Sinnerman

[Eddard Thul Drast]

There is always a bigger fish.

Sometimes the bigger fish is literally a fish and sometimes it's just a figure of speech. Taking the expression a little bit too literally? Maybe. But considering half of the things that Eddard knew to be real in the Galaxy, the idea that there was a fish out there large enough to swallow him whole was rather tame, rather easy to consider.

But this was different - this was in the figurative sense.

He was on Coruscant, a planet he hated, because he was here to speak to someone to whom he was distantly related and to whom he owed his allegiance. Of all the people to meet in the centre of the Empire, Eddard was asked to meet with the Emperor.

Now Eddard wasn't anyone special yet himself despite his name but there had been whispers about what he'd done for the Empire already and his devotion both to the cause and to family were not secret at all.

It was practically a meme on Alderaan after all.

Still, he waited patiently in his armour in one of the many antechambers, waiting for the Emperor to have the time to speak to him. He had some ideas about what was to be discussed but, well, there was so often a difference between what was thought and what was true.

So he would just wait to find out.

@Rexx

 

[Elix the Fifth]

There was always more work to be done, and Elix had no shortage of work in recent months. He'd gotten an early start this morning, cycling through appointments after the morning's workout. Moffs and their underlings had eaten up much of his time, briefing him and his staff on the movements of the various factions that threatened to tear is inheritance asunder and drown the galaxy in blood and flame. They knew not what they did, but they would know their folly soon enough. It was time to shore up what could be fortified and to claim as many strategic resources as they could. The Emperor took several breaths to lower his heart rate as he thought about the eastern upstart.

Not now. There was always more to be done, and controlling his passions and his anger was the path to the power of the Force. If he mastered the feelings that swirled within him, he could claim his victory. Just as the First had done, so long ago. The Emperor was arrayed behind a fine desk hewn of thornwood, large and replete with an ordered array of datapads around the central computer terminal. His day to day outfit was close-cut black and silver, an elevated version of that which many higher ranking Intelligence Moffs would wear.

Elix couldn't have cared less what he wore, but it was a strategic choice on his part.

He opened a drawer on the rear of the desk, and with practiced motion he withdrew a small standing mirror, and his eyes, that of a Sith ascendant, sparkled back at him. A small smirk graced his lips, but his actions were not outward appreciation of himself. It was practice. Practice smiling, practice smirking, practice not letting his demeanor cloud his visage.

He relaxed his jaw muscles and nodded to himself, his exercise in composure coming to an end. Elix secured the mirror in the draw, shutting it smartly before he tapped the button for the intercom

“Send in Lord Thul-Drast.”

The Emperor's voice was a high baritone, used to giving orders and yet not overly imperious; some of the lesser nobility were downright insane with power, some even doubly so should they possess the power of the Force. The smallest twitch of annoyance crossed his face.

“Vacuous fools,” he said furtively to himself, unable to keep the contempt from his voice.

The Emperor would see what Eddard Thul-Drast was made of soon; Elix would assess from which cloth he had been cut.

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@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Dressed in his uniform as an Imperial Republica Intelligence Agent and Sith, complete with a small decoration on his left arm to signify that he was originally from Alderaan, Eddard nodded to the man who bade him to enter and followed as he was led through the palace.

It was slightly surprising that he was led past several audience chambers before the surroundings became more... cosy.

Ah.

A public study.

The vapid and the foolish would think they were seeing the Emperor's inner sanctum while they were still in the first layer, the outer layers. Doubtlessly the Emperor had a private study and it was unlikely that even a tenth of the number of people who had seen the public study would see the private one.

Still... Eddard nodded his head as the doors were opened for him and he moved to the desk. His steps were precise, military, and he came to a stop at the desk. Noting that his Emperor was wearing a uniform from his own branch of the Imperial Republica Military, he saluted the man as such before bowing his head.

"Your Grace."

He did not sit but instead remained at attention once he has bowed.

@Rexx

 

[Elix the Fifth]

Eddard was arrayed similarly to himself in the garb of an Imperial Intelligence officer, although he was under the purview of the High Executioner and Elix, clearly, was not. Despite their distant relation, the Emperor could clearly see the Drast features that were apparent in Eddard’s face and features. Patrician lines, strong jaw, close cut beard maintained in the proper style according to both regulation and Imperial fashion. Eddard wasn't from Coruscant but Elix imagined he'd fit in just fine based on looks alone.

But merit was more than skin-deep.

“Be at ease, Lord Eddard.” The Emperor spoke stiffly but not unkindly; ritual and formality were important in the deep Core. Elix, iconoclast though he was, understood the commitment to protocol that had been made by virtue of his birth. Circumstances could change for many, but a prince who had become Emperor was bound by covenants made an age ago from which there could be no distancing himself. Better to lean into fate than to buck against it like some nag feeling the bridle for the first time.

He regarded Eddard with coolly narrowed eyes, scrutinizing him with his traditional senses. The Emperor felt the Force and could call for it at a moment's notice, but he wasn't about to inspect a subject with the Force unless it was absolutely necessary.

After a moment of study, the Emperor continued.

“How fares your family, Lord Eddard? Is your grandmother still whipping the troops into shape?” A very small, but knowing smirk turned up the corner of his mouth after he spoke with a measure of resolute admiration. Lady Meera had a reputation on Alderaan; it suited the Emperor well to keep himself informed on the nobility, especially those whose fiefdoms were so close to his seat of power. Every interaction was an opportunity to gather information that one did not know.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

At the command to be at ease, Eddard relaxed from attention but stood, as requested, at ease. He didn't relax entirely as many would have taken this as invitation to do so. Eddard had been properly drilled during the academy and he knew how to conduct himself before a superior officer.

The Emperor was just the most superior an officer could possibly get.

Annoyingly enough he felt his stubble beginning to itch and he had to exercise restraint to keep from scratching it. Normally his stubble was longer than this and into the length where it wouldn't itch - but that might also be the length that became untidy in the eyes of many officers.

He ignored it and instead inspected the Emperor as he, in turn, was inspected by the Emperor himself. He had no doubt that if he was found lacking in some way then he would soon find out. The Emperor himself? Well... Eddard would say he was everything he expected the man to be if he was honest.

A bit too pretty but that was the style on Coruscant.

The corner of his mouth quirked up into a smirk for a second before it was gone.

"My grandmother shall likely be whipping us all into shape from beyond the grave." he assured the Emperor with a nod, "I'll tell her you asked after her... I shall expect a response along the lines of 'If I were twenty years younger he would need no Queen'... and I shall shudder for the both of us for the mental image."

He nodded his head slightly.

"I thank you for asking after my family, Your Grace."

@Rexx

 

[Elix the Fifth]

Eddard relaxed, but still kept himself in a position of poise and readiness; well enough. The Emperor sat back and leaned his elbows on the edges of his seat, lacing his fingers and touching his thumbs together as Eddard delivered tidings of his feisty grandmother. Yes, Elix had heard stories about Lady Meera and her exacting nature. Elix’s face broke into a crinkly smile and his eyes sparkled as Eddard joked about his grandmother as the Emperor’s Consort.

“You must admit, it would be a formidable union,” Elix said with ironic appreciation. “She would have the Court marching in formation after a week.”

Elix received Eddard’s thanks with a single nod, polite and even demure.

“Family is of paramount importance,” Elix said with conviction, nodding with firm resolve. "Please, be seated,” he instructed simply, pointing with his smallest finger at one of two seats arrayed in front of the desk. As Eddard moved, Elix would shift in his own chair, diligently and deftly manipulating the terminal to pull up several reports. Current reports on galactic affairs of state and the truncated specifics of Eddard’s service record were available to him; he had read the more thorough debriefs available, with the bullet points for reference purposes.

“I’ve been through your service record. Clandestine operations, live fire entanglements alongside numerous Sith interests, especially against rebellious forces.” The Emperor took a beat, then met Eddard’s eye.

“Impressive. Most impressive.”

A look of concern took over the Emperor’s face and he spoke with serious and imperious purpose.

“I will have need of your talents soon enough. I have spent recent months securing our powerbase and assessing the full measure of our strength after the betrayal of the Pretender’s navel-gazers.” Irritation entered his face for but a moment, a tightening of the jaw that made his serious expression look gravely dangerous. It passed as Elix continued. “I have already selected where we, and I do mean we,” he said with emphasis that indicated just who that set included, “shall focus our efforts. However, I’m curious as to your tactical analysis of the situation the Empire finds itself in now.”

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

A formidable union indeed.

The Emperor might very well have ended up being one of the people in marching formation. Eddard knew enough about his grandmother's younger days to really wonder exactly how she had produced the great lump of wasted potential that was his father. Maybe it was a case of him being too close to the fire that was Meera Thul-Drast when she was all fired up? That sounded about right.

Either way, it was an amusing thought he agreed.

"If it took a week it would only be because she was critiquing your wine cellar for the first three days."

Old Meera did enjoy more than a few glasses of wine on an evening, the old lush. At the motion for him to be seated, Eddard relaxed a little bit more and sat himself down in one of the chairs opposite Elix as the Emperor went through some files on a terminal. He had no doubt that at least some of those files were related to him.

It's what he would do in Elix's position after all. And it appeared that he was correct. He bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement.

"Thank you, Your Grace." he said simply, "I merely do what I can to safeguard the Empire from enemies both foreign and domestic."

He would be doing more soon enough he was certain, especially seeing as the Emperor himself seemed to be requesting his service. That was unexpected but he supposed it perhaps should not have been. In these trying times, where loyalty seemed to be in such short supply, it made sense to look to family connections, however thin after so many generations, to strengthen the position of the throne and the Empire.

"I am at your disposal, Your Grace." he nodded again before thinking about how best to answer. In the end he decided that it was probably best to show than tell, "If I may use my datapad, Your Grace?"

Taking his datapad out of his pocket, Eddard pulled up a Galactic atlas and projected it above the pad as a projection that he could interact with. He focused on the borders the Empire shared with the traitors of the Old Empire and the Mandalorians.

"We are at war with two factions - The Mandalorian clans and the, so called, Old Empire. While we are at war with these factions, we are at war on two fronts and this never works out well." he shook his head, "It is my opinion that we need to be able to focus entirely on one of these factions, defeat or at least batter them until they need to recover, before thinking about attacking the other. To this end?"

He touched Mandalore.

"The Mandalorians are no united - yet. I suggest we make moves to support one or more of their clans. Entertain the idea of an independent Mandalore much in the same way that Manaan is independent. Even if those we support lose, it divides the attention of the Mandalorians as a whole. Potentially look to supporting a united Mandalore even - so long as they are reminded that the Old Empire is their enemy as well. The Old Empire is far more brutal than we in suppressing identity, even if they do allow Xenos more control. As for the Old Empire?" He paused here for a moment, "I would suggest we invade. Open up a second front on the Old Empire by moving through Hutta - attack to the rear and seize an important sector. I have some suggestions on that as well but at your discretion."

Spoiler: Map Shown

@Rexx

 

[Elix the Fifth]

Elix’s smile widened as Eddard asserted that Lady Meera would only be delayed by a thorough critique of his wine cellar. Elix himself had not been drunk to the point of intoxication in several years, finding the loss of control of his faculties disconcerting. He took a glass of wine every now and then with dinner or with company that might feel more at ease with it and the Emperor noted the elder Thul-Drast’s appreciation for alcohol for a later date when the need might arise.

Every piece of information had value, but it was when and where it was applied that mattered.

The Emperor received Eddard’s acknowledgement of his recognition, and noted his humility. Many Sith would be less so -- the son of a banker had approached the Imperial Throne, for Andraste’s sake! The boy had gumption for sure, but Eddard seemed to have a moral fiber that was woven out of many Sith.

Interesting.

Elix did not interrupt Eddard when he requested to use his datapad, merely gesturing in welcome as his assessment of the Thul-Drasts efficiency rose. Yes, he would do very well indeed if this diligence persisted. He was ever on the lookout for rising talent and he also had been granted a keen eye for its analysis through years of hard work under the auspices of the High Executioner and alongside Imperial Directors and Sith Lords of all stripes.

The Emperor was content to listen as Eddard spoke, nodding attentively as he drew attention to information and then drew conclusions about the future from it. The corners of the Emperor’s mouth grew serious and yet he did still look pleased. Elix was legitimately impressed with how many of his thoughts Eddard had touched upon.

“I think I can infer which sectors would be easiest and most valuable to take in the Old Empire. Tund would be accessible from Kubindi, provided we can persuade the Grand Moff of Hutta to allow our troops to use it as a staging point.” His eyes flicked over the holographic display and his next words were more distracted, as if to himself, and his eyes were far away, betraying the depth of his thought as the Emperor processed information and extrapolated possible conclusions to their actions. “Sarka or Roche may also be viable in the second stage.” Elix shook his head once, a minute action to break himself from his focus.

“Well, Lord Eddard,” the Emperor continued as he met Eddard’s eye once more. “You’ve touched on many points I have considered, and have even touched upon one of the next items on my agenda.” He paused very briefly. “I have arranged a diplomatic mission to Manaan to discuss the balance of galactic kolto trade in the shadow of the Pretender’s war of hubris against the rightful Empire. We will deny them succor as we move upon them.” The Emperor narrowed his eyes as he studied Eddard, bringing his right hand up to run thumb and forefinger along his angled jawline as he pondered further.

“You are also correct in that we do not need to fight a second enemy if it can be avoided -- and that means treating with Mandalorian interests as soon as possible.” His hand returned to the terminal’s input and Elix skillfully pulled up more information. “Kryze or Vizsla present themselves as obvious choices, and they are choices that many would make given the last five centuries of history.” The Emperor stifled a sigh, instead centering himself a regaining his composure.

“No, if we want to make inroads with the Mandalorians we cannot begin with clans that have been deeply tied to the structure of the Empire.”

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Eddard was silent as he let the Emperor speak his mind aloud. It was clear that Elix the Fifth had a mind of his own and he had been considering these things for some time now. This was good as it meant that the Emperor had some greater understanding of strategy that, while not essential in a ruler, was still a very attractive feature to find in one's ruler. If the man's ancestors had had the same strategic mind then perhaps they wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place.

Ah but if you went far back enough their ancestors were the same so he would do his best to ignore the fact that some of Elix's ancestors had really dropped the ball.

Who thought it was a good idea to suppress the Mandalorians in some ways while not others? Who's decision was it for them to stick the middle road between what was effective and what was not? If they wanted to truly suppress their identity then a scorched earth policy would have been more suited. Forced migration to breed them away from their roots until the next generations of Mandalorians had never known Mandalore and had no elders to tell them of their history.

But the past mistakes of Drasts were not their business today.

He nodded his head as he stood at rest before the Emperor's desk.

"I am an instrument of the Empire, your Grace." he confirmed to Elix with a small nod of deference, "By your hand shall I be guided to the throats of the enemies of the Empire."

He was ready to know more about what the Emperor actually had planned.

@Rexx