Aequitas entered his office on his personal ship, The Poseidon. The journey from Kuat to Mon Calamari was not long, to his standards, and quite pleasant. He smiled as he sat in his white, leather office chair. Aequitas came from a wealthy family and loved his comforts. He turned the chair to look out into space. The ship had just exited hyperspace and the Sith Lord loved nothing more than gazing out upon the stars. However, his daydreaming was not to last. He was on an official mission for the Order of Sith Mages. A research mission - to investigate the natural resources and benefits of Mon Calamari. He knew, of course, the outcome of todays investigation - Mon Calamari would get high marks in almost everything; the ship yards were vital to the Empire. As he turned back to his desk, a screen emerged with the familar face of his pilot. "Excuse me Grand Mage, we will be coming into view of Mon Calamari within moments." Aequitas nodded and grimaced at the Captain. "Thank you, please open a channel to the Moff's Office."
Aequitas sighed as it dawned upon him who the Moff of Mon Calamari was. Dark Lord Prognie. One time Supreme Prophet, now Grand Inquisitor and chief among the few men in the Empire Aequitas did not get on with. He pressed a few buttons on the screen before announcing in a clear voice, "Lord Prognie, this is Grand Mage Aequitas. The routine planetary investigation is today. I do hope you have time to converse or show me around?"
The High Historian expected a gruff reply from the Inquisitor. It would be a great shock to see Prognie smile or welcome him with open arms. This would be a disruption to his day's work and he would not like it.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
In the midst of a small meeting room Prognie's best advisers sat discussing matters that only their ears needed to hear. The room was guarded by Prognie's most trusted Inquisitors in and out, all of which were scanning the room for any devices that might later prove something interesting in any court. The Mon Calamari, whom Prognie entrusted with his military decisions was currently making a couple of points on a large holographic image of the galaxy. "We have managed to setup small bases here and those men are currently in contact with civilians of the planet who have actively opposed their local governments. We have yet to get a major foothold in the Corporate Sector but we are surely working on it Lord Prognie." While Prognie could not see what was being said he had notes from the Mon Calamari that went over his points and where he was pointing to that Prognie was reading over as he spoke.
There was a beeping soon from Prognie's comlink, an annoying feature it was he picked it up and spoke, "Yes, Maev?" Maev was Prognie's secretary for his Moff duties on the planet. A humble woman who was as loyal to the Imperial goal as any fodder.
"Moff Prognie," Prognie displayed a look of annoyance at such a low title but continued to listen. "Moff Aequitas has arrived for his appointment to visit the planet." Prognie bit his lip, he had forgotten about the annoying man's visit. "Have him wait outside my office I will be there shortly." Turning off his comlink before a response could be made, a common thing for Prognie, he looked at his advisers who all simply nodded. "I apologize but matters of unimportance seem to wish to distract us today. You are welcome to return to your private quarters until we can reassemble again." The group stood up and walked outescorted by some of Prognie's Inquisitors who all but already guarded the entire building.
Flanked by two Inquisitors Prognie walked down the halls to his office, a room which he liked not for its grandeur for it was average and mostly confused as an office for some low being. The area outside of Prognie's office was a quaint little room meant to be the most aesthetically pleasing area of the building. "Moff Aequitas, I see you are as punctual as usual." Prognie slid sarcasm and humor into his usual tone, he figured if he had to survive his day with the man he would make it as painful as he could for aequitas as well.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas' mouth curled slighty. "But of course, Moff Prognie, I would have it no other way." He looked at the Inquisitors who flanked the Dark Lord. They made no motion. Aequitas was here for the purpose of his own Order, not specifcally the Moff Council. "I am..glad, we could meet. I'm sure the Emperor smiles upon Order co-operation." He looked around. The Moff made no signal as to move.
"So, Lord Prognie, shall we enter your office? Or would you rather we leave immediately?" Aequitas smirked slightly. He knew Prognie disliked him, and vice-versa.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
"I won't bore you with small talk, you are a busy man and as such I shouldn't attempt to keep you." Prognie dreaded having to spend any more time with the man than he had to so he would get it all over with as quickly as possible. Turning to one of his Inquisitors he motioned to his office, "Could you bring me my cane?" The Dark Lord's wish was carried out, the men were used to Prognie phrasing his demands politely but he expected them to be carried out as if he had willed it. Once the Inquisitor had returned with the cane Prognie turned away from the bodyguards, "You two may leave now, I am sure the two of us can handle walking these halls together." Motioning for Aequitas to follow Prognie proceeded down the hall he had just come from.
"So what have you come to see exactly?" Prognie asked curiously to the man, he was no fool and Aequitas was becoming sneaky which meant he was worth some careful scrutiny.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas turned on his heel and followed the blind man. He wondered if his sight could ever be healed. He walked alongside the Inquisitor looking around as he did so. "Well, my Lord, as you know my Order is tasked with exploration and minor investigation. Well, almost paranormal investigation. Now, we also investigate species, cultures and planets. What I mean by that is we, that is the Mages, investigate planets in the Empire, and out of course but that is something different entirely, and having looked at the planets resources, both natural and man-made as well it's current spending, on security, health, education etcetera and we then present findings to the Empire and, accordingly, catagorise it into different catagories. These catagories rate the planet's importance to the Empire and, therefore, the amount of time, money and resources the Empire should spend on the planet in question." He looked at the Moff. "It is an idea I presented to the Emperor, which he liked."
Aequitas continued without looking at Prognie. "It is a useful way to help the Empire's spending as well as an evaluation of it's security."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie was bored by the full explanation of the man's Order, he took note of what was important and would later calculate the importance of such for himself. When the man had finished Prognie responded simply, "So I repeat, what exactly do you need then?" Prognie did not stop, he figured the man expected this sort of treatment so neither should be surprised at Prognie's words.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas smirked before stopping dead in his tracks. "I am here to assess your planet and see it's worth to the Empire. I'd be grateful for full co-operation. Just you know, you showing me Mon Calamari's greatest assets and spending on security. If you don't mind of course. It will all be handled in the greatest of secrecy."
Aequitas wondered if Prognie would co-operate. He was known to be sneaky and disliked working with others. In that sense, Aequitas pitied the High Inquisitor.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
Prognie smirked, "That sort of information can be transmitted to you from my office, except the security. I don't see the importance of security to you, how Mon calamari defends itself is strictly a Mon Calamari thing. As for the figures you seek, that's all noted and kept on files, all you really needed to do was ask. Unless of course you'd like to receive the grand tour?" Prognie's time as Moff was not exactly spent heavily in work, he had many things to attend to and as such he delegated responsibility to those he could trust.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas tilted his head to one side in a sort of nod. "Of course but, security does indeed matter to me, as it does to you Grand Inquisitor. I request the information on the security finances of the planet so as to evaluate it well. If it needs more security, I will say so and if it does not need as much as it has...well, why not divert the resources to somewhere in the Empire that does." He looked at the Grand Inquisitor. "It is, of course, a request and you do not have to share it. However, why you wouldn't want to help the Empire's security is beyond me. Then again, you are quite the mysterious character. Noone knows what you get up to. It's all very...interesting."
Aequitas caught up with the Moff. "Why thank you for offering Lord Prognie. I'd quite appreciate the 'tour' as you call it. After all, who knows the resources of the planet better? A new Order Head, or the Head of the most secretive order in the Empire, one that boasts they know everything?" Aequitas smiled. "Would you like me to call back your Inquisitors? Maybe you need an outer robe?"
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
It seemed that the fool had become more confident since the day Prognie ousted him from his position on Naboo while he temporarily took over. He had humiliated Aequitas righteously so and it was only understandable that he would try to gain what he lost that day by trying to challenge Prognie. What made Prognie even more pleased was how aequitas tried to turn this into a game against him, oh how he loved the games he thought.
"Your attempt to insinuate that I wouldn't care for the security of the Empire, when all i deal with is its security is truly laugh worthy. I hope you practiced that quietly to yourself a couple times as I do not see how you held the straight face." Prognie let out a sigh, "I see you haven't learned much since that day on Naboo. It is a good thing to be amongst such a knowledgeable individual such as myself, you will learn a lot."
Prognie stopped and with a flick of his wrist brought his came upward to his left side and halted Aequitas in his tracks by baring his path. "Do not think for a second that I do not see through your ploy, attempting to use your title and office to try and poke through. Do not bite off more than you can chew, you might find yourself bitten in return." Aequitas shoved Prognie's cane back down and adjusted his clothing to a perfect fit.
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas smoothed his clothes before halting the Dark Lord in his path with the Force. "I will use what I must for the benefit of the Empire. I'm back as Moff of Naboo and never again will you so easily make me step aside. I'm an Order Head now, any threats, I will be made aware of." He walked up the Inquisitor. "It's about time you stopped fooling around. I'm more powerful than you think. I am no longer a cocky little Prophet who stands aside to those who are so obviously power-hungry. I'm on to you. You're too sneaky for your own good. You may be Grand Inquisitor, but being a malicious, sneaky backstabber is not in your portfolio. I also want you to know that if you ever raise your cane again to me in a threathening manner, it will be matched. I earn more respect than that. Where is the Sith honour?"
He stepped back and realising he had a snarl on his face, quickly recomposed himself. "Now, if you would so please, a tour of the planet. My Lord". He added with an obvious tone of sarcasm. Aequitas now let slip that he did not trust the Inquisitor one iota. He did not care however. It would soon come to pass that this dirty little man would meet his match.
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
A laugh erupted from Prognie as Aequitas attempted to scare him into believing he was even worth the time. "Powerful are you? That is a joke, you cannot be serious to believe that you, a insolent fool could match a powerful greater than you. You have not earned your respect Aequitas, you simply rode in on the coat tails of the Supreme Prophet who for some reason supported your tiring ways for far too long. Just because you're an Order Head does not mean you have my respect, just because you are a Moff does not mean you deserve my respect, you could be the Emperor himself and I'd defy you at every step."
Releasing himself from Aequitas' invisible hold he turned to face the man, there was no fear on Prognie's face as he knew he could kill Aequitas swiftly if he wanted to. "Do not ever attempt to use any force against me and do not come to my planet, to my domain and assume you have any authority against me. And as for the matter of how I achieve my ends, it has kept this Empire alive for this long, which is more than you could ever say. You walk out into the public and no one knows your name, I step out these doors and the people of the galaxy are happy to see a face of the Empire. You have achieved nothing and you will never achieve anything as that is the fate of those that eat the scraps that the Emperor throws to his dogs. Accept your fate, it's all you're worth." Turning back around Prognie began moving forward, "I'd follow if you still want your tour, Lord Aequitas."
Lord Aequitas
The anger rose in Aequitas much faster than he anticpated. "Your lies do not fool me, Inquisitor. Contrary to your biased belief, people do know who I am. People do fear me. I am respected by many including the Emperor which is reason enough for me to demand your respect. Just because you were an unknown rising through the Empire does not mean I am." He walked quickly behind the Moff. "You were an unknown until you became Head of the Inquisitors. And only then you achieved your so called respected name by instilling fear into the hearts of innocents. As well as their torture. I have seen the records. You forget my other roles in this Empire." He stopped for a moment. "Granted, that is your job, but at least I rose through the Empire with grace and humility. Just because you have never seen me use a lightsaber does not mean I cannot. The Emperor himself trained me in the way of the saber. By doubting my abilites you doubt his."
Aequitas sighed. "I do regret having to take this course with you, Lord Prognie. If you were not such a recluse we may have become amicable. But, perhaps your blindness is deeper than it seems. I do not know, I am sorry to say. But, perhaps if you didn't alienate yourself from the Empire and insult those who try to be nice, you would have more respect than you think. People would try and help you."
He looked around. "Now, my Lord, I know you have other meetings and that you detest my presence. Why don't you just leave me with an assistant. We both know this day could end badly if we continue together. Let's take the wisest route."
Grand Inquisitor Prognie
"You think that I gained my position through torture and punishment? You are truly ignorant, what records do you speak of? Any records you would have would have been from illegal sources as my work is rather private and not even you or your Order has access to that. But to educate you, since you seem to be absent of that: I earned my respect by doing what I do best. I am diplomatic but I know how to achieve the ends that are necessary to protect the Empire. You seem to be under the impression that training with the Emperor deserves respect, that you are of equal rank and par as he is. Step back into line, you are assuming too much and quite frankly you have no respect for the idea that respect is earned not granted."
Prognie wondered what delusions the man was working under but it was obvious that Aequitas thought he had claim to something. Under a new reign, he would be removed first. "I am glad that you assume i do not have respect though, just because the Dark Lords or the Moff Council do not respect me does not mean I do not have their loyalty. What I do have is the respect of the people, the very people I defend every day. What have you done for them as a Moff or whatever it is you do now? Nothing, you sit nicely on your chair in your office miles away from them. When you understand the people, when you truly know them and have their appreciation. Then you can come to my planet, where the Mon Calamari respect me more than their Emperor, and tell me what I have done wrong."
Continuing his pace he left the Moff behind, "But until you have done any of what I have done, you can keep your opinions to yourself. Now as for your tour, you might want to catch up if you don't want to get left behind again."
Lord Aequitas
Aequitas stood where he was. "Grand Inquisitor. I have seen enough. I will be quite able to evaluate your planet from our little encounter. I am certainly of the opinion that someone with your...talents, is needed elsewhere. Or, so your boasting has led me to believe."
He turned his back on the Moff. He had ran out of patience. "You under-estimate me, Lord Prognie. That is not a good idea. As an Inquisitor even you should know that not everything is as it seems. I am not a naive, stuttering, bumbling, kind person. I am not some alien scum you can boss around. Now, I am going to take my leave."
Aequitas clicked his fingers and two Twi'leks turned a corner with a cloak. Aequitas took it from them and threw it around his shoulders. "Good Day, Moff Prognie. Have fun with your planet. It may not be under your care for ever." he added slyly.
