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Post by Darth Decivus on Jan 16, 2019 23:03:19 GMT -5
When Sam enters the room, Decivus regards the man with narrowed eyes. This was the being responsible for contention, and nearly the ruination of his plans for the Galactic Empire. When the Captain speaks, Decivus is tempted to tell the man to calm down and take a breath. The young Sith internally sighs, an invisible cringe at the Captain's use of his Sith name. Where had the man heard that name? Dathomir, perhaps? They did have a brief encounter there when Decivus was recruiting Admiral Grey. Perhaps Grey told Sam the name, preparing him for future interactions with Decivus.
However, it isn't wholly unappreciated. If Captain Milla understands that he is dealing with a Sith that hold authority, it would push aside needless barriers that Decivus would have had to otherwise construct. Before Decivus can reply to Captain Milla, Lieutenant Mitth - clearly perturbed - speaks up. An unusual decision, given that Milla outranks the Chiss. Still, Decivus permits the Lieutenant to speak his piece. Decivus waits a moment after Lieutenant Mitth's indignant response to Captain Milla, gathering his thoughts and quickly processing everything that had just been thrown at him.
"Lieutenant Mitth, be at ease - regardless of Captain Milla's words, you are still currently speaking to a fellow Imperial, one that out ranks your position. You would do well not to speak out of turn, even if you are here as an observer." Decivus replies calmly, his yellowed eyes shifting between the two men. "However, Captain Milla, I do share Lieutenant Mitth's concerns. You independently established a connection to the Mandalorian Clans? This, regardless of my reservations, is an impressive accomplishment. The Mandalorians are not an easy group to hold discussions with - as they tend to view diplomacy and long discussions to be pointless and a sign of the weak."
Decivus stands behind his desk, clasping his hands behind his back.
"First and foremost - their demand for a Super Star Destroyer is absolutely out of the question. Our forces have been thinned enough as it is, I will not direct my fleets to defend sectors that are not currently in our sphere of control." Decivus explains, still using a calm tone. "Secondly - you are very keen to use my past against me, and that, as the Lieutenant mentioned, is bordering on mutinous behavior. When in public view, you will call me by my birth name. What you call me off the record is another matter entirely. Continue to provoke me with these things, and you will have your rank pulled."
Decivus steps around his desk, and walks almost right up to Sam, keeping a short distance between them. Sam would likely sense it, but Decivus reaches out with the Force, searching at the Captain's surface emotions. Something catches Decivus' attention - hiding something? A blaster, perhaps? No... Decivus smirks. So the man had come into the office armed - then again, Decivus could easily sense the Force with Captain Milla.
"I imagine that the Lieutenant is a touch too quick to assume full mutiny, however." Decivus continues, standing quite still. "I believe that you believe that supporting the Mandalorians militarily will guarantee an alliance of some sort between them and the Empire - I, however, do not share your optimism. They would never supply us with ships and soldiers to secure our holdings, therefore I see no reason to give them support they would never freely give themselves. Diplomacy is about give and take, and you were manipulated into believing that they were offering you a grand deal. They made demands that are NOT equal to what they would provide."
Decivus turns away from Sam and steps back behind his desk.
"You are on the right track to contact the Mandalorians, but I cannot and will not meet their demands. If the Empire cannot rise from the ashes of defeat on its own strength, then it would deserve to fall entirely." Decivus tells the Captain, though his tone suggests that he speaks to both Sam and Mitth. "In the end, it is the Empire that will rule the galaxy, not the Empire minus the Mandalorians. As Lieutenant Mitth suggests, if the Mandalorians are allowed to build up their forces, they will inevitably attack us once the Corellian Union has been dealt with. I will not give them a head start."
Decivus sits back down in his chair, regarding both men again.
"However, I will concede that a Captain without a ship is like a fish out of the water. I will assign you a new vessel to command - but understand that you will not be returning to Mandalorian space at this time. I will require all of my forces present to act in unison for the coming battle." Decivus says, his tone hardening. "After this meeting is completed, I will be giving the order to invade Nal Hutta. And once that world has been secured, we will move on - world by world - until the Outer Rim has been fully secured. An alliance with the Mandalorians will take tenth priority."
Decivus activates the holodisplay on his desk, and a Carrack-class Cruiser appears.
"This is the Liberator, and it will be your posting until further notice." Decivus tells Sam. "Become familiar with the crew. Make them understand that you are a worthy leader. Once I am satisfied in your command capabilities, you will be promoted to the next class warship up. Questions, Captain Milla?"
Alrighty, now that we have more than two people involved, lets try to post more frequently. I'd like to suggest a three day maximum waiting time before the others are allowed to skip over a player. If something is preventing anyone from having time to post, please let the others know - rejoining the story at any time is perfectly ok.
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