Junction The Lianna Compact || TIC/DIA Junction of Empty Hex and Shu-Torun

[Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory]

TAG: Karl Von Strauss | Diarch Reign | Her | Nolle Tron | Marlon Sularen | T'zarna Khab | Diarch Rellik
​

After the mandatory greetings, Amalia listened to the positions and possibilities laid out by Diarch Rellik . Though at first she would welcome the idea of having access to the Diarchy, the fact they already had this made it that her opinion was different, her mindset different than usual and more focused on safeguarding what was hers and what was ofcourse part of the N&Z itself.

"Diarch Rellik, I do not wish to sound pressumptious," She tilted her head a bit, gazing for a moment towards Tertius C. Nargath before turning her attention back towards the Diarch. "While I do believe a joçint defense is necessary, in the capacity as CEO of the N&Z, I must caution that while you may have been embroiled into an open war with the mandalorians, we have not. May I remind you that our foremost concern is keeping the trade flowing and the routes taken to be defended."

Putting a small holographic transmitter in front of her, she pressed the small device, which quickly showed the schematics of a Grandeur-class Space station. "Quid pro quo, Diarch Rellik, if you wish for the Lilaste Order to maintain a presence within our territory, we propose a counter in the form of constructing several Imperial Stations within designated Diarchy territory. The mentioned offer of the esteemed Exarch Karl Von Strauss in the form of Khonshu path stations is also an open option, as it would strengthen trade and diplomacy. However, in regards to trade...we shall have to delve into those details when Lord Laphisto returns from the war games."

 

[Laphisto]

It was not long before Laphisto made his way into the meeting chamber, still picking stubborn globs of hardened adhesive from his armor and gauntlets. Whatever compound Ronhar Tane had managed to tag him with during the most pivotal moments of the battle had been impressively effective. Annoying, certainly, but clever. Laphisto could respect that.

As he entered, he paused beside one of the nearby guards, exchanging a few low words to quickly catch himself up on the nature of the meeting and what had already been discussed. Satisfied, he continued forward, the murmur of the gathered delegates falling quiet as his presence became unmistakable.

Reaching the center of the hall, Laphisto disengaged the seals of his helmet and lifted it free, tucking it under his arm. He brought a closed fist to his chest and inclined his head in a formal bow to the assembled representatives, a gesture of respect rather than submission.

"My apologies for my tardiness," he said evenly, his voice carrying without effort. "The circumstances of the battlefield were difficult to disengage from." He straightened, his gaze moving across the room before settling back on the matter at hand.

"To clarify what the Diarch was offering," Laphisto continued, measured and precise. "The Lilaste Order will not be manning these stations. What will be provided are blank hulls. Fortified frames. Nothing more." A brief pause followed, deliberate.

"You will outfit them yourselves Your own weaponry. Your own subsystems. Your own crews. The infrastructure will be sound. The defenses will be compatible. But their operation and identity will remain your own." His tone hardened slightly, not threatening, but firm. "This is not an occupation. It is an investment in collective defense. One that respects autonomy while ensuring preparedness."

Laphisto gave a low rumble in his throat as he shifted his stance, the sound carrying just enough weight to draw attention without demanding it. "We are also prepared to provide weapons and armor," he continued. "Not loans. Not contracts. Gifts. Shield technology, defensive systems, and the means to kill those who would come for you."

He raised the holodisk slightly higher so the gathered delegates could clearly see it. "This disk is a recording," Laphisto continued. "A private meeting between myself the Diarchs and the underboss of the Black Sun syndicate. and his deligates" He let that settle before continuing. "The purpose of that meeting was not negotiation," he clarified. "It was assessment. To determine where Black Sun's interests and loyalties truly lie."

"The conclusion was unambiguous," Laphisto said. "Black Sun's alignment is with the Sith Order. Their cooperation with Mandalorian forces is active and ongoing. Any posture of neutrality is conditional and temporary." He turned the holodisk slightly in his hand, still not activating it. "Black Sun does not operate through open warfare," he added. "Their methods favor undercities, black markets, infrastructure sabotage, and targeted assassinations. You may never see their banners, but you will feel their influence long before you identify their presence."

Only then did he lower the disk to waist level. "This information is being shared so you may plan with clarity," Laphisto concluded. "The threat does not announce itself, and it does not wait for formal declarations. Our intent is to ensure you are not forced to learn that lesson the hard way."

Diarch Reign Diarch Rellik Her Karl Von Strauss Marlon Sularen Tertius C. Nargath T'zarna Khab Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory Dante Phantomhive

 

[Ella Nova]

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Lianna, Lianna City, Outer Rim systems;
Old Imperial Palace.
Tags: Diarch Reign | Diarch Rellik | Marlon Sularen | Karl Von Strauss | T'zarna Khab | Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory | Tertius C. Nargath | Laphisto | Dante Phantomhive

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With the pleasantries put aside both sides moved to begin negotiations to create an alliance that the Rule of Two coveted ever since the Sartinaynian Crisis!

According to the information obtained by both Diarchy and Confederation intelligence assets could only lead towards a solitary conclusion: that they would have to combine their respective star empires together in order to survive the next Star War as it loomed ever closer on the horizon. While retaining their respective ideological stances, cultures and beliefs it would become happenstance-- a normality when it came to economic, military or political affairs-- that the The Diarchy and Imperial Confederation were hand-in-hand if the undercover Sith in their midst had their way.

Call it realisation, or gullibility. It mattered not. Today, if Her remained quiet, then the outcome of this pact was virtually assured. It wasn't like representatives of Umbrella corp were going to act against their own interests to stop the machinations at play here given their level of investment and involvement in both economies on representation. Her considered the analysis (ran by Vūm) which took into account all available information that the non-profit had gathered to assess the likelihood of the Imperial-Diarchy alliance and found herself relaxed about the outcome of this diplomatic summit.

Firstly, as a result of the Sartinaynian Crisis, both sides had reached their own conclusion to suggest, if not out right know, that the false-wing attack on Bastion (from two years ago) had been wrought by the machinations of a seditionist Imperial cell dubbed ' The Fifth Wing ' who were tied to a peculiar sect of Sith previously known as the Tsis'Kaar and led by a renegade Sith Lord referred to, at least in Imperial circles, as ' LAETOR ' . While the Fifth With were no-more since the attack from two years ago, with their co-conspirators from the Stygian Caldera disappearing alongside their master, the truth was still ominous: the Sith had tried to pit the Empire of the Lost and The Diarchy into a full-scale war. Something had to be done about this. Indeed, the Imperials had already tried at the Battle of Brosi.

In essence they were both tricked into attacking each other. While the Imperial Confederation are not the Empire they are, nevertheless, their successors as per the treaty signed by the Imperial Remnants when they were banded together under the reign of Liraeth Deschart. Yes, the Imperial Sector Authority-- made up expats of the Kilran Administration-- still live on today in the almighty confederation founded on New Alderaan. Retaliation was on their agenda and this subsequently served to drive Imperial policy when it came to the Thandon-Sith. Mahporeem and other members states had been forced into attack when those policies had led to the first incursion on Brosi for they would not forget what had happened to them on Tion. Therefore it was in their interest that they were to pursue a retaliatory war so as to eliminate the threat which had seen to the economic collapse of their predecessor so as to save the Imperial Confederation from reaching the same fate.

Furthermore, given that The Diarchy were also victims of this subterfuge, combined with the religious connotations of Pax Astrum, a military pact verses the Thandon-Sith was in the best interests of both sides. This was the strategy behind the Sartinaynian Crisis all along. Unique understanding of both sides, warped by her powers of the dark side, gave the Warden Primus the ability to drive them towards eradicating their mutual enemy in the Stygian Caldera. Although the ulterior aims to capture both Diarchs had ended in failure during the Ravelin attack, Her now found herself at the table to bear witness the yield of Ayra's schemes coming to fruition.

It was as The Nomad had once told her: through destruction, we breed creation.

Stars would quake beneath Kakus sons, and the anger of the New Order's most devout, as they marched upon the Sith.

However, the developments between the Mandalorian Empire and The Diarchy, unlike the Imperial Confederation, were not as a result of Her's machinations. It would not be until after this Imperial-Diarchy summit reached it's foregone conclusion, and another begun on Mandalore some time later, that the Rule of Two would utilize their influence in the Confederation to break down the relationship that sprung up through the ' Anvil of Concordia ' trade-pact (which Exarch von Strauss had brought up earlier in conversation) that would see to the creation of trade agreements between the Mandalorians and Imperials.

As Her listened to Commander Laphisto explain the Sith-Black sun relationship (which implicated the existence of a conspiracy separate to her own) the Warden Primus quietly put it to one side in her mind to think about later. There she pitted her cunning mind to think up of a way of building further conditions for the Diarchy-Imperial alliance to build on top of the Sartinaynian Crisis. A strategy begun to form. It would later see the Imperial Corrections Directorate sever Mandalorian trade to the Imperial Confederation at the expense of the N&Z Umbrella Corporation after they made an attempt to seize Mandalorian personnel manning several salvage and trading stations located throughout the Outer Rim systems during the Mandalore summit. This would serve to escalate tensions between the Diarchy's enemy and the ally they were seeking to court during today's proceedings, Her envisioned.

In time a simple logic would break through the minutiae to bring about the formation of this alliance: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. When it became a foregone conclusion that the Imperial Confederation and The Diarchy were set to become allies, which would lead the Mandalorians abandoning their trade pacts with the likes of Umbrella and Mahporeem, Her foresaw that both of them would have no alternative but to bend and adapt to the transient events that she planned to initiate between all four superpowers that were in consideration today.

Arrogant, perhaps blind and ignorant to the consequences of their machinations, Her foresaw no backlash that would result in any harm or ruination coming their way. She held no respect for the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant who, undoubtedly, would be unhappy with the meddling of the Imperial Corrections Directorate when Her made their play upon the salvage and trading stations that they had built alongside the N&Z Umbrella Corporation. Should that backwater scrapyard try any form of retaliation Her was confident that she would crush those tin men decisively.

As for their partners from Umbrella, Her was far more considerate. Yet, she found no avenues that would see the corporation, and the Man Behind the Curtains, from ruining her neither. Not only was the Warden Primus still useful to the Lord of Hunger but it was also true that any blame would land at the feet of their CEO. Amalia Visconti had overplayed the hand of the company by bringing it's interests into the Mandalorians that were in conflict to that of the Diarchs, and in time, the Imperials as well. Yes, Her was untouchable, indomitable...

---

 

[Tertius C. Nargath]

TAG: Karl Von Strauss | Diarch Reign | Her | Nolle Tron | Marlon Sularen

There were quite a few faces to acknowledge, from Diarch Reign and Diarch Rellik who warranted a warm greeting after their welcome, a young fellow noble in the form of Dante Phantomhive who as per his station and upbringing had an air not all too dissimilar to Tertius' own, though perhaps a bit less refined likely due to the age not having yet thought the man all the secrets of the trade.

The arriving members of the Confederacy weren't unknown to him either, as at least a few had dealt with Tertius prior to his step away from the limelight of his company. However, now he had to preside the potential culmination of months, if not years of political maneuvring on both sides. his current CEO had already mentioned that the N&Z would retain a positively neutral stance, especially in regards to the Diarchy's war with the Mandalorian empire and the tensions which seemed to spill over towards other factions.

Any posture of neutrality is conditional and temporary.

"I believe that by stating such words, you also bring into question the neutrality of the N&Z?" The dragonoid man had clearly not chosen his words carefully, as the Marquis' jaw tensed slightly. waving his hand ever so slightly, he relaxed again and continued. "I can forgive a martial mind for missing the minute maneuvres necessary for the more mindful and meritocral approaches corporate entities need to make in order to maintain good relations and thriving business even in a galaxy consumed by war."

A slightly sour chuckle escaped the man's lips, as if to make it sound like her realized that he himself had now overstepped his bounds as these talks were about the approach between the Diarchy and The Imperial Confederation. "I propose that perhaps rather than just gifts, these weapons and technology could be put to a more objective use. A show of cooperation between the confederation and the Diarchy in creating a joint operated task force for rapid deployment, utilizing the best both factions have to offer as a sort of security asset that can act as the physical manifestation of any further agreement that would be reached by both factions."

 

[Dante Phantomhive]

Dante begins to think quickly, considering the logistics of the entire operation, not only in terms of materials and money, but also in terms of the propaganda that Diarchy should disseminate to its population, as well as any possibility of propaganda for our potential allies.



His mind calculated, he did not hide the silent taps of his index finger on the top of his cane, that was not something to hide.



His intuition, the Force, whatever you want to call it, told him to be aware of the people around him, something was wrong and his eye moved cautiously, looking at those present.


Of course, the Dark Side of the Force was strong there, and just as an excess of light can blind, so can an excess of darkness, another danger for Diarchy that should be taken into account.

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Lianna
Tags: Tertius C. Nargath Karl Von Strauss Her Laphisto Marlon Sularen Diarch Rellik
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather
Color Code: #B35432

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Reign listened intently, giving each person present the respect they were due. He understood completely the Exarch’s hesitation to commit to war. However, when his turn came about to speak again Reign directed his attention to Karl and Marlon directly.

“Exarch Von Strauss, I have always appreciated your pragmatism. And war should be avoided at all costs to maintain stability within your bounds yes. But I would like to draw your attention to this”

Reign then pulled out his own data disk, which played the broadcast Mand’alor had put forth of the crucifixion of Tarisian citizens.

“By now, you are all familiar with this heinous act. A nation that would do this to innocent citizens. An old woman who over 15 years ago patched up a young child. Not even political dissidents.. every day people.. tell me honestly, how long until your own people find themselves upon the cross?”

He paused briefly then letting the ringing of Aether Verd’s hammer punctuate his words.

“There can be no true security where the Mandalorians are concerned. This was a woman who I haven’t spoken to in decades. How do you think these people will react to this concord?”

He smiled softly then. Torn between sadness and fury.

“I would never call another’s people to war, put their citizens in danger. But war is coming.. battle lines are forming. And we offer our hand.”

He smiled truly at Tertius’ words then though.

“Tertius my friend. I’ve always said you’d make an amazing politician if your mind had not been geared towards business. I agree that a joint task force is the greatest first step, in an echo of the Exarch’s offer of defensive capabilities, a mixed fleet, stations and units. Diarchy legionaries to help protect your border worlds.”

 

[Diarch Rellik]

"Thank you, Lord Laphisto, and thank you, Reign. Both for your clarifications and for approaching this with realism."

Rellik's hands rested calmly on the table.

"I will do the same, because I believe there may still be a gap in our shared intelligence picture."

He did not raise his voice.

"I will be blunt. Time does not reward us courtesy. I have a war to prepare."

"The Mandalorians are no longer acting as an independent power. Their leadership is socially and operationally bound to the Sith. Quinn Varanin has been crowned Queen of Eshin through a Mandalorian ceremony. A formal alliance has been approved or is on the cusp of it already according to our intel. Their conduct has shifted accordingly."

He did not gesture. He did not dramatize.

"The Echoy'la Accords have been broken. Neutral ground was violated through a surprise attack on one of our intelligence outposts on an abandoned world. Civilians have been used as instruments of terror and as justification for atrocity. Tactics we should all know well from our Sith friends."

He did not reference the recording again. It was unnecessary.

"Black Sun is aligned with them as well. Quinn Varanin was present at the meeting Lord Laphisto referenced, acting as an intermediary for both Mandalorian and Sith interests within that organization. When war arrives for us both. Expect to see her at each conflict."

A pause.

"This is no longer ambiguous in my eyes. Thandon remains a Sith vassal state on your border as well. These are not adjacent problems. They are coordinated ones, designed to apply pressure from multiple directions simultaneously, leaving no space to recover."

Rellik folded his hands once, neatly.

"The Diarchy has already been selected as an enemy. Not because we are war mongering animals, but because we are difficult to infiltrate. The decision for war was not made by the Mandalorians but by their higher ups and without provocation. We did not choose this trajectory, we tried our best as I am sure you are. We are simply far enough along it to acknowledge reality. The Sith of the far west have no limits to their thirst for power and this undermining is simply the beginning."

His gaze settled on Karl.

"I am not asking the Imperial Confederation to declare war today. I am not asking you to abandon your people, your trade, or your internal stability."

He spoke evenly.

"But look at the broader map. The Empire in the Core is already under assault by a new Sith faction. Would any of us be surprised to learn that yet another 'Great Leader of the Sith Order' is responsible? They are seizing their moment. If action is delayed long enough, every government not aligned with the Sith will be addressed in turn. The High Republic simply has the territory size to be saved for last."

What followed was the core of it.

"I am telling you plainly: the Mandalorian trade agreement will not survive this alignment. Echoy'la did not. Yours will not either. It will be broken the moment it becomes advantageous to do so. You are not building lasting peace through careful politicking. You are buying time at best and at worst being kept in your little cage for when they are ready to butcher."

He straightened.

"The Diarchy's offers stand. Joint defensive frameworks. Shared intelligence. Infrastructure support. Military coordination when and where you determine it is necessary, including another attempt at Thandon, should you choose to act."

Rellik did not soften his tone.

"Everything beyond coordinated preparation is secondary. And time spent pretending otherwise is time we will not get back. If we seek to discuss economy than let it be war economy. Tertius, I understand your modus Operandi. We have intelligence that umbrella has... extraordinary assets. I have no reason to question that. Nor do I have any reason to question that you will find ways to make your money and satiate your financial Hunger* said with enough infliction for the man to understand that Rellik is also watching him. And his companies true Lord. "Do what you do best. I do not think any of us would expect anything else. All I can say for the most part is that I am grateful you are on our side my friend. Your opinions in regards to both factions economy can only be outbalanced by your personal power as stated before. I trust you will find a million paths to finance beyond what we discuss in this meeting.

Her Dante Phantomhive Tertius C. Nargath Diarch Reign Laphisto Karl Von Strauss Marlon Sularen T'zarna Khab

 

[Ella Nova]

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Lianna, Lianna City, Outer Rim systems;
Old Imperial Palace.
Tags: Diarch Reign | Diarch Rellik | Marlon Sularen | Karl Von Strauss | T'zarna Khab | Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory | Tertius C. Nargath | Laphisto | Dante Phantomhive

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"I am not asking the Imperial Confederation to declare war today. I am not asking you to abandon your people, your trade, or your internal stability."

"We should declare war," Her said softly as Rellik finished debriefing the Imperial contingent with intelligence gathered by The Diarchy.

It was undoubtedly a production of intel gathered by the mysterious Network which Her had heard so much about, through a combination of rumours, and dossiers written by outposts belonging to the now defunct Direct Surveillance of Domestic Threats programme, which had been active since the turn-of-the-century up until recently as the remnants of the Kilran regime were mopped up by their successors from New Aldera.

"This summit was called to negotiate the terms of a treaty pertaining to an alliance between Bastion and New Alderaan," Her continued to say as she explained their thoughts about what Rellik had shared about his own people; their enemies in the Mandalorian Empire; and the meeting that they had had with the criminal cartels from Nar Shadaa. "If the Imperial remnants represented at this table are to enter into such a relationship then it cannot be an expectation for there to be good terms between the member states of the Confederation and this Mandalorian Empire if we are the allies of The Diarchy."

Her fell silent. Without pushing the board too much, given her status as a mere participant of the civilian aspect of the Imperial regime, she had supplanted the idea of any commerce or economic ties with the enemies of The Diarchy while simultaneously planting the idea of a full-scale alliance with them instead. Someone less cunning, less intelligent, would have brought up the notion that all sides represented at this summit were also victims of Sith subterfuge in a bid to stir the tenants of Pax Astrum and the so-called rumoured 'final crusade' against the dark masters of the Styigan Caldera.

That would not be clever. Wrong false move and Her felt as if that these men would sooner turn their weapons on them rather than their mutual enemies. Such was the price for being duplicit and untrustworthy. No, it would be enough, at least for now, to utilize the Diarchy-Mandalorian war as a means for tying the military industrial complexes owned by Ravelin and New Aldera first with an idea to then push them towards utilizing their respective armadas, weapons and technology against the Thandon-Sith at a later time...

---

 

[Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory]

TAG: Karl Von Strauss | Diarch Reign | Her | Nolle Tron | Marlon Sularen | T'zarna Khab | Diarch Rellik
​

Amalia listened to how the young Nargath head managed to get his will through with minimal pressure, utilizing not the corporate power or the family legacy he could've wielded, but the cunning nature he had inherited from his forebearers, the charming disposition most Nargaths seemed to have, and ofcourse his openly borne desire to avoid wars that would not only see his company take losses, but also his circle of associates and acquaintances he respected and in more than one way admired. Even as he was nearing his thirty sixth birthday, the man in her eyes was both brilliant and yet still so hopelessly naive to think it was the strength of character and the good in people that brought this galaxy to the next stage.

Yet she remained calm, simply nodded and smiled, agreeing to his proposal as it was befitting her position as CEO of the N&Z, though it may have hindered the plans of Section C and by extension her master behind the curtain, she was well aware that in the end, it was but a minor inconvenience, one which could be grown acustom to in passing time or exploited when necessary.

Tertius, I understand your modus Operandi. We have intelligence that umbrella has... extraordinary assets. I have no reason to question that. Nor do I have any reason to question that you will find ways to make your money and satiate your financial Hunger*

Amalia's eyebrows perked up, a hint of crimson and gold flashing within her usually gray-brown eyes, her hand seemed to tense up a bit, nails sharp upon the table, her plastered faint smile gone and replaced by an absolute zero expression, cold and stern. Her eyes turned from Diarch Rellik towards Diarch Reign and then towards Karl Von Strauss who no doubt must have heard that very line as well. However the last one her eyes turned towards was Ella Nova whose lips moved and uttered the words Amalia had expected, perhaps not entirely in the best interest of the N&Z, but there were work arounds and some of the more clandestine options was prefered...even if it would have meant sacrificing a few pawns to get there. Still, the fact she didn't react to what Rellik had so casually mentioned, words which could be construed as a veiled threat...made the woman wonder if she wasn't behind this to begin with. After all, it was quite convenient, Ayra in the galactic empire, playing the double game, while Ella Nova was already known to utilize her many disguises to put forward some unspecified goals. While He had been clear not to act without consent, Amalia was keeping tabs on the Warden Primus, as she was generally known within the Imperial Confederation, so too was her master, but while Her master was focused on his plans, it was Amalia's job to safeguard the process...even if it meant going behind his back.

She had detailed reports on moments in which the Sith Lord had been seen in contact with either the Diarch Rellik himself or through associates, Her was smart, devious and utterly ruthless in her focus, but Amalia was not much less in any of those regards and she...had section C's full authority. "War would be... pointless. If our allegations prove to be correct, something which shall reveal itself in due time... would this not implicate they already are allied to the sith, thus by extension already in open war with the Imperial Confederation? While the N&Z does always insist on retaining its neutrality, it is better for the Imperial Confederation to be viewed as the victim of an aggressor, rather than the aggressor themselves... remember, that it is through a proper image, that the galaxy's support will lean towards TIC favor."

 

[Dante Phantomhive]

Dante listened to everything without much expression. War could be used as an opportunity to promote the Diarchy, even better if we didn't start it, he thought without letting it show.

"No one needs to go to war against the Mandos. We just need to wait for them to start it. No one in the galaxy or beyond would be surprised. Setting up defenses for a defensive war and letting them waste their resources is the smartest and most fatal thing to do, because when they retreat..."

He just smiled and took a sip of tea, who knows where he got that from.And his single blue eye scanned the faces of those present, like a calm observer in the midst of a storm.

"And for those interested in trade, there will be many opportunities in both situations."

The young Duke give a soft smile

[IMG alt="Ella Nova"]https://www.starwarsrp.net/data/avatars/s/46/46360.jpg?1769599589[/IMG] Ella Nova Karl Von Strauss Karl Von Strauss Marlon Sularen Marlon Sularen Tertius C. Nargath Tertius C. Nargath T'zarna Khab T'zarna Khab Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory Laphisto Diarch Reign Diarch Rellik