Reverting from hyperspace was a diplomatic yacht of new design, the Grand Inquisitor sat in the small bridge of the yacht, looking at the viewport that provided a scenic view of the beautiful planet of Naboo. The ship, a new Mon Calamari design, was a one of a kind yacht built by the fish for Prognie as a gift to him. The ship held the same principles that the Mon Calamari cruisers held, it had a thick hull and a powerful shield allowing it to take a nice beating allowing it to escape.
"Grand Inquisitor, our ship is being hailed by the Moff of the planet. Shall I connect him through?" The captain of the ship said turning to look at the dark lord waiting for an answer.
"Ignore him, get us connected with the palace, I want a direct connection with the Queen. Tell her we will be landing shortly and that we require coordinates for landing." The captain nodded, he didn't have time to deal with the formalities of being a Moff and directing his matter to Moff Aequitas. This was other business and the man would not intervene.
Completely ignoring the Moff the yacht descended toward the planet until it eventually broke through the atmosphere and made its way toward the large palace in the horizon. The yacht docked with no problems and Prognie was escorted to see the Queen almost immediately after he got off the ramp.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas sat in his office in disbelief. He had just been cut off my the Moff of Mon Calamari who had entered his planet without authorisation. However, Dark Lord Praxeum may be visiting on behalf of the Emperor so the Moff let it slide, for now. He sighed and contacted his assistant, "Bio, how is our....project, coming along?" A few seconds pause and then some stuttering over the comlink, "Going as planned, sir. Do you want it moved." Aequitas thought for a moment, "Yes, yes move it to the Naboo Chapter of the Church." He relaxed as he threw the comlink on the desk. He was tired and had recently stopped a small riot; protestors against the new shipyards. The High Prophet personally dealt with them. Then, a knock on the door. Another assistant walked in. "Master Aequitas, Moff Prognie has arrived and is in audience with the Queen. Just making sure you knew." With that, he bowed and left. Aequitas was in awe. "He's with the Queen", he said aloud, "he ignored me and went straight to the Queen. What in Shadow's name is he playing at." He decided to go to Theed, but, before that, the Naboo Chapter. He had to check on his special project.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
The throne room was a demonstration of the beauty of Naboo, the design was flawless and was a great testament to the people's culture. While Prognie was a sith, there were certain things even he could appreciate and in his new empire it would be something to strive for.
"Greetings your majesty" there was a warm hint of affection in his voice.
"Welcome to Naboo, Lord Prognie. It is a surprise to see you here, I'm not used to dealing with the Moff Council, much less one who is also a representative of Emperor Shadow's High Council." There was an obvious taste of agitation. Another reason why the current empire was failing the people, it was a series of troubles that were lost in the stagnant offices of the Moff Council.
"I hope the Empire is treating the people of Naboo well though," while Prognie might be known in the Inquisitorious as being stern and some times rough, to the diplomatic community he was winning them over with his concerns and attempts to better them. At least better his allies.
"We have not seen much change from the Empire other than its aggression with worlds that do not bow down to it." The Queen was a fighter, it was a necessary aspect that the leaders he was recruiting needed.
"It's a shame, I have voiced much reason to the Emperor but it seems that none of it matters." The Queen simply nodded her agreement, it was a good start. He smiled warmly but inside he was grinning from ear to ear.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas left the Naboo Chapter and into his cruiser. "Driver, to Theed and the palace." He smiled. His plan had come to fruitition. He was smiling. It was a nice day but, he felt deep down, it was to be ruined quite soon. He was wondering why Dark Lord Prognie had come to Naboo. Perhaps to oversee some of the building.
Arriving at Theed sometime later, he sighed. He walked up the steps quickly and into the cool building. It was not unusual for the Moff to frequent the palace; moreso the throne room. Walking up to the door a guard stepped in fron of him. "Sorry sir, you are not allowed to enter." Aequitas rolled his eyes and swept the guard aside with the force. He had no time for such antics. Opening the door he strode in.
"Lord Prognie. How....nice to see you. You did not answer my hailing, perhaps it did not come through. You majesty, how are you today. Dinner last night was....was divine. Tell the chef I'd like to see him later." Smiling at the Queen, he turned to Prognie. He smiled to, but, he knew the Grand Inquisitor knew it was only for publics sake.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie smiled as the Moff barged in, how rude of him to not know his place in the chain. Holding a hand up to the Queen not in a rude gesture but to let her know he would handle it, the dark lord stood up and slowly turned to face the Moff.
"Moff Aequitas, it almost does not surprise me to see a nosy one like you barging into affairs that do not involve you. I'm almost not sure if I should scorn you or revel in how tactless you are by intruding in on a conversation that does not involve you but the Queen and I."
He waited, he loved playing these games with the other Sith, they loved to demonstrate their power but in the end it was him who climbed to the top. There was no greater join that tossing the ball back into another person's field, he wanted them to have the comfort of thinking they had the charge. As arrogant as the Prophet was, he was going to be very disappointed soon.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas smiled. "I do apologise your Majesty. I understand that the intrusion is not welcomed by you or your...guest." Aequitas never liked Prognie; and he wasn't the only one in the Empire. Aequitas grinned from ear to ear. "I shall speak to you later, your majesty. I have a person, who is not your..guest to attend to." Bowing to the Queen, he completely ignored the Grand Inquisitor as he walked out the door.
As he left, he aplogised to the guard he knocked over. He trotted down the steps and into his cruiser. "Guard, the time is of the essance. I need to go to my ship immediatly. To Kuat and the Church." Aequitas sighed. It seemed investigation was needed.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Sitting back down Prognie smiled, "Such a waste, it seems there is a decline in great leaders nowadays. Perhaps it is the Emperor's way of keeping only himself at the top by surrounding himself with those that are incapable."
Shrugging off the intrusion he smiled, though inside he knew it had worked. "Now where were we?"
Lord Aequitas
Time had passed since Aequitas' departure from Naboo. He had just exited hyperspace and was nearing Kuat when a call from his assistant came through. He decided to take it in his office. "What do you want, Bio. I am a busy man." There was silence followed by an excited voice. "Sir, sir, it's ready, the project it's ready." Aequitas clasped his hands and whispered down the comlink, "Sanctus....do you understand" Again, a moments silence. "Of course sir, also the Inquisitor has left." Aequitas nodded, "Good, good. Now, keep the project in it's present conditions. You understand all orders, yes? Only revealed after...after said conditions." Straight away, an answer came back, "Of course, High Prophet." Aequitas smiled. He could now investigate in peace, knowing that everything would work to his advantage in the end.
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He entered the Church a few hours later quite tired. Going to his office, he decided to pay a visit to Lord Praxeum. As he neared the office, he saw the door was open and that the Supreme Prophet was working. "My Lord, I have returned....."
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He left, half an hour later, sighing. Praxeum was not himself and was too busy to answer the High Prophets questions about why the Grand Inquisitor was on Naboo. He really would have to investigate.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Two Weeks after Prognie's first visit
The familiar routes between kuat and naboo were nothing new and seeing the Grand Inquisitor above their planet was not a surprised. What was surprising was that the Grand Inquisitor did not arrive in the formal diplomatic yacht or shuttle he traveled in when he was away from Kuat and on government business. No, he was traveling in one of the largest ships the Empire had built and it was a message.
The large Executor-Class Star destroyer popped into existence almost instantly and without warning. "Relay a message to Naboo stating they are not to fire upon us, I am here to see the Queen." The captain of the ship nodded and spun on his heel to personally deliver the message. He knew the gesture would anger the Moff as well as send the wrong message to the people. But he wanted the Queen of Naboo to know he had the might and the proverbial "balls" to do what was needed.
Prepare my shuttle, I will be landing on the planet and if the Moff tries to interfere, you let him know you have my command to fire upon him for intervening in Inquisitorious work. Which means I want us positioned in between him and this planet." Prognie had come to seal a deal and he didn't need intervention. Plus he had falsified reports regarding the Queen's safety and a rebellious group working underground. His ship was a testament to that as he was personally coming to handle it. And while he had found a group here that was somewhat undermining the authority here it was nothing that would, under normal law, get them in trouble. But being the Grand Inquisitor meant he could tag anyone as a traitor with enough supportive evidence.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas was in the Queen's office with her majesty speaking on domestic issues when an officer came in to tell the Queen about the Grand Inquisitors appearance above their planet. Aequitas frowned. "Officer, tell him that the Queen will meet him shortly. Your majesty, we need a word." She looked at him curiously, "Moff Aequitas? Surely the Grand Inquisitor is here to look out for my safety, not a personal vendetta. I would also like you not to speak on my behalf."
Aequitas smiled, "Of course, your majesty. However, I need to be present when he is here. If it is on Inquisitors business and about your safety, I need to be present as Moff - and as a conerned relation. Surely he knows you are the daughter of an Appo?" She nodded. "Now, if you excuse me, your majesty, I need to make an important call. I shall meet you two in the throne room shortly."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
The shuttle landed in the personal hangar of the Queen's palace, the ramp made a clanking sound as it hit the ground. Prognie was visible through the darkness of the ship and came walking down with his cane, a cape fluttering around his feet as he stepped. Flanked on both sides by four "inquisitors" as he had mentioned they were. The group was not stopped and the guards were almost afraid to speak to him when they had to step forward.
"The Queen is awaiting you in her throne room, Lord Prognie. We will escort you-" the man was cut off by a simple gesture of dark lord's hand.
"No, I will escort myself. See to it that my ship is protected though and you will allow my Inquisitors full access to this palace. It is of dire situation and I need full cooperation for when my troops land." The guard was dumbfounded, the only possible thought was a visual of the transport ships that would be landing the Dark Lord's personal assortment of troops.
The guard didn't respond and so Prognie's patience was thin and demanded fast results. When he realized Prognie was waiting he answered quickly, "Yes, Lord Prognie. I will await the Queen's personal permission but we shall prepare for the task."
Prognie understood procedure and so he was fine with the man's hesitance to take an order from the dark lord without approval from the queen. Not that he feared he couldn't get it, he liked the man's loyalty. It meant that winning it was only as simple as gaining the Queen's. With only a nod of a response he exited the hangar and made his way to the throne room. His agents then split up and went to their designated areas where they would each speak to guards in charge of certain points in the palace as a way to determine the best way to prevent intrusions and protect the queen.
Arriving to the familiar throne room was simple, there was an aura around the Inquisitor that was powerful and dark. He was not shy to this and enjoyed the way it made others feel. Entering the throne room he bowed when he reached the Queen, "Greetings Queen of Naboo."
Lord Aequitas
The Queen smiled as the Dark Lord entered the throne room. "Lord Prognie, welcome. So nice to see you again. Before we begin, we need to await the Moff Aequitas. As this involves my safety, both he and I agree he needs to be present." Before Prognie could respond, she grinned at him again, "Now, now Grand Inquisitor, I will not have any grudges between you two come in the way of your investigation here." She sat on her throne. "Take a seat, we will wa- oh, no need. Here Aequitas comes"
As she spoke, the High Prophet had closed the throne room door behind him. "Your majesty, nice to see you again", he said bowing before looking at the Mon Calamari Moff sitting beside her, "Lord Prognie, you again.I mean how nice to see you. Here on Inquisitor business, I hear. How wonderful to see you interested in the safety of the Queen after her predecessor had to retire because of attempts on her life." He smiled. "Which you did nothing about", he added. He wiped the smile off his face quickly, "Did you get a new High Inquisitor? Some fool stopped me in the hallway saying he was the High Inquisitor and I was not to enter. He soon backed down after I told him I was the High Prophet."
Aequitas sat opposite the Grand Inquisitor, "Now, your majesty, lets hear what the Inquisitorus shall do for your protection."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie wasn't so easily put down, the Moff was on the planet already which meant it was only another obstacle to climb over and Prognie always succeeded.
"Moff Aequitas, I didn't realize I had somehow summoned you, let me clear up my mistake. This meeting is delicate and requires only the attention of the Queen. So if you will see your way out, I can properly provide the Queen with the necessary information for her survival." Prognie's words were said with no irony and he had no desire to fight with the man so he made sure his words were clear.
"I do not think the Supreme Prophet, Emperor, or anyone on the High Council would appreciate your intervention in matters that do not concern yourself. So please, go back to sitting on your star destroyer and enjoying the safety of the mighty Empire while I help the Queen protect herself from a threat you have yet to discover and would all but discover it too late." As far as the conversation Prognie simply turned away from Aequitas hoping he would understand it as the final word and command. When he left he could continue and he was fully aware of the Prophet's presence so he'd continue to wait.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas smiled, "I am not leaving this room Inquisitor. After speaking with the Queen I decided to contact my former Master. I'm sure you know who that is. He agrees that if there is a threat to the Queen, as she is on my planet, I need to be aware of the situation. Now, either you tell me about who is planning to hurt her or you will get off my planet." He looked at the Queen, "No offence, but surely the Grand Inquisitor knows your term expires next month. Or did you not tell him, your majesty?" He looked back at the Dark Lord, "I am very aware you will threaten me now but I shall not be waivered. I am a very, very intelligent man and I asure you any threat will be met with a trial. And I'm sure the last thing you want is to be demoted to a Junior Inquisitor."
He stood up. "However, out of respect for the Queen I shall leave but I warn you. Attemptto come near my planet again without my notice and you'll have to speak with the Emperor; who's personally coming next month to name the new monarch." He looked at the Queen, "Good day your majesty."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie simply smiled, "How arrogant of you to play such a game of politics with me. Aequitas, run along because I assure you you will gain nothing from attempting to threaten me. I do not need to ask your permission for anything, as Grand Inquisitor I land where I must and do what I must. Or have you forgotten that your petty rank of Moff is subservient to the Dark Lords on the High Council. Watch your tongue or you might be watching Dagobah instead of Naboo."
"If it interests you to know High Prophet, your men and your protection is the reason I am here. Your incompetent fools of soldiers just so happened to allow a rebel group to land as well as settle on Naboo not too far out from Theed. Such a simple mistake is the cause of my having to be here to undue your errors, perhaps the Emperor would like to see this report himself then? That you trained your men to be useless."
"Your ships or men will not stop my transports, I will be handling this situation myself to show you and your men how to properly conduct things. Your majesty, all I need is your last minute approval and the scum will be removed, this monarchy and the Empire will remain safe."
"Proceed Lord Prognie," the Queen said with all her authority.
Prognie nodded in return and pulled out a comlink, "Proceed with landing, once troops are in position let me know." Looking over to the Moff he simply gestured with a flick of his wrist, "You are done Moff Aequitas, and by done I mean done for the day and week. I am temporarily removing you from control here while I handle the situation. If you have a problem, contact your local law droid and he can explain to you my authorization. I will be developing a new system here to help regulate things by insuring that rebels and insurgents do not wish to make this place their home. But those a private matters that a normal sith does not need to hear." Almost like a rancor, Prognie was vicious and knew how to play the game. The High Prophet overplayed his cards and in turn was defeated. If he attempted to deny the law given power Prognie had well, then he could be escorted out or thrown out and back to his lonely ship.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas smiled at the Dark Lord. "Of course Lord Prognie. I shall leave. However, the rebel group you speak of was reported to an Inquisitor not last week and he assured us they were not a threat, you call me incompetant, I would look at my own Order." Opening the door, Aequitas turned to the Grand Inquisitor. "Lord Prognie, consider this offical notification of your appearnace before the Council of Justice on the grounds of attempted murder of the High Prophet. Don't forget I can see the future; even if you couldn't." Slamming the door behind him, he left the palace and went to his speeder. "Driver, take me to the Church. The fool calls all arrogant yet does not realise he himself is. I don't know what the hell he is playing at."
Reaching the Church he went straight to his office and contacted the Emperor. "My lord, Prognie has removed me from my position." He got a reply which stated the same as Lord Prognie's. He sighed and closed his eyes. He was going to investigate and he was going to use the Force. He opened them angrily. He couldn't concentrate. The Supreme Prophet wasn't himself either. In fact, he and the Grand Inquisitor had both been acting strange lately; as well as having quite a number of meetings with each other recently, apparatntly about experiments. Which the High Prophet knew was utter bull. It was he who would normally deal with the explanation of experiments; he had to introduce the last one by himself the Emperor. He clicked his fingers. He may not be able to investigate the goings on of the Grand Inquisitor, but he would be able to investigate the Supreme Prophet.
As Naboo was the second office of the High Prophet, he had a copy of everything go here. He looked at the accounts. There was something odd about them. he thought for a while and the he realised. All the planets which had recieved money for "improvements" had asked their Moffs to call for re-inforcements. He looked up in shock.
