If Two Can Do It... (ASA Dominion of Olvan)

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Naboo had not been a good loss. The bulk of the ASA's military force had thrown itself on the sharpened spires that served as the Protectorate's metaphorical gates. A massive body count had risen on both sides, but at the very least, the galaxy knew the ASA meant business. To challenge the galaxy's most powerful government, and wound it in such a way was a statement.

While the rest of the ASA repaired and grieved, Gravesen had taken a different approach. He had spoken with the Monitor on a course of action, and the old Architect had revealed a former observatory fleet lost within Olvan's core, thousands of years ago. The natives had been too underdeveloped to notice the entrenched ships deep beneath the planet's crust, but now, those ships could serve once more.

The ASA needed new worlds if it was to survive the coming storm. It needed morale. Gravesen would give it.

His shuttle set down in the expansionary hangers of the Republic of Carintha, a far more accepting governmental power on the world below. His boots crunched against the light snowfall, and the dark cowl he wore over his head hid his expression above the nose. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and the newly built lightsaber that swung from his belt was shown to all.

He wore the armor of the former Templars. Thin, but protective, and clad in ebony. The president of the Republic, a bald Ol'van by the name of Krayic siddled up to meet the Harbinger. He stood at about waist height, and was about twice as thick as Gravesen. He thrust his hand forward.

"We spoke on the holo Mister Conclave? You say you can help us take the rest of our homeworld?" The President asked.

Gravesen took the alien's hand and gave it a good shake. His lips curled into a small smile; genuine as it was. "I do! If you would like to hear it...wait for my associate?"

[member="Una Gal"]

 

[Una Gal]

The ship came down at speed, almost skidding across the ships docks as it landed. The pilot had been unkind and not very friendly. Una had argued with him for a little over an hour about the best route to take. But they had gone in circles. Eventually the pilot had decided to take it into his own hands and Una had to sit through the longest flight she had ever been on.

But here she was. Struggling to put on her boots as she hopped down the ramp and ran toward Gravy. She knew she was late, very late. Her cheeks showed both her embarrassment and just how quickly she had run from the ship. It took her a moment or two to catch her breath before she lifted her body up and flashed a sweet, dimpled smile to Gravy. "I'm so very sorry.." Exhaling and blowing her fringe upward, she offered her hand out toward the President, her eye trained on him, just like she'd practiced. "I'm Una Gal. Pleasure." He was a little more funny looking but she had the poker look down now. As she waited for him to take her hand she relished in the fact that Gravy had entrusted her to accompany him.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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"Ah, human. You're rather new." Krayic mumbled as he shook the woman's hand. His pale white lips pursed as further words formed on his tongue, but he turned away before they could be spoken. It was likely for the best. The President began strolling toward the warm entrance of the capital building.

Gravesen lifted his shoulders in a slight sigh. He turned his head partway to give [member="Una Gal"] a reassuring smile, and tilted his head forward in the slightest of nods. "He's...antsy. They've been at war a few years. I suppose we'll be resolving that." The Rattataki swallowed. "Just follow my lead, but if things get messy, you take it. You're better with the lightsaber than I am by far."

For the slightest fraction of a moment, his heart fluttered, and his gaze remained on the Jedi Padawan for a lingering second. This was a favor for him, by far. Assisting the ASA wasn't a Jedi duty. He turned to follow the leader fo the pudgy little race, cloak flapping in the faint wind behind him.

 

[Una Gal]

Her face crumpled up away from the prying eyes of the president. He had already proved himself to be a little bit difficult and that was something Una wasn't looking forward to in the slightest. Of course, she had done her research and Gravy's prompt only seemed to confirm her thoughts. Olvan had been at war for quite sometime. Una was reassured by the fact that she would have probably acted the same way if she were in such a situation. With a rather flattered look on her face, she began to follow the President.

Looping her arm through Gravy's, she gave him a quick squeeze and an affectionate smile. "We won't get into any trouble..." She kept her voice low as she followed the rather stout male up ahead of her. If he even was a male. Maybe their species was different to humans and what they considered male was something completely different. Her arm dropped from Gravy's. After all, they were here for important business and not a social gathering.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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The stout little creature led the duo into a lavish room. He and his assosciates had clearly spared absolutely no expense on comforting any foreign dignitaries; likely hoping to gather favor with trinkets and soft pillows than actual actions. It reminded Gravesen faintly of the dying Republic that now stumbled about in its war with the One Sith...he did not like the room. Luckily, Krayic continued on down a much more sparse hallway.

Servants meandered about; all well dressed. Archaic droids that would have been considered ancient on any average world went about the directives assigned to them by their superiors. Gravesen was positive it was all a show.

"Our Republic has stood for over three hundred years. Our people are happy, and we've even begun to expand offworld...its the issue of the Empire that has kept us here so long." Krayic explained as he strode into his office. The room was small; clearly designed for people of smaller size. Two large seats had been placed on the other side of the desk. "They're murderers, all of them...please, take a seat."

Gravesen gave Una a quick glance, nodded, and took a chair.

 

[Una Gal]

As they entered the doorway and into the ornate room, Una was delighted. Unlike her counterpart who didn't even have to express his distaste to her, the room they had walked into was something she very much liked. Apparently it was easy to win her heart with fluffy pillows and meaningless trinkets. Or maybe it was just easy to impress her. She was just about to flop onto one of the larger pillows, obviously made for stretching out on, when the creature waddled onward. He was getting worse by the minute. Her smile turned into a displeased frown as she adjusted the armor Gravy had given her to wear. She made a metal note to get some of her own and stormed on through to the other room.

Una had enjoyed the show. The actual setting the meeting was going to take place in wasn't as impressive. It was much smaller and much less lavish. Dragging the chair outward a little she complained silently about the size of the room. It was made for little people. Even smaller than the likes of Una herself. Her weight sank into the chair as she struggled to adjust her armor again. The focus was all on Gravy now, she decided to let him do the talking.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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Gravesen leaned back in his chair, and steeped his fingers. His brow knit in deep thought as their host spoke. The little Ol'van squirmed in his chair. The gaze of two much larger, lightsaber carrying individuals was likely making him all kinds of uncomfortable. When he finished speaking, Gravesen tilted his head forward in a very slight nod. "And if we helped you defeat them, then you would join the ASA?"

The question was short and right out of left field. Krayic's mouth hung open for an uncomfortably long moment before he collected himself. He sat up straight in his old, creaky chair. "What do you mean join?"

"Maintain your governance, but fall under our jurisdiction. Permission to build military bases, religious temples, the usual."

"And that is all you want in return?"

"That's all."

Krayic nodded solemnly. He took a deep breath, and turned to stare right at [member="Una Gal"]. "Mister Conclave said you were a Jedi on the holocomm. Tell me, is that all the ASA will want?"

 

[Una Gal]

In truth Una wasn't really focusing on the conversation. She had no desire to pry into the ASA's personal business and to be honest she wasn't really that interested. Instead she turned her focus to the room they were sat in. Though it wasn't the impressive feature she had seen a few minutes ago it still was quite lovely. She expected that of the mayor at least. The walls were a rich red color that matched the carpet. And all the furniture was finely crafted. There were pictures up on the wall of what she assumed to be his family. Una could make out a few round, similarly shaped blobs on the photos. But she wasn't too sure, the frames were smaller than usual.

What amused her most was the fact that from her position, she could see the top of his head. It made her feel rather powerful in comparison to him and it he knew it as well. There was a nervous tone in his voice as he spoke directly at her. "Of course." She nodded her head convincingly, but struggled to understand why he would need any sort of confirmation at all.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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"Then you have my blessing...and our cooperation." The President responded. He leaned back in his chair, and folded his stubby arms over his chest. The creature didn't exactly look pleased, but he had accepted the offer either way. "I will inform my people that you will be assisting us. What do you need?"

Gravesen pushed up his chair. He gave a single once over around the room, and focused his gaze back on the little ruler. It was odd and...disorienting to be in such a normal place when the Rattataki lived with the Architects. Their way of life was so different than that of normal people, and as such, so was Gravesen's.

"Two squads of your soldiers, and a dropship. Other than that, Una and I can take care of things. He stated confidently.

"But...where is your weap-"

"A few miles south of your city. The white mountain is what you call it. Your Empire friends know of it already, and they've dug in. We'll need to break through them to access or weapons."

"And why are they h-...Do what you need to do. Anything to win this wretched war."

 

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The Monitor watched from orbit within the Ge'hutuun. Already, the architects were mobilizing toward their respective shuttles. Soon,they would descend upon the planet, and claim what was their right. A fleet of ships left beneath the ice's surface, thousands of years ago. It would be needed to conquer the world for the ASA, and for the ASA's military as a whole. There was no other option but to proceed.

"Prepare to launch all shuttles."

 

[Una Gal]

Una was glad it was her word that confirmed everything. She felt like she had done her little bit to help the ASA back on it's feet. After all Naboo was a devastating blow for both parties. Never before had she seen so much destruction and death on one planet. But she had heard tell of worse and was simply grateful that she made it out alive and of course, that Gravy did too.

Her head turned so she could focus on him as he listed off the things they would need. In all honesty she had expected just to be in and out, a quick meeting and then perhaps she could spend some time with him. But it seemed they were going to be spending their time in the company of others. Probably stout soldiers matching the man opposite her. Una dared to let out a small huff as she sat up properly and let the light armor on her torso adjust itself. There was no doubt in her mind that they could take care of what ever it was that these little creatures were involved in a war with. She made another mental note to ask Gravy when they were on their way. Perhaps she should have inquired about them earlier.

 

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Gravesen stood and waited for the little creature to give some form of protest. Oddly enough, nothing was said. The Rattataki tilted his head to the right in relative confusion, and shrugged. "We'll be on our way then." He mumbled quietly. The President just gave a nod, and Gravesen reached to take Una by the hand, and lead her toward their hanger bays.

He had a bit of an idea as to what they would be facing, and if the two were going to survive, they would have to work together. Not that it was anything new; they had fought alongside each other many times before now. Gravesen only ever wondered why she stuck around so much after all the harrowing misadventures.

 

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The shuttles began to slowly disembark from the Ge'hutuun. Old ships once employed by the Dreadguard MK-I's to put down insurgents. Now, they served as the personal transports of every Architects that called the Ge'hutuun home. They were, however, still armed to the teeth. It would make little sense to disarm the ships, especially in this day and age. An architect's chassis was worth many, many credits. They needed to be protected at all times.

The Monitor flew aboard an old dropship, one that had been used in the battle of Naboo itself. The final shuttle left the safety of the Ge'hutuun, and there they floated in space, coordinating. "All units, report."

 

[Una Gal]

Una felt her hand being tugged and in the second it took her to wave to the little man sat at his chair, they had left the room. Still, with no idea of what they were actually going to do, she clung to Gravy's hand and followed him like a lost puppy.

His sudden contact did make her blush. Usually she was the one to initiate any kind of physical connection between the two. She struggled to catch up with him, half skipping and half jogging to keep up with his footsteps. "So, what are we actually going to do? I thought this was just going to be a quick conversation, done deal kind of thing.." She kept hold of his hand as they walked quickly through the corridors and back through the lavish room. Una took a moment to marvel again at its splendor and curse the fat thing that sat back in his office. He seemed nice enough when he had what he wanted. But then again that was help and people in desperate situations tend to do funny things. "And who are we actually going to be fighting? I don't know anything about this war..." Applauding herself for actually remembering one of her mental notes, Una squeezed his hand a little tighter.

 

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Gravesen didn't relinquish the handhold either. He saw no reason to, and truly, it wasn't a conscious action. He was paying a bit more attention to the added weight of the newly formed lightsaber hanging from his belt. He voice pulled him out of his stupor as they drew close to the military hangers. "The Architects have a fleet under this planet. They left it behind a few thousand years ago when the old Sith Empire emerged." He whispered.

They walked on in relative silence for a few long moments. By that point, Gravesen had grown used to the light physical contact, and paid it little mind. Una on the other hand....she intrigued him. "We're going to activate this fleet, and decide which faction on this planet will serve the ASA, and the galaxy, better. We're using his soldiers because I didn't want to expend ASA resources."

He paused at the doors leading out into the open air hangers. "Make sense?"

 

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"Begin transmitting."

The dropships formed a large semi-circle above the planet's atmosphere. What little space capability the primitive natives had, primitive to the Architects anyway, was nothing compared to the firepower they possessed. If any force came from below to strike out at the Architects, it would be promptly destroyed. As one, the dropships began to ping a signal down at the planet. Their own personal signal used to communicate with, and remotely control technology of their own design.

Silence.

And then...

"The ships breathe, as planned."

 

[Una Gal]

Her mouth remained closed for the entire time that they walked out toward the hangers. For some strange reason Una actually enjoyed listening to him speak more than she enjoyed speaking herself. His voice had a calming tone and it always reassured her. Even so, what he was saying made her nose crinkle at the bridge. She still knew fairly little about the architects. From what she remembered Gravy saying they were sentient robots of some epic kind? Very intelligent, apparently. But she'd have to find out herself. There was a strong difference between conscious intelligence and programming. She pondered for a quiet moment.

"So basically, you're using them to get to these machines that you lost." Her jaw hung open for a few moments as they exited out into the fresh air once again. She liked the decor inside but the smell wasn't half funny. "So you lied to him?" She glanced at Gravy with a confused look in her eyes.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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Outside, two squads of six awaited. All were the same height as their leader, and wore the stark black and blue colors of their government. Archaic weapons that fired slugs, not plasma, hung from leather straps slung over their shoulders. All wore armor not unlike that of the stormtroopers of old; albeit smaller and bulkier. Despite their old kit, they would be quite a help in taking the facility.

Gravesen blinked at her question. It was true, he was manipulating these creatures, but he was justified. A bit distressed, he turned to face her, and grabbed her forearms gently. "He's power hungry. If their Empire is safer, then I would rather have them in charge. We need to secure this world under one banner." He explained quietly. "If we don't they can't help us protect what needs to be protected, and they'll continue to murder each other. We're helping them."

[member="Una Gal"]

 

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The Monitor wasted no time. The dropships converged as one on the planet below. Bright lights from the shuttles flashed down through the planet's atmosphere. Slowly, they descended. The ships shook as monstrous winds battered their hulls and made them twinge about, but they held their course. One by one, they broke into the skies of Olvan, and came to a halt above a massive snowy mountain range. Heavy armor and lines of infantry marched through the white sheet below.

The Monitor pushed up on its legs to stare out the viewport. Other Architects in various ships did the same.

​"We will strike when it is necessary."

 

[Una Gal]

Slightly shocked, she pulled her head back away from him as he grabbed her forearms. She didn't expect such sudden movements from him, but it made her pay attention to his words all the more closely. If she thought about it hard enough she could understand why he was doing this. But it still felt a little wrong to use the stressed out man child that sat back in his office, thinking this was all finally over.

Huffing heavily, she wriggled out of his grasp and nodded her head, adjusting the armor that encased her forearm. "I suppose your right..." Her eyes locked onto his for a few moments and she focused on nothing else. But then from the corner of her vision she spotted their gathering. The twelve storm trooper look a likes stood their in all their glory, slightly used armor catching the light. It was hard not to burst out laughing. Each one was no taller than her waist and they held their guns with such valor that it was almost humorous. Then she remembered their true destiny and it all seemed rather upsetting again. She fixed the grin on her face and turned to Gravy, waiting on his instruction.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]