[h2][b]Pestage's Folly[/b][/h2]

As Miryia entered along with the Bothan, who almost skipped as he entered the room, those within grew silent. All that was left was Grand Admiral Pitta and Grand Vizier Pestage laughing, coincidentally, at Karius and Miryia's unfortunate mission. However, when they turned to see who the new arrivals were, Pestage froze. For a moment, Miryia saw the look of fear in his eyes. The gaze of a deer caught in headlights as he is about to be run over. Pitta on the other hand, developed a confrontational attitude the moment Miryia, Raveem and Phasma approached. He knew the Bothan would cause problems, yet Pestage refused to listen. The other high ranking officers simply stared at the new arrivals while more prominent figures like Il-Raz, General Mohc, Grant, Makati, Batch, Takel, Tigellinus, Hissa, Traeda, Disra, Muzzer, Thistleborn, and Dunhausen were smart enough to smell a confrontation coming. They all began to slowly move toward whatever they could use to hide behind. Some remained in their place however. Mohc reached for his blaster the moment Miryia walked in. Grant, Karius and Il-Raz stood their ground as well, however none of them were intimidated by the sudden appearance of the powerful Force user. In fact, Karius, who was drinking some scotch, raised his glass in her direction. He had been looking forward to this all day long. Part of him knew she would find a way to show up. Another who also stood their ground was none other than Ysanne Isard the head of Imperial Intelligence, who saw the moment as an opportunity. She had been conspiring with Octavian Grant, Rom Mohc and Takel to take down Pestage. However, it seemed like that moment would come sooner rather than later. Admiral Palleon and Captain Rae Sloane, who were standing in a corner of the room also prepared themselves. While the sudden arrival of Miryia caught Sloane by surprise, it confirmed Palleon's suspicious that Pestage was attempting to rid himself of two very powerful challengers to his power. This would not end well. 

"You." The Grand Vizier pointed a shaking finger toward Miryia. "How dare you walk in here without summons?" In his later years, Pestage had developed an illness that made his hands shake uncontrollably. This, coupled with his age made him look physically weak and feeble. It didn't help that was being faced down by someone who could kill him with the snap of her fingers. 

"She didn't, Your Excellency. Lady Miryia of House Janus is here as my most honorable gue-" Before Raveem could finish his statement, Pitta began to shout over him. 

"Silence you sack of fleas! I knew it was a mistake to trust you. You xeno are all the same! Dishonest, dishonorable, and untrustworthy beasts who should be enslaved or put into the ground!" As he spoke, Pitta invaded the Bothan's space towering over him in an attempt to intimidate him. Raveem smirked as the Grand Admiral lost his composure. That only seemed to anger him even more. 

"Enough!" Pestage shouted, making the Grand Admiral recoil back. "Guards. Arrest Miryia and the Bothan." 
Members of the Royal Guard, who had pledged their allegiance to the Grand Vizier stepped forward pointing their vibro spikes at the new arrivals. 

"You will do no such thing." Tigellinus stepped forward, stepping behind Pestage and Pitta. "Your Excellency." He began, briefly glancing at Miryia with a smirk. Previously, Tigellinus had pledged allegiance to Karius and by proxy, to Miryia. Karius and the Grand Admiral had become friends in the academy, and the two shared a bond that transcended their allegiance to the Empire. "I suggest you don't jump to conclusions. Lady Miryia and the Director-General may have some good insight into the failed mission at Onderon. Which you authorized." 

"What are you waiting for? Arrest them!" Pestage started to back away slowly as the crimson dressed guards hesitated to follow his orders. Pitta, however, had waited long enough. He had known since the beginning that the Bothan would betray them. And he wouldn't allow the alien to live any longer. The Grand Admiral then drew his blaster, pointing it at the Bothan's head.
"This! This is why the Empire should have never accepted aliens in its midst. They are but rabid creatures who crave nothing but disorder and chaos. It ends now."

Phasma acted quickly in the defense of her master, pulling out a vibro spike of her own that she had hidden on her belt. The ISB agent pointed it right at Pitta's neck. "I will only warn you once, sir. Put the weapon down." 

"And you…" He glared at Phasma, still pointing the gun at Raveem's face. "You're just a pretender. A mutant. I'll deal with you too when the time comes." Despite the threats, the Grand Admiral didn't stand down. Raveem reacted by raising his hands to the sides dramatically, feigning surrender. Ishin Il-Raz who was standing by Karius, also drew his own blaster. 

"Let's not forget the real traitor here. Admiral Karius and his co-conspirator Director Isard. I know you two have been plotting to take down the Grand Vizier from the start. My COMPNOR contacts have told me everything!" Il-Raz backed away a little as he saw Tilleginus draw on him as well. 
"You're no soldier. Put it down." The Grand Admiral downed the whole glass of scotch before tossing it aside. Soon, almost every single person in attendance were pointing guns at each other. Minor officers either pointed guns at the Bothan or at Miryia or even at each other. The Governors present also didn't hesitate to draw on each other. Suddenly, the room fell dead silent as everyone stood there waiting for someone to open fire first. 

The silence was suddenly broken by Raveem giggling. "My, this is so exciting! It seems we have ourselves a Mos Eisley Standoff. I wonder who is going to die first!?"