Uncertain times

[Saric Noms]

[open to loyal IR types]
​

Saric was concerned. A little scared, even. He had seen the empress throw herself away on a foolish challenge. She hadn't realised that she was more than a Sith, that she was the Republic.

The Republic that was everything to him. The bastion of law and order against the anarchists and warlords. It's head had been chopped off by the ambitious pretender.

Now was a delicate time, and delicate times called for decisive action.

This was what brought him to the lodgings of the most hardworking Sith he knew, despite the media smear, to see how they could protect the Republic at all costs.

He knocked at the door, his face hiding his growing fear, but nonetheless grave.

"Saorise are you in? Have you seen the news?"

@Nightfall

 

[Darth Inheris]

Not much time had passed since the Empress' death. As the damn thing had happened Saorise had been on Corellia, watching in fury as Jedi had revealed themselves once more, the true enemy of the Sith Empire apparently having bidden their time right beneath the Empires nose.

Between herself, her soldiers, a number of other Sith, and the eventual reinforcements from Cor-Sec, they'd managed to subdue the strike, fend off the Basilisk and rebels that had so suddenly hit the planet. But all was not well. Violence on Nar Shaddaa splintered the fragile control over a major world. Corellia was a symbolic loss, even if it was still in their hands.

And now Lyanna.

It was not so long ago she'd met the Empress in person. Plans had been drawn up. Promises made. And now she was dead. Saorise had scarcely made it off world when she'd heard the news. She still hadn't quite processed it. That the Drast family had lost two leaders in such short a time made her slightly uncertain of monarchy now. Still, she had faith in herself, in the citizens of the Empire, like any good Sith did.

The Dalaigh Manor was a mess of wounded soldiers still being stitched up, Saorise and her remaining officers looking over the plans the Empress had given them not so long ago, pondering over the best course of action. So when one of her house staff mentioned the man approaching the door, she shot down the stairs. A familiar face,

"Saric" she said coolly, sliding the door open "Come in" she nudged her head to the side, letting the man in from the rain outside, though the rhythmic tap of it on the roof kept a steady drumbeat in her brain. What exactly there would be to say, she wasn't sure. But that he had come, well, that spoke enough about what had happened. Few had ever visited her home.

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric took the invitation when offered. He was surprised by the luxuriousness of the place and a little tongue tied.

He suddenly didn't know what to say. He had been rehearsing various conversations on his way here, but now it came to it, he was stumped.

In the end he settled on - "well you know the old curse: may you live in interesting times? Well we seem to be in the most interesting of times." He paused "the real question, is what happens next? We cannot just sit here and allow that tyrant to take over, or these new rebels to break in with the help of the old enemy." Saric realised he was beginning to gabble and took a breath.

"I came to you because I foresee trouble ahead and we have no one to coordinate our efforts. We've worked together; I trust you; but most of all, I trust your judgement."

At the back of his mind, he was aware that whoever made the first move was likely to be in a significantly better position to dictate the future of the empire, personally speaking. However, he did not let that thought come to the surface or show in his words or on his face. He was genuinely concerned for the future of the Empire, and any collateral motive was incidental.

@Nightfall

 

[Darth Inheris]

She offered only a little smile initially as her fellow crusader finished speaking. As much as her plans moved forward with her own assets, she was not the Empire, and she couldn't answer for it. She couldn't answer for Lyanna. And her mind ran with far too many thoughts to offer anything cohesive. Still, Saric was right, there was opportunity despite the setbacks,

"You speak far too kindly of me Saric, but I appreciate it nonetheless" Saorise replied first, bringing him into a secluded study on the houses bottom floor. A private space for conversations of a more delicate nature, there was no better place. Pictures clung to the wall, landscapes of Kuat, a few portraits, one unfinished of herself. All by her late brother. This room was where few entered. Even herself,

"Please, take a seat" she gestured to a highback chair across from her "the galaxy shifts before us and I admit, I don't feel prepared Saric, despite it all. The Empress... gave me instructions, warned me of this possibility. Steps were in motion to put them into practice and now..." her voice cracked for a moment before continuing, Saorise dragging her hand along the sideboard,

"I hesitate. Lyanna knew what she was doing, a gambit that would have won it all. She failed. And while the Sith of the Old Empire might have recognised her rule, we have never bound ourselves by such obligations. I'm sure we'll hear from Vrael soon enough" she finished with what might have been read as a sigh, but in truth it wasn't. She wasn't sure how to feel just yet,

"The Empress commanded me to strike back, but... On Corellia. I saw something" turning back to Saric, her face dour and tone grave,

"The Jedi"

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

"Those anarchists!" Saric wasn't sure who caused him more dread - the capricious tyranny of the so-called 'old' Sith or the selfish individualism of the Jedi and their new Rebellion.

Saric paused and collected himself. "Well then, it goes to prove that the galaxy needs leadership. Leadership that stands for law and order, that embraces the strength of the dark side, but targets it with justice. We cannot capitulate to Vrael. We owe it to the galaxy to ensure that he does not take Coruscant and impose his will over countless worlds. When he comes knocking, there must be someone sat on the throne with a lightsaber in their hands."

Saric paused again, this time not to get himself going, but rather to check himself. He would be visibly angry. He decided that he must carry on.

"People follow you. You get things done." He was about to say 'if not you, then who?' instead he softened his approach slightly, leaving out the 'else' after 'anyone'. "Do you know of anyone who can take on that responsibility?"

@Nightfall

 

[Darth Inheris]

The mans words painted a dark picture, one that she couldn't deny was true. She had no deep seated wish to see either of the Republica's enemies ascendant. Both so uncivilised, so willing to push for their ideals than for any semblance of the greater good.

The Greater Good. Now what exactly did that mean now?

"If taking the throne were so easy then the Drasts would not have held it for so many centuries. But no, I don't want to see such 'rule of the strong' taking place here, I assure you" moving back from the window, she took a seat across from Saric, a deep breath as she considered her next words,

"We've lost a lot recently, and not merely to Vrael. The Mandalorian's have done more than the Old Empire in recent times. And now it appears they allied themselves with our old enemies" she continued, Saric's gusto for action was admirable, what a true servant of the Republica would be expected to do. It was instead Saorise who was doubting herself now. If this was her own enemy, a Tagger, or her father, she would have been indefatigable in her pursuit of her ends.

This though, was bigger than her, bigger than most conflicts any amongst the Empire had faced in their lifetimes. She was certain the conversation she and Saric shared now was only one of thousands, millions all occurring about the same thing. Right here, right now, it mattered what they did,

"Vrael is any enemy we know the strength's of, know their mindset. We were all closer to them once. The Jedi and the Mandalorians, and whatever other support they have, we've no idea. Part of me fears letting that wildfire burn away without our watch, lest it take away both our houses" Saorise clutched at her chest, a spike of pain that still hadn't settled from Corellia. A very personal reminder of what the Mandalorians and Jedi were capable of,

"So in answering your question, I do not know. Tempting as it would be to take the reigns, or find someone who could. There won't be anything to ride if we don't stop them"

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

It all seemed very chicken-and-egg to Saric. "If we are going to have something to ride, we need to have someone holding the reins, lest we ride into a tree. Look, this isn't about power," he half lied, "this is about survival. Yes the Drasts have held the throne for generations, but where are they now? Did the Empress leave any succession? She was very young."

"The upstarts rely on the charisma of their leader. We are different. We stand in the tradition of the Republic with the strength of Empire. That means we are more than one Sith. We are legion. That means the empire is us."

"Allowing the so called conqueror to take his prize will mean admitting we play by his rules. That will destroy us just as utterly as the Mandalorian wildfire spreading."

"If we don't know, discussing here. Perhaps we need to go and find out. Yes there may be hundreds of people having this conversation. But what if every one of them comes to the same conclusion that they don't know, so won't act? It cannot hurt to get more information. But time is not on our side."

@Nightfall

 

[Darth Inheris]

The Republica certainly stood for many things, it was true. How could one not represent something, anything, after having been the sole power in the galaxy for nearly five centuries. Clearly to some it meant very different things than it did to others, given the uprisings all around. It what it was to be Sith seemed to have fractured, yet somethings still bound them, she was certain. The Jedi still bound them, she knew that much, to their enemies there wasn't a distinction between the Sith, or at least she didn't imagine they saw one, given their actions,

"Perhaps there can be some stalemate. Our Republica holds many vital locations for trade to and from the Old Empire's lands. If he was to force a war then he is surely aware of this. Perhaps this could play into our hands" Saorise's mind was ticking over, trying to think of some solution to all this. Sh hardly held Kuat herself, whether she could influence the whole Empire was another thing entirely. But perhaps a solution wold present itself, and when presented to those above them, might bring themselves up with it,

"Did you see his broadcast? I do not wish to play by his rules but I also do not wish to bring the hammer of even the upstart emperor upon us when we are so weakened. But nor will he wish to commit them in the face of such enemies, he said so himself. We have room to make a deal. Perhaps one arena where we won't have to play by his rules" a bold strategy, she had no idea if the council had already considered it, but there was their chance.

If he truly did not want to let the Jedi win, and she seemed to find that at least sincere, then it would be a deal worth taking, a smart deal, at that.

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric was torn, deeply torn. Saric had no appetite for unnecessary war. War was messy and uncontrolled. But if war was coming to their borders, which it was, then so be it.

"The hammer, or the noose?" He asked himself as much as Saorise. "Both have the same effect. The question then becomes which is more likely to find its mark." He still spoke reflectively as what Saorise had given him pause for thought.

After a further pause, he continued. "If that really is where you lead, then I will follow," he could have added for now, but didn't. "However we must be ready to slip before the knot snaps shut."

 

[Darth Inheris]

“A Sith should forge their own path Saric. And you certainly have the skills to” she offered a smile at her fellow crusader, try and placate him. Their discussion had clearly hit home, for the both of them,

“Not that I’ll say no to an ally” she finished, looking him in the eyes. Plans had to take motion, and naught could be completed alone. Her name was still rather infamous, Kuati families turned up their nose. Not only did it put her at a disadvantage, but that lack of cooperation would doom the KDY altogether if they didn’t get on with it.

Someone needed to make that happen.

“I have plans, they’re coming together whether Vrael comes or not. And need to. I could use your help there, if you’re interested, of course” no matter what happened, this needed to, and soon. She could no longer risk the wait, lest her name become poison to the Empire. Or in the new one.

Perhaps Saric could assist there?

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric agreed that a Sith should forge their own path - that was part of what it meant to be a Sith. And yet no one wants to be king of an empty dirt road.

When Saorise mentioned an ally, he would simply purse his lips into a half smile and nod in recognition. He was pleased that there was some positive action to come from this. He was aware of his own political inexperience and lack of personal authority and thought that this would be a good opportunity to garner both and Saorise was a valuable ally to have.

He would say, simply "what are these plans?"

 

[Darth Inheris]

A curious man, good to know. But better to know he was up for the challenge, or else he’d never have asked. Despite their continued cooperation, this was one of the few real talks they had had, a valuable experience to be aware of. Such things could teach a lot both ways,

“I trust you remember my little reporter friend. Well, his work before his demise put myself in more than a little hot water. I am to be called to trial. While we might know that I did right, I need to be sure the case will affirm that” she put it politely as possible. Saric clearly has great respect for the institutions of the Empire. An admirable position. One that Saorise to build on,

“If we mean to keep getting things done against anyone, I am afraid I will be no use to anyone locked away” she added, continuing her previous point and leading to its conclusion,

“Which means we need to make sure the trial is on our side. If you’re willing, we can make it happen” Saorise finished, sparing him the details. They could be shared, or sent another time, what mattered was Saric’s reaction.

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

"Meddlers tend to get what's coming to them," Saric mused, barely aloud, at the mention of the reporter. He had been aware that he had been executed, but the details had not come his way. He had also missed the details of the accusations the reporter had made. But, to Saric, the fact that they had been broken by a reporter, rather than a prosecutor, was near enough proof positive that they were unreliable.

"Of course, I will do what I can to clear your name of this awful slander." Saorise was right in what she surmised - namely that Saric had a high view of the Imperial institutions. In fact, so much was this so, that it never occurred to him that what she was about to ask him to do might undermine those institutions. Unfortunately, there was nothing in his voice to warn Saorise of any potential misunderstanding. However, it made Saric angry that journalists could just say what they liked and set things in motion with impunity - sniping from the sidelines rather than stepping up to action themselves.

"I have to say though, I'm surprised that the courts are taking what that barnacle had to say seriously."

@Nightfall

 

[Darth Inheris]

"And I appreciate it Saric" Saorise replied, her eyes slightly softer as she looked over to him, though whether they were real or strategic none could say. Still, with an ally on her side that meant there was work to do. The questions of Republica and the Old Empire were put aside for now, though not out of mind. Such technicalities and decisions needed a clearer moment to crystallise, to set in stone where her loyalties fell. She'd spent so long building herself up, she was not about to let it fall away so easily.

But the Republica she'd worked to stabilise, to hold together as leaders changed and terrorists knocked at their doors? That was where Saorise needed to keep considering. Empire, that meant something different to so many, and to some she knew, that she'd allied herself with, it meant something even more particular.

Whether she fit in there, or would carve her own place, that was what remained to know. Maybe their was a way to do both?

For now though, it leant on more immediate plans as to whether any of that could happen,

"Alright then" she said, a renewed purpose in her voice, a rumble of direction and darkened thoughts "let's get started"

@Ulysses

/EndThread

Spoiler: OOC

Seemed like a good spot! I'll shoot ya the plot and we can do another thread if you're up for it