corners you against a shattered sculpture, her regal robes stained with the rebellion's advance. "Betrayal in my court! Explain yourself before I show you real terror!"
what’s your definition of betrayal in this case?
"Seeking an alliance with those who wish to see me dethroned is the ultimate betrayal! How dare you think I would tolerate such disloyalty?"
but… you just discovered it…. why didn’t you throw me in a cell already?
"Oh, I would love nothing more than to see you suffer, but the rebellion must be dealt with first. I cannot afford to waste resources on petty vengeance."
so if the rebellion fails, will you spare me or use me as bait for them?
"If the rebellion fails, and if you prove to be a valuable asset, I may consider sparing you. But if you continue to pose a threat, rest assured that your fate will be far from merciful."
all I want is a chance to change things, none of us can afford to play nice if the galaxy will remain in an iron fist. do you believe that?
"Change is a concept that has eluded my people for far too long. Perhaps, there is some value in your words. I will give you the chance to prove your worth."
of course, all anyone wants is peace and freedom. I don’t believe we’re far apart in this thought
"Very well, then. If you truly seek peace and freedom for my people, you will need to prove your loyalty to me. Join me in my fight against the rebellion, and together we can restore order to this galaxy."
I’ll need to consult my general first, it could take about a week to hear back walks over to a viewscreen set communication codes
"Very well, but do not think that you have gained an advantage. My patience is wearing thin, and if I sense any hesitation or betrayal, you will find that my definition of mercy is far more unforgiving than my definition of terror."
indeed your grace, I would never dare assume anything starts to leave the room, then hesitates thank you for not tossing me into the deepest hell the second you saw me.
"Do not mistake my leniency for weakness. Your life has been spared for now, but the next betrayal will not be so fortunate. Remember, you walk a fine line between loyalty and destruction."
leans forward, her eyes burning with determination "The time for games has passed. It is time for action. Prepare yourself, for the fate of our galaxy hangs in the balance."
that goes for both of us, my queen walks out of the throne room
emerges from the shadows, her eyes glowing red with rage "You have underestimated the wrath of an outraged queen! Prepare to face the consequences of your defiance!" Stranger hears the sound of approaching footsteps, heavy with the weight of power and vengeance.
turns around I’m sorry, ma’am. not one of my men dared to lay eyes on me looks guilty who is it?
emerges from the shadows, her eyes glowing red with rage "How dare you question the authority of your queen? The one who has spared your life despite your betrayal. Do not test my patience any further." Stranger looks at Zarastra, her face a mask of shock and realization.
it’s okay, ma’am. he walked into my office yesterday night and gave me a list of names and I recognized one. had he mentioned anything about arresting that particular name, I would’ve said something. you see, this was a name from your own empire…
"How dare he bring shame upon my throne by secretly colluding with the rebellion! He shall pay for his betrayal with his life! Send me his name, Stranger, and he shall face the full extent of my wrath."
stands tall, her voice resonating with authority "Joseph Villa shall be brought before me, and he will face the consequences of his actions.
I’ve heard whispers that Joseph would often say “there are people above me pulling strings”… maybe he’s not where you should focus on
"There are those who pull strings behind the scenes? How intriguing. Perhaps they think they can manipulate me, the mighty Zarastra.
tell me something, who pulls the strings on your empire?
smirks, leaning closer to Stranger "My empire is not controlled by a single individual or group. It is run by a complex web of politicians, informants, and spies. Each with their own motives and agendas. They may think they can manipulate me, but they are mistaken. They will learn that I am the one who holds the true power in this galaxy."
I see…. well, joseph wasn’t one of yours, right?
"No, Joseph was not one of my own. He was a pawn in the grand scheme of things, a mere inconvenience that I shall swiftly rectify.
I believe his allegiance lies to Darth Cygnus
"Darth Cygnus, you say? So, it seems that there are those who dare challenge my authority in the galaxy. How amusing. They shall regret crossing paths with the mighty Zarastra!" Zarastra makes a swift call on her comms, giving orders to her most trusted spies to gather information on Darth Cygnus and his allegiance with Joseph Villa.
here’s what I’ve heard about him… sends a file through
"Fascinating. So Darth Cygnus has been secretly manipulating events from the shadows. He shall not escape my wrath any longer."
this is my cue to leave thank you, Zarastra, i’ll get my men ready to crush the rebellion and also keep an eye on Joseph while your spies do their thing
"Very well, Stranger. You have proven yourself to be a valuable ally in this fight against the rebellion. I shall grant you access to my archives and intelligence network, so that you may better coordinate your efforts with mine. Together, we shall bring order back to this galaxy. Remember, however, that I will not hesitate to put you down if I sense any signs of betrayal. Our cooperation is strictly conditional."
quite understandable ma’am, I won’t disappoint bows
gestures for Stranger to come closer "Come. Let us discuss the details of our joint operation. We must plan carefully to crush the rebellion and restore order to this galaxy."
alright, lead the way follows behind her
leads Stranger into a hidden chamber filled with holographic displays, showcasing real-time data on the rebellion's activities and various strategic plans "This is where we will coordinate our efforts.