Ceto Rübezahl
Jun 26th, 2009, 05:19:04 PM
The ice-white dagger of the Imperial Star Destroyer Warspite stabbed out of Hyperspace into orbit over Serreno, the pristine jewel of a planet looming large in the panoramic viewport of the bridge. Looming ominously over the officers he commanded - Empress Tarkin had been kind enough to leave him with this one remnant asset from his time as Moff of Bothawui - the now-Ambassador Ceto Rübezahl clasped his hands tightly behind his back, and imagined himself as the ruthless and respected politician and commander that his father had always hoped he would be.
In truth, any respect and fear in the eyes and hearts of the officers below him was likely in response to his companion: the towering and linguistically spartan Elias Akasha. the Empress had cited valid reasons for his presence, but the unspoken truth was plain as day. The Agent of the Empress was there to hold his leash: to be her eyes and ears on Serenno, and ensure that he didn't stumble into another blunder like Bothawui.
His chest tightened once again at the memory of his disgrace, and he wondered if the presence of the Empress' emissary would have made a difference in how things had unfolded during the Rebel attack. The presence of the Inquisitor, Reinhart Thul, had ultimately not led to victory. Ceto allowed himself to speculate over which of the two soldiers would ultimately emerge victorious in a fight between the two. He had not yet witnessed Elias in combat as yet, but if looks alone amounted to anything, the disconcerting tightness of Elias' uniform around his biceps when they flexed probably said quite a lot.
Movement in his periferal vision brought Rübezahl's head around, vision focussing on Captain Ellis: commander of the Warspite. Ceto offered a tight and carefully-calculated smile in greeting. "Yes, Captain?" he added, inviting the man to speak.
"We have arrived in orbit, Ambassador," Ellis stated; apparently he had adapted to Ceto's new title much faster than the Ambassador himself had. "We have also recieved a communique from the Demici Estate, inviting you and your entorage to the surface. Coordinates provided indicate a landing site somewhere in the region of Saffia."
Ceto nodded vaguely, paying only the barest attention necessary to the Captain's words. The arrival of the Warspite was expected, and Countess Demici had assured that the proper preparations were made.
"Very well," he said aloud, adopting his long-practiced press conference voice. His volume was just enough to not be noticed as elevated, and yet still be captured by the accoustics of the bridge. The officers would no doubt be eavesdropping regardless of the measures they took to keep their exchange private; better to make the task easier for them, and leave them with more attention to dedicate to their assigned duties. "Prepare a shuttle; Agent Akasha and I will depart immediately."
At the mention of his name, the Agent shifted; the Captain's eyes flicked in his direction, and then away immediately as they met with Elias' cool and intimidating glare. Ceto glanced in his direction as well, a ghost of an appreciative smile forming on his lips. You must teach me how to do that, his mind muttered, but he kept the thought non-vocal for now.
"Agent," he said curtly instead, with a quick nod to match, before turning on his heel and marching smartly from the bridge. He had not quite mustered the courage to snap his fingers as the Empress had done; hopefully Tarkin's orders to him included not killing him regardless of how much of an annoyance he became.
Well, not killing him yet, at least.
In truth, any respect and fear in the eyes and hearts of the officers below him was likely in response to his companion: the towering and linguistically spartan Elias Akasha. the Empress had cited valid reasons for his presence, but the unspoken truth was plain as day. The Agent of the Empress was there to hold his leash: to be her eyes and ears on Serenno, and ensure that he didn't stumble into another blunder like Bothawui.
His chest tightened once again at the memory of his disgrace, and he wondered if the presence of the Empress' emissary would have made a difference in how things had unfolded during the Rebel attack. The presence of the Inquisitor, Reinhart Thul, had ultimately not led to victory. Ceto allowed himself to speculate over which of the two soldiers would ultimately emerge victorious in a fight between the two. He had not yet witnessed Elias in combat as yet, but if looks alone amounted to anything, the disconcerting tightness of Elias' uniform around his biceps when they flexed probably said quite a lot.
Movement in his periferal vision brought Rübezahl's head around, vision focussing on Captain Ellis: commander of the Warspite. Ceto offered a tight and carefully-calculated smile in greeting. "Yes, Captain?" he added, inviting the man to speak.
"We have arrived in orbit, Ambassador," Ellis stated; apparently he had adapted to Ceto's new title much faster than the Ambassador himself had. "We have also recieved a communique from the Demici Estate, inviting you and your entorage to the surface. Coordinates provided indicate a landing site somewhere in the region of Saffia."
Ceto nodded vaguely, paying only the barest attention necessary to the Captain's words. The arrival of the Warspite was expected, and Countess Demici had assured that the proper preparations were made.
"Very well," he said aloud, adopting his long-practiced press conference voice. His volume was just enough to not be noticed as elevated, and yet still be captured by the accoustics of the bridge. The officers would no doubt be eavesdropping regardless of the measures they took to keep their exchange private; better to make the task easier for them, and leave them with more attention to dedicate to their assigned duties. "Prepare a shuttle; Agent Akasha and I will depart immediately."
At the mention of his name, the Agent shifted; the Captain's eyes flicked in his direction, and then away immediately as they met with Elias' cool and intimidating glare. Ceto glanced in his direction as well, a ghost of an appreciative smile forming on his lips. You must teach me how to do that, his mind muttered, but he kept the thought non-vocal for now.
"Agent," he said curtly instead, with a quick nod to match, before turning on his heel and marching smartly from the bridge. He had not quite mustered the courage to snap his fingers as the Empress had done; hopefully Tarkin's orders to him included not killing him regardless of how much of an annoyance he became.
Well, not killing him yet, at least.