The Office of the Emperor

I specialize in espionage, assassination, and protection of assets. As well as "advanced" interrogation techniques.

Electrix smiled his wicked smile after mention the interrogation line.

Elextrix bowed slightly to the Supreme Commander.

ISB it is then.

Electrix walked to the door, but looked over his shoulder to the Supreme Commander.

Until next time. And then Electrix walked out.

As Nicademus lied within her arms, motionless and silent, the sound of his office doors opening revealed something that was to be expected. One of the advisors, who left in a hurry when Illaria came marching in, reported the incident to a superior officer, who in turn went to check on Nicademus, fearing for his life. His suspicions were escalated by the sight of the two knocked out Stormtroopers that were Illaria's handiwork. A series of footsteps walked into the room before pausing as a set of eyes looked upon the Lady Ren, who held the motionless and presumably deceased Supreme Commander. Stormtroopers rushed over and the clicking of blasters were heard as they were leveled at Illaria. A set of feet paused to pick up the discard lightsaber of the Ren before they approached Illaria. The Stormtroopers moved slightly as Artemis Delvardus, General of the Imperial 9th Army, came into view.

Artemis looks down at his 'deceased' brother and then back at Illaria who held onto him. The General gives her a dark look as he begins to put pieces together. The Lady Ren had killed their Supreme Commander! He hands her lightsaber to a Stormtrooper before pulling out his own blaster pistol.

Lady Illaria Ren... you are arrested for the murder of Nicademus Delvardus, Supreme Commander of the First Order. Surrender willingly or face the consequences.

As the order was given and Illaria held onto Nicademus, something else was developing... something beyond what Artemis could realize, but yet could be sensed by Illaria if her mind was more clear of the ravaging and clouding thoughts within her mind. Unknown to them, there was hope.

=================================

Nicademus suddenly awoke to the stillness of something beyond life. He slowly rose from his laid position, feeling no pain from before, but rather, noticing that he was somewhere else. His eyes look up, noticing two worlds that he stood between. On his right, sunlight and clear skies greeted him, yet upon his left, there was the darkness of night and stars that flickered in the sky. It appeared to be dusk, but yet, there was a line between these two worlds. A fine line, indicating that perhaps Nicademus was in limbo, his spirit caught between two worlds.

From the darkness rose voices, familiar voices that called his name and asked for him to join them. The images of his deceased relatives; his grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews beckoned for their kin to join them. Nicademus could hardly believe his eyes; for he had not seen these people since his younger days. They all seemed well and happy, happy to see him and so inviting. Yet his gaze turned to the sun, hearing nothing from there. For a moment, he pondered upon where to go. His eyes gazing at the two worlds that were life and death, light and darkness. Slowly, he took one step towards the darkness and, within that moment, a voice from the light called to him.

Nicademus!

His eyes widen at the sound of that voice. It couldn't be... it just couldn't be. He turned immediately and looked out, noticing a figure that was the sun, sitting upon the horizon, had almost hidden from his view. The voice called him again, Nicademus!, and again. It was Illaria, no... it wasn't her literally, but it was what was hidden earlier. It was the Illaria he knew, calling out to him. The cry sounded desperate and yearned for him to live. His gaze turned to his deceased relatives who, too, called for him to join them. Nicademus softly spoke, sorrowful, but determined.

I am sorry... but it is not my time.

The voices of the deceased faded as Nicademus was swept forward towards the light of the sun. The world flew by him as the Imperial slowly reached out to Illaria who continued to call to him. Memories flew by, images of the past swept past, the light grew more and more intense as Nicademus drew towards Illaria. And soon, the spirit of the Supreme Commander was engulfed by the blazing sun. And that was when something beyond belief happened.

Illaria's senses would become alert to a spark within Nicademus's body, even as Artemis demanded her surrender. The spark would evolve, becoming embers and soon a bonfire, yet it did not stop there. As the sun he was before, so did the fire blazing forth into a grand and most brilliant orb of light. Yet it did not stop here as the blazing sun grew bigger and bigger. Life returned to Nicademus's body as a finger twitched for a moment. The voices within her head starting to scream and curse at the renewed light of Nicademus's soul. The sun that Illaria knew of grew and grew, blazing brighter than ever before. The climax peaking as the voices of darkness dissipated and the Imperial's body jerked within her arms.

A loud and desperate gasp for air was heard as Nicademus was rejoined with the mortal universe. He coughed a few times, heavily and deeply as his muscles and limbs moved. His vision refocusing from what had happened to see Illaria's hair against his face, her body pressed against his form. His eyes looked around, trying to remember where he was for a second before noticing Stormtroopers and his brother. They were in his office, yes they were. Nicademus seemed confused for a moment before slowly remembering what had transpired moments ago. Slowly, Artemis lowered his pistol as he too noticed that his older brother was awake.

Nicademus? Brother?

Nicademus attempted to talk, but it only made him cough some more. After a few more times, and a couple good inhales, the Imperial slowly moved his hands to wrap gently around Illaria. His posture moving so that he was able to prop himself up, but remained upon the floor. Nicademus slowly looked down at Illaria then up at Artemis.

Could you... give myself and her some time, Artemis? We can talk afterwards.

The General seemed hesitant, but obeyed the command of his superior. He nodded to the Stormtroopers who lowered their blasters and all left in file and without another word. Artemis glanced back at his brother, noticing how he held Illaria within his arms. He made a mental note, perhaps this was something that Azria should know about at a later time. Once the two were alone, Nicademus would slowly look down at the Lady Ren whom he held in his arms, that felt weak and heavy. His voice came out like a whisper, gentle and calm.

Illaria?

As the Imperial’s hand came to rest on her arm and held it in his grasp, Illaria ceased her actions and went to pull back from him immediately, only to find his hand lingering around her wrist for a moment longer than she expected. When finally he did release her, she pulled back from him and extricated herself from his lap. Removing herself to the Imperial’s side, she rested her cheek against his shoulder and took a deep breath, looking out across the room at the holoscape that danced before her eyes. Slowly she exhaled and turned her head slightly to regard the Supreme Commander.

“I love you, Nicademus.” Illaria confessed to him rather quickly despite her own reservations in admitting such a thing to him. It left her feeling exposed and vulnerable despite the fact that he had already expressed such feelings. Part of her hesitated as she wondered at the authenticity of his own confession; whether it was merely something he said in attempt to placate her to save his own life. Dismissing the thought from her head, she continued speaking in a softer tone than normal, an unusual air of seriousness hanging about her. “Just remember that through all of this, no matter what I tell you – those words will always be true.”

Shifting her position, Illaria perched upright on the couch next to him, resting her arm across the back of it as she looked to him first, for direction then began her sordid tale. “You do deserve to know what is going on. You deserve to know everything. And it does have to do with Harnan. Mostly, anyways.” She hesitated a bit, worrying her lower lip between her teeth as she averted her eyes from him and looked down in her lap, fiddling with one of the plates on her armour. “No more secrets. I promise.” She looked up at him and there was sincerity in her gaze, but there was also something more. What that something more was, however, was not quite clear yet. “You know most of Harnan’s history..” She began. “..about how he was born and grew up during the height of the Eternal Empire of Zakuul then was placed in suspended animation by the Alliance.” Running her fingers along the back of the couch, the Shapeshifter reaches over and ghosts them across his shoulder as she speaks. “However, what you may not know is that my….unique abilities are the only reason he still lives today. Had I not the gift of foresight, I would not have been able to pinpoint the location of his prison ship and release him from his prolonged hibernation.” Sighing, her fingers travel the length of his shoulder as she hooks them beneath the top of his uniform, sliding it down a bit, as she examined the bruising around his neck from this angle. Frowning, she began her story once more. “What you have to understand is the fact that I woke him to a world in which he had lost everything. I am his only anchor to this realm. I gave him purpose and reason to live once more. As such, we have always had a rather unusual, perhaps unconventional relationship. Mind you, it has never been a romantic relationship.”

Looking pointedly at him, Illaria wondered for a moment whether he believed that given what he had witnessed at the meeting over Yaga Minor. It was not altogether inconceivable. “Yes, admittedly, I used to tease him from time to time as you have been witness to, but I have never hungered for anything more.” She disclosed. It felt both strange and somehow freeing to be able to finally tell Nicademus all of this, but she was not quite sure he would feel the same way by the end of it all. “Just before you commed me on the Conquest, when we were en route to Deralia, he and I got in a fight about the precise nature of our relationship. He made it quite clear, yet again, that he wanted something more. Something that I was unwilling to give for that was shortly after…well….you and I.” Releasing her hold on the top of his uniform, Illaria ran her fingers haphazardly through her messy hair and pushed it out of her face. “After I cut our channel, he accused me of sleeping with you, which, needless to say, he was less than thrilled about. Then our fight escalated. He drew his lightsaber on me and I rose to his challenge.” This was not something she normally did, not even with Harnan. She always found it difficult to talk about her feelings and the things that went on in her life, with others. But with Nicademus, this felt…normal and she felt compelled to tell him everything, so as to properly convey the gravity of the situation. 

Looking up, she meets Nicademus’ gaze as she confides in him these things of a most personal nature. “Harnan is in love with me. He told me as much on Deralia.” Removing her fingers from the tangles in her hair, she sighed as if the weight of such a thing were crushing her beneath. When she looked up at him though, her voice did not waiver. It was as if he, and he alone, were the one who gave her the strength she needed to deal with this. “I told him it could never be and before I came here, he interrogated me in front of Soku.” And if she thought it had been difficult to confess any of this to him before this point in time, Illaria was quickly to learn the true challenge of having this conversation with Nicademus. Removing herself from the couch, she began to pace around in the small area in front of him as she continued speaking. It was as if she so desperately needed to allow herself to move, to channel her nervous energy into some sort of activity. “However, I am a bit reluctant to say this, he did raise some valid points… There are certain things about me of which you possess no knowledge, which depending on your inclination could result in you rescinding the profession of love you made earlier.” At this, Illaria turned to face Nicademus and the look in her eyes spoke volumes of the emotions she was not giving voice to. She was not trying to hide it from him, but she was just unsure how to say it. For once, she had something – this relationship with him – that she was afraid to lose. Her facial expression betrayed it all – her eyebrows raised and bent slightly upwards indicated the sadness she felt toward the prospect that maybe he would not want her in his life anymore after this. With her silvery gaze focused forward on him, it was clear she was devoting all of her attention to his reaction and the way her gaze lingered told of her desire for him, despite it all.

"This." The Shapeshifter murmured. "Is not who I really am. None of it is. Not physically, anyways." And with that said, Illaria began to shift through several of the many forms she had been known to take on in the past. First, transitioning from the Firrerreo Nicademus knew as her only face, Illaria’s golden skin faded until it was pale white in colour and her facial structure grew more delicate, refined even and she took on the form of the Sarkhai girl she had impersonated for so many years as a Jedi Shadow in the time of the old Republic. Skin tone remaining similar, but becoming more ghastly, her hair almost appeared as if it melted together in the formation of two lekku. With the shake of her head, she looked at Nicademus and she was sure it was strange to behold one of the twi’lek Jedi she had captured on Deralia. Walking towards him, the Shapeshifter began to change once more. “Instead.” She said assuredly as her skin began to soften, growing in the intensity of its luminous glow as her features became more familiar, more human-like in nature. “I am everything and nothing you see, at the same time.” What had been lekku only moments ago had once more separated into darker, almost black hair that cascaded down to her waist in braids. She looked fierce in this form, comfortable. Indeed, she had spent quite some time hiding in plain sight through the use of this particular form before she had encountered the Knights of Ren. Remaining motionless before Nicademus, Illaria did not speak another word and instead just waited for the Imperial to say something, bracing herself for the worst and hoping for the best.

As Nicademus gently took her hand in his, Illaria slowly drew her now sapphire eyes up to meet his gaze. They were filled with suspicion and a little more than wild. While she found it difficult to take him at his word – as used to merely being the tool of others as she was – it occurred to her that it would be fair to hear him out, at the very least. Not breaking eye contact, she entwined her fingers with his and remained silent, listening attentively as he spoke. If he did end up ultimately accepting her as his words had begun to convey, Nicademus would find in her someone who is absolutely and unquestioningly loyal. She would offer herself to him completely, and in return – he would receive a companion for life and a lover – someone who fills his own need for discipline and control, for shaping others and caring for them in their time of need. While weakness was never a trait Illaria could be said to embody and instead, appeared to be quite the opposite – stubborn and headstrong – she needed someone who could be hard on her, who could be firm with her, but who would not abuse the power she gave them or take advantage and become unnecessarily cruel. It occurred to her then, she needed Nicademus far more than she realized.

The Shapeshifter looks at his hand almost hesitantly as he brings it up to trace across her face, but relaxes into his touch after a moment. It was familiar and represented safety to her. “Are you sure about this, Nicademus?” She may have seemed uncertain, herself, in the moment and she was, but she had to ask. Illaria absolutely had to know his answer. “I hardly think I am what your family had in mind when they wanted you to find someone….” She looked down slightly as she realized the gravity of the confession she was about to make. “It is not as if my family has any Imperial ties or loyalties…quite the opposite, actually…” Illaria knew the history of her family and how they had always stood against the depravities of the Galactic Empire, as they put it, instead supporting the Rebellion against the Empire. Throughout several generations, they had always been longtime supporters of the Alliance and while the First Order was not the Empire, she somehow did not think they would be proud to see where she had ended up.

“You say nothing in this universe will change your mind about me, so it occurs to me that this means you are in it for the long term…” Illaria searches the Imperial’s gaze questioningly, daring him to tell her she is wrong in making such an assumption. “You want children, do you not?” Reaching up with her free hand, she places it atop his own on her cheek, looking at him with a solemn expression painting her visage. There is something almost sad and longing in it, something that cannot quite be placed. She wants to be wrong. Oh, she wants to be wrong so badly, but she knows that she is not. “I cannot give you the heirs that you need. So…how can you find happiness with me?” She wonders aloud. “I love you, Nicademus. But is that enough for you?”

Illaria knows his eyes can see right through her, but she also knows that they do not dwell on the anger, the deceit, nor her insecurities. He looks past every flaw to find who she really is. She is a warrior, but even the combatants of war take off their armour once in awhile. Only on rare occasions has she allowed him to see glimpses of the woman underneath in times past. But right now she stood before him, more vulnerable and raw than she has ever allowed him to see her. There is something quite mortal about her now.

While Nicademus had allayed Illaria’s concerns about his family and their intentions, this only made room for numerous other ideas to begin disquieting her. She felt reassured when it came to his family because it was quickly becoming clear to her that he would always be happy as long as she remained by his side. In her silence, it would be clear to the Imperial that her mind was processing thoughts at 150 MGLT and if the sudden tenseness of her body was anything to go by, her insecurity and anxiety was getting the better of her.

Without preamble, Illaria moves closer to Nicademus, closing the distance between their bodies. She just wanted to feel close to him right now as they had this conversation, for the few inches between them had felt like a deep and dark abyss to her only moments ago. Allowing her fingers to trace down the side of his cheek, they ghost softly down his neck as she outlines the nearly healed bruising, her eyes following the path her fingers blazed across his skin. Gently touching him and regarding him with a tenderness unusual for the Lady Ren, her fingers lazily drift down to the base of his neck. As her hand comes to rest between his collarbones, it is then that she draws her sapphire eyes up to meet his gaze. She remains still and silent as if she were assessing him.

“Aren’t you afraid that I will hurt you again?” The Shapeshifter finally questions, searching his eyes for an answer. She knew for a fact that she would not hurt him ever again and because of what had happened this night, she promised herself – here and now – to never again use her Force powers against him. She would not risk losing control once more. “If you stay with me, there is always a danger of you getting hurt – whether it is by my hand or not.” Breaking eye contact with him, she looks down. “This is who I am, Nicademus.” She reasons. “I do not live a safe and comfortable life. There is always someone out there that is trying to kill me and I fear that you may one day get caught in the crossfire.”

“And if Harnan has already gone above my head…” She begins, but as her tone takes on an air of uncertainty and her voice becomes unsteady, Illaria pauses in what she is saying. Biting her lower lip, she worries it between her teeth and tries to pretend she is not afraid that her speculations may instead be truth. Only choosing to speak once she is certain that her voice will not waiver, she continues. “If he has taken his concerns about us and gone to the Master of the Knights of Ren then you may already be in danger.” Taking a deep breath, it appears as if the Shapeshifter is about ready to continue venting her nervous energy and unfounded fears as her mind gets lost in a vortex of uncertainties and potential concerns.