Private A Strong Core

[Dracken Pryce]

Alicio Organa

Swordbreaker glided through Alderaanian space escorted by a pair of royal starfighter corps Skywing interceptors. It always made him nervous, how little defense the prosperous planet had. Sure, it kept its sector clean of pirates for the most part, but he knew from experience that it was far too easy to smuggle things in and out of the Alderaan sector. Mostly because it always ended up in the Corellian sector. The pair of fighters flew in formation about the little gunship, careful to not colide with its shields or its massive block engine.

The clouds parted and revealed the breathtaking landscape of Alderaan's mountains. There was so much green that he wondered if Alderaan should hold the title "Great Green Jewel of the Core" instead of Corellia. When he walked down the ramp he expected to see a cadre of guards ready to escort him, instead-

"Senator," he paused, "No, that's not quite right anymore. King Organa." He bowed, "Thank you for entertaining me this evening."

 

[Alicio Organa]

Royal Estate, Landing Pad
Aldera, Alderaan
​

Alicio stood at the edge of the landing strip, taking one last moment to admire the countryside himself.

No matter how much time he spent on his ancestral home, he never got used to the sights. Majestic, alpine mountains, verdant valleys lying between, the distant cries of mournful thrantas... it spoke to him, in a way that not many sights could. A stirring, somewhere deep in his identity.

The King of Alderaan watched on as the corvette touched ground, the wind it kicked up tossing his cloak behind him. The lightest suggestion of a smile touched his face as Dracken Pryce himself disembarked. Alicio closed the distance between them, extending his hand to the Corellian for a firm handshake. "Alicio. King Organa doesn't sit right with me yet. Which of your titles do you prefer these days?" After strengthening his expression into a good-natured smirk, Alicio stepped aside.

"Come on in."

The interior of the estate was just as elegant as it's outside. Hanging banners of House Organa decorated the walls and eaves, gold and white and blue. Paintings and stencils (notably raised off the ground a few feet, assumedly to keep out of reach of any destructive toddlers) displayed Alderaan's rich history in the arts, along with hanging potted plants. Bowl-helmeted royal guards waited at entrances, keeping a close eye on the two men as they traveled.

"How is Corellia taking... all this?" Alicio kept his expression curatedly neutral as they walked. He figured he didn't have to directly state what 'all this' could be referring to.

- Dracken Pryce -

 

[Dracken Pryce]

Alicio Organa

​

The king had a firm handshake, not many did. It was refreshing, though Dracken had watched the rise of the young king through the senate and into kinghood, it still felt odd. It was the first new monarch in, Force, he didn't know how long. He wondered if the other houses took the new blood in stride or if there were lingering doubts about the new Organas.

"Technically Diktat these days," he said lightheartedly, but any of my previous titles is fine. Or just Pryce."

The short walk through the estate was about what he expected. The opulence of Alderaan was well known, but despite his years among the upper echelon of the Core Worlds over the decades, he was still a boy from the Meridian and felt more comfortable walking the urban slums of Coronet than through palaces.

"How is Corellia taking... all this?"

"We're taking the war the same way we always have. Constant bickering." He chuckled. "But that's what I'm for. To keep them in line, focused on what's really important." He gave Alicio a raised brow. "I suspect that responsibility has not been so easy to fulfill here on Alderaan." He had seen the build up in orbit. Dracken had never known the royal shipyards to be so busy, but it was clear that to him at least that they were building up to something.

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Then I welcome you to Alderaan, Diktat Pryce." He found an easy smile, as he led the Corellian inside.

Dracken's report on how Corellia was taking the war was... expected. Alicio took it in stride, his carefree expression having slowly solidified into something more thoughtful, more somber. It was an expression the former Count was well-known for; a distant frown, as if he were pondering something morbid, far in the future.

"Each of the Alliance's member worlds is feeling the strain." He adjusted the collar of his cloak, his eyes somewhere else. "Everyone thinks they know the perfect answer to this war. If there's anything I've learned, being in politics a fraction of the time you have... There is never a perfect answer."

"I suspect that responsibility has not been so easy to fulfill here on Alderaan."

Alicio fed a glance Dracken's way, a question in his soot-grey eyes. "There was... dissent, when I first took the throne. But we are of one mind, when it comes to this new conflict."

"Alderaan has a deep history of helping others." The king stopped at a mural. It was of a circular space station, hovering ominously in the sky over a tranquil Alderaanian mountainscape. "Throughout galactic history, if there was someone in need, we would be there. Relief, helping others that can't help themselves... it's ingrained deeply in our culture. But... I'm tired of us getting there too late."

"What makes you suspect that?" Alderaan generally presented a unified front these days, a far cry from the bickering politics of ages past.

- Dracken Pryce -

 

[Dracken Pryce]

Alicio Organa

​

"War changes people," Dracken said. "I'm sure there are many among your advisors that believe that building up your military is a drastic step for such a peaceful people." He shrugged. "But as the Jedi have shown us, it is difficult to be defenders of peace without the ability to hit back. The Chiss found that out the hard way."

"I guess I was just trying to say that you might have your work cut out for you." Dracken took a deep breath and sighed. "But that is why I have come to you Alicio. As both Diktat and current Senator of Corellia I would like to offer our aid in not only your defense, but in creating a way to keep your humanitarian efforts safe."

 

[Alicio Organa]

"War changes people."

That was true.

Alicio frowned, his lip drawing a thin line across his face. He'd stopped looking at Dracken, instead observing the portrait. A planet, destroyed by war, because they got too loud. There were some in his court that cautioned he was making Alderaan too loud.

Was he making that same mistake?

It was then that the Diktat offered his planet's help. Alicio blinked, then looked at him. "You're offering... protection?" He canted his head to the side. "I worry, about our relief work afield. We have enormous humanitarian cruisers, but they aren't equipped with weapons."

"What are you offering?"

- Dracken Pryce -

 

[Dracken Pryce]

Alicio Organa

​

"I am offering Corellia's support in your fleet building efforts. As you said, your fleets aren't meant for much more than pushing back the occasional pirate raid in the far flung systems of the Alderaan sector. Send your engineers to Corellia. We can help speed you along, building your first vessels under the protection of our Defence Forces."

"We, as leaders of our sectors, can also coordinate joint training to help bring your soldiers up to speed. I simply want to help create a stronger Core."

 

[Alicio Organa]

The former Count considered, iron-grey eyes saddening in thought. His attention was no longer directed at the painting, instead focused inward.

"A stronger core." He smirked. The wording was funny to him. "There have grown to be some... voices of dissent, in the Core. Peoples of various governments, who are considering distancing themselves from the Alliance. If they make themselves less of a target, perhaps the Empire will pass them over. Some of my people think the same."

"But I know better. You know better. If we fall apart now, we lose the one strength we have as an Alliance- cooperation."

Alicio's eyes focused on Dracken. "I accept your offer, Diktat Pryce. Let's build a stronger core."

- Dracken Pryce -