Ask Hapes Worse Ideas

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

OOC: Pre-Celeste Negotiation Thread

Charlotte had no allies. They were dead or missing. Andruil was alive but could she really call the Queen an ally? No. She had not spoken to Andruil in years, since before she abdicated. On Hapes, she had only rivals. Their political system functioned much like the Sith. Years of backstabbing, assassinations and rivers of blood. The years had slowly bled support from the Queen Mother. Cairo had left her. Ashla not far behind. Andruil wandered home…and Aadya had not been seen. Even Art was dead. Slaughtered by his own ambition. For a brief moment, she had clawed back some of what was lost.

The Draugr was executed, and Celeste captured. Any day Charlotte’s own secrets might be splayed for the galaxy to see. Wonderful. She had no place in the Empire. She would not forsake pieces of her soul. Charlotte Le’Anna served the Darkness. She would not pretend otherwise. Even if it would save her life…but she no longer considered herself a Sith. How long had it been since she actually answered to a Master? She could not even remember. She bowed and scrapped for Draugr but he had really danced to her desires on Onderon.

Charlotte had not served since Andruil. She was not keen to do so again. Yet, there was power to be had. The Order was scattered. Scattered and without resources. Was there not an opportunity for one who was oh so loyal. Celeste shared who had taken the mantel of Dark Lord. A woman Charlotte did not know. Darth Tempest. She had covertly made some overtures through hidden channels. Ever oh so careful not to revel herself. The throne room was secure, only her most loyal Chume’doro and she waited for the Dark Lord.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

In truth, Darth Tempest couldn’t have predicted the message that was received from across the Galaxy - carefully transmitted through the restricted and darkest channels of the HoloNet. Since her escape from prison, the Dark Lord had carefully worked to advance her own agenda - rallying what remained of the Sith beneath her banner, wherever they opted to scatter across the stars. Her efforts and the urgency of them had only increased with the mysterious return of Darth Raze, his presence palpable no matter where she traveled.

She was perfectly content to avoid confrontation with Raze - allowing the abomination to distract and tunnelvision the Jedi. Even still, Tempest wasn’t ignorant to the risk of losing followers to him. His power was intoxicating, and it only increased the risk of further fragmentation and dissent within her followers. Risk to her position.

And it was for precisely that reason that Tempest prioritized making the journey to Hapes. Charlotte was one of the few remaining Sith who actually commanded any influence - and had played those cards especially close to her chest. The Galaxy remained unaware of the Queen Mother’s true nature, and it made her a far more valuable player on the board. Tempest wasn’t about to squander the opportunity to bring the woman onto her side.

Though she agreed to meet within the Fountain Palace, Tempest would not expose herself lightly. While the most loyal Chume’doro remained, the rest of the Queen Mother’s courtiers and followers would have been forced from the immediate area. The Dark Lord had no intention of being ambushed, carefully feeling through the Force for anything out of place.

Assuming that was the case, Darth Tempest would begin to make her way towards the Throne Room - entering the chamber where Charlotte waited. The Dark Lord was adorned in unornamented robes of black and crimson - a Zeyd-cloth hood pulled up to drape across the top of her head. Her single lightsaber hung at her belt, clipped beneath the robes that she wore.

Stopping within the center of the room, Tempest allowed her golden eyes to settle upon the Queen Mother - paying little mind to the Chume’doro who watched her like a hawk. “Queen Mother,” She said after a moment.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

She felt the Dark Lord before the doors opened to admit the woman. Charlotte was not so bold as to be sitting her throne. She did enjoy drawing breath. Her Chume’doro were elite warriors but undoubtedly no match for the current leader of the Sith Order. Charlotte did remain dressed for her station. She included her head slightly in greeting. “My lady.” As far as she could remember, Charlotte had never met the woman before. Sadly, not surprising given her lack of contact within the Order.

“I am glad to see you have escaped the fate that befell Celeste.” The negotiations for her return were set to begin in the coming days. She needed Celeste returned. The Jedi poking around in that mind would do nothing but endanger all she had built. She kept her voice light as she spoke. “I am under no illusions when it comes to our stations. You could break my neck with a thought.” Charlotte shrugged. “My political influence far outsizes my martial talents.” Her teeth were perfectly white in her smile.

“But the once powerful Sith Order has been scattered to the wind. The resources of the Empire no longer at your disposal.” She gestured around them. At the sheer opulence of Hapes. “I cannot match that power on my best day. Yet, I still possess a great many resources.” Tread carefully Charlotte. “Perhaps, my lady, we can be of use to one another.” She’d never managed to parley her position outside the Empire into power within. Perhaps there was a small chance to course correct.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Darth Tempest kept her hands neatly tucked against the small of her back - regarding Charlotte beneath the visor of her mask. The Dark Lord was undeniably pleased with the show of respect, and took a long moment to consider everything that was said. There was no denying that Hapes alone - with its material wealth and fleets - would be an unimaginable boon to the scattered Order. Perhaps more importantly, though, Tempest considered the position that Charlotte had cultivated within the Alliances.

Now that had potential.

“Perhaps we can,” Tempest said after a tick, tilting her head ever-so-slightly in Charlotte’s direction. She took a few steps around the edge of the chamber, pacing the room. “You have ascended to the Throne of Hapes. Reign as one of the most powerful women in the Galaxy and over a dozen Star Systems.” She paused. “And yet you have found no greater place in our Order.”

“Bowing and scraping to Lords and Councilors who fail to recognize your potential, when you ought to be sitting amongst them.” The Dark Lord continued. Her words - mechanized by the filter of her helmet - were neutral and deadpan in their delivery, giving little indication that Tempest was being anything but truthful. Whether Charlotte believed it or not, was entirely up to the woman herself.

“I believe there is an opportunity for that to change.” She said, pausing in her pacing. “So tell me. How do you propose we are of use to each other?” Charlotte had invited Tempest into her palace and put her neck on the line to strike a deal. The Dark Lord was inclined to hear it.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Oh, Charlotte was a terribly easy mark. The idea of finally turning some of her hard-won political power into influence within the Sith was tantalizing. But…at least she knew that about herself. Tempest had to know Charlotte was eternally motivated by her own devilishly selfish desires. “How terribly true.” She looked around the room. “And they’ve almost all met unsatisfactory ends.” Andruil was the only one left alive.

“And look at you, my lady. Forced out by the Empire the Sith built. Pushed into the shadows of the galaxy.” Charlotte shook her head sadly. “A disgrace.” Tempest wanted her help and Charlotte wanted power. A perfect pair. “My talents in the Force have stalled while my power in the Free Worlds has grown. I must correct that error.” The Queen Mother walked slowly around the room.

“I can lessen the burden on you, my lady. Credits, supplies, ships. If the Order can help expand my influence, all the more I can give you.” She turned. Her face a mask of apology. “But I am only useful as long as my secret remains safe. Too many know the truth, and my greatest strength evaporates.” She needed to ensure secrecy. That was her greatest concern.

@Altaris