Ask Serenno A Noble Cause

[Kalique Baize]

She found him surprisingly nervous all anew and he was literally uncomfortably squirming on the couch after second-guessing his move. "Oh on Taris already? Maybe it was a shame you've just fallen asleep back then...". She leaned forwards to grab her glass again before taking another sip. "You've also sneaked out just like that" the reproachfulness in her voice was rather playful, as he'd be able to tell from her coquettish smirk.

What happened next surprised her as somehow - despite lacking any real game - he mustered more courage. While she was in a dangerous position, she had repeatedly told men off before. It was not uncommon that she had to assert herself in the barracks whenever some new douchebags showed up and attempted to bluntly hit on her, which she hated more than anything else, but he was being much more respectful. If it hadn't been intended by her to allow another kiss, she would have stopped him regardless of whether it would have displeased him a little, but as it was all following her own protocol, she let him. She reciprocated his kiss softly before slowly pulling back, just to kiss him again, this time a little more passionately though

When they parted again, she stayed rather close, reaching foward to cup his cheeks as she whispered "You have to swear this will neither show up anywhere nor will we act differently, okay?" she stated her terms rather seriously, emphasizing how this was something casual and would not result in any consequences. She was convinced he was aware she wasn't doing it to sleep her way up, but still wanted him to clarify that this was nothing but satisfying ones needs.

For her, this was obviously more. It was her way of ensuring she'd get closer to the information she wanted to assess and a way to secure a potentially important alliance. It wasn't like Kalique was actually craving something that intimate just yet, but she had a feeling how it would aid her cause. She did what she had to to reach her goals and this wasn't interfering with her career as neither of them was interested in having this information spread. She didn't do this on a regular base at all, yet she was always surprised by how ultra effective it was. The ISB did such things all the time and perhaps they were instigating her a little.

"So yes...if that's what you want" she added, referring to the violations of protocol, hinting at how this came from him first again. She then pulled him closer, this time parting her lips a little before she kissed him in a more demanding matter while she slowly leaned back, so that he would easily be above her if he followed.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

"I swear," was about all he managed to get in between before she pulled him closer by his collar. He turned his body, placing both arms beside her head as he positioning himself on top of her. He tried to let himself go in the moment and focus on Kalique. The faint taste of the sweet wine on her tongue, the warmth of her neckline and the heavier breath in between the moments that she was left with.

The music continued and the bottle of wine just sat there. Neither of them actually realizing that it was from a remarkable and rare year for the region. It was a special bottle to commemorate something that had happened 200 years prior. Levik didn't appreciate it, being an ale and liquor kinda man, but he did enjoy the taste of it now as it was warmth and mixed with the taste of another. He pulled his head back to make eye-contact with Kalique, but he wasn't a fool to think this was anything more than a one-time thing. He could see it in her eyes. She was thinking too much and not letting go the things that she should..

That, made things easier. He got up to his knees and pulled his own uniformed shirt free, opened the buttons with a rather impressive speed and then dropped the one thing that held its rank insignia on the floor besides the couch. Unlike Kalique, Levik had chosen to remove the top that had been underneath at the same time. He had the muscle-tone of a military man, which wasn't a surprise seeing his profession, but it also showed that their adventure on Taris hadn't been that long ago. The scar of where a blaster bolt had burned a chunck of his fat, muscles and nerves was still visible despite the regular kolto-baths. Other scars from years of sith-initiated warfare were visible, too, giving a certain credibility to his disdain for Sith and other Force-sensitives.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

It was all easier with the wine...to simply let go and shut off the thoughts and just focus on playing along. He didn't hesitate, but was still comparatively tame which came as a surprise as she had heard his harsh tone on the field on multiple occasions. While as a solider he was tough, it seemed like in such intimate affairs he was mellow. Another interesting fact, or perhaps he was just taking it easy for now.

While he kneeled above her, she slipped out of her top so that he would realize that he wasn't the only one with scars. She, too, was marked by multiple fights and dangerous missions and a rough basic training course although generally speaking she had gotten off rather lightly thanks to good treatment. On her light soft skin he'd still be able to make out remains of lightsaber marks, other smaller scars and burn marks and the most obvious wound that was still in the process of healing was probably the one right of her belly button: the burn from where the lightning strike of the Sith had hit her. The color would soon fade but for now it was a reminder of the sacrifice she had made to kill the pureblood.

As he was done stripping down she found her way back to his lips where they melted against one another before she started moving to her right and slipping out from underneath, so that she could flip them around. With her above, she could make short work of the buttons on her uniform pants before gracefully slipping out of them, before she intended to attend to his.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

***BEEP-BEEP*** ​

Levik frowned and with his eyes still closed turned around in the bed. The sheets were soft, but twisted around to barely cover them, and the cold morning air caused a chill as the Tarisian realized he was naked still. Slowly he opened his eyes to look at the blonde beside him, "Do you know where-"

***BEEP-BEEP*** ​

"-nevermind," he turned back to the other side of the bed and reached down to his pants. His communicator was still in his pocket and apparently someone was trying to reach him on it. His head was hazy and still thick with sleep after a rather short night of it. Most of it having gone to the reason Kalique and him were now waking up naked in the same bed. The wine, while sweet and from a good year, was already wrecking his head as the pain pierced his skull when he sat upright in the bed to-

***BEEP-BEEP*** ​

"Commander Karn," although Kalique wouldn't be able to hear whoever was on the other side of the call, Levik did bring his free hand to his head in order to rub his temple and sighed a lot. "Yes I have that file flagged." he said, turning slightly to see if Kalique was still pretending to sleep or, like him, moving to get out of bed and start the day. "Corellia, got it." Choosing not to further delve into an active operation while on the phone, Levik killed the connection and tossed the communicator on the bed next to him.

An exasperated sigh later and he fell backwards, letting his head hit the cushion as he stared at the ceiling. He wasn't ready to return to duty and pretend like nothing had happened yet, but as always, the Empire wasn't an employer fond of waiting.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

Kalique woke up rather well rested after not having induced masses of alcohol. Her head was relatively clear and while she still didn't stir, she used the early morning to doze a little longer and even enter a meditative state for quite some time. It was good to actively seek out her connection to the Force, yet she found meditation hard as she couldn't revel in the dark side like a Sith would. Still, after all those years she had actually reached a point where she had found a sweet spot that helped her expand those powers of hers in a very controlled way.

She was violently yanked out of her session by the beeping of Levik's comms and her eyes were immediately opened widely as she slowly turned. She watched him handle the call rather casually, but could already see that he wasn't as well rested as she was. Right after he collapsed into the bed again she adressed him with a warm, "Good morning to you, too", before she casually slipped out of the bed naked and made her way towards the door, still wondering who he had been talking to.

Checking the big digital holoclock on the wall, she glamced back to him. "It's 09.48. You can still rest a little, take a shower or do as you please. I'll arrange breakfast, feel free to join me around 10.30 downstairs in the dining room". With a motion of her hand, she opened the windows, so that the curtains were still blocking out the light though. The fresh air would still help him.

"If you need anything, let me know. We should leave around 11.20 though". She was ready for a shower, but first she'd order some breakfast. She'd literally prepare it herself if the fridge would have filled, but as the residence was empty most days, she'd have to call someone to deliver something quickly. The grande bathroom was just behind the next door and while she closed it, she didn't lock it. She was expecting he'd nap again, but she was already ready for the day to come.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

"Good morning," Levik replied in the softest tone of voice he could manage consider how bad that sweet regional wine was treating him and turned slightly towards her before watching her get up and walk to the door. He liked the way she looked as she walked away from him.

In his younger years he would've tried to convince her to stay. He could battle through the headache and put in another round as he fondly remember the things they had done the night before. But he wasn't a younger man, anymore, and that call hadn't been entirely Imperial business either. After Kalique had left, Levik turned back towards his side of the bed and grabbed his pants, searching for the other communicator he carried. It was a much smaller device that was disguised as a personav and had only limited text-functionality. Courtesy of the slicers employed by the Troig Eccle'baal.

Subject: Anon
Corellia sighting. Need Two. No novices.​

The person on the receiving end would know what it meant and make the proper arrangements. Levik had just received a courtesy call that Carth Monn had been spotted back on Corellia. He couldn't share that intel with Kalique, for chances were she knew Carth personally. The both of them having been Sith and their stay at one of the academies could potentially have overlapped.

After a shower and a shave, Levik made sure that his uniform was pressed again. He skipped breakfast to attend a morning meeting by holograph, but shortly after eleven he did show up in the estate's lobby. There was still the matter of their meeting with the Serenno council and if their dining theatrics had born fruit in the noble's gossip networks than half of their job would already been done. Baroness and Imperial knight Demici, accompanied by Commander Karn. What a couple and strong symbol of an Imperial Serenno they had made. Levik couldn't help but smirk..


@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

A few quick messages were enough to order some nutritious breakfast for the two of them, but after her shower Kalique realized that she wasn't joined by the Commander. Hence, she casually browsed through her NalPhone, checking both, the latest Imperial news but also the tabloid section while she helped herself to some freshly delivered wholesome bars and a vast selection of fruit.

While Kalique didn't mind the short time alone, she was again wondering what he was up to, but was also not noisy enough to check. Instead, she decided to ask him right as he joined her shortly before they had to leave. "Everything all right? Are you always that busy in the mornings?" she wanted now and thus asked him rather sweetly. Maybe he was avoiding her after what happened that night? Men were sometimes mysterious.

Still, they were about to depart for the core part of their stay on Serenno and so a few things needed to be discussed. "Do you think it's better if I do the talking? I know some on the board as some are even friends of my family". While Serenno was a monarchy, it was an elected one and the board consisted of both, members of the noble families and others. While he outranked her still and was an official Commander, she had history with this planet, so maybe it was wise if she'd lead the conversations.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Once again Kalique asked if he was alright. She had done it multiple times the night before and seemed very curious to know what he thought or did whenever she wasn't around to witness it. Maybe she was simply a jealous lover, or perhaps, the Imperial Security Bureau used the pretty knights to weed out the bad apples inside their own bureau. Regardless, hadn't she been the one to insist they didn't act differently towards each other? "The Imperial Security Bureau never sleeps, Kalique-" she had to know that. Preserving the Imperial principle wasn't a nine to five job and most of their colleagues woke up to work and did so right until they went to bed at night. Families were estranged and only those who had decided they'd not aspire to a higher rank had any personal time at all.

They already had a late start to their workday, waking up near to ten in the morning like it was a free day. Levik hadn't been able to enjoy such a day since he was on restricted duty after getting wounded in the sewers. Waking up late, going to the med bay for a kolto bath, read up on his mandatory readings of Imperial valor and the benefits of the Imperial principle in daily life. Since his promotion to Commander all of that seemed like a different past.

"It is fitting for you to do the instructions at least," he replied, thinking about how they should carefully portray the union and make sure it seems a symbiosis rather than a clear hierarchy where the Empire outranks the Serenno noble. "We'll go from there," he smiled at her to make her believe that he was much more in his element now than he had been last night. His mindset was different, too. Work superceded his suspicions at the moment.

This time he lead, descended the stairway first and walked over to the passenger side of their speeder.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

The Knights attentive gaze didn't leave the Commander while he was fishing for the next excuse. While she was already expecting he'd either tiptoe around the truth or just give her another non-satisfactory reply and well, she wasn't wrong. "Fair enough..." Desk work specifically was also due in the mornings, but internally she remained suspicious about whether he had just been involved in Imperial affairs or whether there was more to it again.

After his promotion, it was no wonder that his life had gotten even busier than before, but it still seemed like he was rather comfortable with where he was now. "I still hope you're well rested and ready for the day". She warmly smiled at him before she finished her coffee.

After tidying up she grabbed her belongings and followed him inside, making sure the fresh uniform was as flawless and crease-free as possible. "Very well. Let's hope the politicians are in a good mood today". She gave him a knowing smirk before she climbed into the speeder as both of them were aware about what their appearance in the restaurant had probably caused. She was surprised by how her parents hadn't shoot her a message just yet, but then again they'd probably call after the meeting as they were surely interested in how it went.

Without needing to type in coordinates Kalique began to navigate the speeder towards the Governmental Palace where they'd be expected soon. They'd arrive overly punctual which was just perfect, but before she alighted, she decided to update him on what her morning research had resulted in. "It seems like the noble houses are indeed in a state of unrest. This should be rather easy as their decision to leave the Empire was probably no more than a knee-jerk reaction". Her assessment of the situation was indeed positive as the Serennians surely loved their traditions and the history had been intertwined with the Empire for centuries...

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Upon their arrival, Levik immediately noticed that the Serenno Palace guards had changed their formerly Imperial uniforms considerably. Additions, adormants and unnecessary splendor all being in direct violation of the spartan Imperial protocols. However much these nobles fancied themselves to be so similar to the Empire, this morning consisted of all kinds of signs to the opposite. Kalique had seemed to have breakfasted casually despite them waking up hours after the appropriate time for an Imperial Office Day, no doubt she wasn't accustomed to hard work between her missions, and now the frivolities of the palace had made a one-eighty in a short months in which the Empire and Serenno had been separated.

"Don't get riled up," the Commander warned the knight. Knee-jerks were common, but they had the right and the leeway to do them, while the Empire could not afford to seem like the aggressor. Getting visibly angry, or otherwise showing the impulsivity they had always blamed on the Sith Warlords, would be a detriment to their goal today.

Attendants opened their speeder doors and Levik got out with a well-trained but very fake smile. "Commander Levik Karn of the Imperial Security Bureau," he clarified to the chief attendant, who checked his name off the list and then seemed to look at Kalique and waited for her to get closer, so in order not to waste time; "accompanied by the Imperial Knight. Baroness Kalique of House Demici." the attendants' eyes widened as he didn't have to search the list for that name at all, nodded and then stepped aside to let them pass.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

Kalique had been in the Palace a few times as it had often been the venue of formal balls and other events, yet it had surely been a while and the Knight immediately registered how not only the uniforms, but also the colors, decorations and obviously the emblems had changed.

It left a bitter taste in her mouth, yet she couldn't help but to wonder whether this had also been result of the quick and sudden escape Serenno had made. It sounded like they had forcefully tried to gain independence and demonstrate it to the outside world, but somehow it simply didn't see right. After all those years, you didn't just leave. Things wouldn't just work out. Was the government maybe even on the brink of chaos? They'd soon find out.

Kalique turned her head to look at him after his remark, wondering whether he imagined her to be a woman of impulsiveness and without patience, but simply let it slide for now. The Knight was skilled when it came to reading rooms and finding just the right tone to commence.

They reached the first checkpoint and the attendant quickly checked on their identification before letting them pass. Kalique didn't have to add anything as a well placed, perfectly courteous smile was all she needed for now as Levik had already taken over introductions. She didn't miss how the man checked her attire wide-eyed, clearly not expecting her to make such a direct statement or perhaps he was simply surprised by how the rumors were true.

They were guided through the entrance and the pompous entrance hall before their attendant gestured for them to follow the hallway. "Up the stairs you'll find the grande meeting chamber", he curtly explained before he let them proceed on their own. This time, Kalique took the lead as she had walked these halls repeatedly and with one last reassuring glance to Levik, she then directly decided to approach the door directly, so that I would automatically glide open.

With a subtle mechanic hiss the large, beautifully crafted winged door parted and allowed them to see the whole round of attendants of this meeting who were already expecting the Imperial guests. She greeted the heads of the other Houses, her aunt included, with a respectful inclination of her head before one of the assistants pointed to the seats they should take. There were some new faces of the newly formed independent government whom she checked out in conspicuously while that perfect smile of hers was all the politicians would notice.

Once the doors where closed again and everyone was at his or her assigned seat, Kalique raised from her place, bowing before she spoke. "Honorable representatives, we thank your invitation and your openness to hold this meeting. I, Kalique of House Demici, Knight of the New Empire, have brought with me Commander Karn, representative of the Imperial Peacekeepers" she gestured for him to briefly get up and bow as well. "Shall we commence?". She was waiting for their permission to statt outlining their arguments, as this was how this usually worked. It seemed like the government was there to listen first, not to argue, so the nature of this meeting would rather be a hearing and she assumed Levik would take over this part.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Levik did as he was told and bowed and smiled when he should. This was going to be an easy ride for him as Kalique had offered to do the talking considering she knew or was related to several members of the council. It surprised him when she left him sitting there with all the eyes on him after suggesting that he was the one who would now make the Empire's case of Serenno's rejoining their territory. Was she intentionally trying to sabotage him? The thought certainly crossed his mind, but none of this phased him. You didn't get to become a Commander in the Imperial Peacekeepers if you choked during public speaking.

"Esteemed members of the Serenno ruling council," he put on his best smile as he rose from his seat, "As Baroness Demici just told you, I am a member of the Imperial Peacekeepers," he figured it was an important detail to call her by her noble title just now. First win over their sentiments and then impose Imperial law.

"Many of my fellows are former Sector Rangers and I, who originally hail from Eriadu-" he paused, letting them match his story to the stories he told Kalique the night before, quite a few of those had no doubt reached the gossip saloons of the noble ladies. "-first served in its navy." he produced a gold lighter from the pocket of its uniform, the crest of the Eriadu Naval Academy was visible on the sides and was a rare violation of uniform code. It served an important cause, however, for Serenno held its own traditions and identity more dear to heart than many other worlds did or indeed had done before the joined the Empire.

"Although we are now part of the Empire and the Imperial principle is very demanding," his smile turned to a small laugh on the last word, knowing the truth of the words. "we are convinced that it will improve us, our fellows and our unity." he moved the hand that held the light a little to make them all focus on it subconsciously and then brought it to his heart, "Without forgetting who we are."

He paused here and slowly pocketed the lighter. "Our laws and institutions-" like the Imperial Security Bureau, "-provide us with security, safety and-" his smile shortly faded and he looked at Kalique for a second, "-now that the Sith Order is gone," a grimace slowly morphed into a well-meant smile again, "peace."

The opening move had been made and it was played to their emotional and cultural identity. "The Empire would like to see you rejoin our union, but we understand some wariness. Please, feel free to ask me any questions that you may have." and then, Levik retook his seat. Surely Kalique could handle some of the questions.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

After having done the introduction as discussed, his left the stage to the man in charge. He outlined their principles well, made some convincing arguments, but she couldn't ignore how the eyes kept darting from him to her.

She just smiled politely, giving them their perfectly practiced smile and giving all of them the impression of the dutiful devoted Knight that had deliberately chosen to leave the noble life behind and actively contribute to keeping the Imperial sphere safe.

With Levik having done his official part, Kalique rose again, not cutting off anyone as they were letting everything sink in for now, but she had another important thing to add. "Honorable representatives, I'd like to agree with what the Commander outlined, but also add that despite the Empire being on a new course, we have not forgotten about what had been". Traditionalism was an important value here and she intended to appeal to the conservatives by making another statement.

"Serenno had been part of the Empire for centuries and had flourished ever since it had been under its protective wing. I, Kalique of the noble House Demici, am a proud member of the Imperial Army and get to see how the Empire helps and keeps its members safe each and every day" as Serenno's loved patriotism, she added a flavor of that.

She kept reading their reactions, witnessing how only a few were a little bitter about how she had not stayed on Serenno, but the majority seemed rather lost in thought. "We understand that in times of change insecurities may arise. We are here to to proclaim that we have not suffered from the split, but have risen from the ashes stronger than ever and are here to fight for a course free of our former shackles, however as reliably strong and secure as always".

Again, she added a rhetorical pause, letting their little speeches sink in before she finished, "So we are indeed here to offer you to join us once again and grow alongside our Imperial body as Serenno had always done it". She signaled she was done by gracefully sinking back into her seat, waiting for the Councils hushed murmur to die down.

After a while, an elderly lady rose, turning her head towards Commander Karn. "A question directed at you, honorable Commander, might have arisen. Will the peacekeeper replace our own authorities, or will you incorporate them into your own structures?". Of course, Serennians were also proud und maybe some of them were already feeling safe with their own forces, but had they not seen the full extent of the war? The Killik invasion? Kalique was convinced he'd handle the question appropriately.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Levik noticed some muttering during Kalique's speech and hoped they wouldn't be too harsh, but then the elderly lady rose and smiled tenderly at the Commander. Elderly could do that; smile tenderly while at same time driving the knife slowly into your flesh and twisting throught the internal blood vessels. Her question was odd, which lead levik to believe she had a family member, perhaps a second son, in a high position of their new planetary law enforcement. There had barely been time to form their new own 'authorities' as she called it. Perhaps she was demented and thinking about a time before Serenno joined the Sith Empire almost a decade ago.

"It is merely a change of uniform, ma'am," Levik replied with a warm smile of his own. "I noticed the new Serenno security officers still operate much like the Imperials peacekeepers stationed here before. Perhaps some chose to remain here when the planet split from the Empire a few months ago?" he asked rethorically because they all knew that it was the truth. Peacekeepers, like Levik, were usually posted on the same planet for extended periods of time. They didn't join invasion fleets and fought long gruesome offworld campaigns. They simply enforced the law, then went back home to their wives and children. It wouldn't surprise him if many had intermarried with Serennians.

He did notice the elderly woman smile at his question and that made more sense than his earlier thought. Maybe she had a daughter who married and had children with a former Imperial peacekeeper? If he had resigned from the Empire to stay with her, would the Empire in turn see him as a traitor and refuse to accept him back into their arms as a peacekeeper? "The Empire will glady give the uniform back to those that want it."

Before the elderly woman was fully seated again, a military-aged man with an upright back and tense shoulders suddenly rose to both feet, his chest adorned with noble cross of knighthood and ribbons of various color. "What hollow words coming from a member of a once proud House Demici," he blurted out, disregarding Levik and directing his words directly at Kalique, "You have not suffered from the split? You have become stronger because of it? Strong and secure?" several other members of the council had some difficulty remaining still and not audible agreeing with the tone of voice and the sentiment this harsh man voice. "House Cavalas does lie closer to the spaceport, perhaps that is why we have a better grasp on astrology," Levik was reminded of the night before and the space opera about astronavigation. Perhaps the astronomer of House Cavalas was a more recent ancestor? "But tell me, Knight Demici, how many worlds did the Empire lose after the split? How many fleets could it no longer sustain after losing the intergalactic war?"

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

The lady listened intently, pursing her violet painted lips as he was buttering her up effectively. Lady Thylus, she now recognized the old crone with the toothy grin who had always been interested in her own personal interests only and remembered how her soon, the pampered blighter commanded an admirable force here.

Levik or someone else could deal with him later, but actually he was usually not really a trouble maker but more like the lazy type who never moved a single muscle and obviously the old lady was worried about her precious child...

Kalique- professional as always - didn't grimace at all and refrained from scoffing scornfully and patiently waited for their little reassuring exchange to come to and end. However, this negotiation didn't seem to be done as the infamous Count Cavalas decided to rise next. She listened yo him intently, not a single emotion reflecting on her delicate features as he threw a few things at her.

Lucky for the old posh bastard, Kalique had both consorted in their circles long enough and gained enough patience over the years to deal with such disruptors, so that this wouldnt have to become a verbal duel. "Honorable Count Cavalas, I'd prefer if we'd keep this on a respectful level", she began, giving him one of her perfectly trained smiles before she rose to answer his concerns.

"I can assure you in such a period of transition many questions may arise. The Sith did not command any fleets and due to the structural changes, many territories that may seem lost are just being officially integrated and resecured. Without the Sith, we are at peace and constant efforts are being made to speed up the processes of this Renaissance. The war is over. Serenno may stand as proud as ever but it is not as safe as it has once been". Her gaze shifted towards the other members of the Council, realizing that quite a few were agreeingly, but this was about convincing those who weren't.

"The army you are commanding may be able to defend the capital and Palace, but what about the orbit? Serenno's aerial forces have always been relying on Imperial support" and he'd knew that best because he had been part of it one day. "Also, who will help if what remains of the Sith will return? We are offering not only our military as support, but the Imperial Knights who'd stand inbetween you and the Sith, being the decisive factor between life and the death and destruction they can cause". With tactically executed gazes towards those that were already flinching at the mentioning of the Sith, she was hoping that their concerns would do the rest of the work for her. Serenno was proud, but it had always known about the perks of being Imperial.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Levik flinched at one part of the Kalique's speech and it didn't go unnoticed. What was worse is that her speech worsened as it progressed and to such a degree that by the time she began speaking about the Serenno's Navy the Commander couldn't help but rise from his seat. He shot a stern look to Kalique to sit down and shut up, too, before turning towards the council with an apologetic smile. "Our apologies, honorable members of this council and leaders of the traditional Serenno houses." he paused to sigh deeply and audible, "Many of our new Imperial Knights have been influenced by the Sith Order for longer than we sometimes realize. Some are given responsibilities before they are ready," it was clear now that he was speaking about Kalique and the Head of House Demici bowed her head, thankful to him for saving her family member from further embarrasment. "But that is why I am here, too."

With such a public display, Levik would have no choice but to report these events to the lieutenant-general. He only hoped she would not show this aggressive impulsivity once her promotion to knight-captain had come through.

"Count Cavalas is right," he continued, "our Empire is based on a principle of unity. I often refer to it as the Imperial principle. We stand together and we stand united against common threats." that is, after all, the very thing the Imperial Security Bureau did. It made sure there were no threats to the continued survival of the Empire. "While that remains, two things have changed. First of, we've lost the anxiety and fear of being subjected to members of the Sith Order that forced us to start and wage wars we had no interest in," he paused here to make sure these words sank in with Kalique as well. "Secondly, and you are familiar with this due to you current status, lieutenant-general Din offered every planet the freedom to leave the Empire's embrace if it was afraid we could not properly step out from under the Darkness in which we were created."

Two things that he had come here to show they had, yet exactly the things Kalique had threatened to ruin just now. "In the absence of fear, yet the uncertainty of the Empire being able to shed it off, many worlds declared themselves independent once again. This freed them from the blockades imposed by the Independent Systems Consortium, blockades which were crippling our resources and our ability to repair broken ships and deploy fleets across our own territories."

Count Cavalas and others nodded. This was the exact reason why they had decided to leave the Empire. To come back to it mere months after making such a decision was, perhaps, madness. Still, they had never joined Empires out of fear alone. The Serenno nobles had a deep history with the Empires that the galaxy had known. Starting all the way back milennia to Andraste, the progenitor of the Drast Empires that followed. "So you admit that the Empire cannot defend us from an Invasion by foreign powers? You simply do not have the power," the count finally replied.

"Can we protect Serenno the same way we were able to half a decade ago? No. Can you do it on your own?" Levik asked rethorically and that seemed to strike a nerve, "Again, a no. But -together- we can once again unite these neighboring sectors and form a united and cohesive defensive fleet. Not a defense fleet compromising of several independent planetary fleets with each a commander in chief, taking forever to take action, or one that is through bureaucracy incapable of fighting its own Killik-infested fleets." he had thus ruled out all other large intergalactic factions except for the cartel in the Outer Rim, but they were too far to help Serenno in their hour of need. "You have always been part of the Empire. This planet held the headquarters of the Imperial Security Bureau. The first Imperial principle was invented right here on your soil. The Empire needs Serenno as much as Serenno needs the Empire."

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

Levik's approach was a completely different one, but while she found his argument relatable as well, it was lacking the fact that the Empire was still a reliable and valuable ally, even after the war. Actually knowing how those meetings normally worked, the diplomatic education she had received had pointed her into a different direction, so she really wasn't sure whether what he was doing was working.

Also, she didn't like the jab he sent in her direction and it did frustrate her, but she was patiently sinking back into her seat and listened to the rest of her exchange. She had turnt her back on political stuff after having left Serenno so left that to him, but somehow she found I really ambiguous that he had wanted her to start, like she had, and when she had been adressed he hadn't chimed in to take over like he had said earlier.

Was that instability bleeding into his actions? People prone to contradictions were often prone to lying but then again he had many secrets and so did the ISB, so perhaps she shouldn't really be surprised. What mattered was that she'd be cautious.

His last words finally seemed to sink into all of them and there she did realize that he'd had a silver tongue to some extent. She found that view more agreeable herself and even the old Calvas found himself nodding a little. It was actually exactly what she had pointed out, but Calvas had always been quite the misogynistic chauvinist, so maybe if Levik would have taken over from the start they would have found a way to speed things up.

"If you'd be so kind to leave us for a moment, we'd like to discuss your proposal for a moment". Another elderly member rose, her features hard to decipher when she motioned for the door, obviously expecting him to leave right away and so Kalique lowered her head respectfully before she rose as well, hoping Levik would follow. Outside the grande chamber, she'd cross her arms in front of her chest and wait, choosing silence unless he'd address her.

@Eccles

 

[Levik Karn]

Commander Karn left the 'grande chamber' where the council would deliberate on joining the Empire, only to see Kalique crossing her arms the second they were outside. She seemed displeased, but if only she hadn't called the Serennians weak while at the same time making the Empire seem to be something it was not, then she could've kept up that fake smile of hers and Levik wouldn't have had to intervene.

He took a scented cigarette from his pocket and lit it with his golden lighter from the Eriadu Naval Academy. It took him a few moments of finding the words before he finally blew out some smoke and turned to the Imperial Knight. "What were you going to say next?" his tone wasn't at all the one she was used to from the night before, rather this was the voice of an Imperial Commander used to order others around. "You need our Force users to fight their Force users?" he took another drag of his cigarette, "Oh and by the way, less than a year ago our Force users were their Force users."

Shaking his head as he blew out some smoke again, Levik began to pace up and down the lobby. "Better yet, let us just tell them that you were a Sith," which, when you were Force sensitive in the Sith Empire and trained by them, you definitely were, "but that you don't have any of their traits because your current lightsaber is white instead of red like that means anything to us normal folk."

Suddenly he stopped pacing and let out a long sigh, clearly trying to calm himself and prevent him from getting any angrier than he should. Apparently you could train a noble to be a soldier and live like the rest of them, but in the end you could never truly counter their privileged upbringing. Kalique and Levik had a very different outlook on the realities of the wider galaxy and the only thing they agreed on is that the Empire was the better employer.

It took the council a good ten minutes to deliberate, but then a servant let the two Imperial back inside. Levik immediately realized what the outcome would be, for he recognized the gravity on their faces. Even the old lady, although she smiled, told him the bad news with her eyes.

[OOC: Failed roll]

"Thank you both for coming here today and stating the Empire's case." Count Cavalas remained seated as he said it, but he was apparently the one they had appointed to give the bad news and Levik appreciated that. One military man to another. "Unfortunately, Serenno will not -at this time- rejoin the Empire. We have chosen to separate ourselves from our long history with the Sith Order and for both our own planet," he looked briefly at Kalique and the representative of House Demici, "and the Empire, we think more time is needed."

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

She couldn't deny that she was slightly displeased about he had made her statement look really bad and she even found it quite unprofessional and not helpful as he had shown how even they weren't agreeing. Why hadn't he wanted to lead the full discussion like it had first been agreed on?

There would have been a more elegant way to shift between their different approaches to diplomacy but he had chosen not to. He was a military man after all and no soft spoken diplomat, so she still wasn't fully blaming him. Perhaps this matter should have been put into the hands of real Imperial diplomats, but something made her feel like Serenno had changed.

As he adressed her with this sudden harsh tone, she stepped back, a little confused by how angry he was now. It didn't feel like it was fully directed at her different approach to the negotiations, but maybe it was because he already sensed that this might not end in a triumph.

She stared at him, her features complete blank and neutral, but her confusion shifted into anger after he kept working himself up, now actually saying things she found rather disrespectful. She opened her mouth but closed it again, deciding not to even reply towards these false accusations because she wasn't going to enter such a flippant level.

Had he now even forgotten which color her lightsabers were? Also, did he not know how she had been focused on her military career and never considered herself anything close to a Sith? She glared at him in silence before he walked passed her again with his pacing, the Knight simply shaking her head because she approached one of the tall windows of the pompous hall and stared into the meticulously groomed gardens outside.

The Council members took their respected time until they were called in before they told them that joining wasn't an option for them right now. "Thank you for your time and consideration still" she politely replied before she turned and walked out, knowing they wouldn't debate any of this further. They were immediately accompanied and led outside while Kalique kept wondering whether he should have made their case stronger, like she had intended to do. What she had said was no lie and she knew the nobles of Serenno well, but it was too late now. They had tried.

@Eccles