Brotherhood Without Banners (Alliance-in-Exile + ORC)

[Alexandra Porte]

Aboard Hope's Pride
~en route to D'Qar

​

It had been long journey, but oh so worth it, well at least Alexandra thought so. Two birds with one stone, if one could call it that.

First of all after leaving the diplomatic summit at Polis Massa, the former Ambassador of Taanab now working with the Alliance-in-Exile, had made a trip to Dac. Back channeling had garnered her a private meeting with a prominent entrepreneur, who was known for his humanitarian enterprises in the past. What she came away with was more than the Taanabian had ever dreamed of. Chief of State [member="Jaius Sovv"] would hopefully be very pleased with the rather large, anonymous, monetary donation. It was just what the small rebel group needed; literally a shot in the arm to help the now fledgling Alliance get back on their feet.

Secondly and the most personally important to her, Alexandra had stopped on the way back at the safe house to see her and [member="Kahne Porte"]'s young children. Aiden and Addison were now eight months old and the twins had grown so much already. It nearly broke Alex's heart to leave them again, but just having held them for the little time she had visited would carry her until the next... Hopefully with her husband, though no word yet had come to Alexandra if the Jedi Master had survived the attack on Lothal. It was nearly killing her the not knowing, but with no bad news there was still hope he was alive and well just busy with his Jedi duties. The Force had always come first for the Master Jedi, and Alex knew that before marrying him.

As the SoroSuub Horizon-class star yacht reverted from hyperspace, Alleycat spotted the Alliance patrol ships that were in the Ileenium system. The seasoned pilot toggled over to their frequency, then hailed the flagship.

"ANS Spear of the Alliance, this is Ambassador Russo Porte on Hope's Pride requesting permission to continue to Aurek Site. Sending data now,"

Alexandra pushed the button to transmit her clearance codes, then awaited a response. The brunette looked over at her blue-plated protocol droid sitting in the co-pilot's chair, who thank goodness was still turned off. It was going to take some time to get used to K-3PO's brand of quirkiness; not quite the same as Alleycat's loyal and trusted R2 unit, Rusty, who had been left with the children and their caregivers to watch over them for her.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Kahne Porte]

DQar
Shattered Order Meeting
Theme

The Jedi Master had stood with his hands crossed and eyes closed, all the while he listened carefully to each word that was being said. There were many things to consider when it revolved around what to do after the fall of the Galactic alliance, especially for the Shattered Order. Kahne cleared his throat as he opened his eyes and stepped forward.

"My name is Kahne Porte, some of you know me and others do not. I agree with Visz on several points. When the Sith and Knights of Ren come bearing down on us again, and they will. When that happens we need to be willing to and have the strength strike out against them. People say the galaxy has changed a lot, but in truth it's the same as it ever has been before. The Jedi will always be judged for what we do, that is never going to change. I fought against the Supreme Leader for the First Order, if his fury is as equal to that of his companions and the Sith then we will need to fight, together. I did not know Raaf personally, nor even in passing. I do know what her betrayal has done to those that did know her and to the Galactic Alliance."

Kahne hand rose to his chin for a moment as it rested their as he drew on a deep breath before he was silent for a few moments as this was indeed a precarious time for all of them.

"Trust cannot be driven from us, it must remain with each of us. It must be absolute as should our faith and hope. Even if those around us, do not" Kahne took a glance at Romi showing her the smallest of smiles, as he at one point in his life didn't trust her, however he was wrong and he admitted that. While what he was saying was easier said than done, if they were to move forward from a point with no trust and just the will to fight. In the end it could be even more disastrous than it was the first time. Kahne didn't make his return and agree to fight for Starchaser so that they could be run aground again and driven to nothing.


[member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Cambria Zadira"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Romi Jade"] [member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Jaius Sovv]

"They may be some who do not understand my choice," Jaius admitted, nodding his head wearily, "As with all things. But you were not the only one who survived the destruction of your Temple on Coruscant. Others saw how you stood against Raaf and the Dark Lord, saw how you were willing to give your life to stop her. [member="Mishel Noren"] speaks particularly highly of you, from what I have been told. Either you're a true Jedi or one hell of a double agent, in which case we're all, if you would pardon the phrase, karked."

"Come, walk with me," easing himself around the holodisplay, the old Sullustan set off on a hobbling pace that [member="Coren Starchaser"] would have to work to slow down for, "You may not be so eager to have volunteered. There is already much to do."

The two of them walked through the narrow subterranean corridors of this old rebel base, everywhere they turned the halls were crowded with Alliance techs hard at work offloading supplies and restoring electrical systems to more current standards.

"Raaf crippled more than just the Jedi with her treachery," he told the Jedi General beside him, "Our Defense Force is in shambles, its officer corps has been devastated. Traitor cells seeded throughout the fleet cost us much during the fall. Most of us are still scattered across hostile space, many won't make it to their rendezvous points. We're still waiting to determine how much of High Command made it out before I make a decision on your counterpart, but in the meantime we need new flag officers to fill the void and keep our fleet running. That means promotions, and you're now at the top of the chain."

"Captain [member="Dracken Pryce"] of the Starchild has just landed, and is on his way to meet with us. I want you to promote him to Commodore, you could use the practice, and task him with assisting Sykkla in mapping out a patrol grid and to send out scouting parties. We need to understand our surroundings, not just the disposition of the enemy to the north but possible fallback points in case we're discovered here. Safe worlds, nebulas, asteroid fields, anywhere we can rally under the First Order's notice."

"But first, you and I shall have a drink," he said when they had reached their destination. The Starbird Cantina was hardly deserving of its name, but it was the only place on base someone could procure alcohol without resorting to the black market, "I don't trust anyone I haven't first indulged with."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Shatter Meeting

They continued to walk down hallway leading from the hanger towards the meeting room. They were running slightly late but she watched as others were still joining in. A hand brushed her hair from her face as she nodded listening to Jyoti.

“Even when I left things weren’t the best, SIS had some information knowing that there was something not right. We never gathered enough intel to know really.” Allyson sighed softly as she knew the reason for her mission on Bastion was to try and gather something. The Alliance was in so far in the dark with how and where the Sith were going to strike. Remembering this, she felt the small pit of guilt for her botched mission.

As the drew close to the meeting door, Allyson leaned close and whispered knowing that not everyone here was a person to trust, especially with the betrayal that happened on Coruscant. ‘We can talk more about what I know when we’re somewhere secure’ Leaning away, she smiled and slipped into the meeting, holding the door to the meeting room open for the Jedi. They caught [member="Kahne Porte"]’s comment and Allyson agreed. Yet, Raaf knew the deep internal secrets that a lot of Alliance personnel didn’t know.

The game plan was going to have to work different this time around.

[member="Jyoti Nooran"] [member="Cambria Zadira"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Romi Jade"] [member="NPCs by Corey"] [member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Romi Jade]

D'QUAR BASE​

Shattered Meeting​

---

---

​

---

​

The look Kahne gave her brought on subtle sense of nostalgia; they'd really come a long way. To that notion she expelled air, mostly from her nose, in her attempt to repress her laugh. She shied away, melding back into the discussion. There we many factors that made this difficult...

Fragility brought on by the betrayer was in issue on its own, the adjustment was taking place...but it was the fact that this was high ranking official that knew the inner workings of the Alliance. What ever they did would have to be....

"Unexpected..." on their part. "Unfortunately...whatever actions we take will have to be something they'd least expect us to do. Even if that means buying us more time by striking at their infrastructure somehow."

While subtlety can be just effective as any direct assault, here it was a 50/50 chance...

She took in air, and proceeded to exhale while folding her arms into one another.

"It's tricky..." she mused, "However I suspect they think we'd focus more on mending our relationship with the public, regrouping and leaving some space before any sort of direct action. Beyond just supporting the Alliance...there has to be something else we can do on our front exclusively as well."

A beat.

"But it depends..."

[member="Jyoti Nooran"] | [member="Cambria Zadira"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="NPCs by Corey"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Kahne Porte"] | [member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The Corellian looked to the Sullustan Chief of State and nodded. People were talking about his exploits? He didn’t best Raaf, nor Carnifex. The man knew that he was ready to toss his life in to defend the Alliance, and he damned near did. The light side saw it fit to keep him around and kept him alive. It had to be the Force, there was no way Taeli Raaf was going to pull her punches against him. She was through and through the dark side. Murdering Omai Rhen, and betraying the Alliance? He was going to be hunting her for a long time. “No double agent, sir. You can check with the previous Triumvirate, before Raaf and Teth, I was here. I will put it all on the line for the Alliance and her people.” A grin came across his face though.

He liked Sovv.

Nodding, the newly minted General followed his counterpart, the politician who would help lead their people, refugees and new members alike, to the end of the path. Following along, he was being caught up to speed. Coren had been around and free for a small bit of time, but he took [member="Romi Jade"] to a few places, but now he was back. He had contacted Alliance Command, but they had no where for everyone to be right away. Now they did.

“Once you’re ready, I can rally what is left of my battlegroup, and with your permission, mount up a rescue with some cruisers and defenders. Find who I can reunite with. And what they’re ready for. I know that we may not have a flag officer of the Navy, but my history is getting beyond lines and setting up groups ready to fight. I could manage that.”

Looking at the Sullustan who continued, he nodded. “The Starchild, she was at Fondor. Pryce is a good man, Corellian. We need some good news, a promotion of one of our men may be what we need to rally our fleets. Grinning as the entered the bar, he nodded. “A drink then. Whiskey? To the continued life of the Alliance?”

[member="Jaius Sovv"]
[member="Dracken Pryce"]
[member="Alexandra Russo Porte"]
[member="Rekha Kaarde"]

 

[Light Rises]

The Shattered Order was the official name coming from Coren Starchaser. The man had a bit of flair for the dramatics. Sure, the New Jedi Order was shattered, but they would remain whole. For now, they were eclipsed. And they would come back, stronger than ever. Evolved. Larger.

Ready.

What they had to do now was be the rallying call. The Silvers and Remnant Jedi were there, but the galaxy needed the New Jedi Order, with her sister groups in the Fringe Forcers, the Jensaarai and other rogue groups of Force users who were ready to fight the darkness. The group would return, but she would return stronger. Ready and understanding the path they needed to follow. And how to defend against the threats. Chevu Visz had her ideas. She would need to talk to Coren.

The Mirialan was willing to listen to people, so was the Mon Calamari Master. The latter nodded. “in the past years, the Jedi have tired and failed to unite, but lately, we have been working together. We understand that the Remnant, lead by [member="Alexandra Feanor"], and the Silvers, who are represented here,” She looked at [member="Allyson Locke"] and [member="Jyoti Nooran"] as they arrived, “Are ready, willing, and able to stand together with us. Many were on Coruscant, others on a number of world. Even the… Confederacy, with their tainted Force users were there.” She sighed for a second.

“But you speak the truth, Master Porte. It needs to stay with us. Each of us. And we need a way to defend ourselves before we can defend others.”

Watching Romi, the Jedi gathered, the ones from the New Jedi Order, the new Shattered Order, were understanding the approaches. “We need to boost our own defends. Internal Jedi Shadows. And a way to detect the intention of our people. But that’s just talk. Our first step is everyone here. We need to be ready to defend ourselves, and the Alliance in Exile. I know that the Chief of State has ideas, and even Starchaser is looking to allow everyone to unwind. Does anyone have any leads on supplies for us? Or operations?”

The goal was to allow most to join the ranks of the military, but others could handle things their own way.

[member="Cambria Zadira"]
[member="Jyoti Nooran"]
[member="Kahne Porte"]
[member="Romi Jade"]
[member="Allyson Locke"]
[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She strode through the halls of D'Qar base like she knew exactly where she was going. "Excuse me" she politely asked, 'Where can I find [member="Coren Starchaser"]?" The man gave her an I don't know what you are talking about look..."try the cantina everyone ends up in there"

The Cantina, why not she could use a small drink to wash the dust away from the flight. What was she going to say, here I am, where are we going? She felt it in her bones that something was happening. Yeah here they were far from their original home but they were all alive...and there were debts to pay back. Lots of debts.

She moved through the halls now having to peer at signs of which way to go and how many turns and corners there were. She felt a bit like a rat in a maze but eventually she found herself standing in front of the doors.

"Well this isn't so bad.." she took a deep breath, "smells like cantina...with a hint of rock and stone...interesting." She stood there at the door looking around...she hped she wasn't wrong about this.

[member="Jaius Sovv"]

 

[Alexandra Porte]

D'Qar Base
~To Starbird Cantina after arrival

It wasn't too long before the Spear gave Alexandra clearance and a pair of starfighters from Blue Squadron formed up on the star yacht's wings to give an escort down to the Alliance's base on D'Qar. The Ambassador thought that was overkill, but she didn't complain and just followed them in.

The small airfield was very congested with all the visiting vessels. Alexandra put Hope's Pride down on the far end of the tarmac next to an XS light freighter. After finishing the post-flight check, the brunette went to freshen up before disembarking. She paused a moment at the top of the boarding ramp thinking about turning back on Kaythree and bringing the protocol droid along with her inside the base, but decided it would be best to let sleeping dogs lay so to speak for now.

After inquiring in the Command Center as to where the Chief of State may be as she had important business with him, the ambassador was pointed in the direction of the base's cantina, which would take her down the corridor near the hangars. Alex sensed something very familiar behind a closed door as she passed by, but couldn't quite make who or what it was with all the 'noise' about. The Taanabian was not attuned enough with the Force yet to zero in on things unless her mind was quiet, and right now there was a lot to think about - Mainly the good news she had to pass along to [member="Jaius Sovv"] about the large cash donation to their cause.

As Alexandra walked up to the Starbird's doorway dressed in civilian spacer attire, there was a woman standing there not unlike herself looking around the room.

"Not too shabby as long as the drinks are cold and plentiful, hmm?" Alex said flashing a friendly smile at [member="Rekha Kaarde"].

[member="Kahne Porte"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Julius Sedaire]

He had forgone the armor, and turned in his resignation to the Green Jedi. His homeworld would have to stand on it's own, and he would never truly leave it or the Corellian Order. But, as a rather fiery Coren had told him while hauling him out of a bottle, there was more to his duties and purpose than just a single planet, or just a single Order. Try as he might the demons of a failed marriage and the fallout of that life still haunted him, and though he was sober more than drunken now... Though he was clean shaven and back to practiced form... He still woke up screaming most nights, flashes of Corellian wars and what he hoped were just nightmares of his son dead at Sith hands.

He had been invited, and had come happily to the fall out of the very Alliance he and Coren had helped found back in their youth. Shame still flickered in his emotions that he had ran for the Rim and missed so much of 'the good fight' as it were. But he had come, even dressing in what passed for his normal gear for himself. Blending in wasn't entirely possible from his time in the Outback. Silvery vine and sworl tattoos covered him from neck to ankle and wrist, and an obviously exotic Cybernetic arm replaced his right limb, the designs continued in kyber and songsteel. Though he wore a long sleeved shirt and glove to hide it, there still seeped a glow at wrist and when the fabric pulled too tight.

Still, he couldn't bring himself to hide his lightsaber, or his jed-cred, one hanging on a medium length chain around his neck and the other strapped in a drop-leg holster many Corellians used to hold a blaster. Nor could he quite doff the bloodstripes done in metallic bloodsteel thread. A traditional Corellian longcoat sat on the back of his chair with a hidden murder-holster in the small of the back for his bryar pistol. He raised a glass - full of water no less - to Coren as he felt the other enter the room. He hadn't been told where to go, so a cantina until Coren sought him out seemed a good choice for the Corellian born Battlemaster.

[member="Jaius Sovv"] | [member="Alexandra Russo Porte"] | [member="Rekha Kaarde"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Cotan Sar'andor]

Following his short time recuperating back with the Je'daii folks, Cotan had returned to ORC space. He still wasn't up at one hundred percent health yet—he'd taken quite a beating on Coruscant, and had never had time to try and go for a good bacta swim to recuperate that way. No, it had been old fashioned bandages, bacta patches, things like that. Thankfully, he was mostly healed, and he was more inclined to just take things easy than to keep wearing the bacta patches.

They stank.

Horrifically.

Soon as he came back, thanks to his efforts on Coruscant, he got sent along to act as one of the ORC 'officials' helping the Galactic Alliance remnants with all the logistics of settling in and merging in with some of the governmental elements in ORC space. Specifically, he was sent in to help out with some of the New Jedi Order folks, given his formerly being a member of the NJO.

Unfortunately, Cotan wasn't particularly helpful in any of the discussions or anything like that, and there was far more going on than just simple integration; he'd been relegated to a pretty back seat role. So, in order to make better use of his time, he went to the cantina that was present at the base on D'Qar, a small establishment called the Starbird. Upon entering, however, his concentration was rather quickly distracted away from thinking of what to get to drink to the sense of a familiar presence in the space. His eyes scanned across various tables and faces at the bar quickly, before his eyes met with one of the two he'd been fighting alongside back on Coruscant.

Somewhat surprised, Cotan raised his less-injured arm, giving [member="Coren Starchaser"] a friendly wave, before continuing along to the bar.

 

[Rayf Vigil]

Airfield
D'Qar Base

Rogue Leader hopped down onto the ferrocrete strip of airfield which snaked its way in between each of the old rebel base's camouflaged surface hangars. His U-Wing hadn't even fully settled down, but Rayf was eager to get his first real glimpse of their new home from the other side of a cockpit canopy. Lingering long enough for his R9 unit to carefully disembark, the Corellian ace waiting for a jogging platoon of Alliance troopers in full gear to pass him by before marching off into one of the nearby hangars.

"Looking for one of my lieutenants," he said to the on duty ordnance and supply officer, "The blonde you like."

"Who, Rhane?" Rayf scowled at the man, and he held up his hands in faux surrender, "Saw blondie headed down below with Captain Pryce not long ago."

After lying about putting in a good word when he saw her, Commander Vigil excused himself and made his way down into the base itself with his astromech in tow. There was no sign of her or [member="Dracken Pryce"] in command and control, but one of the junior officers on duty mentioned something about a cantina.

"Why am I not surprised," he shook his head, producing a comlink from his utility belt and calling [member="Ava Cartwright"] directly, "Lieutenant Cartwright, report in. I'm planetside."

 

[Cathul Thuku]

"Jedi may not be popular in this sector, but I am still loyal to the light, to the dream of the starbird"

Therapy Command was not as affected by traitors as the other units were. Still, while the other surviving units were partying in a surface cantina, she was working hard at making sure that the refugees that fled from planets to the south such as Xagobah, Praesitlyn as well as others, would actually have a new home, even if they had to build their new homes by themselves. Also she had to begin proper legwork to get a hospital built here to replace what was lost on Inysh and Karfeddion. Or supplement the frankly inadequate healthcare infrastructure on D'Qar. Yet before she could petition the authorities with proper jurisdiction over D'Qar's healthcare system, she needed credible forecasts to do so. Now, in these times of crisis, she believed that only elementary forecasts for healthcare provisions and elementary demographic forecasts would be necessary to convince whatever authorities there were for healthcare provision to get the hospital bidding process underway. Plus because it was an humanitarian emergency, they would be able to perhaps relax the restrictions some planetary governments put on such structures, to the extent relaxing restrictions didn't compromise public or environmental safety.

"Now to prepare the forecasts and assumptions on which they are based: time for D'Qar to get a new hospital built"

 

[Dracken Pryce]

The Starbird Cantina wasn't exactly where he thought an important meeting would be held, yet here he was. Despite the occasion, it seemed like people were in relatively good spirits here. He saw a few familiar faces as he passed through the crowd to the table where he'd been told to meet the acting head of state, [member="Jaius Sovv"]. He'd seen the man a few times at various military ceremonies before the Alliance fell but he really had no idea who the man was at heart. He raised an eyebrow at the presence of Coren, a known entity, also a Jedi Master. His eyes couldn't help but wander down to the lightsaber strapped to him and the cybernetic arm he now possessed. Up and down he looked at the Jedi before remembering that he was in the presence of a military superior.

He came to a halt at the table and gave a proud salute to Sovv.

"Sir! Its good to see you alive and well, sir."

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Ava Cartwright"]

 

[Ava Cartwright-Pryce]

D'Qar Base
In transit between CC and Cantina

​

Ava was impressed with the base so far. It was amazing how even as rag tag as the Alliance was presently in exile, that they could put something so quickly together like this. Well it helped too the basic structure of the former base was still usable with some improvements to better fit their needs now.

Goldie had been tagging along with the group from the Starchild. Word had come that [member="Dracken Pryce"] was to meet up with top brass in the base's cantina so that is where they were headed when the Rogue's comlink vibrated in her jacket pocket. She slipped the personal communication device out and read the message left.... Finally?!

"I'll catch up with you boys later... Duty calls," the flight lieutenant waved them off, then walked back towards the command center, and there [member="Rayf Vigil"] was with his back turned to her, looking fit to be tied from the way his shoulders were tensed.

"Ahem...." the blonde cleared her throat, then threw up a salute. The Old Man seemed like he could really use a stiff drink or ten.

"LT Cartwright reporting in as ordered, sir. Boy am I glad to see you, Commander. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one left. I have not come across any other members of Rogue Squadron as of yet," the Ralltiiri said with a note of sadness, then she added matter of fact with a brief report of her activities since Fondor.

"After my mission to Kal'Shebbol to secure a smuggler to our cause and a recon of this system for the brass, I stayed with the ANS Starchild at the shipyards over Manas. And I'm here now as I was tasked with escorting Captain Pryce and some of his officer staff to the base from the next system over where the ship is staging."

 

[Ursula Vizla]

In the past, her clan and a bunch of others were declared as traitors. They did not agree with the new of her nation and country, a fight broke out, one that she ignored and abstained, stayed in her house property in Concord Dawn. Not long they left, they lost, they were traitors and cowards of the Resol'nare, and Ursula Vizsla became by all the rights, the new alor of her clan. Two branches existed because of that, House Vizsla of Ronan Vizsla, mandalorians without a home, and hers, House Vizsla, true mandalorians that she recruited to her cause through out the space, now from Mandalore.

She was faithful to her way of living, She wore the armor, black for justice, justice for her name and she spoke the language, defended herself and her new family, Ursula would raise her children mandalorians, and when called by her Mand'alor, she would come. For now she did gigs for rebels and criminals, but she loved to work for the Confederation, not only because their pockets were filled with credits, not only because they paid her an enormous amount of money, it was because they valued her work and herself. She could drink for free in any bar in Confederation space, for she was considered a member of the Protectors.

A group of strong man, no doubt. But Ursula accepted the position of commanding the Terrornauts, a branch of CIS, a group of powerful soldiers that fought like hell. They soon became her unit, she trained their asses off, she beat them with whips and clubs, she proved their loyalty by teaching them how to fight like mandalorians. And in there, that planet she was assigned to a gathering of the protectors and their clans, she brought her own house from Mandalore, no all of them, only the best, and many of her Ultranauts. And raising a big cup filled with falleen beer, Vizsla, know and only called by whoever it was by either "alor Vizsla" or "Commander Zero", without her bes'kar helmet raised her voice in a powerful chant.
"Drink, schuttas! Drink until you're fighters again!"

Swinging the big cup inside her mouth, spilling beer through the corners of her chin. Her loyal ladies were just criminals, looking for cash, and she loved those damn republic lovers for just that. The eyes were always looking through the place, watching for people, seeing if there were any thread around.

 

[Veino Garn]

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Julius Sedaire"]
----------------

Great-coat muddy, stained, and with recently patched tears, Veino strode into the cantina, with his mud-splattered boots echoing against the floor. He paused by the doorway and leaned slightly against the frame, cradling an arm against his side. His gaze rested on Coren and Julius for a moment before a wry smile flickered across his face.

"I'll be karked," Veino muttered as he dropped into the seat next to Julius. He leaned back and let out a long breath. "Just like old times. Us, a bar, collapse of a galactic government." He kicked his feet up on an empty chair. "But by the stars, it was rough getting off Coruscant at the end there. How's fate treated you, Julius?"

He vaguely recognized some of the others in the bar, but his business had been Susefvi for so long that he couldn't always remember the many people that had come and gone in the Alliance. It was good to see so many fresh faces. Veino was getting too old to gallivant around undercover, doing deeds of errantry and valor, like he had so long ago when the first Sith Empire still stood. Somebody else would have to bear the torch.

 

[Jaius Sovv]

"I see already that I've hired the right man for the job," Jaius said to [member="Coren Starchaser"] as the two of them approached the bar at his own, ginger pace, "We cannot afford to remain solely on the defensive. After the memorial service, you and I will discuss our next steps. We need to start looking to the future."

As soon as they were noticed, the crowd began to part around them like a sea. It surprised the Sullustan that those who had stubbornly remained continued to see him as a leader worthy of their trust, but what didn't surprise him was how most of the focus in the room was on Starchaser. If there was any discontent over another Jedi giving the orders, he did not think that it would last for very long.

"Whiskey? I'm usually a Sullustan gin man, but I suppose I can make an exception," as two handles were poured for each of them, he could not help but smile fondly at the Corellian's idealistic toast. Then he grew more solemn, "To the ones we couldn't save."

At his age and size, a glass of whiskey brewed by humans and served to human proportions was enough to leave Jaius already feeling light headed. He stared blankly at [member="Dracken Pryce"] standing at attention before him for a few moments before sheepishly returning the young captain's salute. He was going to have to get used to that. The military used to be the domain of the Triumvirate's Supreme Commander, but already these men were starting to see him as their new authority.

"Ah, Captain Pryce," his said with flushed dewflaps and a wide smile, "At ease. We were just discussing you. General Starchaser was telling me how the commander of the Starchild served admirably at Fondor."

Corellian whiskey robbing him of some inhibition, he flashed Coren an over obvious wink, indicating that this was where he came in.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The newly minted General was listening to the Chief of State, it seemed like there may not be quite a Triumviate but he was now Alliance brass. So many people looked to him to lead for years, and now, after it all, he took up the mantle. “I’m a man of action. This Alliance wasn’t founded on the ideals of sitting around. We were built to break the tyranny’s grip.” He shrugged. Tyranny, the dark side, for him, it was all the same.

As they entered the cantina, Coren could feel the eyes on him. Men and women, human and alien alike, who had helped form the Alliance, or give it breath in its years, had been on the battlefield alongside him. And many were returning, answering the call he had put out during his prophetic visions. He could see so many he was going to need to speak to, but first things first.

Taking the drink, he held it up to [member="Jaius Sovv"] and nodded. “May they be the inspiration we need to not let it happen again.” He nodded and took the drink. Sullustan gin would be the next order. But before that, Pryce had arrived. Reaching out, not so much with the Force, but with an arm, Coren was one of those who had attention of a number of people, and he started to bring the room down to a hum.

“Captain [member="Dracken Pryce"], in commendation for the work you have done as commanding officer of the Starchild, and for you work at Fondor and abroad, the Galactic Alliance has found it fit to promote you from Captain to Commodore. We need the best men and women leading us now, more than ever, and you are someone who is going to be setting the example for our Alliance for years to come. Congratulations.”

And in the fashion of the early days of the Alliance, Coren called for a round to be brought to everyone in the cantina. And not the swill, the good bottles. The reserve.

 

[Dracken Pryce]

Dracken dropped his salute and nodded to the obviously slightly inebriated Commander in Chief. A sheepish Corellian grin wormed its way onto his serious, slightly pudgy face. Here it came, he was getting moved. It made sense though, the Starchild was an incredible asset to the remaining forces of-

“Captain Dracken Pryce, in commendation for the work you have done as commanding officer of the Starchild, and for you work at Fondor and abroad, the Galactic Alliance has found it fit to promote you from Captain to Commodore. We need the best men and women leading us now, more than ever, and you are someone who is going to be setting the example for our Alliance for years to come. Congratulations.”

If his jaw could drop any further it would have hit the floor. On the one hand, were the Jedi controlling military assets again? On the other, he was entirely expecting to have been removed from his post. He blinked a few times before regaining his composure and saluting Coren.

"Thank you, sir!"
[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]