedication of the Essonians, that turned Cedric from galactic matters. The core was rebuilt, and its people no longer needed him. Whatever he could offer them would be better served in the homeland, and he was more than ready to give his life for it should that be required.

"Thank you Alyson. Ever the loyal," Cedric allowed himself a small smile. Truthfully, he was a bit surprised a woman of Alyson's age was still keen on joining the fight. He understood, of course. Both their homeworlds were under the constant threat of the Sith Empire, and while Meridies had not suffered like Ession did, it certainly could if the emperor willed it.

He paused as another figure approached. A brow was lofted, and a stone knife outstretched. "Lovely to meet you Renair," Cedric said through a smile, "Thank you," he reached out to take the knife, and wasted little time in unfurling the cap.

Two fingers pulled at a slip of old parchment. The Jedi pulled it apart, his eyes narrowing as he read the message. "It seems the New Imperial Order has made its move," he announced to the gathering, "Imperial and Sith forces have engaged over Muunilist. The war's begun ladies and gentleman. It's about time we take our place in it."

Renair Naki, Alyson Halle

 

[Marlon Sularen]

Cedric Grayson , a hardened Jedi who only had one objective , to snuff out and Sith and liberate the devastated Ession so that his exiled people could return home. Though Sularen did dislike the Jedi Master for a variety of reasons there was one main reason for why he had decided to come at this secret meeting , to support Grayson and his Essonian National Front as a means to gain profit from their war and essentially become the driving force behind their success. Having suffered a horrible Fall From Grace , Marlon Sularen needed new methods to rise back up , and his position within the New Imperial Armada was just one of them as Marlon intended to contribute to the New Imperial Order through different means.

At first in the aftermath of the Battle over Kuat , Marlon came to hate the Jedi and lean towards the Sith but within 861 ABY he came to realize the danger both sides posed to his plans especially given the manipulative nature of the Sith and the interventionist ways of the Jedi. Marlon strongly belived in the fact that Galactic Peace could only be achieved without Jedi and Sith and that both of them brought chaos where ever they went. Marlon essentially intended to take profit of such chaos as he knew that a successful guerrilla campaign headed by Cedric would be highly beneficial to him. Not only could he take some credit for the victories of the E.N.F but his Corporation would expand and he could receive recognition from the NIO at last. Something that Marlon long craved.

Approaching the Meeting , Marlon greeted Cedric to announce his intentions. "Greetings Master Grayson. I've recently heard of your intentions to begin a partisan movement and quickly rushed here. My Corporation would be willing to provide your movement with new technology that could be utilized in terror attacks and guerrilla warfare against the Sith. After all the more resistance we can amass behind the frontlines the more chances we got to defeating the Sith all together. "

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