Onderon's Open Terrain

Zariel could not help but to roll their eyes at Lotus' display. It was so obvious and over done when viewed from a third party perspective. But it seemed to have worked. Or perhaps this Marsenus character was so desperate for cash and manpower that he had no choice. As Lotus flew away with their guards, leaving just the Imperials and the Mercenaries, Zariel decided to pick up the hints that this old warrior was putting down. You are not happy with your current employer? Perhaps a good thing, for us both. I intended this has-been of a planet to be an easy conquest, so imagine my surprise when I arrived to see a functioning fleet in orbit. Zariel spoke in her typical cold and seemingly disinterested way. A tactic she had long used to keep her true intentions hidden. Cold as ice, but thinly covering the lake of rage that lay beneath. The way I see it, things are going to go one of three ways. One: This pathetic excuse for a civil war ends and you are sent on your way. Two: Your employer tries to defy me and I destroy him and you, should you choose to fight me. Or Three: You enter my employ and you get what you and your men deserve. Based on the intelligence my forces gathered, even in this short time, it seems you have done most of the work in this war. And it also seems you are going to be leaving empty handed. Well, I guess that's not totally true. She gestures to the newly acquired slaves. The Imperial Security Bureau has a sizable budget for what we like to call "Independent Security Contractors" and I feel that this planet, with its instability, has the potential to become a hotbed for smuggling for my Emperor's enemies. However, I have not been given authority to conquer this planet, but to insure it has a stable government, that of course will be supported by the Emperor. A Strong governor will be needed. Someone who is willing to do what must be done. In other words, are you looking for a better paying job? Zariel stepped forward and extended a gloved hand for the man to shake, should he accept the offer.

As her hand was not accepted right away, Zariel withdrew it and clinched it one finger at a time. Arrogance, the hallmark of these lesser Darksiders, these would be warlords. She remembered the times when true Warlords held these worthless worlds and threatened the New Republic. This one couldn't even demand the respect of a king ruling a single planet, and poorly at that. Her barely contained rage simmered beneath the ice cold expression on her face. She listened, this rogues criminal past was of no matter to her, so far gone was that crime and so minor to her that his name wasn't even one she had come across. And if it would be a bother she could easily arrange for those records to be lost permanently. But if this man wished to loot and pillage this planet, by all means, let him. It mattered not to Zariel what became of this planet, so long as she had a base of operations. She sighed and waved her hand as if this were all beneath her. Very well, find me this long lost heir. I will be leading a 'peace' summit in a few days with the current combatants leadership. Bring her there, dispose of the 'pretenders' and you will have all the loot you and your men can carry. Afterword, I will be contracting to look after the young royal as your ward. Do this and you and your men will have enough imperial credits, that once my need of this planet is done, you will all be able to retire fat and happy on whatever planet you wish. Or perhaps to buy a more imposing fleet, I don't really care. She did not extend her hand first again. Zariel instead waited for him to acknowledge acceptance of the arrangement first.

Zariel waves her hand dismissively as Marsenus spouts a line she has heard many times from many different people. Indeed it did ring true for her in a fashion. She could have chosen at any point to stop and colonize some planet and rule as a queen with her survivors from the Old Empire, or she could have simply retired after the fall of the ill-conceived Diarchy. But unlike this blade-for-hire she had a purpose. She was forged in the crucible of the old Inquisitorius, learned from the likes of Jarac, Blackhole, and even Vader to a degree. As long as there were Jedi in this galaxy, opposing the will of the rightful heirs to the Empire, she would keep fighting and killing. But this man fought for nothing but pride and money. Money that he seemed to have no interest on living to spend. But what did it matter? He was a pawn on the chess board before her. He is nothing more than a stepping stone to a far greater goal. One that could be achieved without his help, but it would make things more difficult. She couldn't afford to be bogged down in an illegal war on Onderon, especially when her true goal was so near. Speaking of pawns, the self appointed Carrion Lord asked if the royal teenager was to be brought back alone or not. Zariel let a slight smile grace her pale face. No need for us to alienate the new Queen before she has even ascended. Resort to force only if there is no other choice. I can delay the summit until you have her. Then the others will either bend the knee to her, or they will die. Either way, after her ascension is secured, it will be made clear to her who it is that truely rules here. With that she gave a gesture between the two of them. She will need a trusted regent before she comes of age, and after a trusted advisor to keep her on the correct path, a path that does not require me to come and correct its course.