STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Brothers

Well, with Imperial and some internal support Melkor could still take power.... he is not willing to consider killing his father, though- in worst case he would force him to retire.

Your father may be old and weak and pushing his responsibilities off onto Einar... but you do not think he would surrender his title. Not without a) the ceremony where he passes the title on or b) fighting to the death...

Tarkin is waiting for an answer.

Well, Melkor won`t immediately demand his father to give him full power. He thinks that without Einar the Castellan will give into Empire`s demands more easliy.

"The key to solving our issue is removal of my brother from power. Without him surely Castellan would see more reason. Recently, there was a series of attacks directed at the Royal Family. It would surely be most convenient if Einar...tragic as it would be...." Melkor hesitates for a second.... "vanished in such attack."

"Your insight is useful, Melkor," Tarkin says. "Perhaps it is something you have been considering on your own, hmm? Tell me, how did you plan on doing this?"

"Well, he is bold and wouldn` t hide himself behind safe walls forever. He always loved hunting.... I would have sent a capable man to kill him there, armed with the information about the place and Einar`s habits."

Melkorn shrugs, suddenly wandering how he can talk about arranging his brother`s death so casually...

Tarkin does not seem to mind, but Moff Garridge has said nothing. He does not seem comfortable at all.

And to your knowledge, a single man will not be enough. Einar is lethal, as you know very well, and is most often inhabiting the Palace, the most well-protected place on Erengard. That is why Janus is assembling a small force for you to command.

But an ambush would be more plausible than assaulting the Palace, right? Einar could always be lured with something.... it is just that Melkor would prefer not to make it look too much like he is the killer.

If you can think of a lure, Tarkin is listening.

Well, Einar is not fool, so I quess he will keep to the castle. I assume he will not go hunting in current unstable situation. An obvious trap would be the news that Melkor returned and is plotting against him- the disadvantage of this plan is that it would be hard for Melkor not to be the main suspect, though he could always say that he was attacked first, as before.

I quess Einar is the one to do rash things for women, right? He liked Anastazia, so he would go for a lonely date. But Melkor hesitates to tell this to Tarkin, as he really likes that girl and would not use her so....... he is actually a bit ashamed to think this way..... but it was Einar who did the unreedemable, didn`t he?

It would be difficult to buy someone in the Palace to assasinate Einar, I quess?

Using Anaztazia as bait... has potential, but the difficulty would be getting Anaztazia to get involved with Einar when her world is trying to help him and the Empire negotiate. Not to mention she would probably never talk to you again if she figured out that she was bait.

Being pinned for Einar's death is not of the greatest concern. As I said, the Empire would back you and the Erengardian soldiers remain loyal to whomever holds the title of Castellan. You would have averted the destruction of your world. The big point is how to remove Einar and what to do about your father.

Would father really have the will to fight anymore after Einar died? He already is not in good shape, hence hands more and more power to Einar. Melkor does not want to harm his father anyway. He is willing to plan his brother`s demise because he was the first to betray the family and commit murder. Though maybe capturing him would be enough......

Hmm, I think Melkor himself would be the best bait. Let`s say Janus pretends to betray him and claims that Melkor is secretly visiting him, which could provide an opportunity for an amush.... Tarkin could help with this right? I am not sure Melkor and Janus have enough capable men for it, since Einar is good himself, and likely has an elite guard with him all the time.

Tarkin is willing to supply men, if Janus does not recruit enough.

Age has not caused your father to lose his skill as a marksman, but he is unfit for prolonged battle.

Well, Melkor does not want to harm his father- he plans his ambush only for Einar.

Overwhelming your father with men may give him cause to surrender.

Tarkin inquires if there is anyone else assisting your mischievous plan.

Well, Melkor`s main ally on Erengard is Janus, isn`t he? The problem with involving too many people is that it would increase risk of alarming Einar. Janu`s loyal men and mercenaries Melkor will hire with Tarkin`s help should be enough. Though Melkor hopes that he would get some support from Koshtas, since he seems to get on along well with Anastazia. But it is more relevant for the aftermatch than the coup itself.

Einar is stubborn, you don't think he will run away from a fight. If you are leading it, he will see it as a chance to finish what started when he tried to kill you on the plains.

If you want to lobby for assisstance from the Kostas, you have time for it. Janus has cautioned patience in the plot to kill Einar, as he recruits men covertly. But they probably will not support assassination, and then it would become a public matter.

Tarkin is willing to request that Commissar Perry donate fifty stormtroopers to your cause, though he thinks it would be wise if you disguised them as ragged peasants.

Of course, the Koshtas and others would be involved after the confrontation with Einar, is the point.

So my plan is something like this- Janus informs Einar that Melkor has came covertly on short visit to his estate and is meeting with his supporters to plot to overthrow Einar. Einar, knowing him, will quickly come, only with his personal guard since there is no time to bring an army- besides he will think that Janus is on his side- and then he will be ambushed. Then Melkor declares that Einar tried to kill him and with Empire`s support takes power.

Actually, I wonder how rich is Melkor - maybe he inherited some estates after her mother and is able to hire at least few mercenaries?

Tarkin feels that mercenaries, considered to be the scum of the underworld, will not be necessary. He will asign one of Commissar Perry's finest Commanders to the 50 stormtroopers going in with you.

Moff Garridge voices concern about the armies of Erengard rallying to fight off the coup, but Tarkin assures him that he has thought ahead. The Imperials are to launch a false invasion, a feint to keep the armies distracted while you deal with Einar.

I am actually not sure about wealth... template-wise, the Commissar has powerful political ties. It is the Idealistic Noble that has money to throw around.

Actually, you cannot diffretionate between political influence and money that much. Though let`s say that Melkor is fairly reach, but he is not a very rich person on Coruscant scale, Is this okay?

Melkor will thank Tarkin for his support. What Commisar Perry thinks of it all?

I will say that Melkor has access to some funds.

Commissar Perry is not present to comment, but it is safe to assume that he agrees with Grand Moff Tarkin, as the wise governor is the Commissar's Mentor.