Ask Sideways Meeting

[Varek Treth]

Varek decided that Eriadu wasn't such a bad planet. Sure it was swallowed up by a mix of extreme poverty and the super wealthy, but if those people couldn't pull themselves out of it, they didn't deserve anything more than what they had. The strong found a way.

Perhaps that was why Varek felt so comfortable here or perhaps it was that they had a history of pro-Imperial leanings. He still had it in mind that they might end up willingly joining the Sith movement because those in charge saw the opportunity that it presented. Time would tell.

He'd come here once again, this time with Emryc with the plan of meeting one of the planet's local governors in order to gain his support in the Sith expansion.

Varek had arrived outside the governor's manor and awaited the arrival of Emryc, leaning against the speeder he had arrived in. His robes were less tattered than normal and he'd opted not to wear his helmet this time, but his weapons were ever present. The governor knew who he was meeting with, and Varek didn't peg him as the type to shy away from anyone.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc had only been sent on combat missions so far. When he was told he would be sent on a ‘diplomatic’ mission, he was a bit unsure how to approach it. He had a flair of confidence about him, and he wasn’t concerned about smoothtalking, but something told him it would take more than that. While Eriadu had Sith leanings before, the Order overall had been struggling to gain traction.

He stepped out towards Varek, happy to meet under better circumstances than running away from a planet. He glanced over at the manor that stood proudly before them, whistling a low tune as he took it in.

“How can anyone ever need that much space?” He muttered more to himself than anything. He had grown up on a space station and had his designated cabin the entire time. Emryc liked his small, confined space. He could see all angles, and he knew what to expect at all times.

The great double doors in front of them opened, and an extremely attractive woman stepped out. She wore tall heels and had long, slender legs that carried her towards the two men. There was something slightly unsettling about her smile and the way she gazed at them.

“Welcome, gentlemen!” She called out cheerily, “Please follow me in.”

 

[Varek Treth]

Varek shook his head as Emryc asked how they could use that much space. He didn't know either, but he certainly wouldn't have minded finding out.

Maybe someday you'll find out, he said, approaching the property as well. The woman that came out and greeted them certainly caught Varek's eye, though he couldn't put off the feeling in the back of his mind that alerted him to danger. There was something about her that wasn't right. As if she had some hidden secret that she was far more dangerous than her appearance belied.

They followed her inside and Varek's eyes swept over the entryway. A grand staircase was in the center of the room leading up with exquisite craftsmanship throughout the whole room. Intricate molding, sculptures, and art lined the room and the woman led them up the stairs and to the right.

Please wait here, she said and turned to go into the door in front of them. The brief glimpse that Varek saw indicated it was an office of some sort though he couldn't see the governor inside.

Something's wrong, he said, shaking his head. He didn't know what, but there was something about this meeting that wasn't going to go as expected. He just hoped the two of them were ready for whatever it was.

A moment later, the door opened again to reveal an office and the two men were invited inside. The man sitting behind the desk looked to be in his late 60s but looked like he was still built like a complete athlete. He had the bearing of a man who had been in the military and Varek couldn't help noticing that everything in the office was immaculately ordered.

Gentlemen, have a seat, he said, motioning to the seats.

Let's speak plainly. What is it that you Sith want? he said, and Varek couldn't help but notice that the woman still hadn't left the room. In fact, not only had she not left, she closed the door and remained. Yes, she was most certainly supposed to be here, though Varek didn't know why.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc took in every detail of the manor as they walked in. Everything was perfectly arranged, and it felt cold as if no one truly lived here. He kept gaze trained ahead, however, so he didn’t look like a fascinated little puppy. He followed the woman into the office, sizing up the older man as they took a seat.

The immaculate office reminded Emryc of his own quarters. Everything was neatly arranged and every surface was polished and clean. He turned to look at the man again, and he could tell the man was silently judging the young boy sitting across from him.

After he spoke tersely, Emryc had to bite back from smiling. He cut right to the chase, and that was usually his own style.

“We want you to help us help you,” He cut in smoothly. He continued on before the man could drop any quips about why a younger Sith was talking to him, “Election day is coming up in a few weeks and you barely scraped by in the primaries. I know that voting is more or less a facade on this planet, so it’s especially problematic for your support structure to have so many fractures.”

He had done his research. Emryc didn’t go anywhere unprepared, “Unless you do something to heavily curry favor over to your side, I’m afraid it’s a foregone conclusion that you will lose your seat.”

Emryc flashed him a grin, “Now then. I’m sure there is something us Sith can assist you with to make you the hero Governor of this very large district and an obvious shoe in come election day. Maybe even set you up for up for planetary governorship."

 

[Varek Treth]

The man was entirely unsold on these whelps that they had sent to treat with him. The one speaking didn't even look like he could grow a beard. Still, he listened without interrupting and weighed the words that were presented. He wasn't a man known for making rash decisions.

Bold words from an organization that has - to this point - been kicked around by their opposition. Coruscant, Ryloth, Coruscant again, the man said skeptically. There was no questioning the fact that the Governor's position wasn't as strong as he would like, but he wasn't certain the Sith were all they thought they were.

The man stood and walked over to the window, looking out beyond. Varek followed the man's gaze. This manor was at the edge of the city with thick jungle beyond the property. Even from here, Varek could see that there were tall pillars stretching high up at the edge of the jungle and he recognized them as being part of a sonic fence system.

Do you consider yourselves to be warriors? Competent survivalists? he asked. His understanding was that the Sith claimed to be just that. "Strong," he believed, was the word they used.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc’s expression didn’t change as the man attempted to fire daggers about the Sith and their losses.

“Then it just means we both have something to gain and can only go up from here,” He quipped back without missing a beat. Emryc wasn’t fazed by the man, and he relaxed in his seat. His silver eyes followed the Governor as he rose and paced. He may have appeared calm and collected on the surface, but even without the Force Emryc could see there was turmoil in his mind.

His question caught Emryc off guard. He paused to glance over at Varek, resisting the urge to shrug. He decided to play along, turning back to look at the Governor.

“We were molded to be nothing but since we were children,” He said confidently, “What do you need?”

 

[Varek Treth]

The man turned back to the pair of Sith sitting across from him. If they survived his ordeal, then perhaps it was meant to be. If not, then they would no longer be an issue.

My family has a rite of passage that we've done for generations: survival in the jungles of Eriadu. The world is most inhospitable and dangerous. If you prove yourselves for three days in the jungles, then I believe we might be able to help each other, the man said before turning back to them. It was clear that the statement was nonnegotiable, but Varek also knew that the two of them should have been capable of doing just that.

We'll be back in three days, then, he said, standing and glancing over at Emryc. This wasn't how he had expected this meeting to go, but it looked like he didn't have any other plans in the next three days now.

They were led from the room by the woman who stopped them on the way out.

When you're ready, we'll provide you transport to the jungle, she said, implying it might be wise for them to prepare before heading out.