The Ordo Problem (LM5)

[Nekoinu]

"It's more than glory, I think. I'm her older sis; I have a lot more rapport than she does." Thera smirked. "She lives in my shadow. Could you give her a position where she could be famous?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I could. I could arrange for her a high ranking military position, official commission and rank. Give her troops to supplement her own, likely arrange for ships as well. Feature her in press releases, give her highlights and high profile assignments where she could win recognition and fame.... quite possibly in the same way that I did when I was younger. Except she is already far better than I ever was and would probably have survived what I endured and come out stronger on the other side. Yes, I could do all these things.

"Or if she doesn't want to join the Imperial military, even in an auxiliary unit, I so happen to have quite a few Mandalorians on retainer. What says she could not take them and forge them into a new clan, with their own traditions - with support and income from the Empire - and become a clan leader in her own right in a way that would potentially let her view you as her equal. What of either of these things?"

[Nekoinu]

"Well, one problem I see in that plan is that the Empire is supposed to be going to peace with the Republic soon. I imagined the Mandalorians attacking them as a sort of proxy war." The Mandalorian smirked. "Well, I try not to delve so much into those politics.

"As for your second idea, that might work. I couldn't say for certain though."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"At that point she wouldn't fight the Republic in an offensive fashion, but neither did I. I was a part of a high-visibility Quick Response Team, a bit of an icon for Imperial Justice in public places while dealing with insurgents, terrorists, and the like. Earned me a bit of unexpected celebrity before I got blown up," she said with a shrug.

"What risk do you see in the second?"

[Nekoinu]

"Ah, therein lies the problem. I don't think Vera would want to fight that sort of enemy. She would want to take on the big names.

"As for her forming her own Clan, I foresee two issues. One: she does not possess the charisma for it. The second is related: would the men choose to follow her?" Thera giggled. "Neither of us are particularly popular, even among our own Clan."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Is there a particular reason for that, or do they just view her as abraisive or uncharismatic? Or just unseasoned in that fashion, in the same way that no one is ready to become the leader of something until they are already ready, so how does one become ready if you have no opportunity?"

[Nekoinu]

Thera shook her head. "Not quite. The two of us have a natural inclination towards underhanded tactics. That doesn't exactly inspire heroism in others."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"But heroism isn't the same thing as leadership. So long as those under you are willing to participate or engage in the same sort of tactics, it shouldn't interfere with your leadership structure."

[Nekoinu]

"And therein lies the problem, Colonel. Her unit is one of the few willing to openly dedicate themselves to stealth operations. Sure, others may utilize such tactics, but none so openly."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Well if she wants to be a marauding unit with completely no ties at all to the Empire yet our interests co-align while she raids Republic space, if she happened to receive anonymous and untraceable supplements to her operational credit accounts then I'm sure she'd be all the better. Then she could be out in the open, known for what she does, without needing to conform to the traditional Mando'a clan structure, and yet we both profit."

[Nekoinu]

Thera nodded. "Right, but that doesn't solve the problem of her leading the others already sworn to your side." She shrugged. "You have a bunch of traitors, really. They turned their backs on Kyr'ad Kelborn. What's to stop them from usurping my sister too?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Nothing. This would be different. She would just lead her's and those who want to follow her. The ones who were interested in credits will be kept in reserve for Corso and he can take care of them as Mandalore. But she would have plenty of recognition, fame, and challenge as she raged across Republic space as a completely unaffiliated unit regardless of what happens with the peace talks. If she isn't an official member of the Imperial military, then we couldn't possibly be held responsible for her actions now could we?"

[Nekoinu]

"Would she not just be another Mandalorian raider as Corso Fett leads his crusade?" She looked up to his usual sanctum. "Come to think of it, I wonder what he would think of her doing so."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Not if she started soon, now. Before Corso is coronated. If she cements her actions before Corso does whatever he has in mind, then it will make her distinct from him. And if she wants to continue operating outside of his purview, in a way, it would make him her equal since they would both be heading independent organizations."

[Nekoinu]

"That is not exactly 'uniting the Mandalorians' then, now is it?" Thera shrugged. "I do wonder if Corso Fett would try to force her to join him.'

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I don't know, but he would probably settle for allowing her to do as she wills for the forseeable future so long as she does not oppose him, but if she joins with Kyr'ad then that would likely be viewed as opposition and a challenge which he would have to meet. It's not exactly 'uniting the Mandalorians' either if Corso decides that the factions and clans which oppose or reject him need to be extinguished to cement his place. It is unity in name, but it also seems like it would diminish the Mando'ade in total.... and I view death, unless avoidable, as wasteful. If she's rather go off and do her own thing with a few silent partners, that might be better for 'Mandalorian unity' as well as her own attempt at fame and renown."

[Nekoinu]

"Isn't that already what he is doing with Clan Nodd? He certainly seems to be in a rush to have them fall in line." Thera shrugged. "Then again, Dorak did openly oppose him. Tell me: if he demanded my sister fall in line, what would you have her do?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Offer to do so in exchange for a concession which would further improve her status. A unified Mando'ade would likely benefit from a spymaster or an intelligence network of their own. Something that lets her practice her craft and make a reputation for herself, a fearsome one most likely, while serving Corso which would in turn allow for his respect and social protection from those who might consider her methods distasteful. Imperial Intelligence, the SIS - they both have their boogeymen. Stories are told, likely less notable than the truth, which inspire wonder and fear by mention and name. She could be the same for the Mando'ade.

"This is all about coming to an arrangement which your sister would benefit from as well as enjoy while ensuring that it benefits the other partners involved so they would agree too."

[Nekoinu]

"Then it appears you have your answer." A pause. "You may wish to speak with Corso Fett on this matter first. After all, if he refuses, then my sister will not be pleased by the outcome. On the other hand, if he gives his answer and she refuses, he may be offended." Thera cracked a smile. "Politics is awfully difficult."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"It is, sadly. I believe I'm due to speak with him later today. I will do so, and then send word," she agreed.

[Nekoinu]

"Great, great." Thera tapped her fingers on her legs until her demeanor began to switch back to the ordinarily meek version of herself. "Try, um, to not, well, upset him, alright?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Of course not," she said with a polite smile and a nod.

[Nekoinu]

"Good." She shuffled in her feet. "Good," she repeated once more, turning her head away.