Private Everything In It's Right Place

[Aeris Lashiec]

The fan above her head spread the cool air from the window that stood slightly ajar. Steam rose from the spout of her teapot as Aeris paced back and forth across the room rearranging all of the books that she had come to call her own. Not because she was nervous, but because no-one had ever really seen the room and out of all people that she was letting in it was her supposed polar opposite in the Circle.

Vine-like plants had claimed one of the walls, trimmed to perfection, a small bundle of discarded and dried up leaves in a basket next to it. The window sill was riddled with a wide mixture of potted plants of several different colors. But few things compared to the miniature, actual fruit-bearing tree that grew by the foot of her bed to form a sort of divider between her sleeping space and her very small living room. This was her sanctuary, and it was one of the few secrets that she was intent on keeping.

The doors slid open and Aeris greeted her fellow Circle member and invited Allyson Locke to take a seat in this miniature forest that Aeris had created for herself. As they had their hellos and how-do-you-dos out of the way, Aeris began to pour them each a cup of neatly brewed tea. Chamomile with just a hint of citrus and vanilla.

A liquid cupcake without the bread-y flavor.

“I will get right down to it.” Aeris said as she put the pot down and took her first sip. “I fear that with the recent revelation regarding the Senator from Epoch, my position on certain topics that pertain to the continued cooperation between the New Jedi Order and Galactic Alliance needs to be clarified in such a manner that my own views cannot be used to harm said relationship.”

Well, that was certainly a good way to start.

“You are not a stranger to subterfuge, I believe you more than anyone in that room we call an 'office' understand how easily the meaning behind words can be turned on their author, or how a recording can be doctored into something else.”

“... So, for our sake, I want to put down a confession of my own thoughts on the Alliance to be kept safe in your hands and the Shadows, should my word somehow be tailored against us.”

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Aeris Lashiec //:

Allyson followed into the room, her eye scanning everything in the room. She was taken aback by Aeris’ call. Accepting it was to quell her curiosity and because of their connections within the Order. The plants along the wall reminded her of another Jedi, and she smiled softly at the memory. A curious habit of Jedi surrounding themselves with living things, while for Allyson, technology brought her peace. The lack of the gentle white noise computers and droids made through the Force made Allyson feel alien.

“Oh, thank you.” Also smelled the tea lightly - its scent gentle and pleasant, but she didn’t take a sip, only held the cup to her lips, mimicking the Consular’s actions. Paranoia and fear lead the Corellian’s life, making her cautious in anyone’s presence until proven otherwise. Already a Sith in the Senate, how long till they had another Raaf incident? Being who she was, Allyson wasn’t taking any chances but did her best to hide her feelings. Protectively, she closed her mind off from access like she had done back in the council meeting.

Aeris summoning her was a curious matter.

The woman began to speak, getting right to the point. It was a trait Allyson admired in the blonde Jedi woman. Her words didn’t surprise the spy; there were more than a handful that disliked having the Alliance and the Order being so tightly wound. Being someone who tended to have more sway and allegiances to the Alliance itself over the Jedi - she had heard the murmurs from other military officials. Jedi acting as Generals, Jedi leading squadrons, and even herself having influence in Intelligence. Allyson nodded along, listening.

“I understand. Protecting yourself as well as the Order is important.” Allyson spoke, waving her hand to emphasize her words. “The Order and the Alliance have a symbiotic relationship, the mutualism between them, it works. Anything that would rock the boat would only cause the other to fail - sadly, only a few see that, and few want to even try to bridge any issue gap.” Her words hung carefully; she had seen the original Alliance and their ties with their Jedi. Back then, she worked more for the Jedi Shadows over the SIS - but even then, the SIS had their foot to her throat.

Allyson cleared her throat and set the cup down on its saucer. She reached into the inside of her field jacket and removed a small contact case. “I would use the cybernetic, but too many eyes have access to the files I upload from it. Instead, I’ll have it on my private server, which I’ll give you special access for - we’ll handle that after.” It took the woman only a few moments to insert the contact she had received from her cousin. The hue of her green eyes faded, blending in with the bluish glow of the device.

“When you’re ready.” The contacted eye gave a dim glow as Allyson watched as it focused on Aeris.​

 

[Aeris Lashiec]

Allyson Locke

Deep breath.

“My name is Aeris Lashiec and I am the current head of the archives for the New Jedi Order here on Coruscant. In recent events it has become apparent that the man known as Kaigan Fossk, a senator from Epoch, is none other than the dark lord Darth Solipsis himself. As such, given the insidious nature of this enemy I wish to put down into words a form of spoken promise that clarifies my stance on any and all issues that I may have with the government known simply as the ‘Galactic Alliance’.”

“With me I have a fellow Jedi Master, Allyson Locke, who is a known entity within our ranks, to witness said statement.”

This was all a bit too much, but it made Aeris feel better.

“In all of my duties I see myself as an archivist first and foremost. My work with the Circle is worthless without it and any contribution that I’ve made to the Jedi faith has been through this very outlet. I am not a woman of war and I would never claim to be as such either.”

“The issues I have with the Alliance, the Republic, as well as any and all governments are issues that I would never act upon. My disdain is borne only from the historic proof that once a Jedi Order has found itself attached to one governmental body or the other, they too will inevitably collapse with it.”

“This means now that should the Alliance fall, it is already quite clear that the New Jedi Order will fall too. This is a fact that I have made my peace with. However, should the New Jedi Order fall, then it is not guaranteed that the Alliance would. In all of my years as a Jedi it is this one-sided symbiosis that has frightened me the most and is this matter that acts as my drive to separate my church from the state entirely.”

“It is a known fact that my current Order will fall. That is not a question of if but of when. It may be with the Alliance and it may be before the Alliance. Despite how much I dismay at the thought that we have ended up here, I would never bring about its destruction by my own hand.”

“All of this is to say that I may have my qualms with the Alliance, but I would never act to cause its demise or harm its people. I have an utmost respect for the senate and the people therein, same as I have for the military and navy and those that have become so entwined with my own brothers and sisters.”

“I wish for a continued cooperation with the Alliance, but on terms that favors us equally. That is all that I have ever wanted, and that is all that I will say on this matter.”

Deep exhale. The recording ended, at least as far as she knew.

“Too pretentious?” Aeris asked and grimaced. “I do not know what I even hoped to accomplish with this. Maybe it was a mistake. I just… Fear what our enemy can do to twist our words.”