Private Legacies of Fear

[Cotan Sar'andor]

Cotan played back the recording he'd received.

Muk Moadda, Tiland Kortun , and Kaia Starchaser had all recently been near his particular slice of the galaxy, and the information they'd sent back his way was nothing short of worrisome. Polis Massa, randomly attacked, and a call to arms sent out for anybody else in the Rim who could hear it to go and join the ones committing the slaughter. He'd sensed it, not long after he'd gotten back from Asog; but as far from it as he was, as deep in the Kathol Outback as he was, it wasn't anything heavy. No visions, no powerful hit of pain to the chest, just...unease. Nausea, for a day or so.

As soon as he'd received the transmissions of what had been going on he knew immediately what had caused it, and he could fairly well guess who had caused it. He shook his head, pausing the transmission and running a shaking hand through his hair. The meeting room was empty at the moment, save for Asha Hex and himself, and no doubt she could feel the frustration radiating off of him as strong as he felt it in that moment. "How do I look?" he asked wryly, trying to maintain some semblance of humor.

He'd have to make sure he looked good for the group he had coming in to speak with.

If what the other transmission had called for was to pass, then the Outer Rim he'd spent so long trying to keep safe and secure, even with the fall of the Outer Planets Alliance and the Confederacy, was about to be met with more bloodshed than one man and his small group could deal with. Tribunal Station, at least, was a veritable fortress, and if he had to he could move it deep into the Rift. It'd take half the ships in the entire Outer Rim to go and try and shred it apart then. People could be evacuated to it, or even just deep into the outback where it was currently sitting, but that wasn't a long-term solution.

He'd rather not get caught in a siege against a multitude of pirates, former First Order fanatics, or anything worse.

"How long do you think the others will be? They should be arriving any minute now, I'd imagine." So now he was calling in every last favour and friendship he had available for help. Try as he might, Cotan just wasn't the sort of person that could leave the Outer Rim to fend for itself, even if all he could really manage on his own was the Kathol sector, and that was when he wasn't getting called halfway across the galaxy to try and deal with any of the other threats abounding. At least for something like this, anybody who couldn't make it in person could hop into the holocall once he got that started.

By the Force, he was tired, but it wasn't something he could stop. "Could you get some tea going, dear? I think I'm going to need it, if I'm going to be talking so much."

DECEASED Aron Gowrie Jend-Ro Quill Aeshi Tillian Coren Starchaser Romi Jade Atlas Drake Judah Lesan Kai Bamarri Qae Shena

 

[Qae Shena]

Qae walked in. As per usual these days, the black amphistaff-turned-walking stick made a distinctive clicking noise as the door slid open, indicating every second step the Nautolan took.

"'Sup, Cotan?"

Whatever it was, it was either important, or dumb as hell.

 

[Asha Sar'andor]

"You look as though you haven't slept" she scolded, gently as ever. Did he even realize he was shaking? Asha settled a hand upon his shoulder, hoping to ease some of his concerns, though with all that was happening in the Galaxy she doubted even her strongest cup of tea brewed within her beloved teapot could make much of a difference. "Promise me you'll rest once the conference is over."

In moments such as these, he wasn't the best at taking care of himself. If she left him to his own devices she had no doubt he'd try to pull multiple days without rest, so busy was he with the rest of the Galaxy's problems. But you couldn't fill from an empty jug, words which were shared in some form or another between the both of them at varying points in their relationship. One was always taking on too much.

Usually Cotan, though. Let's be real.

"They'll be here, love" she assured him, before nodding to the suggestion of tea. "Of course, I'll get the pot brewing."

Her teapot was never far from reach, not when she was in a place of general safety. As such it didn't take too much time for her to set it up, she didn't even have to leave the room really. If she had? Well she'd have sent for a droid or something, there was no way she was leaving Cotan alone right now.

Before it was done, and before the conference could begin, Qae appeared in a rather casual fashion. Apparently nobody had actually informed the Nautolan of what was going on, just requested his presence. Oops...

"Tea?" she inquired, as she already set about pouring herself and Cotan a cup - him first, of course, Force did he look like he needed it. No doubt she'd be making plenty more batches before the day was up.

Cotan Sar'andor Qae Shena

 

[Romi Jade]

Her blue and shimmering form sprung to life -- it was the same link she and Cote used to just randomly drop in on each other.

Life size -- She held up her holopad, screen facing outward, "I'm not 100% sure what's going on but this!" she pointed towards the end of the original message Cotan sent her, "This is never before seen." she cut in.

"Does this--does this say please?" her static finger traced the length of the word. "You never say please...and that was enough for me to hop on. Obviously this is serious..."

"What's up Cote?" She saw a more feminine figure trailing off in the other direction, someone who matched the description of her best friend's paramour, "Awee was that Asha?"

Cotan Sar'andor | Asha Hex | Qae Shena

 

[Rhia Kesyk]

Rhia technically hadn't been invited... But she could sense when something was amiss, and Cotan was all levels of out of whack at present. As such she'd made a point of sneaking in on whatever sort of meeting was happening. She hadn't been expecting to be one of the first to arrive, though, she'd just heard voices on the other side of the door and presumed things had started already.

Imagine her horror when she entered to just three people, plus a hologram. With any luck she wouldn't be shooed away. And if he tried? Well, she'd simply have to pull the I'm not your Padawan anymore card. Or maybe the age card. Eighteen was old enough to make decisions for oneself, after all.

Still it seemed a lot more serious than she'd been expecting. Cotan really looked a mess, didn't just feel it. She swallowed, and slipped inside all the same. "I'll have a cup if you're offering" the girl said toward Asha, offering the woman a small smile. Ideon, of course, was nowhere to be seen. There wasn't a chance in Chaos that she'd let him join in on this.

Cotan Sar'andor Qae Shena Romi Jade

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

PAGODON

Quill joined the conference call audio-only from the U-Wing parked behind his house.

"Quill here," he said, much more relaxed than any in-person meeting could have allowed. "Forgive the background noise, the ravinaks are spawning this week. Did I just hear Master Jade? Hello, Romi."

Friendliness could only distract from the matter at hand for so long. Quill turned serious. At least this clearly wasn't a Jedi thing, not if Cotan was coordinating. Five years had passed since Quill left the Jedi, and he had no intention of going back.

Cotan Sar'andor Qae Shena Asha Hex Romi Jade Rhia Kesyk

 

[Valery Noble]

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Tag: Cotan Sar'andor Asha Hex Qae Shena Romi Jade Rhia Kesyk Jend-Ro Quill ​

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It was a strange thing to receive a call for help from someone she hadn't met, but Valery had definitely heard about Cotan before. She also wasn't one to ignore a genuine request for assistance, so after making sure her fiancé was able to take care of Vera, she boarded her X-wing and set out to meet him and the others who were summoned.​

​

A few hours later, Valery stepped into a room with some familiar faces, such as Romi and Asha, and a few she hadn't seen before. Either way, she greeted them all with a respectful bow of her head and a kind smile that followed after she stood with straight posture again.​

​

"Apologies if I'm a bit late, but glad to be here," she said as she glanced around her room, her gaze finally settling on Cotan. She quickly dipped her head to him before her expression turned more serious. Whatever this meeting was about, it wasn't something to take lightly at all.​

​

 

[Auteme]

Cotan Sar'andor Qae Shena Asha Hex Romi Jade Rhia Kesyk Jend-Ro Quill Valery Noble ​

Auteme's image sprung up, a touch off-center for a moment while she adjusted herself to her seat in the speeder.

"Sorry for not, ah, RSVP-ing- I'm a touch busy, and I wasn't sure if I'd have the time," she said. Her audio was crisp and clear -- even in the speeder with a few of her staff talking at her, she'd figured out how to place her mic and do background noise suppression. She looked ready for a meeting, certainly, but not for this one. Senatorial attire wasn't what she'd get dressed up in to meet Jedi and Jedi-adjacent.

"Admittedly I don't really have time-" a glance away from the screen- "how long? Okay, it's fine. Anyways, great to see everyone- Cotan, I'm going to send you a wellness package, you look like you need it." She frowned. Even on the small display in front of her, she could see the stress. Something told her that meant this was important.

"For those who don't know me, I'm Auteme Denko-Durren -- Senator of Epoch, of the Galactic Alliance." It struck her that she might've had better titles during her time among the New Jedi, but with this crowd, that was nothing.

 

[Travot Ravenna]

Wearing simple brown robes, Travot stepped off of the Mykal-class Courier and onto the station itself. Though the station was a new sight to him, and it should have at least inspired some inherent interest in him simply by virtue of its new nature, it did not. Instead, he found his responsibilities and attachments taking up all of his mental focus. The outer reaches of the galaxy were where he liked to call home - and where he would have called home if not for the galaxy-wracking conflicts that had spanned through the last decades. It bothered him to see the war now coming down on what was previously more (relatively) peaceful space. And I had always wanted to see Polis Massa myself...He began to recall some of the outer reaches that he had been to, and thought of those he still wanted to go as he wandered down the station's corridors.

That reverie ended as he entered a room with several force users that he'd mostly seen only via holo - chief among them Cotan Sar'andor and Romi Jade - though he had met Valery Noble on Kashyyyk before. He slowly offered a subdued smile and polite nod to Qae Shena as he entered, sweeping his eyes to briefly make eye contact with the others present. As he did so, Auteme 's holo appeared, so he remained quiet before introducing himself.

"I am Travot Ravenna," announced the large man as he picked a spot by a wall to stand at, "of the Silver Jedi Order. It seems we have troubling news to discuss."

Asha Hex | Rhia Kesyk | Jend-Ro Quill

 

[Coren Starchaser]

His daughter was out there. Out there fighting the good fight. Helping those who needed it. She may not always claim her title of Jedi, but it didn't matter. Kaia was a Warden, trained by Jedi, and focusing on helping others whenever she could. He was going to have to reach out to her, to ensure she was fine following the circumstances. The galaxy was a dangerous place, and without the Confederacy nor the Coalition, there was danger in the Rim. The Wardens and even the Hunters were doing what they could, but it wasn't always enough.

He was going to have to step in.

As soon as the call came in from Cotan, the one out there continuing to watch, he had taken off. His ship, the Tachyon Rising was a mere freighter, but one of the fastest ships in the galaxy, and even as fast as some outside of it. That was thanks to a lot of old tricks from old friends. The Jedi Master was born in the Core, but found himself on the Rim. Supporting the Concord and the new Alliance was necessary, but he knew that he was more welcome out here.

Away from the wars of the Core, and helping others survive. As his ship landed, the Jedi Master was escorted in. Giving a nod over to Travot Ravenna and Valery Noble , he was glad to see others had arrived in person to the station. Others were appearing over Holo, and that was fine, but if Cotan was asking for help, it meant a move was needed quickly.

Cotan Sar'andor

 

[Mya Jesel]

Asha Hex Rhia Kesyk Jend-Ro Quill Cotan Sar'andor Asha Hex Romi Jade Qae Shena Auteme Cessair Berav Tonzees Kaabrua Pyeth Raffinki Coren Starchaser Travot Ravenna Valery Noble

To say Mya was concerned was an understatement. War brewing on their doorstep from Core corporations eager to carve out their own fiefdoms from what they saw as free real estate, despite the presence of local governments and inhabitants.

And now this, right next to Terminus, one of the League's strongest allies. Her boots echoed on the floor of the space station, although she paid no mind to the chill of the artificial environment. It felt familiar, despite not working the void in a long time now, and reminded her of her start as an ore hauler.

She had her small contingent again, and hopefully, some of the other Council members would be available to join her. if they had enough for a quorum, they could even have a vote. Her own two Ranger bodyguards hung a few paces behind while a tall Em'liy strode next to her, bearing the badge of the Terminus Free Republic. His face was pursed and the strain was even more clear on his than her own.

Mya stepped aside to let him enter first and then followed in. "Hello, everyone. I am Mya Jesel, chair of the Rimward Trade League Council. This is Marholt Dros, ambassador from the Free Terminus Republic. Hopefully, some of my colleagues will be able to join us as well, if even by holo call, but this seemed to be of enough importance to warrant a visit in person."

She took a seat and adjusted a datapad beside her as Marholt saluted them and took his own seat before he spoke.

"We are to understand this is in regards to the Polis Massa incident, correct?"

 

[Cotan Sar'andor]

"Nothing good, Qae," was Cotan's terse reply to the Nautolan. Soon enough Asha filled up a cup for him, and he started to sip from it while collecting his thoughts. He'd need to have everything together fairly well if he was going to be talking in front of the group he'd called in, double so if all of them made it. By the Force, he hated talking in groups. At least he had Asha around to give him tea and help keep him relaxed. "Thank you, love."

He'd rather be able to retire from fighting and leadership and just run a library, but that didn't seem to be in the cards for him any time soon.

Romi was the first, her hologram popping into existence at one of the spots around the table. He nodded at her projection, smiling thinly. "Yes, it's serious, and yes, that's Asha," he replied. Rhia's entrance into the room merited a small nod—too late for him to try and argue her back out—before Quill called in as well. Valery entered the room right after, almost on Rhia's heels. "Quill," he said to the audio-only old man. "And Master Noble. Thank you for com—"

And there was Auteme. He hadn't actually expected her, Tithe, or anybody else from the Galactic Alliance to answer at all, as busy as they were with the Maw. The fact that one of them was willing to take the time to figure out what he was calling for was a good sign. However...

"A wellness package? I hope that comes in the form of a star destroyer, or at least a nice frigate," he grumbled. He smoothed his hair, sitting up straighter in his seat. If Auteme on a screen was picking up how he was feeling that easily then he needed to put a bit more effort into holding himself together, it seemed. A Jedi he didn't know came in as well, one from the Silver Jedi, and Coren right behind. Both of them got a nod of their own, before finally.

"Ah. Mya, Marholt, glad the two of you could make it." He gave them all something far more akin to his trademark, award-winning grin, rather than the tired and frustrated man he'd been moments ago. Of course, the frustration was still evident to anybody who could sense him through the Force, but he'd long ago developed the skill of controlling his body language to a level that would make the most expert politicians jealous. Of course, in some ways, he was one, as much as he refused to ever show the level of formality that might be expected. "I'm truly thankful you all chose to come here today. There are a few others who might show soon, but for now I think we're good to start." Hopefully Judah or some of the others on the station who could take part would show soon. Or even Gowrie, if he'd get lucky, and the Galidraani tanker could find the time to at least get on the holocall.

He nodded back in the chairwoman's direction, while waving everybody on to take a seat at the table. "Yes, this is about what just happened at Polis Massa. I have a recording of the transmissions here for anybody who wants to hear them, but for now it's easiest to say that the facility has been attacked. Hell, it was an outright slaughter." His eyes found Coren and Romi quickly, the two in the room who'd fought with him through the most.

"After I called you all here, I sent out some of the few people I have left to figure out what's been going on, and I have to tell you, it's not looking good. Ambassador Dros here likely knows some of the same things I do, but for the rest of you..."

Cotan activated another holoprojector in the center of the table. For those in the room, information would start to spring up, quick observations of current movements, material acquisitions, and the like; Romi, Auteme, and Quill would receive it on their datapads instead. "The Knights of Ren, openly attacking a colony, gathering up pirates, slavers, and any remnants of the First Order they can get their hands on. I thought we had Kyrel dealt with back on Mustafar, back in the OPA days, but apparently not." His eyes went over the rest of the room.

"I don't know if the rest of you have noticed, but the Judges are wearing rather thin. It's about all I can do to keep the Kathol sector together some days. Mya, I know the Trade League is growing every day, but if this new threat can scoop up everybody they're trying to and start growing this fast, we could have another Maw on our hands—and that's assuming they're actually splitting from the Maw, not just acting as another arm of theirs. We need decisive action, and quickly." His thin smile came back, although there certainly wasn't any happiness or mirth to it.

"Or, to put it more personally, I need help."

Qae Shena Asha Hex Romi Jade Rhia Kesyk Jend-Ro Quill Valery Noble Auteme Travot Ravenna Coren Starchaser Mya Jesel Judah Lesan DECEASED Aron Gowrie Kai Bamarri Kal

 

[Asha Sar'andor]

For her part, Asha was more than aware that there was little she could truly offer to the conversation at hand. She wasn't one of those who had been on the battlefield, who had fought alongside the others, nor was she a person known for existing within the wider throws of the Galaxy. She kept to herself, a relative nobody, and that was how she preferred it. But what she could do, and what she would do, was help to keep the setting calm and serene in so far as she was able.

This was the duty she set herself, and by the Force she'd see it done.

As such, when each new in-person figure entered the room, Asha made sure to have a cup of serene tea waiting for them by the time they found their seats. Various add-ins lay upon the table, milk or cream, sugar, and the like. Never far from reach. When the teapot was emptied, she set about brewing another batch. She bowed and greeted everyone quietly too, taking note of the few faces she actually recognized in the room. Seeing Rhia there was a little disconcerting, but Cotan hadn't raised any qualms with it and she was a Journeyer in her own right now. Let her make the decision for herself.

Then, as Cotan began to speak, she slipped into the seat at his side and made a conscious decision to flow the Force carefully between them, utilizing the crystal around her neck to help bolster that connection and keep her actions a little more outwardly muted than they otherwise might have been. Nobody else at the table needed to know what she was doing, after all. Through it she passed along some of her own strength and serenity into the man who was so clearly at his wits end. Asha hadn't been the only one to notice it, though thankfully as more piled into the room he'd gotten a better grasp on it outwardly.

She hated that it had to be so. Hated that he had to carry these burdens. But she could not, and would not, convince him otherwise. All she could do was support him.

And so she did, in the only way she knew how.

Cotan Sar'andor Qae Shena Romi Jade Auteme Jend-Ro Quill Valery Noble Travot Ravenna Coren Starchaser Mya Jesel

 

[Qae Shena]

Gratefully, Qae accepted Asha Hex's tea, for he knew it was legitimately some of the best tea in the galaxy; he wasn't about to turn that down. However, as the room filled up and people began to attend in droves, there was a dour tone that suddenly took over the room. Introductions aside-- and intentionally leaving his out-- Qae waited for Cotan to run his explanation.

"What kind of help are you requesting exactly, my friend?" he asked.

Because depending on the answer, it very much changed how this worked for him. He'd made clear to a number of people what his stance was, and he also didn't want to waste Cotan Sar'andor 's time.

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

"We never dealt with Kyrel Ren at Mustafar. I'm the one that went for his throat but away he went like sunlight in a storm. We cleaned up his cult and his castle, aye, but the man himself—"

The audio link carried the sound of Quill snapping his fingers.

"—off to another massacre. I'd heard he was with the Maw, far on the other side of everything, so coming out as far as Polis Massa means he's gone bold again. Now, to be clear, my place isn't assassination or war. I'm not the man you want beside you for that fight, but I can chew away at the bigger picture with one trick or another."

Leaving the Jedi behind, long years of pilgrimages and dallying with alien Force practitioners, a library full of alien books instead of holocrons, had filled his skillset with the unusual. Half these people knew it, and the other half would know he sounded exactly like the kind of weird old hermit with options.

Cotan Sar'andor Asha Hex Qae Shena Romi Jade Auteme Valery Noble Travot Ravenna Coren Starchaser Mya Jesel

 

[Tonzees Kaabrua]

Stepping into the room late wasn't what Tonzees had desired. But there were matters he had to deal with before allocating precious time to a mere discussion. With a nod to Mya Jesel , he took his spot among the other Councilfolk and various Force users.

Two assistants trailed the busybody Togruta, one human and one Whiphid. Tonzees bid them to remain outside the room and finish a proposition in regards to the world they shared while he spoke. "I apologize for my tardiness. I wanted to be here as soon as I heard the news, but... well, there were situations to be dealt with. If you are not familiar with me, I am Tonzees Kaabrua, Councilman of the Faldos system."

Once his introduction was through, Tonzees kept himself composed and quiet in order to listen to Jend-Ro Quill 's report. A hairless brow raised when the mention of tricks flew by, earning his interest. "One trick or other? I do not mean to be rude, but I would like some elaboration as to what you mean by that." Now, it wasn't that he didn't trust those of the Force, but he knew their tendencies to be... eccentric. Aloof. High-and-mighty. Some were helpful, some were insane. It was always a credit toss.

A sigh escaped his chest. This was going to be a mess, wasn't it? He probably wanted to sit down for this one. Turning to Cotan Sar'andor , Tonzees gave a level look. "And as for your need for help, you will have to be far more specific than just 'help.' I imagine this threat is great enough that we might want to act quickly, as you have said, but it would not do to blindly go charging in."

If anyone was familiar with him, they'd know he was simply covering all the bases. Tonzees didn't dislike lending aid, but when it was this dangerous, of course he was going to be somewhat apprehensive about it.

(additional tags: Asha Hex / Rhia Kesyk / Romi Jade / Qae Shena / Auteme / Cessair Berav / Pyeth Raffinki / Coren Starchaser / Travot Ravenna / Valery Noble )

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

"One trick or other? I do not mean to be rude, but I would like some elaboration as to what you mean by that."

"I can bend probability," said Quill over the audio link, opting to take the question straightforwardly. "I can share my energy with and between friends at a distance. Within certain limits, I can sense superweapons. Those are some examples — strange things to a Jedi, and stranger to a stranger."

 

[Judah Lesan]

.

B R O T H E R H O O D

Judah walked into the meeting late.

Fashionably late.

At least he knew how to make an entrance. The Jedi Shadow was wearing his usual green set of robes, the ones that had been a gift from his late wife. He waited for a moment after realizing his bumbling about had distracted everyone. Eyes fell on a few familiar faces. Cotan, Asha, Coren, Romi… and Valery Noble. He smirked when his eyes caught hers. If she knew him well enough, and she did, she knew the words out of his mouth were going to be entertaining at least.

“Sorry about that… see thing is I was walking in behind Romi and Valery earlier… and well… all I could think was if only Yula were here the three best butts in the galaxy would be in the same hallway… and well… I got distracted.”

He walked over to where Valery was and took the open space close to her.

“Yeah… so something about the Knights of Ren being the Knights of Ren and being all evil and stuff…”

He looked to Cotan.

“You can carry on.”

Lesan leaned over enough so he could whisper in Valery’s ear.

“Did I mention you have a nice butt?”​

Tag: Cotan Sar'andor | Asha Hex | Coren Starchaser | Romi Jade | Valery Noble | Jend-Ro Quill | Qae Shena | Tonzees Kaabrua | Mya Jesel | Travot Ravenna | Auteme | Rhia Kesyk​

 

[Cotan Sar'andor]

"Whatever help can be offered," Cotan replied to Qae and Tonzees. "Not just fighting. We'll need people who can help manage relief efforts, evacuations, that sort of thing. Quill, you know what you do better than I do, and I trust you enough to figure out how to slot yourself in and anybody else you want to grab that can help. Especially if you've got anybody quiet enough and sure enough to slip around and catch more information about what they're doing so we can properly plan for how to hit them when and where it will be best to strike. We can't afford to wait this out and see what it turns into."

The last words came with a shockingly fervent tone that might surprise those in the room that knew him only as the relatively calm, easy-going, quip-making Grand Marshal that had been such a prominent sight on the galactic stage for the last few years. For Asha, Romi, and Coren, it was probably expected; they were the three that knew him best. "Even if it's just another ploy by the Maw, we can't let them get a foothold out here. Without the Coalition, without the Confederacy, then me and the few Judges I have left, the states here in the outback, and the Trade League are going to be playing hell trying to keep up with what Kyrel and his knights are doi—"

His words were interrupted as Judah sauntered in, with a distinctly far less serious response than the discussion currently warranted. On some deep level, Cotan knew he probably deserved it, although he'd never been as loud with some of the things he'd said in a group meeting like this as Judah just was. But it stopped him in his tracks all the same. His jaw closed, his shoulders slumped, and his hands rose from the table to bury his face as he sighed.

Emotion, yet peace. Passion, yet serenity.

But the concept of giving him permission to continue with the meeting that he had called was nearly too much to accept, beyond the joke that was just made.

If anything, he was grateful for Asha being by his side in that moment.

Asha Hex DECEASED Aron Gowrie Auteme Coren Starchaser Jend-Ro Quill Kai Bamarri Mya Jesel Qae Shena Rhia Kesyk Romi Jade Tonzees Kaabrua Travot Ravenna Valery Noble

 

[Auteme]

Cotan Sar'andor Qae Shena Asha Hex Romi Jade Rhia Kesyk Jend-Ro Quill Valery Noble Travot Ravenna Coren Starchaser Mya Jesel Tonzees Kaabrua Judah Lesan ​

Auteme cleared her throat aggressively to cut the interruption short, and was about to speak, were it not for the new arrival leaning in towards Valery. A touch too close, it seemed, given how her briefly indignant look turned quickly to a crisp slap. Whatever he'd said to her was obviously... in character, for the frustrating interruption to the meeting. How could he have been walking behind Romi? Wasn't she on the call from someplace else?

Valery had the good sense to keep the rest of her clap back on the down-low, but Auteme couldn't quite resist adding a touch more to keep the greasy man quiet.

"Mm, yes, thank you for your appropriate and relevant contributions to this discussion, and for patronizing the very respectable and reasonably frustrated man who has brought us here. Now, with the inane harassment out of the way-" she gave a smile to the rest of the congregation, "let's get back on track.

"Councilman Kaabrua, I can vouch for Quill's abilities; the Force moves in curious ways. It'll certainly depend on the situation, but he can offer many unconventional solutions and safeties." She looked to Jend-Ro. "If you need me, I can help in- well, most of the same ways, though my expertise lies elsewhere," she admitted. Quill had shared so much knowledge with her over the years, but she considered him more skilled than her in all the things he'd mentioned. Save probability manipulation, of course -- she was exceedingly lucky to have such an excellent friend and teacher.

"I'm afraid I can't guarantee anything from the Alliance in particular. We're... tied up, on the whole, I'd say. But with enough evidence of the danger, I can try to make the case to the Chancellor, or at least a few of the stronger worlds, with enough resources to help. The Confederacy's former northernmost holdings have been slowly filtering into the Alliance, and while it certainly will be a while before we're in any place to support the Rim genuinely, I can see the Alliance putting into effect measures to promote stability in the region.

"I'd also be happy to talk to related groups -- though, I think Master Noble is more tightly bound to the New Jedi than I am." She gave a nod to the woman.

"If there's anything specific, however -- favorable trades to get equipment, diplomatic needs, that sort of thing -- let me know."

Written with permission from Valery to spoil the action she's going to take in her next post