The Office of the Emperor

The Emperor was right. The Galactic Alliance did underestimate him. Despite the interrogations he had undergone at the First Orders hands, he had revealed nothing. Not that anything he knew would be relevant any more. After all, he had served with the Alliance. Which was a mere military pact between separate governments. Meant to allow each world their independence. The Galactic Alliance was a whole other beast entirely. And if it was anything like it’s predecessor from by gone years. It would be like the Republic, but better.

Although, that was always the dream. Improving upon the democratic process that had failed time and again. The Republic fell to corruption. The New Republic fell to corruption. The Galactic Alliance fell to corruption. Even the reborn Republic fell to corruption.

Despite its Sith origins. The Galactic Empire had managed to avoid falling to corruption. Instead it failed because of Palpatines hubris. The subsequent factions suffered much the same fate for years. Until the time of the Fel Empire, which survived for years. Reborn versions of the Galactic Empire had started to fail once more. But it was because they had reverted to the ways of old. Electing Sith Lords as their Emperors, and letting their vanity get the better of them.

But the First Order stood different. It was like the Fel Empire had returned. It sought to right the wrongs that so many Empires before it had fallen victim to. And so far, it was doing a good job of achieving such a goal. Kortos had been held in custody for the last couple years. So his view of things was by no means complete. But from what he had heard from his fellow prisoners, he had a fairly good view of things. He looked up at the Emperor as he moved forward “Well, I don’t imagine you’re going to just hand me back to the Galactic Alliance... and right now, I suspect such an act would merely be signing my death warrant...” Although he was certain the Jedi Order would provide him sanctuary and protection. Something told him that he would never truly be safe if he returned. After all, he suspected that whoever had ordered his death would not like that news coming to light “You could kill me yourself and save the Galactic Alliance some work. But I suspect you have already given thought to that option and decided against it. At least, I hope you have... And keeping me as a prisoner of war would merely be a waste. Anything I could have given you, is likely irrelevant by this time...” Kortos meant no disrespect towards the Emperor. And he suspected he was merely putting the Emperors thoughts to words. Whether Nicademus had already come to a conclusion of his own or not, was unclear. But Kortos intended to provide him an alternative. One beneficial to them both “To that end, I would like to propose an alternative. Perhaps one different to any ideas you may have had already... This war between the First Order and Galactic Alliance has gone on for a couple years. And if the stories I have heard are correct, the First Order is in a superior position. There is no other reason I can think of for the Jedi to support the formation of the Galactic Alliance...”

The Jedi had been the ones to encourage the formation of the Alliance after all. They could have encouraged the formation of the Galactic Alliance back then. But they hadn’t. They recognised the faults of a Galactic Government based upon the Republic. So things must have been dire for the Alliance, for the Jedi to change their stance “And I do not blame the Jedi for their thinking. They historically always support any government that is not Imperial... But I have come to realise that perhaps such thinking is wrong...” An undoubtedly heretical statement for him to make “Aerandir and the Jedi Order are progressive, yes. But they remain confident in victory and have not given thought to failure... Something I have had ample time to think about. And I came to a realisation aided by the Force... It was late one night, when the vision came to me. Of what the future could be like with the First Order in control...”

The dream had come unbidden to him. Images of a galaxy burning beneath the banner of the First Order. Or a time of unprecedented peace brought by their guiding hand. All that rested between the two futures, was Nicademus himself “Death and destruction. Peace and prosperity. The only difference, was which side of the force would influence you more. A fight I am sure you are all too familiar with... Sith, Knights of Ren, Imperial Knights. Each one seeking to further their cause within the Force... And each decision you make affecting which faction can further their goals towards one future or the other...” Hopefully by this point he would have piqued the Emperors interest. Perhaps the man had already reached the conclusion he was moving towards “As I said, the Jedi Order cannot envision a future where the First Order wins the war. But I have seen it. And as the war stands, the First Order is well on its way to defeating the Galactic Alliance. And when that comes to pass, I would like to hope my services will ensure that while the First Order is an Empire, that it wont be like the Empires of old. Where darkness has dominated them, perhaps this time the light will illuminate it...” Now came the time to present his offer “If you would have me, I would like to pledge my services as an Imperial Knight. They are, after all, the Imperial equivalent of the Jedi Order...”

Xeonon felt the previous weeks worth of injuries on him. After his capture by the Knight of Ren on Aaragu his time spent as a prisoner was not plush. In fact it was some of the worst days he had experienced in a long time. Starvation, dehydration, the lack of sleep and beatings all took a toll on Xeonons body and mind. He was almost glad for the bag over his head as it hid the black eyes, split lip and other cuts too his face. The were nothing compared to his body though, over the scars of previous battles stood new burns and welts. Although he had been given a pair of pants to wear, he padded bear foot and shirtless through the maze of corridors. Try as he might he was still unable to follow the maze he took thanks to the bag and soon he just let it happen. Its not like he wanted to escape.

As he let his eyes adjust to the darkness what he was most thankful for was the removal of the ball gag from his mouth. He was not a kinky man and soon enough the novelty of the ball worse off leading to copious drool and some very cramped jaw muscles. After stretching his jaws out for a few seconds he shook his head. I appreciate the offer but as we both know it goes against regulations. No need for you to catch flak on my behalf, let me answer for the crimes I did.

He was glad to see that his actions had indeed cemented him as a monster and that Supreme Commander had pushed the lie. In truth he had saved the mans life from the truly treasonous Imperial Knights. It seems that his lie had worked though as more had crawled out from the woodwork. It was to be expected though after serving under a Sith before she disappeared some Knights would have been lost to the darkness. Shall we go and see the judge, jury and executioner then?

Despite the seriousness of the situation Xeonons tone was just short of flippant. He had wanted this, wanted to be caught and brought before Delvaradus. Now that he was finally here it was almost a relief.