Elara begins to doubt the wisdom of the workers

Days since start of the negotiations: 27

Elara found herself ensnared in an emotional turmoil that was rare for her, feeling as if she were torn between two opposing forces. On one side stood Zax, her friend and colleague, who only wanted what was best for for Geldaf. Zax protected her and her interests. He had proven himself time and again to be both generous and rational, even going so far as to expend his resources on the search for her missing spouse.

Yet on the other side, Elara could not ignore the mounting discontent among Geldaf's working class. While the commercial sectors had lauded her attempts at averting war through diplomacy, those who once championed her cause now seethed with frustration. They yearned for a clear resolution from the Sith - either a concrete proposal or a complete withdrawal from their affairs. The previous day had seen protests demanding an immediate cessation of talks with the Sith. Even her daughter had approached her last night in **** emotional distress. Lyra tearfully expressing confusion over her continued negotiations and trust of Zax. She went as far as to voice concern for Elara's well being and engaged in some of the silly conspiracy theories that Zax was manipulating her mind.

In light of these circumstances, Elara reached a decision she hoped would quell the unrest: she would terminate the negotiations that very day. Despite her trust in Zax, she understood that democracy meant heeding the voice of the people. Even if it felt like a colossal error in judgment to end discussions prematurely, she knew it was not about what she believed but rather what the people desired.

"Regrettably, I find myself compelled to withdraw from these discussions," Elara conveyed to Zax at the commencement of their meeting. "My presence seems to have incited a domestic uproar that's undermining faith in our governance and this entire procedure. Perhaps a substitute could be arranged..."

Zax merely shook his head, prompting her words to trail off into silence. A self-satisfied smirk played on his lips as he observed her; she was unaware of the underlying reasons but already she was deferring control of the conversation to him. She was being manipulated and she should be afraid, but it was too late: she was already ensnared in his web with no conceivable means of escape.

"Is that what you think?" Zax queried, his tone laced with feigned innocence.

Elara paused for a moment, as if considering if she should reveal her real feelings to him. "Frankly, I believe the populace is gravely misinformed. They fail to grasp the horrors war would unleash upon us all. In my opinion, our negotiations are making substantial headway," Elara retorted with conviction.

"Indeed," Zax pronounced, his voice laced with the pulsating influence of the dark side as he began to infiltrate her mind once more. "The citizens of this planet... they fail to acknowledge your worth... They disregard your sacrifices." As his words flowed, a spark of resentment ignited within Elara, fanned by Zax's insidious manipulation. "You've endured countless sleepless nights, immersing yourself in policy study, campaigning tirelessly, knocking on doors. These people haven't done that. Yet now they have the audacity to question you."

Elara found herself entranced, nodding in agreement. His argument held a certain twisted logic. "They are parasites," Zax declared with contemptuous certainty. "They desire for you to shoulder all the burdens because they lack the will to do so themselves. Then they have the gall to point fingers at you when things don't unfold exactly as they envisioned—because their understanding is too limited to grasp the complexities of the world."

The Elara from merely a fortnight ago would have stormed out of the room if anyone had dared to justify slavery in her presence. Yet, Zax had been steadily chipping away at her moral framework for nearly three weeks. Elara found herself in a state of confusion, and alarmingly, she discovered herself agreeing with his severe judgment. "He's right, the electorate is uninformed," she unexpectedly conceded in her thoughts. In this moment, she was morphing into the very kind of elitist she had campaigned against. She began to view those she used to labor with in the scrap yards with an air of haughty disdain. "The citizens of Geldof are ignorant. They fail to comprehend the issues at stake. They need my guidance. Intellectuals like Zax and myself should determine what's best for Geldof, not them."

"Your counsel is appreciated, Zax," Elara voiced after mulling over his words. "There may indeed be some wisdom in your viewpoint." She added, "I'm grateful that a seasoned Sith administrator like you can provide guidance amidst these complex circumstances."

"I am privileged to serve as your counsel, Lady Elara," Zax rejoined, a sly grin unfurling across his repugnant features. He was manipulating this woman like an oblivious lamb led to slaughter. Merely three weeks prior, this very senator had issued an ultimatum for the Sith Empire's unconditional surrender or face impending conflict. Now? She was seeking his guidance and depending on him as her advisor. It was akin to a hen soliciting advice from a fox on the optimal ways to ensure its safety. "I would suggest you consider forging alliances with some of your erstwhile adversaries from the capital. Based on my scrutiny, they seem more receptive to your political ideologies than the laborers are. And should you choose that path, I'd recommend donning your senatorial garb instead of your scrapper gear. It might make them feel more at ease.”

Elara nodded her agreement. “I will take that into consideration.”

Zax silently scorned her in the recesses of his mind. "What a pitiful, brainless whore," he sneered internally, his contempt for her palpable even within his thoughts. "She's already pathetically dependent on me for everything. I’m even helping choose her outfits. It's only a matter of time before I assume complete control here and she finally concedes that it is I, not us as a pair, who truly comprehends the intricate workings of Geldof’s best interests.” His mind swirled with these thoughts, igniting a perverse arousal within him. Having skillfully cut her off from those she once considered allies, he was poised to give her a hard fuck she had likely been deprived of since her husband's departure. And once he did, it would be merely a matter of time until she'd betray the entirety of this planet just for the chance to worship at his cock.