Out of Many, One

[Zeradias Mant]

"Collective security at what cost?", the question rang. Before he had a chance to answer, his deputy did the job for him. More directly than Zeradias himself would have put it, but Law's eerie warning carried the same weight as any eloquent message he would have conveyed.

The conversation involved, as the Alderaanian queen proved proved to be skeptical of the idea. To Mant's surprise, it would be the Atrisian boy prince who seemed to best understand Mant's message. Law's answer to the Tetan Empress didn't seem to satisfy the Corellian delegate, however, as she again inquired as to the cost of collective security. It appeared obvious to Mant the advantages of it, and though he didn't show it, he was taken aback to the pushback of cooperation.

The outsider from the Mara-Perlamian Trade Council offered a different perspective. Though surely valid, Zeradias struggled to empathize with a world which was said to be threatened but has otherwise remained untouched by a higher power for much, if not all of it's present life. The distraction was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one, as the Corellian delegate affirmed their commitment to the Core, even going so far as to catapult into discussing militaries.

Though nearly all hesitations were addressed by some official present, one thing remained which Zeradias wanted to address. Looking to the Tetan, he spoke with an ominous gaze that didn't match his empathetic tone.

"I could never hope to facilitate the establishment of a system which would rob a planet's people of the tenets of government which it has chosen to install. All I think anyone can ask is that our governments adhere to the basic principles of decency and human rights."

Acknowledging but not addressing the Corellian delegate's remarks, he continued.

"Should the group be in consensus of the nature of this pact, I would seek your collective approval to draft a treaty for it."

[member="Lisza Starseeker"] | [member="Lily Kuhn"] | [member="Faith Organa"] | [member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Shoma Ike"]​

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith was quiet the flow of words the intention of each person become more clear. But now to answer the question brought on by the representative from Mara-Perlemian trade route. She was familiar with the route but not with the group. She made a mental note to learn more about the group.

"To answer your quest Mr. [member="Emerson Cardiff"] I think we are all painfully aware of what the costs are if we do nothing." The core had once been under the control of the sith the memories of their occupation lingered on everyone who had been under their dominion. "I know that I am fighting my own culture of peace when I recognize that we must fight back, we must protect ourselves." She did not want fear to be the only motivator to her actions. There was a necessity to it but she felt as if she were giving up a time honored tenant of her culture.

She looked at [member="Lisza Starseeker"] in regards to the her remarks about a joint military command, "Are each of worlds currently in a position to send military? I know Alderaan is still under some reconstruction and our military is very small compared to some. But I would offer to send a group the FWC called Rangers to do border patrols. They are familiar with the space and we have a few ships."

Yes Faith was a bit skeptical and it was heard in her words she looked at [member="Shoma Ike"] as he had answered her question she nodded to acknowledge his answer to her.

A long time politician she felt that a consensus was needed. "A consensus is needed, and all terms drawn up and clearly written." She would need to speak with the High Council in regards to all of this. She could not help but sneak a glance to her father who was oddly silent [member="Garith Darkhold"] .

She caught the intensity of the gaze that [member="Zeradias Mant"] was giving [member="Lily Kuhn"] was there a hidden meaning there his tone implied there was.

This group may not respect her opinion, her questions or her position. But she wasn't representing them she was representing a world that prized peace and was the continued victim ravaged by the Sith.

[member="Arcann Law"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

At last, talk of a treaty.

That was a step in a positive direction. Surely, there was still much work yet to be done. Terms would need to be debated. Words would doubtless be exchanged to artfully craft a statement that each government could agree to, even with their wildly different ideologies. But if there was an accord between them, then they were at least committed to one another as allies.

And, in this universe, if there was anything more precious than the Force, it was allies.

The young prince gave a nod toward [member="Faith Organa"] as he followed in her wake. "Our situation mirrors that of Alderaan in many details," Shoma said. A vague, but necessary diversion to avoid anything that more directly made any pointed reference to either the One Sith or the Galactic Alliance for the rampant destruction that devastated the planet and caused the deaths of billions across the planet as those two super-powers had waged war with one another.

And the people of Atrisia merely been cause in the midst of two giants with whom they had only servitude and no actual choice in the matter. However, to speak to either side of that conflict would be to bring up a host of political entanglements that the youth would simply rather not deal with in this forum. Or any forum, for that matter. The Imperial-Populist divide was bad enough on his own planet as it was.

"But a treaty that codifies a commitment to mutual respect and defense is something that I hope we could all leave here interested in pursuing," the youth stated finally, returning to the suggestion by [member="Zeradias Mant"] as the boy voiced his affirmation of that proposal.

 

[Zef Halo]

Arcann patiently listened to every word each of the gathered said. He saw the stark contrasts between Corellia and Teta but to Arcann if they did not put their differences aside, both would lose what they crave the most - independence. Zeradias, as always delicate but quick to the point, drove the discussion into something more than just words in the air. Coruscant meant business and it was this trait of Zeradias Arcann highly admired.

The abrupt appearance of a diplomat representing a government further away from the Core took his interest and the Coruscanti populist eyed him cautiously but with a very slight smirk on his face. Arcann contemplated on the man's words. Surely, he echoed Law's own sentiment, but Arcann saw it differently. He saw an opportunity and wondered whether Mant saw it either. A short lived glance at the Mayor of Coruscant implied that they had something to discuss later about this Mara-Perlemian Council.

 

[Ellie Mors]

The Coruscanti's answer was indeed the most acceptable to her - there was no threat in the galaxy large enough for her to willingly subject her, or her system, to another alliance led by a military controlled or influenced by Jedi and their ilk. It wasn't that she, herself, had any hatred or ill will towards them of her own, but rather the other way around - the amber of her irises were reason enough for many Jedi to decide to intervene in her life themselves, despite the way she lived her own life, as well as the way her people lived, being none of their business. This sense of self-preservation, rather than the idea of cultural independence, was the foremost concern of the Tetan. Were it not for the timely response given by [member="Lisza Starseeker"] and [member="Zeradias Mant"] to the newly arrived [member="Emerson Cardiff"], Lily might've gone as far as to imply she had little to fear from the encroachment of the First Order - given their pact with the Sith - or the Sith Empire itself, given their desire to do little more than patrol the mid-rim as they grew across the outer rim, despite their earlier assault of the Galactic Alliance.

"I am for the mutual defense and cooperation of our worlds, although I am aware of the.. circumstances.. surrounding many of the planets that would be involved in this treatise." She said at last, leaning forwards in her seat to rest her forearms against the tabletop. "Teta will be willing to increase its own military budget in order to make up for the member worlds that might possess an inadequate military of their own - but I will request, in writing perhaps, we agree to increase each of our military budgets to an agreed upon percentage of our respective system's or planet's income over the course of a determinate period of time." Lily continued. She was aware that planets such as Coruscant were still rebuilding, which in and of itself wasn't a concern as they were so close they might as well have simply relied on Teta for the time being, but planets such as Alderaan weren't particularly capable at the moment and giving them the opportunity to grow at an agreed upon pace while she provided a buffer for the time being - the perks of being a system that was currently in the process of ramping up its military strength in the first place - would make the idea of agreeing to support each other in defense from invaders and other such threats a bit more appetizing.

Not that possibility of such looking like a power grab was lost on her, just as the meaningful stare she received from the Coruscanti mayor was not.

"I suppose I can concede that a basic defense of the hyperlanes and other routes through the core would be necessary, so perhaps a basic defense force - something that should be given a specific purpose, not unlike a police or border force - would suite this need."

[member="Arcann Law"] [member="Faith Organa"] [member="Shoma Ike"]

 

[Raona Cadera]

Though she felt the force would need to be a little stronger than a simple patrol force, she felt that could change as the need became more and more apparent. She also leaned forward on the table and stared down the empress before she nodded in agreement.

"That is agreeable. Corellia can pledge to increase our military budget." Corellians had been clamoring to increase the defense budget since the Alliance helped push back a One Sith remnant assault on the capitol. While she herself wasn't a war hawk, she had to make nice with the rest of Corellia if she wanted to get the funding she needed for her own programs.

"Corellia would stand by the rest of those gathered here."

[member="Lily Kuhn"] [member="Shoma Ike"] [member="Arcann Law"] [member="Faith Organa"] [member="Zeradias Mant"]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

Zeradias' gaze shifted to those who spoke as they spoke. The Atrisian prince continued to surprise him - his had grown far more mature since they last met, and appeared to be far more wise than capable for an adolescent. Also a surprise was the Tetan empress. Zeradias had a good feel for the young woman, but wasn't able to formulate a conclusive profile. In time, he would come to fully understand his new partners. Corellia, to his pleasure, was the most amenable. Though not the strongest, they were a prominent and historic name in the galaxy who would serve the alliance well.

The talk of military contributions was a point he was happy to not bring forth. It was a necessary one, but he relished the fact that others were so actively involved and mutually interested in collective defense. In his traditional lower tone voice, he spoke his concurrence.

"Such a stipulation should be codified in our pact."

There was one other issue that needed to be addressed. While for all intents an purposes, ICO was an equal treaty with no member state more equal than another, the need for a figurehead to represent ICO in both internal and external affairs was necessary. While major decisions must be made by the key member states of the alliance, and a more general assembly to dictate the non-critical policy, a singular leader would be needed to liaise with the organs of ICO and those beyond it. Not a chief executive, but a chief administrator.

"There can be no denying the necessity of a governing body, and I don not think it would be disagreeable for all here that our planets be the members of the security council which govern the most dire situations facing us. However, it is neither efficient nor functional every matter require quorum. A chief executive undermines the objective we seek to accomplish, but a chief administrator would serve us well both within and abroad."

[member="Lisza Starseeker"] | [member="Lily Kuhn"] | [member="Shoma Ike"] | [member="Faith Organa"] | [member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Garith Darkhold"]​

 

[Faith Organa]

"I can support someone in the position of chief administrator with the duties of the administrator clearly outlined." She had seen what the Republic had done when every word wasn't written clearly. Chaos, constant bickering over details that prevented them from moving forward on anything, and then the final straw the abuse of power all because of clauses that allowed it.

Yes she remembered all too well. She didn't need to re-tell ancient history but she had a long memory. "Additionally Alderaan will increase their military budget." She knew it would be difficult on the people but she hoped she could explain it to them. There were shipwrights on Delaya though...yes...that might work indeed. An expansion of the Fleet troopers, the knights, and rangers. They could be peaceful, they just weren't going to be stomped on.

She looked at [member="Zeradias Mant"] she kept having this deep feeling of being the oddball in the room. Maybe she was maybe also she was over sensitive and wary of the past.

[member="Lisza Starseeker"] | [member="Lily Kuhn"] | [member="Shoma Ike"] | [member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Garith Darkhold"]