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On an uncharted station in deep space, Cipher Nine contemplates the war. It's been somewhat quiet of late, but Darth Arho has finally picked up the hints, and launched an invasion of the ice planet Ilum. The schematics she sent should allow the Sith to find a foothold fairly easily, but the Jedi will come running to its defense. It is one of their so-called sacred sites, after all. With a little bit of prodding, this battle could be just what she needs to get them to kill each other.
now this is what you call a party; Nine and Anna and Ellie and Revan and Yvette
meaner-than-my-demons
Ninety minutes later, Occlus sends a message asking if she is ready to depart.
She is! Here's a list of the troops they have available on Ilum, and an estimation of the ones that have defected to join Malgus. Apparently Republic forces have defected to join him, as well, but she doesn't have very accurate numbers for those.
meaner-than-my-demons
Excellent. They will review strategy during the journey. To the ship.
Occlus sets up a holo depicting the terrain and major known emplacements, and begins adding forces.
"... Fighting a two front war sounds... tricky. The Republic also lost people to him, do you think we could try for a temporary truce - or even alliance - until Malgus is dead?"
meaner-than-my-demons
"Hm. It would simplify things considerably... Easy enough to enforce for our forces. The question would be whether the Republic is amenable."
"They probably want to treat this as an internal Sith affair and let us kill each other, but maybe they're very sick of their sacred Jedi planet being a warzone, and are upset enough about the lost people to agree to it. We can always ask."
meaner-than-my-demons
"True. I will consider wordings. A possibly related matter- this so-called Sith claiming the name of Darth Revan. An old name, and obscure to Sith. I am unsure why it has returned now, in this context. He is almost certainly working with the Jedi. I sense that he will be important to the prospect of a truce, either as an obstacle or an ally."
"... That's an odd name to claim. I wonder why. Do we have any holos of him? If he's claiming to be a Sith I think I'd rather our men avoid being confused about whose side he's on."
meaner-than-my-demons
Occlus types on her datapad, and pulls one up.
"His first known appearance, shortly after hostilities began."
She considers the holo.
"Do you remember the pair of Force-users I mentioned a couple of years ago? The ones that wanted to steal my ship and then reconsidered, right after the Emperor's assassination?"
meaner-than-my-demons
"A helpful trait in this endeavor. We will see if Moff Regus has any additional information when we arrive."
meaner-than-my-demons
They go over several possible contingencies and variations, and in due time, arrive at Ilum.
Regus, grey-haired with a beard and in his formal white Grand Moff uniform, is there to meet them. He bows.
"My lord Occlus."
meaner-than-my-demons
"Grand Moff. I am here to end the insurrection of Malgus the Betrayer. Know that the Dark Council considers this to be of the highest priority. You are to cease any ongoing campaign against the Republic in as expeditious a manner as possible and redirect your forces until such time as this threat is ended."
meaner-than-my-demons
"I intend to offer the Republic and the Jedi a limited truce in order to facilitate this."
meaner-than-my-demons
"Darth Arho's directives are no longer relevant to this situation. It has grown beyond him. Darth Marr and I are in agreement on this point. Now, conduct me to your communications center. And provide my apprentice with the most current tactical report."