Ask Dromund Kaas Everything Has Changed

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

The Empire was changing. Darkness boiled throughout the Imperial worlds. The untrained and unobservant would not see the truth laid out in the Force. It was this cloud Charlotte traveled through to pay her respects. She had been gone for some time…not in hiding but to complete her destiny. Andruil knew what Charlotte sought and knew the Hapan Noble served faithfully. She did not shirk her duties as a Sith while the Empire waged war…she simply fought on a different front.

So, the Queen Mother did not arrive on Dromund Kaas bur rather Charlotte Le’Anna, loyal servant of the Darkness. Andruil held her soul. She had not forgotten that. Charlotte had been extraordinarily careful when leaving Hapes for Dathomir. The Queen Mother was way on a diplomatic arrangement. The nobility would assume she was enjoying some carnal time away…such was common in The Consortium. Her loyal apprentice had been left to keep prying eyes away. From there, she had hidden her face and taken a variety of public transports until finally reaching the Imperial center. Still, Charlotte kept her face covered as she approached the throne room. There was no time to be lax. Her presence in the Force was unhidden to allow the Empress to know who arrived at her door.

Again, no reason to be lazy. Charlotte made her way swiftly to the Empress. Her heartbeat just a hair faster. She had come to pay her proper respect and report success on their endeavor. She had not returned to Sith space since Andruil gained the throne or Art joined her Council. She had missed much but all for the greater good of the Darkness. Charlotte knelt before the throne. “My Queen.” Her eyes tipped downward. In the Consortium, her reign was supreme…she was under no such illusion here.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Through subtle channels, Renfry had heard that the Queen-Mother of Hapes was to be expected. And she also knew that that Queen-Mother was none other than the Sith Charlotte Le'Anna. It felt like a lifetime ago that they had sat on this same world after a massacre and planned the infiltration into Hapes.

The doors opened and it was just the two of them, as she motioned for Charlotte to step inside.

Good to see you again, she said with a genuine smile. Come on inside, she said. There was a small table with food for both of them. It was a lunch appointment, as it turned out.

Tell me all about what's been going on, she said, moving over to take a seat at the table. It was oddly informal, and that was not by accident. Renfry was in desperate need of some feeling of normalcy.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. When had she started holding her breath? A part of her had been truly concern Andruil might be displeased by her long absence. At least for now, her life appeared to still belong to her. Charlotte nodded and smiled. “Thank you, Empress.” She took a seat at the table. She was starving. Hopefully it wasn’t bad form as she started pilling food on her plate. Hapes possess annoyingly backward opinions on large meals. “I have been gone too long…it feels right to be with you and the Empire again.” She shrugged. “The mask I must wear on Hapes is tiresome.” She took a bite out of a rather impressive sandwich.

“The Consortium is mine. My predecessor as Queen Mother is dead and by right the noble houses answer to me.” Another bite. “The systems within the Hapes Cluster, and all the might we possess, are under my command.” Charlotte couldn’t stop the smile on her face. “There are a few loose ends I must tie to solidify my rule, but the hard work is done.” Her smile widened then. “By your grace, my control is firmly nestled within the Free Worlds and oh so close to the Republic.” She plucked a tomato from a salad and popped it in her mouth.

“My ties to the Darkness are unknown…I must play a careful political game…but I remain your faithful servant.” Andruil was the reason Charlotte had taken these steps. This went beyond the Empress having a mystical hold on her. She truly owed everything to woman across from her. They were Sith…ambition bred death…but they were still mortal. Charlotte owed Andruil everything and she’d make that plainly known.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Charlotte's absence from the Order was a negative, but one that the Empress only partially held against her with the results she was now showing. Hapes was an important system and one that could lead other nearby systems out of the FWA.

Good, having people find out your real loyalty would be beneficial to no one, she said. She pulled over some food for herself, starting to eat as she thought about their current situation. Things were good on most fronts.

And what are your plans from here? I've heard that there's a lot of unrest in the FWA. To the point that some people think that other worlds besides just Mon Cala will leave, she said. She knew that the Mandalorians might eventually start to target Hapes as well, though that wouldn't be ideal.

Particularly with some help from the ISB, you might be able to start splintering off some of the worlds around the Cosortium, she said.

But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Tell me about your overthrow of the Queen, she said. The woman was dead, of course, but what people saw on the Holonet wasn't even a fraction of the story whenever Hapan nobility was involved.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

She had plans for Hapes…but Charlotte was uncertain how the Empress would receive them. She needed time and the Empire felt as if that was a luxury it could not afford. She drummed her fingers on the table. “The Free Worlds are chaotic. The sheer number of agendas make their actions difficult to predict.” Charlotte was at an intelligence disadvantage. She knew that. Undoubtedly, Andruil suffered no such issues. The ISB would be a significant boon in that regard. “I am concerned the Prime Minister may be effective in uniting their wills.” Korre was a force to be reckoned with. It would be foolish to suggest otherwise. That was a topic for later.

Charlotte turned her focus to her ascension. She sunk into the Darkness. The veil of the Darkside welcoming her with ease. Her mind unfolded so Andruil could see as Charlotte spoke. Her meetings with Art and Stolas. Fighting in the woods and the guard tower. “After my mother’s tragic death, I set about restoring my families place in the noble line. Lord Caelestis…before he was Lord Cealestis…and I curried favor with the High Houses. In time that was enough to position me to strike at the Queen.” Her mind flipped to fight onboard the Indominable. “My apprentice and Acolyte Ashla stormed the Queen Mother’s destroyer and I put my sword in her chest.” Charlotte smiled as the images of the bloody lift and the ruined quarters played in her mind.

“By right, the Throne then passed to me, and I declared my rule across the Consortium.” She pulled aside her collar to show the scar from the blaster bolt. “I’m still a little worse for the wear.” Her body was largely covered in bruises from the beatings she’d taken. “But I took what belong to me…and not one House has voiced public dissent.” She plucked another tomato from the table.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry didn't miss the comments made by Charlotte, and it brought about questions of what she thought about the FWA's current movements. While there were certainly reports that came out of the ISB, ultimately, the words of someone in the FWA may hold more weight as an evaluation.

She listened to what had happened with the Queen Mother, and the mention of Caelestis left a lump in her throat for a moment. She told herself time and again that she did what she had to do, but she wished it hadn't come to that. She really wished... but wishing wouldn't get anyone anywhere and it wouldn't bring him back.

She pushed the thoughts from her mind as she refocused on what Charlotte was saying. Do you expect the Houses to make a more subtle dissent? she asked. No doubt being a Sith would help keep Charlotte alive in such a cutthroat world.

What do you expect from the FWA in coming days? You seem to have a theory, she said, prodding for her take on the issue.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

What was that? A pause at the mention of Art? She’d imagined it…certainly. The Empress would never betray her true emotions. She laughed lightly at the mention of subtle dissent. “If the Order has prepared me for anything, it has readied me for the assassins that will come.” Her face showed no fear, only anticipation. “Hapes is covered in glittery finery…but the truth is the Houses are as ruthless as any Sith.” Charlotte shrugged. “They will come for me and meet the same fate as my mother.” She stabbed another tomato with a fork. “A side effect of this job.” She crunched down on the tomato.

“The matter of the Free Worlds is more complicated, Empress.” Charlotte clicked her tongue…still unable to rid herself of that nervous habit. “They are disparate, but a vocal sect is pushing for a unified defense. They appear to have the backing of the Prime Minster and chance of success.” The Queen Mother had poured over the reports of her predecessor. The last Senate session of the Free Worlds had touched on this very issue.

“The Free Worlds will never be fully united but even partial organization would greatly frustrate our purpose. For now, the worlds largely defendant themselves…if they were to band together…” She left the rest unsaid. Their war would suddenly become far more difficult. “And we both know…they will continue to allow the Jedi to die for them.” The ever-troublesome Jedi Order.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry thought about it all, thinking about the implications of everything they were talking about. She didn't seem to show a lot of concern about the idea that the Sith woman wouldn't be able to look out for herself. She was Sith and would have no trouble navigating a comparable world.

As the conversation returned to Korre, things became more complicated. Who else has been heading the push? she asked. Bringing all the FWA worlds together was something that she couldn't afford to allow.

If we assassinated her would it make her a martyr? she asked, though she doubted it. Particularly if the Sith weren't officially involved or able to be linked to the operation.

They'll continue to take their orders from the Jedi because they're just tools of the Jedi, she said, indicating that she actually believed what she had told the FWA before. It wasn't just a propaganda line.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte shrugged. “The Senators from Kashyyyk and Iego are particularly vocal…but there are others.” Her nose scrunched in through again. “She would be missed if removed but I doubt that would solve the problem.” A grimace marred her beautiful features. “For you are correct, your majesty…it is the Jedi who pull the strings.” Charlotte had only ever met one of the venerable Order. She suppressed a shudder as memories of that terrible mansion came unbidden to her thoughts.

He had been fine but barely a Jedi. “Despite a few public missteps their continued defense of Free Worlds has increased their influence.” Charlotte stretched her back over the chair as she thought.

“The Republic and Free Worlds both answer to the Jedi. From the inside, that is clear.” Now to pivot. “I believe that influence can be eroded…with proper prodding…but I need time.” A sheepish smile crossed her face. “My loyalties are here with the Empire. I serve only the Darkness and you. Whatever you ask, I will do.” She took a deep breath. “Publicly as the Queen Mother I may need to say some unpleasant things to gain their trust. It is one of the reasons I came here so that there would be no doubt where my allegiance rests.” Charlotte had a plan to better position the Empire. It first involved some very public dissent. She would build that trust and then use it to shove the Jedi out.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened as she named off the others who were involved in this collaborative effort. She didn't rule out the possibility of an assassination, but perhaps other routes needed to be pursued instead.

She rolled her eyes at the mention of the FWA and NR still standing behind the Jedi. She knew it was true, of course, but she wondered how long until they were able to pry the Jedi's influence from the Core of the galaxy.

As the topic turned to Charlotte maintaining her cover, Renfry thought about what the woman said. She thought of Emryc and the stance that the ISC had taken against both Jedi and Sith. She understood the need to maintain one's cover.

I certainly appreciate the forewarning, she said, and it was wise to do so. The Empire was in a tenuous situation right now and there was certainly the possibility that such public slander would not be viewed well.

If it helps root the Jedi out of the FWA and Republic, then it's worth it, she said. She knew that Hapes was not historically a fan of any Force-wielders, so it came as no surprise that Charlotte wouldn't be immediately declaring for the Empire.

But make sure that such public condemnation isn't for nothing, she said, the hint of a warning in her words.

What are your intentions with Hapes's galactic alignment? she asked. Hopefully if Hapes withdrew, it would take a chunk out of the center of the FWA with it.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

The warning was subtle but clear. Charlotte would have the leeway necessary as long as her usefulness remained. Her outspoken behavior against the Empire would only be tolerated for so long. She would not waste that opportunity. Now, they turned to the thornier part of her plan. “To be the rot within.” Charlotte nodded slightly. “If you’ll indulge me for a moment, Empress.” She spread her hands out across the table. “The FWA is beautiful democratic tree, blossoming across the galaxy…it has had disease before but withstood the invasion because it is old and spread wide. A few bad apples hardly spoiling the bunch.” Her red lips pulled apart in a grin.

“Hapes sits at the trunk of that tree. Never before has there been such sickness at the heart of the Free Worlds.” Charlotte snatched an apple from the table. Slowly, it began to die in her hand. “I don’t intend to declare for the Empire, the ISC, Republic, or some neutral affiliation.” Death spread out in the palm of her hand. “With your permission, we would devour the Free Worlds from within…the rot would spread until nothing of the tree was left but the veneer of freedom.” She placed the decaying apple on the table. Well, that was gross.

“The Republic cannot stand without the buffer of Free World safety. It would be only a matter of time before it fell.” Charlotte first needed allies within the Free World. Cairo was already working on that front. From there, she would begin the careful dance of gathering influence without tipping her hand. Difficult…but doable. “I will not abandon my responsibilities within the Order, but I must move discreetly.” Charlotte was still a Sith and while she played the long game she knew the Empire had use of her other talents.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry watched the demonstration with the apple, happily chomping along on a piece of bacon as Charlotte described placing rot within the FWA. It was a thought that brought oh-so-much joy to the Empress. Even more than the New Republic, the FWA was the problem with the galaxy. They had backed the Jedi before the Republic and one could argue that the war with the Republic was the Eternal's fault as much as anything.

She was uncertain about the woman's plan to corrupt things from within. She'd rather see the FWA altogether broken up and dispersed, something that seemed like it was already underway in many places, but she didn't argue. She would let the woman do what she chose for now and perhaps it would yield better results than Renfry imagined. She was no seer, after all, and spells of knowledge were difficult and dangerous to cast.

Well it sounds like you have plan, she said before looking over at the shriveled apple and scrunching up her face.

And a healthy dose of animosity for fruit, she said with a snicker.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Her smile grew wider. “I fear Hapes has fed some of my worst dramatic impulses.” Charlotte chuckled slightly. The Consortium was drenched in theatrics. It was a critical part of Hapan politics. Her proclivity for the dramatic had only worsened in her ascension. “To the detriment of my appetite.” She slowly pushed the apple away. “I should find a new metaphor.” Charlotte took a small sip from her water glass. There was one last thing she required. The most difficult ask of all. She was not afraid, but the apprehension still existed. “There is one last request.” Another small sip of water.

“Our first meeting feels a lifetime ago. The Eternal still ruled, Stolas new to the Council, and I had no idea who I was.” Charlotte could barely believe just how long ago that was. “You put me on this path when I did not see it myself and I have tried to serve you well.” The Queen Mother put her hands on the table to make sure Andruil could see them. “The Consortium’s resources are great but to succeed I will need aid from the quieter elements of the Order. Aid a Marauder would not be given.” Her meaning became clear in that moment. Her mental walls lowered to allow Andruil to see the truth of her path.

“My time has come, Empress. I can feel the strength the Darkness has gifted me. Loyalty is rare among us, but you have mine. My heart and my soul.” Andruil, course, also had a physical piece of Charlotte which meant she could never betray the Queen unless she sought death.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry smiled at Charlotte's statement that she had gotten a bit dramatic in her time that had passed. She had read about what it was like on Hapes and even visited during one of their missions. It felt like a lifetime ago now.

She mentioned there was another request, and Renfry paused, thinking about what was going to come. She didn't have to wait long before the question was answered.

Champion, she corrected, reminding her that the term had been changed quite some time ago. It seems you've been out of the Sith for a long time and have gotten rusty with your terminology, she said. While her absence was understood based on the situation, it was not a glowing commendation for her ascension through the ranks of the Sith. Renfry thought of other Lords like Ceryx who had obtained a planet outside of Sith space and then been all but unknown to the rest of the Order. Things were churning within the Empire, and the expectations of the Lords had become increasingly severe.

She paused a longer moment before proceeding to answer the question that had been asked without being asked.

You've set up a position of power for yourself, but you are still largely unknown to the Empire. If you want to take a Lord name - a Sith name - then that name needs to be known. To be feared and mean something, she said. Ceryx had burned bridges for many potential routes in the Order. It's the difficulty of a double life, but you still have work to do. But I think this is an opportunity for you to begin expanding holdings within the Empire, she said. Even if that name was known only as the mask it wore, the concept was not one foreign to her, though few knew of Emryc's double life... even fewer after the purge.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte shoved down the embarrassment. Still, she could not stop the flush that tinged her cheeks. Fucking idiot. Yes, Empress please anoint me but pardon me while I display my utter ignorance. She wanted to slap herself. Instead, she nodded politely. “A foolish slip of the tongue, Empress. I was a Marauder for over a decade…old habits and all that.” The rest was much as she expected. As long as Hapes remained officially part of the Empire, publicly Charlotte provided little value. Her power grew in secret which was helpful but not until it paid off. She’d thought long on what she might be called.

“Adava.” That was the name she’d chosen. Charlotte knew the path she’d chosen would be difficult. It would be worth it. “I will make that name mean something, Empress.” She nodded thoughtfully. “The galaxy will know it and in time my influence will expand beyond Hapes.” She could manage both. Charlotte was reluctant to rely on anyone person, but Cairo had proven useful. With his help, she’d succeed.

“I must ask if you have orders for me?” Charlotte knew where she’d strike next. It was simply a matter of time. Her eyes were set on a particularity important trade route. Her only trouble was finding the right in to approach.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry nodded as the woman pointed out how she had been a Marauder for many years. It was an easy mistake to make, and not one that Renfry ultimately held against her all that much.

Adava. Well, then, Adava, you have your work cut out for you, she said. She still had high hopes for Adava. The Sith woman had already shown that with a little bit of assets and support she was capable of great things. The Empress hoped that would continue in the days to come.

Supply lines in the war with the FWA have been stretch thin, but there's an abundance of neutral systems being sized up by Sith... Champion and Lord, she said. You have Hapes for the politics, but if I were you, I would start carving out my own portion of space. Adava will need Sith loyal to her in order to ascend, she said.

So I leave it to you: what do you want to find and conquer, she said. Those who ascended did it because they had a fire under them. While Malicia may have ultimately been usurped, she had understood that more than most. In the silence of her mind, she regretted the loss of the Councilor... once a friend. Another friend lost.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte paused for a moment. Her thoughts churning. She knew where to strike. “Bonadan.” The world sat just on the edge of Imperial Space. “It is the starting point of the Hydian Way and near Korriban.” As a Champion she could command some resources necessary for such an acquisition. “That’ll be a start.” She clicked her tongue again. “My apprentice is working back on Hapes to discreetly funnel some resources into the Empire. He should see fruits of his labor soon.” Her focus momentarily shifting to the ruined apple.

Charlotte took a deep breath. It was done then. Her time away had not cast her into disfavor. Now was the time for harder work. Charlotte pushed back from her chair and smiled. “It seems I have work to do.” She nodded her head politely, pausing in thought.

“Forgive me for overstepping…but…” She leaned on the chair for a moment. “I cannot begin to understand the power you command, and we are Sith…our lives are betrayal and distrust.” She laughed. “The Jedi say we’re evil and maybe I am, but I’m still mortal and this life can be lonely for any of us.” Charlotte bowed and turned to leave. “Should you ever need someone to listen. I am here.” Adava spread her hands as she walked backward. “Until then, I will be waging war, your Majesty.” There would be no secret missions this time. Adava stuck with brute force. Raze was perhaps the most feared creature in the galaxy. She would be wise to learn her lessons from him.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

The Empress thought about the woman's proposal to take Bonadan. There was no indication that the Nightsister intended to stand in the way of her decision. Resources can be diverted to Bonadan, she agreed. Whether that would be ISB or military forces would remain to be seen, but occupation of worlds not tied up with the Jedi and FWA were easier to seize.

You might consider steering clear of Zygeria, she said. It was an entity largely untouched by the Empire, though the statement was clearly not an order. As for those resources you mentioned, it sounds like an opportunity for you to reinvest in building up your assets, she said. Of course, the assets that were built up by all of the Sith Lords were ultimately her assets, and it was why she encouraged them to build for themselves. She worked to avoid getting directly involved in their realms except when necessary.

It seems you do, she agreed, though there wasn't any indication that the Empress was unhappy about what had happened. She still believed that Charlotte showed promise.

Renfry smiled slightly as Charlotte offered a listening ear. These days she was more wary than ever of making friends. Most friends she had made in the Sith were now dead and even Nightsisters she had brought into this war had been killed. And not all of those were caused by the enemy, either. In fact, most had been from other Sith.

May the Shadow be with you Queen Adava, she said. She had the Empress's blessing and a hope for results to match.

//Thread @Valen Pelora