My name is Lady Brievel, and I am a member of the Imperial Ruling Council. Unlike my fellows, I wield true power – for I am also an Imperial Secret Agent, calling 'Master' the man I once swore to destroy. I am cold, ruthless, bringing him the heads of enemies – enemies not only of him, but of myself. I do as he says, within the parameters I set for myself and he accepted. For I was the only one with the gall to negotiate with him, before the end of the Clone Wars and the fall of the Republic – neither seeking to destroy him, as the Jedi did, nor ingratiate myself, as was Pestage's aim, nor yet to negotiate with the Chancellor of the Republic, but to negotiate with him – with Darth Sidious, Sith Master. And I succeeded, the only Jedi, however Grey, to have a place in the New Order.

He thinks me weak, to not reach out and take the power that Turning would grant me. Those to whom power is everything do not understand the strength it takes to refuse power. They do not know, or do not care to admit, that there are those whose wills are not merely strong enough to wrest control of the Dark Side, but to refuse it. If I wanted, I could be more powerful yet – I have the raw energy, certainly. I could be one of his Adepts, or even a Hand, should I choose – but I am content to remain as I am. Instead, I draw the cloak of darkness closer about the Light in my core, hiding myself from my Master.

But his perception of my weakness works in my favor, for he does not believe I could ever be a threat to him. Perhaps he is right, for he does wield immense and terrifying power, and he is a Master of Prescience. Doubtless, he has seen countless futures where I betray him. Surely, he realizes that once we no longer share goals, I will want no part of his schemes. He warned me, at the very beginning, of the consequences, should I turn my back on him, and I accepted them. I am not easy to kill, however.

He cares nothing for the people of his vast Empire, but he does not like corruption or inefficiency, if it does not serve him. Whatever else the Empire may be, no one can accuse it of inefficiency. Oh, the band of fools around me, certainly, certain officials, unarguably, but despite these ineffectual bureaucrats, things are actually accomplished in the Empire. As long as the Emperor has his power, has the Force, he is content – much of the actual running of the galaxy itself is left to his more capable minions, such as Lord Vader – such as myself. Because I agreed to become his servant, he rewarded me.

For such were the nature of our negotiations. I came to him, fully cognizant of who he was and is, and made him an offer of a deal – some of our goals coincided, and where they diverged, neither of us was interested in the other's chosen path. He studies the Force, immersing himself in the Dark Side and training his apprentice. As one of the most important members of the Council, I placate the people, keeping dissension to a minimum and suppressing rebellion. Am I cruel? Some would say so. But it is my privilege, and my duty, to fight for the citizens of the Empire. Is it cruel to shut down dissenters? Many would say so, if asked. But those who I quietly remove, do not bring suffering to the rest of the galaxy. How many individuals does it take to make a collective? A question I must never stop asking, to balance peace, and justice. The people have more freedoms than they realize, because those freedoms were never infringed. Is it entirely because of me? I do not know. Possibly not, even probably not. I do know that I fight, constantly.

I made a deal with evil incarnate, hiding behind a refined face. A deal that I have honored, and a deal that he has honored – for now. We are at a stalemate, for he could have me killed instantly – but his Empire could well crumble without me to help prop it up. An uneasy alliance, indubitably, but I've found I rather enjoy flirting with danger. For now, the alliance continues to work, because for now, I keep bringing him the heads of our mutual enemies.


For now, this is only a one-shot, based on the current negotiations I'm undergoing with Chancellor Palpatine regarding the future. This outcome may yet change - for always in motion, is the future - or may be continued. Time will tell, but for now, it stands alone.