The Royal Guard's headquarters were nothing fancy, their job was to protect the emperor and his interests and so one never had time to decorate when they were concerned for the well being of someone whose well being was threatened every second. Prognie hadn't walked these halls before, the order was relatively separate from any of his operations and they only crossed when it came down to the Emperor. That was fine with him, the farther away they were the less they knew, but at the moment he needed them to be close.
Scheduling an appointment with the Head of the order prognie was hoping he could get some information from him, and if all else failed, he could gain any information of any kind. Coming with extra plans always insured that even if his original intent was not met, it would be eventually.
Unlike the military, the Guard had procedures for getting through the building, their training as well as their information was kept away from prying eyes. Some of it Prognie had seen, getting into the system was difficult but not impossible, one always had to be ready and so he liked to make sure he had been somewhat prepared.
When he finally arrived at the door of Tarna's office he gave it a knock, unlike others he couldn't simply throw his power upon them, Tarna was considered of equal status and of equal rank so unfortunately he wouldn't fall for Prognie''s authoritative rule.
Sovereign Defender Tarna
The Shadow Protector sat in his simple study, going over plans for the Emperor's upcoming trip to his private retreat. He heard a knock at the door, and without lifting his head he said, "Come in."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie walked in. While one would hope that the head of the intelligence corps and the Emperor's protectors would have a close working relationship, Tarna and Prognie had never really sat down for a conversation, resorting to liaisons. "Lord Prognie," Tarna grinned, "To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
"There is only one reason our paths would ever cross, and I am sure you know the answer to that." Moving deeper into the office Prognie took a seat in front of the seat that belonged to the Shadow protector.
From within his robes he pulled out two datachips, authentic chips that belonged to the Inquisitors but some of the information had been outdated and redone to appear current. It contained information the Grand Inquisitor needed the Shadow Protector to believe, the fact that he couldn't verify the information with the Inquisitors meant he had to go off of trust.
"These chips have startling information regarding the movements of splinter cells in the government. Ones that wish to overthrow Shadow and kill him if possible. I am not completely privy to how you guys run or what is done to protect the Emperor, but what I have realized is that these groups are adapting to your changing procedures."
"What I'd like to offer you is the service of the Inquisitors to help you analyze their movements by letting them analyze yours. It'll help us weed out the double agents and bring them in all the while knowing that the Emperor is safe. I don't know if you have noticed but the growing threats to the Empire from within are becoming more worrisome than those from the outside."
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna stared at the chips. He took them and entered them into a slot into his disk. A hologram appeared in the air and he went through several pages of writing and the occasional picture or graph. After a moment, he shut the display down. "Allowing the Inquisitors to analyze the Royal Guard?" Tarna stood up and walked over to his window. He looked out at the small garden, and watched a fountain for some time.
"Grand Inquisitor, I only want what's best for the Emperor, and Empire. However, I'm hesitant about letting the Inquisitors watch my people. It's not that I don't trust them...but yeah...I don't trust them." He finished with a slight smile.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Still sitting in his spot but following Tarna through the force, the dark lord could feel his presence there like a beacon. There was no like that Tarna was powerful, if there was one threat Prognie wasn't sure about it was Tarna. Praxeum was adapting but in a controlled environment. Tarna was not tested, he could surprise Prognie which made the game far more enjoyable.
"I too am interested in the Empire's well being as well as that of its Emperor. I am not asking you to let me analyze you, I am asking that you simply continue doing what you are doing and let me find your enemies for you. Some of it might involve Inquisitors and Guards working together but it's all for the best in the end. The protection of the Emperor and the Empire is the one true purpose of all our groups, we all just have special areas to do it in. But a bond between our two groups to help weed out infiltrators will send word throughout the Empire that the Dark Lords are not petty fighters reaching for power."
The one thing about Tarna was that he was loyal, too loyal if one would ask Prognie but one never did so opinions such as these were never told. But some times loyalty was the downfall of another, though they never realized it until they finally hit their end.
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna mulled it over. "Very well, I definitely see a chance for us both to improve our workings. However, Lord Prognie, I will be keeping an eye out for any..." Tarna stopped, and took a moment to choose his words very carefully, "...unnecessary or overly prying reports." Tarna sat down in his chair and leaned back ever so slightly. "After all, this is a fairly secretive group...no where near your own, but secretive nonetheless."
Tarna sighed, "Lord Prognie, may I ask you a rather odd question?"
Sovereign Defender Tarna
(( Cough cough ))
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie acknowledged the Protector's cautious attitude, it meant that Prognie had to be even more cautious in dealing with the man. It could be done, it just required him to do it slowly and to insure he kept the Protector at arm's length.
He was taken back by the Dark Lord's question, he didn't reveal that in his attitude or force because Prognie had trained himself to be better than that, but to shock the Grand Inquisitor was a feat. With a slight cant of his head he gave the man a nod, "Yes you may," he eyed him closely wondering what he was going to ask. There were a variety of questions, he could ask him about love, the force, the Emperor, the economy, things from any group but to ask for permission meant that he probably had a deeper question.
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna looked at his desk. The wood had ornate symbols of Onderonian legends ingraved into it, and they flowed across the surface. "Is it just me, or can you feel a shift? It's like there are gears, and they've just begun turning faster and faster. I know in my bones that something large and world-changing is going to happen soon...and I see myself in agony because of it."
Tarna stared off into the distance, looking for some clue or sign of events to come. "But is this just me? Do you not feel such changes?"
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie simply shrugged, "I have had visions of the future, all ever changing and all incomplete. The future is always in motion, things are always changing and with the rising rebellions, things will change I can assure you that. That's why I am trying to work fast in preventing the rise of any successful group against our Empire, to help prevent a major change that we will not be able to live in."
Relaxing a bit the Dark Lord figured this was his best chance to gain the favor of the other Dark Lord. "That's why I am offering my hand to you Shadow Protector, so that we both may be there against the troubles and defeat them."
Something hit Prognie quickly, seizing that opportunity he didn't hesitate for a second. Leaning forward, almost whispering he spoke, "I fear our troubles are trickling somewhere deep within us." Looking around almost as if he were questoining whether he should speak he looked at Tarna, "I know you have a deep friendship with Praxeum. But be weery of the man, he's not safe, the Empire has much to fear of what he will do. The Church is a very secretive place, moreso than is let on. Do not hold him so high, because those are the ones that fall the farthest."
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna stood up slowly, eyes glowing with anger. "I will not have this spoken in my office. Stap Magnus Praxeum has given his entire spirit to this Empire since the day he arrived here. And the Church has always been secretive, even under the reign of the current Emperor back when he was the Supreme Prophet. Do we not trust him?" Tarna spat. He did not take such talk about his best friend lightly.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie shook his head, "Do not let your feelings for Stap cloud your judgment. You said it yourself, something is turning the gears and it's unknown. Perhaps you should ask the High Prophet what he thinks," Prognie knew the man was becoming nosy, perhaps he could solidify that fear in Tarna that he had just sparked. "I do not wish it to be true, but I am not simply writing out the possibility."
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna's shoulders dropped as he exhaled deeply. He stared at the Grand Inquisitor. Prognie had always been a mystery. Obviously, having the job of the Grand Inquisitor had to come with a price. Then something Prognie said hit Tarna. "You have spoken with the High Prophet on the matter?"
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
"I haven't spoken with him myself, he's been leaving trails of his endeavor to discover some truth. These tid bits that I pick up are simply small and probably only things a cautious person such as myself would notice. But I believe he is stumbling on to something, it is better that you find out what he knows yourself though." Prognie attempted to come off neutral on the idea but Tarna was hopefully feeding in to it and his devotion to the Empire would exceed his loyalty to his friend.
Plus to Prognie the idea of them discovering Praxeum was a blessing, it allowed him extra time to move around until his inevitable betrayal. Whatever Aequitas was discovering he threw it in Praxeum's face, he knew something and Praxeum had divulged the fear of being discovered to him. With the days drawing closer to the final step, Prognie couldn't have the man lose his confidence yet. And if he did, well he would have to first fight the Shadow Protector to prove he was innocent. Though he had nothing to pin on Prognie he wouldn't rule out the idea of throwing Prognie to the dogs first.
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna knew where his loyalties lie, and that was to the Empire and Emperor. He had to think for a moment. Tarna's problem was that he didn't understand treason. He knew what it was, but it often escaped how one could do it. To betray Lord and Land for own personal gain? It quite simply, did not make sense in his mind. "I appreciate your convictions, Grand Inquisitor, but I highly doubt what you are suggesting. Nevertheless, it cannot hurt to speak to the High Prophet. Perhaps he is aware of some personal struggle the Supreme Prophet is going through that would mislead you to think he is hiding something."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
"I am never mislead Lord Tarna," Prognie's words were cold, he didn't like the unintentional insult that he could ever be mislead. If he were ever mislead there could be a catastrophe like none other.
"If I were ever wrong, well, hope that the Empire does not regret my mistake. But I can assure you that I spend enough time analyzing the moves and intentions of more people than you know, I know the names of many you've never known of or their ultimate purpose and how they be the cause of something larger." Realizing that the subject had touched too close of a home base for Tarna Prognie reverted to his previous strategy.
"Now how would you like to work our earlier agreement? I'd like to have Inquisitors come in to work with your groups whenever you would allow them and will remain under your direct command as well as mine for the remainder of their time here." He had chosen those he would send carefully, but Prognie was a careful man who thought of all the things that would make a difference even if slightly.
Sovereign Defender Tarna
Tarna sat back down at his desk. "Send whomever you please, Grand Inquisitor, just know that I will be keeping an eye on whomever that is. And in regard to your capacity as Darkest Knight, I will have that report on your desk tomorrow." Tarna did not look at Prognie as he returned to shuffling flimsiplasts around.
"I trust you can see yourself out?" he said coldly.
