Ziost - Crown of the Sith Empire

Sylvain returned to his estate in the late morning and traveled to his communications room. He set out a small table and kneeled on the floor letting his mind focus on the flow of the Force around him and opened his mind to its guidance while he waited for his secret guest to arrive...

The communications line beeped with a secure message coming through.

He stood and opened the channel.

Darth Baras came through on the communication line and said, “Sylvain, what do you have for me?”

“A question and some information.” He replied as he stood.

“First... I don’t dare assume I fully understand the things you do... but something whispers to me that there is a reason you sent me to Korriz all those years ago. And that a plan of yours is finally coming to fruition. Is it your intent to place Lady Farro in close proximity to the Emperor to provide her a chance to kill the Emperor?”

He paused, “I obviously don’t intend to try and leverage this information in some way... you’re too far beyond anything I could hope to reach with such a petty game. I’m merely trying to weigh the risks of helping this woman and wish to see the players in the game before making my choice on where to be when these things transpire. I once met a man who lectured on the survival patterns of spiders... and I hope to mimic that teaching as best I can in this moment.”

Darth Baras could have laughed, but in the moment, he just nodded and said, “I will tell you a secret Sylvain, my schemes are often quite simple and straight forward and often built on keen insights but rarely are they internecine webs of layers within layers.”

“There often appear to be layers because people want to believe that they cannot be fooled unless there was some clever trick. Like a stage magician, simple misdirection and quick words can turn the mundane into the inconceivable.”

“I see possibilities, and that is my answer to the witch of Korriz.”

He finished with, “As for killing the Emperor… simply considering the matter is treason, but since we have broached the topic, I am not blind to the plots in the shadows. Do I believe they could succeed… well historical precedence seems to dictate otherwise but there are wildcards in play… that we can leverage for victory.”

He nodded, “The wildcard that is my current benefactor. You wished to know what he aims and it is to challenge the Emperor. You’re probably already aware of this, of course... but I am nothing if not consistent with my promises. He has been in possession of a cure for the plague and is using the disruption to direct resources towards he and his allies. Imperial Intelligence and perhaps Jadus appear to be implicated in the matter of the Eagle and the plague.”

He paused for a moment, “It seems a confluence of traitors are all gathered here on Ziost and simultaneously working their plots towards the Emperor and/or the Council’s demise. All this obfuscation could provide the Lady Farro with a window... but I’m not sure one that leads somewhere productive for the Empire. But if Lady Farro’s vision and my sister’s discovery are to believed... leaving the Emperor to his wishes dooms all life in the galaxy.”

He shrugged, “Surviving this set of obstacles is no easy task.”

“If the Emperor is removed the question will be what comes next… a new Emperor? The Dark Council holds power… we all have seen clearly how well the Dark Council has worked before,” he responded.

"Not to be too forward but that is why I believed you to be putting Lady Farro up to her plot. You seem the type who would one day wish to unify the Empire under your own rule. I'm not sure that day is today... but you have mentioned such desires in the past." He replied.

"As for the council... I don't know how it will run without a strong authoritarian at its head... Probably more of this mess we've made for ourselves after the Peace Treaty... Or more accurately, if I am allowed a moment of personal pining... since the council cannibalized the military and destroyed its unifying purpose after the death of my father."

“Your father was victim of success, he ahd power others wanted and with his death it gave that power to others to be carved up and parceled out… it was unfortunate but it was the politics of the moment. I hole no remorse,” he said.

“I am no ruler, I prefer to work behind the scenes, a whisper in the right ear, a dagger in the right back,” he replied.

“Marr could keep the council in line if given the chance, he would never rule it but he has the mindset to putt eh Empire ahead of his ambitions. Lady Farro could be a powerful asset, but, I have learned something in these last few years. This younger generation should never be under estimated,” he finished.

“Of whom do you speak? The Farro child?” He asked.

“Or are you referring to those who seek a seat on the Council?”

He allowed that question to go unanswered and said, “We need to focus on the immediate future, when Darth Malgus acts will you stand beside him or keep your allegiance to the Emperor?”

"Is there a third option?" He asked with a chuckle. "I cannot foresee the future... but whatever seems like the best option at that... 'political moment'."

“Third option, it could present itself when the moment arises,” he said thoughtfully.

“But we cannot simply hope it will materialize.”

He nodded, "I intend to take the path that gives me the best chance of survival. I was granted my life after having forfeited it on Nar Shaddaa... I intend to use what remains of that life to better the Empire. One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others. There is much good that can be done no matter the outcome. It is much harder for me to achieve that, however, if I am extinguished."

"Death tends to end most ambitions," he responded.

"Indeed." He replied with a nod as his eyes wandered off for a moment.

He then looked up and said, "I've as been forthcoming with you as possible in keeping you appraised of the situation. I know not to trust in reciprocation, but if there is opportunity for you to act for my well-being... I would be most appreciative."

"Is this in some specific way or just general well wishing?" he responded.

"I can foresee two possible areas that I may require help. First... if things go poorly in the days ahead. Some means of survival within the Empire would be ideal."

He paused, "Second... if things were to go well... then I have my eyes set on the assets of Moff Linvar, the Nuwazi family, and Lord Grathan. If my wife is to be anything but a pawn of Darth Marr she will need her own assets. She serves the Empire better as an ally to people like Marr than she does as a puppet. Moff Linvar's assets appear to be the lowest hanging fruit. I've already positioned them to be assisting with my administration of the plague in the Corporate Sector. With the right plan in place, he could be removed and someone loyal to me could take his assets."

He continued, "The Nuwazi could be weak were Malgus to fail in his attempt at power. I am positioned well enough to their daughter to act as a benefactor were something unfortunate to happen to her parents after Malgus' death. And the daughter has her own issues being linked to the Eagle insurgency... This too could be an option."

He then tilted his head, "Grathan is a bit more difficult. I know very little of the man besides the fact that his systems are suffering from the plague that I will soon have a cure for... I hear you are having a bit of a... spell with him at the moment. Perhaps in the future we could work something out that could be of use to both of us."

"I will consider it," he said.