Ziost - Crown of the Sith Empire

Sylvain finished up preparing himself in a version of a formal Imperial uniform but in a much darker tone nearing black when an attendant arrived at his door in a hurry.

The attendant looked a bit overwhelmed as he instructed Sylvain that Darth Malgus had arrived and was waiting for him. Sylvain nodded and walked briskly down the hall to the room that Malgus had been shown to.

When he walked through the door he bowed his head politely and greeted the powerful Sith Lord, "Darth Malgus. It is an honor to see you here. Thank you for coming."

“Skip the pleasantries,” Malgus said.

“My time is precious.”

He nodded, "An update on things then. I have spoken with both Moff Linvar and Lord Grathan about the condition of the sector. Linvar is a parasite under the tenuous protection of Darth Hoshi. He has agreed to help control the hyperspace lanes to slow the spread of the plague, but he is a parasite that eventually must be plucked out and replaced with someone less self-indulgent. His fleet is useful in the right hands... he is most certainly not."

He then continued, "Lord Grathan has agreed to fulfill any muscle required for quarantines or possibly flexing it over Linvar... He seems competent. He requires me to provide a cure for the plague, however, in return. I have a team of Sith scientists on the project now. And you undoubtedly heard about the Emperor's decision yesterday to redistribute funds to the Outer Rim. All in all the course of affairs is improving. With a bit more pressure I should be able to consolidate a significant portion of the sector under my control and make the first pushes back against the plague."

He then stated, "Lord Grathan has considerable leverage over myself in terms of pure military numbers. I have possible allies with substantial holdings in the sector that I look to appropriate, but gaining access to Linvar's fleet and having it directly under my command would make the situation with Grathan more favorable for our aims. Is your relationship with Darth Hoshi such that an asset like Linvar could be removed and replaced by one under my command?"

“There are parasites all across this Empire, my concerns are above there petty needs and wants at the same time he serves Hoshi and I see no reason to antagonize her or intervene. If you feel that strongly speak with her otherwise work with Grathan,” he said in response.

“You have done good work, but do not mistake good work for favor, I expect good work.”

“When the time is right Moff Linvar will get exactly what he deserves but for now he does what we need him to do, parasite and all. Keep me appraised on this plague solution, it will prove valuable. Anything else?”

He nodded, "I will of course."

He then asked, "You speak of 'higher concerns', is this in reference to the matter with the Eagle? If not, is there anything that I can be of greater assistance in?"

Darth Malgus responded, “There are only two concerns that matter, the destruction of the Republic, and the destroying the enemies of the Empire; anything else is just a distraction.”

“Focus on your wedding, when I have need of you, you will know.”

He nodded, "A large task, but one worth pursuing as long as I have life to give."

He put his arm to his chest and bowed his head, "For the Empire."

"For the Empire," he said departing, sweeping his large cloak behind him.

Sylvain watched the impressive figure walk out and down the hallway. He was reminded of the distance he had come... and how far away he still was from where he needed to be.