"Sith shouldn't be interferring in our work." / The Imperial Agent
Some time ago, I did a breakdown demonstrating that an early line in the Jedi Knight prologue set the stage for the rest of the story.
(You can click here if you're interested.)
The post seemed to get some positive feedback, so i decided i'd try to do the same for the Imperial Agent.
My position is that virtually everything that "goes wrong" in the Imperial Agent storyline can be traced back to the machinations and missteps of the Sith.
Understand - this position is NOT a defense for Ardun Kothe, Hunter, the Star Cabal, the SIS, Keeper / Minister, Elmo, the cookie monster or the legions of other people and groups who try to screw us over during the story. They all deserve plenty of contempt for their actions.
We begin with Hutta. You spend all that time working to build up Karrels as a contact, only for some random Sith to start some petty squabble with his sons, killing one and crippling the other. Now Karrels may only be a mob underboss, but he's actually one of the more reasonable and amicable characters in the story. It sets the stage for what is to come.
Virtually everything in Chapter One of the story can be broiled down to one thing: Darth Jadus. Yes, the Eagle and his network of terrorists / freedom fighters existed before-hand, but they were apparently a minor threat. Most didn't seem to receive support from the Republic, even. He made them a greater threat to suit his own purposes, so he could exploit the vacuum of power in the Empire. (And why does a power vacuum exist, may i ask? Why, because the Emperor is checked out!) Jadus' extreme philosophical views - spreading fear to other Imperials - shows a complete lack of understanding of the differences between Force-users and non-Force-users. He was ready to kill millions of loyal Imperials just to make a point. And whatever Valkorion put Vaylin through to make her crazy, I suspect what Jadus did to Zhorrid was worse. It was all on him. And plenty of other Sith would have done the same.
So Chapter Two - here's the problem - after saving the Empire (potentially), Cipher Nine never should have been subjected to the programming. The Dark Council's reaction to the Jadus situation - born out of paranoia, pride and arrogance - made everything that happened possible. Again - NOT a defense of Kothe and company. But its the equivalent of leaving your front door unlocked and then being surprised when you eventually get robbed. Everything you endure comes down to Sith interference in the Imperial Intelligence.
Finally - Chapter Three. Oh my. A few months into a galactic war, the Dark Council decides to disband Imperial Intelligence. WTF, people.
Yes, they did so under the manipulation of the Star Cabal. But how the hell does the Star Cabal pull that off? Its the Dark Council of the Sith Empire, for crissakes. They're supposed to be the baddest of the bad. And they get played like that? Clearly, a combination of incompetence and arrogance led to these developments. (I actually like Darth Marr, but he wasn't in charge at this point.) Then that jerk, Razer, torments Watcher Three, followed by his heavy handed dealing with us on Corellia. The only good thing i can say about him is that we were (mostly) free after he got himself killed. Finally, we meet Ilikith and Charnoq at the end of the story. (Assuming Kothe is dead.) Those two jerks want to swoop in and claim credit for everything you've done to bring down the Cabal? F*ck 'em.
Taken as a whole, is it really so shocking that an Imperial Agent character would defect? If not to Kothe, then later after Nathema?
Say what you will about the Jedi. Their moralizing - and occasional hypocrisy - certainly grates. I understand that. But you don't get these kinds of complaints from the SIS.
I would submit that from the perspective of the Imperial Agent, the problem with the Sith Empire is the Sith themselves.
