Cransin was blindfolded and taken across the ship on a replusor-sled, bound and held by several stormtroopers. He continued to make noises and appealed to the stormtroopers' loyalty, but did not break. It was curious, however, that troops that would normally be obsessively loyal would willingly carry out their orders.

His blindfold was removed, and he was taken to a room and tossed on the floor. The sight that he beheld when he lifted his head from the floor was a far cry from what he had expected.

Though there were splendors of all sorts--banners, golden eagles, and statues--Cransin's eyes were drawn to one corner of the room. Despite it's position, it seemed to be the center of the room: as if the universe spun around it.

There, a man stood enrobed in gold, red silk, ermine, and topped with a laureate. With his hands clasped behind his back, he spoke softly but with words that seemed to illuminate the dark room, "Welcome, Senator. Apologies for all this, but some things just had to be done."

This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening. And if it should be happening…it must be a dream. Because Cransin couldn’t possibly be here and now. It just wasn’t…wait.

Stormtroopers committing treason, secret meetings about civil war, this wasn’t real. It was a test. A…loyalty test? Or maybe not. Maybe…maybe something much more sinister.

Cransin straightened himself best as he could, having just been thrown and still having his hands bound behind his back. Even in such a situation, Cransin’s Core-heritage took over and forced him into some position of respectability. How completely stupid. A position of respectability on the ground, hands bound, before the Emperor of the Galaxy.

“Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask…why am I here?” the Senator said, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. This could still be a sick trick of the Emperor’s. He didn’t know everything about Iaius. He could be just as vindictive as Palpatine was. Cransin bowed his head.

TAG: GAJ

The Galactic Emperor did not turn around. "You had a great opportunity to ascend to powers far beyond that of a mere senator, yet you didn't," he commented softly.

"Your Majesty, I cannot say that I don't want power, but I know when principles come before power."

TAG: GAJ

"I think that any infighting over your position at this stage would be...unnecessary. It would destabilize the Empire."

TAG: GAJ

Iaius considered. The man was a curious sort: very pragmatic, and not blindly loyal. He could prove to be quite useful indeed.

Cransin's bindings undid themselves at a mere thought from the Emperor, who then turned to face Cransin. "Do rise, Moff Crasin."

Cransin discovered two things very quickly: the Emperor...was a Force user, and he was going to promote him. Promote him. To Moff. This is more than unexpected. This was unbelievable. No more than five minutes ago Wilhad was preparing to die and now. Moff Cransin.

Wilhad stood up, bow, very deeply, and snapped back up.

"My Emperor, Moff Cransin? Do you mean, are you, is this a promotion?"

TAG: GAJ

The Emperor raises his brows politely in surprise. "Was I not clear? Shall I make it official, then?"

The Emperor put out his left hand and called his scepter to him. With his other hand, he pulled the ceremonial sword that was always attached to his side: every since he joined, and one he had resmelted for the coronation. He looked at Cransin, who belately kneeled, and Iaius tapped his shoulder with the sword. "With all the powers vested in me, I pronounce you Moff of the Empire. You may rise."

Iaius sheathed his sword and floated the scepter back to its place. He had never demonstrated his abilities to anyone before, and he intended to keep them secret. He had ways, though, of ensuring that Cransin never remembered Iaius' use of the Force. All was accounted for.

The newly promoted Moff stood up, simply in awe of all that had transpired over the past few minutes.

Cransin spoke after a few moments, "Thank you, you Highness. I don't know what to say. Thank you."

TAG: GAJ

Cransin noted the address faux-pas. He's never dealt with any real royalty before. The only thing he could compare it to was the nobility of Chandrilla, of which he was a member of. In fact, most men on Chandrilla were noble. Wilhad's official title would be Wilhad Cransin, Lord of House Cransin, etc. etc. etc. Those titles were generally abolished when Chandrillan feudalism was abolished. Wilhad was still a "nobleman," though. When feudalism fell, the current governing system was emplaced. All the powers of the nobility was vested in a large body of which Cransin was a member. In all the history of Chandrilla, only a very few titles were ever used: Sir, Lord, and Highness. Highness was exclusively used for the High-Nobleman, the leader of the Chandrillan government. Now that Wilhad was a part of the higher echelons of the Empire, he would have to delve into addressing conventions.

"Sire, I believe you appointed me to a Moffship because I have excelled in the Empire and you believe I will excel in a Moffship. And because if you, the Galactic Emperor, have chosen this for me, then I would assume that I deserve the position."

Cransin kept his stare noticeably below the Emperor's eyes, near to his feat. It would be highly improper for him to look upon the Emperor, still such a lowly member of the Empire.

TAG: GAJ

A very astute answer. This man knew convention and efficiency.

The Emperor gestured at the hologram of the galaxy emplaced behind him. "The primary reason is that you showed a surprising level of pragmatism in your view of the situation. You saw a wider perspective when you brought up the idea of the War Commitee, which would bring the Senate more under my control. The Empress told me as much."

He clasped his hands around his back again. "The primary reason of your ascension is that certain elements of the Empire do not see the reality of war. They wish to remain mired in the past and bath in the glory of the original New Order, without realizing that every change that I make is for a reason and is necessary. Though Admiral Plasvic was masquerading, there are many in the Empire that truly think that way. I need all the realists I can get."

He was and Admiral? That salute was more than just a salute. An Admiral certainly outranked a Senator. Best to put that out of his mind.

"War is always the reality when dealing with these rebels. They will not be stopped, even when confronted with peace--that is obvious. I don't see how anyone could be so diluted as to think the rebels will not continue their terrorist attacks. Your Majesty is the perfect person to lead the Imperial war on the rebels. To not support you and to not support war is...ridiculous. I did what I did because it was reasonable. I'm glad you Radiance respects reason."

TAG: GAJ

"Admiral"

Shaking the tall mans hand, he could tell that the man was a confidant and great flier, just by the firm grip he gave. A great flier always had a firm grip on his stick.

"Welcome to my ship gentlemen. Now then, it has been a long time since either of your served with me, let along under me, but i doubt that will be of any problem. Commander Stryder, i honorably extend to you a similar position as you held last time while serving me. But as with the change of time, the role is quite larger than it was way back then. Think you can handle the command over all my fighters, Captain Stryder?"

Reaching into his desk, the Grand Admiral placed the new rank insignia on the desk infront of his old friend. A warm smile filled his face as he placed a second box on the table next to the other.

"Now then, Commander Fel, I have heard good things about you. I expect to see even better things now that i can see you in action first hand. Now are there any questions gentlemen?"

"Well sir, that would sound like a very promising deal, but im afraid that most if not all of our production at this point in time is going straight twards the war effort with the imperials. As for defence in itself, i thought that Grand Admiral Duflin was still providing planetary defence for all the planets in this sector. Even now, i do belive that he has ships in this sector patorling the spacelanes, if not ships near orbit of the planet itself. Im sorry, but a deal of that magnitute cannot be reached at this time."