Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

While a beach party could have been nice there was too much things to do for such a moment of levity. She herself would take time off only when she would have exhausted most of what she could do.

And she could do more then what she though she could

In this case: requesting a meeting with one of the most powerful men in Alderaan to talk War and Peace

I could be on vacation but nooooo. People needs to conspiracy and do politicking. FORCEDAMNIT

The Jedi is brought to his command center and Duke Ulgo turned and said, "Master Jedi, what brings you to my home."

''I thank you for giving me some of your time your lordship.'' She began with a bow ''I came here in the hopes we can converse about the current situation on Alderaan, about the war with the Sith Empire and the recent peace treaty.''

"I'm no historian but if that is your will, master Jedi, then I have some time. Though much of this seems to be a matter of record."

''History is a process in the making your lordship. While you are not an historian you certain will be remembered as an historical figure: one who has done much for Alderaan and one who still do more...for better or worse.''

She paused, growing a bit somber

''I suspect neither of us enjoy having our time wasted so I will be direct: though it can take many forms with the changes the new Empress will bring, war with the Empire will come again. That is not a great secret to anyone who understands the Sith but that will not happen before they are ready and the Republic is weakened. I am here to help prevent the latter...I have lived and trained with the Sith for years and I understand the way they work in a more intimate manner then any informants the republic have in the Empire.''

"And?" he said waiting for the rest.

''If they wish to weaken Alderaan then they won't go to House Thul as their first option: They will try to use you and your House to do so first.'' she replied ''Either through their own agents or a third party like The Star Cabal''

Baesal Zyn wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 26, 2021 3:55 pm

''If they wish to weaken Alderaan then they won't go to House Thul as their first option: They will try to use you and your House to do so first.'' she replied ''Either through their own agents or a third party like The Star Cabal''

"The who?" he asked. "Is this some Sith nonsense?"

''The Star Cabal'' she repeated ''A group of fanatic terrorists. They seem to have been active for a moment but likely formed after the beginning of the war. They dogmatically believe that the Jedi and the Sith should all be purged from the galaxy and that eternal peace will come afterwards.''

She crossed her hands behind her back

''And yet they mostly seem active in the Republic. Strange that. They may claim to hate the Sith as well as the Jedi but they seem keen on doing's the Empire's work.''

"Maybe they are just a front for Imperial Military Intelligence," he responded not terribly convinced.

''Why expand your own agents when a cult-like group who will create chaos in your enemy's territory grows on it's own? I am sure that the Imperial intelligence knows and monitors their activities just far enough to keep plausible deniability.''

She pauses

''That group is dangerous and insidious. We have discovered that they have been active on Alderaan for at least eight years now.''

"Let me guess, House Thul is at the center of their wretched web," he said with simmering anger.

''You would think but no'' the knight took a deep breath ''All in all today's event shows that House Thul is still in a precarious position and are not in a position to do any direct moves against the crown or Alderaan for they are dependent on it which suits House Panteer just fine.''

''The hardest thing to do is escape our own perspective, they say, and everyone I would ask would tell me that you are a man of the highest honor who cares for the man and woman below him. That is hard to find. This leads me to believe that a man of your virtue might not fully grasp the way the Darths think and operate: For the Empire the Thuls are but a pawn to be exploited and easily sacrificed if needed. We may not like them but I think it is wise to trust Duchess Ziandra's ambition and to think she knows this too and will drop that affiliation should it become a hindrance.''

Baesal looked at him straight in the eye

''The best move for the enemies of Alderaan would be to compromise or stain it's bulwark. House Ulgo was pivotal in defeating the Empire the first time around so it is logical that they would try to undermine the reputation you have built up. I worry they will either get your people to do bad things or, should it fail, do bad things and blame it on your people all so that you lose the support you have amongst the other houses.''

"I have dealt with the Empire before, they do not give me fear," he said with a nod.

''I know.'' she said honestly ''You are not the kind of man they can break with force...and those who fought against you hate you for it, I am sure.''

She took a look at the command center

''But you saw only an aspect of the Sith and there are more then one. For them peace is poisonous...some of them know it and while they cannot stop each other from undermining themselves in peace times they will try to make sure we do not benefit from it by goading us to fight each other like they do...''

She paused

''You know the explosion at the Organa spaceport? The Thul were blamed for it but I do not believe they are responsible.''

"Care to enlighten the rest of us, master Jedi?" he asked.

''The Thuls are the easy villain. Their ties to the Empire ensured that everyone would hate them for decades to come. I am sure we can both agree that it is quite out of character for a person like Duchess Ziandra to either order or led something like this happen, right? We can mistrust her intents but she is neither careless nor this foolish.''

"Perhaps but we both know that Thul is a poison, even if not at fault if we can excise them now, then I will take it," he said.

''They might be but the right antidote must be taken your Lordship. The Thuls are nothing to the Empire but if they can be used to lure your house then the Empire gets what they want.''

"Well we don't want the Empire getting what they want," he responded. "But I am not sure why you have brought this to me?"