A Council's Gathering, with Honored Guests

[Zach]

In the depths of the Grand Imperator's Citadel, hidden beneath the Chiss conclave and heightened security, Dorann sat at the head of a large, intricate table. It was the night of the Ascendancy's formal celebration for their Imperial allies, honoring the political and meaningful marriage between the Dark Lord and his Empress. Andraste herself had attended the event, escorted by the Grand Imperial Strategist, Darth Asmodeus, and Thaed, the Shadow Hand himself. Each of the Sith Lords were feared throughout the galaxy, and ensured the palace's safety while coupled with the Ascendancy's security measures.

Now they sat in the Grand Imperator's isolated dining hall, designated as the Council of Eminence's meeting place. Dorann sat at the head of the table, flanked by Roann, the Tactical Commander, at his right, while Heliel, the Head of Intelligence and CAIN operations sat at his left. Next to the only female on the Council was Nuru Krest, the High Immortal of the Ascendancy's elite Force-sensitive shock troops. Across from him was a vacant chair, empty without a general to take its place. Dorann hoped to soon fill that seat. Their Sith guests sat on the other end of the table, no more than eight or ten feet away from the Grand Imperator. Those who decided to attend via hologram were positioned accordingly with the provided seats, and could place themselves to their desire.

"My Chiss brothers and sister... I have called us here today as the first official meeting of the Council of Eminence. As honored guests, I have invited our Sith brethren to join us, and offer any advice or input they would deem relevant to the circumstances we find ourselves in. There is much to discuss, and I would have the valued opinions of each of you, as my trusted advisers, and our allies," Dorann began, addressing the members of his council primarily, but phrasing his words to include the Sith in the discussion. "We have recently been contacted by the Mandalorian Clans in hopes of a ceasefire. I would ask for each of your views on the situation," the Imperator announced, finally coming to a close. He relaxed only slightly, staying alert and aware of his surroundings. He wondered who would reply first.

 

[Dmitri]

Heliel sat in the seat to the Imperator's left. She still wore her white attire. She found it was appropriate for most occasions. She sat silently as Dorann spoke.

"It could be useful, if even temporary," said Heliel. "Remove the Mandalorians as an enemy for the time being, that's one less force we have to deal with for the time being." She paused. "I'm surprised they're seeking out a ceasefire. Mandalorians aren't the type to just give up. They fight to the bitter end, an honorable death. There must be a catch." She glanced at Dorann. The Director of CAIN had already heard the details. It was her job. However, she wanted her opinion that the Mandalorians had ulterior motives for this ceasefire known publicly, while acknowledging the Mandalorians wanted something.

 

[Black Noise]

Roann sat to the right of the Imperator, his left hand upon his face, his right strumming his leg. He was in deep thought, thinking to himself of what he might say. Perhaps openness was not a bad thing at this meeting.
"Indeed. However, basing today's Mandalorians off of the supposed honor of their ancestors may not be a correct assumption. The Mandalorians have recently been more lenient, too quick to show their weakness and back away with their tails tucked."

Nodding to Heliel, the respected Director of CAIN, he added.
"It would seem that a ceasefire would just be the first step in an attempt to establish an alliance. An alliance that, of carried out, may require us to betray our own allies here at this table. However, rather than removing them immediately, perhaps we could 'play along', in a sense, to their plans. Use them for our own purposes?"
Roann didn't particularly like the idea of using up and throwing away the Mandos, however, the Chiss, not the Mandalorians, were his first priority. As it served, using the Mandos would actually benefit the Chiss.

 

[Count Sam]

The High Immortal sat down on his chair clad in his robes that made him look like a Sith. It was true that the High Immortal was no longer a Sith but still his time with Darth Umbara and the Sith had made him absorb a huge amount of their tradition. After all, he did spend a lot years doing harsh training under the master assassin of the order back then. However; Nuru Krest had to go back to his people after a long time to finally help them.

It was true that so far he has been working in the shadows and doing non aggressive things like assisting in the Immortal exclusive stealth technology and acting as one of the grand Imperator advisers, but well inside him he knew that it was just a matter of time before he and his men got to wreck havoc upon the enemy in the battlefield.

"Well a ceasefire would be good for now as long as we can make sure that the Mandalorians do not grow in power to strike us later....also fortunately the Mandalorians have been having a huge break in their ranks with many clans having different believes and traditions than other clans, I heard that these troubles has been going on ever since the ex Mandalore refused to negotiate for the life of one of his men who was caught in Imperial space, We could use that in our advantage of course and the best way to do it would be by manipulating the Mandalorian clans who are against Mandalore and the government and get them to fight each other." The High Immortal finally finished, he was not that bad when it came to politics but he preferred fighting rather than sitting around and talking.

 

[Zach]

Dorann listened to the words of each of his generals, his gaze shifting from one to the other as they spoke in turn. Heliel raised a good point in suggesting a temporary treaty, if even just to cease the current hostilities. As it was, the Chiss and Mandalorians each had a new governed leadership, an it was an opportune moment to open discussions. Their clans were no longer scattered as they had been in the past, but Krest saw this as an opportunity. A schism in their ranks their ranks was a significant factor, and the differences of their beliefs were obvious. Roann, the Tactical Commander, proposed that this be used to keep an eye on them, to at least provide intelligence for the Ascendancy's purposes. Each of the Imperator's advisers provided tactical and considered remarks, proposing different, but useful purposes in each of their own ways.

"The falling out between the Mandalorian Clans may be just what the Ascendancy needs. Some stay true to the old Mandalorian ways, and hold themselves in a sense of honor and integrity. In that regard, a proposition for a ceasefire is believable, but not to be taken lightly," Dorann replied with a shallow breath. 'Perhaps, if the Mandalore would not honor our arrangements and terms, that these other clans may do so. There may be a strong possibility to gain a valuable ally in this...' he thought to himself.

"Roann... The Mandalorians that contacted you... Do you believe their sincerity in approaching the Chiss? This, Corden Vencu, has risked his life in openly meeting with you. I have spoken with him over the encrypted comms unit you provided. He seems very loyal to the ancient customs of Mando'ade, but I worry of his methods," Dorann started, turning to his best and oldest friend. "If he is truthful, would you consider him an asset, or a burden?" he questioned. Dorann wondered if the Mando's loyalties and purposes would mutually benefit his and the Chiss people, or if he would blindly expose himself in the future to enemies that would not accept him so graciously.