Let There Be Peace[Imperial Remnant and Galactic Republic: Invite Only]

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Eobarda Tarkin"] [member="Mark Crassis"]

Onderon, so this was the Republic's newest capital since moving about.

Not that the Imperial Remnant could judge having just been driven from their own former capital after reaching the point of rallying their people to revival. Their holdings were under siege after their recent endeavors to clear out the warlords appeared to have been wasted, weakening themselves further after the galactic event put such strain on the galaxy to put the Remnant in a position to have to deal with them in the first place. Essentially, they were just clearing the rabble for the Sith before they arrived in the end. It was a sad ironic truth, but at least perhaps it was something they had in common with the Republic, who had lost Coruscant to the Sith, along with several other worlds they likely considered vital. They had a mutual hatred for someone else, a chaotic entity that sought to consume everything within its grasp, and whose vile tendrils corrupted what they touched.

It might make for decent icebreaking if the peace talks Alva intended to push for today ended up stalled over debate.

Both of them may hate the Sith, but the question was if the Republic had too many reservations about the Remnant as well. There was likely to be some tension over their Imperial style government and history, but hopefully pointing out the facts of history where coexistence was possible would assuage those unnerved. Discounting those facts, the issues then were to be whether the Republic would consider them possible allies, and acknowledge they weren't useless. The problem there was the group currently recovering and regrouping, which may appear as a sign of weakness, but then that would be the perfect opportunity, to announce the Empire's returning strength and presence. They had lost at Crina, but crushing the warlords at Valc and other locations had rallied others to their banner and flooded them with new recruitments, and many of the Crinan refugees had also signed on.

Once all gathered, the Imperial Remnant would certainly have a powerful showing and hopefully the Republic would see that strength and accept them as allies in peace. They just needed the peace agreements today to be successful. Alva had no real opinion on the Republic, having little contact with them, but she knew that former Commodore and friend of the Empress, Cauis Flavian, had held them in high regard. And the Imperial Officer had even met with their then Senator Beswin and other Triumvirate members and successfully signed a trade agreement. If they could factor in the Republic's acceptance of them as peaceful trade allies, then a non-aggression pact was hopefully not too much of a stretch to aim for.

So to that end, the Remnant had feverishly worked to organize this meeting with the senate as their people and forces regrouped where support for them had risen. And Captain Calvarona and Admiral Tarkin of the Imperial Navy were to be representatives. Looking to the Chiss woman sitting near her on the shuttle and taking her eyes away from the breathtaking view of Onderon's capital city where they would soon be arriving at the Republic Senate building's landing pad, Alva drummed her fingers on her knee as she spoke in a tone torn between anxious and excited. "Well Admiral, how do you feel the proceedings will go today?"

 

[Salaza]

To think it had come to this. Admiral Eobarda Tarkin was conflicted, to say the least, about these new dealings with the Republic. Not that it would have been her first choice. There were others to call upon for help, though none willing to actually stand against the Sith or who had the actual power or numbers to aid against them. Then of course there was the fact that they, the Imperial Remnant, had already made enough past enemies that would take discomfort to any agreements with them. So while it may not have been her first choice Admiral Tarkin knew it was the only one. While the Empire had basically opposed everything the Republic stood for it was, in fact, born out of it; or at least the oldest one in history.​

​

As the shuttle continued towards Onderon the chiss couldn't help but think what her great ancestor Grand Moff Tarkin would have thought about all this. Displeased? Great possibility. Content? Maybe. Angered? Given how much the Sith had changed that was a fair estimate as well. It didn't help that [member="Alva Calvarona"] was more like a schoolgirl about the whole situation, practically bouncing in her chair. The admiral had questioned how the captain managed such an arrangement but felt it wasn't the place to ask. Not yet at least. She sat hands folded and in an upright position the entire time.​

​

When Captain Calvarona asked the chiss responded "I'd prefer to wait until we meet with the representatives before making any guess." in a very blunt tone.​

​

[member="Mark Crassis"] Geneviève Lasedri​

 

[Thalia Rist]

Thalia watched the shuttle come down as she looked at the guards to her right. Imperials had once ruled Onderon many centuries before and for a moment or another she stared at the side and nodded at the guard who stood there. She was going to greet the newest incarnation of them not only as the Princess of the planet but as the chosen representative of the planet, something she already was unnerved about on a daily basis. With a sigh though she knew it was all for the best in the end and in turn she smiled as she waited for the two Imperials to get closer.

This would be interesting.

[member="Eobarda Tarkin"] [member="Alva Calvarona"]

 

[Mark Crassis]

Mark Crassis settled into the chair outside the office of Prime Minister Genevieve Lasedri. When the representative from the Imperial Remnant had first made contact with him, Crassis had considered it a good opportunity to build ties with a power he didn't have many assets in...he'd been quite surprised to find that the IR wished to talk with the Republic about improving the relations between the two.

"How are you today Senator Crassis?" The young receptionist asked and Crassis locked eyes with the women. She was certainly attractive, he'd give her that. Considering it wouldn't hurt to have a set of ears near the Prime Ministers office, Crassis flashed the young woman a mischievous smile.

"I'm doing much better now." He said nodding his head to her and adjusting his glasses. The girl let out a little giggle. Crassis had no interest in the girl. She was physically attractive and Crassis wasn't so old that he didn't still entertain certain possiblities, but she was too young, and Crassis far to focused on what benefit she could provide him. That was what people had become for him over the years....not relationships to be had, but strings to be pulled.

As Crassis and the young receptionist continued their mild flirtation, his mind wandered to the Prime Minister. This would be his first meeting with her since taking on the Directorship of G.R.I.M. and wondered whether or not she'd be glad to meet with him, or dislike the fact that G.R.I.M. cost a pretty penny. Crassis certainly wasn't going easy with the spending.

[member="Thalia Rist"] - [member="Eobarda Tarkin"] - [member="Alva Calvarona"] - [member="Ater Notechis"] - [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Eobarda Tarkin"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Thalia Rist"]

In truth, the anxiety Alva was feeling was out of concern. While the Republic had lost to the Sith as well, they were still a major power in the galaxy, and if the Empire was already looking at enemies from the Sith, then they did not need them from the Republic as well, or from the Republic's other allies as well. Her excited feelings were a result of the prospects should things pan out. The Remnant would be able to work without fear of looking over their shoulder for one more enemy. Still, considering they had had peaceable relations with the Republic before, hopefully they could maintain them now, with a more concrete outline than just the trade agreement that had been approved before. She hoped her concern wasn't mistaken for cowardice, it was normal behavior, she wasn't letting it control her. "That's a logical way to go about it, I suppose I'm a tad nervous due to the importance of the proceedings. Its a bit different from working on my homeworlds Court or speaking to military delegations. I've done politics before, but it feels different meeting far above my paygrade."

Their shuttle would be touching down soon, Alva wondered what sort of welcome the Republic might have for them.

 

[Chip]

While the admirals and diplomats busied themselves with whatever it was they were doing in the back of the shuttle, IP-2489 checked instrument readings as he slowly powered down the shuttle. He could barely hear them through the sealed cockpit door, their muffled voices high pitched and distracting. The young redheaded officer sounded nervous. Not the 'oh god, oh god, we're all going to die' kinda nervous. It wasn't that sort of mission. IP-2489 flipped a pair of switches and the audible whine of the engines lowered several pitches. No, she sounded like she was afraid she'd make a bad impression with her superior officer... They'd all been there. Kark, he'd talked the same way with his fellow cadets only two years ago before being shipped to his first duty. It was expected of new soldiers. But it wasn't the sort of thing you expected to hear from an officer. Another row of switches were flipped and several yellow lights switched to green as the shuttle's weapons deactivated. Truth be told, it made '489 a little nervous himself.

The engines died down completely and the hum of power from the shuttle's engine lowered in pitch. It was a subtle thing, but he could feel it as much as he could hear it. He knew before he had even glanced at the instrument panel, the ship was fully powered down. All that was left was to actually turn the shuttle off.

Protocol told IP-2489 that he should inform the officers of the shuttle's status... He should activate his suit's comm and tell the women in the back that the shuttle was ready for final shutdown. But... the murmuring voices told him he should be quiet and not interrupt the pair of officers. That chiss one... the Admiral. She sounded confident and indifferent. She sounded like she knew what she was doing.... But '489 couldn't shake the jitters the younger officer was giving off. And if he never reported the shuttle's status... He might be able to keep the engine idling. Which would let him get the shuttle up and the kark off this planet a heck of a lot faster if the officers screwed this thing up...

Without saying a word, IP-2489 looked towards his co-pilot and nodded once. His clone brother nodded once in response before he began checking instrument readings and beginning the pre flight checkoff. He had heard enough of the officer's conversations to be concerned as well. Silently, they made sure the ship was ready to burst into life the moment one of the officers got themselves shot or captured.

 

[Ater Notechis]

Ater arrived as late as she could without actually being late. She hated to waste time and sitting outside someone’s office counted high on that list.

She knew why she’d been asked to attend. And it could be uncomfortable. Not for Ater of course. She was ice in human form. She was there to remember facts if they were mis-remembered and to add to her database. It had fallen into disuse of late – but since the citizens of her retirement planet had demanded her service as Senator, it had suddenly become very busy once more.

So she arrived and observed a Senator she recognised. Mark Crassis. Now there was an interesting file if ever there was one. She gave a perfunctory smile in his direction, her mind more on whom - if anyone – from the old days might attend from the Imperial Remnant. If none, her former role would be a useful secret. But if any of her old comrades were here, she could use that to her advantage too.

"How are you today Senator Notechis?" Ater looked at the girl.

“Impatient,” came the response. “I have a tight schedule.” The Senator for Taanab remained standing and perfectly still. But a soft audible sigh could be heard leaving her lips.

[member="IP-2489"] | [member="Alva Calvarona"] | [member="Mark Crassis"] | [member="Thalia Rist"] | [member="Eobarda Tarkin"] | [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Right. Because Geneviève had never opposed this Empire before.

To her, this 'appointment' was all a pathetic notion--and quite possibly a scam. Sure, the Republic had established a trade agreement of sorts with this Remnant in the past, but there was little to bind them to it other than their word. An Empire had faded once again, much to Lasedri's private delight. Oh, yes. She had outlived them.

But she also might outlive her senators if she kept them waiting much longer. Apparently she had GRIM's chairman and a new politician hailing from Taanab, one of the most sacred planets in the Prime Minister's opinion, what with its agricultural industry being its gift to the entire Republic--as long as there would still be a unified Republic. Gen had smelled a rat a few weeks back. Whatever internal sparks were being lit needed to be extinguished quickly and thoroughly.

"Good morning, Senators Crassis; Notechis," she greeted upon exiting her office.

Hat? Check.

Stolid expression? Check.

"I hope you're intending on making this as brief as I am." The priority level of this little plead for help was under her intended discussions with the senator from Shulstine V on the Republic's newly restructured intelligence agency. The intelligence program was something she had pushed for since she was elected, after all. She was heavily invested in that. Maybe Crassis had some intelligence on the 'Empire' that could help speed this process.

[member="Alva Calvarona"], [member="Eobarda Tarkin"], [member="Thalia Rist"], [member="Mark Crassis"], [member="IP-2489"], [member="Ater Notechis"]

 

[Weiss]

Aboard the rear of the shuttle, closer to the engine room where very little could be heard the Storm trooper escort, consisting of one stormtrooper squad , felt the ship engines slowing down. As soon as the shuttle doors would drop they would march outside, forming two lines for the Officers to pass in between. Eight of the troopers would stay with the shuttle and two would fall in escorting the VIPs unless ordered to stand down. They all knew their precsence was mostly a symbolic one - as an honor guard, But if shit went down they would do their very best to secure the VIPs and this shuttle.

Weiss opened a channel to the shuttle pilot - "Alpha squad prepared to embark on your mark.

[member="IP-2489"]
[member="Alva Calvarona"]
[member="Eobarda Tarkin"]
[member="Thalia Rist"]
[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]
[member="Mark Crassis"]

 

[Mark Crassis]

First Crassis was greeted by the sight of Ater Notechis's arrival andhe smiled warmly to the Senator. While it couldn't be said that the two knew each other well, they went back to Crassis's days outside the Senate when he was an operative for Republic Intelligence. However, it seemed her arrival was well time, for before Crassis could say anything to the Senator the Prime Minister opened the door to her office and beckoned them within.

"Intentions and reality rarely line up Prime Minister." Crassis said chuckling to himself and walking into her office, his cane tapping loudly on the floor as he leaned heavily on it.

"I've received word that the ambassadors from the Imperial Remnant have arrived." Crassis said, taking a seat even though it wasn't offered to him. His leg hurt today and he was too damn old to stand on ceremony. "They should be arriving soon." Crassis said reaching into his vest pocket and taking a small swig of his flask before returning it.

"They seem to be in bad sorts following their recent loses." Crassis said smiling and tossing the cane slowly back and forth from one hand to the next. "They are considering Kessel as a new base of operations and feel threatened by our presence."

"At least, according to the most recent intelligence reports."

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] - [member="Weiss"] - [member="Ater Notechis"] - [member="IP-2489"] - [member="Alva Calvarona"] - [member="Thalia Rist"] - [member="Eobarda Tarkin"]​

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Ater Notechis"] [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Eobarda Tarkin"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Thalia Rist"] @IP-2489 @Weiss

They were making landfall now, Alva could see it from the viewport when she looked and she could tell when a ship was settling into landing procedures. She had flown more than enough to know how it felt, although she wondered if sometime she might not as a passenger sometime if a planet's gravity messed up those hard to describe feelings. It was interesting to her maybe too much, it sounded reasonable to want to experience different atmospheres as a pilot to hone her abilities though. She digressed though, they were landing on Onderon for a different reason after all, and there was no more time to spend speculating if perhaps things would turn out reasonably.

"I suppose we should get going. Shall we Admiral." Leaving her seat and moving to the ramp of the transport, Alva took a look at the escorting stormtrooper unit assigned to their persons and smiled at the sight of them lined up. They may almost all be staying on the shuttle, but the appearance they gave was rather stimulating for anyone watching. It said the Empire still had dignity she hoped. It looked like the Republic had sent someone to greet them after all as well, Alva glanced at her as she waited to exit at the same time as Admiral Tarkin.

 

[Salaza]

[member="Alva Calvarona"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Ater Notechis"] [member="Weiss"] [member="IP-2489"] [member="Thalia Rist"]

Even after the captain's last comment about being excited Admiral Tarkin didn't seem as enthused. Though, again, she knew it was the only choice. Taking every moment with a grain of salt she watched as the ship eventually touched down on solid ground. Just as Alva had said it the chiss rose from her chair, fixed the cuffs on her sleeves, and stood in an appropriate manner before walking out of the ship with her at her side. She was very forward and still with her walking, like a droid or a statue with movable feet. She didn't even glance at the stormtroopers, only knowing they were to keep in line if they wanted to make a good impression. Her nose was almost up turned if not for the level her eyes were. All the while she watched and waited, scanning and assessing the layout of where they were and who they were to meet. she would remain quiet, however, letting Captain Calvarona do all the talking unless called for to do so herself.​

 

[Viera Kisep]

Alva Calvarona Mark Crassis Geneviève Lasedri Ater Notechis Weiss IP-2489 Thalia Rist [member="Eobarda Tarkin"]
Grand Moff Viera Kisep left the shuttle, having stayed silent the whole time, not believing that the princess a mere captain was going to speak on the empire's behalf. She was here in case things needed the experienced handling of herself. After reclaiming her name, and her rank she had been busy. She was well known in the galaxy, the former head of the previous Imperial Remnant, a former leader in the Sith Empire who betrayed them to found the Galactic Imperium only to be back stabbed by her own comrades and left to be aided by the fringe. Now she was where she belonged again, the Imperial Remnant. She knew foreign dignitaries were difficult to deal with. She would stay out of the way for now. After all she was still knew to this group, though no one questioned her dedication to the empire. She was so very glad to be part of it again. She was wearing her best dress uniform. It was going to be an interesting day for sure.

 

[Thalia Rist]

[member="Alva Calvarona"] [member="Viera Kisep"] [member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Thalia stared at the three women that left the shuttle, honestly a bit surprised as she had expected one man to be among the part... what his name was she couldn't remember. Something like Flavian or something. She couldn't remember to tell the truth and she smiled at those infront of her now instead of focusing on the past. Her guards were the annoying part as she glanced over her shoulder and just shook her head as she stared at the man for a moment before stepping forward and speaking. "You are all part of the Imperial Remnant's i assume?"

She looked at each of them, judging their attire and knowing the question would be an easy one to answer so she smoothed out the robes she wore herself before bowing to them. "I am Thalia Rist, Princess of Iziz and Representative of the City. I ask that you stay within the City while you are on the planet... for your own safety. I assume you are here for a meeting with the senate and the Prime Minister?"

 

[Alva Calvarona]

[member="Ater Notechis"] [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Eobarda Tarkin"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Thalia Rist"] @IP-2489 @Weiss @Viera Kisep

The Admiral remained silent, not that it offended or bothered Alva much, understanding others had different approaches. On the other hand though, one might say Grand Moff Kisep was far too quiet, as the Imperial Officer had forgotten that they were accompanied by the council member entirely until they were joined by her on the shuttle's exit ramp. And just in time too, as they were approached by the young woman Alva had noticed was standing in preparation for them before. Introducing herself as the Princess of Iziz, which was the capital city of Onderon. . . .the very world they were on. Alva found herself wondering then if the girl meeting them then had any special position within the senate as a representative considering her very world she represented was the capital.

However, that wasn't part of the line of questions needing to be asked today and she reminded herself as she began to speak. "We are the representatives of the Empire and we are here to make the acquaintance of the Prime Minister and the Senate. We were hoping based off past experiences we might work out new agreements today if such is fate. We appreciate the Republic's willingness to meet and their forthcoming in meeting us so swiftly. We will abide by local regulations while here by all means. Is there any other proceeding we need to follow before we meet with the Prime Minister now?"

 

[Salaza]

Finally with the arrival of some of the other representatives Tarkin felt as though things could get under way. However, as Captain [member="Alva Calvarona"] pointed out, they were both guests of the Prime Minister. Why were they not there to greet them? It wasn't helped when they were told they would need to stay in the city. Admiral Tarkin already didn't like this but said nothing. Again, she was only here as another adviser. Everything was left to the negotiations of Alva. Though the chiss red eyes beamed at the princess, trying to read her and see if she was the type to buckle under any sort of pressure.​

​

[member="Thalia Rist"] [member="Viera Kisep"] [member="Mark Crassis"] [member="Ater Notechis"] [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]​

 

[Thalia Rist]

[member="Alva Calvarona"] [member="Eobarda Tarkin"]

Thalia nodded as she head them and started to turn. "Sorry about the set of rules that im asking you to follow, i understand that they can be a bit restrictive but they are more my rules than the Republics. Iziz holds a strong agreement with the Beast Tribes and any infraction on that agreement could end in disaster, thus why i am being so strict about such. I don't need someone who came here for diplomatic means to be caught doing something that could be bad for the both of us." She smiled at the two and turned slowly as she started towards the senate offices.

Her eyes would travel between the two before settling on the Chiss. "Ive heard about your species, and i must say people are a exemplary group. One that i respect for your history and the breakdown of your society. I wonder, does the Imperial Remnants borrow from such rich influences as that, or do you borrow from Atrisia, or perhaps the Empires of Old? Jerec's maybe, or Pellaeon's? I would be grateful for conversation until we get to the Minister's office."