What Remains...

[Zamid Sarlo]

Planet of Bandomeer

Theme​

Thunder roared in the distance, with gray clouds hanging above a poor speck of a spaceport called Uptown. It was early evening and already the taverns in the settlement were filled to the brim with outworlders and locals, indulging themselves in both drink and company. However in front of one such establishment were a modest collection of puffer pigs searching for scraps to eat in the mud. Among them laying sideways in the filthy soil, however was a Duros wearing the burned and torn remains of a traditional robe from his homeworld.

The blue humanoid in question was asleep, having drank down a whole bottle of ale hours before and the empty bottle itself still in his right hand. It was not a peaceful slumber however, the man repeatedly sorrowfully mumbled in a mess of words in both Basic and Durese. Fresh tears pour out down his already ruined cheeks as the pathetic man whispered repeatedly.

“I failed you. I failed you. I failed you Larile.”

It had been almost a week since Zamid Sarlo, the former senator bitterly declared his resignation via boardcast. This had been caused by the death of his only child in a pirate attack, which he blamed on the Republic for failing to rearm sooner. Instead of returning to Duro, the former statesman took his shuttle and flew as far as he can, away from the Republic. Of course he ended up crashing outside this spaceport, becoming one of the many homeless who infested the settlement.

As far as anyone was concerned if they knew or even about cared Sarlo’s fate appeared to be set. To rot away in both body and soul at some gutter. However...

 

[Zanna Kressh]

It had been a few months since Zanna had officially left Sith space to make her way across the galaxy. So far, she had picked up on Basic, but she still didn’t a lot of references. She had only killed on six separate occasions, which was incredible considering her track record. She made a point of practicing with her saber every night, spending grueling hours ensuring she got used to the weight of it. Zanna was behind when it came to technology and the way this part of the galaxy operated, and she knew she had to catch up to be more useful to her Queen.

She had landed on this planet only a few days prior, having snuck into the cargo hold of a trading ship. Zanna resolved her credits problem by mugging the people she killed, though even that was a measly amount. She decided to go to a tavern to see if she could con a man to part with his credits. Being the first Sith species most men set eyes upon for the first time, she used it to her advantage whenever she could.

Zanna was dressed in a black leather jacket and pants that hugged her legs, dressed to fit in as a civilian. She found people reacted less suspiciously about her race when she didn’t don layers of armor. Her saber hilt was stashed out of sight, and she hoped she wouldn’t need it anytime soon.

As she approached the tavern, she felt the first droplets of rain. A heavyset woman was outside with her hands on her hips, yelling at a lump in the mud amidst a number of pigs. The lump barely moved, muttering something that sounded incoherent. Zanna’s curiosity was piqued and she made her way over to the scene.

“-If you wanna sleep here, you need to pay for a room! Hey you hear me?! I’m talking to you!”

Zanna made her way over to the woman, “Hey,” The woman looked up at her, opening her mouth to speak. She waved her hand gently, “You go back to work,” The woman’s eyes glazed over and she repeated her words, nodding and turning to go back inside.

The Sith curiously peered over the fence, glancing over the edge. As she got a closer look, her eyes widened when he lifted his face. This was the same face that was splashed across the media a week or so ago. This….surely this couldn’t be him. Zanna tilted her head, “Senator?”

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

Within his ill-fitted slumber, Sarlo found himself in a field of thick mists, wearing casual clothes. He can eerily hear voices whispering to one another. Zamid turned around looking for a way out. Then suddenly a figure stood before him and the man stoped dead cold in his tracks, recognizing who it’s.

“Larile.” He said, his voice utterly trembling. Larile was wearing a purple sweater and dark jeans, the blue girl looked up at her father and asked.“Where were you dad?”The question itself sounded simple, but it cut into Zamid as if being gutted. Words failed from come from the father’s mouth as he could only lowered his head in damning guilt.

Suddenly the dream was interrupted, when rain drops fell on his face and heard angry voice speaking to him. Moaning with a murderous headache, Sarlo stirred, thinking. It’s that kriffing bartender again, can’t leave me in peace. There was a time that the old Duros would’ve not be sleeping outisde in the filth or be drunk for that matter and be more courteous to people. Those days were long gone.

Unexpectedly he overheard someone speaking to the bartender. Forcing himself Sarlo turned around meeting the glance of a red skinned woman in a dark leather jacket over the fence. Not the bartender. He concluded quietly when the red woman addressed him.

Scowling Zamid spit on the ground in contempt at the mention of the word senator.“Don’t call me by that! I don’t have nor want that force damned title anymore.”Sitting up the former politician rubbed the back of the head, still waking up. Weary eyes turned back to the mysterious woman he remarked.

“You have me at a loss. Who are you exactly?”

 

[Darth Evandrus]

-- Time Skip --​

Apparently there was a god-damn senator drinking his sorrows away on Bandomeer and a Sith warrior had reported this to some other local Sith. Evandrus had been on the planet for something else entirely but hells - he wouldn't mind speaking to a senator, especially since he seemed to have moved since the warrior had been here.

Dressing in his armour with his helmet on, Evandrus wasn't exactly subtle but he didn't really need to be.

People began to clear out of the cantina as soon as word got around that he was in the area and by the time he took a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, paying for it with a heavy tip before sitting down beside the senator.

Or rather, former, senator.

Evandrus had been briefed on Zamid Sarlo.

He tapped the ex-senator on the shoulder as he poured out two glasses of whiskey,

"Wake up Sarlo." he told the man bluntly, "I brought whiskey."

Reaching up, Evandrus unlocked his helmet before taking it off and setting it down on the table on front of him. He raised the glass to the ex-senator,

"To the burdens of command, eh?"

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

Somehow Sarlo got himself inside another cantina, at a seedy corner with a table. It is possible the owner felt pity or more likely someone else paid for it. His head laid on the dirty table, still filthy all over, trying to sleep but to no avail. That encounter with the red woman however brief it was bothered him.

Would rather let people see me as a beggar than a former senator. Then again I’m kriffing both! Further bouts of self pity were interrupted when someone tapped him in the shoulder, stating his name and offering whiskey. Moaning in annoyance Sarlo looked and saw an armored figure.

Confused, the Durosian’s eyes widen in surprise, to glimpse the face behind the helmet revealed. It’s that former Jedi turned Sith, Cregan! Even in a haggered state, Sarlo recognized that face anywhere. When Darth Evandrus made a toast about the burdens of command, the former senator rolled his eyes in utter disgust. Nevertheless he drank up his glass in a matter of seconds.

“I must be imaging things, a high ranking Sith offering me a drink. Why the kark are you here? To gloat? Wasn’t the assassination attempt enough entertainment for your kind?” Sarlo demanded rudely.

Typically, most people would be more hesitant to provoking a powerful force user, but the Duros clearly didn’t care anymore if he lived or died.

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus could see that Sarlo recognised him only when he took off his helmet... he recognised his as Cregan Doldan, not as Darth Evandrus. That was fine too. He could adapt his approach. Once his helmet was set down he raised the glass, made the toast and then enjoyed the whiskey despite Sarlo's response.

Enjoying the taste of the whiskey and it's refreshing burn, Evandrus looked the former senator in the eyes,

"You're not imagining things if I'm not. You see a high ranking member of the Sith Council offering you a drink... and I see a once great politician drowning his sorrows in a dive bar."

He wasn't feeling very jokey today so it wasn't a joke, it was a jab. A reminder that he wasn't the strangest thing here, Sarlo was. A reminder that the focus was going to remain on Sarlo.

"I'm not here to goad. I'm not here to poke or prod or whatever else you believe it is we Sith do." he declared bluntly, tilting his head to one side slightly, "I came here because I was told there was a broken man here. Someone who had much more to give to the Galaxy who was content to just give up. Was I wrong? Or are you at that precipice, Sarlo?"

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

The jab back at him did sting, but Sarlo only grunted in resignation. The middle aged Duros lowered eyes, starting at his reflection in the now glass. The sight disgusted Zamid, bringing forth renewed self-loathing to his soul. When Evandrus explained why he was over here, it caused the former senator glanced back at the Sith. A bewildered expression featured on Sarlo before he gradually began to chuckle that turned into a loud laughter, boarding on madness.

Stopping many seconds later, Sarlo shook his head. “Much to give to the galaxy? What could I possibly offer to anyone now? I did what I thought was right at the time and look at what has cost me!”

Angrily Sarlo grabbed his cup and hurled it to the floor, shattering the glass into many pieces. As soon as that fury came, it vanished, replaced by weariness. Sighing heavily he finally confessed to Evandrus. “To answer your question Sith, I don’t know anymore. What else can there be?”

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Seemed that Sarlo had lost the bite that would have had him shooting back some kind of quip right back at Evandrus for his jab... disappointing. He remembered watching some of the senate votes and he remembered Sarlo being a rather good politician, able to take shots and dish them out rather well. The fact that he was now such a broken man was rather disgusting in his own mind. Was this what happened to a man when he lost everything he cared about?

While Evandrus was aware that he likely would have taken his wife's death... poorly... he liked to think he wouldn't have just sat in some bar trying to kill himself with alcohol poisoning.

"Look at who you're speaking to, old man." he declared with a small smirk, "I spent years doing what I thought was right as a Jedi. I did terrible things because I was taught that they would, in the end, help by serving a greater good. Well... I don't know if you noticed but all I did as a Jedi was kill people and just scolded for it."

He leaned back and slide his own glass over to Sarlo to use in place of his broken one,

"It was only when I became a Sith, when I helped put the finishing touches on the Empire and started pushing for it...? It was only then that I realised I could be doing more, could be doing better." he declared simply, "It was only when I became a Sith that I found a Greater Good worth serving. Look Sarlo... you worked for the Republic for years... don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of years making it. Join something that will allow you to be greater than you have ever been in the past."

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

The Sith did not lack for confidence Zamid would admit. Much to his own surprise the former senator of Duro found himself listening more to Evandrus. He knew of rumors in the past of Jedi operatives fighting a covert war with their enemies. Considering Evandrus’ record on Alderaan it made more sense. It was when the Sith Lord spoke of a greater good that Sarlo stopped himself.

Is he suggesting what I think he is? Joining the Empire?

There was once a time that Sarlo would not even entertain such a notion. Of course it was back when he still believed in the ideals of the Republic. He had fought against the madness of the exiles only to witness his own government hold itself back from helping the Jedi from achieving total victory. The same government that foolishly weaken itself over the years and kept it that way despite repeated provocations.

The wheels in his mind began to turn and Evandrus would sense it. Slowly Sarlo looked up at the dark force user, no longer in despair but in...curiosity. “You speak of a greater good. What does it exactly mean in this Empire of yours?”

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Seemed that the former senator was at least willing to listen to him - that was nice. Nice to see that the man wasn't going to hold his title of Darth against him. Then again... the Sith ambassador to the Senate was actually a damn impressive orator and had some of the senators tripping over their feet to help him.

Indeed, it seemed that the former senator was thinking about it even before he actually went out on a limb and started actually pushing for the senator to assist.

The man was conflicted and Evandrus didn't need the Force to tell that... though it helped. In the end, the man looked to be thinking about it and that was something that Evandrus could work with. Humming a little bit as Sarlo seemed to come alive with some curiosity, Evandrus smiled a little bit.

"The Greater Good is what it has always been - the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number. It means the use of power, all kinds of power, for the betterment of the Galaxy as a whole under the rule of the Empire." he paused before adding, "It means... the safest hands shaping the future to avoid the wars that tore this Galaxy into pieces."

The safest hands were still their own.

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

If the anti-Sith senators had heard those words out loud, it would’ve given them more moviation to oppose the Empire. Sarlo only took in the words. Gradually the experience that he had earned as a navel officer, attorney, to a senator kicked in. The Duros’ bearing straightened in a professional matter...well as much as he can mange from a half drunken state.

The Sith use the dark side of the force, and I have seen its effects first-hand with the exiles. Yet is letting childern die because of negligence not so terrible in comparison? As far I’m concerned now using power, in any form to take necessary action is better than doing nothing. All the same there is one more thing...

He looked at Evandrus in the eye and commented. “Interesting, though I’ll admit there is one main issue for me in regards to enlisting into your cause. It’s about your Empire’s ‘relations’ with the Hutt Cartel. Granted I do understand from a certain view the initial alliance was for survival. All the same a reasonable explanation to how the overgrown slugs fit in the greater good can go a long way to bring clarity to my mind about it.”

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus could tell that the former senator was taking this whole thing a lot more serious now that he was aware of the level of conversation they were having. It was good that the man was still capable of understanding the potential gravity of this situation, understanding that he would be best to approach it as someone who could hold his head up high and actually listen to what was being said rather than reverting back to the drunken state from before.

He wanted to take another drink but he'd given his glass to the Duros... rats.

But there was more important things to focus on he supposed. He met the other man's gaze without a word as the Duros laid out his primary issue with the Empire.

"I understand." he confirmed with a small frown before adding, "To tell you the truth, Sarlo, I completely understand because I dislike the Cartel. I dislike them in the extreme - everything about them if I'm honest. But in the end... they are a means to an end. And that end is getting closer and because of that?"

He smiled a little bit,

"Perhaps we're just waiting on an impressive orator to end it?"

@Minuteman75

 

[Zamid Sarlo]

A means to an end. Of course some people would ask Evandrus to what he meant by it. Sarlo, however, had a extremely strong guess of what the Sith was hinting at. When a prosecutor back on Duro, he did participated in lot of cases against criminals. The old man most of the time enjoyed a sense of pride in helping put away many worthless scumbags. There had however been others who escaped justice due to technicalities, blackmail, or outright bribery.

Many of those escapes had been hutt related. Whenever the slugs got away with something, their rivals try to show them up, making everything worse in process. The possibility to finally end them in the future would be a permanent solution to it.

Sarlo would’ve spoken up when a new line of concerns entered his mind. The Jedi, his surviving family, the soldiers and former colleagues like Anton Price. Frozen visibly the Durosian wrestled with it. Joining the Empire would the likelihood of confronting them. Could he really do it?

At that moment the memory of his daughter hugging him before his departure to Coruscant as senator surfaced. The Republic government caused her, and others die all while pretending everything is okay. Not to mention how often former members of the GAR were disregarded and forgotten by the system throughout the years. The very idea that an elitist hypocrite like Mori Varloum and her ink get to live and enjoy themselves at others’ expanse was beyond infuriating.

I do not believe in peace anymore. There can be only order enforced by absolute power.

It caused him to squeezed a determined fist with the right hand. In his heart, Sarlo decided that the Jedi despite his past with them must be cast aside to make a better galaxy. The same for Price and the others of the Republic if they stand in the way. So when Evandrus looked into the Duros’ eyes again, he would see the despairing drunk was gone along with any lingering ounces of Republic loyalty.

Zamid Sarlo offered his left hand and when the Sith Lord shook it, he said. “I accept the invitation.” Done, the former senator sat up and added. “Don’t worry I will make my own way to the Empire. Enjoy the last drink, consider it as a token of my gratitude.” Without any wavering the blue humanoid proceeded to walk out of the bar as...a new man.