[Closing days of 17 BBY]

[Secure Conference Room, Command Deck, Eriadu Authority Capital-class Warship Stormcrow, Republic 5th Fleet, in orbit Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

I was tired and I was stressed. Funny how 'peacetime' was doing that to me more than 'wartime' had, but now I, we, were in the realms of politics. While the war had not been won, in truth we, the Galactic Republic, had lost, all daring offensives and brutal defences aside. Palpatine still lived, still ruled, and the Confederacy stood triumphant despite large setbacks, and the Core and Colonies were erupting into mass riots and even full-scale planetary revolts. Now…now we had to sit down and pick up the pieces that were left and mold them into something resembling a coherent successor state for the dead Republic.

'Somehow…I'm now serving the Empire' I mused to myself silently, the private meeting of the, former, board of the Republic Aegis Guard, and before that Executive Security Solutions, in relation to….many things really, but mostly the emerging Empire. That 'United Federal Empire', and our place in it most importantly as the various factions that existed within it made deals. It was a game I didn't like playing, but it was one I had to play, or I'd have a mutiny amongst my 'Board' on one side and loss of reputation with my overlord and his allies on the other. That was the unfortunate calculus of a warlord quasi-state turning into actual state, as such things needed institutions, and we needed to maintain our positions within it if we wished to influence it in any shape or form.

'Bright-side, everyone's onboard, even if Hanna wants a noble title, credits, and a business empire rather than playing civilization with the rest of us' was my interpretation as a unanimous vote was taken, the others all here via holo-avatar on secure lines save Braika, who was here in the flesh. Bariss was also present, along with Asajj, Gardan, and Celeste, though they were sitting back, just as others, such as Yulen Darksails, were present with the others. This had been a major meeting after all, one of potentially turning ourselves into de facto and de jure nobles on the edge of Wildspace. Also claiming cortosis mines and the colony, colonies, that would need to be developed around that world.

"Excellent. Congratulations we're all nobles now" I stated tiredly as we finished this part of the meeting, hands on the table where the avatars sat along with me and Braika like blue tinged ghosts "Beyond that, I believe we'll call and end to this meeting of the Board?"

There was another round of ayes, and then the 'ghosts' began to disconnect as I sat silently there at the head of the table, thinking, sighing as the last of those not physically here disappeared. Glanced at Braika "Well, that's done. Somehow more stressful than dealing with the Dark Side cult shenanigans and then telling the Chancellor about it"

"You mean future Emperor, hmm?" the Mandalorian woman chuckled back, relaxing, or relaxing as much as she could in her armour as the others came up to sit at the table with us after a silent gesture from me "I call it getting our rightful reward"

"I call it politics, and I am the one that'll have to endure the worst of said politics in the immediate term. Just as we're dealing with a hundred other things" I muttered with a weary sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose, elbows on the table "Nor is it going to be an easy thing either"

"You…" Asajj was amused at least it seemed "…will enjoy the challenge, and merely find some twisted pleasure in bemoaning such efforts before performing said task"

I gave her a look "Oh, that so? I find you'll have your hands full with Rattatak….and dealing all the paras…politicians…on the planet below. Ourselves amongst them as we all wheel and deal to get things we want"

Bariss gave me a look of mild reproach "You are trying to save democracy Daron"

"Yes, somehow…by becoming landed nobility" I sighed, chuckled, Asajj joining me after a moment "Yes, because that's the first steps towards democracy and republicanism"

"Our warriors will be very happy" Braika pointed out calmly "They have a future after all. Also, solving that refugee problem too!"

"Yay" I muttered in regards the refugees, but nodded "But in regards the troops, yeah, I'm aware. But we all know Tarkin is doing this to shore up the borders. Us, Yanthis, Zsinj, Green…list goes on…it's a trade of here are systems, develop them, guard them"

Braika shrugged "Clan Chorn is happy to oblige, it will be our proving ground. You get all the hardships Lord Elector, or is it, Lord Duke? Both isn't it? And we your not so humble vassels"

"Don't start" I replied, glancing at Celeste, Gardan "You have no objections to these arrangements? Or wish to make some side arrangements?"

Garden grinned "Better than retiring to Crag farming back home and fighting the neighbours. Least we'll have few generations to fill up land with clans and the infighting starts, eh?"

'Solemites and Mandalorians…right. Forgot' I wanted to say, but merely nodding, Celeste sitting calmly, hands on her knee, one leg over the other in an 'at ease' sitting position "If it is the only way to achieve our goals, then I will accept such measures. They are not entirely to my liking, but I will tolerate such as a Jedi. Truthfully it is more reminiscent of my era than what I have seen of this one's history"

"He's coping stuff from Republic expansion periods…" I agreed somewhat with her, paused, sighed "That and attempting to recreate the Jedi Lords I suspect. It's why he's offering such to loyal Force Users as he sees it, which I'm sure Rahm Kota is pulling his hair out about in relation to letting Jedi retire from the Temple to such things in exchange for families and service"

Bariss felt warm and amused "I don't think he and Master Vos are, Aayla is a…confused I think, but I don't see it as a bad thing. Nor does Ahsoka"

"Easy for the Skywalker's Padawan to say" Asajj chuckled, actually good-natured in her amusement "She is to return home to her Temple after all"

My lover gave a wan smile "Perhaps true, so best to see how others answer then Daron. No snap judgements"

I nodded, gestured "Of course we're going to have to politic later at the formal nonsense on the planet below you understand. Save Celeste who gets to deal with the ship of evil artefacts, and you with the security Gardan…"

My aide grinned "I count myself lucky there Moff"

I could only shake my head in amusement…

--

[Closing days of 17 BBY]

[Hotel complex, near New Senate District, Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

There were thousands present in these halls alone, with tens of thousands lurking about the city, as I and my 'entourage' was announced into the luxuriously decorated and carefully catered and choreographed 'Imperial' ballroom. Senatorial technically, as well as being luxurious for the Outer Rim rather than Coruscant, I reminded myself as I strode in, Bariss on my right arm, Asajj on my left, in a compromise of early politics as Braika came in behind me alongside Hanna Andrasha and the wealthy near human industrialist on her arm. Trust Hanna to have already made a political marriage, though Braika was clearly intent on being a stereotypical Mandalorian in her clothing and plans.

Chancellor and Grand Moff, soon to be Emperor, Tarkin was above everyone else on an elevated table, with his wife, along with his brother and his pregnant wife. Wisely his heir wasn't here, off-world in a rotating manner, and possibly seeking a bride, or brides, to firm up poor. This was all an elaborate dance as Tarkin….was the Tarkin I was wary of, and making everyone dance to his tune in competing for attention, or for positions likely already decided. One we had to come to and work within as I came dressed in my 'light armour', or my 'formalwear armour' as it were, my lightsaber visibly at my belt for once. Just as Bariss and Asajj had with them, with Bariss in her Jedi robes, and Asajj adopting an expensive, high class, only mild revealing, shimmer-silk dress.

It was all political theatre, holo-cams everywhere, but under full control and security at insane levels. Even my Bariss was making a statement, and insisted on it, and insisted on reining Asajj in. In my love's eyes at least, and from Asajj's point of view backing up her claim to that backwards, brigand filled world she intended to rule, while delaying unwanted attention from some by our implied close relationship. Through the Force I could feel the swirl of emotions within the room, from hopeful interest, to wariness and fear, to focused or even conflicted greed. I was glad of the long sleep cycle and meditation before all this, because this was set to be long day, I expected walking forward.

{Remember making friends, not enemies if we can avoid it} I mentally told Asajj and Bariss {Even if I agree skewering some of them}

{Daron!} Bariss reprimanded without showing a hint of her exasperation on her beautifully smiling face, the image of a perfect Jedi to the world {We haven't even spoken to anyone yet}

{Yes. Jedi skills here. Diplomacy, remember?}

….and Asajj was mocking me now. Great. I tuned that out as we were introduced to one of Hanna's contacts, allowing Bariss to take the lead here while I, and Asajj, loomed. Then I interjected, after taking a fancy wine, and offered my war stories and polite discussions on what we could all offer each other. After all I had a cortosis mine to develop, as well as naval station and future logistics hub there, just as Asajj's confirmed world needed its own hub. One had to look after one's allies after all, especially when they were now your vassals, as well allowing development of my future holdings. Where the overlord got to dump all the refugees and then military veterans most likely to avoid a mass of pirates and bounty hunters arising in the future from any sort of demobilisation or internal trouble.

"That's a representative from the IGBC" Hanna informed us casually as she took another glass "What's our stance?"

"Make nice with them" was my equally polite reply, ensuring we didn't look that way "That's the word from above, but no major deals without approval from higher up"

Hanna nodded "Well…I shall have a pleasant unpleasant conversation with them and see what is so"

I nodded with a false smile, then an actual one as I turned back to Bariss, Asajj actually mingling with us properly as we all played our roles. I didn't trust the Force, but it was moving in directions that needed guiding, and listening too, as we swirled over to representatives from Sorosuub and the Figg family empire. One we'd need for my fleet, and the second for the support to actually operate as Moff in that area once again. Thankfully we'd already worked with the various Figg representatives before and, with the Force's currents to guide, we had an in to discuss returning to that region.

Our dangerous overlord Tarkin had goals, and I was back to the frontier in the coming weeks and months, therefore I had goals, and several of them would be Force related. There was so much to do, and so little time….like always really. But I had a reputation, I had contacts….and I had Bariss, who was still better at being the subtle, nice, friendly, Jedi healer to mine and Asajj's more intimidating status. Let alone Braika's rather blunt plans and efforts to establish her clan on the planned colony world. It solved several problems as my reputation was both a boon and a problem for me on Solem – I was a potential planetary ruler, and that could make me a rival for the allies I had there. The current situation ensured they stayed allies, and also ensured I had a supply of recruits into the future. So, we made nice, and slightly threatening where needed, as we all worked towards our goals as a team…

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