A Day for Coffee

[Mantorok]

Mantorok looked uneasily about the room. Something here was wrong, something here was off. It wasn't the room itself really, that was fine, it was more the fact that Mantorok was standing inside of it. He was confused, and didn't really understand why he was here at all. Yet he felt compelled, compelled to be here and follow orders, Darth Mierin's orders.

The lumbering Chistori frowned slightly, and then walked over to a massive ring in the center of the room.

There he would find a huge holo-projector, big enough to project several people. The Chistori frowned slightly, staring at the console for a moment in utter confusion. He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself, but yet again he felt a compulsion in his mind, a thought, a press for him to move. He didn't, no couldn't understand, four-fingered claw moved almost involuntarily, reaching out he pressed a button on the console in front of them.

“As yO.uu b.I.d.” Mantorok pressed out, his tongue not his own.

The holo-projector before him sprang into life, and Mantorok retreated into the shadows.

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

Daxter nodded his thanks and approached the holopad. The call remained on hold for quite some time. They had funneled this request through several aliases and fake companies to acquire the means to get the Lords of the Fringe all able to hopefully accept this call. Daxter wished to speak with them all, and displayed insurmountable amounts of patience in doing so.

He folded all of his arms underneath his cloak and awaited the answer, speaking up only when the operator asked him.

"What is your name, sir?"

"Daxter Neesi."

"Business?"

"Aid work. I wish to report an emergency in sector IV of Fringe Space regarding several high-profile contractor and government employees."

"Roger. Pushing you through to intended destination."

Hopefully, his holo-image would appear soon before those he wished to speak with - the mighty Lords of the Fringe, whom up until now he had only heard tales of. Daxter tried to maintain his composure.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien was rather shocked to have been summoned into his communications room.no the less he had come. His image would spark into life before [member="Daxter Neesi"] and a monotone robotic voice introduced him "You have the privilege of addressing Lord Lucien Cordel , governor of Skye and Zaadja, lord protector of Valhalla and high councillor for internal affairs in the fringe confederation" Lucien looked up leaning on his hand "how can I help?"

Lucien didn't recognise his caller, he thought this rather strange. Normally appealents had to be invited to contact the council directly, however in an emergency perhaps exceptions were made.Lucien didn't bother with such trifle matters.

 

[Lucianus Adair]

Cordel was not the only one that received the holographic summons, though it was in the home of Lucianus Adair on Annaj where the notification pinged as well, though the hour would be an inconvenience for some - 0330, to be exact - it was merely another hour in his particular cycle of waking and sleeping; he had awoken around a half-hour prior, and would not require unconscious rest again for approximately another two days. The hybrid Sith was just finishing off a small meal when the call came. His apprentice still slept, and would not awaken for at least another three to five hours, leaving him to take the call in privacy and silence in the comfort of his office, where he headed after stowing away the dirty plate, and depleting another refill of his water glass.

Smoothing out his more casual garb, he stepped into the terminal and replied to the call, his image coming alive, while those of an unfamiliar entity and his fellow councillor, Lucien Cordel, came into being before him.

// Lord Lucianus Adair, High Councillor for Economic Affairs, has joined this call. // A smooth, albeit robotic voice introduced.

He blinked, slowly, before speaking.

"Good Morning, Lord Cordel," he said, inclining his head towards the other councillor, before turning his attentions to [member="Daxter Neesi"], "Who is it that calls upon us this day, and what is..."

He gave the besalisk a cursory once-over.

"...his business with us?"

[member="Lucien Cordel"] | [member="Jared Ovmar"] | [member="Kitt Solo"] | [member="Sargon Vynea"]​

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

The hologram of Daxter Neesi bowed.

"Esteemed Lords of the Fringe, I must apologize for the security precautions taken. But these are perilous times. Please know that this hologram transmission is secure and highly encrypted."

His face flickered quickly before them.

"I come before you to discuss urgent matters that will affect the whole of the Galaxy in the coming weeks. My name is Tsavong, and I am a Voice of the One Sith."

 

[Arage Bao]

Took me a while to get online, like Lucy I lived on Annaj most of the times. Courtesy of being the Governor of the damn planet, which ain’t all that cozy during the night times. Didn’t show my discomfort though, neither did I say anything as I got one in the middle of a speech of the… Vong? Ah… the Voice of the Dark Lord, that was interesting.

I remained silent until he took a break in his speech, which gave me the opportunity to speak myself.

// Jared Ovmar, High Councilor of Homeland Security and Representative of the Military. I think I speak for all of us when I say that you have piqued our interests to a concerning degree, Tsavong Voice of the One Sith. Speak and we will listen. //

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] @Mantorok @Daxter Neesi

 

[Sargon Vynea]

No one liked being woken up at the odd hours of the morning, and yet as a not so small light blinked at him unpleasantly he knew sleep was already gone. Standing he took a quick moment to make his bed before throwing on a dark green robe and moving to answer the call, local times on Bakura did little to effect Annaj's business hours. So taking a moment to focus on the Force and pull it in about him the Zabrak took a seat and connected to the Council. "Greetings Councilers, and guest, I apologize for my lateness, what is the subject at hand?"
[member="Jared Ovmar"]
[member="Daxter Neesi"]
[member="Lucianus Adair"]
[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

Daxter smiled and nodded.

Blaze bugs began to enter into his hologram image, insects that were created to form maps for the Yuuzhan Vong out of their little insect bodies. It took but a second for them to get into formation. It should an older version of the map, a map before the time of the One Sith.

"Here, as you see, was the map of most of the known Galaxy nearly two years ago. Here are the prestigious Lords of the Fringe," a chunk of the Unknown Regions began to glow yellow. "And here, your neighbors." Black for Moross, Purple for the Protectorate, Blue for the Republic. The Fringe and the Moross Crusade's blazebugs began to fade from view as the Republic and the Omega Protectorate began to highlight in color. "During this time period, the Protectorate and the Republic formed an alliance. A defensive pact, of the Inner Rims to the Core Worlds, in response to the Sith Empire. Together, they united the galaxy against a single threat." A red blob appeared of blaze bugs. They began to quiver and extinguish as the red cloud of the Sith Empire began to dissipate, falling under the weight of the blue cloud.

"This alliance did not negotiate."

More Sith worlds popped out of existance, the blue cloud ever growing where once there was red.

"This alliance held no mercy."

And suddenly, all of the red has blinked out of existance.

"This alliance ruled the Galaxy, and all within it. After the fall of the Sith Empire, none dared to challenge this alliance."

Daxter turned to each of them.

"How many times did this alliance come to the Fringe, with an olive branch instead of a gun? How many times did they attack you, for no better reason than because they could?"

Daxter grimaced and shook his head solemnly.

"The One Sith have sent me here to ask this very question. How much longer will the great Lords of the Fringe watch from the sidelines as their chance for an escape from this tyrannical alliance slip between their fingers? We have been successful so far in our campaign, yes, this much is true. But of all the nations in this expansive galaxy - it was you we thought would surely aid us in the attempt to break this alliance. You who have been bullied, you who have been treated like... a child. Your inaction thus far has been paramount in confirming your position as a Protectorate vassal in this ongoing struggle for independence."

The yellow blaze bugs that represented Fringe space slowly began slowly flickering.

"I ask again..."

The blaze bugs then all began glowing Protectorate purple, like a wildfire spreading through their ranks.

"How much longer?"

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien smiled "You were doing so well ..." The smile dropped "Then you saw fit to belittle and chastise us, the fringe may be a sleeping lion but it is not blind and dumb as you imply ..." There was a harshness in his tone " You are lucky I am a patient man, I will answer your questions" Lucien lent forward "you are correct in your statement that we have danced with your double entente before and indeed they brought sweet words which they followed with treason but when they came with weapons they found we were not the easy target they hoped and the shattered against us like water on rock, we sent them away with their tail between there legs and they have left us alone" his tone softened "Wars are expensive [member="Daxter Neesi"] in money yes but more Importantly it costs blood and I for one will not willingly face the hundreds of broken family's this war of yours would bring us" he sighed and sat back "As far as I'm concerned war will come uninvited and unwelcome and when it does 2e will pay the blood toll as we have done time and time before but it will not be voluntarily..."

A war would be a waste of resource and Lucien wouldn't welcome it

"Now as I said I am a patient man I offer you the chance to rephrase your speil, however if all you can muster is implied insults and veiled threats I suggest you crawl back to your master and tell him that all the sleeping lion did is growl at you ... Unless my fellow lords think I spoke out of turn"

[member="Sargon Vynea"][member="Jared Ovmar"][member="Lucianus Adair"]

 

[Arage Bao]

"Peace, Lord Cordel. I doubt Lord Tsavong meant any offense, merely a... faulty analogy, no reason this has to turn unpleasant.' Ovmar said without showing any emotions on his face. 'Lord Tsavong, I am a simple man with simple understandings. Clarify this for me in layman terms, what is it that you are offering? So we won't have anymore misunderstandings.'

[member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Daxter Neesi"] [member="Sargon Vynea"] [member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Mantorok"]

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

"Then you saw fit to belittle and chastise us, the fringe may be a sleeping lion but it is not blind and dumb as you imply ..."

Tsavong looked confused.

"Belittle and chastise? That was not my intent. Did I refer to the Sleeping Lion as dumb? Did I insult the Sleeping Lion as being blind? I do not risk exposure, risk this Conference, risk wasting my time to come before the Lords of the Fringe to parlay with insults like a mongrel. I am speaking with facts, my Lord."

Wars are expensive Daxter Neesi in money yes but more Importantly it costs blood and I for one will not willingly face the hundreds of broken family's this war of yours would bring us

"How many broken families did you console at Eriadu? Did you tell each mother then, that you were marching their sons off to fight a battle because of a petty rivalry? I would guess not, because it was no petty rivalry. It was a testament to your very survival. You FOUGHT."

The Myrshavong in him was beginning to show, and his eyes alit with new green vigor, pumping his fist albeit slightly. He knew what it was like to be oppressed, given his species' enslavement and subsequent rebellion against the Yuuzhan Vong, which forced the Yuuzhan Vong to realize their potential.

Clarify this for me in layman terms, what is it that you are offering?

"Need you money? The One Sith offers a friendly gesture. With mutual trade agreements between our two factions all along the systems of the Unknown Regions, the banks would keel over backwards to get a slice of this new lending territory, and business would flourish. Jobs created. New discoveries made. The economies of both of our nations would flourish."

"Need you men? I've been authorized to entreat you to what my betters refer to as a Mutual Defense Treaty." Tsavong had a hard time spelling that out, the Yuuzhan Vong lacked a complete understanding of the words "surrender" and treaty". He had been getting better, though, at incorporating Galactic culture and language during his sit downs with Darth Banshee at McYoda's. "This will ensure a fair and just relationship between the Lords and the One Sith, and should you call upon us for military aid - we will provide."

"As far as I'm concerned war will come uninvited and unwelcome and when it does 2e will pay the blood toll as we have done time and time before but it will not be voluntarily..."

"War is here, my Lords, it has always been here. The One Sith did not bring it with us, in fact - you've been at it longer. The Sleeping Lion can never fully rest in peace while the Alliance of the Omega Protectorate and the Galactic Republic remains."

Tsavong stroked his chin, noting that particular question about the Olive Branch hadn't been answered earlier.

"And the One Sith urges him to wake up before it's too late."

 

[Kitt Solo]

[member="Daxter Neesi"] @Lucianus Adair @Jared Ovmar @Lucien Cordel @Sargon Vynea



A synthetic voice announced the addition to the call that pronounced her name more like Kitt So - low.

Technology these days.

"Please excuse my tardiness bo--gentlemen. Let me get this straight." Flickering-form turned to Daxter. "You'll come to our aide if we need it. What are you asking for us in return?"

They had an existing agreement with the Republic and if the terms of this proposal crossed that...well, she would be interested to hear what her fellow Councilors would say.

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

The disguised beast shook his head, sighing.

What exactly was unclear about what he had said before? No wonder these guys hadn't been to war in a while, it seemed their main strategy was to ask a question - and then clarify and re-clarify until victory was certain. A sound strategy indeed, as Tsavong had never experienced this in dealing with his Colleagues, even the annoying and ever spiteful [member="Darth Junra"].

Now I know why the lion's asleep, Tsavong thought to himself. They bored it to death.

Tsavong remained stoic throughout his toxic thought process, standing up straight to address the newest Lord to speak.

"As an equal partnership..."

Tsavong's holoimage shimmered.

"...we would expect an equal alliance."

Did he really have to say it? Without changing his stoic face, which would give them no thought that Tsavong was displeased with any of the Lords, the Myrshavong stared at Kitt Solo and silently willed her to understand that if the One Sith were to give the Lords military aid, they would expect it in return. If the One Sith were to give financial aid, they would expect it in return.

There were no free handouts in this Galaxy of Chaos. This was an equal, fair deal. Nothing less should be expected of two nations that wished to retain their individual independence.

 

[Kitt Solo]

[member="Daxter Neesi"]

She was a hardened and master empath. Her career dealt not only in feeling emotions of others but in reading them, too. The beast's facial expression remained steady as a rock. Too steady. Too unchanging like he was trying too hard.

She didn't trust the bastard.

"Let's hope we never have to call upon your help then," she matched his stoic expression. "Fellow councilors, further questions or thoughts before our decision? Or, do we need some...private deliberation?"

[member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"] [member="Lucianus Adair"]

 

[Lucianus Adair]

All the while as his fellow councillors spoke, Adair had remained silent. Listening, observing. Each one of these had bargained on behalf of the Fringe Confederation before, but he himself was an unknown quantity. It was not that he had little to say - more to the point that he was keen to see how his colleagues handled this themselves... and they had given him plenty to see.

It was not that he had little to say. Not at all. The half-K'paur Lord shifted in the slightest, his projection flickering softly.

"How very plain to see," he rumbled, deadpan, in interjection before any of the others could say a word further, glancing from Ovmar to Solo. Were it solely his decision... but. But, indeed. He had managed to keep the derision from his voice that floated quite presently in the forefront of his consciousness at the slow manner of his compatriots, many items now coming to be realised in his thoughts as he returned the frigid pale of his gaze to the holographic form of the Vong, "Tell me, Lord Tsavong, for the sake of transparency..."

He fixed on the inhuman form, unblinking.

"...are you aware of the Treaty of Telos?"

Speaking the words, acknowledging the existence of it, put something of a foul taste in his mouth.

[member="Kitt Solo"] | [member="Daxter Neesi"] | [member="Jared Ovmar"] | [member="Lucien Cordel"] | [member="Sargon Vynea"]​

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

Tsavong bowed his head.

"Apologies, my Lord."

He said, turning to the one Lucianus Adair.

"I was not briefed on this Treaty of Telos by my colleagues, and am unaware of what exactly it entails."

He hoped he wouldn't be brushed off and would be given an answer, as he was intrigued by this subject being brought forth. What new light would be shed upon this negotiation?

 

[Sargon Vynea]

The Zabrak was silent as he watched the engagement of words before him, and was honestly humored to find the One Sith were unaware of the Treaty of Telos. "A sleeping lion, apt wording when discussing the Treaty of Telos. The Republic once thought we were no more then a mongrel fit for putting down, they moved on O'reen without cause or merit, and they thought it would be a shattering defeat for the Fringe. Yet there it sits that little firefly flying yellow, we broke the Republic's aggression that swallowed the entire Sith Empire. if you also would like to know, yes I did send letters out to widows and mothers, and for my own Legion's losses I handed them personally to many, and thanked them swearing to honor their sacrifices. This battle lead to the Treaty of Telos, the Republic apologized and gave reparations for an attack they admitted had no moral basing. We agreed not to invade each other or supply aid to any who attacked the other, so if you're looking for help bleeding the Republic you're in the wrong place. The Fringe has never successfully been invaded ever, nor shall it ever be. The Republic and the Protectorate failed, and so will any other that tries. We are no sleeping lion, we are vigilant, but when they say speak plainly you miss the point. Alliances like this aren't formed simply because you woke up and were bored. You have a firefly there you'd like us to help you kill, or you are afraid of your own aggression turning on you as the Sith Empire's did. Perhaps you remember the Fringe is the only one who ever responded as allies to the Sith and know our word is stronger then any others, but in the end you've got an end game. If you want the honest answer from honest men and women then put your finger on your map and make you case plain. If you do not and are simply looking to protect yourself from the numbers game so be it, but understand until our treaty with the Republic is null, we cannot aid you in battle against them."

[member="Daxter Neesi"]
[member="Lucianus Adair"]
[member="Kitt Solo"]
[member="Jared Ovmar"]
[member="Lucien Cordel"]
((OOC: Sorry bout the wall of text I'm a bit rusty... will improve...really...it will!))

 

[Tefka]

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Sargon Vynea"]

then put your finger on your map and make you case plain.

Tsavong's finger thrust down onto the table in front of him, breaking through the blazebugs and scattering them like the insects they truly were. His finger had one pinned down.

He pressed down, gently, and a screeching sound was heard.

"The Lords have requested that I speak plainly," he raised his voice over the screeching of the dying insect. "Keep your Treaty of Telos."

Tsavong leaned forward.

"We're not asking you to help us in our war for independence from the Republic, nor do we need military aid. The Republic is shattered. An afterthought."

Tsavong pressed down.

"We're asking you to take control of the Hyperlanes from the Protectorate. Here, Yag'Dhul."

The bug exploded.

"The Corellian and Rimma trade routes could be yours."

 

[Lucianus Adair]

While Councillor Vynea spoke, the eyes of the predator did not leave the holographic guest of the council. The curt, direct nature of his response to the directive of the Zabrak made the mouth on the face of the K'paur turn to a slowly spreading, wolfish smile, as the bug flew apart under pressure.

"Your proposal, Lord Tsavong, finds favour with me," Adair stated, clear and commanding. "The benefits of engaging in such an alliance are, beyond a reasonable doubt, undeniable, and far outweigh any concerns."

His eyes flicked down at the finger that squashed the bug... then up to the full image of the Vong, once again.

"I find an alliance acceptable," he confirmed, "and will agree to meeting directly to draw up the terms of the agreement, should the council vote pass in favour."

Then looking to the image of each of the councillors present:

"Your votes, my Lords and Lady of the High Council, for or against."

[member="Daxter Neesi"] | [member="Sargon Vynea"] | [member="Kitt Solo"] | [member="Jared Ovmar"] | [member="Lucien Cordel"]​

 

[Arage Bao]

Ovmar’s own vote didn’t wait very long on itself. ‘I vote for. The High Councilor of Military Affairs is indisposed and asked me to vote in her steed, considering the ramifications… the Military vote is also for the alliance.’

Which means there were now 3 votes for the Alliance, and for the moment zero against. The Lord satisfied with the procedure sat back in his holo projected chair and waited for the rest of the councilors.

[member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Daxter Neesi"] [member="Sargon Vynea"] [member="Kitt Solo"] [member="Lucien Cordel"] ​