hadriel | [VIDEO]

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[VIDEO]

[The video opens with Sato's face mostly filling the screen, so it's hard to tell exactly where he is. For anyone who's seen him before, there's one major change; he does not look happy.]

Hello everyone. I'm Sato.

I've been here for many months now, and been watching the sad state of affairs we are living in. Our lives are nothing more than playthings for the so-called gods, revived again and again to serve as their sources of power. Yet even in this troubled situation, man always seems to find a way to oppress man.

I'm speaking, of course, about the City Guard.

These people have put themselves in a position of authority over all of us in this city, keeping the peace... their idea of the peace.

But I ask you, who are they to tell you or I what we should be doing, how we should be feeling, when we are already prisoners to begin with? We have to go with our emotions, speak.. and act... from the heart! [he clenches his hand and places it over his heart, speaking with renewed intensity] If you feel that the windows should go, if these buildings need to burn to the ground, then you should be free to do it! If god damn animals are infesting this city, then you should be free to take them out and throw their corpses in the river! Whatever aggravates you, there is always one of them in the way trying to calm things down and keep you from expressing how you truly feel! We have let these feelings simmer for far too long, let them keep us quiet for the gods to feed from for too long! And I know that I, at least, am not willing to let these jackbooted thugs tell me what I can and cannot do.

No, they will not have their peace. The first step to liberation is to depose these puppets, and show the gods our fury.

That's why I'm calling to all of those in the City Guard to disband their organization, abandon their posts. Of course, [...he shakes his head...] we all know that they won't give up the authority that they've been holding so easily, will they? That's why I am asking all whose hearts beat with mine and earn for true freedom to join me in front of their headquarters at dawn tomorrow... where we will deal with them and put an end to their injustices once and for all.

Let me remind you that extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice, and that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

[There's a brief pause with him scowling into the camera before he adds:]

And in case the Guard thinks they can stop this resistance by blocking off the Armory [Sato adjusts the phone to angle over his shoulder, showing off a pile of assorted weapons that a medieval warlord would be proud of, largely collected over the last few months from the Armory, everything from crossbows and morning stars to pickaxes and... is that some C4 on the table???] Think again.

[That scowl twists a little at that point into a vicious smirk before the feed cuts off.]

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I don't have to flatter myself, everyone in the galaxy saw what I accomplished that day. But, I doubt someone like yourself could comprehend such things on such a large scale.

[He doesn't like you, Tua. He wants to make you cry.]

Then why am I still alive, sitting here talking to you now? If I was here to simply do paperwork, then I'm sure he would have killed me already and I wouldn't dare speak of him.

[He can't even believe what he's going to say next, thankfully this is private and he's going to go throw up afterward]

Oh, Vader. Ren makes Vader look like a youngling and he rather enjoys perfecting the art of torture. He would be more than happy to demonstrate, I'm sure, if you ask nicely.

[He even manages to keep his expression straight through sheer willpower. That's a lie, he's sure Vader would wipe the floor with Ren without breaking a sweat.]

And what, exactly, is someone like me?

[He'll probably spit something clever and biting back at her. But the more she keeps him talking, the more she learns. It's clear Hux wants to tell her what he did, but not directly, oh no - he wants to make her ask. And that's the one thing Maketh has promised herself she will not do.]

Routine, General. And someone to clean up his messes.

[She smiles at him, ever so sweetly.]

Does he have you doing the housework too?

[It's good to remind Hux that she knows about his living arrangements. Maketh makes a point of knowing a great deal about what goes on in Hadriel. She cants an eyebrow, decidedly unimpressed with his comment about Vadar. She's seen Kylo Ren in person, even had a conversation with the man. It was relatively civil, as these things go.]

I could feel Vadar's power just standing next to him. And Kylo Ren is still in training. Try again, General.

[She huffs, deceptively casual. As if she isn't facing a dire threat against the guardsmen - her guardsmen.]

Or don't. One day you and I are going to play cards, and I am going to take everything you have.

Oh no, I put him to work. For a Sith, he's rather good at cooking as well as torture. Very talented.

[Oh god he's definitely going to be sick but somehow manages to keep his expression neutral.]

It takes far more power to conceal your presence in the Force instead. Vader had to flaunt it around, Ren doesn't. I take it you've met Vader in person then?

[He knows it's practically futile to pretend Kylo Ren isn't a ridiculous joke compared to a real Sith Lord but he's trying here. He can't afford to have anyone think they are weak or at odds even if they are fighting every night just over who gets the blankets.]

I've already taken everything away from your friends and made their sacrifices count for absolutely nothing, breaking you will just be an additional bonus.

I'll be sure to mention that when I see him next.

[Somehow she rather doubts that, though it will be rather amusing if it is true. But this, at least, is a bluff she can call.

Maketh snorts.]

Oh, please. You can't have been around many Force-users if you think that's true. And I did meet Vadar. Tarkin as well. Vadar at least got his hands dirty.

[Lord Vader had considered killing her - made no secret of it either - but ultimately not decided against it. Maketh isn't certain why. It's doubtful she impresses him. No, her execution had been ordered and orchestrated for efficiency and maximum impact. It would
Have been a waste for Vader to do it himself.

Maketh sneers.]

What friends? I don't seem to recall any of those. And my officers were executed before you were even born. Try as you might, you've done nothing to me. All you've shown me is posturing. At least Kylo Ren has proven his use.

And you're an expert on the Force now? How amusing. At least I have studied materials on the Sith. I doubt you had access to such files.

[He had spent many nights with Palpatine's records, they were a delightful read.]

Vader made stupid mistakes and that lead him to fail the Empire. He got sentimental and sloppy. Tarkin at least accomplished something before he died, Alderaan was proof of that.

[Oh he loves mentioning Alderaan. He's going to enjoy telling her the full story and then some.]

I have nothing to prove to you. Especially given your lack of good judgment in allying with terrorists who killed millions of innocent people for their 'righteous' cause. And yes, I have proof.

But I'll leave you to your idealistic and foolish delusions. I will enjoy breaking you here and then you will go home and Tarkin will demonstrate that the Empire is stronger than you could ever imagine.

You assume a great deal. I served alongside multiple Force-users. They respected me, which I suspect is something you'll never know.

[It's partially true. Maketh never had the security clearance to get her hands on the interesting files or even the uncensored history, but the Grand Inquisitor had been fond of her, in his odd way, and given her access to some of his own information. To this day, Maketh doesn't know why. She's given up trying to understand why the Inquisitor did anything. Either way, he wasn't the one to kill her and he'd kept his subordinates from harming her officers.

For a time, she had thought that made them allies. It had not. She knows better now. She remembers very well how the Inquisitor smiled when he killed her commanders. The flash of teeth and his eyes, ever so bright, with glee.

Maketh narrows her eyes. If she was afraid of anyone in the Empire, it was Tarkin. Not physically - he'd always been a small man and if anyone went for her throat it would be Vader or Kalllus - but rather what Tarkin represented. He ordered her men dead. Had their heads cut off right in front of her.

Not that Hux needs to know that, of course.]

You seem confused about the nature of our situation, Hux.

[No general this time. Maketh smiles for him, not kindly.]

Allow me to enlighten you. You speak of a time when I will see the Empire in all its righteous glory. I imagine I'm on my knees in this scenario, yes? Your father was always dramatic like that. But I'm already dead and this is the only world that matters. You'll prove nothing unless you do it here. And I rather doubt you can.

I highly doubt the Inquisitors had any kind of real respect for you beyond using you as a tool. You were a means to an end and nothing more.

That is what they were trained for.

[Yeah he knows a lot about the Inquisitors from his dad. Fascinating lot, especially the Grand Inquisitor.

He raised his eyebrows, hardly impressed.]

And I'm the one with the Force user at my beck and call. And before you think Ahsoka will save you, the Inquisitors put her down like a rabid animal that she is.

[He hides the lack of confidence in that statement, though. He's going to have to pull Ren together. Or find a way to execute Ahsoka himself. ]

But I'll allow you to believe what you want to for now, since it makes you feel better. I would love to stay and chat but I have business to attend to.

[Maketh just smiles at that. Let him wonder exactly what she knows. It's not much, but she has a better understanding of the Force and its users just by being around them, and the few tidbits the Inquisitor chose to share than many Imperial officers twice her rank. Whatever his reasons, the Inquisitor had taken in interest. Perhaps she'd been a hobby to him, the closest a man without a name could come to human companionship. They hadn't been friends, certainly not, but he hadn't been the one to end her life.

That counts for something, in the end.]

Did they, then? Hmm. Exactly how many did it take?

[Ashoka managed to survive the Grand Inquisitor and two of his lieutenants, along with the entirety of Maketh and Kallus's combined forces. Unless Kylo Ren has been holding back, Maketh doubts he can kill Ahsoka in a clean fight. But that's the rub - it's never a clean fight.]

I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon, Hux. Try not to die before then. I'd be so disappointed.

Does it matter? She wasn't able to save Alderaan. None of the Jedi or the Rebels were able to save the Alderaanians.

[And that's what's important]

The same to you. Until next time.

[And with that, he switched off the video.]

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