Harnaidan

“My apologies, Emperor. I am simply still rooted in tradition, and it will take some getting used to.”
From his time serving in the Republic, all the way until the Empire, he had always bowed before the Supreme Chancellor and Emperor, respectively. Palpatine had demanded a high level of respect from all those in the military, and he would have to accustom himself to the new Emperor’s more... progressive, militaristic ideas. Not to say he disliked said ideas, in fact, he much preferred them to the courtly formalities of the Republic and Empire. Rising from the kneeling position, he saluted before moving back, invitig the Emperor to enter his somewhat humble living quarters. They were clean and efficient, with almost everything having some functionality. As the Emperor, along with his contingent of guards entered the room, he moved back, allowing Nicademus his choice of where he would like to stand or sit.
“I was able to secure the hardware upgrades. I must say your techs are most efficient, they had the work done in half the time it would have taken a Galactic Empire shipyard.”

“Perhaps your generation and those that follow will succeed where our’s failed; to bring lasting peace to the galaxy.”
Admiral Needa chose to join the Emperor at the window, looking over the city. Though he was old, he still retained the razor-sharp eyesight that often had a tendency of picking out things that his superiors overlooked. The absence of humans was something very Imperial, and something to keep an eye on. Though he personally did not agree with some of the Empire’s policies regarding non-humans, he certainly didn’t go against them.
“We were born into an... unfortunate time. A crippled Republic ruled the galaxy, with increasing dissent in their corrupt and ineffective senate. A splinter faction that formed from the disgruntled populace fighting against the Republic. Even after the Clone Wars ended, we had still failed to bring peace, as a group of Rebel terrorists fought against us.”
The old Admiral didn’t fight for glory, fame, credits, or simply the thrill he derived from it. He fought for peace. For order. He had seen enough chaos, warfare, destruction and bloodshed in his life to realize that all the infighting that occurred within the galaxy was all pathetic. Whether it was the Republic and the Separatists, or the Rebels and the Empire, One group would rise, and another equally powerful group would rise to combat it. It was the balance that would lead to imbalance in the galaxy, with billions dying to pathetic conflicts like the Clone Wars. Truthfully, he hoped that one day, control of the galaxy could fall to those builders and scholars. That the Jedi and Sith could set aside their differences before they completely eradicated one and the other. He knew that eventually, it was time to learn from their mistakes. To let the past die.
“I mean no disrespect, Emperor, by dropping my formality. I simply was speaking as a soldier to another soldier.”

Admiral Needa spoke clearly and crisply. Although this was an important part of him, it was similar to dozens of other soldiers who fought both under and above him.
“Well... it was a commitment to bring peace and order to the galaxy. The same reason I served in the Grand Army of the Republic.”
The commitment to order that he possessed was honorable, at the least. It was the incessant drive he had to endure all the things he endured. He was driven by a strong sense of honor, unlike many other officers, who simply did what they did in order to satiate their lust for a higher rank, for more power, for more credits. These men were no better than bounty hunters, and were disgraceful to the Empire. Pathetic examples of what an officer really was. It was no wonder that Lord Vader hated them so much. But those few who fought for honor, justice, peace, and order. They were the true fighters in the never-ending war for the galaxy. And they would always be in short supply.

Katsumi pays little heed to the denizens of the city she and Panno walk through, having been for so long so far removed from the ebb and flow of lives such beings that she feels no connection at all to the beings that part before and around them, or to their lives even though she has fought so that they, and others on other worlds the First Order has brought under its wing, can go about those lives freely so long as they accept their places in the orderly order that the First Order has imposed.

Accepting the flower from Panno when he hands it to her, Katsumi cradles it in her palm, the orange and red blossom vivid and lively in contrast to the dull, frayed cloth wrappings covering her wrists and palms, appearing to intently study its petals and folds as she says without hesitation or discernible calculation, "Why, strength though unity and order, naturally, her answer an honest, if not complete one, for she sees no reason to conceal what she has revealed. Tucking the Dressel flower into a concealed pouch in a tattered and frayed sleeve, Katsumi looks over to Panno and says in a bemused tone, I suspect it is less what our Order represents than the means by which it does so that concerns those in your Order such as your friend, is that not so? Or, she leans in closer and whispers as though concerned they might be overheard, would you prefer we continue not to mention the Rancor in the room?"

As she whispered in his ear his eyes grew wide and Panno surreptitiously looks around for this rancor Katsumi spoke of. Although he was not an idiot Panno did lake many of the social cues other people got. Humour amoung them. It was a side effect of the Imperial xenophobia and always keeping him on the outs. Seeing as the other people around them were not panicking after a moment it occurred to him it was a joke and he smiled showing his serrated teeth.

You aren't wrong. Brock means well, we all do; but our past affiliations with Darksiders through all the Imperial history has not been great. I do believe that the Knights of Ren do have the best of intentions for the First Order but the fear is that all darksiders crave power. That you are working only for yourself.

Although Panno ignored the Rancor question it still puzzled him. He did not quite know what it was she spoke of. Clearly there was a tension in the air. There would be when two people of differing views spoke. So far though everything had been civil. Blades hadn't been drawn.

Almost as if by fate the duo arrived at their destination. The Rusty Rancor. Maybe this is what she meant by the Rancor in the room. The small mom and pop restaurant had opened up during the rebuilding of the city and had become one of the more private places one could go to eat. Taking a seat at a table for two a droid came up and delivered the menu to them before leaving.

I mean not to be a dick but your use of the darker aspects of the Force ooze off you. One only needs to look at you to know your power. The same goes for your brothers and sisters, and one was so bold as to engage our Emperor and bear his children.

Talk about planting seeds in fertile soil. The twins both had the potential of both parents, and the fact that Lady Ren had become their leaders wife made some wary. Although few if any said it many of the Imperial Knights felt she was reaching above her station and had some plan. Some ulterior motive beyond love or lust.