Private They Never Even Asked Me Any Questions...

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
IMPERIAL CORRECTIONS DIRECTORATE [I.C.D]
COMMISSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVILIAN INTERESTS [C.O.M.E.C.I]

The first time that Ronhar met the Warden Primus, he had been rather intimidated by Her . Now, he was downright terrified.

The arrest warrants had seemingly come out of nowhere, and the entirety of the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant had been blindsided by the news. Ronhar's team had spent hours trying to figure out why he was being called in, to no avail. After a night of intense debate over what to do about it, Ronhar had made the difficult decision to voluntarily surrender himself for questioning, traveling to the Imperial Corrections Directorate to face his destiny once and for all.

The process had gone relatively smoothly, as Ronhar had been allowed to walk in without being arrested or placed in Stuncuffs, though he had been required to surrender anything that the I.C.D thought could be used as a weapon. Ronhar had been half convinced that they would even take his cybernetics arms, but he had at least been allow to keep them, though Ronhar found himself effectively unarmed for all intents and purposes.

Not that it really mattered in the first place, since if they wanted him dead, their wouldn't be a whole lot he could do about it. At the very least, he didn't think that the I.C.D was actively trying to kill him. If they were, they wouldn't have tipped him off in the first place. No, they wanted something from him, though Ronhar couldn't possibly guess what it was. After all, despite his reputation and rising status in the Imperial Confederation, he was still just a Captain, and he was sure their was much that he wasn't really privy to.

Regardless, that wasn't what the I.C.D thought. As Ronhar entered the interrogation room, he stopped and gave a crisp military salute before dropping both of his arms behind his back as he stood at ease. Then, he spoke:

"Before we begin, I must deliver a statement. My presence here today is neither an admission of guilt nor an acknowledgement of any perceived wrongdoings. The Mahporeem Imperial Remnant finds itself quite alarmed by the statements and actions of the Imperial Corrections Directorate, which is I am here today. However, my presence here does come with an attached condition. Should I not return to the Imperial Remnant within a standard Galactic Week, the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant will immediately withdraw its membership from the Imperial Confederation along with the forces operating under its command. This is not due to a misguided sense of compassion for my specific situation, but is rather a reaction to the actions taken by this office. The Mahporeem Imperial Remnant fears that this office is acting with the malicious intent and tactics of the Galactic Empire, our most hated foe. That being said, the Imperial Remnant does wish to reaffirm its complete and unyielding loyalty to the Imperial Confederation and the principles that it stands for, and remains committed to ensuring eventual Imperial victory over the foes that wish to see us fail. For the moment, we remain your humble servants."

With that, Ronhar kneeled down on one knee in subservience. Yet the question remained, how much of what Ronhar said was true? Did he make this whole thing up in a desperate attempt to save his own hide? Was the Imperial Remnant truly willing to back him up, if not because they cared about him because they hated the Empire and what it stood for more? Would they really make good on their "threat" to leave the Confederation if Ronhar was harmed, or were they willing to sacrifice him if needed in order to stay in the good graces of the I.C.D?

Honestly, it was impossible to tell, and if Ronhar were lying, his face betrayed no mention of it. Still, Ronhar couldn't help but feel nervous. After all, this was the Warden Primus, one of the most power people in the entire Confederation. Ronhar really hoped he wouldn't be executed on the spot for what he had said, despite the importance of him saying it. He was already figuring an escape plans if things went south, which would be a rather difficult endeavor already considering he didn't have any of his regular weapons on him.

At least they had let him keep his blast vest and jacket. Whether or not Ronhar would need them remained to be seen, but he certainly didn't want to leave anything to chance...

TAGS:
Her

 

[Her]

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New Alderaan, Outer Rim Territories;
The Imperial Corrections Directorate.

---

"Under the direction of Warden Primus, known only as Her, the ICD is slowly transforming into more than a correctional branch. It is becoming a hub of strategic knowledge, psychological warfare, and silent influence within the Confederation. Through its interrogations and access to captured enemies, Her gathers intelligence beyond official reporting lines—insights into the motives, fears, and vulnerabilities of her enemies. Her adversaries may think they are free, or in control—but eventually, all roads lead to Her halls."
-- Excerpts describing the ulterior objectives of the Imperial Corrections Directorate.

---

The interrogation cell is cramped, and dark. No sunlight here, with the only source of illumination provided by an artificial light hanging somewhere in the ramparts. It had been purposefully dimmed as well so as to make the room feel even smaller than what it already was, and the tension is palpable in this room. Unnerving, with a loud silence permutating throughout the cell, with no real noise in the din to distract, or other some form of normalcy, and comfort to remind you that you are you. You can't even hear the outside in here.

Her, colloquially known by the title of Warden Primus, is one of two occupants in the cell. The other is a captive, and he doesn't know why he has been treated this way. It hasn't been right at all. Elsewhere on the planet it is a standard 22:31 hours on New Alderaan, but it might as well have been next year as far as Tane is concerned. Day and night have disappeared down here. Only memory and wits has given him a semblance of time, and Her has made the Captain wait a long time. Far too long. It is an intimidation tactic. No doubt it was obvious attempt to unnerve and unsettle Ronhar. But it is long and tried tactic for a reason.

When you are alone, in a dark space for hours on end, it tends to have a psychological impact.

Questions stir in the mind, and when you have thought about them for long enough, your brain wanders to other places. Perhaps happier, or darker times that fill you feelings of nostalgia, or melancholy; and if you wait long enough, if you're in there for a long, long time, the brain turns off. You just can't help it. It is the human condition to seek survival, and to learn how to cope in these conditions. When the subject is finally met with company, even if it is given by someone like Her, they are more responsive, and open because anything is better than going back to that place where you were left alone. Tried and trusted interrogation tactics. 101. The type taught in classes, and only administrated well by professionals.

It is apparent right away that the woman standing across from him is a cold person as well. The captain has been in this cell for a long time, and not even the basic amenities have been allowed. No water, there has been no toilet break, or even a meal has been provided. Thirteen standard hours have elapsed since Tane landed in New Aldera to turn himself into the I.C.D where he was promptly escorted (by armed guard) to this cell to rot, and up until now, he has been left here to his own devices, in a cold, room with low lighting and a supply of sterilized air provided by the overhanging scrubbers that are eerily quiet in their efficiency, with no food, water or the chance to use the bathroom.

Her's prisoner is war hero, and the likes of him shouldn't be treated like he is a criminal. This man is Ronhar Tane, a captain of the Imperial Mahporeem Remnant, who negotiated the successful application of his homeland and transition into the Imperial Confederation, who served in the arm conflicts at Brosi, Coruscant and Atrisia against the sworn enemies of the state. Merit alone should have given him the basics of respect, and dignity. Yet, this woman standing across from him provided none of it.

The message is clear: you have done something wrong. Even if you do not know what it is that you have done.

"Before we begin, I must deliver a statement. My presence here today is neither an admission of guilt nor an acknowledgement of any perceived wrongdoings..."

A pair of cold eyes watched the captain talk, and when he was done, they stared at him a while longer. Red, crimson, and beautiful as they are haunting. Cold, and unyielding. These eyes have seen a lot, and their owner doesn't reply to a single word he just said. Words fail in the face of indomitability, and absolution. Threats, promises, or outcome pale in comparison to the moment, and in this moment she is the powerful, and he is the weak. He knows it as well, or wouldn't even gone into such description of what happens to the ifs and maybes of today or tomorrow.

All Tane has done is to tell Her that he is frightened, and that was what the Warden Primus wanted from him.

Quietly, Her walks around Ronhar as he kneels there, and approaches the other side of the cell. She doesn't tell him to get up from the ground, and leaves him to figure it all out. God, this woman is cruel. Not even a chair, or bed was given for the man to sit and rest upon since he was escorted and left here. All he was given were cold walls and a floor. As she comes to a stop, Her raises her hand to a crevice and produces a numerical keypad, where she types something in, and in a instant a recess opens from the side. She reaches in, and produces a seat (just for herself), which she then proceeds to close up the drawer, and when it is sealed again, she proceeds to unfold the metallic chair to sit down facing the captain.

At last, Her breaks the silence, and speaks.

"I will inform you, Tane, that the Exarch has released a second statement since the directorate announced our investigation into his decision to enact the forty-two a special measure," Her explained. "Under the legislation enacted by the commission a detainment and incarceration concerning yourself is illegal. You are free to leave at any time, and this is not an interrogation."

Thirteen hours in a cell. Thirsty, hungry, and desperate to use the bathroom. Cold, and left to rot here until time itself seemed to blur or go missing. Treated like you have done something wrong, like a criminal, after traveling an entire parsec just to reach New Alderaan, only to be told that you can leave at time that you want to, and to imply that you haven't done anything wrong in the place to justify it at all.

Injustice. Corrupt?

Her leans forward in her seat, and begins to give Tane ideas as to why he is here then. "I want to talk to you about the Nargath and Zanarath Umbrella Corporation. I want to talk about Project Tion, and I want to talk to you about Mahporeem. Then, I want to talk to you about the Exarch. But the first thing I want you to tell me about is this..."

Reclining back into the chair, folding one leg over the other, Her studies Tane calculatedly, and coldly.

"... Do you hate the Sith Order, Captain Tane?"

---

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
IMPERIAL CORRECTIONS DIRECTORATE [I.C.D]
COMMISSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVILIAN INTERESTS [C.O.M.E.C.I]

13 hours.

That was how long Ronhar had been made to wait like a common criminal as the Warden Primus seemingly saw fit to go about her daily business without giving him a second thought. 13 hours without food, water, or a single chance to use the refresher. 13 hours all alone in this dark, cramped room, with nothing to keep him company but his darkest thoughts. 13 hours of agonizing waiting, unsure if he would ever see the light of day again.

To say that Ronhar was furious would have been an understatement.

How dare they! It wasn't so much the wait itself that had upset Ronhar, as the commando was quite used to long periods of boredom in between his high intensity missions. No, it was the indignity of it all, the way he was treated as if he was undesirable or enemy of the state. How dare they, indeed. After all Ronhar had done for the Imperial Confederation, after all the blood he had shed, all the suffering he had gone through, this was the thanks that he received. Ronhar hadn't joined the Imperial Army solely for the accolades that came with it, he had joined because he truly believed his presence could make a difference one day. Still, he did expect at least some standard of civility when it came to his treatment by his so called allies.

When Ronhar got out of here, there would be hell to pay. Assuming he ever did get out, of course.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sliding of the cell doors, as the Warden Primus Her self entered the premises. Ronhar immediately repeated the statement he had made before verbatim before once again kneeling down in supplication. As angry as Ronhar was, he would never openly defy such a high ranking member of the Confederation, no matter how unjust his treatment was or how badly his hosts behaved toward him.

Whatever the Warden Primus thought of what he had said, it was impossible to tell. She seemingly ignored him as she walked to the end of the room, putting in some kind of code that produced a metallic chair for herself. The Warden Primus set the chair up and sat down in it, not bothering to offer Ronhar a seat or even ask him if he wanted one in the first place. Then, she spoke:

"I will inform you, Tane, that the Exarch has released a second statement since the directorate announced our investigation into his decision to enact the forty-two a special measure. Under the legislation enacted by the commission a detainment and incarceration concerning yourself is illegal. You are free to leave at any time, and this is not an interrogation."

Ronhar looked up from his kneeling stance with a mixture of astonishment and disbelief. Really? That was what this was about, why he had been made to wait for so long? Petty revenge toward a higher ranking Imperial officer that she couldn't take out her frustrations on? Ronhar could feel his blood boiling but wisely chose to remain silent. Despite what the Warden Primus had stated, this was very much still an interrogation, and Ronhar couldn't be sure who exactly was listening in on their conversation or if what he was about to say was being recorded to be used against him later. Every word he spoke would have to carry a certain delicateness to it, and he would have to be very careful with what he chose to share aloud.

"I want to talk to you about the Nargath and Zanarath Umbrella Corporation. I want to talk about Project Tion, and I want to talk to you about Mahporeem. Then, I want to talk to you about the Exarch. But the first thing I want you to tell me about is this: Do you hate the Sith Order, Captain Tane?"

During his time alone, Ronhar had mentally prepared himself for just about every conceivable topic that the Warden Primus could ask him about, and what his response to her queries would be. The first four topics that the Warden Primus brought up were ones that Ronhar had gone over, and he was fairly confident in the answers that he could give her. Yet that single question at the end had thrown him off entirely, and Ronhar was honestly unsure how to respond. He remained silent for a couple of moments as he formulated his response:

"I'm a practical man, Warden Primus. Why should I waste my time and energy hating my enemy when I could simply destroy them?", Ronhar chose to say, though he didn't sound particularly convinced of that statement himself. His mind began to wander, back to his first encounter with a rogue Sith Lord on Mahporeem, back to the organic horrors he and his men had faced on Brosi, back to the Sith pyromancer that had nearly killed him on Ord Lithone, and back to the butchered bodies of the Voss Mystics in the Tower of Prophecy. Ronhar had had no shortage of negative encounters with the Sith, and he was beginning to wonder if his hatred of the Galactic Empire was slowly being replaced with hatred for the Sith Order.

Regardless of his feelings, Ronhar didn't think it wise to verbalize any of this to the Warden Primus. His answer, however, was probably insufficient for what she had asked him, so Ronhar continued to speak.

"That being said, I of course remain committed to fighting them at every available opportunity. The Sith continue to be an anathema to the greater galaxy, and their ideals and goals stand in stark contrast to those of the Confederation. Again, I do not claim to hate the Sith, but I will do everything in my power to stop them from continuing to sow chaos and discord throughout the stars."

With that, Ronhar fell silent once again, feeling far more uncomfortable than ever. Had he said to much? Had what he said offended the Warden Primus in any way? Was his answer actually too short, and not to the Warden Primus's liking? Did any of this actually matter in the first place?

Ronhar was sure to soon find out...

TAGS:
Her

 

[Her]

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New Alderaan, Outer Rim Territories;
The Imperial Corrections Directorate.
Tag: Ronhar Tane

---

"I'm a practical man, Warden Primus. Why should I waste my time and energy hating my enemy when I could simply destroy them?"

"There could be hope for you yet," Her thought to herself quietly.

"That being said, I of course remain committed to fighting them at every available opportunity. The Sith continue to be an anathema to the greater galaxy, and their ideals and goals stand in stark contrast to those of the Confederation. Again, I do not claim to hate the Sith, but I will do everything in my power to stop them from continuing to sow chaos and discord throughout the stars."

On the contrary to the doubts racing through Ronhar's mind, Her was the opposite of offended.

For two years the woman sat before Captain Tane had been conspiring with a wide array of individuals and entities located throughout the Outer Rim systems to turn the Imperial remnants onto the Eleventh Sith Empire, specifically, at their holdings found within the Thandon Star nebulae. To hear that this Mahporieem held similar views (like Her) exposed potential but this woman is cynical as they come. She has heard others talk the same beforehand, and a lifetime of experience has taught them that there is a difference between those who talk the talk, and those who walk the walk.

So she will have to dig into Ronhar to tell which is which.

"Once upon a time, on Coruscant, there used to be a prison," Her began to explain giving Ronhar some insight into why the Imperial Corrections Directorate had declared him as a 'person of interest' to their investigation into Karl Von Strauss , and why he had been kept in these conditions for half-a-day. "This place was called the Black Pyramid, and it was built after the Old Republic fell during the One Sith Wars. Prisoners of war were taken there to be held, tortured and some were even experimented on. The victors take the spoils, and the meek perish for it."

Her lifted her gaze to the ceiling as if recalling something as she spoke to Ronhar.

"Sometimes, Captain Tane, you have to experience it for yourself in order to come to an understanding. Imagine living like this for the rest of your life. You don't know how long you have left. It could be another hour, or a day. One week, or two. Months, or years. You don't know but it is the rest of your time, and it was spent here, much like this. It's cold, and dark. Your only company is the hunger you feel. The thirst. Worry and fear intertwined with memories of better time that fill you with nostalgia. Never knowing if the next time your cell opens someone is coming to murder you, or torture you, or put you through something no man should ever be put through."

As the Warden Primus explains what it was like to be a prisoner in the Black Pyramid, Her intends for the explanation to be juxtaposed against the past thirteen (coming up close on fourteen) hours Ronhar has been put through. Confined to this cell with no explanation or insight into what he has done wrong. Left alone in the cold and dark with the feelings of worry, fear and hunger. Trailing thoughts that no doubt brought him to happier times. The not knowing what will happen to him the moment that cell door reopens.

It is eerily reminiscent. Was that the point of this? So that he would know what it felt like to be a prisoner of the Sith?

"I want to talk about the Nargath and Zanarath Umbrella Corporation," Her repeats herself while her explanation hangs there in the nether. "It is to my understanding that the company has opened offices on Mahporeem. Tell me more about this arrangement."

---

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
IMPERIAL CORRECTIONS DIRECTORATE [I.C.D]
COMMISSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVILIAN INTERESTS [C.O.M.E.C.I]

Whether or not the Warden Primus was satisfied with Ronhar's answer, he couldn't exactly tell. Still, something that he said must have resonated with Her , because she began to tell Ronhar a story.

"Once upon a time, on Coruscant, there used to be a prison. This place was called the Black Pyramid, and it was built after the Old Republic fell during the One Sith Wars. Prisoners of war were taken there to be held, tortured and some were even experimented on. The victors take the spoils, and the meek perish for it."

As the Warden Primus began to spin her tale of woe and misery, Ronhar noticed her glance upwards, almost as if she was looking for something or at something. Ronhar was starting to think that this story she was telling him had something to do with her own personal experience, and Ronhar sincerely doubted that it had been pleasant in the slightest.

"Sometimes, Captain Tane, you have to experience it for yourself in order to come to an understanding. Imagine living like this for the rest of your life. You don't know how long you have left. It could be another hour, or a day. One week, or two. Months, or years. You don't know but it is the rest of your time, and it was spent here, much like this. It's cold, and dark. Your only company is the hunger you feel. The thirst. Worry and fear intertwined with memories of better time that fill you with nostalgia. Never knowing if the next time your cell opens someone is coming to murder you, or torture you, or put you through something no man should ever be put through."

A rather grim story, Ronhar thought, though not one he was entirely surprised to hear. After all, it wasn't as if the Imperial Remnant could claim any sort of moral high ground in regard to its own incarceration policies. Prior to its independence from the original Galactic Empire, the entirety of the planet was itself essentially a massive prison complex, and ever since Mahporeem had joined the Imperial Confederation, it had begun to follow in the footsteps of its previous master with the construction of the Dome City prison complex on the moon of Bumos. Dome City was quickly becoming infamous for the harshness of its conditions and the poor treatment of those imprisoned there. Ronhar himself was rather conflicted about the existence of the facility.

On one hand, it housed some of the vilest and most evil persons in all the galaxy, and the labor that they provided for the Imperial Remnant was invaluable. On the other hand, the way that the Warden Primus described the experiences of those in the Black Pyramid made Ronhar cringe, though he tried his best not to show it. How could the Imperial Remnant claim to be better than its enemies when it engaged in the same practices that they did? Was this the point of the Warden Primus's story, to get him to try and shut down Dome City? At the very least, what she had said got Ronhar thinking about the future of the prison complex.

Before Ronhar could even think about responding, the Warden Primus suddenly shifted topics.

"I want to talk about the Nargath and Zanarath Umbrella Corporation. "It is to my understanding that the company has opened offices on Mahporeem. Tell me more about this arrangement."

Ronhar arched one of his eyebrows in surprise, though that action was hidden behind the lens of his helmet. The N&Z Umbrella Corporation? What did they have to do with Sith and prison complexes?

"There's not much to tell, Warden Primus", Ronhar responded, feeling just a bit more talkative than he was when he first came in. "Shortly after its introduction to the Imperial Confederation, the N&Z Umbrella Corporation made contact with Mahporeem, with a rather simple proposal. In exchange for access to the planet's vast reserve of scrap metal and raw materials, the N&Z Umbrella Corporation agreed to supply us with the schematics for their designs and the proprietary technologies that they had developed over the years. I'm sure you are already aware, but the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant has already developed a number of unique designs in collaboration with the N&Z Umbrella Corporation, many of which are already seeing active service across Confederation space. To say that the N&Z Umbrella Corporation is important to the future of the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant is an...understatement, to say the least."

Ronhar paused for a moment to catch his breath. He then said something that surprised even himself.

"If I'm being honest", Ronhar began, "their involvement with my planet has been something of a mixed bag. The Imperial Remnant is certainly grateful for all the technological assistance that the N&Z Umbrella Corporation has provided us with, but by that same token, I do sometimes worry that the Imperial Remnant is starting to become overreliant on the corporation for its military needs. I understand the appeal of their weapons and technology, and I can't argue with the effectiveness of the results that their designs bring about on the battlefield. Still, the Imperial Remnant is concerned about its own future, though that future is likely to contain the N&Z Umbrella Corporation whether or not we still want it to. For the meantime, we wish to ensure that we continue to maintain positive relations with them, which is why Collaboration Tower was constructed in the first place. I myself maintain a position on the N&Z's Board of Directors, though my role is geared more toward the creation of new war machines than it is running the actual company."

Ronhar elapsed into silence as he waited for Her to digest everything that he had told Her .

TAGS:
Her

 

[Her]

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New Alderaan, Outer Rim Territories;
The Imperial Corrections Directorate.
Tags: Ronhar Tane

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"Ones true nature is always revealed when confronted with a brutality not their own..."
-- The Lord of Hunger said to Her as he recruits them into the elusive Section C branch of the N&Z Umbrella Corporation in "Her wish, His will".

---

It was clear to Her that Tane held mixed feelings about Umbrella corp. On the one hand the company provided Mahporeem with access to their technology, their business contacts and other forms of corporate influence which has been to their benefit after a millennia of isolation from the rest of the galaxy.

The metrics were not difficult to understand, at least, in concept. They were playing catch-up with everyone else, and at a time when large encompassing threats threatened to take their world away from them. In this light they would have to consider both the cons and pros of allowing such a conglomerate into their world to do business, particularly, when considering those who would like to take to their sovereignty and identity away from them.

Firstly, in the form of the Imperial Confederation, who were made up of other Imperial remnants, with some (such as the Imperial Sector Authority and Empire Reborn expats) holding the same tenets of the New Order (to their very core) which served as the reason for why the Mahporieem had hidden themselves away in the first place. Anti-Imperial rhetoric intermixed with clear Imperialistic ideals and alignment to the Confederation itself served as a multi-layered, complicated society that was still rediscovering themselves in the tenth century.

Secondly, in the form of the Eleventh Sith Empire, who they felt would conquer, or destroy Mahporeem if they had the opportunity to do so especially given the redeclaration of war upon the Thandon Star nebulae (at the Battle of Brosi) by the Imperial Confederation. War was declared in retaliation for the destruction of the Tion system, as well as the discovery of Sith involvement during the economic collapse which led to the dissolution of the Empire of the Lost, and this saw to the end of first Imperial occupation in the Outer Rim systems, and of course, the Sartinaynian Crisis, which were all in accordance to the dossier created and shown by Her when Project Tion was first convened in the Minntooine system.

Thirdly, in the form of other foreign entities, such as the N&Z Umbrella Corporation, or even the Imperial Corrections Directorate, who may appear friendly, courteous and helpful on the surface, but beneath the light lingered corrupt, dark elements personified and epitomized in individuals such as the woman interviewing Captain Tane today. Therefore having a galactic conglomerate, such as Umbrella on their side, was indeed as Tane described, 'a mixed bag', and so navigating the politics or economics involved was a convoluted thing to say the least.

It was clear that Umbrella held an agenda of supporting the revival of Imperialism across the Outer Rim systems, by way of their involvement in clandestine operations such as Project Tion. Tane was a witness of this first hand as both a hand-selected member of the project itself, and by way of his employment in Umbrella. The company have subsequently negotiated and maneuverered themselves in to entrench themselves among the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant, and have done the same with the Imperial Sector Authority, who were the prime negotiators which saw to the formation of the Imperial Confederation itself. All of this done while simultaneously backing clandestine operations that were justified by paradigms created by Her such as the revival of Imperialism, and, of course, the invasion of the Thandon nebulae at the Battle of Brosi.

It all amounted to one thing: an amalgamation of influence and corporate power on the Mahporieem homeworld. Just as Umbrella had done in other worlds across Imperial space, and if they were to look far enough, the same was happening across The Diarchy as well. But was the Nargath and Zanareth Umbrella Corporation the only entity now influencing the Mahporieem, or was there something more sinister at play here?

Someone, or something else, that were intertwined between the corporate and Imperial politics at play, stringing everyone along together? And what did any of this have to do with Karl von Strauss enacting the EX-42A special measure?

Lowering her manicured hands into her uniform, Her drew a pin out from a hidden pocket, and stretched out her fingers to reveal an insignia of the N&Z Umbrella Corporation. "I am, also, employed by Umbrella," Her explained while picking her words carefully. The pin was given to those in Section C. It was an exclusive, hidden branch of the company that was a well safeguarded secret. They were more of a myth, and so she would have to speak well so that Ronhar would not become aware of its existence.

"The company and I have been working together for a little while now. Project Tion is an example of our collaboration. The revival of Imperialism, long waning and on the decline out here in the Outer Rim systems, is exactly the type of politics and economics that Umbrella thrive upon. I too helped to arrange the opening of headquarters for the company. They can be found in the Halquarn District. That is Lianna City, at the Neyrix pyramid, and it was all done with the assistance of a non-profit who are interested in supporting the cause of the project, and up until her removal from power, Liraeth Deschart."

Now it was beginning to come together.

Ronhar, as a representative to the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant, and hand-selected contributor of Project Tion, had been listed as a person of interest during the I.C.D investigation into 'Special Measure EX-42A' because of his employment as a member of Umbrella corps Board of Directors and by way of his membership in the project founded by the same woman talking to him today. It was now clear that the company (which he was now a Director of) were seemingly well invested into Deschart's reign as Empress of the Imperial Confederation (due to being it by her signature that Project Tion was subsequently founded) up until now given that she had been deposed of power by Exarch von Strauss.

The implications were becoming clearer the more Her spoke. She was implying that Project Tion was in jeopardy of being closed by the same regime von Strauss was a leader in. With Deschart thrown out of power came with her the things that she either implemented or subsequently supported during her reign such as Her's project. Was this why Ronhar had been in this cell for fourteen hours now?

Had he somehow, inadvertently, affected Her's project and was now paying some type of price? Or was Umbrella behind all of this, or, at least, a quiet partner, and now one of their own was acting against the interests of the company?

If so, who was now acting against Umbrella's interest, if it was even at all about the company and its influence on politics in the Imperial Confederation? Was the removal of Deschart from power, by von Strauss, a hindrance to Umbrella's plot? Or someone elses? Had EX-42A affected Her to the point that she was now placing this investigation upon the Exarch to instigate some type of political pressure to keep Project Tion alive?

To destroy the Sith?

"My project is very important to me, Captain Tane," Her revealed while Tane was putting together the pieces. "The elimination of the Sith threat is key to the future of the Imperial Confederation. There can be no occupation of the Outer Rim systems, nor a revival of Imperialism, so long as the Thandon nebulae remains under their domain. The Sith Empire will not allow it as the last time an Imperial leader tried to challenge their grasp out there in these sectors they destroyed an entire star system, and instigated a series of events afterwards to destroy their regime as well. Consider my train of thought for a moment."

Standing up and kicking the chair towards Ronhar, Her held out one hand as if she were holding her thoughts in her well looked after, pretty palms and nails. "Project Tion is given the green light by Deschart and we begin the work in earnest. Minntooine is taken by us, and serves as our beachhead into Thandon. An all attack is launched at Brosi, so that the resources and wealth of the Corporate sector becomes ours, and simultaneously we eliminate the Sith strongholds in the region."

"Victory would result in the destruction of the same threat responsible for the collapse of the Empire of the Lost. But we do not win. The Confederation is repelled and falls back instead."

Lifting her other hand, Her gestures to keep Ronhar following.

"Meanwhile, a revived Dark Empire, now calling itself the Galactic Empire, begin their own project. Operation Cinder is launched, and the Cademimu system is attacked, leading to the deaths of the Imperial remnants leftover from the Core Worlds."

Reaching into a satchel, hanging from her left-hand side, Her removes a folder and throws it at Ronhar's feet. As it lands the photographs and reports within are splayed across the floor showing the aftermath of an attack upon the Imperial remnants of the Dark Empire who did not join Marlon Sularen .

"A former comrade of Supreme Commander, Marlon Sularen, who both served in the campaigns to destroy the Galactic Alliance, before Sularen joined the Imperial Confederation, briefs members of the Imperial Ruling Council. They provide a testimony that the rumours are true, and that a new revived Dark-Imperial bloc were responsible for the attacks. These same people are later responsible for an uprising on several Core systems that leads them to taking Coruscant in a second Core Worlds campaign. The Galactic Alliance is fractured in a matter of weeks."

As Her speaks she alludes to Domaric Mordane , now a General in the Galactic Empire, and a former one in the defunct Dark Empire, who held a secret debriefing attended by Karl Von Strauss , Marlon Sularen and Her to warn them about Operation Cinder. Folding both arms across her chest, Her nods and continues to tie together the pieces.

"A coalition is quickly formed after this. It involves remnants of the Galactic Alliance, the Imperial Confederation, and the Sith Empire. They mobilize in the Atrisia system to attack a new weapon constructed by the Empire citing the excuse that it could be used against us evidenced by the discovery of Operation Cinder. These attacks, combined with the third Death Star, leads the Imperial remnants away from war with the Sith, with a new focus on the Galactic Empire. I find this odd, don't you?"

In a matter of weeks the Imperial Confederation were moved from warmongering against the Sith regime to an unsettling, if not so temporary alliance with them, that saw to the destruction of the third Death Star. Was it truly a matter of, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', and a survival of the fittest, or was there something more sinister going on that was neither aligned to the project Her created during Descharts time as Empress, or the company that both she and Tane were working for?

"After the Battle of Atrisia, Sularen makes a declaration making it known that the Imperial remnants will continue to oppose the new regime on what they are now calling Imperial Centre. In a matter of days, after this statement is made to the galaxy, a Director from Umbrella, who is the Exarch for comeci and member of the Imperial Ruling Council, enacts a special measure removing Deschart from power..."

Conspiracy and corruption have been rife in the ranks of the Imperial remnants since the turn of the tenth century. Had it come for Mahporeem as well?

"... And so, in a matter of weeks, the Imperial remnants have been moved away from war with the Thandon Sith, and the continuation of my project remains... uncertain."

Sighing audibly, Her turns half way around to look into the corner, diverting her gaze from Ronhar. Is it an act to make herself look sympathetic?

Conspiracy is a convoluted thing. There has been two years of it now, at the very least, and now it threatens to eat itself. Civilization teeters at an edge threatening to topple over into the dark. The last time something like this happened, in the old regime, when Velran Kilran fell at Lothal, the undercover Sith Lord imitating the Warden Primus instigated the Sartinaynian Crisis, and the Kilran's fell quickly after that, for if the Imperial remnants could not be moved against Thandon (as it were for their predecessors) then they would need to be cut out like a cancerous tumour infecting the body. Ayra only desired perfection, nothing short of it.

Will the same happen to the Imperial Confederation? As she stares into space, Her says almost to herself: "What if von Strauss has purposefully orchestrated this? To move us away from one goal and onto another?"

"What if you, and your people, can help me save us from them?"

"From the Sith?" asked the Sith.

---

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
IMPERIAL CORRECTIONS DIRECTORATE [I.C.D]
COMMISSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVILIAN INTERESTS [C.O.M.E.C.I]

Ronhar didn't have to wait long for Her to continue the story she had begun telling him.

"I am, also, employed by Umbrella", was the first thing that came out of the Warden Primus's mouth after Ronhar had given Her his opinions on the N&Z Umbrella Corporation.

Ronhar could again feel himself raising an eyebrow in surprise. An employee of N&Z Umbrella Corporation? That couldn't be right! As a director, Ronhar did have access to employee records and personnel files. After all, he had been given broad authority in hiring those he saw fit to assist him with the creation of new war machines for the corporation's portfolio. Suffice to say, Ronhar had never seen Her listened amongst the N&Z Umbrella Corporation's active employee roster. It was certainly possible that the Warden Primus was involved in something so secretive that Ronhar didn't have the proper clearance to know about, despite the position that he held within the company. Still, if that were true, surely the Warden Primus would have a far better understanding of the company's innerworkings that Ronhar ever could, no?

The Warden Primus had much more to say on the topic.

"The company and I have been working together for a little while now. Project Tion is an example of our collaboration. The revival of Imperialism, long waning and on the decline out here in the Outer Rim systems, is exactly the type of politics and economics that Umbrella thrive upon. I too helped to arrange the opening of headquarters for the company. They can be found in the Halquarn District. That is Lianna City, at the Neyrix pyramid, and it was all done with the assistance of a non-profit who are interested in supporting the cause of the project, and up until her removal from power, Liraeth Deschart."

Again, this all sounded like standard procedure, and was something that any good business partner would arrange for. What made this so important?

"My project is very important to me, Captain Tane. The elimination of the Sith threat is key to the future of the Imperial Confederation. There can be no occupation of the Outer Rim systems, nor a revival of Imperialism, so long as the Thandon nebulae remains under their domain. The Sith Empire will not allow it as the last time an Imperial leader tried to challenge their grasp out there in these sectors they destroyed an entire star system, and instigated a series of events afterwards to destroy their regime as well. Consider my train of thought for a moment."

Ronhar listened on with intent, trying to figure out exactly where the Warden Primus was going with all of this.

"Project Tion is given the green light by Deschart and we begin the work in earnest. Minntooine is taken by us, and serves as our beachhead into Thandon. An all attack is launched at Brosi, so that the resources and wealth of the Corporate sector becomes ours, and simultaneously we eliminate the Sith strongholds in the region. Victory would result in the destruction of the same threat responsible for the collapse of the Empire of the Lost. But we do not win. The Confederation is repelled and falls back instead. Meanwhile, a revived Dark Empire, now calling itself the Galactic Empire, begin their own project. Operation Cinder is launched, and the Cademimu system is attacked, leading to the deaths of the Imperial remnants leftover from the Core Worlds."

At this point, the Warden Primus suddenly reached into the satchel that she had been wearing when she initially came into Ronhar's cell. Ronhar could feel himself tense up in anticipation, worried that the Warden Primus might have suddenly changed Her mind and have decided to kill Ronhar after all. Maybe she had said to much? Maybe she had been trying to get Ronhar's guard down, and strike at him when he least expected it? Ronhar's eyes were locked onto the bag that the Warden Primus was reaching into, his cybernetics ready to activate at the first sign of trouble.

The Warden Primus reached into the bag...

...And pulled out what appeared to be some kind of folder. She threw it at Ronhar's feet, daring him to pick it up. Ronhar did so, his eyes never leaving the Warden Primus in case this was still some kind of trick to get him to lower his guard. A quick glance at the documents before him however quickly revealed something far more sinister.

It was an intelligence dossier on rather important person within the Imperial Confederation, on the very man who had done no less than recruit the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant into the Confederation. Ronhar recognized him immediately, and would have even if his name hadn't been plastered all over the documents in front of him.

Supreme Commander Marlon Sularen !

A million questions began racing through Ronhar's mind. How had they gotten this information? Should Ronhar really be seeing this? Did the Supreme Commander know about the dossier on him? Did Ronhar have a dossier just like this one? He was sure that he did. In fact, now that he thought about it, he had gotten the feeling that someone or something had been watching him for the last couple weeks, though he couldn't prove anything. Now, he was sure. And rather concerned.

The Warden Primus continued onward, seemingly unconcerned with Ronhar's visceral reaction.

"A former comrade of Supreme Commander, Marlon Sularen, who both served in the campaigns to destroy the Galactic Alliance, before Sularen joined the Imperial Confederation, briefs members of the Imperial Ruling Council. They provide a testimony that the rumours are true, and that a new revived Dark-Imperial bloc were responsible for the attacks. These same people are later responsible for an uprising on several Core systems that leads them to taking Coruscant in a second Core Worlds campaign. The Galactic Alliance is fractured in a matter of weeks. A coalition is quickly formed after this. It involves remnants of the Galactic Alliance, the Imperial Confederation, and the Sith Empire. They mobilize in the Atrisia system to attack a new weapon constructed by the Empire citing the excuse that it could be used against us evidenced by the discovery of Operation Cinder. These attacks, combined with the third Death Star, leads the Imperial remnants away from war with the Sith, with a new focus on the Galactic Empire. I find this odd, don't you?"

Ronhar glanced up from the dossier to look directly at the Warden Primus. He had to admit, everything sounded at least a tad bit suspicious. Ronhar wasn't the kind of guy who believed in simple coincidences. His time in the field had taught him never to assume, and to always question everything that went on. Doing so could easily be the difference between life and death. Still, Ronhar didn't like where the Warden Primus was going with this. He now had a pretty clear picture of what the Warden Primus was going to say next.

"After the Battle of Atrisia, Sularen makes a declaration making it known that the Imperial remnants will continue to oppose the new regime on what they are now calling Imperial Centre. In a matter of days, after this statement is made to the galaxy, a Director from Umbrella, who is the Exarch for comeci and member of the Imperial Ruling Council, enacts a special measure removing Deschart from power. And so, in a matter of weeks, the Imperial remnants have been moved away from war with the Thandon Sith, and the continuation of my project remains... uncertain."

Ronhar swallowed hard. He braced himself for Her next words.

"What if von Strauss has purposefully orchestrated this? To move us away from one goal and onto another? What if you, and your people, can help me save us from them? From the Sith?"

And there it was. The whole crux of this conversation. The reason why the Warden Primus had entrusted Ronhar with so much information: to accuse Karl Von Strauss of conspiring against the Imperial Confederation. Ronhar's mind was again abuzz with questions, but he forced himself to take a deep threat. Whether or not the Exarch was guilty of what the Warden Primus was accusing him of, Ronhar was now stuck right in the middle of it, whether or not he wanted to be. The next words out of his mouth were critically important to his survival, and he had to choose them very carefully.

After taking a moment to compose himself, Ronhar began to give his response to Her querry:

"Allow me to speak freely, Warden Primus", Ronhar began. "I fear you perhaps think too highly of me. At the end of the day, I am just a Captain in the Imperial Confederation and the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant. I go where I am told to go and I carry out all the orders that I have been given. No more, no less. As such, I am not especially comfortable theorizing about the actions of my superiors, especially those who are several stations above me in rank and importance."

Ronhar paused to gather his thoughts. He doubted that answer would be sufficient to satisfy Her , so he continued to speak.

"That being said, I have only known Exarch Karl Von Strauss for a short period of time. In that brief time together, I have come to know him as a man of honor and a man of integrity. He is both highly charismatic and personable, and I can assure you that the people of Mahporeem and the Confederation think quite highly of him. I find it highly unlikely that the Exarch would go through all the trouble of orchestrating such an elaborate plot just to gain himself a bit more power. Let us be honest, Warden Primus. If the Exarch wanted to remove the Empress to get himself into a higher position of authority, he could certainly do so both overtly and with popular support of Imperial forces. What I'm saying, is that if the Exarch really wanted to get rid of the Empress, he could just do so without having to resort to such indirect methods."

"After all, from what I understand, the Empress is a rather reclusive figure, and not one who most Imperial citizens truly known or even see. The Exarch is perhaps one of the best known individuals within the Confederation, and to say that he is it's "public face" is not something that I think is an overstatement. With the power and popularity that the Exarch enjoys, he could have surely got rid of the Empress years ago and truly solidified his station within the Confederation. I don't think he would require the help of the Sith or the N&Z Umbrella Corporation to have done this, either."

"As such, the only conclusion that I can come to is that the Exarch is telling the truth, and that the Empress has done whatever he has said she has done. The fact that your organization is unable to independently verify this only adds to my point. Was it not so that you just told me that your people technically lack the authority to do exactly what you are doing now? With that kind of power that his position grants him, going through such a convoluted route to get to this situation just simply doesn't make sense to me."

"Then again, what do I know?", Ronhar mused. "As I've said before, I am just a mere Captain, and I obviously lack access to the so called 'bigger picture', Warden Primus. But surely this is something that you must have already known. I know I am not here simply for you to bounce ideas off of. You would not have shown me such sensitive and classified documents if you did not have a way to control me or ensure my compliance upon my walking out of here, assuming you still allow me to do so", Ronhar stated darkly.

"You've asked me if I can save you from the Sith. I believe you already know my answer to that question. So let us dispense with the theatrics and come straight to the point. What is it that you require of your humble servant?", Ronhar finally finished. This was exactly the reason he hated the Empire of old. All the politicking, all the backroom deals, all the betrayal and backstabbing...it just didn't sit right with Ronhar. But regardless of his personal beliefs, he was now right in the middle of it, and if he was going to walk out of here alive, he needed to play along.

No matter what it was that was asked of him.

TAGS:
Her

 

[Her]

---

---

New Alderaan, Outer Rim Territories;
The Imperial Corrections Directorate.
Tag: Ronhar Tane

---

"A secret, clandestine project within the Imperial Confederation in a concerted effort to rejuvenate the resurgence of IMPERIALISM along the Outer Rim Territories while putting an end to SITH TYRANNY and the threat it poses to Imperial space."
-- A description of Project Tion: a clandestine operation founded by the I.C.D's Warden Primus.

---

"You've asked me if I can save you from the Sith. I believe you already know my answer to that question. So let us dispense with the theatrics and come straight to the point. What is it that you require of your humble servant?"

"I want your continued support of my project and it's goals," Her responded curtly to Ronhar's question while she lowered both her arms back down to the sides. "You may describe yourself as a mere Captain but your political influence, as the face of Mahporeem, puts you into a different class beyond your station. I would like you to start using it for my project."

As Tane took into consideration his own place in the Imperial Confederation, and whether or not he wished to continue support Project Tion, Her walked backwards a few steps towards the cell wall behind her, and when she felt the cold metal press up against her spine, she leaned back into it to rest.

"The Exarch is not an honourable or truthful man at all, Tane," Her explained as she began to pick apart Tane's views and opinions about Karl Von Strauss . "He is a savvy, cunning politician who elevated himself from a career as an engineer to the rank of Moff while simultaneously becoming a member of a ruling council created by Velran Kilran after they pulled off a successful coup d'etat against Aculia Voland during the height of the first Imperial occupation of the Tion Hegemony."

Averting her gaze from Ronhar down to her chest, Her raised a hand to slip it into her uniform and produced a box of cigarettes. Then she slid a cigarette into her fingers to slip it between her lips while putting the box back into her inside pocket. "Two years later another head of state-- Liraeth Deschart-- is forced to step down from the office of Empress after von Strauss enacts an emergency measure he himself created. Does this sound like someone honourable to you?"

As Her explained the Exarch's murky past to Captain Tane she produced a lighter and lit the end of the cigarette that was being held in the corner of her lips. A satisfied, soft sigh followed as the warden took a drag on it to exhale purple, luminescent smoke through the slits of her nose and mouth. The air scrubbers above them continued to work quietly but even they could not prevent the stench of cigarette smoke and ash that now lingered in the air while Ronhar considered whether or not the Exarch was as corrupt as Her was alluding too.

"Do you know why the directorate was created in the first place?" Her asked rhetorically about the Imperial Corrections Directorate while she took the cigarette away from her lips to hold it to their side held between her index and middle fingers. "Anarchy. Rioting in the streets. Bedlam. When the first occupation ended, as the Empire of the Lost fell into economic collapse, the people that it had ruled over were furious. They had every right to be in my opinion. From the moment Velran Kilran successfully deposed of Aculia Voland and swore himself in as a new Emperor the entire system was thrown into disarray. It was a disaster. One of the worse things to ever happen to the imperial cause."

"But a miracle happened, Tane."

Her took another drag of the cigarette. As she continued to speak more smoke exhaled from the slits of her lips. "In just a matter of months a new regime was created and so the Imperial Confederation were founded. The Empire of the Lost were succeeded with three of the Imperial remnants after they successfully negotiated a pact to join together under one house. Of course, later on, your people would be brought in as well. Chaos soon gave way to order as the directorate was founded and subsequently put into action to put an end to the criminal element. Out of destruction we breed creation."

Raising her other hand towards her mouth in a fist, Her coughed into it for a moment and then turned to spit the bile into the corner of Ronhar's cell while she cleared her throat. When the moment subsided Her turned back to Ronhar to tie it all together.

"The ICD were founded to deal with criminality in imperial space. Now a potential criminal is one of the most prominent and powerful figureheads in our cause. But he is trying to block me from discovering the truth. I have to ascertain as to whether or not his actions are legitimate and yet he has used his authority to prevent an official investigation. New politics concerning the imperialism in the Core distracts and pivots the confederation away from our nearest threat from the Sith Empire. This is all unacceptable to me."

Her took a moment to flick off the ash that was gathering at the end of their cigarette. As she admired it between her fingers, she revealed: "What I want from you is to convince Mahporeem to add pressure to von Strauss and his decision to remove Deschart from power. Become my informant and assist me in my inquiries. I have ideas on what I want your people to say and do while you are still in the position to make things happen."

---

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
IMPERIAL CORRECTIONS DIRECTORATE [I.C.D]
COMMISSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVILIAN INTERESTS [C.O.M.E.C.I]


"What I want from you is to convince Mahporeem to add pressure to von Strauss and his decision to remove Deschart from power. Become my informant and assist me in my inquiries. I have ideas on what I want your people to say and do while you are still in the position to make things happen."

So that was her angle.

All of Her stories, all of Her pleading, all of Her disdain for Exarch Karl Von Strauss laid bare-all of it had lead up to this deceptively simple request.

Spy on the Exarch? Him? Ronhar? What utter insanity! Ronhar wasn't a spy, he was a solider. His realm of expertise lay on the battlefield, not the winding halls and convoluted meeting spaces of the Imperial Confederation. How in the name of the galaxy would Ronhar be able to explain his presence? The Warden Primus had assured him that she would take care of the preparations on Her end, but still, it seemed inconceivable to someone like Ronhar that he could be catapulted to such an important position in such a short period of time. An important and dangerous position, he was sure. Ronhar didn't even want to imagine what might happen to him it if came out he was spying on behalf of the Warden Primus.

There were also ethnical considerations to think about as well. All of the history that the Warden Primus had brought up about the Exarch was unknown to Ronhar. He hadn't been there when it happened, nor had he seen anything himself. How could he take the Warden Primus at her word? Her disdain for the Exarch was clear to see, and Ronhar couldn't help but wonder if Her personal dislike of Karl Von Strauss was coloring Her judgement on the man. Not to mention the fact that Ronhar and Von Strauss had excellent personal relations themselves, and that the Exarch had been nothing but kind and accommodating to him and the Imperial Remnant. After all that the Exarch had done for him, how could he possibly ever betray his confidence?

Yet, despite his personal reservations, something was gnawing at that back of Ronhar's mind, and a rather unpleasant feeling was rising from the pit of his stomach. What if the Warden Primus was right? What if all she said was true? Ronhar seriously doubted that the Warden Primus was the type of person to simply make up all this information in an attempt to gain more power for Her -self. She truly seemed like she was completely and entirely devoted to the Imperial cause. At the very least, she appeared convinced that her concerns were justified, and Ronhar had to respect her commitment to ensuring that the Confederation continued to survive and thrive.

Plus, his status as a newcomer did work against him to some extent. The Exarch that he knew could be little more than a carefully manufactured persona, designed to disarm any new arrival's suspicions of him and garner their support for his continued leadership of the Imperial Confederation. Ronhar had to admit that everything that the Warden Primus had talked about did sound highly suspicious. If the Exarch was really innocent of what the Warden Primus was accusing him of, everything that had transpired so far would have to have been one hell of a coincidence.

Ronhar took a deep breath, making sure he was fully facing the Warden Primus, before he gave his answer.

"You must understand my reservations, Warden Primus", Ronhar began. "What you are asking of me is highly irregular, even considering the circumstances surrounding the Exarch and his alleged actions. You must understand that as a relatively new arrival to the Imperial Confederation, I can only go off of what I have seen and what I have heard. As far as I know, the Exarch has done nothing to me that would warrant any suspicion or ill feelings, and if I'm being honest, he has actually gone out of his way to make me feel accommodated. Surely you understand where I am coming from no?"

"Plus, as I have already stated, even if your supposed accusations are correct, what can be done about it? Would you propose arresting the Exarch? Take the chance of plunging the Confederation into a power struggle or perhaps even worse, a civil war? I fear the consequences of us going after that man should your worries prove correct. It is fair to say that this could tear apart the entire fabric of the Confederation, is it not? Yet, in spite of all that..."

Ronhar couldn't believe what he was about to say, but the words came out of his mouth before he had a chance to properly analyze their impact on his future.

"I must admit, all these allegations are rather troubling. I believe I mentioned at the beginning of our 'meeting' that I am a practical man, Warden Primus. As part of being practical, I'm not the one to necessarily believe in coincidences or luck or chance. When I see a pattern, I feel it is something that must be investigated. Based on what you have told me here today, and the evidence that you've provided me with, I do feel that there is enough to at least launch a cursory investigation into the Exarch's actions. However, you must realize the danger of doing so. I take it you have a plan, a concrete plan, Warden Primus?"

Ronhar braced himself for that the Warden Primus was going to say next. Now he had really done it, and depending on what the Warden Primus next said, Ronhar's life was going to be irrevocably changed, though wether it would be for better or worse remained to be seen...

TAGS:
Her