A New Dawn (Imperials, Silas, Closed)

[Silas Karn]

As the ED-1 erupted from hyperspace Silas was brought to the most unlikely destination given his history for the Echani Lord to ever grace once more. His stoic demeanor held firm as Silas’s icy glare pierced far beyond the panoramic viewport of Eshan’s flagship. Unlike so many of Silas’s excursions beyond the aligned Echani systems he had no ill intentions for what was to follow. The political relationship between Silas’s own dominion and that of the Galactic Empire had been strained to the point of breaking prior to the arrival of the Grand Admiral at Eshan. Of course this venture would lack Silas’s own moral limiter in Idaan as the pair under no circumstances could so much as depart Eshan within the same fleet let alone ship. Naturally this would mean Silas’s presence as and adept and a practitioner of the Dark Side would lack the cover of such a paragon of the light.

However, Silas had discovered how to completely conceal the very nature of his connection to the Force and would be fully employing that technique (Force Mask). Though Silas had been extended a formal invitation to the initial ceremony for both Argus and Alissa, the Sovereign had timed his arrival such that he would arrive thirty minutes after the proposed start. This ceremony had nothing to do with Silas’s his self and he would not allow his very controversial position within the empire detract from the moment. Alissa would serve as a beacon to the whole of the galaxy even as her father dwelt in the darkness. The ED-1 soon reached the outer orbit of Bastion and Silas’s crew hailed the executives aboard the defense platforms which held safe the new capital of the empire. Formalities and logistics would serve to impeded Silas’s arrival by yet another half hour regardless of permissions received by the newly minted Regent. Yet, the Sovereign Lord of the Echani would soon make his return known to the very snakes that had outed him so long ago.

[Professor Mors]

Raising his hand up once more, the newly appointed Lord Regent silently encouraged the room reduce its volume. Thankfully, the timely arrival of the royal guard quickly aided in this endeavor, as a hush fell over the attendees in rapid succession. Under normal circumstances, it would not be unthinkable to see a handful of the crimson combatants escorting the former Grand Admiral. That said, the number that appeared in this moment however, seemed excessive even by Imperial standards. Stepping forward, Argus straightened up some, and spoke, "For almost half a cycle, our sovereign has made no public appearances, and rumors have circulated as to the true outcome of the Belsavis incident".

The Lord Regent's expression darkened, as he continued, "It is with great sadness that I inform you that, to a degree, the hearsay about the engagement's conclusion are painfully true. Our Empress suffered severe wounds over the course of the conflict, and tragically perished despite the efforts of our finest doctors". Blood trickled down the inside of Doren's lower lip, having sunk a nervous canine down into his own vulnerable flesh. This announcement was a construct, a fiction, whose narrative had been tailored to lessen an already deafening blow. Nonetheless, the blow was dealt, and a string of distraught and frustrated whispers rose up into the air. "And yet", Argus called out more loudly, "While we mourn her death, we mustn't allow this loss to cripple our grand civilization".

Extended a lowered and impassioned fist out towards his audience, the Lord Regent made his boldest statement yet, "After a strenuous search, the Ruling Council successfully located a blood relative with a superior claim to the throne. With the assistance and blessings of the Echani government, our military likewise succeeded in collecting the heir from her homeworld unharmed". Vassyl's eyes widened as the confidential nature of that former assignment became clear, and with each passing moment, his excitement bubbled from within. Sweeping an open hand out at the left stage door, Argus' offered a slight smile, and cordially proclaimed, "It with great honor that I present Lady Alissa of House Karn, Heir Apparent to our Sovereign Empire".

Like a crashing wave, all eyes fell upon the far chamber door. The muted silence was softly pierced by the calculate pitter patter of heels, and soon, the light, lithe frame of a young Echani girl strode into view, with several royal guards swiftly matching pace. Her silver, luminescent hair was tied back into a neat braid, and though it was not easy to spot, makeup had been applied to her person, accenting her strong, inquisitive blue eyes. Alissa's attire was simple yet elegant. Her main ensemble consisted of a jet black gown that featured three metallic grey stripes running diagonally from her right shoulder to the top of her waist, with a hem that stopped short three inches from her ankles. Similarly, the young Karn's shoes were raised onyx stilettos, which afforded the Echani Heiress a slight boon to her overall height.

Despite the unceasing gaze of the Empire's inner circles, Alissa, no more than nine cycles of age, stood her ground, and presented a sturdy air of mental fortitude as she approached the Lord Regent. Beaming down at his new ward, Argus gave the young Karn a slight nod, and produced a holographic document akin to the aide's from before. "M'lady", the warrior-turned statesman began anew, "Do you accept the mantle of Empress, and all the rights, powers, and responsibilities that are commensurate to the Imperial Throne?". "I do", Alissa answered back, in a soft yet stern voice. "And with this awesome station", Argus carried on, "do you swear to defend and uphold Imperial Law, and maintain the tenets of the Imperial Charter?".

"I so swear", the young Karn adamantly affirmed, loosening her shoulders some, as if the weight of her new role had been physically hefted upon them. "Finally", the Lord Regent moved to conclude, "will you endeavor to guide and protect the Imperial People for as long as you might live, by the virtue and design of the New Order?". The young girl was silent for a moment, as if processing the ultimate stipulation. At last, the Heir steeled her nerves, narrowed her eyes, and proclaimed in a louder voice, "I shall!". Argus smiled again, a wellspring of pride grating against his more stoic military inclinations. Turning off to his right, the Lord Regent nodded at another aide who was patiently waiting within the adjacent stage doorway. "Now", Argus called out to the audience, "I shall present the Imperial Sceptor".

A portly man cautiously stepped onto the dias, and extended a long, flat case at the Lord Regent. The Corulagan wasted no time in snapping the container open, and delicately raising the veritable symbol of throne's prestige. Made from solid Phrik, the metal rod was adorned with several bands of gold alloys at either end, allowing for a comfortable grip depending on the wielder's stylized preferences. Likewise, the head of the instrument was crafted in such as way that it resembled a pair of five jagged claws: an omen of utter and immutable control, and a specter of expansionism and martial might. Briefly taking a knee for ease of access more so than ceremony, Argus held the scepter out to Alissa, who gingerly took it up with both hands.

When the Lord Regent rose once more, the young Karn turned about, and marched up the remaining steps, and lightly seated herself on the most important chair in the galaxy. "Now presenting Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Alissa Karn", Argus hollered at the top of his lungs, and crouched down into a regal kneel. A loud thud followed soon after, as the other line captains witnessed Doren all but jump to the floor, his fist driving into the waxed durasteel. At last, the cherished hour had arrived. Soon, all other military personnel had followed suit, while the rest of the civilian and political attendees engaged bows and curtsies of their own. There we of course, those who did so out of spite and reluctance, but they gave no visual indication of such feelings. Now was not the time for dissent. Looking back at the assembled masses, Argus entreated the masses to a fiery salute, "Long live the Empress Karn! All hail the Empire!". "Long live the Empress Karn!", a tremor of voices bellowed in response, relieved at the thought of reviving a unified government. "All hail the Empire!", echoed the antechamber, barely containing the malice of begrudging souls, whose celebrations were merely superficial.

[Neive Undant]

Through the whole ceremony, Prazutis was but only one in the large crowd of so many others. But as the young woman took the throne, Prazutis could feel the skeptics, those who resented the place, but went along with the ceremony despite their feelings. Prazutis was the exact opposite, however. It did not matter to him who sat on the throne, Would it be a crippled ewok or the holocron of the late Nihilus himself. He made a pledge to serve the person who sat on the throne, and that's exactly what he would do, until the day he died. He would bring glory to empress Karn, and he would ensure that nobody, whether they were within imperial ranks or not, would bring about harm to her. And on top of that... He would bring down all enemies to her and the empire. He swore to it, silently as he joined in the bow and thereafter the salute and heil to the throne. He swore both to himself, and to the empress.

He would destroy all who opposed her.

[Silas Karn]

Silas arrived within the main audience chamber just as Alissa received the Imperial Scepter. A flood of mixed emotions fell upon the Echani Lord. Pride in his daughter yet foreboding anxiety regarding her remaining within the grip of the empire, it was almost overwhelming for Silas. Making his way down the center isle toward the raised dais that held not only Alissa but his brother in arms, Silas could hardly ignore the hushed whispers and disgruntled murmurs that surrounded his arrival. Accompanied by a detachment of Eshan’s finest battlemasters, who they themselves where attended in equal measure of royal guards, Silas strode forth. A few of the bolder Moff’s that had seen to Silas’s exile and removal from regency cried out in protest as Silas closed the remaining distance to the dais. Argus for his part gave a weary eye toward Silas as even he could not ignore the seriousness of the situation. However, it was not in Silas to detract from his daughter’s moment. If this was to be her fate then she would have her father’s support.

Silas was a picture of regality his self as he had restored his father’s heirloom armor back to its original pristine silver etched with the ancient Echani symbols and wore over this a white long coat of fine fabric that bore the crest of the united Echani dominion. Stepping forth across the dais Silas met Alissa. In an act of almost stark contrast to the reviled infamy the name Silas now held throughout the empire Silas knelt down on one knee before the newly crowned empress. This sentiment was not that of a subservient vessel but that of a loving father as Silas brought his face close to Alissa’s. “Well met Empress Alissa of the Galactic Empire, I have ventured here this day to pay my respects to that of my first born. Though you are no longer heir to my realm you have been given the empire your regent and I forged through not just fire and blood but wise diplomacy as well. We might not ever grace another’s presence in the same manner as we do this day but know that I am proud of you. No matter what happens I will see to it that no Echani ever harms the territory of your rule. May our ancestors guide you and failing that my chosen guardian will see to your fruition.” It was a fleeting moment and an even shorter reunion but Silas’s words would have to sustain Alissa for months and likely years to come. Standing once more to his feet Silas extended his hand to his brother and the pair would also share what was likely to be the last sentiment the pair would ever have.