Cordial Relations

[Anya Venari]

Fondor was on high alert. The Chancellor of the Republic herself was coming for high level negotiations with the Lady Protector herself. Thus, a small amount of paranoia had crept in to ensure there were no assassinations or other things which might cause a break between the two nations. It was a delicate time and everything had to be done properly.

When Chancellor @[member="Aleidis Ijet"]’s transport arrived it would be in a reinforced hanger with highly trained and loyal members of Omega Pyre acting as escorts.

Waiting for the Chancellor was Princess Anya Venari, Crown Princess of Kaeshana and aide to the Lady Protector.

When Aleidis emerged she bowed. “Welcome to Fondor, Chancellor. I trust the flight was pleasant? Please, come this way.”

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Anya Venari"]

Aleidis stepped off of her shuttle flanked by four Republic guards, who kept a stern eye on the surroundings from behind visors. The teenage ruler smiled politely and reflexively returned Anya's bow. "Lead on." She offered with a tense smile.

There was a great deal riding on today's negotiations. The last meeting with the Protectorate had been... tense, even if they'd parted on somewhat friendly terms. Aleidis hadn't heard boo as far as her demands went, but then, that had been before the Osarian tragedy and the apparent disappearance of the Lady Protector herself. Now there was a new red-head running the show, a new Lady Protector. Regardless of Aleidis' personal feelings towards Missus Alcori, she was here to represent the Republic as it's democratically elected leader.

And, of course, she was here to not get assassinated, too. That's what the troops were for.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

The guards and Princess led the Chancellor through a secure area to a turbolift. The Republic and Omega guards filed in, and once it was agreed to be secure, Anya and @[member="Aleidis Ijet"] took it up the dizzying heights to the top of the Protectorate Tower.

A short walk away from there was a well-furnished meeting room. There the new Lady Protector was waiting.
Tegaea rose and come to greet the younger woman, holding out her hand.
“Welcome to Fondor, Chancellor. Please take a seat, can I get you anything? I trust Mr Halen is well?”

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

Naturally, Aleidis couldn't shake Tegaea's hand. Not that it was a pride thing - so much as the contact would bruise and might break something. Instead, Aleidis gave a very slight, polite bow and smiled. "Hullo, Lady Protector." The Ghostling replied with her usual candor. "A glass of water would be perfect, thank you." Aleidis requested gratefully, sinking into the offered chair with her hands folded on her lap.

As friendly as Aleidis usually made an effort to be, typically these sorts of meetings were on her own home turf - Aleidis had only ever been out of Republic space a couple of times in her whole life, and then it was on Jedi business and thus very short, very intense, and typically violent. Although she trusted the Protectorate not to do something so silly as try to/kill her, she couldn't help but be a little nervous. It was exciting, though. Fondor wasn't anything like she'd expected. "...Mr. Halen is doing alright. He's been rather uptight, lately - but who isn't, after the tragedy?" Aleidis admitted remorsefully.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"]

Well this was awkward. Tegaea didn't know much, if anything about ghostlings as a race, though she had heard they were very delicate. She managed, just, to convert the outstretched hand into a vague wave at the table. She rather hoped the Chancellor wouldn't stub her toe or something. It might be rather difficult to explain that!

Anya brought the Chancellor a glass of water, and set one before Tegaea before departing. The two were alone now, their guards waiting outside.
"Yes...Rhommamool and Osarian. I have heard that our combined rescue operations have closed down. They did not find...find any survivors." She winced. Thinking about it made her sick to the stomach still.
"Did the Vice-Chancellor pass on our findings to you? Our search for the rogue Sith we believe responsible is continuing. With your help, we will bring him to justice. I'm not going to let anyone drive us to war, not when there are other threats to be taken seriously."

"As I am sure you are aware, we have made no formal reply regarding Polis Massa. What with the disaster at Osarian and the disappearance of my predecessor, there has been much to do. However, as I am sure you are also aware, my wife has been made Exarch in place of me, whilst Exarch Cater is on long term, possibly indefinite leave. At current, his position is not filled, and he is effectively out of his position. I am willing to concede pride and vanity and offer an apology, if not in public, than in private to you. Now I am the new administration I am going to aim to work further with you. I cannot change what happened in the past, Chancellor, but I want to make sure that us two, the civilised societies, are not separated by minor squabbles. Millions died in the Osarian System, ours and yours, I want this to be a moment for us to work together."

"The Sith are encroaching on you, and I'm sure you're aware of their record when it comes to keeping treaties. The Fringe is moving steadily towards the core, and the CIS...they are doing whatever it is they do. Regardless, increased co-operation between us will squash any aggressive movements by these groups. And peace is to the benefit of all, don't you agree?"

 

[Aleidis Zrgaat]

@[member="Tegaea Alcori"]

"That's a loaded question, Milady Protector." Aleidis pointed out with a tiny smile. "Of course I agree that peace is the best option - I mean, anyone need only look at my track record to see what I've been working for." She explained, folding her hands on her lap to convey a non-threatening body posture. She was a guest, after all. "But I disagree with your methods - building up walls and piles of guns have never discouraged a war. If anything, they've only incited arms races." Aleidis explained. "If we start lining up out troops in anticipation of an attack, it's only a matter of time before someone slips up and incites a Galactic war - which is, as you say, the absolute last thing either of us want."

"Regardless of their past, the Sith Empire are the Allies of the Republic." Aleidis explained quietly. "And saber-rattling in preparation for a coming war with them is the exact opposite of a good way to stop a war from happening in the first place." The Ghostling postulated. "I believe in being prepared for disasters - but I've always believed that expecting the best of people is really the way to go. If my faith in Tyrin Ardik's ability to maintain peace is rewarded, then I've ended the war for good. If it is not, and the Sith Empire attacks, then the Republic will answer them with the full force of our military, and the Jedi order."

The Ghostling paused, winced slightly and offered an apologetic smile. "...sorry. I know that's a bit of a tangent, Lady Protector. I hope you'll forgive me."

"Regardless - something needs to be done about this 'Velok'." Aleidis promised, shifting her seating and accepting a glass of water from Tegaea's aide. "The Jedi are moving against him as we speak, and I've long-term plans in the works to bring him to justice. When I do, I will see to it that the Protectorate has a say in the matter." She opened her hands lightly and smiled. "...and if you'd like to coordinate your manhunting efforts with our own, I'm sure that can be arranged."

It wasn't lost on Aleidis that she was being guilt-tripped. The Lady Protector disappears, Exarch Cater leaves of his own accord, and Tegaea asks to re-up the treaty on the grounds that she'll apologize in private? It was a neat little way of ducking around Aleidis' terms, of ignoring the entire reason WHY Aleidis had asked the Protectorate to apologize, and to the general public? It'd mean the same thing: The Protectorate had made fools of the Republic, dictated Republic policy and the Republic had been foolish enough to accept them back like a whipped dog. That Tegaea was hiding behind the Osarian tragedy - as Aleidis saw it - to get her to just back down from her terms was detestable. Contemptible.

And she wouldn't glorify it with a serious response just yet. Gloss over it, leave it on the table.

"I had a thought - that we could build a memorial to the lives lost on Rommamool and Osarian. A joint effort; a space station dedicated as a neutral ground, promoting peace and unity." Aleidis explained. "Not just between us. But the entire Galaxy. Rommamool was destroyed by a monster hoping to spark a Galactic war, and I can think of no better answer to that than a project that has the potential to end those wars forever."