Pens to the Sword

[Tobias Dracks]

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS9moHysR4c[/video]​

Location: Deep Space, Neutral Space, Galaxy Tree

-- Tobias stood there looking out at the void of space. This was the most peace he had seen in some time, with the assassination on his life, the rebel efforts against the First Order, and the crumbling remains of the Republic he helped build. His exit from the public office may have not started the decay, but it did not help the problem from becoming worse. He looked to the stars, dust and formations that doted the black setting they all called home. Throughout his life he could always rely on this to always look peaceful even if battles and wars were carried out in their home. He resorted to thinking of names and form constellations as he had done when he was younger and roamed the stars in ships. The galaxy at large always made him feel younger then he really was.

-- He blinked out of his gaze as one of the aids walked in, "General, your guest will be arriving soon."

-- Standing there still looking out at the airless space that though was peaceful lived in a different realm then they did. Maybe that was why it was more peaceful. "What is your name?" He ordered in a commanding voice that resonated deep in his throat.

-- The young women in a blue naval uniform with a white trim around the sleeves and down the buttons nearly took a step back. In the Republic Exiles, everyone was a soldier of some kind, everyone did their part. She straitened up and stood at attention, "Susan, Sir, Third Class Petty Officer Susan Neugman of the NRS Galaxy Tree Garrison."

-- Tobias could feel the fear in her words, she hid it well, but this was a warring time for much of the armed forces. "Thank you Susan Neugman, please inform the Jedi Masters and General Tatsu about the meeting."

-- Trying times were nicer words then he would have put it. His soldiers were still fighting Warlords left over by the fall of the First Order. Hopefully these meetings with the Mandalorians could put his worries to bed. They had helped the Republic over the years, but no real talks about true helping one another had ever passed the Senate Floor. At least not while he was in office, and it was his Masters belief that they could be true help for the Republic. His plans were in motion now, and would not be grow without the help of the Mandalorians that were often considered long time enemies of the Republic. They were now one of their last allies that could truly bring about the golden age of darkness to its final days.

-- He turned back to the darkness before him and focused on the light that pierced the vale.

[member="Darius Sedaire"] | [member="Alexandra Feanor"] | [member="Tatsu"] | [member="Yasha Cadera"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

The Republic.

Once the first invasion Yasha fought as a child, the blaster pistol in her hands had been enormous. So much so, she used both hands to lift and fire. Her hand drifted to the pistol on her hip. It fit so neatly there, and in her palm. The Infernal stood at the viewport of her suite in the Never Again Super Star Destroyer, the vast 10 kilometre dreadnought of the Mandalorian navy.

The Republic called. While the friendship Yasha attempted to instigate was originally rebuffed, left fallow, now they called again. Ponderous call... yet a welcome one.

How well would they take the recent events and long standing diplomatic tie to Zambrano’s Empire? Would she be condemned on sight or in passing? Yet, the Mandalorians did not have the luxury of stating moral high ground and Jetiise willing to stand at their defence. The Mandalorians were always told to come to the table of negotiation and apologize for their survival-brothers. Condemnable. Blameable…

… lesser in quality than their Republican or Jedi neighbours. Watching hyperspace fold around the impressive floating city and battleship, Yasha thumbed a stone given to her by her wife Caz. The smooth nature of the green stone reminded Yasha to breathe. To centre herself and consider first the needs and freedoms of her People.

“Soon, Caz’ika. I’ll be home soon.” With any luck, their Kain’ik would return from war, too. Soon. Once the Mandalorians were safe, and they knew which friends to trust, Yasha Australis-Cadera would journey home.

“Mand’alor. We are exiting hyperspace.” Lieutenant Kishing saluted, his light armour thin for his duties aboard the ship. Yasha nodded him off, waving her hand as she slid the green stone into a pocket on her belt, and reattached her crush-gaunt. Her stim-caf was shotgunned down her throat, before the Wolf-Helm replaced her feminine youth with the lupine mask of beskar known throughout the Galaxy.

The Infernal moved. By the time she walked the distance to the lift, their secondary ship, the 1,000 m Aaranov would be prepped and ready to receive her, and her retinue. The Galaxy Tree would be hailed, appropriate permissions granted.

She said nothing, because there was no need. Mandalorians knew what needed to be done, and they did it.

[member="Skorvek"] [member="Tobias Dracks"] [member="Darius Sedaire"] [member="Alexandra Feanor"] [member="Tatsu"] @Mandos

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

Location: Galaxy Tree Meeting Room


Alexandra phased through the wall, almost as if a ghost and not bothering to wait for the ok from Tobias. She represented a far separate sect from the others, both as Solans eyes and ears, but also as someone who stood for the senators and the people of the Republic. Jedi were disconnected, military men too structured. She turned her head to the politician turned warlord, raising a brow and smiling as the two knew each other quite well. She remembered a different meeting a time ago, one with a repugnant sith that thought himself their better. The man' had left with threats that had never been acted upon.

This time would not be such a worry, even if her blade rested at her hip, her arm remained bandaged from her last adventure, her eyes still milky white from the blindness, and her sabers hung from her sash. She wore a tunic that seemed to better fit some ancient warrior with simple steel plate hidden beneath the folds and simple tan trousers, made with spider silk. She seemed nothing more than a backwords mercenary in a way with how she was dressed but anyone here, especially [member="Yasha Cadera"] and [member="Noah Corek"] would know Alexandra was more than capable, even with so little protection.

Her eyes did turn to the door, knowing the others would be coming, like [member="Lux Berooken"] who had been invited at her request. The man was one of the old blood, and even then still young but devoted. He had been with the republic in thos final months before its dismantling and the movement after. The whole situation had disheartened many but was not the end of their world, they would be able to move on Nd continue.

That was why they were here today, to do just that and to move on.

"Mr Dracks, it is a pleasure to be at a table with you again and talking over the future of relations between the Republic and others... our last attempt had been a rather sour show though if I remember well enough." Her smile remained, an amused grin touching her lips as she took her seat beside him. Her hand starting to idly tap on the table.

 

[Lux Berooken]

Location: Personal Ship

Mandalorians were an interesting bunch and they had a long and storied history with the Republic all of which spoke well for the meeting. It also helped that he knew their language and a little about their culture, he admired their pragmatism and their dedication to surviving. When [member="Alexandra Feanor"] had invited him to the meeting which he was very appreciative of he knew that he could prove very helpful in mediating any disputes. His ship came to a halt next to the Galaxy Tree.

"Senator should we ask permission to board?" His captain asked

"Yes but if you don't mind I'll be asking permission myself" flipping the switch that connected them to the Galaxy Tree "Hello this is Lux Berooken I am here for the diplomatic talks with the Mandos and were requesting permission to dock"

"Are you sure this is a good idea you haven't been home in months"

"Captain, Captain, Captain you know that I'm done with planetary politics that's far to small time for me now, I've graduated to the be leagues and that means going months without going home which is a small price to pay for a bigger profile and a seat at the table for some of the most important decisions that the Republic makes. If these talks go well we will all benefit and helps to secure our future and that is a very worthy cause. Besides If were being honest I have never met a real mando in person and it's been a while since I spoke the language."
[member="Yasha Cadera"] [member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Tatsu]

Location: Personal Shuttle

This wasn't typical of Tatsu. Word was passed along that a meeting was to be arranged in order to discuss the fragility and potential future of the Republic.

The Republic...

As he had told [member="Darius Sedaire"], this wasn't his fight or government. In fact, Tatsu didn't even belong to anything per se. Ever since he had liberated himself from the shackles of being a slave-owned PMC, life was taking many interesting twists and turns. Being inducted into the Republic's military command was one. It still amused and slightly worried Tatsu, having such a grandiose responsibility mantled on his shoulders. How could he lead with uncertainty at the forefront of his mind? His hands jittery, and his pulse hastened. If something were to go wrong, then he would have to live with that guilt.

Could he bear the numbers? All those potential casualties, all of them could be a reality if even the most minuscule error undermined everything. Death was something like a close friend to Tatsu, it claimed his old life along with the others he acknowledged as his equals and squadmates. They were in better company now, but the same couldn't be said for all the lives that were needlessly lost aboard the refugee vessel Tatsu stowed himself away on.

A day that will be forever embedded into memory. Mistakes weren't an option, nor even fathomable. Tatsu would ensure and bolster the sorrow of the Republic's citizens, because he needed them to understand the pain that came with loss. He needed them to find the fire within, to feed from that anguish and break free from the oppression of septic political agendas that had little else to accomplish aside from the murder of innocents. With primal fury and broken hearts, a miasma of seething contempt will be unleashed upon those that intend harm upon the fragmented Republic.

Tatsu lost himself to deep contemplation, waiting to arrive.

[member="Lux Berooken"] | [member="Alexandra Feanor"] | [member="Yasha Cadera"] | [member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- The space station was one of the first created structures built for the Republic. United in a common goal and some even considered it more important then the capital for many reasons. Tobias held the influence to have the station under his dominion for the time being. That would only last as long as the Republic would allow it. The mobility of this massive station and its historical significant was more the soul of the now Republic Exiles then the crumbling husk that was its national boarders. The Warlord and Rebel had built a sick sense of his surroundings that he did not have to see out the large transparasteel window to see that the Mandalorians where now within range. The warrior race always carried an aura of despair and helplessness wherever they went. He knew this feeling from his Master and his teachings and the constant gaze he looked up to the old man while he was on his back. Interesting that memory would flood his mind at a time like this.

-- This same sense allowed him to not flinch when the retired Grand Master reformed the matter of the meeting hall wall and fazed through it. Instead he only continued to sign off of on the document he was looking at and pressing a button on his desk.

-- "Petty Officer, I already know about Alex, I am sending you a document, please inform the Jacobson and his-" He paused while taking a quick look at [member="Alexandra Feanor"], then back at the communicator, "soldiers their payment will be transferred when the job is done not half now, if he does not like it then he can bring it up personally, in front of my fleet."

-- The women's voice came over, "Sorry about that General, I did not even see her walk past me, I will inform the PLF and send the document over now, also Senator Berooken and Commander Tatsu are requesting permission to board," There was a pause for a second and the faint sound of a finger pressing against a Data-Pad, "The Mandalorain Delegation is also going through final checks and will be joining the meeting soon."

-- "Thank you Petty Officer." Tobias lifted his finger off the button and looked over to the Jedi Master turned Politician.

-- The women looked different then the last time they had meet but he could always tell the women. She always carried that mischievous smile that was either gonna get someone killed or end with a pile of paperwork she did not help with. He considered his dragging back to the Republic somehow her fault. He could have lived in luxury with only having to deal with local powers and even build up a regional power. However, life never was an easy cruise.

-- He looked at Alex, "Mast-" He stopped himself realizing his mistake, "I mean Representative Feanor, I would rank a meeting involving a Jedi and a very singular minded Sith on a different level between politician and the leader of the Mandalorian Clans, but you know you have a light sword and she has a capital ship so I am pretty content with this turn then before."

[member="Darius Sedaire"] | [member="Tatsu"] | [member="Yasha Cadera"] | [member="Lux Berooken"]

 

[Skorvek]

Last time a diplomacy was attempted with the Republic and the Mandalorians it fell through but now they wish to meet with us again, He dawned his Beskar'gam but not his hammer he didn't feel the need to carry it as he kept close to [member="Yasha Cadera"] as she made her way to the lift that leads to there secondary ship.

He noted her silence and said nothing, He saved his words for the peace talks if they even reach that point. If news of there alliance with the sith has become known to them this might be a short negotiation, But this may mean finally some sort of alliance or agreement with the Mandalorians and the Republic.

But for now he simply waited silently for them to arrive at the station and meet with the delegation.

[member="Lux Berooken"] @Alexandra Feanos [member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Yasha Cadera]

Policies, former battles, and recent histories ran through the Infernal’s mind, as she walked through the Never Again to their connection with the Galaxy Tree. Smart of the Republic to have this negotiation on what was essentially a civilian station.

Mandalorians under the Infernal’s command hit no civilian targets. The choice was also a chance to see the famed station up close, and Yasha knew at least one engineer on board who relished the idea to see the technology the Republic’s remnant employed.

No, thank the gods, her mother [member="Aditya Fitz Kierke"] wasn’t coming. Yet, a tension flooded the back of Yasha’s mind, as she rounded the corridor and entered the Republic station proper.

[member="Alexandra Feanor"]… would Alex be there? Would she want to see her? When the Republic escort met Yasha, [member="Skorvek"] and their compatriots, the Infernal merely nodded. She continued on in silence, no quip of a joke or light banter. Something in her stomach told Yasha she couldn’t afford any such luxuries or comforts.

Rolling her right shoulder, Yasha felt the well of pain roar through her body after Orinda. Never again. Never again would the Infernal allow herself to fall out of pristine control. Finally entering the appropriate room, the nigh 8 foot tall woman in armour scanned the room. The wolf-helm standard on her helmet moved to and fro, scanning the room.

"General Dracks. Representative Feanor. Once we have quorum, shall we begin?" Alex... Yasha fended off the sinking stab in her chest. The bandages... Thank Manda nobody could see her face.

[member="Lux Berooken"] [member="Tobias Dracks"] @Tatsu

 

[Lux Berooken]

"Senator if you'll follow me I'll be escorting you to the meeting room"

He followed the officer assigned to him, cape draging on the floor, his black boots clacked on the floor as he walked down the hall. This was something of a rarity for him going into this meeting without any staff but he had let them stay home and spend time with their families. He was looking forward to seeing [member="Alexandra Feanor"] the two of them had much to talk about. There were many different tactics that they could take the talks good cop bad cop, carrot and stick, or whatever they wanted to do he was experienced in most forms of negotiations.

As he walked the halls he couldn't help but think back to his time going to work at the Sarapin foreign ministry his family had gotten him the job not that he wasn't qualified. The senior civil servants were suspicious of someone his age coming in and making changes to the way things were done, putting a focus on big goals and speaking to people that were natural enemies of his planet. He was able to get some of the worst people in the galaxy to sit down and talk to him and more times than not they managed to come to some sort of agreement that worked for both sides. He was a believer in the win-win approach to foreign policy in truth he was even willing to work with the Sith if the situation was right.

"Here we are Senator"

The doors slide open and Lux entered the room finding a table and Alex "Alex I hope you have been well I must admit I'm excited to see where these talks go"

[member="Yasha Cadera"] @Skorvek [member="Tobias Dracks"] [member="Tatsu"]