Private You Scratch My Back...

[Teckla Tane]

Location: Office in Moff Council wing of Imperial Complex, Lianna City, Lianna
Equipment: See Bio
Entourage: N/A
Tags: Marcus Bastion
Dialogue Key: ”Galactic Basic” | <<Telepathic Communication>>

Former Moff Teckla Tane had sent a message to Moff Bastion to meet her at a tapcaf near the newly purchased IE Tower. As Teckla finished changing from her robes into something a bit more appropriate for a public meeting, her sister and a few hired laborers were finishing up packing her belongings to relocate to her new offices. The surprises and ever-rotating door of new interested parties of the meeting to discuss how the Empire was going to move forward had cemented her move out of politics. It was a dizzying array of people who could end up allies or enemies depending upon the flip of a coin. Teckla was determined to build The Quasesitorum into what the Sith and Jedi could never be. Bringers of order not dependent on the Force as some sort of spiritual guide. To do that however, she would need to get out into the galaxy. She couldn’t be bogged down by the minutia of the Imperial day to day. And for that she needed to leave the Moff Council, and this building.

”I thought that Karl Von Strauss was your guy on the Moff Council,” Dextra Tane called from the office into the small changing area that Teckla had connected to it. ”Why meet with Moff Bastion? He’s got no clout in this Empire. He is damned attractive though…is that it? You shouldn’t use your power to get dates…” Dextra giggled as she continued the packing.

”Moff Von Strauss is my successor. A strong stable man who has plans to keep the Empire safe. He will hold the territory with clever grace and he will be another voice of sanity in the chaos of what is sure to be going on with people coming out of the woodworks to fill the ‘power vacuum’ left in the wake of the Emperor’s death,” Teckla responded making the last shifts and pulls of her dress to hang properly. ”Moff Bastion seems like he has a bit more interest in the intrigue of politics. He also needs territory, which I can help provide. And if in return he makes sure I am informed of the Council rumor mill, that’s a good trade off.” Teckla gave herself one last look in the mirror and then stepped out into the office. ”And you’re the only one that thinks when two attractive beings are in close proximity it has to get physical…”

”Oh yeah, that’s the cut that politicians wear to an innocuous meeting of trading favors,” Dextra continued the ribbing. ”Have a good date.”

Teckla rolled her eyes at her younger, more free spirited sister, shook her head and took her leave to the designated meeting place.

Dextra’s teasing was not entirely without merit. Teckla of course recognized that Moff Bastion was an attractive man. But so was Maldor, so were other men Teckla had worked with in her career. If the new Moff was distracted in her show of a little bit of skin, Teckla would know she had an advantage to use. In the end even a hardened General, Darkside Forcer and political game player enjoyed having a relaxing meal and looking good doing so. That was the true reason for choosing the dress.

Teckla arrived at the tapcaf first and was shown to a table for two on the patio. As she sat she looked out at the building across the way. Workers were putting up the logo of Intergalactic Exports. A fictitious company that would be used by Dexta’s agents as cover. Most of the very tall building was leased out to other companies. The top ten levels were reserved for them. Five for Dextra’s Obscurers and the very top five would be the official headquarters of the Imperial Crusaders. Things were coming into form. Now Teckla needed to see what the price of eyes and ears on the Moff Council would be.

 

[Marcus Bastion]

Bastion strode down the hallway his mind spinning with possibilities. The introduction into the Empire of the Lost had been a sudden one and immediately after him having been introduced the Emperor died. Bastion had been thrust into a position of uncertainty at a time of uncertainty. Surprisingly enough so far the Emperors sudden death hadn't caused the upheaval an Emperor's death could cause. Bastion was still waiting cautiously for the sudden shifts in power as Moff's, the new Empress or in this case the Grandmaster might rise and fall. Bastion had little doubt that this meeting would help determine his own place in the Empire's new structure.

Bastion knew little enough of the Grandmaster to give him an advantage a fact which irritated him somewhat. As a sabaac player sitting down at a fresh table with a fresh hand it would have helped if he had some information on the players sitting across from him. What he did know was intriguing. At one point she had been a Moff. Apparently she had decided becoming Grandmaster of a Force Organisation was more appealing.

It was possible she did so out of duty, but Bastion had seen her play the political game at Emperor Velrans funeral. She played it well. The fact that she had been one of the few non Moff's their illustrated pretty clearly that her current position had in no way diminished her power. In fact Bastion expected it had in fact increased it. She appeared to have handpicked her successor on the Moff Council.

Now she was head of a division of powerful warriors and force users within the Empire. No doubt being one of the few non Moff's at the table also gave her a certain amount of niche. Grandmaster a certain panache. It was however perhaps isolating. The other Moff's new she wasn't one of them which at best made her noticeable at every meeting of importance at worse outnumbered at every turn. Which lead Bastion to wonder what she had in mind for him.

If so Bastion could use that to his advantage. No doubt the Grandmaster saw a new player at the table and wanted to secure said player in her court. Or at the very least assess him for herself. Bastion had no problem using that to advantage, and he could use a powerful ally in his corner. Particularly if he was to gain some territory to his currently floating fleet.

Truthfully Bastion was in a vulnerable position and not only did he know it no doubt the Grandmaster knew it as well. The trick was to gain an ally and not become a vassal. Bastion wasn't opposed to an alliance, but neither did he want to become a servant. He'd let his fleet float if he had to.

Bastion entered the tapcafe and made his way to the patio where the Grandmaster waited. His eyebrow and corners of his lips twitched at the Grandmasters outfit. No doubt calculated to put him off guard and he had to admit it was… distracting. Which he supposed was it's purpose. Nonetheless Bastion forced himself to meet her eye's and gave a shallow bow.

"Grandmaster. Thanks you for the invitation. It's nice to be welcomed so… enthusiastically into the Empire of the Lost." Bastion smiled amused. "I'm afraid I'm rather inappropriately dressed. I didn't know I should be wearing my ceremonial uniform."

Teckla Tane

 

[Teckla Tane]

Location: Café looking at IGE Tower, Lianna City, Lianna
Equipment: See Bio
Entourage: N/A
Tags: Marcus Bastion
Dialogue Key: ”Galactic Basic” | <<Telepathic Communication>>

The newly recognized Moff of the Empire of the Lost expressed his appreciation for the invitation and apologized for his attire. Grandmaster Tane gave a simple nod of her head for the first and then a shake for the second. The apology gave Teckla a chance to look the Moff over, and she gave a bit of a smile at doing so, but quickly returned her thoughts to the matter at hand. ”I am happy that you agreed to join me,” Teckla responded waving for Marcus to take a seat at the table. ”There is absolutely no need to forgive your chosen clothing Moff Bastion…would you mind if I called you Marcus? I had rather hoped this meeting would be informal. Even though there are important matters to discuss.”

Setting the tone of the meeting as friendly, but serious, Teckla continued. ”Even though I have left the Moff Council and my official position within the government, I am going to need to maintain a finger on the pulse of the happenings in politics. My eyes and ears are going to be on the greater galaxy and bringing the promise of Velran Kilran to all of its citizens. As such I will need eyes and ears on the Moff Council, and other happenings inside the Empire’s borders.” Teckla gave a pleasant hum and regarded Marcus for a moment, taking a sip from her drink.

”There are a number of people I would trust with my life on the Council,” Teckla continued almost in a cautionary tone. ”I would expect them to do what is right and necessary for the Empire. If that was not the case I would not have relinquished my position. That said, I’m not sure they are the type that I want doing what I am proposing to you…”

After a brief pause she continued. ”You need allies. You need assets to contribute to the continued expansion of the Empire. And you need a territory to lead.” Teckla took another sip of her drink and then smiled. ”We seem to be in a unique position to help each other. It is my understanding that you held sway over the Yavin system in a previous regime. I would very much like to have my headquarters on Yavin IV. A historical melting pot of Light and Dark. Should you agree to keep me well apprised of what happens on Lianna, I think we could find a close working relationship in the Yavin system, the Gordian Reach and who knows. Maybe reach as far as Bastion…”

 

[Marcus Bastion]

"Of course. As long as I can call you Teckla." Bastion smiled and bowed. "I'm happy to make your acquaintance under more forgiving circumstances than a state funeral."

It would appear Bastion was being wined and dined rather literally as well as metaphorically. Bastion believed her in so far as she wanted a lighter atmosphere and that she had important matters to discuss. It was a useful tactic putting your opponent at ease in the hopes that they may reveal more than they would under stiffer situations. While still allowing for important matters to be discussed and hopefully resolved. Bastion tended towards the more formal side of Imperial mannerisms, but he would allow himself to a pretence of comfortability.

Ah now we come to it.

Bastion frowned thoughtfully it was a tempting deal. Almost in fact, in actuality too good to be true. Bastion was being handed everything he wanted on a silver platter, and all he had to do was feed her bits of information. No doubt once he did she'd have evidence of him doing so and would expect him to vote on any and all issues for her. For all in tents and purposes he would be a kept man. Bastion didn't have any moral qualms about that, but it did limit his options, in fact it would limit his power which was far more important.

"That… is a very tempting deal." Bastion acknowledged "Please understand I am grateful for the offer. It is everything I desire in the immediate, and it would be… a relief to once again have Yavin. I also admit that have Bastion dangled on the horizon is also somewhat salivating giving my family name and history."

Bastion paused in reluctance, before continuing forward with his stipulation.

"I must insist however that my vote on the Moff Council be my own. I'm happy to moniter situations on the Moff Council for the mutual benefit of the Empire, but I cannot in good conscience do my duty and not vote in what I believe the best interests of the Empire will be."

"You're right I do need allies. I do need assets and I do need territory." Bastion acknowledged with a grimace. "I'm aware of how precarious my position is on the Moff Council as it stands, I'm a Moff without a territory to be Moff of, but not at the expense of my duty to the Empire."

"If it comes to it the Fleet that came with me as much a home as I need for now. Until a better opportunity presents itself. It may seem like a foolish ultimatum to stand behind, but I believe it to be an important one."

Teckla Tane

 

[Teckla Tane]

Location: Café looking at IGE Tower, Lianna City, Lianna
Equipment: See Bio
Entourage: N/A
Tags: Marcus Bastion
Dialogue Key: ”Galactic Basic” | <<Telepathic Communication>>

Teckla gave a demure, almost timid smile that her father would call unfit for her position, at the request to call her by her first name. As an adult Teckla had only ever dealt with armies and politics. It seemed like forever since she was anything other than “General”, “Moff” or “Grandmaster”. She wouldn’t allow it to become a distraction from the goals of the meeting. But having a dashing man request to call her by her name was rather flattering. ”Teckla will be quite agreeable,” she said glad that could not feel things through the Force. Teckla was practiced at keeping a straight face on the outside, but her interest in Marcus would have been hard to hide in the Force, even for a Master like Teckla.

”The funeral was less than ideal for many of the actions that were attempted to put into motion. Too many new faces and ideas in that room to get much accomplished,” Teckla nodded in agreement to the second part of Marcus’ statement. Between the Sith and Elysium and new Imperials that Teckla hardly knew existed, the Grandmaster walked out of that event feeling like she was suffocating and glad that her duties no longer meant she had to be involved in those things. But her loyalty to the fallen Emperor just wouldn’t allow her to turn her back on that occasion.

As Marcus considered her proposal Teckla focused on him without betraying a trust and using the Force to nudge or even determine which way he was leaning. Life experience and just plain logic told the Grandmaster that she had provided a good prize for very little on the surface. But in waiting for Marcus’ answer she knew that it was a bit of a test. Two sayings that her father had always used. “If it looks too good to be true it probably is,” and “You never accept a first offer.” Would Marcus be wise enough to consider those two sayings? If he wasn't, was he really the right person for Teckla’s needs?

Teckla perked up when Marcus started to speak. He voiced the obvious that on the surface the deal was excellent. Power, territory, Teckla’s voice backing him up if necessary. And all he had to do was keep her informed of the rumors that would not freely flow her way. Of course Teckla could ask for other things down the line, but those were the strings beneath the surface. She had ticked the boxes, even dangling his homeplanet into play. She grinned and nodded as he laid out how generous her offer was. There was a pause and then a counter. Teckla’s smile grew wider.

Teckla truly was no longer interested in casting votes in what the Empire officially did. She would use the Quasesitorum to take the action she felt was needed even if the Moff Council disagreed. So allowing Marcus’ vote to be his own was an easy consolation. But she wouldn’t let on that was the case. She had already given a lot. Easily handing over more might make her look weak. Something that she might have taken advantage of in the future if she could allow Marcus to feel as such. But pride would not allow it. The game had now started in earnest.

Teckla waved a waiter over. ”I’m getting a bit hungry. I had thought you would jump at my first offer,” her expression came just short of actually winking in a tease that said she knew better. ”Nerf steak. Mid-rare please. And a bottle of Lothalian currant wine. And of course anything the Moff desires.”

Once the waiter had left the table to put in the order Teckla leaned forward her arms crossed. ”I’m really not looking to hang some unseen strings on this arrangement,” she whispered forcefully when they were alone again. ”I have grown tired of bureaucracy. Your vote is your own Moff Bastion. I will use my own people to do what I feel is best for the Empire. I will not look for approval of the Council or maybe even the Empress if she shows that she does not have the same vision as her father.”

It was risky revealing such a thing. If Marcus could prove the statement was made he would gain a lot of clout by successfully accusing Teckla of treason. Even though treason was not Teckla’s intent. ”And I am glad to hear you feel duty bound to this Empire. It needs more strong people at the controls. I don’t desire you to be a puppet. If I wanted a vote on the council I would not have given mine up.”

Hearing that Marcus was willing to set up his seat of power on his fleet was disappointing, but at least it let Teckla know he was willing to walk away from the offer and gain his territory on his own. ”I will guarantee your vote, your territory and my support if needed. You will warn me of new forming bonds, potential abrupt shifts of policy and other juicy tidbits that might affect how we continue to expand in the galaxy. It is a very good deal for you. Perhaps I should ask for more? Would that make you less concerned that I am trying to pull one over on you?”

 

[Marcus Bastion]

Bastion smiled with warmth and gave a little shrug as if to say: why not?

Informality wasn't Bastion's strong suit but he was willing to play the game to see where it lead. So far it was looking potentially very profitable. Which was the point. It was all very appealing, an offer to good to be true dangling right in front of him. He just had to reach out and take it, and risk losing the hand in the process.

"Well as long as we are being informal my friends back during my grunt days called me Bas." Bastion shrugged a little embarrassed. "A silly little affectation among soldiers, I'm afraid but I grew rather fond of it."

Bastion smiled as he remembered those men. All of whom were dead now. Very few used the old nickname with fondness and he had grown to miss it. All of the soldiers he now served with were subordinates who wouldn't nor could dare to use it. Nor would Bastion allow it. Bastion was fairly sure he wouldn't be allowed to allow it. It would be good to hear someone use it again with familiarity even if they hadn't yet reached fondness.

"I'm rather proud of my last name. Even in it's shortened iteration."

Bastions embarrassment wasn't entirely feigned. For a number of reasons. First revealing any small personal detail about him was against his nature, second he wasn't sure it was a wise tactic when playing for the stakes they were and finally well he was sitting across from a beautiful woman asking her to become more familiar with him. It was enough to almost make him blush.

Bastion could almost convince himself it was a tactic pretend to be the blushing schoolboy in order to lure his opponent into overconfidence. It helped that the tactic was close to the truth of course. Bastion just had to remind himself that that's all it was. Just another ploy. The was players were the ones who started believing their own cons.

Bastion cleared his throat as the waiter came over.

"I'll have the Crushnip with Fral. The same wine."

It was clear that Teckla hadn't seriously thought he would leap at the first offer presented to him. It was equally obvious she was insistent on the deal. Bastion supposed he should feel complimented he was considered a deft enough player in the game that he was afforded the due respect of not being surprised that the first offer had been countered.

Bastion would have to be a fool to accept such a tempting offer such as this off hand. Of course he'd also be a fool to let such an attractive offer just slip through his fingers. Still Bastion knew how the game was played. If it wasn't Teckla who came to him first with such an offer, someone else in the imperial hierarchy soon would. Perhaps Bastion should hum and er on the side of caution and cultivate suitors. Like a nobles daughter fielding suitors for their hand in marriage. Parading around debutant balls, smiling deftly while being flattered with compliments until he accepted the best offer.

The thought made Bastion vaguely sick. He was no count's daughter to be sold and married off into a binding contract. He was a Moff and he had a duty to his men. A floating fleet without a home. They deserved to have a planet, to have a system of their own. Many of them had served with Bastion back when Yavin had been his sector. They'd feel at home their, at peace.

Besides this was likely as best an offer as Bastion was likely to have. Other factors in the Imperial Ruling Hierarchy might offer other sectors for similar assurances only demand his vote. Plus Bastion had no doubt that if these were Teckla's systems to offer she could just as easily block any attempts Bastion could make to secure it without her.

Bastion raised an eyebrow as Teckla stated her intentions as potentially being against the Empress. That was a risky move and Bastion filed it away for potential future use. If it ever came to an official investigation of treason Bastion could be called to the stand. Of course that depended on the charges to stick, and Bastion not being stuck with them himself. Which if he hitched his star to Teckla too closely he would be.

Bastion scoffed a polite laugh at Teckla's offer to make it more apparent she was trying to pull one over on him.

"You risk a lot and offer to give a lot, just for an ear on the Council." Bastion pointed out. "What do you expect to happen? Do you think the new Empress's position is so precarious you need significant advanced warning of events? Or is it one of the other Moffs? Or an alliance of them?"

"Forgive me. I should clarify. I believe you are as they say on the level. I'm just wondering if there is something in the pipeline that I myself should be aware of?" Bastion asked. "I don't mean to cast dispersions. I am just trying to do my due diligence. If there is something I should be aware of I'd like to know it."

Teckla Tane

 

[Teckla Tane]

Location: Café looking at IGE Tower, Lianna City, Lianna
Equipment: See Bio
Entourage: N/A
Tags: Marcus Bastion
Dialogue Key: ”Galactic Basic” | <<Telepathic Communication>>

”Bas then,” Teckla responded to the nickname with a smile. ”My little sister was the only person ever to have the guts to call me by anything but my given name, or General. I guess I’ve since added Moff and Grandmaster to the list. Dexie called me Teck. I’d like having someone else in my life who didn’t treat me as if I was some immense presence despite standing a good half a foot shorter than most soldiers. If you’re comfortable with it. You can call me Teck…” There was an uncharacteristic blush on the cheeks of the Grandmaster. She had wanted to have something informal with another person for so long. Now letting walls down made her a bit timid, even if the goal of the meeting was still right at the front of her mind.

Teckla smiled at the Moff’s order. This was a café so she wasn’t expecting him to ask for an extravagant meal, but she wondered if his tastes were still those of a soldier. She wouldn’t blame him for such. Things were so much easier when she was just a soldier. Even then she split time between military functions and her Force training. The time that she had spent with the other soldiers was the most comfortable that she had ever had in her life. But that was not what her destiny held. Teckla was a person of authority as was her calling from the very beginning. Still she couldn’t help wondering if having at least one person that she could just be that simple soldier girl with if that would be the worst thing in the galaxy.

Like Teckla, there was a bit of shyness in Moff Bastion as he tactically overshared. With the Force, Teckla was able to tell that this was strategic with a bit of true feelings mixed in. The best way to provide cover from a Force-user. It would be quite difficult to guess what statements were meant as maneuvering and which were genuine. Ultimately Teckla didn’t care. Moff Bastion, while trying to appear as a simple military man, was much more if Teckla had gotten the right read on him. His participation in gamesmanship with the Grandmaster of a Force Order suggested she was indeed accurate in her assessment. He was the man that she needed in her corner in order to shift her attention from the problems in Lianna to how she could mold the rest of the galaxy. As Velran had desired.

If Bastion really wanted Yavin, she was the one best chance to get it. Why would he continue to play coy if he wasn’t up to the job of being her liaison. Teckla trusted Karl for sure. Maldor considerably less, but she also knew Maldor’s own interests were best served within a thriving Empire. He would do right by the Empire, but be a reliable mole? No, that just wasn’t the case. And now with the return of the Vollands, Teckla had to be sure that things did not return to their pseudo-democratic ways. She sensed a lot of deceit and self-service at the funeral of Velran Kilran. Many of the “Imperials” present would look to wrap the impressionable Empress around their fingers. Teckla would need to know when they made moves. She’d have to make sure the Empress stayed on her fallen father’s path. Even if it meant turning the Crusaders against the Empire. Teckla hoped it would not come to that, but she couldn’t be certain.

”Willingness to stick one’s neck out is a sign of strength,” Teckla stated with a smile. Not always a sign of true strength, but in her case that was certainly how it was. Would The Quasesitorum win a war against the Empire? Probably not. Would every member of the Empire fight against Teckla Tane? She heavily doubted as much. ”The voices on the Council have changed. Some new and some old. I have my plans to test out the new ones. This deal will show me many things about you. I have arranged a meeting with Zonn Geist to get a feel for his intentions. Aculia Voland is who I fear. She seeks control of the Inquisitors. She was the puppet master of the Reformist movement that the Emperor put to the blade. I will be playing nice for now, but I will need to know if a move comes to push these old Reformist views upon the Empress. The way to order is through might. Might has one clear voice. If Aculia is willing to allow others to press our Manifest Destiny to the galaxy while she keeps the core tidy…Well then we will be good friends. But if not. I need to know when a fight is brewing.”

Teckla wondered just how paranoid she sounded. She took in a shallow breath and sipped at the water that was on the table. ”While I trust the others to act…predictably, if they do something odd I wouldn’t want to be caught offguard. If you’re asking for main concern. Now you have it.”

Teckla hushed for a moment as the waiter returned with their food and a bottle of wine. Teckla smiled her thanks as her plate was put in front of her, Bastion’s in front of him and each of them were poured a glass of the wine. She took up the glass, swirled it around, sniffed the aroma coming from the liquid and took a small sip. She nodded to the waiter and he bowed disappearing once again as if this was a regular occurrence. ”Now we’ve reached the point where the offer is as good as it is going to get…The take it or leave it stage. I promise that if you don’t side with me your chance of ruling over Yavin is zero. But I don’t know how important that is to you.”

The negotiations were over. The terms were on the table. Teckla smiled. It was a relief. And she was fairly certain that Bastion knew that if he didn’t take the deal, she’d find another liaison. That liaison would have Bastion as a huge target as this discussion had talk that would be damaging to the Grandmaster if he were to try to leverage it. Teckla would never let that happen. She looked the Moff up and down once more. Thinking back to the idea that maybe they could find a relationship where they were just their old simple soldier selves with each other. She noticed just how right her sister had been about Bastion’s rugged good looks and a bit of a mischievous grin formed on her face. ”Perhaps there is room for us to form a more personal relationship as well, Bas,” she did her best to make it sound as if she were just suggesting a friendship, but she was quite sure the grin and the hum she put to his nickname were tells that she was open to other possibilities.

”The personal offer is not dependent upon you taking the political offer. We can be friends either way.” Though her interest in such a thing was genuine, she wondered if it might seem like a bit of a trap to the Moff. She cut into her steak and took a bite waiting for Bastion's response. There was a bit of a sigh as she hoped she hadn't overplayed her hand.

 

[Marcus Bastion]

"Teck then" Bastion said with a slight incline of his head. Bastion a skilled sabacc player noticed the blush but left it uncommented on. Truthfully it made Bastion relax a little. It was suggestive that he had not misread the situation and a little informality was to his advantage. It remained to be seen what that advantage was whether or not it could be applied to the discussion or greater game of politics. Or perhaps just a growing familiarity among peers. Either would suffice. It had been a long time since Bastion had been informal with anyone. Longer if he was counting the years he had been in carbon freezing. It felt good to be able to open up just a little, even while they both played the game to the best of their advantage. It wasn't duplicitous so much as respect one could have earn and gain of an opponent while playing a friendly game. Admittedly a friendly game with stakes.

Bastion had to remind himself of that, and that she was a skilled opponent. It was perfectly possible all of this was a sherard. A mask designed to engineer a false sense of comfort. It was a common enough tactic that it was more than possible. Somehow Bastion doubted that it was entirely forced. It was possible of course, but doubtful. Besides the best lies had elements of truth to them. Besides if she could blush like that on cue she was a very talented actress.

Still the comfort he felt was real enough atleast to him. Both soldier and Moff. The soldier was enjoying a good meal with a fellow soldier. The Moff was enjoying the game of politics that could prove hugely beneficial to his position. Both aspects of Bastion were at ease in the situation. Which was surprising as sometimes the soldier in him preferred more direct action. It was rare that both sides of himself reached an accommodation. Though usually the soldier could be told to just follow orders.

Bastion also had to remind himself she had an advantage over him that he did not. Teckla Tan or Teck as she apparently allowed him to refer to her. Was a skilled Force User. That was as much an advantage here at a café as it was on the battlefield. Bastion had great respect for the abilities of those who harnessed the Force. As such he wasn't foolish enough to believe he could match a Force User on that battlefield. It would be foolish to assume he could on this one. He was fairly sure she couldn't read his mind without significant direct action. Still Bastion did his best to present his mood strategically between honesty and guile. Honesty for wanting some partiality towards Teck- Bastion couldn't help feel uplifted by the nickname- and wanting what was best for his fleet… and himself.

It was clear that the Grandmaster felt some mistrust towards those on the Council but whom? And why? Bastion was too new to the game. Which was towards Teckla's advantage to this proposal. Bastion needed to secure his position as quickly as possible, and by dangling Yavin in front of Bastions nose she was doing that quite effectively. Bastion had done his best to be reassured that he wouldn't be signing away his honour, but currently this was the best deal he could hope for. And they both knew it. Still Bastion was getting some useful information on the players at the table. Teckla feared what Volands would gain if they managed to get controlled of the Inquisitors. It also appeared that Bastion wasn't the only new player she had arranged a meeting with. Bastion wondered if Zonn Geist would be getting a similar offer that he was getting. Maybe his own private corner of the Empire to call his own?

Bastion nodded thoughtfully. Teckla's reasoning was sound. With all the new voices and shake ups on the Council. There very well could a surge of movements. Now that he knew her fears, Bastion tried to judge whether or not they coincided with his own. So far as he could see they didn't. Bastion served the Empire to serve the Imperial way of life, and if he was being honest with himself, because he and his men needed a home. He would have preferred to maintain his independence on the Council to remain a voice of moderation, but he needed territory. Backing Teckla was perilous, but it was as good of an avenue open to him at this time.

Bastion smiled as Teckla laid down her own ultimatum. The take it or leave it stage. Bastion weighed the offer carefully. Then decided he had all the information he needed to.

"Well Teck I'm glad your friendship isn't predicated on my accepting the deal." Bastion acknowledged a little amused. "I would hate to think you were only being friendly in order to get me to agree."

Bastion smiled then grew serious as he answered her offer.

"Yavin holds some sentimentality to me I'll admit" Bastion paused "but not enough to sign away my career in stubborn holding of it. Having said that. As we both know this as good a deal as I am likely to get. Very well I will be your eyes and ears on the Council."

"My vote remains my own." Bastion confirmed meeting Teckla's eye. Bastion raised his glass to clink on the deal.

Bastion breathed a sigh of relief? Tension? Wondering if he had just signed over what was left of hi soul. To be someone elses puppet in the never ending game of Imperial Politics. Bastion believed that Teckla Believed she was acting in the best interests of the Empire, but what those actually were? Bastion could have just made himself another tool for her to use. If that were the case Bastion would have to play the game very carefully. Although now he had his own bastion in Yavin to firm up his own support. A Bastion for a bastion. It was an amusing thought, even as it chilled him.

Teckla Tane