Ideaology 101

[Y'roth Helghast]

Xanatos was escorted from his room to what appeared to be a large lounge. This was Etanial's first time in this room and it was empty for the most part. At one side of the room was a long table that sat 15 people along the length of each longer side and one at each end. The table was obsidian and reflected almost as well as a mirror. It was located beneath and along windows that allowed a remarkable view of Coruscant. It was morning and Etanial had been brought no food as of yet. Xanatos could see why as the table from one end to the other was covered in all sorts of food. Two sleek serving droids that moved on large sphere-like wheels appeared to have just finished setting it all out.

One of the guards, who Xanatos had come to know as Hal, or Gunnery Sergeant Ostrander whenever someone worth mentioning was around, motioned with a gloved hand to one of the chairs.

"Go ahead and take a seat, X. Agent Crestmere could be a few moments."

This would be Xanatos' seventh meeting with Crestmere so far and last time Crestmere had stated that he believed there would be some serious progress between the last meeting and the one Xanatos was about to attend.

[Xanatos Etanial]

"Thank you, Hal." He smiled to the Gunnery Sergeant, a man who had quickly become something of a friend in a place like this. In fact, Xanatos had made several friends since being 'taken in' by the empire. Of course he was still a prisoner, but he hoped all of that would change soon. He'd made sure to be as honest with Agent Crestmere during each meeting as possible - once he was certain that he trusted him, he had even been willing to go into more detail about the force users on his homeworld.

He sat down and glanced at the food, then at the very large table. He'd been in several rooms while here, but never quite like this one. He leaned back, and waited for his friend, Agent Crestmere. Perhaps today he would be released.

[Y'roth Helghast]

Crestmere entered moments later, laughing and joking with another man who followed behind him, wearing the same uniform, bearing no rank or designation, merely the black and red Inquisitoriate crest on his left breast and his right shoulder. Crestmere seemed openly delighted when he caught sight of Xanatos at the table.

"X, glad you could join us for breakfast! I want you to meet somebody."

He waited to continue further until he had reached the table.

"Xanatos Etanial, this is Agent Jerrard. Agent Jerrard, Xanatos Etanial. Agent Jerrard is medical specialist in my department. I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen this man save a life we've thought was lost. But let's take our seats, we continue these pleasantries over breakfast, eh?"

Crestmere, as always, was a lively character and while Jerrard wasn't as much as Victor, Jerrard was still personable. Agent Jerrard didn't seem too old, his short military cut was flecked with white and silver. His eyes were the feature that made him seem the oldest. They appeared to have seen too much in almost too short a time.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Etanial."

[Xanatos Etanial]

Xanatos watched with a smile as Crestmere and another gentleman entered. Perhaps another new friend, he listened intently, smile never leaving his face as Crestmere introduced him. Agent Jerrard. Another agent, was this perhaps what Crestmere had warned him about before? That he could be transferred to the care of another Agent.

Hopefully that wasn't the case.

"The pleasure is mine, Agent Jerrard, I assure you."

[Y'roth Helghast]

Jerrard returned a curt smile as he made neat cuts into thin slabs of meat and placed a piece in his mouth. His plate continued to fill as he chewed.

Crestmere's plate filled as well but it didn't seem like Victor was very interested in eating.

"I have to say, X, that uniform, while still missing a few things, looks rather sharp on you. In spite of that, I still have to apologize that those clothes are all we have to offer. I know its a bit bland to the fashion tastes of today, but all of us around here are... rather fond of it.

But I don't want to seem like I'm stalling, so if you'll forgive me again, I do seem to be apologizing a lot lately, don't I? But anyways, let me be direct, or at least, as friendly as I can about it. We're ready to let you go, X. And there's no catch either. I've told you time and time again since we've been meeting that I knew you were innocent, and we appreciate your cooperation. I appreciate it so much that I can't resist making my own catch to your release though.

I'd like you to come work with us, X, in the Inquisitoriate, for the Empire. You said you've been wandering for so long, and I'm onlu offering you, well, anything you could need. I say need, though..."

Crestmere lifted an eyebrow in good humor as he coughed back a friendly laugh as he continued.

"Because honestly, I'm not trying to buy you with a place to stay, a modest salary, and the prestige of working to seek out and prevent corruption from taking root in the Empire. I'm offering you this chance because I've seen the potential in you.

You came here confused of the Empire's true goals, because of those confusing ideals of our work imparted to you by the murderer Kyle Krogen. But you've heard the doctrines that we live and work by come from my own mouth, and we haven't treated you harshly or abused you in any fashion. You never gave us a reason to respond aggressively. I also see you for who you are, and the potential you have to help us, the Empire, well I mean, everyone.

You are an adept who has seen the Inquisitoriate at work, and knows that other adepts have nothing to fear from us unless they fight against us. You can help stop the rumors that make other adepts think like Kyle Krogen does, and keep people from spreading them by setting the example. The great thing about who you are X, is that we never had to meet for you to be the example of adepts in today's society. You were just trying to make your way in the galaxy, looking to do the right thing but staying low key about it, not seeking glory and ambition, like Krogen, not slaying innocent men with families who were just trying to do their job. But now we can offer you the opportunity to make that example even more."

Crestmere leaned back in his chair, concluding with.

"I said that your release had only one catch, but kidding aside, this is all up to you, X. I am only inviting you. I want you to have as much of a free choice in this as anyone."

[Xanatos Etanial]

He almost commented about the clothes as Agent Crestmere mentioned it being all they had to offer, almost. They weren't bad at all in truth - functional and comfortable. Then Agent Crestmere continued, and Xanatos was overjoyed. He was being released, he had been here for a few weeks and at times it would almost seem as if they stalled intentionally, but Xanatos kept his faith in Crestmere's words.

Another surprise.... Xanatos said nothing as Crestmere laid out his optional 'condition'. He had been planning on eating the food that was being brought before him, but now he was more interested in what Agent Crestmere had to say. A position within the Empire... Xanatos was intrigued. He had been looking for his redemption, his chance to do the right thing, was this it? Over the time he'd been here he'd decided that Krogen's words had been overblown if not outright wrong. Surely the man meant what he said, and believed what he said, but X could see none of the evils that had been proclaimed.

He leaned forward, resting his face against his clasped hands and stared at the reflective surface of the table for a minute not moving, not speaking. Finally he looked up to Agent Crestmere and smiled extending his hand. If this was his opportunity to truly become the agent for good he wished to, he had no other choice really. "I merely want to do the right thing, Agent Crestmere. For the Empire, and all it's people."

[Y'roth Helghast]

"Excellent!"

Crestmere clapped his hands together and even stood, an appreciating smile on his face as he reached forward and shook Xanatos' hand with one hand and shook the young man's shoulder in a heartfelt way with the other.

"Welcome aboard. Of course this little get together is incredibly informal as things go, there will be a slew of paperwork you'll have to go through I'm afraid and inprocessing..."

Victor just rolled his eyes and blew air out the side of his mouth in mocked exasperation as he returned to his seat.

"I'm not going to say its fun, inprocessing that it is, but after all is said and done, it's worth it for sure. And you can put me down as your sponsor when you write up your clearance papers. Man, its been a while since I filled some of those out."

Jerrard stood slowly, smiling, as if he'd done this plenty when he had felt so much younger.

"I propose a toast, to the Empire, and to our friends and brothers therein."

Crestmere lifted his glass in response.

"Here, here."

[Xanatos Etanial]

Xanatos took the glass that had been brought before him, raising it as well with a smile. This was a new beginning for him, he had his second chance.

"Agreed! To the Empire."

With the completion of the toast, he took a sip, and finally began to take part in his meal. He was confident now, this was the right decision. He would go through the paperwork, through the inprocessing, through whatever he needed to. His redemption was at hand, at the opportunity to actually make something of himself, and he owed it all to the Empire.

[Y'roth Helghast]

"A word for the wise..."

Agent Jerrard swallowed the rest of the food in his mouth before continuing on.

"I was an officer in the Imperial Army before coming into this job and it took me a bit to get used to the standards around here. The Inquisitoriate takes pride in its work, and any lax on those standards or any disregard for all the doctrines and rules they got around here usually results in pretty harsh consequences. You seem like a smart kid, so I don't think you'll have a hard time with it."

Crestmere gave Jerrard an obvious sidelong glance of doubt as he turned to X.

"I ain't gonna lie to you either, man. Its rough but then again, just by looking around you, we can all clearly tell we're not living the rough life with the grunts of the Imperial Army. Its simple, just follow the rules and you don't have to worry about anything. That's what I do.

I mean, this is to one degree or another, a high stress job. But thats just the burden we have to bear because the potential in what we can accomplish is so much more. Its something you learn to impress upon yourself and others. I like to call it grace, where you accomplish more than the standard without appearing like you worked that hard for it. So in our case, just don't let the work get to you, ya know, because we've gotta be strong for everyone else. We can't let anyone, even our superiors see any aspect of weakness in us, so that they, like the citizens of the Empire, know that they can count on us."

[Xanatos Etanial]

He chewed slowly, being sure that the sound of his own mastication didn't drown out what was being spoken, by either Agent here. He was no stranger to hard work, to discipline, though it had been some time since he had exercised it. Growing up on Mithos, expected head of a noble family he was put through quite a few rigors.

Schooling beyond what the public would be provided, a private combat instructor, daily lessons on manner and style - his mother would tolerate no slacking. All of this had led him to his original desire to burst out on his own, to see the universe... a desire which had ended in... best not to think of what he had done, at least not for the moment.

After all what was it Agent Crestmere had said about not showing any weakness. He would do this, for himself, for the empire. He would redeem himself of his sins, he had to.

"They must take strength in our strength, perceived or real... if I understand correctly?"

[Y'roth Helghast]

"Exactly! Hey, Y'lor, didn't I tell you this kid was bright?"

Jerrard rolled his eyes at Crestmere's question as he continued to eat.

"That is more or less our little secret in general appearances, my friend. Because, if I ever learned something, it was this, the first sign of weakness mars your record forever in the eyes of those who see it. Now, no one's perfect of course, but its kind of like... well, you know how when you shoot a blaster at a blast door; the bolt deflects off the door, right? But it always deflects off the door in a manner that depends on the original trajectory. So in light of that, we try to... make sure our original trajectory is the best we can make it off to be, even if the blast door is going to inevitably deflect our shot."

Again, Jerrard rolled his eyes.

"Now I think you're just going to confuse him. Quit talking the young man in circles and let him eat some of his breakfast for crying out loud."

Jerrard was grateful in the slightest way that Crestmere was playing such a light hearted part. To be honest, the doppleganger of personalities scared the ever loving dren out of Jerrard sometimes with how believable he was, acting out some other personality that he had copied or devised from some other person, who was most likely deceased, if Jerrard could say he knew Victor Crestmere that well.

The man had wrapped this adept in the Empire's thinking machine and had shown him all the good he possibly could. It was simply a recruitment overload for Xanatos. Who could say no to such a good thing? Jerrard hoped the adept would grow firmly accustomed to the whole thing because if the adept ever showed signs of turning back... Sucks to be him.

"Just always keep your eyes open, kid. We have to deal with the corruption of the galaxy, don't let it tear you down with it. And always make sure to keep your hands clean, because our superiors will always be checking to make sure they stay that way."

[Xanatos Etanial]

He turned his attention to Agent Jerrard, finishing another bite of his breakfast, and simply nodding as he listened to his words.

"I've been down that path before... corruption..." He shook his head a bit, ashamed at past actions. "It's not something I have any desire to return to."

It was true enough, both under the 'spell' of Laurent, and before Xanatos had given into his darker ideas, he didn't even wish to recall the terrible acts he had performed with or under the direction of Laurent. And of course what he did to his poor mother and sister.

He understood now. Adepts, who were granted an incredible gift, were prone to it's abuse. They were dangerous, even if they didn't realize it. HE had been dangerous. The Empire's rules regarding adepts that Agent Crestmere had explained to him during their many meetings finally seemed to click, making perfect sense.

He took another bite of his food, and let the internal workings put together what he was learning here. He simply couldn't believe there could be so many who would fight against the Empire, against it's good graces. Adepts, the Rebellion, all such corruption. If only they'd simply... simply... cooperate.

[Y'roth Helghast]

Crestmere swallowed before speaking again.

"Then you have something in common with the adepts out there, because they're still on that corrupted path. And moreso, you know the pros and cons of both sides. Fate has given you these fortuitous circumstances, Xanatos, that you might better understand the plight that these others face."

Jerrard set his eating utensil down and rubbed his chin with the corner of his hand for a moment.

"I'm not sure I believe in Fate. Sure, the Force is there but I don't put stock in all this circumstantial business. Xanatos makes the choice for himself what he does and doesn't do. Just like you and I, Crestmere. In the Empire, we don't fight Fate or seek to accomplish some prophesized and glorious end. We just try to do the best we can every day to make everyone's lives better. Given good or bad times, one man can but try and I think its this bit of knowledge that people should clue in on."

"What do you think, Xanatos?"

[Xanatos Etanial]

He listened to Jerrard and nodded in agreement. "I've never been a very... spiritual person, in all truth. I'd rather believe that we can change our own fates, shape our own destinies, rather than we're locked on some course of action that we cannot escape."

He leaned back slightly, the morning meal had become most interesting, the amazing opportunity given to him, and the inviting conversation afterwards. "Yes. I think our lives are what we make of them, and I'm most excited to see what I can do with my life from this point out."