Ask Neither Heir Nor There

[Caelian]

There was a little bit of downtime between the orders being given out and any results being delivered, not that Caelian had any better place to be. The fretting senators and their ilk were all busy attempting to contact persons within the senate building, some successful and others well, others weren't really in a position to answer their comms...

Piece by piece, bits of information were relayed from the senate building into the palace, the names of those who were to attend were examined against those who survived, creating a certain grim picture of who had been slain in this terrorist attack. Ejlaeri, among the others, were entirely in disbelief of the one big name that appeared on the list, with nobody in the room wanting to be that person who would have to alert the sobbing king that his one and only heir had in fact been a victim and not just a father worrying.

The first good news came from a team leader in the senate, who reported that a large group of liberals, if not all of them, had been located in the general senate chamber and sequentially locked in place. Per orders, they had not been permitted to speak with the senators and there they would remain until they were questioned.

The second and more opportune news came from another senator's security service, who in turn announced to the assembly that each of the liberal offices had been thoroughly searched, with dangerous evidence located in one such room. It seemed that Sol had really pulled through on this mission, and Caelian thought to remember to commend his fellow Sith later for it. The room was outraged, and shouting rang out between the various groups about what should be done, which drowned out the melancholic monarch's malady.

Grabbing the shoulder of an aide, Caelian whispered assertively a suggestion into his ear that wasn't really a suggestion. The young man looked pale and frightened by all measures, and had to be encouraged forward by the Echani. Finally, he made his way forward, timidly toward the king, and made his presence known by clearing his throat loudly. The king paused momentarily as he noted the approaching bearer of bad news and waited, hoping deeply that it wouldn't be true.

The man began with a heavy heart, "My king, my heartfelt condolences. We have confirmation that your son and heir Prince Turin was among those killed in this attack, the security forces identified him by his royal signet ring." The implication that there wasn't enough of his body showing to otherwise identify him was not lost on the crowd.

The king roused himself angerly for the first time, immediately punching the poor aide in the jaw and screaming. "THOSE TRAITORS, I OFFER THEM A PATH TO PEACE AND THEY CHOOSE WAR? WELL, SO BE IT." King Auris was a sight to see when angered, the gravely wounded man was now on a war path and Caelian intended to unleash it upon their mutual foes.

Summoning the royal guard and the remaining vassals within the keep, the King intended to make an announcement to the people of Elrood.

@Nevermourn

 

[Sol Kenuk]

When the paramedics finally arrived, they began picking through the survivors with medical kits in hand. Sol is quickly approached by a older woman who's eyes were entirely lacking of any amount of shock. The Kel'dor can only guess that, given her age, she had seen more than her fair share of horrific traumas. Still, the death of the Prince was a shock that would spread quickly across the planet. Undoubtedly, violence would erupt between protestors. The streets would be chaotic.

The paramedic moves the Kel'dor onto a nearby bench for a better look at his back, and just as Sol had suspected, he was covered in burns, the majority of which were, luckily second degree. Still, there were a few patches of scorched skin that had been burned through the dermis of his flesh. The bits of shrapnel were removed as best as they could be, and bacta was applied to the wounds with rough but experienced hands.

"I would recommend you allow us to take you to the hospital." She doesn't waste time on pleasantries, but she had been trying to convince him since she set her sights upon his injuries. "We can treat your burns far better in a more sterile environment." But Sol was a stubborn man, as had been made abundantly clear. He had a job to do, and getting hurt had merely been a necessary part of it. Now, he had to move onto the next phase, wounded or not.

"I am invested in this." Sol points out bitterly. "I need to know who's responsible. I'll take myself to the hospital when it is done." The Kel'dor promised, if only to appease the woman. It didn't work, she looked at him with a raised brow that made it clear that she didn't believe a word of it.

"Stubborn people like you always end up getting infections." She points out, annoyed. "But it's your choice. If you want my advice, let law enforcement handle the investigation. You're right, you are invested. You're a victim. We don't want anyone doing anything hasty." The paramedic explains. But Sol simply looks at her with bold eyes, and shakes his head with disagreement.

He wanted to look worked up. He wanted to look upset. He wanted to appear passionate about finding the assassins, even if he already had all the answers. The moment he finally shakes himself free of the paramedics Sol stumbles to his feet, grunts as a flash of agony races down his back. He manages to recover quickly, though. Sol could handle pain, he merely preferred not to. Nonetheless, the bacta helped soothe the burns considerably. They wouldn't hinder him too badly.

The Captain fills the Champion in on the findings so far, explaining that an explosive device had been located in one of the liberal offices. With that information in hand, the Kel'dor walks alongside Captain Trexor to the lift, where both slide with tense silence into the elevator. Sol can sense Trexor's concern for the wounded Sith. Good, he thinks. Together, they'd make their way down to the vast senate chamber, where the liberals awaited their unfortunate interrogation.

All Sol had left to do was figure out just how he wanted to go about gathering a confession.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

Rows of guards now lined the palace as far as the eye could see, it seemed like everything was going to plan thus far. Caelian and the senators moved further back and out of the way as servants began making preparations for the king's speech, tapestry's, sigils, ornaments and the like all added in quickly calculated manners to project strength in such a tragic time.

Swarms of pencil pushers surrounded the king, all attempting to push some version or that of a speech that he could give so that they could claim the prestige of having helped write. Shunning their advances, the king made clear that he intended to speak from the heart and would take no advice, much to their chagrin. Caelian considered approaching the man himself, but decided against it, wagering that they had done enough to set him on the right path. Later, once committed, he would push the kingdom into the welcoming arms of the empire.

Every screen and device in Elrood came to life simultaneously with the emergency broadcast system, the royal crest could be seen played alongside a slow, sad tune. The face of a firm, but injured father appeared on-screen and began talking to his people with such fire in his belly.

"Sons and daughters of Elrood, we have been betrayed by those we entrusted with power to lead us. Some thirty minutes ago, I was informed that a terrorist attack had occurred in the most sacred democratic institution of our world. A bomb has been detonated inside the senate offices and has tragically taken innocent lives." the king paused to take a deep breath. "My son Prince Turin was among them, as were several other senators whose identity has yet to be confirmed."

Crushing his fingers into a fist beneath the camera, the king continued. "The traitors behind this heinous attack have been identified, and you will all be as horrified as I am to learn that irrefutable evidence was found this evening damning a senator as the instigator of this terror attack." There was a silence across the throne room as the monarch's speech rippled across the world.

"The senate has a long and venerable tradition of civility, where each side could agree to disagree and debate until a mutual path forward could be forged. In recent years this has not been the case and the body has found itself gridlocked behind the mechanisations of the liberal party. I could not understand to what benefit this would bring, but now it is as clear as day, you see the target of this bombing was not my son, but myself. If I did not have a sudden engagement arise, I would have been present at the meeting, and you would be hearing this from the prince himself instead."

The profound sadness itched away at the grieving father, but the torn king pressed onwards in his son's memory.

"In accordance with our ancient laws and traditions, in an emergency where the legislative body is unable to exercise its constitutional authority, said authority falls to the executive branch until such a time as it can resume its function. Therefore, effective immediately, I, King Hjann Auris declare a state of emergency exists due to these events. Martial law and a curfew will be in place within the hour as the military receives its orders to maintain peace in the streets."

The king looked to another aide, giving a signal for him to send off a message before returning to the camera.

"We do not accept this act of treachery against our sacred hall, and all I ask is for your patience while we tear out this dangerous corruption, root and stem. Sleep peacefully knowing that I pledge this, in my son's name."

The feed cut and the lights came back on in the room to applause. The king looked fired up but with nerves frayed, the stress of the situation getting the best of him as he took a seat on the throne. The time was nearing for the third phase of the plan.

@Nevermourn

 

[Sol Kenuk]

It was almost cinematic, in a way. As every screen in the senate building ignited with the face of the grieving king, the speech began, much like music within the Kel'dor's ears. Banners flickered overhead as Sol finally steps into the senate chamber, the booming vocals of the speech echoing throughout the hall behind him. He had parted ways with the Captain, had insured that he would be allowed to interrogate the group alone, had even insured that there would be no security in the room, not even a recording. The people were angry, they wanted justice. Some of them wanted revenge.

Sol stands like a ghastly spirit, looming over the assembled senators with an expression of ice. There was confusion upon their faces, fear and concern, except for one among the juniors, one man that looked upon the Kel'dor with an unbridled fury, a rage that turned his face red. Rhyius Tollard. Sol moves toward him first, reaches down with arching talons to snatch him by the throat and drag him away from the others. The man doesn't even try to make a scene, just marches along with that stony expression, until they were on the other side of the chamber, staring bitterly into each other's eyes.

"You misled us, you-" Rhyius doesn't get any farther. Sol was coiling the dark side around his throat, squeezing until he began to choke and gasp with desperation. He doesn't press too hard, doesn't kill the other man, doesn't suffocate him, merely allows him to struggle upon the edge, just barely dragging in enough breath to survive even as the senator's vision began to blacken. Only then did Sol release the pressure, his vision still coldly intense upon Rhyius as he stumbled, collapsed to his knees beneath the looming Kel'dor.

"You will confess to it. You make them all confess to aiding you, or I will insure that you spend the rest of your life in a room so small, you won't even be able to sit. I will insure that every waking moment, the only thing that you will be able to hear is the sound of their screams. You will know only darkness, only the pain in your muscles as you stand there, unable to move, only the noise of those you failed to save for no other reason than pride." Poor Rhyius didn't even have a choice, really, because it got worse.

"It's not even an option. Either you confess willingly, and convince them to do the same, or I choke your brain with the force, instead of your throat. I will turn you into nothing more than a little puppet, and you will sign that confession, and then you will suffer, just as I promised. Am I being clear?" Sol's vocals are akin to an icy gale upon Hoth, "The only choice you have here, is whether you willingly confess, or I force you to." And perhaps, deep down, a part of Rhyius begins to realize that the Sith's use of the force had been what pursuaded him to lead his fellow liberals into the chamber in the first place.

It dawned upon him with such horror, that his furious expression almost instantly changed to panic. All the while, the King's speech could be heard, declaring martial law upon the world. Sol could see it within the Senator's eyes, could see the defeat that shattered his will like glass. It was over. Elrood would soon belong to the Empire, and the banners of democracy would burn as the King took the forefront of the planet's power once again. Rhyius stutters, struggles for a few moments to find words as tears prick upon the edges of his eyes.

"I will sign a confession." The senator drops his gaze to the floor, his breath a quiet admission of defeat. "And get the others to do the same." They would listen to Rhyius, the Kel'dor knew. He would be the one to inform them that the battle was lost, that there was no hope left to be found. Either they spent the rest of their lives in prison, or they spent the rest of their lives in agony. Rhyius seemed to care about them enough that he would insure they all submitted quietly.

The King's speech was over, and now the anthem played through the halls. Rhyius stumbles back to the junior liberals with his broken expression, and explains what they now had no choice but to do. Even as some try to protest, they are quickly silenced as the stakes are laid bare upon the table. Sol makes his way out of the senate chamber to approach the captain once more, his steely expression landing like ice upon the security forces. Then, as if akin to a lion ordering his pride to attack, Sol speaks with a wintry drawl, "They have agreed to confess."

Captain Trexor and the rest of security didn't even hesitate to descend upon the chamber like flies to rotting meat, leaving Sol standing silent in the eerily empty hall, with only the sound of the anthem to fill his ears.

@Xorism

 

[Caelian]

Caelian could not help, but internally cackle as everything proceeded according to plan, it seemed their luck had held as the liberal leader capitulated like a wet paper bag. For a group, so hell-bent on stalling the senate, they didn't seem to have the stomach to fight real power when it confronted them face to face. All that was left was for the kingdom to ascend into the empire, a task much more easily done now that their main opposition was out of the way.

With several conservative and moderate senators in the throne room with them, it seemed possible to make such a move now, if he could secure the king's backing it would almost entirely be assured as he now wielded absolute power against the state. Who knew how long the state of emergency might last, certainly the monarch would hold a grudge for some time, if not forever.

Caelian stalked his prey, the time had come to spring the third phase and bring a swift end to his time on Elrood. With any luck, not only would they bring the planet into the fold, but perhaps they would even be rewarded for their efforts in putting down this insurrection. There could never be any trace back to the Sith, lest the king find out and undo their progress, but Caelian was certain that Sol would not let him down in that regard.

Walking confidently towards the throne, the Echani dipped his head respectfully and awaited the king's attention to drift his way. Once granted, he began solemnly. "Your majesty, my sincere condolences for your loss, I did not have the pleasure to know your son, but by all accounts he was a good man and his death is a tragedy." The king nodded his head in painful remembrance. "And I thank the empire for your assistance in bringing his killers to justice, without your help I do not know if we would have discovered their plot so promptly."

Caelian bowed respectfully once more, accepting the commendation. "Your majesty, the traitorous rebels have long since resisted your world developing closer ties to the empire and have actively delayed what we would surely agree is a mutually beneficial relationship. The empire can offer a vast amount of security and resources to ensure that no such event occurs again, an alliance between us would improve the prosperity of your people as imperial investment would surely flow. In addition, the empire would be sworn to defend your world against outside threat, be they killik or otherwise. We offer friendship and solidarity with the people of Elrood, in these dark, terrible times. "

The king listened to the pitch with muted interest, betraying little emotion as to how he would decide which path to take his domain. On the one hand, his people had enjoyed independence for some time and had largely come out unscathed from the many wars that had plagued the galaxy. It would not be crazy, therefore, to assume that they could repeat their previous success and straddle the line between friend and freedom.

On the other hand, the king mused, he had to consider his own succession and the best interests of his people. Even without the current liberals in place to create trouble, without a readily apparent heir to take the throne after his death, there remained a real risk of instability and possible calamity as the various factions vied for control over the planet's political sphere. By siding with the empire, he would be able to lean on the empire to mute his opposition as needed and buy himself the necessary time to, he winced, replace his lost heir.

By now, Sol had surely returned from the senate and would be welcomed into the throne room to hear the monarch's penultimate decision. The old man rose from his seat and raised his voice to ensure that it would carry to all four corners of the room with ease.

"As head of state and supreme father of Elrood, I have received an offer of friendship and alliance from the empire. In honour of my son, Prince Turin Auris, I welcome this offer and gladly accept it. My faithful senators, do you share my convictions, will you support this measure as surely you must?"

The gathered crowd of senior statesmen and their ilk murmured differing levels of support, there was an immediate positive reaction from the conservative court with a more mixed response from the moderates. Not one however was willing to speak up against the proposal, to deny the grieving father nor the all powerful king that reigned over them at the moment. The handful that would have considered it backing down, for fear of their own safety, overriding their political concerns.

The king turned back to the Sith, calling Sol over to join Caelian. He continued with a pained expression and sorrow barely hidden in his voice, but in service to his planet he continued. "You have our answer, friends. On behalf of the people of Elrood, we accept your offer faithfully. For your services to my people, ask anything of me, and you shall be rewarded."

Caelian looked toward Sol knowingly, despite his apparent generous offer it would be in their best interests to keep any such request modest, to be built upon at a latter date. The Echani spoke up first, "Your majesty, your offer is most kind. I have come to enjoy your wondrous world and would like to see more of it. If you insist, however, I would be most honoured if you were to grant a small estate to retire to, once my service is done."

The king nodded to the humble request before turning to Sol to hear his next.

@Nevermourn

 

[Sol Kenuk]

The deed was done, and there was blood upon the Kel'dor's hands. Even with his icy exterior, the weight of his crimes on Elrood were just more burdens upon his shoulders. Sol was quite adept at pushing such thoughts away though, expertly distancing himself from the death and the suffering that he had caused. After all, it was necessary for the the completion of the mission, and nothing mattered more than that success, not even the lives of innocent people. Such was the price for power, and it was something that the Champion was all too willing to pay.

Eventually, the liberals had signed their confessions, had been taken into custody, and Sol was transported to the royal palace. His injuries still burned, but nonetheless, there was pride in his eyes and a confidence to his gait.

He's ushered into the throne room, just in time to hear the grieving King's speech. With thunderous vocals, Elrood was delivered into the hands of the Empire, and democracy died in bitter silence as there were none left to oppose the king. Another victory for the Kel'dor, and another world for the Sith. Sol's features are grim, no smiles, no delighted words, only the quiet presence of a burned and battered specter, looming upon the edges of the chamber.

When both Champions are called before the King, Sol goes forth with little sound to his steps, a graceful stride akin to a glide as if he were little more than a pale skinned wraith. Nevertheless, the Kel'dor inclines his head, offers a respectful bow to the lord of Elrood, and is silent as Caelian speaks his request.

When it was Sol's turn, he responds with simple but polite vocals, "Might I request the same? I co-own Aspiretech, a medical corporation. I would like to set up a laboratory upon Elrood." A front for Sol's true purpose. The lab was not to help the people of Elrood, but nontheless, the Kel'dor would keep it staffed as if it was. None needed to know what he was truly experimenting with.

The King dips his head, seemingly intrigued by the idea. Ultimately, just as he had granted Caelian's request, he soon agrees to Sol's as well. Both Sith would have their estates upon the world. Better still, Elrood was now within the Empire, just as the ruler had announced. Both Sith had succeeded at what they had come to do, and the job was done. Another triumph for the Kel'dor to count among his many thus far.

@Xorism [end thread]