First Contact (Levantine Sanctum Dominion of Tygara)

[Coci Heavenshield]

Coci presented a bow of her head to Coryth for two reasons, firstly to acknowledge her gesture to show good faith and secondly to show the leader of Tygara unity as representatives. The gesture was not lost on the leader who accepted their presence and begin talks.

“Honourable Semiramis, we have encountered the Corsairs before, they are peoples of ill intent and hold no honour but only hold interest in profit by means of enslavement. Lady Elaris has arranged for all of your people to be returned as soon as possible and we will make sure they are treated for any injuries they have sustainted under the entrapment of the Corsairs”, she began to add.

“We seek no reward, other than to see your system removed of such dangers and evil and only hope to establish a peace for your planet. Our reward will come from forming a friendship between your good peoples and Levantine Sanctum and her allies”. Coci offered and would stand aside for Coryth to speak.

(7)

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] [member="Coryth Elaris"]

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth bowed her head respectfully. "We seek no reward, at least not in the usual sense of the word." Such a complicated situation. Coryth only wanted to see the primitive people protected and never again enslaved. That a horror she knew too well. No one deserved to go through that.

"We would like to offer protection from the Corsairs, and help prevent them in the future from attempting to take more of your people as slaves.
For such, we would need a place ... space even to establish a base to further aid you and your people, offering the best possible future where you will not be under constant threat from slavers and others who would seek to dominate this planet." A soft sigh followed. Coryth couldn't help but feel how awkwardly this might come across to the Queen. Their only desire to help, and start a base here. There was still the matter of the Eldorai, but that would be incredibly complicated to explain. Personally Coryth wanted to tie a few more details down, and get beyond the incredibly tense situation that they stood in. Even now, she could feel it ... tension in the air so thick and heavy that you could cut it with a knife.

She glanced behind her to the arriving transports that no doubt carried the former slaves. "That will be your people now." With them no doubt was a certain Angelii Seraph. Who Coryth may more may not love to order around in public. Though in private that was a completely different matter. One cannot say much more for free of irreparably harming the kiddies.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Callista Gseran"]​

(6)

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Natol'ine"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

The Shahbânu listened to the two women, each in turn through the interpreter. Before she could answer though, there came a whooshing sound, and down came another dropship. The Qadiri, for the most part, backed away, as if fearing treachery, but Semiramis stayed perfectly still.

As the door opened and the Qadiri were led out, she gestured, and soldiers came forward to lead them to safety. The Xioquo who had been taken were separated and put under guard, bound and herded to an area surrounded by guards.

Semiramis looked at the new arrivals, nodded.
“I thank you for the return of my people. Their families will be very happy to see them again, I know. I assume you have no use for the Dark Ones?” she asked, pointing to the captive Xioquo. “We will of course split any profits from their sale with you in thanks,” she added with a smile.
There were clearly some very different attitudes about slavery here!

“To return to the main point, I thank you again for your assistance.” She paused, as if confused. “And how much will this…protection…cost us?” she asked.
Living in a court with such Byzantine politics as Amikaron made her naturally suspicious of any ‘protection’ in case it morphed into something rather more.

[member="Callista Gseran"]
Tegaea, who had been on board the ship, had been following Callista’s progress, but now noticed that there was a large contingent of troops nearby in her path.
“Chesna, tell their Queen that we have another member of the party nearby, and ask she be allowed to join you.”

Chesna, whilst the two Jedi were considering their answer, asked the question obediently. She had a communicator in her ear for such messages.
“Your Majesty, there is another Jedi nearby, in that grove yonder. Might we have her come to us? We do not wish to cause any alarm for your warriors there.”
“It is allowable,” Semiramis said. She dispatched a messenger to pass on the order.
Chesna reached up to her ear. “Mistress Callista, the soldiers should let you through. Say the word ‘Jedi’ when you encounter them.”
“You can talk to her from here? Of course you can, such wonders your people have,” Semiramis said, gazing at the outsiders.

(7)

 

[Kaida Taldir]

Post 8
[member="Valiens Nantaris"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Natol'ine"], [member="Coryth Elaris"]


Different attitudes about slavery did not surprise Kaida. Why? Well, for one she was not a wide-eyed idealist who expected to meet the good High Queen of an innocent people who had been attacked by evil corsairs. More seriously, the Eldorai of her homeworld had a history of being cruel, smug and arrogant, with a culture that had had many barbaric traits. In the ancient times slavery had existed there, though making Kar'zun forced labourers had been more common and they had not used the name. Besides, 'enlightened' Core World values could not be transferred to a culture that, if the weapons of the native soldiers was any indication, was at most at Renaissance level.


Anyhow, now that she stepped from the dropship she finally got to lay eyes upon her...cousins and their ruler. It was ironic that the positions were now reversed, for now she was part of the space people. Semiramis faced the same dilemma the Eldorai Star Queens had once had, to try and resist the foreigners, throw them out no matter what the cost - and probably fail - or try and make use of them.


After all, they had shiny tech to offer! But then in the case of Kaeshana the outsiders had at most only come to plunder and pillage. Not to colonise. "Chesna, tell her we shall be 'keeping' the 'Dark Ones'. Use whatever flowery language you like, we're not handing them over for sale and slavery. Say we shall be...taking them as our spoils of war," she said, you might have guessed it, frostily, as she approached the party, noticing Coryth and Master Heavenshield. Kaida was speaking in Basic instead of Eldarai, so that the two Jedi would be able to understand her. She gave Nato a look as if to say 'behave yourself'. The girl was good in combat, but seemed a bit too bubbly sometimes! Then she reached up to remove her imposing helmet. Maybe a trust-building measure, maybe she was simply feeling a bit claustophobic inside it after having worn it all the time.


As for paranoia, Semiramis was not the only one feeling suspicious. After all, Kaida came from a planet steeped in Machiavellian politics and Byzantine power plays. Thus she had come armed and armoured, though her Seraphim armour was stained with blood and looked battered. Her lightsabre was tied to her belt, the imposing boltgun magclamped to her thigh. The flight of gunships and the dropship with walkers remained ready to be called into action, though out of view of the natives. Both the monarch and the Angelii seemed the properly paranoid type!


The Queen was looking for angles, so was she. For now Semiramis seemed too awed by their technology to try something stupid, but she doubted all natives would see it that way. Especially if the Qadiri were religious zealots like the Eldorai. She had no desire to start fighting, especially since the natives were her cousins, but as she looked upon the ranks of their primitively armed soldiers, she was not letting down her guard either. Especially not if their rulers acted friendly and invited them to their capital or even the palace.


"We'll need territory to settle on. Away from her kingdom," she added quietly after she had reached Coryth. Kaida was no diplomat, so she would let the Jedi Exarch do her thing. But she would provide an Eldorai perspective, for though more than twenty millennia separated them, she had a feeling she had some insight into how the mind of Semiramis worked. The last thing she desired was for them to become entangled in her power plays. "I fully expect her to try and use us for her own ends."

 

[Delila Castillon]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"]



"Yes, perhaps we should catch up sometime." Delila replied back to the one Space Elf she could stand for more than five minutes at a time. It didn't take long for more 'cheerful' tones to break into the commed conversation, letting the Gaea know the slaver problem had been eliminated for now. It looked like they would be moving on in the space lanes, not exactly a problem for Delila.


"Noted. As for scrap, we're not scavengers. I am sure someone will come along and take care of it. Well, seeing as there is nothing left for us to do, its time to put the Gaea back under way. Until we meet again."


Delila ended the conversation.


"Alright crew, lets continue to trawl these space lanes, maybe we'll get a piece of the action yet."

 

[Glade]

Stomach’s full, the few slaves around her entered after Nato thoroughly spoiled and happy, part empathic Nato had that energy naturally of their relief with her, until she entered the room. Arriving late but not too late! Natol’ine was thoroughly prepared for the seriousness of the event. Well, in a very Natol’ine-like way, blue starry dress in place of her armor, her face veil had the opposite effect than she wanted, she’d wanted them looking at her dress not the veil and her eye-patch, oops.

Calming naturally with just how many people were standing around serious and well behaved, small smiles all around, not wanting to upset or put anyone off, she had to stop herself waving at [member="Coryth Elaris"], she also gave a bright smile to [member="Coci Heavenshield"], mouthing a silent hello to both.

[member="Valiens Nantaris"], Semiramis spoke very, she couldn’t put her finger on it, tapping her lips with her index finger, but like someone she wanted to listen to, so she did. She was already peeking around at the nearest solider who was trying to ignore her little glances, but she flashed them a smile, just visible beneath her face veil and got a look! She also got that look from [member="Kaida Taldir"] about the same time.

Okay, promise she’d keep her smiles to herself!

Then there was the suspicion after the excitement of meeting an whole new race, and she started feeling suspicious too, drifting that emotion seemed to be everywhere. She fidgeted and when she looked back at the soldier, she was wondering what they were planning! Emotion washed over her like a wave of doubt.

Thankfully she didn’t hear Kaida whispering to Coryth about settling territories else she might have realised what was really going on. So she found a little pillar to stand near, squinting at the nearest solider, who was probably squinting back, nose tense and ready to sniff out trouble.

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

​

(8)​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Natol'ine"] [member="Delila Castillon"] [member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Callista Gseran"]​

​

Oh good 'ole double standards. Things just turned to a more interesting stance. A nation of people recently victims of criminal activity taking slaves of them, now wanting to do the same to their enemy. She sighed internally at the wanting of retribution. However, Kaida intervened and Coci tensed waiting for the reaction from the leader of Tygara. She had met Kaida once before in their fight against the Corsairs before and knew her to be a formidable warrior and strong in her will to fight these slavers.

Allowing a moment to greet the new comers, she returned her attention to the talks. She motioned to Chesna to add more, but she would avoid the subject of the 'Dark Ones' for the moment. "I understand your caution regarding the nature of protection, but we shall not require any form of 'payment' in our offer of protection. We come from groups that offer our services in order to serve those that request it, your philosophy as Jedi is to offer a peaceful means to situations of aggression rather than a more reactive one. However, if peaceful means are deemed to be untenable than we act. We only wish for peace for the galaxy and for your people".

(8)

 

[Callista Gseran]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"] [member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"]
[4/20]

Callista's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked across the grove. The scouting party nearby was getting a bit too close for comfort. Her hand drifted down to her saber for a moment as she considered the situation. There were perhaps a dozen in the scouting party, and from what she knew of the planet, and it's tech, should they attack, she could easily defend herself. There were also some non-lethal ways to defuse the situation.

As she considered her options, a voice came through over her communicator. It was a voice she'd heard before, and she relaxed aver so slightly. As she moved her hand away from her saber, she rose to her feet, and moved towards the Qadiri warriors, her hands open in what she hoped was a universal gesture. As she moved towards the group, she noticed movement along the tree line. The warriors saw it as well, and a few turned towards it, relaxing slightly as they saw one of their own. The young woman was slightly winded and paused a moment to catch her breath before addressing one of the warriors and gesturing at Callista.

The warriors seemed confused for a moment, and Callista heard the young woman repeat herself more firmly. gesturing emphatically towards Callista again. Shrugging, the warrior said something back to the messenger after a moment and then stepped aside, though he eyed Callista warily. The messenger said something short and emphatic to the warriors again before gesturing at Callista to follow. Shrugging Mentally, Callista brushed a few stray leaves from her trousers and moved to follow the messenger as the warriors moved to surround them in a loose formation. When they were ready, the group made it's way towards where Coci and the others were.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth blinked as she heard the words from Semiramis. Don't open your mouth, yet. Just wait a moment. Pause. Think. Then react. And smile, after all nothing is wrong. They clearly have their own views on slavery, and it's not yours of no slaves ever. So, keep it together. Be a good girl and don't kill anyone.

She folded her hands neatly in front her of, squeezing her own hands to try and maintain her calm outward appearance. This time it was probably for the best that Chesna did the translating of what Kaida had said, for Coryth had no nice words to be said on that matter of the Dark Ones. No one got to own a person. Not like that. Not if she could help it. She managed a meaningful glance of gratitude to Kaida. She needed the outside perspective. This was not a race she was used to dealing with in the least.

"The protection as Master Heavenshield pointed out, is free. It is done in service, without payment to help others. It is what we dedicate our lives to. We simply need some space somewhere to do so, where we will be out of your way and will not bother you in the least."

She smiled briefly to Nato. And soon enough she spied Callista moving with a group of warriors, heading their direction. Once there, she bowed her head respectfully, "Callista, glad to have you with us again." She said softly.

​

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Natol'ine"]​

​

(7)

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Natol'ine"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

Chesna took a deep breath after translating Coci and Coryth’s words. She would have to find a diplomatic way to soften out Kaida’s blunt words.
“Majesty, we request custody of the ‘Dark Ones’. As spoils of war.”
Semiramis shrugged. “Take them. They are cunning and treacherous, so you must be prepared to beat them frequently. I know not how you treat your slaves in the stars, but these ones are especially difficult.”
The distressed and cowed ‘Dark Ones’ hardly looked like scheming evil-doers. As they were taken over to the visitor’s ships they looked more frightened and afraid than conniving and treacherous.
“We do not have slaves,” Chesna said flatly. “Much of our purpose is stamping out the practice.”
Semiramis gazed at her with surprise. “So you are not…” she began.
“I am no one’s slave,” Chesna said firmly.
“The stars must indeed be a strange place. All this talk of freedom, peace, tranquillity, and yet you have weapons which could lay waste my land and flatten my cities. Do you also emancipate your animals and give respect to your crops for taking from them?”
“We do not consider people to be animals, Majesty,” Chesna retorted.
Silence for a moment, then Semiramis smiled. “An interesting perspective. Still, enough of this.”
Wisely, Chesna had not translated any of this, as Kaida at least probably would have turned Her Majesty into a frosticle there and then.

She turned back to Coci and Coryth. “You desire land to work from to protect us? That is…” she seemed set to say something, but then turned and looked at the spaceships.
“Your sky-ships can travel great distances, I deem? Many times that even of a roc or other beast. Well, there is a land to the north, many weeks travel by ship, but it is unclaimed. There are some savages and tribes there, but nothing which would trouble you. My mother and grandmother started to colonise this new land, but the attacks of the Dark Ones, the Xioquo, forced us to abandon our colonies.” She looked darkly at the liberated Xioquo slaves.
“Still, that land is vast and mostly uninhabited, and inland the raiders cannot go. Besides, I think you will be more than a match for them.”

“So, do we have a deal, my friends? We must celebrate this new alliance and friendship at my palace. Would you like to come with me to Zeheb? I can promise you a welcome and gifts that will properly show our gratitude.”

Meanwhile, on board, Tegaea used the satellite pictures to determine where Semiramis meant. “There’s a large continent which I believe she refers to. It could easily provide us a base, and it might provide sanctuary for the Eldorai. I suggest some of us go to scout this, others go with this Queen and make sure there’s no trouble.”

“I’ll go check out this other place. Palaces aren’t my thing,” Nantaris added. Though, the space elves possibly on offer did make him stop to consider.

(8)

 

[Kaida Taldir]

Post 9
[member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"], [member="Callista Gseran"], [member="Natol'ine"]


This would be a very uneasy alliance. Obviously not just because of the slavery issue because, to be blunt, many Eldorai would not care about that as long as they were not enslaved since they would probably see the Qadiri as racially inferior. Yes, old Eldorai culture was not that nice, truth be told, though after Anya became queen they had stopped burning heretics. But it would still be a culture clash. Never mind the fact that ultimately the Eldorai would be coming to colonise and claim land.


Good thing Kaida, despite being more moral than most of this one's characters, was not a wide-eyed idealist. "Load the Xioquo up on our transport," she coldly instructed one of her minions, remaining calm and standing ramrod straight as the breeze of the wind kissed her face. She and Chesna had questioned the slaves that had been liberated on Arkas. Based on what they had found out Semiramis was not the sole ruler of the planet, just the most powerful. The Xioquo or 'Dark Ones' seemed to be what fantasy authors would describe as 'Dark Elves' who used the dark side for heinous purposes and were in some respects quite similar to the Sith. However, the slaves here seemed distressed and cowed, rather than like scheming evildoers. And in Kaida's mind slavery could not be justified, as idealistic as that might sound.


There was further, more pertinent talk. As cynical as it sounded, this conversation was the far more important one. For the reason the Eldorai had come to Tygara was simpe: To find a place to settle. Truth be told, everything else came secondary. The large continent Tegaea and Semiramis could be just that place. The mention of raiders and Xioquo did not escape Kaida's attention. It was probably one of the main reasons Semiramis had mentioned it. Uneasy, shaky alliance, where neither side had any reason to trust the other. Built on the Eldorai having far superior technology that the natives would crave, for without it sooner or later protection would turn to vassalisation for them.


Meanwhile she noted that another Jedi had joined them. Kaida did not immediately place a face to the name, but then remembered that Chesna had identified her as Callista Gseren. She approached Coryth. "I can accompany you to the city if you wish, Exarch. Or scout out out the continent she mentioned. Either way, I suggest you take an Angelii escort with you and be on your guard. I think the Shahbanu has too much to gain to betray us, especially if she wants foreign technology, but you cannot be certain. If not her, scheming nobles or religiously fanaticised mobs will try. Make sure any food they give you isn't poisoned...and that any courtesans they offer aren't assassins. But keep your response proportionate if there's violence," she said practically. Unlike some of this writer's characters, Kaida was not a hyper violent warmonger and thus not eager to pull a 1521, no matter how reprehensible she found the natives' customs and their queen. However, she was still properly paranoid.

 

[Glade]

Wait, ~Cory what are we talking about?~ She mindspeaked to her friend [member="Coryth Elaris"]. Bad, this was just bad. Drops, negotiations, colonizing, continents, what was going on? Sinking feeling coming, she wanted to run back to their villa to tell Sio, why wasn’t Sio here! She could have asked her or put her mind at rest. Mild panic welled up, but oh okay, whatever. She changed her emotion just as easy, smiling again, but she was a bit worried on the inside.

Beat slaves? Okay they were scumbags n stuff but that got her heckles up, visibly so, she had to go away and bite her tongue, standing way back of everyone. People who would never get a chance to be family, hug, love or run free again. She didn’t have as much hatred toward slavers as her Lorrdian friend-*cough* [member="Fyor Nayus"] did, but she had that streak in her that wanted to break people out of chains, patterns or memories that hurt them.

Scooting somewhere near [member="Callista Gseran"] nose tight and mouth scrunched up, her arms folded. Was she huffy? Maybe, but as huffs went, it as the kind of huff that would be a smile as soon as you turned your head, that was Nato.

“Don’t like it,” she whispered to [member="Callista Gseran"] quietly, not having met her before, “sounds all….” She shrugged, “don’t trust em.” That squint in her eye at her guard friend from before, was a bit deeper, thankfully her lavender face veil hid her expression, she probably just looked mildly ticked off about something, unless you had force sense.

(9)​

​

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Natol'ine"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] |​

​

The atmosphere of the talks had change to one filled with tension. Did not need to be a Jedi to sense it, but through the force came the mistrust of those around here, mainly from the Jedi delegation. Coci thought for a moment as Chesna continued translating, her eyes flicking between those that had come close and Coci held no outward expression on her face. However, she would address the leader firstly before speaking more privately to Coryth and the others.

"Honourable Semiramis, I thank you for your generous offer but before we can made an accord I must confer with the Jedi Delegation", she said with a respectful bow.

Coci raised her arm to speak to Tegaea and Nantaris through the comlink, "Lady Tegaea, Master Nantaris we need to ascertain the position of the offer, it might be prudent to recon the surrounding area of the proposed location. Also I think we need to find out if the leader indulges in slavery as they most definiately have a propensity toward it. Tegaea, if the Delegation moves into the Palace, we need back up, just in case, we can use my pregancy to advantage and have the ship brought closer to the Palace". Her eyes now shot up to look at Coryth, and only then would she see Coci concern and mistrust of the leader.

"Coryth, what are your thoughts?", she looked to the others for theirs as well. "I think Semiramis is to ready to jump into an agreeance .. if we move the talks to the Palace we do so on our terms. After all they are the ones that need us, although we should let Semiramis believe she has the advantage".

(9)

 

[Callista Gseran]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] [member="Natol'ine"] [member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"]
5/20

It was as Callista approached the group that she caught the tail end of the conversation... and it was a topic that sent a chill down her spine. Even her galaxy, slavery was very very rare, at least as far as was known. Her lips thinned into a line as she caught the end of the Queen's - that's who she assumed it was - little speech. After a moment, her gaze went to Coryth, and s he returned the young woman's bow as a slight, somewhat nervous smile touched her lips. Even now, she was still adjusting to life in this galaxy.

"Thank you.Ms. Elaris..." she said softly, bowing in return before she moved off tp\o the side slightly, where she could watch the exchange, and still be close enough to give input should she feel the need to do so. She still felt horribly out of place among many of these people. And yet, she'd come along in hopes of learning more of the galaxy which was now her home. She watched the exchange with a slight frown, her hands tucked into the pockets of her vest.

A glance sideways caught the younger Nato sidling up closer to her, and Callista smiled. It even got her to relax a little. She found the girl's presence and perspective refreshing. Reaching out a cautious hand, she laid it on Nato's shoulder. "I understand..." she said softly, "and I agree. More than you know..." She didn't like the situation either, but it was what they had to work with.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

It took everything Coryth had, to hide the disgust she felt within. The urge was rising within the redhead, to deck the queen but knew better. Okay darkside thoughts .... Go away. She just doesn't know any better. Keep it together. She knew too well, she was only feeling that way since she'd experienced slavery first hand. Having been a slave as a young child and against later in her teens, it certainly didn't settle well with her to hear someone talk of beings in such a manner.

Coryth glanced to Kaida as the Eldorai spoke. "I believe you going with the others to scout the continent would be a good idea." She then nodded. As much as she didn't want an escort, she couldn't help but feel uneasy at this point. "I would hope I'd not require such an escort but I have a feeling it may be needed." She said softly, a bit of concern creeping into her voice. "And I agree, she has much to gain and everything to lose. It would be foolish of her to try something but yeah ... One can never rule such things out. We don't know her motives, or her means behind her actions." Yup, Coryth was definitely highly untrusting at this point. "I feel like I've stepped right in the middle of a pit of vipers."

Then she heard Nato within her mind. She looked to the young woman, and wondered for a moment if Siobhan had told her the truth. Coryth replied quietly in Nato's mind. It's complicated Nato, I can't entirely explain it all right now, and I'm not too sure I can tell you everything either. We aren't just here to aid these people and return slaves. We're here to help secure a base, with the hopes of colony here someday soon for the Eldorai. I'll have to tell you the rest later. She intentionally left out the part about the coming apocalypse.

She then turned to Coci. "I agree with you completely. I do not feel we can one hundred percent trust the Queen right now. So we must tread carefully. Semiramis has much to gain and everything to lose by betraying us, so I don't think she will but I'm not willing to gamble on that. We need to be vigilant and careful from here on out. We should go to the palace, but on our own terms. From there we can maybe gain a better perspective on this race of people and know what we need to do from here." She sighed softly, "Really don't trust them. So be careful, keep an eye out. Never know what is going to happen. We just need more information than we have right now before we can proceed."

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Natol'ine"]​

(8)

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

[member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Natol'ine"]

The delegation finished their discussion and held a silent meeting with Chesna.

The Shahbânu herself had been holding a conference whilst she waited with Bashiyra and Ardashir, unheard by the off-worlders.
“What do you think of these off-world devils?” the General asked.
“They are no devils, rather they are people similar to us who have greater technology. They are not gods or demons, but Zari like us. We knew this already, but this shows us the way to act.”
“Mistress, I do not advise acting against them.”
“I do not plan that. Bring them to Zeheb, treat them like honoured guests. If they will protect us against the other space-people, then so be it. In the meantime we will learn more about them and their weaknesses if needed.”
“They have strong opinions about the Dark Ones.”
“I feel it is a strong opinion about slavery. Most curious, they seem to feel it is morally wrong. We will play to this vanity as needed. When we return to Zeheb, send one of your riders ahead, General, and prepare for our arrival. Bring me three of my harem girls we can afford to lose, they can be emancipated for the greater good.”

Both meetings broke up, and the two groups convened again.
“Your Majesty, some of our people will scout this northern land, others will return with you to your city. Lady Heavenshield, as you can see, is pregnant. We will fly there to spare her.”
“Of course, give her Ladyship my best wishes on her pregnancy. There is a space just outside the walls usually used for festivals which is perfect. My army will return to its bases, but I will ride ahead to meet you with my guard. You need not fear, once you are in the city you will be under my protection, as I am under yours. Any who attempt to harm you in word or deed will be severely punished.”
Chesna bowed. “Thank you, Majesty,” she said, not showing the misgivings they probably all had.

It was at this moment that Tegaea Alcori emerged from the ship. Her red hair was pulled back, and she wore a simple combat suit with a bolt pistol at her side.
“Kaida, take the second ship, we’ll take this one to the city. All aboard!”

(9)

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"], [member="Callista Gseran"], [member="Coryth Elaris"], [member="Natol'ine"]
10


For her part Kaida focused her attention on Coryth, though she kept an eye on the army of natives arrayed before them. "Agreed," she said laconicaly. There was no point in wasting more words. "A flight of gunships and a dropship with two Mag'ladorth walkers is in the air if things go very badly." The two walkers were impregnable to anything the Qadiri had at their disposal and had a truly truly ridiculous amount of firepower at their disposal, such as shattercannons and flamethrowers. Even stolen blasters would do no good against them due to their armour. Of course, dropping bombs would be the last resort because punishing a populace for what might be the misdeeds of a clique of scheming nobles was not a Lawful Neutral thing to do, but the Gunships could easily facilitate an extraction by providing a hailstorm of laserfire. "And, yes, it is a pit of vipers, Exarch. It is an elf court after all," she added, tone deadpan and very dry.


She made a gesture and called one of her officers to her. "Captain Ynnead, your squad will accompany Lady Elaris. Follow all her commands and guard her with your life. Standard ROE." The officer in question saluted and quickly went about passing on commands. The squad was one of elite Angelii kitted out in imposing looking battle armour, armed with sarixi and bolters, experienced in battle from the hellish hothouse of Gehenna to the skirmish with Klaxxi on Sullust, and adept in the use of elemental powers.


Alcori stepped out, wearing a combat suit instead of fancy clothes. Kaida gave her a nod of acknowledgement but did not say anything further. This one notes she had her own dropship anyway, which the Eldorai had used to land since they had come separately, making the instruction a bit perplexing. "Come on," she spoke to Nantaris. The scruffy Scotchman was not half bad. As the wind swept towards them, throwing up sand and dust, Kaida turned away and headed to her own dropship. And so shortly thereafter she was aboard her transport and it was lifting off from the ground and then into the sky. Very soon it would have left the party of negotiators and the Qadiri army behind it and was sweeping towards the northern continent that was supposed to be explored.


((Anyone who wants to join the exploration team can feel free to teleport themselves onto the ship! ))

 

[Glade]

~Okaies Cory, I trust you.~ Nato's mind replied to Coryth, couldn’t be that bad, Cory was here helping! Hero worship for Coryth was an evident possibility after she’d saved her life! Hrrrm, maybe their Eldorai friends just wanted to try somewhere new? She cradled and fiddled with her hands mulling her doubt over.

“Just… kinda…” What [member="Callista Gseran"] could never know is how much physical contact settled Nato down, and you could see instant change coming over her features. Lacking touch nearly forever, when she got physical contact, hugs, or touch, everything was fine, no matter what was happening. “Yep!” Nato smiled happily. “We’ll be watchin’ out fer them.”

Beaming huge smile, “pesky slavers.” She whispered under her breath. What she really wanted to say was, she liked Callista almost immediately. Nato liked most people that weren’t shooting at her, shooing her away from stealing their junk piles, or trying to make her their dinner, crazy sithies! But she’d decided she especially like Callista, why she didn’t know, that didn’t matter, just that she did.

Bouncing up lightly to go see [member="Kaida Taldir"] before she and everyone shuffled out, Natol’ine caught her at the door, with another wink, twice winked and nothing she could do about it! “Don’t go getting hurt!” She ordered, well she suggested, well okay she hoped. “Please?” That went double to [member="Tegaea Alcori"] who she’d never met but really wanted to hug about now, for everything Sio had told her about her partner. Resisting an instant flying Nato hug, she chanced a quick wave instead.

After that the young Kiffar shuffled her way to Cory, Coci and Callista, looking between them, usual big eyes for meeting new people covered by her veil, “Soooo, do they have shops here?” What, did they miss the most important part of their negotiations? See this is why they needed her.

Fin for Nato!

[member="Natalya Selanne"] was waiting to take her place on their expedition, wrapped in her usual animal furs, small gaggle of wildlife around her, including two great white Edan tigers that came to her waist line. She would follow Kaida into their ship, animals and all.

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[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Natol'ine"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Coryth Elaris"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Delila Castillon"]​

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She did not need Lady Tegaea to ask twice to board the ship. As she walked along side all the delegation back up the ramp, she allowed herself to let her shoulder release their tension. The tension not only in the body, but within all the delegation. None of them trusted the leader of Tygara but they would go to the palace to resume talks. As she walked Coci went through options in her head, although she had not the experiences in life as some of the delegation with slavers or slavery, having been fortunate enough to have escape such terrors in her life, she has seen what the oppression and removal of freedom will do to beings, not to mention the atrocities that they endure.

Once inside the ship and waiting for Lady Tegaea to get underway, Coci spoke. "We can not provide protection to these people if they also permit and practice slavery. I see three options, firstly, we could call backup and begin a more aggressive negotiation, and take over this planet and remove the leader, but that will not do our cause any justice and we will look like ...", she fought for the right word not finding it, but the word she choose would make the point. "Sith, in the eyes of the galaxy".

"Second, we could continue as we are, and over time education the leader to change her attitude toward slavery, but in the mean time there is still the enslavement of her own people, until that change occures".

"Thirdly, we can put the cards on the table, tell her we do not support her or her government if they continue to practice slavery and that it will not be tolerated and we will withdraw, leaving Tygara open to the pirates once more. Telling her we came here to assist them against the slavers only to find they too are ignoble in practice. She believes herself noble so we should use that. It is a threat, I understand this, but we cannot lower our principles and we must be firm with her. She offered us a gift as payment for what we have done already, we could ask for the abolishment of slavery on Tygara".

Coci looked at them all one by one, to see and hope others might have more options to add.

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[Coryth Elaris]

"Thank you Seraph Taldir. Let's hope it doesn't come to needing those resources but I'm glad they are there, just in case." Though there was no telling what was going to happen and Coyth couldn't help but have a bad feeling about the whole situation. What exactly it was that was bothering her, putting her danger sense on edge, she wasn't sure. Though one thing she had learned long ago was to always trust her gut. That danger sense had saved her life a few too many times by now.

She gave a respectful nod to Captain Ynnead, incredibly grateful for the protection even if she didn't entirely like having to need them at her side. She watched briefly as Kaida and the others headed off into the sky. May the Gods always stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk. A silent prayer on Coryth's part that all of those departing to explore to the continent would be safe, and return unharmed.

Coryth followed into the ship, looking to Coci first. "I won't agree to more aggressive means of taking the planet over. Not only that but Semiramis is not the only ruler of Tygara. There are others. So there is the possibility of negotiating with the others if Semiramis does not agree."

Sighing heavily, Coryth rubbed her forehead trying to think through everything that had happened so far. "Unfortunately slavery is a practice that has been in play for centuries on other planets such as this. And as much as I loathe to say this, for having been a slave myself abolishing slavery isn't something as simple as saying 'make it so'. Being freed isn't so simple as unlocking their chains and pushing them out into the world. They have no idea how to do that. They have no idea how to survive without education and assistance. Not only that but the government here they have to be willing to meet us halfway if any of this is to become reality."

One last sigh, "In addition, we don't have the resources to support that many people right this second if we were to have them all freed right now. It would be a burden no government, be that the Protectorate, or Sanctum ... or even a company like Firemane can manage. We have to do this carefully and I firmly believe that education and slowly working to abolish slavery would be the best way we can do this. It's the most practical way, and something we can actually manage."

[member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Valiens Nantaris"] | [member="Callista Gseran"] | [member="Natol'ine"]​

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