Ask Dark Wheat

[Alexander Xerxes]

A swift wind ripped across the plains of Ansion, thick stalks of wheat blew from side to side. It was almost harvest season, the farmers checking the weather each day waiting to see if today was the day. But the sun was shining a little too bright, the ground a little too dry, so today wasn’t the day. That suited Alexander fine, he rode his hired speeder bike through the fields towards the designated meeting point.

It was an old farming estate, far from the hustle and bustle of the capitol city. He had told his aides that he needed some time away from the endless meetings and dinners. The Senator of Hynestia had arrived on the planet to discuss with the planet's leadership about becoming a potential Bastion world. It was a bill the Hynestian Prince was sponsoring, to help push back the tide of Sith and Mandalorian aggression within Republic and Alliance Space.

It seemed that most of the broad ideas and paperwork had been agreed and those that needed to agree, had. Now it was down to the fine details, something that honestly didn’t need the Senator’s input, this was for the legal, financial and military minds needed to hash out amongst themselves. The Senator was now just a rubber stamp guy. This had given Alexander the perfect pretence to get away, from the defence of the Republic and into its potential downfall.

For none but a minute few people in the galaxy knew that Alexander Xerxes, was not only a Senator of Hynestia, but a Sith Champion. It had been six months since he had met with his handler and it was now time to check in.

Gone were the suits that everyone was used to seeing the Prince in, he had snuck out in casual wear, a mask covering his face. The Speeder came to a slow stop outside the estate, the dust of the late autumn kicking up behind him. Stepping off he pulled the speeder helmet, quickly replacing it with a ball cap just in case a satellite was passing by overhead. Alexander looked around he couldn’t see anyone around, closing his eyes he unlocked the pent up Force power inside and begun to reach out to check if he was alone.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

It had been quite some time since Jaikus - or rather, as he was known to the Senator of Hynestia knew him, Wraith - had summoned Alexander for a meeting. There were only a small handful of people who knew of Alexander’s true identity, or the arrangement that had been reached for him to operate within Republic space. As his official handler in the Empire, Jaikus was one such person - and certainly the one Alexander was most familiar with.

While it afforded the Senator of Hynestia a longer leash than most, Alexander would know the consequences of ignoring the summons he had received. Jaikus didn’t have to guess whether or not the Senator would show up.

By the time Alexander arrived in the middle of the field, the Axxilan was already waiting for him. He was dressed in his signature Sith armor - the ensemble of cloth and armorweave fitting tightly to his figure, while his features were shrouded behind the metallic visage of his mask. The Axxilan’s lightsaber and vibroknife were secured at his hip, left plainly visible as he walked.

He didn’t bother trying to be discreet or hide what he was. He *knew* that there were no satellites or probes hovering above field in particular that he or the ISB didn’t have direct control over.

Alexander would only have a split second to expand his senses in the Force before Jaikus made his presence known himself. The Axxilan stepped out from the tall grasses, hands folded against the small of his back as he stepped into the clearing .“Champion Xerxes,” Jaikus said, his smooth voice mechanized and distorted by the filter in his mask. “A pleasure to see you again,”

“You're late.” The smirk on Jaikus’ lips was practically audibly in his tone of voice, head tilting ever so slightly to the side.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander felt ‘Raith’ for less than a moment before he broke into his line of sight. He was dressed, well like a Sith. He had seen hundreds of the Empire’s elite dressed in garb meant to do only one thing: ‘Instil Fear’. The look had lost all impact on the Hynestian Prince, bringing a smile out on the Senator’s face as Raith greeted him. “It is always a pleasure to see you Mr Raith.” He replied with a cheeky smile on his face, he had spent most of their meetings trying to figure out the man’s real name. Even his skin or hair colour, but the handler was good at his job and kept his hand close to his chest.

“Too much time in high society has informed me that arriving late is the in thing.” Alexander replied with a little sarcasm. The Senator leaned back on the speeder, the sun was beating down on him and he was starting to get a little warm under the mask and hat. “I am assuming you didn’t come through customs then.” He said pointing at the weapons on his belt. “Do you still not trust me? I am not going to bring the Rangers or Jedi to our little meeting. It's going to hurt me a lot more than it hurts you. If the truth gets out.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus kept his citrine eyes fixated onto Alexander, head tilting ever-so-slightly to the side as he regarded the Sith Champion-turned-Senator. The Axxilan knew well enough that the Hynestian had tried desperately to garner some information about who was under that mask, and Jaikus had left him unsatisfied each and every time. Today would be no different.

“So it would seem,” He replied to the Senator’s sarcastic remark, the smirk on his lips almost audible in his voice as he spoke. Almost. Without another word, the Axxilan stepped past the Senator and towards the tall grasses once more - strolling towards a path that had previously been beaten. “Walk with me.” He said.

“Were you under the impression that I ever enter through customs?” Jaikus asked back towards the Senator, tilting his head ever-so-slightly towards him. By now, the man was most likely aware that Jaikus - like most members of Sith intelligence - had their own ways of moving through the Galaxy and beneath notice. He didn’t answer the question about whether he trusted Alexander or not.

The reality was, he didn’t. He expected the other man to betray the Empire for his own benefit at the closest opportunity. What he did trust, however, was Alexander’s own self interest. Self interest that dictated that stepping out of line would come with monumental ramifications. “If the truth gets out.” Jaikus mused loud enough for the other man to hear. The implication was clear.

“You have made quite a name for yourself within the Republic,” He said back towards him. It was no secret that Alexander had been making waves on the political scene recently - especially after the recent assassination of the Chancellor. And so it didn’t take a genius to guess what goals the Hynestia had fixed his sights onto.

“Do you intend to run?” He asked plainly.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

It seemed ‘Wraith’ like ever was not in the mood for jokes and pleasantries. Alexander had only just reached the Sith when he turned on his heels and began walking away from the speeder. The pair quickly disappeared into the tall grass of the planet, a well trodden path stopped Alexander being beaten in the face by the plants around him. He let his left hand run through the grass to one side, feeling each individual leaf. He rarely saw greenery such as this Courscant was just concrete and Durasteel and Hynestia was Ice and Rock.

Alexander heard and understood the quiet repetition of his last line, it was a threat that the Sith could hold over him for the rest of his life. “I try.” He began with a smirk. “The Centrist party has been without a head since the death of Chancellor Ro. They fit both my motives and goals the best, so I have been moving within their circles. A few notions of support here, backing of bills, attending parties. I have well established myself within their ranks now.” The fact the party was once run by the deceased Chancellor meant it was perhaps the strongest within the current Senatorial College at present. Alexander placing himself within their ranks was strategically the best course of action, if he intended to have any real influence within the government.

“I have not decided yet, my political clout is still lacking with some of the older senators.” His main game at the moment was to make sure he was at least close with whoever ran for the Centrist’s, so that he can secure a high ranking position in the new government.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus was silent for a moment as the pair walked down the beaten dirt trail - the path just wide enough to walk shoulder-to-shoulder between the towering blades of golden grasses. Despite his ecumenopolis upbringing, the Axxilan couldn’t help but appreciate the natural beauty to be found on Ansion - an increasing amount of time spent with his fiancee resulting in the Axxilan developing a genuine enjoyment of the outdoors.

The Axxilan tilted his head towards Alexander when the Senator began to elaborate on his actions within the Galactic Senate and New Republic - how he had slowly but surely maneuvered and strategically worked himself up within the party. The man’s quick rise in status was admittedly impressive, and it served as a reminder of Alexander’s potential value as an asset to the Empire. The Axxilan said nothing when the Hynestian went on to state that he had yet to make a decision on seeking the highest office.

Truth be told, didn’t entirely believe Alexander at face value. The man had proved himself to be nothing short of ambitious and eager to rise in influence, and Jaikus severely doubted that he truly hadn’t set his sights on the Chancellorship. “And yet, none have stepped forward to fill that vacancy. Vaisra and others have the experience and influence within the caucus, potentially, and yet make no attempt to capitalize on it.” Jaikus tilted his head towards Alexander, regarding him for a long moment.

“Regardless, I expect you plan on securing a high position within the new administration - a position to influence change within the Republic and Galactic Senate.” He said smoothly, the implication clear in his voice. If Alexander intended upon securing a decision-making role within the new government, the Empire would utilize their hold on the Senator as it best suited them. He paused for a moment in the middle of the path, turning on a heel to face the Senator once again. “Relations between the Jedi Order and New Republic have soured significantly since their expulsion from the Galactic Senate. I expect whoever succeeds Emil Ro will either push to solidify that separation, or to mend the damage that has been done.”

“How do you predict events will unfold?”

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

Alexander’s shoulders brushed slightly past ‘Wraiths’ as the path narrowed for a step, skyscrapers glittering in the distance. “Assassination makes most men stutter.” He said between Jaikus’ comments. There was also the matter that most if not all the senators cared for their own interests before the Republic. Taking a step out of their own office to attempt to rise to that of the Supreme Chancellor threatened that.

“That is my goal.” Replied before being quickly met by the Sith who now positioned himself near the middle of the path blocking him from moving any further forward. Alexander stopped and listened to the handler’s comments about the Jedi and the Senate, a hand on his hip. After a short moment to gather his thoughts he replied.

“To be honest it depends on how the Sith play their hand. At the moment the majority of the population are suffering from only the secondary and tertiary aspects of the war. As such most do not have an emotional or physical ties to the conflict, only financial and perhaps political ties. Because of this anti-war sentiment is high, combine this with the Empress’ propaganda against the Jedi and their own incompetence and it is easy for whoever wins to push for further alienation of the Jedi.”

Alexander crossed his arms as he continued, his face stiffened slightly as he spoke. “The problem will be if the Sith either get too overzealous in their attacks on the Alliance or worse attack the Republic. If they do that, then the population will flip, those who wanted peace, will now want revenge. I dare say that it would wake a sleeping giant the Sith cannot at this time afford to face.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus titled his head towards Alexander, giving a small nod when the Senator made his own musing about why none had immediately stepped up to take Emil Ro’s place. The Axxilan offered a vague shrug of his shoulders in response. “So it does.” There was some merit to what the Senator had said - but it was only inevitable before someone stepped up to the plate at this point.

As the topic shifted towards the Jedi and continued conflict with the Empire, Jaikus listened in silence. If there was any immediate reaction to what Alexander had said, it was entirely shrouded behind the the Axxilan’s wraith-like mask - his posture and body language similarly betraying nothing. The reality was that the Empire had little interest in conflict with the Republic, and it had only been Emil Ro’s own actions that pushed the two governments into the position they were now. It remained to seen whether that conflict would escalate or not.

“I have difficulty seeing many within the Republic Senate advocating for continued conflict.” He said simply, breaking the momentary silence. “The late Chancellor was severely reprimanded for his actions on Denon. I suspect the course of the conflict will depend on the next Chancellor, and his own stance on the matter.” It was no secret that the Chancellor held a tremendous amount of power when compared to the FWA or even ISC head of state, and their actions alone were likely to determine the course of events to come.

He waved a hand dismissively, turning back to the path ahead. “Nevertheless,” He said airily, starting to continue his path ahead. “Only time will tell how events unfold. And what actions the Empire will take in response.” It wasn’t necessary for him to spell out the course of action that the Senator would be encouraged to advocate for.

@Braden

 

[Alexander Xerxes]

“I agree, most prefer peace over war. Even though the latter is profitable to some systems, peace works better for all. But as I said, the Sith can easily change the Senate’s and the people's opinions if their actions are too aggressive.” He replied, reinstating his statement to ‘Wraith’ hoping that something of this conversation would go back to the ISB and from there to the Imperial Council. Attacking the Republic right now would be foolish to say the least. The path narrowed again forcing them to go single file for a moment, Alexander hung back allowing the fully fledged Sith to go ahead of him.

“Have you heard anything of the Empire’s next move?” He asked following Wraith as they continued their way down the path. “Any information however brief may help me advance my narrative within the Senate.” If Alexander could get some hint on the next Imperial attack or plan, he could potentially be able to position the correct assets into place. Be they enemies or friends to further his strength within both the Centrist Party and the Senate at large.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus nodded along silently when Alexander spoke, mulling over the words as they walked. The Axxilan didn’t miss his reiterance of the fact that the delicate relations between the Empire and Republic were subject to change, and that any continued aggression against the Republic was likely to result in a prolonged conflict. The reality was, Jaikus couldn’t help but wonder if Alexander had much to be concerned about to begin with.

The Empire had purposefully steered itself away from war with the Republic in the past, and it was only due to the actions of Emil Ro on Denon that conflict had sprung up in the first place. Both sides had been reluctant to take any aggressive action since.

“Noted.” He said after a long moment, glancing back towards Alexander to acknowledge him for a moment or two.

Jaikus continued towards the end of the pathway when the Senator asked his next question. “Truthfully, I do not.” He said. It was difficult to tell whether the Axxilan was being genuine or not in that answer. He certainly, wasn’t privy to every bit of information or strategy within the Empire - but nor was it clear how much he particularly trusted Alexander or his motives. The Hynestian would be left to make whatever assumptions he wished about the legitimacy of what Jaikus had said. “But, you will be told of any movements if it proves to be beneficial.” He added.

After a few additional moments of walking, the pair finally reached the end of the road - literally. The path opened up to yet another clearing amongst the tall, golden grasses - revealing a speeder bike that had previously been parked by the Axxilan and left before Alexander arrived. He finally turned back to the other man - stopping just short of the speeder bike. “For now, Senator Xerxes, this is where we part ways.” He said after a moment, giving the Senator a dip of his head before turning back towards the speeder bike. “I trust we will be in touch soon.”

@Braden