HoloNet News The Empire Is Sith

[Darth Tempest]

She had been waiting for something like this to crop up. She was waiting for the finger pointing to start. It happened every single time the Empire struck out against the galaxy - first with Eternal, then Raze, then Renfry, and now Altair Din. The last one stung because she knew he genuinely did make an effort to distance himself from Sith. She knew he changed how warfare was done and how he avoided civilian casualties and followed rules of engagement. But she also knew the Emperor despised him and was intimidated by the Imperial support Altair had. The Empire that Altair invested so much into had leadership that saw fit to make him the scapegoat.

The fact that the Emperor remained notably silent after the accusations against Altair came out made it abundantly clear it was Imperial propaganda to begin with. Tempest wondered if the Emperor realized how pathetic he looked if a Sith could so easily overpower and neuter him and his entire staff. As much as she felt for Altair, she couldn’t deny the opportunity to completely annihilate the Empire when they handed themselves up on a silver platter.

Tempest made sure this was being broadcasted across every corner of the galaxy.

“Citizens of the galaxy,” Tempest began - her face concealed behind the infamous mask, “I am Darth Tempest, Dark Lord of the Sith. Earlier you all have heard rumors that Altair Din is holding the Emperor hostage and has taken control. Let’s give credit where it’s due,” Amusement was dripping from her voice, “I have taken control. I have broken the Emperor. I have swayed his mind and of those Imperial Senators that were so obediently following my orders instead of dealing in foreign policy. The Imperial Knights are my followers. I control Imperial Czerka. And I will not stop,” She said, “The war on Jedi will continue until every last Jedi world falls. I will continue to be present in the Senate. I will continue to have Emperor Drast as my pet. I will take whatever I please. This is only the beginning.”

She leaned forward, “Because the Empire has always been Sith. And the Empire will always be Sith.”

The screen went black.

Simple. Unapologetic. Powerful. She leaned back in her seat and waited to see the entire galaxy destroy the Empire. Nothing the Emperor or any Imperial Senator said after this would have a single shred of credibility. Not after the Emperor failed to make an appearance after the propaganda and defend his officer. Not after it was made clear that the Emperor was too incompetent to stop a Sith from taking over. Altair today, another Sith tomorrow, it made no difference. Tempest wouldn’t have to lift a finger to collapse the Empire - not when the Emperor did the job so efficiently himself.

 

[Galen Terco]

INTERNAL ISB MEMO: This content has been selected for censure by the Imperial Security Bureau. As such, it will not appear on HoloNet or HoloNet-connected devices in Imperial space.

Note: Seen by Imperial characters with clearance only. To the rest of Imperial space, this new simply won't appear on their devices.

 

[Guinevere Delevigne]

It didn't take long for the Sith to jump the bandwagon and seek to claim undue credit. With a long-drawn-out sigh, Guin tapped away on her keypad.

>Designation Control - see if you can track down the origin of the Sith's message.
>Redirect to the Sith Walk of Shame anytime a search is made on this topic in Imperial Space

The credibility of Darth Tempest within the eyes of the Empire had been shattered once and all would be reminded once more.

 

[Darth Raze]

He didn’t concern himself with chatter around the galaxy. He was forced to care when he had been Emryc Thorne, but he was far more liberated as Raze. The galaxy guessed at his intentions, the galaxy ‘condemned’ his actions, gave him many names, and he continued to operate by his agenda all the same.

However, one particular Holonet address did catch his interest. It came from an unlikely source and for an unlikely reason. The Empire was doing the same nonsense it always did even back when he was the Dark Lord - blaming the biggest baddest Force user for all its aggression problems. Always failing to simply own up to its actions. He expected the same this time, for this Altair Din to be crucified both figuratively and literally. What he didn’t expect, however, was for Tempest to speak on it and lean into the narrative. It made her appear bigger than she was - Raze knew her laughable little order had no such pull. Nonetheless, it would spark enough panic to make the already anxious galaxy believe it and discredit her enemies all in one fell swoop.

Between this and the Jedi Grandmaster disappearing after an encounter with her, it was enough to catch even the Wraith’s interest. The Anzat’s head slowly turned to face the Holo, the faintest smile gracing his lips.

“Welcome to the game, little girl.”

For the first time, Tempest had his attention.

@Altaris

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn had been in the Imperial Council meetings regarding the attacks on the Jedi. It had only been a matter of time before the Jedi moved against the Empire. Evidence had been shown that Jedi-aligned forces were marshaling along the borders of Imperial territory at places like Bastion, which was exactly why they had chosen to invade that world.

Why was none of this reaching the media?

He was afraid he already knew why. Instead, the rumors of Altair going rogue were raging through the Empire and outside of it.

It felt weird to see Vahliri again even if only on holo. They hadn't seen one another since the split, and where once Varyn had had strong emotions, now there was only old scars. He pushed that thought from his head and instead chose to focus on the here and now. The ISB chose to block the broadcast from Tempest but not the original articles and speculation. The propaganda. The pieces were fitting together in his mind, and he hated the picture that it was creating.

Altair had been popular in the Empire. Incredibly popular, and that made him a threat to the Emperor even if he'd declined that role when he could have taken it. He was also a Force-user. Varyn had been on the receiving end of Force-user discrimination since the Imperial Knights had come on the scene, and this was another opportunity to oust what remained of the Force-users from the Empire.

Put it together, and even if Altair weren't Varyn's only real remaining friend, he could see the writing on the wall. Friend to the "rogue" Grand Marshal, a Force-user himself, and Varyn could guess who the next person on the chopping block would be. Not to mention he lacked even a fraction of his best friend's popularity.

Varyn opened his terminal and typed a message to the ISB.

Why are we not dealing with the original article? Tempest only had this opportunity because we let the original reports slide. We need to get a handle on this, he typed. He already knew the answer, but that didn't mean he would let it go quietly. Altair had been hung out to dry in an attempt to eliminate a political rival.

The Empire is Sith? Yeah, it seems it is, but not for the reasons you all meant, he thought to himself. Force-users or not, the politics of the Empire didn't seem to have changed at all.

@Nor'baal @Xorism