An Ally In The Empire

When Darth Arborial returned to the Empire, the Empress Acina had already consolidated The Dark Council into only five seats. There was, therefore, no position on the Council for Arborial to assume in reward for her loyalty. It was a bitter revelation as her return to the Empress’ gaze came at the culling of the rogue Darth Occidendus, Arborial’s own daughter. What was formerly three separate seats encompassing the spheres of Imperial Defense, Military Offense, and Military Strategy are now the seat of Military Command. Fortunately, it is a seat occupied by Darth Krovos, a woman Arborial respects.

Resolute and proud of her service to the Empire, Arborial ascends to the Citadel of Military Command. Stepping from the lift in her polished and fitted combat armor, she is met by her new superior in the flesh. Darth Krovos turns as Arborial steps from the lift toward he perceived destiny. The Pureblood stands with perfect military instilled posture. A thick and dignified Imperial accent rolls off her tongue.
“Darth Arborial.” Darth Krovos tilts her head forward in recognition. “Welcome. I must say, it is long overdue you join us here. Come, it’s time we tasked you with duties important to Imperial defense.”

Arborial steps into the command center. She feels once more like a fresh recruit. The long absent giddy thrill of possibilities brings a restrained shiver through her body. She joins her fellow, chest puffed in pride at finally reaching her own potential. “It is an honor to serve.”

Krovos give Arborial a short tour of the command center before inviting the newest subordinate to her office. Arborial is allowed to glimpse the pinnacle of the Imperial war machine. A mechanism for which she has fought, bled, and ordered other to the death. She revels at the coordination and efficiency. Each fleet has a dedicated team of analysts and officers. Each sector has a similar task forces assessing safety, watching for potential threats, and assessing for weaknesses. Near real time troop movements, numbers, and enemy tactics displayed on countless screens.

Darth Arborial, stares a moment in pensive reflection. The tactician in her admires the purity of raw data and the calculated methodology of measured responses in educated hands. The soldier in her, the woman who stood on the front lines and dripped blood onto countless battlefields to earn the right to stand here, feels a tinge of nausea at the sterility of it all. How many of those with control over regiments, battalions, and sectors have bled and fought for the very sectors under their purview?

“You and your apprentice managed to demonstrate a desire to protect the Empire from our enemies. Both within and without. Your record of service is beyond reproach. As such, I have a task suited to one so loyal and so capable. A task at the core of Imperial defense. You will be tasked with securing our core colonies.”

Arborial’s heart sinks, but her face does not betray her. “Do we not have a legion of intelligence operatives and aging admirals for this? I am a combat veteran. I had hoped to bolster our forces and discuss methods to press our attack on the Republic. Or at least focus on securing our colonial assets in the Mid Rim and beyond.”

The Pureblooded Krovos leans forward. Her yellow eyes glow. “We can no longer trust fat retirees and paper pushers loyal only to credits and their own reputations to exterminate the threats to our security. The core of the Empire requires a soldier to watch for its safety. We, the dutiful, must rise to the call. Our Empire needs us. Will you rise to the call, Darth Arborial?”

She can only bow and accept her new position. Once a soldier, now a high level functionary.