Csilla
After a few days in hyperspace Jaira's personal shuttle finally exited to the view of the planet Csilla visible.
"I must insist Empress, why have you chosen to use your personal shuttle over your Super Star Destroyer?" Geoff asked in concern.
Jaira scoffed, "Because the Chiss don't take kindly to hostility and I am not here to start a war with them," she stated very clearly.
The communicator started to beep and the Jaira open the channel up.
"Shuttle, this is the Csilla spaceport control tower, please identify yourself and reason for landing on Csilla," a voice came through.
"This is Sith Empress Jaira Solak, my arrival is being expected by a member of the Chiss Ascendency," Jaira responded.
"Very well, who is the member?" the voice asked seriously.
"Syndic Ar'alani of Household Phalanx," Jaira answered and then waited for the checks to be completed.
A few moments passed and then they were cleared to land, the loading ramp lowered as Jaira walked down it onto the landing platform to find an entourage there waiting for her.
"Empress Solak, it is nice to finally meet with you in person," Ar'alani greeted her as the young Chiss female approached the Sith Lord.
"It is a pleasure," Jaira responded graciously as she followed Ar'alani to their destination.
"The Aristocra of Household Phalanx is awaiting our arrival," Ar'alani mentioned, "He was most intrigued when I told him about your proposal."
"Excellent."
"Before you meet with him I must inform you that the Chiss Ascendency will not agree to any sort of treaty unless they have confidence that you will keep your promises," Ar'alani advised, "You need to ensure that you have a strong and respectful presence when you are in the meeting hall," she added.
Jaira nodded as they approached the doors which were opened by two guards that stood on either side of the tall double wooden doors. The group entered and were greeted by a marvellous sight of the hall inside. The walls were made out of a smooth white stone and the floors almost looked like it was made from ice.
"Aristocra Mitth'raw'nuruodo, tascarah ch'ah ch'at can'vun'bovah vah ch'at Ect'asearcsen'i Jaira Solak bah to Nuz Ch'ittoci'ren'musi Ect'asei," Ar'alani announced.
Aristocra Mitth'raw'nuruodo leaned forward in his chair, hand to his chin as he surveyed the Sith Empress thoughtfully.
"Mar, Ch'ah cart ber vah viz ch'a tsut'un'i sir to Ascendency can csehisbah ch'at ch'a en'castehi, ei sesvio'ah vah tsan'ah Chiss en'kin'at csei cart rokar ch'acuzah k'useso neo ch'in," Mitth'raw'nuruodo said.
The protocol droid turned to face Jaira, "Yes, I was told you have a proposition for the Ascendency in regard to an alliance, something about you taking Chiss infants that are born with the Force off our hands," it translated.
"You have been well informed Aristocra Mitth'raw'nuruodo," Jaira confirmed.
"Vah viz cart na en'kuscah Aristocra Mitth'raw'nuruodo," the droid translated into Cheunh for the Chiss man who then gave Ar'alani a serious gaze.
"Ran'vott'ehn ch'ah, Ch'ah csarcican't ch'acan'b k'tin'v cat bohn vah ch'acniuh bervocah to en'castehi vun'bes'I," Ar'alani said as she bowed her head to each of them and then left the hall.
"Excuse me, I will wait outside while you both discuss the alliance conditions," the protocol droid said.
After an hour, Jaira and Geoff exited the hall with a successful alliance laid out with the Chiss Ascendency. They would contact her when a child was born with the Force and she would send someone to collect the child. Whilst in return the Chiss would supply the Empire with weaponry that was far superior than that of the rest of the Galaxy.
"Where to now Empress?" Ar'alani asked respectfully.
"We will be going to Lothal to ensure the facility is ready for any children that will be born, and I need to finalise some things for the SIS Academy on the planet's surface," Jaira answered as they arrived at her private shuttle, "Thank you for your time and assistance Syndic Ar'alani, I look forward to working with you and the Ascendency," she farewelled the Chiss as she boarded the shuttle.
The next day, Jaira's shuttle landed on the landing pad of the Imperial SIS Academy and the Empress walked down the ramp with Geoff not too far behind. They were greeted by a sight that impressed Jaira immensely, standing at attention in front of her were close to fifty people.
"Empress," Agent Kallus greeted as he approached cautiously, "Welcome to Lothal."
"Well, Geoff I am certainly impressed," Jaira revealed as she approached the assembly and she walked right up to a random Agent.
The Agent did not flinch or react in any way and continued to look off in the distance whilst standing at attention which intrigued Jaira, "What is your name and ranking?" she asked curiously, even though she could tell that he was of no special rank from the insignia on his uniform.
"Imperial SIS Agent Brightvale, Bureau of Operations," the Agent responded in a strong and hard voice.
"What have you been trained in?"
"Assassination, Infiltration, Surveillance, Destabilisation, Renik and Diplomatic Service," Agent Brightvale answered.
Jaira nodded in approval and walked back to where Geoff and his son were standing, "You may dismiss them, Director."
Geoff was surprised that the Sith Empress referred to him as Director and that she wasn't going to talk to any of the other boys. When the moment of confusion passed Geoff stepped forward, "Dismissed!" he called, and the group dissipated as the Agents went to where they needed to be.
Later that day, Agent Lazarn Brightvale walked through the facility confidently on the way to the office that belonged to the Director of Imperial Intelligence as he had been given a summons not long after the assembly had been dismissed. He had jet black hair that was neatly cut and the area above his right ear was shaved with a symbol of two intertwined dragons in a circular pattern. Lazarn's eyes were a striking cobalt blue that made his eyes look like they were encased in a hard shell and they stood out against his pallid complexion with not a single blemish anywhere to be seen. Currently, his mind was occupied with trying to predict why he had been summoned to Director Kallus's office. Then suddenly he realised that he had arrived at the door and regained control of himself before knocking.
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal the occupants which included the Director and Sith Empress who were standing at the planning table.
"You wanted to see me, sir."
"Ahh, Agent Brightvale you have arrived," Director Kallus stated, "The Empress wanted to have a word with you about something," he added.
"Yes, now leave the room Director," Jaira ordered which surprised the Agent and Director.
"Empress?"
"Don't argue with me Geoff, now leave," she ordered with more ferocity.
Geoff's eyes bulged slightly as he then exited the room and Jaira used the Force to lock the door behind him.
"Now Agent Brightvale, is it?" Jaira asked as she walked behind the desk.
"Yes," Lazarn responded pausing momentarily as he tried to think of what he should call her and then settled on, "Empress."
"No need to be nervous, Geoff has been a thorn in my side for a year now," Jaira reassured him and then gestured for him to take a seat which he accepted as curiosity filled his chest.
"I was hoping you could explain the symbol to me?"
The Agent took a double-take, "I got it done a year ago but the Director wants me to get rid of it," he explained, "I got it done because of my call sign," he added.
"Hmm, what is your call sign?" Jaira asked in curiosity.
"Krayt Dragon."
Jaira nodded and was quiet for a few moments before she responded, "Well I am happy that you didn't remove it because unlike Director Kallus I want my Agents to be free to think independently from others. Creativity is what I am looking for and you seem to me to be a very creative mind, am I correct?" she asked.
"Well, I have always gotten comments along those lines from the instructors here at the Academy," Lazarn said softly, "If you don't mind me asking, why did you want to talk to me Empress?" he asked.
"Very good question but for now it will remain unanswered," Jaira stated stoically, "Now I think it's time I return the office back to its owner, what do you think?"
Without waiting for a reply from the Agent however, the Sith Empress used the Force to unlock and open the door, allowing Geoff to enter the room once again.
"Of course, thank you Empress," Lazarn farewelled as he exited the room, taking the hint that she was wanting him to leave.
The next morning, Jaira boarded her private shuttle and left Lothal to return to Dromuund Kaas feeling confident that the Imperial Intelligence side of the Sith Empire was secure.
A/N: If you are guessing that the Chiss Aristocrat is none other than Thrawn then you would be correct. It is an interesting aspect of the Chiss culture, they believed that Force Sensitivity was an abomination and so any infants who presented symptoms were left unattended to as a method of killing them. It is quite brutal and sad but I wanted to keep true to the star wars universe lore and cannon as closely as possible in my series. What do you think Jaira has planned for those children?
Ashlyn Dubreas.
