Common In Alderaan Places

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae, under the suggestion of [member="Lady Kay"] had been picked for a diplomatic mission, so was being sent to visit the system of Alderaan. It unnerved him that he would be out there again, in space. Away from the ground, even if it were for a moment. He had just boarded a civilian commercial transport, not one for all the fancy ships some emissaries took, with Mute right behind him when he started having second thoughts.

He pushed them aside, then sent a message out to the one he was to be meeting through his datapad, [member="Faith Organa"]. He had done some searching of his own into her background, surprised he would be meeting a person in a position of nobility. He knew Alderaan had noble families, he had just never met any of them. Darben had tried his best to clean himself up, although he ended up with his usual nerf-hide brown jacket and black pants, and a bit of rough looking hair. And Mute with her dresses, this time an aqua blue. "Let's hope they aren't too favorable of appearances" he muttered to himself as the transport lurched into hyperspace.

 

[Faith Organa]

Ana received the notification from [member="Darben Skirae"] that he was coming on behalf [member="Lady Kay"] of Commenor. Ana had not seen Kay since the days of the Galactic Republic...and Faith's wedding.

Ana walked into Faith's office, "An emissary from Commenor is coming for a visit."

Faith turned, "Yes I've been communicating our desires to an alliance with them. It's good to know they are sending someone. Be sure to have them met and brought to the Palace I don't want anything to happen to them"

Ana laughed, "On Alderaan what could happen, someone stranger hug them?"

Faith rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Ana you know what I mean an Emissary is given official welcome and met with open arms." Ana nodded, "Yes Faith I'll be sure to meet them as soon as I find out how they are arriving."

Ana sent a message back, Ambassador Skirae let me know the name of your ship and Ana Lindsey will be sure to meet you. Ana always answered Faith's mail, except for the personal messages.

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae's transport was halfway through hyperspace travel to their destination when he received a message back. He raised a brow, as he did not know what the name of this ship even was. It was a civilian transport, transporting the rich to destinations of luxury. So, he sent his reply back to [member="Faith Organa"]: I am aboard a commercial transport, possibly arriving soon. He rather felt cozy in crowded places, rather than a ship with only himself, any small amount of guards and Mute aboard. "We're almost there, Mute. Almost there..." He had heard of Alderaan, however just like his visit to Cato Nemoidia it was his first time to seeing the luxuries of the planet once they arrived. The ship jumped out of hyperspace, and that was the first time he saw the planet.

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

Ana read the message, "He's coming by Commercial transport." Not unusual.

Faith nodded, "Well find out what ships are landing soon from that quadrant and be sure to be there."

Ana nodded her acknowledgment of the task, "Yes I'll be sure." Ana looked at Faith, "Something wrong?"

Faith looked over, "I don't know. Draco seems distant lately. I just don't know how to handle it. He says everything is fine. But something is bothering him. I just need to pull it from him" Faith felt out of sorts this was what happen when Draco was out of sorts so was she. Anyhow.

"I'll guest should arrive soon I think. Let's get ready"

The staff went about their chores making sure everything was in place, clean, and met with approval of the Head Housekeeper. Faith in the meantime prepared an outline of what she envisioned for the alliance to be discussed.

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae saw the world looming forward toward the commercial flight he was aboard. As his home planet of Brokellia, or as he still favored to call it by Corellia, was nearby, he had heard of Alderaan. Of the royalties of the planet, the nobility. The beauty of the landscape. And some trade able goods. The commercial transport made landing on a platform, where he disembarked first as he had been close to the front of the ship. Others came off, but there on the platform he waited for any sign of an emissary, or anyone that [member="Faith Organa"] had sent to greet him. Finally, the ride through the blackness of space was over, and he felt safer, as he had been very uneasy. Carrying a bag with datapads in one hand, and Mute's hand in the other so she was not lost in the crowd, they both stood there, waiting.

 

[Faith Organa]

Ana a slender honey comb colored blonde with blue eyes the deep color of the seas waited. While others would be headed through the Welcome Center where they would obtain their tourist passes or the mining passes it was difficult at times but so far everything had gone exceptionally smooth and the credits were helping the economy.

Ana stood with a data pad that said Ambassador Skirae. She had looked him up to see if there was an image available her quick search revealed a dark haired man perhaps in his late twenties. Ana watched the crowd then she saw him and he was not alone. She walked forward slowly, "Ambassador [member="Darben Skirae"] , welcome I'm Ana Lindsey I'm here to take you to your meeting." She smiled hoping she put them at ease.

Meanwhile Faith was finishing her talking points. She hoped she had enough on here to outline an alliance. She looked towards the spaceport and hoped he would be at ease when he came. Ana would try her best.

 

[Darben Skirae]

Skirae had not spotted Ana coming through the crowd, not until she was right in front of them with a data pad of her own held in hand. He put on his best grin as she began to address him. He motioned Mute to do the same, and she gave Ana one of her small shy smiles. Hearing the term Ambassador was a new term to be attached to his name. "Thank you. Please, lead the way" he said, gesturing for her to begin leading them to [member="Faith Organa"] with his spare hand. He gently pulled on Mute's hand, motioning her to move forward with him. "This is a wonderful planet to visit. I've never been away from Commenor much." He looked about, admiring the scenery of the area around them, then with his spare hand he sent a message to Lady Kay to inform her of his arrival.

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

Ana nodded, "You should come when you are not on official duty, or you should stay once your meetings are concluded. There is lots to do, things to see, I think you would enjoy the tranquility that is here."

Ana walked them outside just as quickly a transport pulled up to take them through New Aldera City to the palace. Ana motioned for them to get in, "We have a lovely museum, music hall, and university. If you are looking for artisan products New Crevasse City can be reached by the train. Then there are tours of the Juran Mountains, the Mountain Palace, the jungle, and the Apalis Coast has some of the finest beaches. " Ana laughed, "Sorry I sound like someone from the tourist bureau"

The transport moved through the air paths of Alderaan quickly the Juran Mountains in the distance looming up as if protecting New Aldera. It was beautiful almost picture perfect. They were before the palace Ana took a deep breath.

"Do you need to fresh up from your journey? I can arrange a room." Everyone understood that traveling tended to make everyone feel as if coated in recycled air.

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben found the suggestion welcome, and nodded his head to Ana. "Thank you, one day I may." If he ever got over his anxious fears of empty space, and crashing. As well as the fear of imminent death. Mute followed as quickly as she could, trying to keep up with Darben's speed-walking, which he hadn't even realized he was doing. Every now and then he would stop, looking down at his datapad for any sort of messages. This took him away from the scenery here and there.

He stifled a light chuckle at all the tourism she continued to speak of, looking up from his datapad to shake his head. "It is all fine, really. Just gives me more ideas of what to do if I take a holiday here" he said, assuring her it was all fine.

He was hesitant on the final question Ana gave. He did not expect he would be staying here, despite how he wanted to, just to see all the sights. It would all depend on how the meeting with [member="Faith Organa"] went, and if [member="Lady Kay"] had anything more for him, that would have to be dealt with soon after his meeting.

 

[Faith Organa]

The arrival at the palace it was a common courtesy to give someone a room to freshen up or change after traveling. It did not mean they had to stay the night it was just...a nice thing to do.

The transport stopped in front of the palace the valet came over and opened the door nodding to Ana, "This way" Ana walked up the steps towards the entry way. They moved slowly and yet with purpose to take them towards the palace. "The Palace had to be rebuilt after Alderaan was saved from Vong Forming. The Organa family brought in specialist to save the family, and the planet had actually begun to heal itself." Ana looked out at the City, "We've come a long way since then"

Ana moved into the Great Hall it the ceilings were high that the first and second floors could be viewed from this point, grand stair cases led upstairs while halls led away from the Great hall to the small rooms.

Before taking them to Faith she wanted to be sure, "Are you ready?"

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

The transport they had boarded stopped, and he climbed out after Ana had, Mute coming out soon after. Darben was confused by what she meant as they went up the steps. Vong was an odd term he hadn't heard. "Vong? Never heard of them before." Darben Skirae looked over the palace they were approaching, standing tall over him. If the sun had been behind, it would have been casting a shadow over him.

They moved into the palace and into a large hall. There were some smaller halls, and he briefly wondered if one of them would be leading him to the meeting room where [member="Faith Organa"] would surely be waiting. Ana asked if he was ready, and he nodded. He had been ready since arriving. He stood himself up straight, quickly fixing up some bits of hair sticking up, and a quick brush off the collar of his jacket. "Let's get this meeting going."

 

[Faith Organa]

Ana led [member="Darben Skirae"] down one of the side halls to the parlor that looked towards the east of the mountains. Ana knocked and then entered, Faith turned to meet her guest. She smiled warmly as everyone entered.

Faith took in the details of the man in front of her. He might be nervous she noted but did not understand why. "Welcome please come sit." Faith motioned to a chair by a small table near the windows. "Are you thirsty? I can have them bring tea or water if you like." Faith looked to Ana', "have the tea brought and water just in case. I like a good cup of tea here and there."

Faith tilted her head slightly, "How is Lady Kay?" Faith would ask after her friend she had not seen her since the time on Alpha Mae. That seemed like a lifetime ago already.

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae followed Ana down the hall to a parlor, where he finally met [member="Faith Organa"]. He put out a hand to shake. Whether she did or not, he would sit down after she suggested him to. He shrugged, even though he didn't feel as refreshed as he would have liked. Ana left to get some refreshments. Faith went on to ask about Lady Kay, and he answered. "She is doing fine." He did not mention anything about what had happened with the Elders, and anything that had happened before. He did not know how long it had been, so knowing how much she knew already was beyond him. "Opening embassies, making trade agreements. I'm not too social with everyone else." He felt that was the best excuse.

"So, shall we get down to business?" He knew trade, but overall diplomacy was something new to him. But he would still try. And he always felt that he should always get to business, never thinking it as rushed despite the times it may have been indeed rushed through.

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

He certainly was the skip the formalities type guy this made Faith laugh though. Was life so different on Commenor that they did not take time to breath?

"Not too social, are you not normally representative for talks such as these?" While she was curious and wanted to talk about the alliance she also wanted the answer to her question. What kind of man had Lady Kay sent to speak for her. Faith trusted Kay's judgement but she also liked doing things in her time.

Tea and water arrived a quick smile and the young woman left. The staff seemed on edge Faith could not figure out why.

 

[Darben Skirae]

The question caught him off guard. He scratched at his beard, his telltale sign of unease or nervousness. No one had really commented on his lack of social skills in some cases. Luckily, he thought of a quick reply. "I've just been raised in the area of business, is all. Business is mostly all I know. The only deals I've done are trade deals, not..." he gestured to around him before going on,"Entire alliances...I tend to get nervous when it comes to new things" he added, albeit a bit shamefully. He glanced over at Mute, and caught an awkward stare at how nervous he was being. If she could tell how nervous Darben was being, he was sure that [member="Faith Organa"] would too. "When it comes to business, I rarely socialise...However, if you do wish to talk, I am sure we can pause in this meeting?" He believed he had time for even a little bit of social speaking.

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith smiled and then motioned for others in the room to step out, the only one left would be Ana who served as scribe for Faith. That then would leave Faith and Ana with [member="Darben Skirae"] and his companion who had not introduced. Faith could see he was nervous when he explained that he had never negotiated an alliance before it became clear why he was nervous.

If she wanted to talk he thought he had time, oh really. How very accommodating of him she reminded herself that he was a guest on Alderaan. "Negotiating I was taught is about talking. We want to find the equitable circumstances for each planet. Whether it be a trade agreement where there is an exchange of goods or is it to be safe passage through Coalition space."

She reached for a cup of tea, "You were raised on a business world? Or you were raised with only exposure to business? I'm not sure I quite understand." Faith was a social creature for certain. All politicians tended to be social creatures.

 

[Darben Skirae]

"Indeed, speech is a part of negotiating" he replied in agreement. "I was just never that into social chatter during times of business, having." Something he was sure he would need to get used to. Usually social talk was left till after business, or in spare time. To him, it was more of a luxury, since he had spent most of his time working for money to support his family.

He nodded. "The second one. I was raised to be in the trade business." The reason behind that was rather personal, as his childhood dream had been to become a pilot. Perhaps the fear of flight had come from the failure of that dream, of being raised for so many years on the ground. "I originally had other ideas in mind for my future. But the galaxy decided otherwise..." He made it clear with the look he had as he gazed down at his lap that he did not wish to speak of the reasoning.

"So, alliance. What is it you need from Commenor?" He had made mental notes of the things [member="Faith Organa"] had mentioned before, such as goods exchange and safe passage. But, surely there was more it. Military, technology. Maybe even education options on Commenor, Lady Kay had mentioned that once in a meeting he had been part of.

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

"Yes I know that feeling about the galaxy having other plans. I never thought I'd be Queen I was going to just be someone else..." She thought back to those days her marriage to Dar'yaim Balor and all the fun they had. Beer Baths. Adventures on ships. Late nights, early mornings, and then they had Bud. [member="Bud Balor"] her beautiful son so intense at times so much like his Uncle Theo.

And then. Faith began to frown as she thought about it her husband and her son gone. Followed by years of loneliness, anger, and hope. Pushed to be a Senator. Faith closed her eyes and chased the thoughts away Darben had asked her a question. She needed to focus on the meeting.

What did they need from Commenor?

"Non Aggression agreement, have any university on Commenor become part of the education system of Alderaan, medical assistance, trade of goods and services." She did not yet say anything about military assistance. She learned long ago to leave the high cards in her hands not on the table.

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben quirked a curious brow up at her as she spoke. So they both knew that feeling all too well, of not having what they truly wanted. She too did not speak of the reasoning, and he respected her decision not to, however she did seem to become lost in her thoughts. She returned to the present reality after his question, and responded with some of what Darben expected to hear.

"I could arrange those. But, what does Alderaan have to offer Commenor? The Non-Agression agreement is a choice both of us can surely agree on and easily at that, as well as the trade of goods." It seemed that's what Commenor agreements had been having most of the time, trade agreements with other systems. They did have a large trade infrastructure, after all. "The trading part to this alliance I can handle myself. The basic run-down as I see it with trade, we earn some from our goods sold that you transport, and you earn some from making the trade to systems you have agreements with. Same goes the other way. We currently have an agreement with Cato Nemoidia, and I am sure that a trade agreement with us could lead to a potential agreement with them. More goods, higher economy." he took one of the datapads Mute had in her hands and looked it over.

"As for education, that can be done. [member="Lady Kay"] would be more than happy to oblige to that." As for the medical assistance and anything else, he would wait to see what else [member="Faith Organa"] had in store for them.

 

[Faith Organa]

So far she had not heard anything about what Commenor was going to give to them, "Let's be direct then [member="Darben Skirae"] tell me what [member="Lady Kay"] wants from Alderaan." Surely both of them came into this meeting with expectations.

So far exactly what was expected was what was given, and received. But now the heart of it all, what was it they would be willing to dedicate to one another. This treaty was with Alderaan, and Faith as leader of the Coalition could grant certain things. But other things were not hers to give. So it was best that she be told what it was Commenor wanted of Alderaan.

Faith sat quietly holding her cup her demeanor unchanged she was friendly and soft spoken. There was no reason to be any else. Alderaan was protected by shielding technology, and then there were the companies on Delaya that kept them in trade and goods. Medical supplies came from MandalMedical, Alderaan Engineeing, and then the Minister of Medicine [member="Rashae"] had her sources which at the moment slipped this writers mind.

So if Commenor wanted military assistance or medical, they'd have to define what they were seeking so that they could meet in the middle.Faith held those offerings to herself right now.