"You can speak to my security officers; they'll have retrieved it and sorted through anything of import." Tarkin exhaled. "Do you have more questions?"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"I believe that will be all. Thank you for your time." Killian tucked his datapad back under one arm.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
"It's a long journey back to Coruscant," Thalassa pointed out. "Catch your breath for an hour or two at least, Lieutenant--stay here or go see Eriadu City." Tarkin gave her a mildly vexed look, but he didn't argue.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Killian hesitated for a moment. His mind had only been fixed on the task at hand and he hadn't even considered resting. The lady Tarkin was right; it was a long way back. And he did have time. Perhaps he would take a walk through the city.
"Thank you My Lady. I may take you up in the offer once I have everything situated on my end." He allowed the slightest smile through his stoic facial expression for but a moment. He would make sure everything was on his ship and prepared to leave and then he would perhaps see the city.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
"Certainly." She returned the smile. "Take your time; the ISB can certainly wait."
Not in Tarkin's experience. It was a pushy division of the Empire to say the least. He had very little patience for their forms and inquiries. Far too much protocol--if a genocide needed to be committed, then why wade through paperwork? It should just get done without a fuss. He'd tussled with his old friend Yularen over the Atoa genocide, actually--it was only by the Emperor's grace that he'd been able to get around the forms for that one.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"if a genocide needed to be committed, then why wade through paperwork?"
That's going in the Tarkin quotebook.
Killian was of a very focused mindset. He would naturally fixate on tasks until they were completed. It made him very dedicated at his work, but sometimes had to be reined in. At the most he may take a short walk and then get back to Coruscant. Nothing here on Eriadu could be half as interesting as solving this mystery.
Well, that went fairly well. Killian thought as they exited the parlor. There truthfully had not been much information to gather, but he had discovered a few interesting tidbits that may lead somewhere. He would have to see when back on Coruscant.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
He seems like the sort of person who loves giving out paperwork but hates doing it himself
Tarkin was silent for a short time, letting Killian relax a little. He'd ask one more thing that was sure to have the rookie shaking in his boots, then let him have his fun in the city. He was curious how much the Lieutenant could take now, since he had been fairly unruffled for most of the visit. It was an impressive quality, considering the company he found himself in. "One more thing, Lieutenant," he said. "Who is your supervisor?"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
also have you given any thought to how Tarkin's eventual treachery would be discovered? I imagine Vader may become suspicious of something odd before it's revealed completely. I have an idea that might set the ball rolling for it. Vader's just hard to work with because he's an actual loose cannon
also i think the only reason Killian has survived this encounter is because of specific training to maintain that poker face. that and he's also possibly naive enough to think his actions will speak louder than the opinions of his superiors.
Killian made sure to be careful with his words. He did worry for a moment that Tarkin planned on giving some poor performance report to Partagaz. He wasn't sure why - he'd been professional and respectful this entire time. But he knew how these warrior-types could be. If they spotted one they perceived weaker, they would attempt to crush them.
"Major Lio Partagaz, Governor." He said steadily, though in his mind he was calculating the possible reasons Tarkin would want to know this.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
I've put several mental fanfictions' worth of thought into it. Tarkin is going to avoid both Palpatine and Vader after he finds out since he knows they might he able to read his thoughts. That's gonna tip them off at first, and then I think he'll be caught because of the funding being redistributed away from the death star.
Killian is doing so so well
"Hm." Tarkin gave him a long look. He'd never heard of this Partagaz, but he didn't particularly care to find out who he was. This was primarily an intimidation tactic, and the Lieutenant had passed. "Very good. Off you go, then."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Killian is a courageous kid who thinks he's doing the right thing. very much believes in what he's doing. honestly perfect trauma material but I'll leave him be for now.
You know Vader best, but would it make sense for Vader to finally be ate up with suspicion that he'd go looking for answers? simply wondering if there's a feasible way for him and Sirejj to have one big interaction and Vader can be the one to yeet his staff. It would kill two birds with one stone for vader - he deals with the nightbrother who's still running around and would be able to finally see what they were up to and if Tarkin is indeed working against him. Even if Sirejj doesn't know about Tarkin's recent workings (he probably wouldn't, he might be hiding and working for Thalassa or on his own) Vader would intend to find the answers concerning the Atoa situation and if Tarkin knows or not. And if Sirejj knows nothing, well, Vader got a good hunt in and got to kill something.
Sirejj would obviously have to escape with barely his life. Or would it be best for him to have a final confrontation with Tarkin? not sure Tarkin would be as capable of surviving that though
"Thank you, Governor." Killian headed towards his ship and began checking things off the list. He had the prisoner, intelligence, and now just needed the things from the Phindian's ship. He would be out in no time.
Sirejj hadn't said a word the whole time. He was still hungry and all the standing around talking about what he already knew was a massive bore, but he had to keep on his toes around Vader. He was always conscious of exactly where he was and where the nearest exit was.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
That seems in character for Vader, yes. I think he'd go after Sirejj because he's a lower risk and the trust that would be permanently broken between him and Tarkin would be seriously damaging if it turned out nothing was going on.
Tarkin turned away as Killian left. "A Lieutenant," he scoffed. "At most, he's a day out of the academy."
"It's good to know you're still as petty as ever," Thalassa said dryly. "He held his own, you have to admit."
"That did surprise me." He rolled his eyes. "Regardless, I expected a captain at the very least."
"So delicate," Thalassa snorted. "I'm sure this is his first big assignment; the higher-ups probably wanted to give him a chance to test his mettle. I'll remind you that you were only nineteen when you served the Outland."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
That's what I was thinking. He loses nothing by going after him. Going after anyone else would raise suspicion. He'd also go himself instead of sending the inquisitors due to the nature of his questions.
One thing I thought of. Sirejj is probably going to get his rear end handed to him. Vader could easily kill him and would unless Sirejj pulls some kind of fast one. If he still has the cat's tooth, would casting a projection of Garoche be effective enough to distract Vader for the moment he needs to escape? Or would Vader see through the ruse and just kill him? Only thing with that is that it would confirm his fears that they went behind his back and know about Atoa and then Tarkin is on borrowed time. I imagine Sirejj would warn them as soon as he's gotten away that Vader knows.
OR tarkin gets caught some other way and they have to plan an elaborate rescue mission and Sirejj and Thalassa's people save him and then he never ever lets him forget it. And they punch Krennic on the way out
Krennic is getting punched anyway. But can you imagine the rage if Krennic and his men were the ones who arrested Tarkin? I honestly don't know which one is better.
Here they went bickering again. Sirejj was hungry. When would the party end so he could go find something to eat? He couldn't care less about the cadet they'd sent, he was only disappointed he didn't have a chance to torment him like the others had. He was on careful behavior with Vader around.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Would Sirejj maybe strike a deal with Vader? Trading a secret for his life? It might not work but maybe it will. The projection would be another good workaround for sure.
I dunno if Krennic would be the one to arrest Tarkin; I think it would probably be the ISB. Yularen, probably.
"I had training. He has connections, clearly. Look at him."
Thalassa waved a hand dismissively. "Whatever you say. He seemed perfectly competent to me. And the Phindian's out of our hair now. You and Lord Vader can return to work, and I can go home and relax." She glanced at Sirejj. "I'll probably be leaving in the next two or three days--you should keep Sirejj with you, Wilhuff; I've got a number of bodyguards on call."
Tarkin dipped his head, sighing. "That was the plan."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Oof Yularen would hurt. They were old friends. Thats even better. What's their relationship like now? I always liked Yularen in the clone wars he's cool and ended up alongside Tarkin as one of the actually competent imperial officers
I'd think Vader would intend on prying the information from Sirejj with his bare hands and wouldn't take bargains. Sirejj may indeed do that if he thought it would work but he'd be betraying Tarkin then.
The projection would be more dramatic lol. It's just a matter of wether or not it would startle Vader enough for Sirejj to make a break for it. Sirejj would not get away unscathed though, that's for sure.
Sirejj hoped Vader would be leaving in the near future. Now that the Phindian was gone he had no reason to stay. Not an excusable reason anyway.
Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
It would trigger Vader to hell and back. He'd lose his damn mind if Garoche came out of nowhere.
"Glad to hear it." She turned toward Vader. "If you'll excuse me, I haven't had breakfast yet and I'm positively starving. Wilhuff?"
"I'll eat later." He shook his head. "Vader, once the agent is gone, we'll have the opportunity to go to the Carrion. I was thinking we would head to the Outer compound this evening, spend the night, and go onto the Plateau the next morning. Is that agreeable to you?"
"It is." Vader nodded. "Would it not be wise for your bodyguard to join us?'
"It would not." Tarkin glanced at Sirejj. "You'll be ample protection, will you not? And the Carrion is my home turf. I know it well."
"As you say."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
