Zeradias Mant
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Zeradias Mant was born to an influential Coruscanti family and was raised throughout the galaxy, though rarely with his family.At a young age, Zeradias was sent to Mandalore to study at the Royal Academy of Government. After graduation, he immediately enrolled himself at the Corulag University of Economics, and four years later, at the University of Coruscant, studying historical conflicts like the Waymancy Storm and the Pius Dea Crusades.At the young age of 24, Zeradias found himself to be at a significant advantage compared to others his general age throughout the galaxy.Though he felt little connection to his homeworld, he was still drawn to it. No yearning though, could convince him to enlist and serve under the Sith, who've largely governed themselves through repressive tactics and deceit. He returned to Mandalore, from whence he studied, and joined the Mandalorian Protectors. His professors at the Royal Academy strongly discouraged the decision, citing he was too smart to put himself on the frontlines, and instead suggested he would much better serve from behind the scenes. This was after the fact though, and Zeradias was already committed.
The first months of his service he was a grunt, doing what he could to survive. It was a demanding environment that Zeradias was not prepared for, but he stayed afloat.He wasn't exceptional at infantry work, but he did his job to standard. He learned the native language, Mando'a, and embraced some of the more refined traits of Mandalorian culture. Some of his comrades even went as far to name him vod. After several months, he was transferred to a communications section where he excelled. He was shortly promoted to Rally Master thereafter and headed the Keldabe Radar Station. After two years of cumulative service, Zeradias' term of enlistment ended.
Still, his homeworld called. Unable to ignore Coruscant's cries any longer, he returned home and joined the Coruscant Guard. Because of his experience and demonstrated leadership potential, he was granted the rank of Sergeant upon entry. He served as a traffic supervisor for several years, enforcing the planet's traffic law as well as handling many aspects of routine anti-crime operations. He eventually found himself promoted to Sergeant of Detectives and was assigned to the Coruscant Guard's vice section, charged with combating the planet's vast anti-trafficking networks. It seemed like an impossible task, and largely it was, but it provided Zeradias with endless work. With no purpose or distinguishable meaning behind his drive, Zeradias fumbled. He requested a demotion to return to his previous job where he could attain some fulfillment from his work. This request however, was denied. Instead, he found himself promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where he served as the vice commander of the One Sith's diplomatic escort team. It seemed counter intuitive that the Sith, people renowned for their cruelty in conquest and twisted morals, even had a diplomatic team. It was at this assignment though, that Zeradias' perception of the Sith changed.Though some of the rumors were validated, he found that not all practitioners of the Sith teachings were evil. It wasn't as black and white as he and many others imagined.Some of them were capable of empathy, or so it seemed at least.
Zeradias was able to apply some of his skillset from his Mandalorian Protector days to his present detail. The Sith visited the worlds within their dominion frequently, if not to maintain relations, to ensure fealty. One out of every five visits, at least, posed some sort of security threat. Zeradias himself had to take lives in defense of the Sith. It didn't please him, but he understood why it had to be done. After a seemingly routine visit to Dulvoylinn, the detail commander was killed in an ambush, along with two other members of the security detail and the Sith knight they were guarding. The mission a failure, Zeradias assumed interim command of the escort team and returned to Coruscant, where he was summoned to appear at the Coruscant Guard's headquarters. Expecting to be reprimanded or worse, he was praised for salvaging what was left of the escort team and for quietly returning with their fallen Sith compatriot. On the spot, he was promoted to the Commander of the diplomatic escort team, where he served for three years before being placed on the command track within the Coruscant Guard. He was assigned to serve as the law enforcement organization's Comptroller. It was just the dull assignment he needed, following the excitement and peril of his previous one. He stayed in that position for five years, before taking an indefinite leave of absence.
He once more committed himself to academia, furthering his studies at institutions of higher learning. From Arkania to Naboo, Zeradias expanded his mind as his pocketbooks shrunk. Had it not been for his parents' sizeable estate, there is no doubt Zeradias would not have had the many opportunities he's had. Nonetheless, he continued in his academic pursuits. In 843 ABY, he became an Adjunct Professor of Law for the Mrlsst Trade and Science Academy. His time on Mrlsst was short-lived though, as he grew to detest the methods of the Tapan government which held dominion over the system. He returned once more to Coruscant, where he commissioned as an officer in the One Sith Navy. Commensurate with his education and experience, he entered the service as a Captain, serving as the Deputy Inspector General of Shadow Hand Command.
In time, he rose to the rank of Commodore and held the position of Inspector General of Shadow Hand Command. Following the Galactic Alliance invasion and victory at Coruscant, Shadow Hand Command fell. Despite his best efforts to consolidate power and maintain a functioning command, the naval force was lost. One Sith agents throughout the planet were captured or killed. In the months that followed the fall of the Sith capital, the One Sith's empire fell as well. Rumors from credible sources told that the Military Executor Isamu Baelor was leading a mass exodus to the Unknown Regions. Much to his surprise, this flotilla was not a fringe organization of the One Sith, but rather one opposed to its ideology. His homeworld in shambles, there was nothing Zeradias could do further to help given the new ruling power and his present affiliation. His commission all but resigned, he requisitioned a grounded star destroyer before escaping Galactic Alliance space and rendezvousing with Baelor's flotilla.
Instrumental in quashing the pirate factions n the Crossbones Conflict, Zeradias found himself face-to-face with the Executor-turned-Emperor.His actions having garnered Baelor's favor, his relevant past permitted him to join the newfound 'Iron Empire' as a Warden and Commodore, to assist in both management of naval assets as well as governance of the realm-to-be. After establishing themselves on the Chiss homeworld of Csilla, the Iron Imperial military defended itself and it's dominion against multiple fringe One Sith assaults. For a time after their riddance, there was relative peace.Despite the Iron Empire liberating Csilla from the tyrannical clutches of the defunct One Sith, there were many among its populace discontent with their presence.An insurrection began, and continued for the first year of the Iron Empire's existence and its expansion into the surrounding systems.Resigning his post as Warden of Csilla for a commission as a flag officer, then-Rear Admiral Mant led many comprehensive reforms to naval organization, resulting in signification increases in efficiency and power. He also saw himself spearheading several diplomatic initiatives, establishing relations with the Silver Jedi Order and creating a personnel exchange program.
As the Iron Empire continued to solidify its hold on the Unknown Regions and its place in the galaxy, Zeradias ascended to the position of Chief of Naval Operations and was promoted to Grand Admiral, in line with the required rank of its respective office. As one of the more progressive members of Emperor Baelor's court, Zeradias continued to improve naval efficacy and diplomatic relations, establishing communications with the Outer Rim Coalition, Dawnguard, and securing an defensive alliance with the Galactic Empire. Recognized as a longstanding loyal denizen of the Iron Empire and effective leader, Zeradias was appointed Vice Regent, to serve as the right hand of the Full Metal Emperor. As the Vice Regent and principle commander of the Unknown Regions' largest navies, Zeradias Mant was widely recognized as one of the most powerful people in the Galactic Northwest.
A ) His appointment slowed the stagnation of the Iron Empire, but it was not enough to save it from itself. In an effort to increase it's prominence on the galactic stage, Vice Regent Mant looked to the Galactic Alliance and Silver Jedi Order to bolster it's trade and economy. He was also responsible for the forging of a defensive alliance with the Galactic Empire. Despite the significant number of diplomatic ventures, the Iron Empire had remained in isolation for too long. The Iron Empire was on the verge of economic collapse. Recognizing the threat it posed to itself and it's dominion, the Iron Empire began a rapid campaign to decentralize power from the Crown and instead place it with the planetary governments entirely. Though the Iron Empire no longer stood, it was hopeful that the planets once under it's rule would remain committed to each other.
B ) Mant realized that his appointment to the office of Vice Regent was not without a heavy burden, one that demanded he rule the Iron Empire in the emperor's stead. What he didn't anticipate though, was the unearthing of just how ineffective Emperor Baelor's rule was. Though a redeemed man and good of heart, he was ill-suited to serve as a head of state. Over time, Mant consolidated power around him. With the backing of the Iron Imperial Navy and several planetary governments, he initiated a bloodless transfer of power and as Vice Regent, he found himself the interim sovereign of the Iron Empire. He had no desire to wear the crown, though. In order to implement his true goals, it was a burden he had to bear. Over the following months, Mant decentralized the power within the Iron Empire and gradually empowered planetary governments to govern themselves. After ensuring the Iron Empire was laid to rest as to not become an empire of tyranny, his last act as Vice Regent was to disband the Iron Imperial government. He personally terminated the commission of dozens of military flag officers and eliminated the offices of several high ranking government officials. This resulted in a number of threats against Mant's life, though no threats ever elevated to attempts. Once the government was totally defunct, the line of succession broken and irreparable, Mant resigned the office of Vice Regent and his commission as Grand Admiral. The Iron Empire was no more.
Those of House Baelor were not hated by the people, nor Zeradias. But he determined that they had no place in determining the future of the empire, for they were ultimately the one's responsible for the actions in motion. Instead, the former emperor was granted lordship of Curtana, the constituent kingdom on the Iron Empire's capital planet of Arondight.