He walks into Dr Oggurobb's lab, Theron is there on a medical bed, and has some kind of kolto device linked to his arm. He walks close to the bed.
O - Theron, how are you?
T - The doctor here tells me I'm gonna be fit as a bantha really soon.
(Occlus nods his head in approval)
O - Good.
T - You wanted something Commander?
O - I wanted to see how you're doing, and have a little chat about the Order of Zildrog.
T - I gave Lana a full report the minute we landed.
O - I know, but I still wanted a word with you.
(Theron gets off the bed, he does seem a lot better than the last time Occlus saw him)
O - You are better indeed. I'm glad Theron.
T - Thank you. Wanna take a walk? Apparently that's something I need to do rather often now.
(Occlus smiles)
O - Sure.
(They both start walking with a general direction towards the Commander's quarters. They are talking as they walk side by side)
O - So, how are you? Apart from your health. You had a very trying couple of months.
(Theron nods his head in agreement)
T - Yes, well, I'm feeling much better now that I'm home again.
(Occlus smiles)
O - Do you feel any different now that you are back? About this Alliance being your home.
(Theron looks at him sideways, he seems puzzled by the question)
T - What do you mean?
O - Even though the order of Zildrog were a bunch of fanatics, they did raise a good point.
It's the same point that made Blancia leave me, us.
T - Commander, be more specific.
O - What I'm saying is, this Alliance is centred around me. It is built to be centred around a leader figure, and from our past we know that it crumbles without me at its head. This is very different from the ideals you were brought up with, the ideals you believed in.
T - I still believe in democracy, in a healthy Republic.
O - And yet, you are a founder of a group that its structure resembles the Empire.
T - I don't believe so.
O - Don't you? That's peculiar.
T - Why?
O - The orders come from me and me alone. Isn't that opposite to a republic?
T - No. In every large institution, there has to be one figure that makes the final call. The way that person forms a decision is what is important. In a republic, the decision is formed by listening to all the sides of an argument and deliberating. This is precisely what we do here.
O - This is what happens in the Empire as well.
T - The Empire has one Emperor whose word is absolute.
O - You are wrong. The Empire has a Council that deliberates on matters of importance.
T - Isn't the Council just a way for the Emperor to enact control over his most powerful rivals?
O - Tenebrae wanted it this way, and it was formed for that purpose, but the Empire that invaded the Republic and started this war wasn't like that. The Emperor was all but gone, the ruling was being done by the Council.
T - Much good it did you…
O - The Emperor's absence led us to constant infighting and bickering.
T - So, now that they have an Emperor again, is it better? Was it better with Acina?
O - I believe so. I believe the Empire can truly prosper with sane leadership.
T - That's a tall request. Sane leaders aren't easy to come by.
O - You believe I am a sane leader, don't you?
T - Yeah, but what does this…
(After a moment, realisation dawns on him. He stops and looks at Occlus, who has also stopped walking and is looking at him patiently)
T - Oh! You want to be the next Sith Emperor!
O - Is that so hard to digest?
T - No. To be honest, I should have seen it coming.
(They are almost outside the Commander's quarters, Occlus walks to the door, opens it, invites Theron in with a gesture. Theron walks in, Occlus closes the door)
O - I plan to make it happen. I would like your help with it, if you are willing.
T - You want me to be an Imperial?
O - Not right away, it should take some time, but eventually, yes.
(Theron seems sceptical, Occlus makes a gesture for Theron to sit down. Both men sit down, each one on one of the couches)
T - It is the next logical step for you… But I have to admit, me being an Imperial citizen, rubs me the wrong way.
O - Can you trust me that I will not lead you somewhere you aren't comfortable in?
T - I trust you Commander, but the Empire I don't trust at all. Even if I could get over some of its structural and operational problems, slavery and fear of punishment for speaking one's opinion, I cannot.
O - You forget, I was a slave too, Theron. I hate slavery as much as you.
T - But, then, how can you ask me to be an Imperial? Slavery is used all over the Empire.
O - If I am the Emperor, it's one decree from me to end it.
T - The Empire is too reliant on slavery. Not even the Emperor can change that overnight.
O - It won't be overnight, but it can be done.
T - And what about executions, public displays of torture? Those are also one decree?
O - I will teach them that all life forms have a purpose, that no one is above another.
T - But you will be above them all, if you get what you want.
O - The head of the pyramid doesn't have to maintain control only with fear. I will teach them there are other ways, better ways to assert and maintain control.
T - You use fear, Commander.
O - Do you think I am cruel?
T - No. But you do threaten a lot. And you act on it.
O - Well, it isn't much of a threat if it isn't realised, is it?
T - Still, you could be a bit more flexible with punishment.
O - Theron, you know my power, you have seen it many times. Should I not use it?
T - Look, Commander. I believe in you, but the galaxy was lucky you didn't want to be another Valkorion. The problem with you being a Sith is, what if you do at some point? Who will be able to stop you if you are Emperor?
O - Who will be able to stop me even if I'm not Emperor?
(Theron ponders on this a while)
T - You have a point. And, out of all the possible Emperors or Empresses, you are the best choice.
O - Good.
T - So, this is the next step for the Alliance? To join the Empire?
O - Eventually. I may need to join the Republic first.
(Theron seems dumbfounded)
O - If I join the Empire as we are now, the Alliance will be only an ally. I want more, quicker. In order to achieve that I must provide more value to the Emperor than I am already able to. I plan to join and betray the Republic, and reinstate my seat and title.
T - I am not onboard with that!
O - You should be. There is a war coming, and if I have access to both Republic and imperial intelligence, I can maintain an equilibrium. I can make it so that no one wins, and no one obliterates the other.
T - Wow, are you ever smug!
O - You doubt my ability to do it?
(Theron sits back on the couch)
T - With me and Lana's help, no.
(Occlus sits back on his couch also. He says the following smiling)
O - Good.