Subjugating The Warlords

[Tobias Dracks]

The battle in the void of space was proving to be a quick battle. The Imperials were disheartened by the massive fleet of small attack craft and wide array of fighters and bombers. His long line of Shield Ships protected from most vessel small weaponry, larger ones were absorbed by the Battlecruisers. His fleet was a combination of great defense with snub craft to deliver the damage. That was the way Tobias was taught, maneuverable space fighters and bombers were the supremely of many of battles he fought in. Imperials only showed their might with large destructive destroyers and cruisers that were defenseless to his smaller craft.

He left the main battlefield to attack the Prison Planet however, his forces landed on the moon with limited resistance. Many of the Loyal Prison Guards were some of the first to meet their end to laser fire. The others surrendered without much of a fight, with the knowledge of their government falling before them. The might of his veteran trooper against penal guards were a slaughter, but he knew that Lord Grayson needed every man he could find. Saving these prisoners before they could be disposed off by the Loyalist with their last breath of defiance. That however, was destroyed by the blasters of the Remnant of the nation they despised the most, the Republic.

A transmission came back from his soldiers on the Moons Surface. "My Liege, we have freed those Convicted of rebellion by the Core Federation, many guards have surrendered and only a few pockets of resistance from those still loyal to the crumbling Empire," He paused and looked around, "And your intel was correct, your greatness, there is indeed an old harbor on the planet, it seems large enough to deal with large Frigates and thus could supply our needs," There was an explosion in the background, "We of course have some problems with Prison Riots here, but nothing our soldiers cant handle, we will be sure to deal with it without lethal means."

Tobias cut the man off there, "No need War Marshal, if they resist the needs of our cause then they are true criminals who thrive off chaos, show them we mean to bring order to this nation of rubble."

The soldier in remnants of the Republic Armor bowed, "As you wish my Liege."

With that the transmission ended. Tobias only walked over to his Holo Table that projected the battle before him as well as fed information on ground. They were winning that was clear, however it was not as bloodless as he would have planned. Maybe that was what the young Lord wished, show that this new nation was not above shedding blood for their cause. The Imperium that they lost shied from open conflict, in attempt to show legitimacy. This new Lord was not so squeamish. Maybe he was someone who could inspire loyalty in this old betrayed soul. However, there would need to be more to continue the war production that he could offer.

"Continue to press the advantage, show no mercy until they surrender completely, convince their officers that their leadership is doomed and take what is ours, the spoils of the Capital Worlds are nearly ours my men, the sacking of imperial bases may settle our lost comrades in the afterlife, show them we have not forgotten the betrayal that was once handed to us!"

He shouted this out over the coms, inspiring his men with the possibility of tomorrow, so they may fight another day. For greed was the base of all human nature, and it would push a man to nearly no ends.

[member="Zam Ulgo"] | [member="Alyson Halle"] | [member="Cedric Grayson"] | [member="Shanoed Marais"] | [member="Burc’ya Narric"]

 

[Viliih Marais]

((This never happened))

 

[Shanoed Marais]

She could see her allies advancing. They were getting closer. She paused in her jumping, her head snapping in the direction of the pushing forces. Cedric needed a hole. Her head snapped to the door of the palace, quickly mapping the threats she could see between them. A clone noticed her and charged with a vibroblade. She lifted a hand and the winds of the Force swirled around the clone, holding him in place before throwing him into a row of clones.

"Just because I'm not looking towards you, does not mean I can't see you, little fool." Her voice was a growl. In a jump that caused dirt to fly up under her, she made her way back towards the center of the courtyard. The saberstaff was held in both hands as she reached the apex of her jump, spinning and slamming the end of the staff into the helmet of another heavy gunner in her way. The glass of his helmet shattered as she landed, bringing the saber up in a diagonally arc that sliced the heavy cannon in half.

Spyder didn't bother to disable the reeling gunner. Her feet barely touched the ground as she moved. As she reached the center of the courtyard she stopped leaping. She started running, building up speed. She charged a line of clones, leaping up as they started firing at her, front flipping over them. The saberstaff was held down, catching under the chins of the clone's helmets. She let out a righteous warcry as her feet met the ground and she used the momentum of her charge combined with her own strength to clothesline the clones, knocking them down.

The saberstaff was flipped vertically, slipped through the falling clones, and she was gone, leaping at the backs of the next group standing between her and Cedric. She spun, slamming the staff into the head of the first clone, before landing and putting a hand out, a powerful force wind throwing the second before she tossed the saberstaff into the air and stood up behind the remaining two in the group, putting her hands up and slamming their helmets together.

She leapt up, grabbing the saberstaff out of the air as she, force stealthing, and charging the next group. Hopefully they caught up to her soon, she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this speed up. She would take down as many as she could along the way, but she was retreating.

[member="Cedric Grayson"] [member="Burc’ya Narric"] [member="Tobias Dracks"] [member="Zam Ulgo"] [member="Alyson Halle"]

 

[Burc’ya Narric]

This was his Malachor Five, the droid felt it, deep inside. The slipping of blaster fire all around, marking death wherever the sights of the enemies E-11s marked, slowed, began to die down, the flames running the Imperial train was dying, they were failing, the long line of the Imperial legacy was going out not with a scream, but a whimper. Not soliders brought up from the proud families of the Empire, proud to see their youth marching under the grey-banner, serving the Emperor, now they stood as same-faced, same-minded clones, rows upon rows falling to the droid's own blaster and the sightlines of his allies. This, however, was far from over. The retreat on the enemy side had begun, he saw troopers patting one another as they began to worldlessly back from the fray, injured comrades being drug, and whatever remained of a fighting force trying their best to keep everyone moving and covered.

The last cries of the Imperial Krayt.

The carbine was screaming, not in a songful sense, not in the idea that it was working properly or behaving as it should, but screaming like the last dying cries of a warrior before being consumed by the beast. He had lost track of how many power-packs had been cycled through the thing, it was warm beyond measure, billowing up ash-cloaked smoke into the air, suddenly, it's stream of blaster fire begin to shutter, choke up, pulsing and fading, the entire weapon itself suddenly began to spark. Random sections where the plate was held together, spewing forward like a Wyrm. The droid glanced down at it, letting one last burst before throwing the weapon onto the ground, the tool exploding into flame.

The Imperials were falling back, his friends were at the temple, it was time to make the press.

The droid hoisted himself over the top, looking back at the Sons of Grayson, walking forward at the enemy lines, a lucky E-11 round finding home in the dead center of the droid's chest. It stopped him, causing a brief stumble backwards, he could feel the sudden stillness of the battle. The droid kneeled down, retrieving the E-11s from two fallen troops, muttering under his breath as he collapsed the stocks, taking one into each hand.

"Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la..."

The droid turned back to the trench-brothers, back to the temple, raised a single arm, letting out a scream.

"Pirunir sur'haaise!"

And with that, he began to sprint forward, the cries of the Sons of Grayson behind him, rushing what remained of the Imperial lines to link up at the temple. Raising both E-11s, rapid-fire pouring from their barrels like hate from the lips of the Sith Lord.

Cedric Grayson Zam Ulgo Shanoed Marais Tobias Dracks Alyson Halle

 

[Placeholder 0128]

The empyrean surged through him without thought now. Cedric was naught but a living conduit for the Ashla's will: an avatar to be directed solely by the wills of the divines. He no longer thought, but rather simply moved.

Normally, Cedric would have taken a more tactical role on the battlefield, but it was important that he be the first to breach the imperial palace. That was distinct in his mind as he took a moment to recuperate, the Sons of Ession surging all around him to take positions in the last imperial trench. The remnants of the confederates had pulled back atop the massive steps of the palace, dozens of machine gun nests marked with E-Webs saturating the field below in laser fire.

One of the nearby soldiers shouted over the comms for air support. The nearest dropship responded, wheeling about to fire its rotary cannons at the top of of the palace. The vessel only managed this for five seconds before a swarm of missiles rose appeared from the sky like wraiths, and sent it toppling to the earth in a blaze of fire and metal.

"Only one way up then," Cedric grimaced, exchanging a momentary look with Alyson before he drew in a deep breath.

"Three. Two. One..."

The Jedi Master sprung to his feet, lightsaber raised high in open challenge to to the imperial defenders. "Over the top!" He barked, blade spinning in brief simulacrums to try and divert some of the sea of laser fire that came to meet the Sons of Ession. The soldiers roared their reply, charging over the top of the trenches with the kind of fanaticism that could only be inspired by religious fervor.

They fell in tens, but their assault up the stairs was swift. Cedric led them at the front, brawling with the stockier clone soldiers that marched down the stairs with massive blast shields.

The meat grinder had begun.

[member="Burc’ya Narric"], [member="Shanoed Marais"], [member="Tobias Dracks"], [member="Zam Ulgo"], [member="Alyson Halle"]

 

[Shanoed Marais]

The Spyder met her allies on the field. She dove behind their lines and knelt down, allowing her body time to catch her breath. She couldn't rest for long though, they had reached the final trenches. It was time for the final push up the steps. Her Force Sight flared, mapping out where each and every enemy was between the trio and the palace.

The beast picked out it's first target and she was moving again. Her speed was enhanced through the Force again, as she disappeared once more. When she reappeared she was on the shoulders of one of the clones holding a blast shield. Her hands wrapped around his neck, and snapped it in one swift, merciful motion. She kicked the blast shield down the stairs before backflipping off of the falling body.

She was then behind another heavy clone, slicing his legs off at the knees before leaping at a clone that was shooting at Cedric. The blaster rifle was sliced in half and she paused in front of him to wag her finger before leaping up and kneeing him in the chin, sending him reeling backwards.

Once more in Force Stealth, she slipped through the clones, moving some distance away before another heavy clone drops, his riot shield similarly discarded down the stairs. She was systematically creating holes in the enemies shield defense so the Essions would have any easier time of breaking through.

When she had taken out half a dozen heavy shield bearers, she doubled back. This time she appeared at Cedric's side, darting away from him to disable an attacking clone before leaping back. She was acting as a distraction the clones couldn't ignore, but also could not pin down.

[member="Cedric Grayson"] [member="Burc’ya Narric"] [member="Tobias Dracks"] [member="Zam Ulgo"] [member="Alyson Halle"]

 

[Tobias Dracks]

Tobias tapped on the holographic image before him, this made the planet spanning prison facility wash away to a growing image of a decent sized space dockyard. This would do for now. Warlord Tobias Dracks only had to nod his head and ships would enter the system. Large Logistical Barges, Forwards Supply Bases, and their support ships would enter the system. Food, Ammo, and Medical Supplies, fresh off the factory floors of Fondor, Conglomerate Prime and other member planets of the Freeworlds Dominion. Many did not have a choice, as Tobias was one of the nicer warlords in the Fringe Territories after the fall of the First Order.

Ships moved into position around the moon, from there a swarm of shuttles and drop ships exited their hangers and made for the Moons make shift forward supply base.

"Move in the fleet to secure the space above the Jedi Temple and the old Senate Chambers, the gaps will allow us to place a foothold on the ground stronger then what the Jedi Lords wish there to be." He brought up both hands and around the image of the dockyard he zoomed out and swiped at the image to pull around the image of Coruscant. "Inform Lady Allyson Halle that the Supply Lines to our Forward Operations Base will be set up as soon as an Landing Zone is cleared." He zoomed in around the old Jedi Temple on his holoprojector, "Get the Corporate Forces to supply that Medical Base, Lord Greyson stated that the Medical Facility would be ready by the time my forces were done clearing the space, lets just hope the men under him are capable soldiers of acquitted intelligence."

He tapped on the projection, nodded and closed his hand over the image that made the battle map disappear within his grip. The Warlord turned to face the laser fire and arks of missiles waving through the empty void. The Soundless of space was interrupted by the explosions of enemy and allies ships. Space did not answer the cries of the dying, yet it was merciless to convict those to death.

"Arm Batteries and lay siege to the Moons, Defense platforms are limited in their crew, lets finish this before their allies show up."

[member="Zam Ulgo"] | [member="Alyson Halle"] | [member="Cedric Grayson"] | [member="Shanoed Marais"] | [member="Burc’ya Narric"]

 

[Alyson Halle]

When they went over the top she let her rifle float free by her shoulders, and drew back her lightsaber and pistol. The charge was rapid and dangerous, she used the lightsaber to deflect as many blaster bolts as she could while remaining as close as possible to Cedric. Not that he needed her help, he was a full grown man now, but she still felt a sense of duty to him. She had sworn fealty of her entire planet to his service 30 years ago, she felt no need to revoke it, even if the old government which he held no longer existed.

She was less gentle when it came to use of force powers in combat than Cedric, she had been trained to take any advantage she could muster in order to defeat the enemy, and the force was one major advantage. The men with blast shields were nothing compared to the power of the force. She used telekenisis to rip the shields from their hands, exposing them to her revolver. Their bodies slowly began to line the staircase to the palace. They were getting close, casualties were many for the Essionians but the clones fell in far greater numbers. Once a hole was made in the shield Alyson closed through the gap before it could be closed, using the opportunity to make the hole larger and larger. She took no fewer than 4 heavy blaster bolts, but it was not enough to disable her shield. Worst case scenario she would need to insert a new power pack once they entered the palace.

The troops took advantage of the breach in the enemy lines she had created, flooding through the enemy lines, wreaking havoc on the enemy gunnery positions. A few men managed to turn some of the guns around, turning them on the enemy. It was a beautiful cacophony of battle. She had not felt this in quite a long time.

"What is the objective once we get inside?" She shouted to Cedric.

 

[Shran]

Shran entered the Imperial palace through a series of tunnels underground, avoiding the fighting going on above. It was nice to be back on Coruscant but he had wished that circumstances had been different. Thankfully he still knew a few secrets of the palace. He had gotten word from his spies that there was an Imperial warlord holdout in the Imperial Palace, claiming control of the Core Imperial Confederation, despite the Confederation's retreat to the Unknown Regions. Shran made his way deeper into the palace's catacombs, flanked by a squad of Death Troopers. Eventually the group approached a door that was guarded by two stormtroopers.

Both the troopers raised their blasters upon sighting Shran and his guards. "Stop right there, identify yourself!" One of the troopers barked.

Shran's guards raised their blasters as well. However, Shran, on the other hand simply raised his hands gently. "Shran, High Chancellor of the confederation and supreme commander of the armed forces."

"We have orders from Lord Gorvish to not let anyone in. No exceptions. He is the leader of CIC and I'm assuming that you are some type of Jedi strike team here to infiltrate the base. Leave now or I will be forced to eliminate you."

"Clarence code V-V-6-7-Niner-Delta-3-4"

The two troopers began to slowly lower their blasters, turning to each other. "That code valid?"

"It checks out, he is who he says he is."

Shran smiled and lowered his hands and his guards lowered their blasters as well. "Now, I need entry into the palace right this second. By the sound of those explosions, the enemy forces are already forcing their way in."

The troopers stood aside and opened the door. One of them tapped his comm on the side of his helmet, "To all forces, High Chancellor Shran is entering the building along with a contingent of guards. Allow him passage to the throne room."

Shran nodded to the troopers as he entered into the main palace and began heading up several flights of stairs. After several minutes, he arrived in the corridor just outside the throne room. The room was heavily guarded with several stormtoopers and Imperial Guards. With almost no hesitation, the guards open the door to the throne room and allow Shran to enter along with his men, quickly sealing the door behind them. The sounds of blaster fire and explosions can be heard in the distance. "What is the meaning of this! Who are you? And how did you get past my guards??" Lord Gorvish yelled as he rose from the throne.

"I am High Chancellor Shran, leader of the Core Imperial Confederation... what's left of it, that is." Shran said, his guards raising their blasters to aim at Gorvish. "General Gorvish, you disobeyed direct orders to retreat to the Unknown Regions and have thus condemned what few resources we have left to fall into enemy hands. Your make-believe reign lasted for mere days and already you have brought what remained of this Empire to its knees. For that I hereby declare you an enemy of the state."

Gorvish was practically fuming with anger at this point, "YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY HERE CHISS! GUARDS, ARREST THIS MAN!"

None of the troopers moved an inch. Shran looked around the room with a smile on his face. In that moment, Gorvish pulled a knife from his belt and lunged at shran. One of the Death Troopers fireed at Gorvish's leg with deadly accuracy, sending the man to the floor, howling in pain. Shran approached him and said, "As High Chancellor, I am hereby authorizing your execution for the crimes of treason, desertion and incompetence." With that, Shran drew his blaster and fired once into the back of Gorvish's head. As the body slumped to the ground beside Shran he holstered his blaster and let out a sigh as the sound of blaster fire became louder.

"Sir, what are your orders?" one of the stormtroopers asked, approaching Shran.

"Dispose of this body, and send a message to all remaining forces to stand down. I am willing to negotiate the terms of our surrender."

"Sir?"

"Look around trooper, we have neither the resources, nor the manpower to win this battle. Sometimes it's necessary to lose the battle to win the war. Now, do as I instructed."

"Yes sir. TK-966 and TK-5579, dispose of this body." The two troopers identified nodded and walked over to Gorvish's limp body and began to carry it away. The squad captain in the meantime made his way over to a control panel on the wall and opened Palace-wide comms;

"This is Captain Bellock to all Imperial forces. We have been ordered by the High Chancellor to stand down. I repeat; all Imperial forces are to stand down. The chancellor is willing to negotiate terms with the enemy leaders."

 

[Placeholder 0128]

The cadence of the battle began to slow.

Cedric felt the change in the air near instantaneously. The violent energy that came from the imperial defenders was replaced with apprehension. The cannons slowly stopped firing, the soldiers slowly lowered their weapons. Rifles was dropped and hands were raised in the air as the Essonian warriors held them at gunpoint, quite convinced the whole display was little more than a trick. Cedric knew differently.

"Lord Dracks, halt your assault," he commed in to [member="Tobias Dracks"]. "The remnants are surrendering."

This was a pleasant turn of events. Cedric had little desire to spill any blood in taking the imperial palace, and a surrender meant that the surviving leaders could be negotiated with. The empyrean knew that his new imperium would have a far more stable beginning if it retained some of the old management. Appeasing the loyalist elements would go a long way in securing their loyalty.

"Cease the assault." Cedric's voice was calm and clear over the comms. Fighting around the palace died to nothing; it only continued in the small pockets across Coruscant that owed allegiance to different warlords, but they would be dealt with shortly.

The Jedi drew in more then a few deep breaths as his body began to calm. He exchanged a glance with [member="Alyson Halle"], then to [member="Shanoed Marais"]. "I suppose it's time we met our opponent." He mused, evidently rather pleased given his tone of voice.

The remnant soldiers stepped aside as the palace doors parted before Cedric. Ascendance awaited.

[member="Burc’ya Narric"], @Shran, [member="Zam Ulgo"]

 

[Shran]

Tags: [member="Cedric Grayson"], [member="Burc’ya Narric"], [member="Shanoed Marais"], [member="Zam Ulgo"]

As the doors opened, Shran walked out, surrounded by several stormtroopers as well as his own personal guards. He adjusted his uniform slightly as he walked, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of defeat that permeated the air. He glanced at each of the opposing forces as he made his way out and all he could think was how could this have happened? How could the might have fallen so far?

He waved off the troopers who held their place as Shran took a few more steps forward. Enough so that he stood out from his men but still a safe distance away from [member="Cedric Grayson"] and the others. "To who do I owe the pleasure of calling my guest today?" He asked in a dry tone, folding his arms.

 

[Shanoed Marais]

It was a battle frenzy. Bodies were falling on both sides. The beast was in control, guiding her body as she took down the clones. And then bodies started to stop falling. Weapons started dropping. The Spyder was in the middle of bringing her saberstaff up to pierce another clone when he dropped his rifle and put his hands in the air. She stopped the staff just short, melting the plasteel of his chestplate.

She withdrew the staff and straightened, turning slowly and looking around. Then Cedric's voice confirmed what she was seeing. They surrendered. The beast railed against the bars of it's cage. Cedric ordered a ceasefire and she growled softly, shaking her head. Her fingers gripped the saberstaff tightly, her knuckles turning white as she calmed herself.

[member="Cedric Grayson"] talking to her and Alyson helped. The beast was locked away and she deactivated the saberstaff. It was returned to it's holster, but tension still coursed through her body. She was still ready to launch herself at anyone who tried to attack them.

She walked over to stand with Cedric and [member="Alyson Halle"]. Her lips were turned down and her head was turning, constantly scanning. "Let us indeed." She was taking slow breaths, keeping herself calm. She turned when the doors open and took off. She vanished as she moved away from the others.

When The Crystal Spyder reappeared, she was standing behind the Chiss man. She leaned up and put her mouth next to his ear. "Boo!" She then crouched and front flipped over the man, tilting her head at him before turning. As her foot left the step back down towards her comrades, she vanished once more. This time, she reappeared behind and slightly to the side of Cedric, "staring" at the man who was surrendering.

[member="Burc’ya Narric"] [member="Tobias Dracks"] [member="Zam Ulgo"] [member="Shran"]

 

[Alyson Halle]

Suddenly, the song of battle stopped. It was sudden, she could see the idea move from person to person by the strings, as they slowly stopped fighting. The Essionians, as confused as the imperials, also stopped firing. Then the lines parted to allow the invading forces inside. A figure made his way out, his blue skin making him stand out like a bright target among the white-clad stormtroopers. Alyson holsted her weapons, the hiss of her lightsaber receeding into the distance.

"I suppose he is in charge." She said as he approached.

Once he arrived Alyson gave a courteous bow. It was a highly trained maneuver, one that had been drilled into her in her youth when she was still a noble. It was considered respectful to let the person in charge introduce themselves first, so she held her tongue for now. The chiss looked rather regal, in contrast to the soldiers which stood around him and those which escorted him. Perhaps it was a good symbol of the difference between the old and new orders. She would take a picture if she had a camera.

 

[Placeholder 0128]

A pregnant silence hung over the air before the Chiss spoke. Cedric recognized the man immediately. In the absence of any other officials remaining in service, the Chiss Kwets’hra’nuruodo had been made the High Chancellor of the imperial remnants.

Gorvish was nowhere to be seen, and the reality of the situation slowly began to dawn on Cedric. No one in the remaining hierarchy stood higher than the Chiss, Shran, and thus the battle was truly over. A heavy sigh escaped the Jedi Master's lips as he allowed the tension to leave his bones.

"I am Cedric Grayson. There are my brothers and sisters, my legion." He waved a hand back toward the small sea of men and women clad in gray-blue armor. "I have come collect my rightful claim. My father conquered this world, and now I have done it as well." He paused for a moment, "The remnants are offered full amnesty, should they pledge themselves to the change of regime. I aim to fix the problems your former leadership elected to ignore."

"Assuming you have control here, chancellor, I would happily accept terms." Another pause. Cedric's expression was unreadable behind his mask, but the tilting of his head implied curiosity. "I heard you cheat on your wife a lot. Is that true?"

[member="Alyson Halle"], [member="Shanoed Marais"], @Shran, [member="Tobias Dracks"], [member="Zam Ulgo"], @Burc'ya Narric

 

[Alyson Halle]

Finally Cedric spoke. It took him long enough. They were standing face to face with the enemy ruler. He had surrendered to them, now they would discuss terms. It had been a long time since she had gone over diplomacy in this manner. Back in her youth it was a near daily occurrence, but it had fallen to the wayside since then.

After Cedric introduced herself, she nodded. "I am Alyson Halle, Empress of Merides. It is wonderful to make your acquaintance."

Then Cedric dropped a bombshell. Cheating on his wife? Alyson didn't know how Cedric got a hold of this information, Alyson didn't read the tabloids, but she couldn't help but desperately hold back a chuckle. She had never heard a more casual and summary emasculation in her entire life. Alyson bent over a bit, trying to hold in laughter and only barely managing to succeed, it would be obvious to everyone nearby what she was doing.

She knew better than this, but she couldn't help herself.

 

[Shran]

Shran cocked an eyebrow, surprised at the obvious attempt at emasculation from the Jedi before him It wasn't enough that he won the battle, he needed to use his powers to elevate him to a sense of moral superiority. In his mind, Shran cursed Gorvish for getting him into this mess. If only the general had listened to orders, perhaps the Remnant could have rebuilt in the Unknown Regions and launched a massive offensive when the time was right. But alas, he had to make the best of the hand he was dealt.

"Who I share my bed with is of no concern to you, Jedi. Unless of course you hope to find yourself in my bed." Shran made the coy remark with a devilish grin on his face. A couple of the troopers behind him uttered barely audible chuckles as well. It certainly wouldn't be his first time with a Jedi. Specifically a Jedi with an affinity for mind reading.

The chancellor then glanced at Alyson, giving a small nod of acknowledgment. "Pleasure to meet you as well. Wish the circumstances were different however."

 

[Shanoed Marais]

She stood behind Cedric as he began speaking. She saw no reason to introduce herself, her skill and reputation would do that for her, in time. Then Cedric asked if the Chiss cheated on his wife. She perked her brows under her mask, her head snapping towards Cedric as a short laugh bubbled out of her.

A hand flew to her mouth as she swallowed the laughter that threatened to explode from her. Her head snapped back to the Chiss when he started to speak her lips curling into a smirk behind her hand. And his response was perfect. Shanoed's knees went weak as she pulled out her saberstaff, leaning on it to keep herself upright.

Laughter bubbled out of her, she couldn't help it. This was such a ridiculous change of events. Just moments ago she had been killing his forces, and now.. "Oh Cedric! I do believe he likes you!" She gasped through her laughter, a hand clutching her stomach. She tried to take a slow breath to calm herself but immediately burst out laughing again.

[member="Cedric Grayson"] [member="Burc’ya Narric"] [member="Tobias Dracks"] [member="Zam Ulgo"] [member="Alyson Halle"] [member="Shran"]

 

[Placeholder 0128]

Cedric fell very silent.

His expression was that of stone, though the mask he wore hid that well enough. His attempt at starting the negotiations off with the Chiss being thrown off guard had backfired. Evidently this one knew the art of negotiation: well enough for Cedric to speak plainly anyway.

"Not to my tastes, I'm afraid," he replied, suddenly finding the conversation rather absurd given the importance of the events. Coruscant was once more in the hands of the Ashla, and hundreds of good men and women had died to make that a reality. The understanding that so many had bled for this great purpose was sobering, and Cedric suddenly found the mirth of the situation fading from his mind.

"As I said, so long as the remnants swear oaths of loyalty to my dynasty, they will retain their positions. There will be far more room for promotion in my Imperium. I trust your people will thrive." He paused, regarding the Chancellor. "You may retain a position as a High Lord. You will govern a sector - more than what you rule now, to be certain. In exchange, I expect your upmost loyalty. We will need every soldier we can get for the conflicts to come."

[member="Shanoed Marais"], @Shran, [member="Alyson Halle"], [member="Burc’ya Narric"], [member="Tobias Dracks"], [member="Zam Ulgo"]

 

[Alyson Halle]

Alyson actually lost it. She burst into laughter and collapsed onto her knees. The rubble beneath it was far from comfortable but the laughter was too strong. It had been many years since she had laughed this hard, it felt rather good, especially after the tense nature of the battle beforehand. It was wonderful that two sides who had just been shooting each other could sit together and share a good laugh. That was a good sign for the future stability of this union.

"To think that Cedric Grayson could be so completely defeated in a battle of wit. I thought I would never see the day." She barely managed to say out before going back to laughing.

This man seemed like he would fit right in, infidelity notwithstanding. This truly felt like the old days. She remembered the time that she had woken up after a night of hard drinking to be told that she had been punched by a wookie and that the director of the Dominion Security Bureau had gotten into a fight with a vending machine. She had laughed nearly as hard then, even if the broken ribs made it painful.

She didn't hear much about the negotiations, she didn't care much, she was too busy laughing.

 

[Shran]

The chancellor was a proud man but he was not a moron. His options at this point were to agree to the generous offer from Cedric or to let pride win the day and die where he stood, thus killing any shred of the old Empire. The decision was one that cut deep into his core but he did his best to tell himself that it was for the best that the survival of the Empire fall to Grayson as its new leader. Shran turned and looked at his men, giving a slight nod before he took a couple steps closer to the masked Jedi before him. Once he was slightly closer to Cedric, Shran bent a knee, lowering himself before the Jedi. The stormtroopers followed suit, each kneeling as well.

"We will accept your terms and will pledge our loyalty to you. What's ours is yours." It took every ounce of strength the Chiss had not to vomit right there as he spoke, and he silently promised himself that this would be the last time he'd make such a grand yet submissive gesture.