Loyalty/Part 1

Spring rain thickened Lisal's air, and even indoors, fingers tugged collars and fluffed tunics. Of course, not all their sweat could be blamed on the humidity. Around the half-oval table, no one spoke, though many shot glances at the two thrones at the table's flat end, and the door beyond them. The tension built until it was unbearable; resolved though he was not to break it, Charri could not help but feel relieved when Jamayson said, "Ten minutes late…is that normal?"

A few of the others fidgeted, so it fell to Charri to say, "We wait on her pleasure."

Jamayson frowned, but the dam had ruptured, and Cozzette asked, "Will…will she bring the brain eaters with her?"

"I would not recommend calling them that in her hearing, let alone theirs. But the one time I met her, she had one of her Anzati with her, yes."

Several of the new Councilors stirred, and Charri caught snatches of remarks like ' threat to us all ' and ' what do I tell my children? ' Clearing his throat, he said, "I know this is the first time many of you have been with us, but I think you'll find your concerns are unfounded."

Half the stares that answered him were unconvinced, while most of the rest so desperately wanted to be. One or two Councilors put on blank, dead expressions to mask what Charri knew was in their minds; he had heard the whispers enough in Cundassa. Collaborator. Sellout. Court jester for the Queen of Assassins. They were only whispers—only a great fool would dare say such things aloud—but the thought and the whisper alone were enough to put at risk everything Charri and his colleagues had achieved for their homeworld and its people.

The door opened before anyone else could speak—a warning, a kindness to them all—and the Cundassa Police officer standing guard outside knelt. Monox Dacaliad was the first into the room—as Human as every Councilor, but from some world farther up the Perlemian, deep in the Empire. He wore the charcoal and purple uniform of an Imperial governor, but an expression better suited to a beleaguered bureaucrat. "Stand up!"

Charri stood, counting himself blessed that all his fellow Councilors did likewise, though some frowned at being commanded to their feet like schoolchildren being presented to the headmaster. Charri could not muster much indignation. Monox was not the greedy, grasping tyrant Republic propaganda made the Empire's planetary governors out to be, and much as Charri sometimes felt the pressure of serving a governor with considerable power to ruin his life, it could not have been any easier for Monox to govern Lisal, where his was not the final authority and his own life might be snatched away at any moment, for any reason or no reason at all.

With a final glance at the room, Monox knelt beside the smaller throne, sweeping the tasseled ends of his purple fascia off his thigh. Before the Councilors could even begin to follow his lead, three more beings came through the door.

One was surely an Anzat—gray-skinned, dark-eyed, wearing a sleeveless tunic that exposed his muscular arms, dreadlocks forming a curtain around his head except his face. The other man was enormous, head and shoulders taller than any other being in the room, and yet thinner than most of them; Charri thought he was sneering until he realized the creature had no lips to speak of, leaving his teeth permanently bared. Between that, his noseless nostrils, and the deep black eyes set in his face like holes onto an abyss, he might have been a skeleton reanimated by some dreadful sorcery…except that Charri could feel the intensity behind that black gaze. The Anzat had a blaster holstered on one hip and a pair of long knives at the other, but the skeletal being bore a lightsaber.

Small between her pair of monsters, the green-skinned redhead seemed gentle in comparison, dressed in her red-embroidered black longcoat; but for her tattoos, she might have had a soft, pleasant face. Charri knew her reputation, as did they all, but he had never seen evidence of it. Was that true power? To not have to demonstrate one's abilities, because her reputation spoke so eloquently alone?

Then again, her violet eyes spoke on her behalf. There was no sadism Charri could see, nor cruelty or madness…but no being would have called them kind.

Monox rose at a flick of her finger, though he kept his head bowed. Untouched, the taller throne slid back, then scooted itself in behind her as she sat, her skeleton and her Anzat standing on either side. She took her time studying each of them as Monox took his seat—the curve of the table allowed her to see every face—before ending with Charri and giving him a subtle nod. To the table at large, she said, "I'm Darth Alecto."

Even those three words, conveying nothing they did not already know, set some of the new Councilors to squirming. Darth Alecto seemed to have expected it, for her expression did not change, and she gave it a moment before continuing.

"Be seated." When they had, she said, "I know who you all are, though many of you I've not yet hosted here in Cundassa. I've brought you here to address matters from around Lisal that might be of concern to me.  This body will meet monthly, or at my summons.  I'll be here myself when I'm able; when I'm not, I'll try to have one of my Sith here to speak with my voice.  Governor Dacaliad has my full authority to govern Lisal in whatever way seems to him to serve the Empire best, so long as it doesn't conflict with my orders."

Charri snuck a glance at the other Councilors—Humans all, though of every race and color from around Lisal. Lisal had had a loose confederation of the various planetary settlements—enough to band together in the face of raiders and to streamline trade for mutual benefit, but otherwise wielding no power over the individual authority of each city-state. Perhaps it had once been otherwise, centuries ago, when Lisal was a Republic world; certainly it had changed since the Sith had arrived.

"I expect you to be honest with both of us—respectful, but honest," Darth Alecto continued. "We can't address problems we don't know about, and I assure you, no matter how frustrating a matter might be, you'll find me far less pleasant if I only hear about it when a problem has become a crisis, especially if I could have dealt with it more easily had I been told at once."

A few Councilors swallowed; most kept blank faces and waited for what else might befall them.

"That said," added Darth Alecto, shrugging, "I expect our relationship to be mutually beneficial."

"In what way, Darth Alecto?" asked an older man toward the rounded end of the table.

"It may come as news, Councilor Trugguc, but I have some small influence with Darth Hokhtan," Darth Alecto teased. Charri heard a few titters; most of the Councilors seemed uncertain whether they had permission to laugh, and one side of Monox's mouth spasmed without actually becoming a smile. "My master has rewarded me greatly for my fidelity and service, and I intend to do likewise. If Lisal serves me well, its economy will grow, its people will have new opportunities, and you will all exist under my protection.  Even among Sith and Jedi, there are few who will challenge me now."

From the rumors Charri had heard even before the arrival of the Sith, let alone since, that was no idle boast. Darth Alecto was the hero of the Empire who had ventured into the krayt's lair and snatched the pearl that was the alien Chancellor's life. After an accomplishment like that, and the doors that had opened for the Empire since, only a great fool would have courted her wrath.

"But—" started Councilor Jamayson. He stopped and raised his hand. "Excuse me, Darth Alecto, but you said Darth Hokhtan…what about Darth Saleej?"

Darth Alecto's lips curved into a thin, secretive smile. "Your information is out of date, Councilor Jamayson—I trust that won't become habit in the execution of your duties here."

Her smile held, but her eyes narrowed, and Jamayson's hand shook as he lowered it. Darth Alecto added, "The Sith known as Darth Saleej is no more. Darth Hokhtan is our Sith Overlord now, and he carries the war down the Perlemian to the heart of the Republic.  It is our duty to support that effort however we can, and Lisal can support it best by supporting me."

"What would you have us do, Darth Alecto?" Monox asked.

"The Sith Army recruiters tell me they're pleased with Lisal's volunteer numbers, which will please my master in turn—he dislikes using conscripts when he can avoid it."

"To that point, Darth Alecto," said Earreni, "some of my constituents are concerned by just how many of their children are volunteering. They're worried about the future of Lisal, if the best and brightest of a whole generation go off to war."

The skeletal Sith at Darth Alecto's shoulder huffed through his nostrils. Darth Alecto spared him a glance, then cocked an eyebrow. "They should be happy their children are securing their own futures. Twenty years of service and they win citizenship for themselves and their heirs."

Maok Dawwe cleared his throat. "Darth Alecto, since you've honored Lisal by choosing it as your throne world, perhaps you would consider extending that boon to Lisal's people?"

Charri could see in the Sith Lord's smile that battle was lost before it was fought. "A commendable sentiment, Councilor Dawwe, but no. Citizenship in the Empire is a privilege, not a blanket gift.  Anything of value is earned from the Sith, not merely given.  Remember that, and see to it your people do as well."

Being an Imperial citizen—free to go where one pleased within the boundaries of the Empire, enjoying a far lighter tax burden, and escaping some of the harsher elements of Sith justice—was definitely of value. Charri would have dearly loved that for his people, but he would have been astonished had Darth Alecto granted Maok's request.

"Besides," she said, "I've given Lisal benefits many of my colleagues would not."

Some of the Councilors traded uncertain looks before Cozzette asked, "Like what?"

Darth Alecto took a moment to reply, then she laid her forearms on the table and leaned toward them. "Sith Lords who sit in council with their Overlords tend to be jealous of our privacy. We don't like too many beings to know where we can be found.  Some Lords see to that concern by choosing unpopulated worlds.  Others prefer to choose whatever worlds suit them and…depopulate them."

Charri had none of Darth Alecto's mysterious Force, but though he dared not look away from her, he felt the shivers around him in his own way nonetheless. Darth Alecto gave it a few seconds, then said, "I chose Lisal for myself, but I also chose to spare its people that fate—as I said, this arrangement should be to our mutual benefit. Serve me, and keep my activities here as discreet as I will, and I won't overlook your service.  I know you won't let me down."

Across the table, Plovo was sweating in a way Charri thought had nothing to do with his weight or the humidity. "B-But Darth Alecto…your presence here is already known, so—"

"No, Councilor Troiv," Darth Alecto said. "Suspected, perhaps. Rumored, I'm sure.  But suspicion and gossip aren't knowledge.  The only beings who know for a fact that I'm here are the ones who have seen me with their own eyes, and apart from my Anzat brethren and my Sith disciples, all of those beings are in this room or on guard outside.  It is my will that we keep it that way."

"I'm certain we'll all do our part to ensure your command is followed, Master," Monox said, and for once there was not so much as a grimace around the table. Charri rather thought that, like him, his colleagues were glad someone else had spoken up for the lot of them.

"I hope so, Governor," Darth Alecto said. She swept the table with her violet eyes. "What else?"

"Master," said one of the Councilors from a remote section of Lisal, whom Charri did not know well, "how will Sith law interact with Lisal's laws?"

"Imperial law is absolute," Monox answered. "If you wish to pass laws in addition to the Empire's, bring them to me and I will consider them."

"And take note of that, Councilor Golan—Imperial law, not Sith law," Darth Alecto observed. "It's a common error—a Republic error. 'Sith law', 'Sith soldiers', 'Sith fleets'…"

She shook her head and her lip curled. "'Imperial' is a status one can acquire by nothing more than being born on the right planet, but to be Sith is to be chosen by the Force—and to struggle and strive to be worthy of that calling. We are all Imperials here, but only Shrizzzqadl and I are Sith."

Councilor Golan nodded. "Yes, Darth Alecto. Forgive me, I'm still learning—"

"—and fortunately for you, I'm the forgiving type," Darth Alecto said, smiling that feline smile Charri remembered from their first meeting. "But don't make the mistake twice. And model correctness for your people so they can learn from your errors instead of their own."

Councilor Golan swallowed and bowed her head, and Darth Alecto looked around the table before her eyes fell on Charri. "You've been quiet, Councilor Chekmariji."

Charri cleared his throat. "How may I serve, Darth Alecto?"

"You represent my capital's district," she noted. "And a supply line to my citadel, if I require one. We'll feel problems in Cundassa first, and they may spread misery to other cities if they go unchecked.  So tell me, what problems are there in Cundassa?"

Did she ask that way merely to brace herself for a laundry list? Did she have a list, against which she would check his answers as a test of honesty? Or perhaps a test of her own informants? Did—

"Your thoughts are scattered, Charri," Darth Alecto chided. "Answer the question I asked, not the one you think I meant."

The Anzat narrowed his eyes and the skeletal Shrizzzqadl sucked a rattling breath through his nose, which was somewhat distracting, but Charri swallowed and said, "Even though your presence is…not known, Master, beings have become aware that some construction project is taking place at a distance from Cundassa. The labor and construction droids you've imported, to say nothing of the materials, have given them some sense of the scale of the project, and some construction firms are disappointed you chose not to hire them for the work, particularly in light of the economic benefits you mentioned earlier."

She smiled. "It's simple, Councilor: I prefer that no one know all the secrets of my fortress but me. Droids simplify that process considerably; when they've finished their work, I wipe their memories and it's like it never happened.  I suppose that's possible for sentients, but it's always messy, and doesn't always stick; there's no way to be certain without killing them.  Viewed that way, am I right in thinking the construction firms wouldn't have any further objections?"

"I'll…assist them in finding that perspective, Master."

"Do that. What else?"

"A number of beings have expressed apprehension about the possible importation of slaves."

Darth Alecto was silent a moment, and though she held his gaze, Charri felt a blissful absence of the fire he knew she could stoke behind her eyes. "Another benefit to the use of droids in construction, don't you agree?"

"Yes, Master, but—"

"Beings opposed to the ownership of slaves have no obligation to purchase them."

Maok shifted. "Darth Alecto, our people—"

"Imperial law is absolute," she cut him off. When no one spoke, she added in a conciliatory tone, "That said, know that my protection will shield the citizens of Lisal from that state. They may not be citizens, but unless they're condemned for some crime, no resident of Lisal will be enslaved, and I'll see to it the Zygerrians, the Thalassians, and the others come here only on my terms."

Maok did not appear entirely reassured, but Charri recognized the victory within the unpalatable whole and said, "Thank you, Darth Alecto."

She nodded. "Tell me about my spaceport."

As Charri and some of the others described the efforts devoted to expanding Cundassa's series of docking bays and landing strips into a full-fledged spaceport, the Anzat beside Darth Alecto stepped away, taking a comlink from his belt. He rasped into it for a moment, too low for Charri to make out individual words, then returned to his place and bent to snarl and gargle in Darth Alecto's ear. She tilted her head toward him at first, but then frowned and fired something back in the same tongue. When he responded, she nodded and held up a hand.

"I'm afraid that's all the time I have. Monox will take it from here.  Remember, Councilors: serve me, and you serve Lisal and its people."

She rose—her throne backed itself up for her—and all the Councilors and Monox did too. As she turned to go, though, Cozzette blurted out, "Darth Alecto!"

Monox narrowed his eyes and Shrizzzqadl hissed, but Darth Alecto touched his shoulder with two fingers, turned back, and raised an eyebrow.

"You asked us to bring you concerns…" Cozzette hesitated, then said, "There have been questions, my…Master.  Questions about the prisoners the Empire has claimed."

"Oh? I've taken only those condemned to die, many of them by Lisal's own laws before the Empire arrived."

Cozzette winced. "Even the condemned have loved ones."

Darth Alecto smiled. "Well, if it helps provide closure to the grieving, you can assure them their loved ones are dead."