Yablari

Utter silence reigned over the estate, any human might have thought that one habited the magnificent building, which was decorated with expensive taste and was protected by a complex security system. Should anyone enter the estate area without permission they would be spotted by security sensors and soon met by a number of guard droids. Yet it was no human that inhabited the estate and very few humans even set foot on the planet. A unique sleek, metal mask laid on the table of Yardo`s own personal room as he himself was sitting father away eyeing the screen of his communicator. There was no need to wear the mask here because rarely did other alien races or humans wander into his estate, which had and needed vocal cords to communicate with each others as where the anomids had their own way of communication. The six fingers that pushed the buttons of the control board were that unique way, otherwise they required their masks to speak to other races, which Yardo himself found bothersome.

Yet their masks held a significant meaning in the anomid society, the way you dressed and what mask you wore told others a lot to begin with. Your mask acknowledged your position in society, heritage and profession and from there on your clothing determined whether you were a more traditional pacifist or a younger, more violent anomid. The traditionalists wore robes that were the more common choice of clothing as where the younger generation wore light, sleeves clothes. The development of this non-traditionalist movement happen in around 50 BBY and it created dissension on the planet. All tough the sub culture was allowed to exist, it had no real power until as of late as the politics of Yablari came to a cross road where it could go either way and with no great surprise Yardo was involved. As of late Yardo had gotten into politics and infiltrated or joined many groups in order to gain their support, his most notable supporters were the techno nobles of the planet who liked the cunning merchant. Truth be told Yardo already had many friends with them due to past deals as he sold their technologies to outsiders for a worthy prize and of course brought them new technology. The anomid`s had a long interest and history of developing technology especially after their joined the galactic republic and Yardo had seen the profitable side of working as a middleman. But now as Yardo was running for the council that ruled the planet he needed more than the support of some groups who nominated these candidates, he required the support of 4 or 5 other council members. This proved surprisingly easy thus far and most enjoyable as he watched two sides going at each others in debates, Yardo himself stood in the middle scrapping up votes that of those who were dissatisfied with both sides. The Council now had 5 traditionalists and two non-traditionalists yet now as three of the traditionalist that had served their 7 year time were stepping down. The non-traditionalists saw this of course as their chance to turn everything upside down and had began a feverous campaign to gain power over the planet, but it seemed that Yardo was become a strong winner in these elections. That was why both sides, the older and the younger generation needed to know more of Yardo`s motive’s not to mention whether he was persuadable. It was funny how he who, a year ago was a mere merchant was now of the brightest politicians of his planet and one of four that would lead a glorious rising galactic power on the outer rim. It was Yardo`s move now and his next move might possibly decide the fate of his home planet.

Yardo had made small promises to both sides that he could fulfil without bringing the wrath of the other sides upon him, but mainly he had kept to his promises to his supporters whose cause he drove on. It was a good cause after all, but Yardo`s cause was not to gain power on the planet or perhaps that too yet his main goal was to attach it to the Outer world Confederacy. After all, Yablari stood on the outer rim and would be completely defenceless against any moves by the empire, if they decided to invade. Should the planet join the growing Confederacy, it would be safe from the empire probably and it would be under the Union most of all. Of course Yardo couldn’t claim that he was doing this all for non-selfish reasons, to him it would be such a shame should any galactic power come in and take his dear home planet. He simply wanted to ensure that it was in the right hands so that he wouldn’t have to worry and that he could protect it, Mond might make a note about it all, but nothing more. After all they needed new members to join the confederacy in order to boost its influence, resources and manpower. Not that most of the anomids could make good soldiers anyway, but the anomid warriors were the anomid scientists and they could prove to be quite an asset to the Confederacy, and to the Union. Yet Yablari was just another piece to the puzzle as certainly Augustus Mond and the two other Genohardan were working as well. All tough he had not been in contact with them for a while, he had a feeling that Augustus or someone would soon enough take contact in order to discuss the plans for the future.

At this moment there was a lonely figure approaching the gate of his estate, Yardo turned one of his security cameras at this stranger who wore a hood to cover his face. Yet the anomid`s clothing gave him away as the sleeveless shirt was a clear indication whose side was coming to greet him, just as the anomid was about to press the button next to the gate, it swung open. There was a moment of hesitation before the anomid proceeded to the front door where Yardo`s servant awaited for the guest. Yardo himself closed the screen and walked up to the table, he picked up his mask and attached it back on as it would not seem polite, if he came out without his mask. Besides ironically Yardo recognized many of his anomid brother’s trough their masks rather than their faces, which he found rather amusing. Yardo then silently approached the elevator, which took him two floors down to the 1st floor where the anomid was waiting for him, in the main hall of the estate. Yardo sometimes had to admit to himself that the estate he lived in was far grander than he ever wanted it to be, but at least it made a good impression to the people coming to meet him. Yardo stepped into the main hall where the anomid, who had now removed his hood, stood impatiently watching around. Yardo greeted his fellow politician politely as he approached, the younger anomid greeted as well before Yardo began walking out of the main hall to side room where they could discuss in private. As the door closed behind them Yardo turned to the youngster.

"Council candidate Calos, for what do I own this pleasure? I was told that you wished to meet me to discuss of an urgent matter and I can understand the rush as I hear that the elders are breathing down your neck to have you eliminated from the race." Yardo began communicating with the complex and untranslatable, to other races, sing language.

"Your source must be very good as you know even that, it was not passed around as a common thing. This does not improve our trust in you, if you have someone around digging up these things for you. You could at least have the courtesy to come to us for what we not been your friends?" Calos `said` to Yardo with his fingers moving with slight frustration, many years of trade had thought Yardo to examine others acting to determine whether they were lying or telling the truth.

"A friend is too strong term for the situation because I wonder what the elders would like of me when they would hear that I was your friend? They would turn on me and thus I would loose my advantage, do not forget that you youngster need me in the council to verify your power. You know that you cannot beat me with your candidate, Verlad was it? All the elders and some youngsters hate him for his careless way of life or after I revealed it that was and I still have many options open to me. I could help you, but I could help the elders…" Yardo said, leaving his words unfinished to see the reaction of Calos as this was clearly a threat.

Calos`s eyes slightly narrowed as he tried to repair the situation. "I did not mean to offend you in anyway, if you believe I did, but we need you to persuade the elders off my back so that I may get into the council easily. If I make it then we will have a tie and as the seventh member of the council you can give us that striking edge that we need in order to win every decision, finally giving the power to the young."

"But I am neither and yet I am a pacifist so why should I support you? I have made promises, yes, but in matters that we both agree upon and support. The way I see it I could go anyway I wanted anytime I wanted so why trust me?"

Yardo inquired all tough he knew why, but it had to be believable and the elders who were watching the conversation at the moment had to buy it. Funny how he was fooling both sides, but at least this way he could ensure a tie in the council and ensure that everyone else trusted him. He could let Calos fight his way to the council, but that would prove to be way too troublesome and Yardo would have to help him, thus losing his neutral position in the eyes of everyone. He would have to keep up the theatre until he could safely secure his power and attach the planet to the Confederacy.

"Because you are not like the elders, you are a businessman and you have seen a lot of the galaxy. You have seen their ways and why we need to change, otherwise we will be conquered by the empire or some other power. We cannot allow that to happen and that is why we need to start protecting ourselves from these threats." Calos reasoned and tried to force Yardo to think of what possible threats any free planet these days faced.

"Very well then Calos, I am different than they are yet I will have no part in any violent actions should your side try to attempt anything violent. That is one principle I will not support, but otherwise it seems that we have the same goals so you may go and leave the elders to me. I will persuade them to hold back so that we can turn the situation to our advantage." Yardo then answer in order to assure the more hesitant Calos for whom patience was not a virtue and it could lead him to do rash decisions. Calos nodded and was about to turn to leave the room, but gazed back at Yardo.

"Do they suspect anything?" He quickly signalled to Yardo.

"We are in politics my friend… of course they suspect for they are deceitful and weary themselves, they will expect everything to be thrown at them just so that they would lose their grip over this planet. The old always watch out for the young, they would not like to lose their position, but seems that they in many cases progress cannot be stopped. The strong will overcome the weak, the smart will outwit the dumb and the young will triumph over the old… It is only logical or that is the view that many races want to believe in."

Yardo answered calmly, but behind the mask Yardo was smirking widely. Calos greeted as a farewell for now and departed from the estate with all haste. Meanwhile another anomid wearing the clothing of the non-traditionalists walked into the room and made a small bow to Yardo who reached for his pocket. Yardo pulled out a small remote control and closed the camera that had been eyeing the room, the feed had gone to a current council member to ensure the traditionalists that Yardo was fooling the non-traditionalists. Now in turn they would stop pressuring Calos and keep to their promise believing that Yardo was on their side, both sides thought they had the striking edge and would not dare to say it in public or to each others. Of course should they dare to threaten Yardo afterwards then Yardo could remind them that they would become equally involved and there was nothing to gain from such a foolish move. The newly arrived anomid walked up to Yardo and handed out a data pad that Yardo placed into one of his many robe pockets.

"I am glad that you didn’t fail me Arnoez all tough rarely are bodyguards used as political spies, but you certainly fit in with few recommendations. As you might have noted Calos left and of course as planned the other side witnessed the meeting."

"… And thus your plans go as according to plan, now all that remains for you to do is to wait to be elected into the central council and start working with either side, but I am curious… which one will you support?" Arnoez inquired as it was clear that he would have wished to side the non-traditionalists, but in the end he would follow his masters lead to the end, whatever that end might be.

"Frankly I have not decided that yet, the older generation would ensure the traditional way of life yet they would be harder to persuade to join the Confederacy, the youngsters would ensure quick joining to the Confederacy, but they could prove quite radical for my taste… but there is a third option."

"This third option does not sound assuring to me nor do I personally support any other faction then the non-traditionalists." Arnoez commented, not to protest, but to express his opinion that there was no room for rash actions or mistakes.

"It would not assure you, but if I go down that path I would be able to assume power, attach the planet to the Confederacy quickly, but there would be many that would be against me all tough my own supporters would stay behind me… I must consider my options wisely as we await for the news of those that will be elected, report to me about the progress of Calos and his friends. If the elders do not keep their promise I have no choice, but to take a more radical course of action in order to achieve my goals. Stay on guard, I myself shall return to my room and if anyone comes looking for me tell them to wait."

Yardo commanded before leaving the room and heading for the elevator once more. Arnoez followed and headed for the security room in the first floor where one could keep an eye on the whole perimeter of the estate. Yardo meanwhile returned to the chair in his own private room, millions saw hunger in hundreds of worlds and here he sat in luxury. Many would have, if they could have stolen everything from the room and sold them for immense amounts of money yet Yardo preferred the room as it was. It was not modest to begin with, on the wall hanged a cloth symbols on it as the furniture was skilfully made and decorated, there was a small collection of artefacts on the shelves. Yet life was not fair and Yardo had after all earned it all with hard work, now he was about to acquire something far more valuable yet he was not sure what to do with it. Power was not like objects, it could be taken away from you like any object yet you could not destroy or create power, power was always there, but in different hands. All of the power could be in Yardo`s hands trough a most risky plan and the profit would not be everlasting as where other courses of action would limit his power, but ensure lasting power. Yardo was facing a decision that would shape the whole future of the planet should his scheme go as planned and all the others would do as he expected them to do.

Yardo awoke in his chair as he had spent all night pondering about his plans and whether he should change them in any turn, but apparently exhaustion had gotten the best of him and he had decided to rest. Now that he awoke, he had a clear answer and it was to keep the course that he had already decided to take. Doubting his own abilities at this point was suicide and changing the already well designed plan could have disastrous results. Funny how there were more extreme measures under the surface that no one could have expected, except for those that realised to keep their eyes open. Actually Yardo had a part in creating those measures and the whole situation that could go one way or the other, two sides trying to keep and gain power over the planet with the aid of one in the middle. Yardo could either defeat them all or be defeated by them all; it sounded rather fair considering his own goals. He could either gain all the power there could be on Yablarian politics or he could be brought to ruin by the decision makers, even exiled in the worst case. Such a stain on his reputation would not be easily fixed or forgotten, not to mention he couldn’t imagine leaving his home. Yet politics were a perilous game and Yardo had accepted the risks in order to gain more power to the Genohardan, certainly his deeds would be recognized by his three friends should he succeed, not to mention by The Union. The elevator door slid open and Arnoez stepped into the room, Yardo could guess what this was about already yet he had ordered him to inform of the situation and apparently Yardo was not reachable by com link. Yardo rose sluggishly from the chair and scratched his almost bald head with a confused face as, if to ask what Arnoez had to tell him.

"They called for you, it seems that they are about to make the public announcement of the new council members and the ceremonies then you must attend to the ceremonies that follow. In other words your big moment has come sir" Arnoez explained to his master.

"My big moment? You exaggerate these things; there is nothing great in being a filthy politician and rising to the lead of a planet. Politics is not a friendly game and rarely do politicians actually do what they are supposed to, protect the benefits of their supporters. No, my greatest moment upon this planet is far more interesting than a boring ceremony where people cheer for to the council members whom they do not even like."

Yardo said before walking to a closet against the wall near the bed, in the very corner of the room. He opened the closet and picked out a plain box that held some of Yardo`s personal objects that he rarely needed such as a blaster yet you never knew when it might come in handy, even for a pacifist one such as him. Arnoez was his bodyguard and usually kept him safe, but he could not always depend on that and should Arnoez be killed then he would be out of protection, which was not an idea he liked. Thus he had a few precautions for cases such as these, Yardo placed the box on the bed and flipped it open, but his attention turned to Arnoez who coughed loudly as he saw the holdings of the box. Yet on the other hand he seemed concerned and suspecting as he began signalling to Yardo.

"A personal shield and a blaster? I wasn’t aware that such objects were needed in the ceremony or the first gathering of the council, especially when half of the council members and most of the people at the ceremony are pacifists. Not to mention I doubt there is much for you to worry from the younger generation as they need you to complete their plans, if I am not correct?"

Arnoez reasoned as the protection already seemed over exaggerated, but Yardo`s simply answered by picking up the blaster and hiding it into one his robe pockets, the shield was actually in the form of a bracer that he put around his hand. Yardo quietly examined the bracers before hiding it away in his robe sleeve yet he did understand that it was about to explain the full scheme that he had planned to his faithful bodyguard.

"As you were spying in the non-traditionalist party did you not notice anything strange? As if a certain anticipation or excitement about some members that were well connected with Calos?" Yardo asked with a clever smirk on his face.

"I guess I could have called it that, but I presumed it was because you had made some promises to them and thus they had presumed that they had gained your support. Yet what are you just implying with this questioning? What did I miss?" Arnoez asked with slight intrigue and confusion.

"You didn’t miss anything you were supposed to see, but the reason why they were so excited was that they could turn the tide for certain. They could not alone rely on me thus they reached out for a smuggler to bring them weaponry; the youth are planning to use force, if they cannot gain power by legal means. I for one will not allow it, but the truth is that it was one of my operatives that supplied those weapons to the non-traditionalists…" Yardo continued to explain his plot that apparently made no sense to Arnoez at the moment.

"Yet I do not see how that progress your position or gains you anything, it sounds more like a suicide…"

"Not quite because now Calos and his friends feel confident about their chances, if the planet is filled with pacifists, they won’t dare to oppose the youth will they? They will be more confident thinking that they always have one last resort and I believe that makes them easier to bend to my will. Actually by talking to both sides I have been able to arrange the first matters to bring to the councils attention and I shall present them myself… on the first matter I shall go against the youth to make them realise I am not their puppet yet as the second vote comes I will side with them. It will be controversial and create a lot of noise, but everyone will realise that I will call the shots from there on. But why should they both obey me and what if both sides team up against me? They can’t team up because of the public opinion, all have supporters that expect them to keep a certain line and going off that line will be political suicide.

Secondly I can always remind the pacifists that the youth have the capability of violence and an armed takeover, but I will keep the youth inline by reminding them that if they go down that path they will be overwhelmed by the Confederate droid army. Either way those that do not go along with their promises will be committing political suicide or I will have to make few arrangements with their supporters that are my clients. If the youth ever use their weapons for an armed takeover then the confederation droids will come down here to restore order." Yardo explained his plans as he had been keeping them hidden in the depths of his own mind thus far yet in order for his bodyguard to act swiftly he needed to know the details.

"Sounds like you would make many people angry and gain many enemies, which would become a serious threat to your re-election after your seven years of office. Also I wasn’t aware that the confederate droid army was ready for action at all…" Arnoez questioned his masters plan in a careful way.

"It isn’t and I am going to have to hope that the youth listen to reason instead of calling my bluff. And yes, it will anger many yet I have a safe core of supporters from the techno nobles in the middle who are not interested in supporting either sides. Trough them I might still get on a second term as a council member, but it doesn’t really matter as the planet will be a permanent part of the confederacy by the time I step down. I will have to keep them all in leash for the time being until the confederacy can solidify their plans and in the meantime I must bring the two sides closer for them to gain a greater co-operation skill. Those stubborn fools will wage war rather than talk with each others so I will make them work together one way or the other, as you realise now I am not seeking to become a tyrant as it might seem…"

"Sounds like a wise course of action as otherwise you would have to be a tool of one side or another, but there are no guarantees of one side doing something radical and ruining your plans. Assassination is always an option all tough it might not be approved as it would be clear who was behind it should tension rise in the council. After that there could be blaming from both sides at each others and possibly an armed takeover, thanks to your weapons should the situation expand to a conflict." Arnoez nodded as he signalled as a sign of acceptance, but at the same time expressed his worry for the future of the planet should they fail. All tough they would not be there should an assassination attempt be successful on Yardo`s life.

"Well… let us hope that there is some common sense left in our race and it’s youth, but in any case we must be going, we cannot let my supporters wait for they have had to wait too long for someone to set things straight."

Yardo signalled as a small encouragement, he hoped to see this trough and to see trough the rise of the Confederacy, but if not then it was fate he guessed. After all he was expendable like any other Genohardan because the union behind them would always make sure that there would be a new one to take their free spots.





Before the tall and elaborate building stood a sizeable group of Anomid supporters, they were only there to show their support to their candidates that would be announced here. Mainly there were not too many citizens around the plaza that opened before the building and it seemed odd, but rarely did you expect Yablari to be a loud place as the race only spoke to other races trough their masks. On the balcony stood an announcer, the already working council members, the newly elected, whose names would be announced, including Yardo, and some other officials working below the council’s jurisdiction. Yardo stood quietly on his placed with his hands crossed and his pale eyes at first examined the crowd, but turned soon to both parties that thought he would support them. At first he gazed at the traditionalists and gave a polite nod, and then he gazed at Calos and his followers giving the same polite nod to them. Then Calos`s name was announced and he stepped forward to accept a cheer from his supporters, the newly elected names were announced as Yardo had expected and finally came his turn. He stepped forward and made a small polite bow, the cheer he received was rather confusing, but apparently positive as there was some muttering amongst the officials. Yardo gazed at them and smirked for little did they know of his plans, but now that all the names were announced the almost new council would go inside the building to have a small break before the first meeting. This was Yardo`s chance to face Calos and the traditionalists, separately as rarely were they seen together unless they had some business together. Yardo quickly stepped to Calos and grabbed him by his arm asking him to come aside to talk, this move received doubting and hesitant looks from the other party. Calos seemed to be glad as his entrance to the council was ensured and he seemed to be waiting for congratulation, but ready to exchange thanks as Yardo had allowed him safe passage to the council.

"Council member Calos, that must sound good to you?"Yardo asked with a friendly smile on his face.

"Well the same title must suit you as well Yardo, but I must thank you for clearing the obstacles for me all tough I must inquire how did you do it?" Calos asked, there was small concern yet more joy in attitude that he expressed.

"The same way I delivered you the weapons Calos, by working with another party… " Yardo answered briefly and sent Calos into confusion as he was not aware that Yardo had orchestrated the weapons to him or that he had actually worked with the traditionalists.

"Whose side are you on? And why did you deliver those weapons to us?" Calos suddenly demanded after gathering his thoughts.

"On the side of my supporters Calos, I must admit that my plans were never to go along with your policies, but my own and that creates some problems for us yet I am going to be making the rules from now on. You have the weapons for a reason Calos, to create a guard force for this planet and that will be one of the first matters to do on the council. Yet on some policies on technology I and you do not see eye to eye, but do not worry. As long as you do not cause harm with the weapons or vote against your promises that are strictly against the traditionalists in most cases, you will be safe. Should your people take up arms I promise that there will be drop ships filling the sky to bring in hundreds of relentless droids to destroy any rebel force. Keep your people in line, vote according your policies and for the confederacy then you will be safe. You will get every decision trough where we agree yet so will the other side… And do not hold any grudges against me, I am simply doing this for the best of the planet…"

Yardo explained with a confident, almost eerie smile that was covered by his mask as Arnoez appeared to his side. There was a small moment of tension and Yardo could tell that Calos considered attacking him, Yardo was ready to activate his shield to block an attack yet Calos seemed to calm suddenly and so did Yardo. He made a small greeting to Calos, who did not answer in anyway, and then approached the traditionalist council members to make the situation clear to them, just before the meeting would begin. As the meeting would begin there were many decisive and angered looks exchanged by many of the council members as they sat around a round table, everyone could see each others and everyone was apparently equal. Yardo coughed and began `talking` to them all as they stared at him, Yardo had been in this kind of situation before, but it felt like some of them would want to attack him for blackmailing them.

"The first matter that we have to decide is about the import of technology and there has been a suggestion of raising a tax that would of course affect the usefulness of this trade yet bring more money to the government. I believe our votes tell us more than empty words or even meaningful words for that matter… I stand against this…"

Yardo then gazed at Calos to his right who supported the tax as well as other non-traditionalists, but there was a long and bothering silence as it came to the traditionalists. But one by one they all opposed the law and Yardo sighed in relief as all was going as planned. There was a secretary that marked the vote and then Yardo brought forth the last issue he had been able to slip into the new council matters. The traditionalists had no idea that it was coming, but Calos knew and just before Yardo began he glanced at the younger anomid.

"The Empire, the Galatic Coalition and the Black Dragon Empire… sooner or later we will have to face one of them, the first would invade and oppress us, the second send diplomats begging for our support and the third would want to change our race to their liking. Yet today I bring forth an alternative, The Outworld Confederacy has called for our support it is willing to take us under its protection. We can remain independent and ruling this planet, but we must send a representative to them if we are to be a part of them… not much asked I guess? So I call for a vote on Yablari joining The Outerworld Confederacy? What shall it be fellow council members? Shall we save ourselves or shall we cover here waiting for our doom to catch us? I stand for joining."

Yardo now glanced around the room, there was a deep silence as no one didn’t even move or seem to breathe for that matter. Yardo turned his cold and enforcing gaze at Calos whom he expected to follow by his example. One by one everyone cast their votes and the result was surprising, it was a crushing defeat for those who opposed idea of joining the Confederacy as in fact one of the traditionalists supported this policy. Yardo had not seen that one coming, but it was good to know that there could be hope for some sort of silent co-operation between the two sides as Yardo stood in the middle. After a number of issues that ultimately had a quite balanced overall result, Yardo was finally able to depart to his estate with a big smirk on his face. The announcement of publicly joining the confederacy would be made tomorrow and just in case Yardo had taken a copy of the results that had been reported so that he would not be viciously backstabbed. Yet Yardo had no relief, there would be consequences and it might appear on his sales, but if it had required the loss of customers so be it. In the end it would be a small sacrifice for the power he had gained yet he was eager to learn how the other Genohardan would react to his latest move as the idea of the Genohardan was to stay in the shadows letting politicians meddle out in the open.



Yardo retired to his own room once more leaving Arnoez to rest downstairs as the guard droids were activated to patrol the perimeter with all the sensors fully active. Yardo placed his blaster and personal shield away into the closet, they were a good precaution yet Yardo had the feeling he was always too paranoid. But then again you could never be too careful because life was full of unexpected events and mysteries that would be buried along with the dead. Yardo gazed outside at the harsh landscape that opened beyond the walls of his estate and wondered whether some bastard would build something there to ruin his view. Progress was only natural as Yardo had thought, the young would replace the old, the strong would destroy the weak and the cunning would outwit the foolish. The last one was a good example to describe his position yet still he was weak and they were strong so perhaps there was some hope for the weak in this galaxy, to survive and to slip out of the strong one’s grip. Yardo sat down to his chair and opened the system once more, the expected retaliation had already happened and a grin rose to Yardo`s face. The weak did not always survive without harm, but he would recover because there was a stronger force than a planetary government working behind him. Yardo opened up a map of the galaxy with different factions with marked in their own colour; he marked Yablari as a Confederacy planet and stopped to stare at the map.

Now Yardo could only wonder, what planet to bring next under the confederate banner? Or was it the Genohardan`s or the Unions? Why the hell did he even bother to care? As long as it brought him more and more power.

Augustus Mond sat on a balcony overlooking the vast ocean of Aquilaris eating breakfast as he usually tended to do while he quietly read over reports from his agents and the government. His position as Foreign Designate gave him complete access to all government information, especially since he'd had the politicians slip in a few clauses which gave him complete access. It had taken a little bit of manuevering on his part to get the legislature to do it but in the end he held sway over too many of its members that it would have been suicide to oppose his quiet request. Already several opposition member had suddenly been caught up in scandals, the most dangerous ones apparently committing suicide. Mind you it was very much an assisted suicide but since no one was going to ask any questions Aquilarus would continue to run to the beat of Augustus' drum with no one the wiser save the Genoharadan members and the Union.

With a sigh and a sip at a cup of tea, Augustus switched data from the local government to the fledgling though very much developing Outworld Confederacy government. It was taking time and money but the few members were giving it there all to form a government to protect themselves even in the slightest from the major galactic powers, especially as they now began to tear at one another's throats. The Confederacy had been very quick to declare itself neutral in the new violence simply because it wasn't ready yet. The Techno Union droids were just starting to arrive and the Skakoans were still working on ship designs for the Confederacy Navy which their shipyard above Skako would start producing once they have been presented to the Confederacy for review and approval. The new special military core was also proceeding well enough. There had been massive enlistments to join the new ConNav and ConArm branches though failure rate for training was almost 90 percent due to the insanely rigorous training of Cedric Gotha and his mercenaries. The 10 percent that didn't fail out of the training were very quickly tested and assigned as necessary to one of the two areas of the Pax Legio. ConNav was what little naval force the Confederacy had at its disposal currently made up of some friates and picket ships along with what starfighters could be afforded. That had to be fixed and the Techno Union had already made contact saying they had a number of designs they wished to share. That would mean have to deal with their envoy when he arrived sometime later today as had been ordered so that Augustus, as Foreign Designate of the Confederacy, could look at them first and pass them along to be rubber stamped by the Confederacy leadership.

Along with that though was the fact that the ConArm was developing much more efficiently since the Techno Union was making continual deliveries of B-4 battle droids which had been specially designed and commissioned for sole use by the fledgling Confederacy government. What members of the Pax Legio that existed were being extensively trained in strategy and tactics, especially involving the use of droids in tandem with small groups of crack troops formed from the Pax Legio. The Pax Legio itself was also shaping up very well since the severe conditions ensured that only the smartest and the toughest managed to get into the program, producing a small but very deadly core of soldiers who would more often then not form the officers corp of both the ConNav and ConArm. This fact also combined with the fact that there were a number of the 90 percent who re-enlisted for training again in hopes of making it through the next time which helped to boost the Pax Legio's numbers slightly but what needed to be done was to gain more member worlds. That was the only way to ensure real growth within the group as well to supply the Confederacy with greater funds, especially for the new plans being drawn up for orbital shipyards above Aquilaris to be operated by the Techno Union to supply the Confederacy with more ships. It had taken time but Augustus had managed to get that pushed through the government without much resistance since no one wanted to be defenseless in these increasingly insane times.

"Sir, we have reports from Yardo on his homeworld," Shado said as he walked up, placing a printed message in front of his master.

Augustus picked it up, sipping more of his tea while he read over the report from his fellow Genoharadan member. The situation on Yablari seemed to be developing well enough and the Genoharadan member had it seemingly under control which worked perfectly since it would earn the Confedeary yet another avid member. That would be combined with the intentions of bringing in three other worlds, all of which would benefit the fledgling government very greatly as the need for resources grew. The Genoharadan could needed every world that it could bring under its expanding influence and that meant they would use every dirty trick at their disposal to ensure the continued bringing in of members as well as to avoid any wanted attention by the major powers as the Confederacy quietly built itself up into a neutral power. Neutrality would be a very valuable asset for the time being when the major forces of the galaxy were continually either truly fighting or in a cold war with one another. Any conflict that kept them distracted and away from the Confederacy suited Augustus just fine. It meant work could be done.