Matter of Affaire (IC High Council Only)

[Arage Bao]

Here he was. Sitting in his leather chair, waiting on his fellow council-members, and wondering. Why was he here. What was he doing? Might be better to retreat to Coruscant and leave politics up to the lads who wished part of it. Then again. This was his home. And he has a responsibility to protect it, even from itself.

Mikhail Shorn had captured Omega Protectorate civilians, taken them into Fringe Space, and now was threatening to execute them. Might be he already had. But did Jared really care about them? In the past, he would certainly have. But something had changed, and it was not only the yellow eyes that sometimes stared into the mirror, when he was agitated. Something dark clouded his heart.

Regardless, time to put on the grown-up shoes and deal with this fallout. Jared might not care about the civilian lives, but galactic relationships were important. Warfare was one thing.. this something entirely else.

As one by one they finally showed up, he spoke.

“Ladies, Gentlemen. You have been briefed on this. Shorn has captured OP civilians, taken them into Fringe Space and is now threatening to kill them one by one. Until Ayden Cater, the Lord Protector, comes to Rattatak to duel Shorn in a Kaggath. What do we have to say about this?”​

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“If anything..” ​

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@[member="Anders Sivas"] @[member="Rave Merrill"] @Lord Exedo @[member="Lucien Cordel"] @[member="Meret Blackmoon"] @[member="Kitt Solo"] @[member="Sargon Vynea"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"]​

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[Velok the Younger]

"We already have those Horde idiots butchering prisoners," Rave said bitterly. "Little tough to be taken seriously on the international stage when things like this go down. Shorn's always been as likely to oppose us as help us. He's capable of Zaiden levels of collateral damage.

"Lord @[member="Lucien Cordel"], Cater already knows he can rely on your honor. If you guarantee Cater safe passage to Rattatak, my gut says he can handle this situation for us. Permanently. I've seen Cater in action."

 

[Yasha Cadera]

It's not the situation that has me rushing the Council Chamber, nor is it the thought of those poor sods Shorn kidnapped. It isn't even the fact that Mikhail Shorn is a sore spot on my neck, pulsing when I think of violent ends to peaceful means. The reason I run into the room is far less stately and far more precarious: Jared. @[member="Jared Ovmar"]'s mind isn't right, with how familiar I am with the man it's had me tossing at night. Whether it's woken my bedmate or not I don't know. Regardless, I huddle my shoulders in the baggy sweater I'm wearing and stick my hands deep in my trouser pockets.

"Shorn. Had to be Mikhail Shorn, eh? Beauty." I say huffing loudly and taking a seat with a soft 'thump'. "I'd say if we allow him the dignity of using our borders as his red line in the sand, we'd be privy to an act of war on the OP, but we're already at war, aren't we? Eriadu and all? If we go 'wow! Not our idea! Rogue agent!' and throw up our sultry and capable hands, we potentially allow the OP the chance to strike en force at us within our borders. Not my favourite plan. Who Shorn wants to duel is none of our business. He wants to take on Cater he can trot along and do that. But endangering the Fringe to do that? Line drawing! I'm one to say nuh-uh. Unless we're going to defend a guy like Shorn." I gulp and my hand travels to my neck with a grimace. Yeah, I went there.

@[member="Lucien Cordel"], you're friends with the man. Any chance you can give him a gentlemanly strike upside yonder head and get him to give the people back? Or… take them somewhere else? What if the OP doesn't want Cater duelling this guy? What if they try and send in the blazing guns of a larger force?"

 

[Isar]

The Arkanian Dragon would not fit in the room due to his size. He was also enjoying a rather long nap inside his lair. Irked by being disturbed for such a matter, Faenrovon communicated telepathically with the High Council.

"This is an affair of mortal fools. Let them slay each other, then kill whomever is left alive and be done with it."

 

[Velok the Younger]

"In fairness," Rave added reluctantly, "Shorn has been a major asset of late. And, more to the point, the last time we said 'let them sort it out themselves,' we got the Zaiden issue."

 

[Isar]

"So slay the mortal called Shorn after he eradicates the leader of our foes. Or end the fleshling Protector after he kills Shorn." His voice rumbled like thunder in their minds. "Either way, the Fringe prevails."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien lent forward rubbing his temples, this whole issue gave him a head ache. Shorn was indeed his friend and may indeed Listen to him ... however he may also toss him from a high place. He would go whether the council asked him or not he had no desire to let his mentor do something stupid. He sighed "I will Take Lord Carter to Lord Shorn but first a wish for a chance to talk Lord Shorn out of this Lunacy"

He lent back, his honor had Karked him over again "I will go now, If I don't report back before this time tommorow assume I am dead" He stood up "Are we finished here?" He said notably displeased with the situation. He could see no alternative however

 

[Kitt Solo]

Finally, she sat up straighter in the chair, face covered in shadows in her corner-perch. "I like Lucien's idea. We promise Ayden safe passage. Taking out Shorn would be too...costly. But he's gotta know he can't use our space as his dumping grounds."

Chair legs screeched against the floor as she stood. "If Cater brings bigger guns let us deal with it then. They'll learn the same lesson as the Pubs did. Don't mess with us on our home front. Lord Cordel, good luck." Standing, she shook his hand firmly before leaning into whisper.

"If Cater tries anything, report to us immediately."

@[member="Lucien Cordel"] @[member="Jared Ovmar"] @[member="Anders Sivas"] @[member="Rave Merrill"]

 

[Arage Bao]

The Lord simply sat back and listened to the people in the room. Really, it was the way he liked it to be. Convene the meeting, and then just listen to what everyone has to say. Weigh your options, and then establish your own opinion when everyone has had their say. Not bold, but safe. It was the way he had survived so long in the Underworld. Sadly, Jared would have to step up today. That much was for sure.

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“Your desire for self-sacrifice is amendable, Lucien. But not necessary, I will accompany you on your journey. Ain't Mikhail's best friend, but at this point I doubt that would do anything anyway.”​

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His mind barely touched Andra's mind, but he knew she would want to come with. Not gonna happen.

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“You are not coming with me. Last time you encountered Mikhail he tried to shove you out of a window. We can handle this.”​

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@[member="Kitt Solo"] @[member="Lucien Cordel"] @[member="Faenrovon The Radiant"] @[member="Rave Merrill"] @[member="Anders Sivas"]​

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Jared's mind hits me like the scent of roses in a freshly opened window. The sincerity drifts me over my knees, both elbows alighting on them as my gaze scans the Council. To them I'm a guy with a strange mind, little more than a boy from Naboo who somehow got elected then started proving well, some modicum of worth I expect. Sitting forward with my disguise in place (Mostly physical, I'm a waif), my hands clasp. I look the three seats down to Jared and purse my lips in an attempt not to blurt out. I was a Padawan then, I was naive, I didn't know what was going on, I, I, I.

One hand goes to my neck, I rub where the hand-shaped bruise had been. Is it still tender? The skin feels raw where I touch it, the physical damage has long since faded but I bite my cheeks and my eyes fall from Jared's face to the table. "Jared's the best equipped to go with Lucien. You'll take one of your more impressive ships, I trust, Master Ovmar? A deterrent from this situation getting too far out of hand. Safe passage for the Lord Protector and all."

The hand falls from my neck and I let my back collide with the chair, the Chief Medical Officer of whichever ship Jared chooses is getting a holo-call. 'You're mighty and Lucien's no slouch. What have I got to worry about? …. I want to be there Jared, but you're right. Shorn'll sooner throw me off the nearest cliff than say 'hello'. I'll be here taking care of affairs until you get back.'

@Kitt Solo @Lucien Cordel @Faenrovon The Radiant @Rave Merrill @Anders Sieves

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien shook his head rubbing the back of his neck "With all due respect My Lord Ovmar, I think it best that I go alone My Lord Shorn is ... Unpredictable at the best of times your direct presence may seem like an attack, That and if you say the wrong thing I have no doubt captives will die" He drummed his fingers on the table and thought for a moment "I have an idea, let me speak to Shorn alone, at first if I can't talk him out of this madness we collect the Lord protector together and ensure carnage is kept to a minimum ... unless the council objects and then I suppose I must concede"