Havanto could safely say that he was having a bad day. Former emperor, now rebel emperor. A lot had changed in the past week, and batarians hated things changing that quickly. It all started with news of the hegemony causig shit directly outside the Imperial border.

That had been mildly alarming, but the Humans were taking care of it, and things were quiet.

Then, last Lornas, that pillars damned asshole Skallos decided to attack Imperial trade lines, pissing both the Asari Republic and Havanto off royally. Of course, twas all a ruse, and with the shamefully small imperial fleet distracted, the Hegemony struck. By Galnas, Havanto and the fleet were hightailing it out of the Kite's Nest and Harsa.

Seriously, the fact that a gift basket (A battle cruiser to be exact) sent to the Humans as a goodwill a few years back saved his ass was shameful and hilarious at the same time. Now, he was seated in a rather lavish embassey on Earth that over looked the humans capital, Rome. The city was beautful, and just about the biew was just about the only good thing out of this whole debacle.

"Lord Telvannik, the consuls want to speak to you." he looked up from his brooding to face the Captian of the Gaurd. She looked even more tired than he was. Though he suspected only a batarian could tell.

She was far more built than most of the Humans here, partly due to being a batarian and mostly to due with a body building habit. She was wearing casual clothing though a simple loose shirt and baggy pants, feet covered in spikey combat boots, thus not looking as fierce as she did in her gold and black Royal Imperial Guard armour. "Thanks Lazal, do they just want to see me or will you back me up in there?"

She shook her head with a wry grin, "Sadly not. The humans seem a might eager about their chance to strike at the Hegemony." She said, sounding rather on edge. Havanto gave her a cheeky grin, "I imagine my guard captain is even more eager? Do not worry, our hairy friends will not shy away from battle, and we'll get our home back."

He tried to inject as as much hopefullness into his words as possible. He had no doubt that the humans could tear the Hegemony asunder, Pillars knew they had been doing it for decades now, but what would he return to on Khar'shan? A burned world that he had to repair. That thought made him fists clenched, and his upper eyes narrowed, he was going to destroy the Hegemony once and for all, even if he need human help.

"Well, I best be going, Pillars know that the humans hate waiting." he said, putting on his best happy face and walked out. Images of Kalzimmar on fire, the screaming as figures in green descended... he cut that thought angrily as he stepped into the Senate boardroom. The two Consuls, Aulus and that bony one Lucius, were seated alongisde the Defense Commitee and Admiralty Board. Havanto was suddenly very glad to be dressed in his robes, as the atmosphere of the room was clearly Super Serious Bussiness.

He felt slightly uncomfotable under their collective gazes, but he was an Emperor damn it, so he stood tall, with his hands folded at his back. Aulus spoke first, "Emperor Havanto. We wish to extend our sympathies, we know many died during the Hegemony's taking of Khar'shan."

Havanto's lips tightened, did they really have to bring that up? It seemed so unnesscesary. Aulus continued, "The Alliance would like to send a full fleet in order to secure the region and dissolve the Hegemony."

Havanto's chest constricted. Sure, he was all to glad to be rid of the Hegemony, but the Alliance and Empire had never been on stellar terms, with the Imperial Slave guild buying slaves from the Terminus that had come from SA space.

Thus, Havanto had to know: "Will give Khar'shan back?"

There was muttering and a loud shout or two has the crowd of politicians fully grasped what he said. Apparently, being blunt was not common. Lucius grinned, his hawkish features twisting, making him look rather sinister.

"Why of course yes! We would no interest in losing a potential ally."

Havanto upper eyes narrowed further, the SA would likely rather put him in debt to them, and since the Imperial Army was nothing but a distant memory and the fleet was in shipyard grave somewhere, they would force him to become a protectorate. And if this whole thing with the council pulled through, that would mean abiding by council law, which meant the Empires greatest resource, the slave trade, would be inaccessible.

Why didn't they just kill him? That would be simpler. "Of course." Havanto said quietly.

Lucius' grin widened just a bit. "Good. The SA has already begun moving against the Hegemony, with the Council's permission of course."

Havanto spread his arms, and gave a smile he knew didn't look geniune, "Well, that is all I can ask for really."

Lucius gave then 'Yes it truly is' look while Aulus regarded the rest of the room, "Well then, this meeting is adjourned."

Havanto left that room feeling a lot colder than when he had entered.