First Steps

[Andraste]

She didn’t intend to meet with him in the Sith fortress on Serenno. However, as Grand Countess, she had been given palatial quarters that once belonged to the previous rulers of Serenno. Under her regime, the planet had seen a massive boom in its economy as Sith resources began to funnel in. Import and export trade was better than ever, and Serenno was seeing its military once again blossoming.

The people were happy, and that meant that things were running smoothly all around. As the Empire continued to grow, the need for diplomacy began to rise. Andraste had run all the public relation campaigns herself thus far, and she conducted all the efforts with foreign governments. With a growing Empire, it demanded the need for others to spearhead these efforts instead.

And thus, Andraste had caught wind of a rather well known Republic Senator that had decided to abandon his seat. He found himself wandering into Sith space, and word reached her at once. Andraste decided to meet with him herself, inviting him to a grand chamber within the palace.

She was seated on a plush couch adorned in her trademark black dress. Andraste had a glass of wine in her hand, not concerned with appearing overly formal. She was who she was, and she felt like sipping on some wine. Andraste was deep in thought, her keen yellow eyes always surveying her surroundings as she thought about how the meeting would go.

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

Several weeks had passed since Zamid Sarlo forsook the Republic. Now here he was being escorted by guards through the hallways of the fortress, dressed in a brown and reddish spacer outfit. The days of him wearing a senatorial grab were long gone. Nevertheless, Sarlo confidently walked on with the stride of a man with renewed purpose.

During the walk toward where Andraste awaited the former senator reflected on what this could for him. Never believed I would receive an invitation by the Sith Empress herself. Best to take advantage of this opportunity. A gentle sigh escaped him. His younger self would’ve balk at what was happening but didn’t matter anymore.

He guessed the head of the Sith had something specific in mind to grant this secret audience. Whatever that will be, I rather face it than crawl back to the bloated Republic. A feeling of embittered disdain course through Sarlo’s soul with that thought. Even so Sarlo maintained an extremely calm expression to the observation of his escort. At long last, they reached the main door of the grand chamber.

The entrance opened up with a booming sound, revealing the interior. Once ushered in Sarlo glanced some distance away the small human who wielded such massive power in the galaxy seated upon a couch with a wine glass. The old Durosian remembered when he first set eyes on Andraste. It was during the relief effort on Balmorra lead by her as the overlord of the exiles and he was just starting out as a senator.

Our positions have drastically changed since then. She still has those same yellow eyes like from before. The man from Duro reminded himself silently. Once in full view Sarlo bowed his head in respect to the Empress before saying with upmost courtesy to her station.“Greetings your majesty and thank you for your most generous invitation.”

 

[Andraste]

Andraste had sensed his presence long before he came into view. She didn’t move a muscle, silently observing him for a long while as he entered and bowed his head. Several years prior, Andraste would have found it absurd for the former Senator of a planet to bow before her. She had only been Alais then, a simple girl that no one knew about, who had been cast aside like trash by the Jedi.

Here she was today, at the helm of an Empire that spanned across multiple planets with a massive fleet and military to boot. Andraste took another sip from her wine, floating a glass over towards Zamid for him to snatch out of the air. It was already filled with some of the wine she had poured from. She had no qualms with using the Force around him, as he was within her domain after all.

“Please, have a seat,” She gestured for him to sit as she observed him coolly for a moment, “I am curious you found yourself within my borders after your public resignation from the Republic,” Andraste wasn’t one to beat around the bush, “I recall you from the Balmorra effort. You were a powerful asset to the Republic,” Despite them standing on opposite sides of the war, she couldn’t deny he had a powerful sway in the NAP vote, “Have you completely given up on politics or does diplomacy still call to you?” She took another sip from her wine, “What plans does the former Senator of Duro have for himself next?”

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

It was to Sarlo’s surprise, this Empire’s ruler flew another wine filled cup over to him by the force. Taking the floating glass with his right hand, the Duros as an experienced politician couldn’t help but noticed what Andraste just demonstrated. Power, absolute power at her fingertips. The very thought kept him humbled as he took a sip of the wine, savoring it.

Sarlo nodded, approving the taste. Guess those stories about Serenno’s vintage were true he concluded while taking a seat as directed by the Empress. Swiftly she got to the heart of the matter. Inwardly Sarlo was amused, how many of his former colleagues would scream bloody murder at such bluntness. As for himself he appreciated it and so obliged the monarch.

“Well your grace weeks before the present I had given up on life and was going to die drunk in some shithole. You know the reason why so I will spare us both from rehashing it.”Sarlo paused, as he suppressed the lingering grief of his dead daughter Larile and her fellow students. Of course for a mistress of the force like Andraste would easily sense the sadness layered with a fierce loathing toward all those he blamed. Taking another sip Zamid continued.

“However someone, I believe a loyal subject of yours found me there. I was convinced by their reasoning to go to Sith space for a new purpose.”At that point Andraste would note her guest’s red eyes displaying firm determination.“To answer your questions majesty yes diplomacy still calls to me but to not some incompetent regime that hides behind committees for every problem or crisis. My plans are to offer my services as a public servant to you and the Sith Empire.”

 

[Andraste]

She was both surprised and amused by Zamid’s bluntness. It was nice to see he wasn’t being overtly formal with her either. Andraste was used to others showing entirely too much fear around her to barely get any words out. She sipped generously from her wine as he spoke, most of them things she knew about. She could sense the turmoil going on within him quite easily, and she knew emotions clouded his judgment for the moment. However, that didn’t mean the man wasn’t capable.

Andraste set her glass down as she pondered her words carefully, “I hope you understand how bold of a step this is,” She met his gaze, her yellow eyes piercing into his, “You can never turn back from this. As Empress, I have tremendously high expectations of those that serve. We have only progressed this far because of how innovative and hardworking the people have been.”

She rose form her seat, slowly walking over towards the back of the chambers. There was a courtyard before her with a fountain, flowers lining the entire courtyard around it. Andraste admired the beauty for a moment, “As the Empire grows, I am in need of the governors of planets. I also need planets to come into the fold through diplomacy,” She turned to gaze at him, “I have always been clear on my stance. I favor diplomacy over brute force.”

Andraste smiled at him then, “I hope you understand that I don’t entirely trust you just yet. I expect you to prove yourself and I have no doubt that you will.”

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

The ex-Republic official sat quietly in the other seat as he listen attentively to every word his hostess said. He completely understood what this will mean and where the Empress was coming from as well. It will be a bridge once burned can never be repaired. His past life will be irrelevant by embracing this new path. A new growing superpower would indeed require more servants to its maintenance.

So yes Zamid can see why Andraste was taking a chance with him though a cautious one at that.

Of course the old Duros had a very reasonable guess of what will happen if he tried to turn against her. Having fought against the exiles in the last war Sarlo was quite familiar with those of the dark side are capable of. Drinking some more, the fifty something year alien looked back at the Empress and without hesitation.“Majesty I understand completely. Someone of your position has to adopt necessary precautions given my past ties.”

Sarlo paused to consider carefully what he will say next.“My new allegiance to your Empire could make relations with the Republic awkward. Not to mention my former family and friends may try to win me back however useless that will be. Even so such attempts could be exploited by your enemies. As a potential servant I may offer a solution to these possible complications.”

Once directed to do so he continued.

“Allow the Republic to find a corpse somewhere in independent space with other convicting evidence to let the galaxy believe the former senator of Duro is dead. As far I’m concerned that is already true. At the same I will take on a new identity. Not merely to disguise appearances but more importantly to symbolize my allegience to your cause, completely severed from the chains of the past. Only your Imperial highness and a select few you trust wholeheartedly can be aware of the full truth.”

 

[Andraste]

Andraste drew the glass of wine to herself, sipping from it again quietly as he spoke. There was a long moment of silence after he presented his ideas, her gaze once again away from him as she surveyed the courtyard. After the seconds ticked by, she finally spoke, “No,” It was firm, but not too assertive, “If you do this, you will let the galaxy know that this was your choice and you stand by it. You will not hide in the shadows or lead a double life.”

She had high demands of those that worked for her, and this was no exception, “The galaxy will know it is Zamid Sarlo that is one of the finest diplomats the Empire has to offer, not another name, not another identity. I am prepared to have my enemies do whatever they wish – none of it shall matter as long as your loyalty remains to the Empire and to me.”

“I want you to find pride in who you are and what you do. That should be your personality now,” It was curious of her to say this as she had shed her birth name and had taken on a new moniker. However, she knew it wasn’t the same for someone that was a diplomat. Names mattered a lot more then, “Make your way over to the planet Saleucami. I will have you appointed as Junior Moff. I expect you to get to work immediately and to see other planets fall under Imperial regime. Do the work you’ve wanted to do all along – you will have the might of the Empire at your disposal.”

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

The Duros could only watch as Andraste shot down his idea completely and throughly. Hearing the words and the conviction behind them, made Sarlo realized the Sith Empress was right. He squeezed his hands into fists, not of anger but of inspiration. Yes why should I hide this allegiance? There’s nothing to be ashamed of.

I now understand why people follow Andraste.

Zamid stood up from his chair and replied.“It shall be done your highness. But first I must do this, it’s ancient tradition of the Durese.”

Salro with his head lowered, and eyes closed while bending a knee a few feet away from Andraste declared.

“I, Zamid Sarlo hereby pledge myself to you, Empress Andraste of the Sith Empire. In addition I renounce all past ties, including that of my family, homeworld and Republic citizenship. My life and death will be in service to your Empire and to none else. I swear this by the Force and all of existence.”

Finished, Zamid Sarlo rose to his feet proudly. Gone was the former man, reborn into the new. Turning about face in a military manner the Durosian exited from the chambers escorted out by the guards. His destination Saleucami as his new sovereign had commanded.