Safe & Sound | CIS Dominion of Naboo [R-45]

[SC-A1]

The day was long and getting rough, supplies were becoming worse, as more and more people arrived but not enough food or goods. The droid was sighing as he handed out even smaller rations, commanding other droids to make sure to measure everything out precisely to make as much as they could last. Things would become less civil before long, then a signal....an order, under the signature of an Exarch. Once decoded every droid within the refugee processing city froze, their processors going through the multitudes of data and commands, to all the people near them it seemed every droid froze in time, not moving, unresponsive, literal hollow shells wearing the Confederate mark. After an agonizing slow 20 minutes of processing, the Majors neck clicked as his dead stare looked towards the landing pad that was set up for the entire purpose of settling in refugees, not long all the other droids looked the same way. Then in a mere moment of time, every droid flooded around the major looking towards the Blue marked droid, seemingly wandering in, until enough of them were shown to be making battle lines, four straight columns, each with about 15 droids stood at attention, awaiting commands from the Major. AR-G002, stood there still staring, his file was larger then the rest of the droids who fell into proper protocol, but the Major,had bigger and more complex orders, orders that came from the top of Confederate Hierarchy, codes and commands that came from an Exarch, orders that would be followed and could not be stopped. "Orders confirmed, protocol, 774115, Exarch Srina Talon, orders for military landing and settling. Welcome Naboo, Welcome to the Confederacy." The droid said aloud, giving a Salute to all the very clearly confused refugees. Soon all 60 units behind the Major saluted, and a loud, almost cascade torrent of droid voices saying; "Welcome, Roger Roger!"

After the show of what the droids would call, pride, they marched down in perfect unison only droids could preform, towards the landing pad, ahead of them in the sky, ships. Ships of indescribable magnitude,in number, began descending each one bearing the Hexagon on the Confederacy. Many to any experienced Pilot, or Soldier would see many were transports for goods and buildings, rather then troops though there were a few easily seen droid drop ships escorting all the goods down. As the small parade of droids reached the landing pad, the sight had changed, a company of 250 droids had set up a perimeter, as ships began unloading pre-made building parts, that were quickly assembled. These parts soon formed, a small military base, an outpost to most but a sizable place for enough droids, to hold this location for a good long while. Soon next to that was an Embassy, or a small version of one. This would be the building all visiting Vicelords would check-in and be housed in, while on Naboo unless they were allowed otherwise. The final parts were one tower and a wall surrounding the landing pad. Once the buildings were set up and the basic defenses landed, the transports with goods were now allowed to drop off all the much needed supplies. Under a more secure system the droids began handing out literal carts of food, water, clothing, and medical equipment. One of the droids was atop the wall with a loud-speaker giving the simple commands. "Form in orderly lines, Have needs ready, Speak clearly, If any assistance in communication is needed, please speak to any droid with Red coloring. Any persons who can help, please step forward and speak to a Yellow droid. Emergency Medical issues, talk to Green Droids, any bodies who can help with medical care, please report to a Green droid, we have the tools, we have the Bacta, we have the space, please do not rush, do not push, we are here to help, Roger roger."


AR-G002 looked on from atop the look out tower, giving specifics commands to droids from the vantage he had, watching the multitudes of colored droids running around, processing all the needs of the people and slowly working on separating them into the proper groups. All the refugees wanting food, water or clothing were sent to one part of the base, medical issues were carried via transport-car to a tent near the back, and those needing comforts like alcoholic beverages, stimulants,in very controlled amounts, or a simple hug from what it guessed were Jedi who were helping keep peace and help out. The droid sighed happily as it no longer needed to worry about the worst happening with starvation and panic. This planet would be safe, and would not fall so long as the The Grand Droid Army, pride of the Confederacy stood firm. even if the forces here were small, not a single droid would allow anything to happen to a Confederate world even if that meant marching into sure fire destruction.

Looking on and seeing better progress being made, the Major stood still as he sent a reply to the orders given to him. "Protocol 774115 initiated, ships landed, goods distributed, Outpost N-782 established. Congratulation Exarch."

[member="Srina Talon"] [member="Gianna Aegis"] [member="Cassius Droma"] [member="Asher Mossa"]

 

[Gianna Aegis]

Location: Naboo | Outside of Theed (Relief Center/Refugee Settlements)
Objective: Mixing 2 (Helping Settlers) and 3 (BYOO)
Tag: [member="Cassius Droma"] [member="AR-G002"]

Her Padawan was a quick study. She remained nearby, an anchor, but all of the movement forward was made by Cassius. Gianna made sure that above all her student felt safe. Most performed at their best with a strong support system and she was determined to provide the young man with foundations that would benefit him the most. She had been unavoidably denied that, with the passing of her father, and it had taken quite a bit of time to catch up with her peers. It bothered her that her friend had been thus far denied proper tutelage. After all, a tree was only as strong as its roots.

The burning, or the heat, that she spoke of about the wound was typically something that could be felt or even occasionally seen with the Force. It was unnatural. Infections were an invasion of the body, an impurity, which left natural equilibrium off-kilter. It was something that needed to be excised, or, chased away with antibiotics in observance of good health. She cured that sort of malady in a very similar sense to flushing poison from organic systems. Carefully.

Luckily, or unluckily, that wasn’t the case with Daniel Alovic III.

His pain was much more profound. It reminded the flame-haired woman of an endless well, filled to the brim with despair, that the Coruscanti-born man tried in earnest to keep to himself. In some ways taking care of a poison would have been easier. It was difficult for many Jedi to expose themselves to such raw emotion and return unchanged. It was hard not to take that sadness with them, to keep pieces of it, when they needed to let go. As they left a seed of hope behind in the people they treated they also needed to leave the darkness.

For a moment she felt Cassius waver when the truth of the destruction in the Core dawned on him. It wasn’t just Coruscant that suffered. There were a dozen other worlds that suffered the same fate. His resolve swayed for what felt like a millisecond in time—but the hesitation was there all the same. Her fingers squeezed softly against his. It was a silent reminder that she was there. She would always be there, even when he no longer needed her guidance, because a true mentor never simply walked away. He didn’t have to do anything alone anymore. Not unless he wanted to.

‘Steady, Cassius and don’t forget to breathe. Allow his pain to pass through you, but, only as an instrument to aid in your purpose. Recognize his pain. Understand. Above all else…You must never let their agony become your own.’

Gianna did not need to open her eyes to realize that the wound had been mended. Unintentionally, she caught a flash of something from her Padawan, a woman, who was gone in the blink of an eye. Regardless, she could feel the burden on Mr. Alovic lessen. The darkness that had wrapped around his heart, like a storm, had tapered off to a light rainfall. There might have even been a little metaphorical sunlight peeking through the clouds.

She released her pull on the Force when Cassius began to speak. Jade eyes fluttered open and her expression eased when she took in the renewed sight of their patient. He seemed baffled, but, was mostly staring at his injury that had disappeared before his eyes. “Better, Cassius. Jedi Ae—Gianna. Much better. Thank you.”

“You’ve very welcome.”, Gianna responded with her trademark smile, nearly blinding, with the inherent goodwill and cheerfulness. “You’re free to go for now but be sure to check in with the medical staff in a few days. They like to be thorough.”

The gentleman, still stunned, poked at his arm a little before turning a genial smile on both Jedi. He didn’t have words for the difference that had been made. He hadn’t really known when to expect from the treatment that Gianna had offered. His weathered mouth tried to work its way around a few words, but instead, he reached up and tipped his hat when that failed. He’d never been too good at expressing himself. This…This was beyond medicine. “I’ll do that. Force bless you both.”

Gianna’s sweet smile widened, if possible, and she turned her gaze to Cassius as Mr. Alovic took his leave. It was impossible not to notice that the dark-haired pilot-turned-Jedi was still holding her wrist beneath the table. Her expression softened as she began to look him over, making sure, that he hadn’t overtaxed himself. She raised her other hand and touched his cheek, once, to get his attention before letting it fall away. “I am so proud of you Cass... That was your first try and you did so well.”

She tried not to burst with delight over the success of his accomplishment, however, the slender woman would not let him leave this camp without knowing. Gianna let her Padawan think for a few moments, before speaking again, her tones gentle. Above all—this was the lesson she wanted him to learn today. He had lived on the harsher side of their calling. It was time to step back and see the larger picture.

“It may seem small…But this is the way we undo the damage that the Sith Empire has done. This is our way. One person at a time. One soul at time. Their hate, their fear, will never touch our hearts.”

It was then that an influx of personnel suddenly arrived. Ships with Confederate symbols on the sides dropped down in the flat areas in order to land and droids of all colors, shapes, and sizes began to unload supplies. Gianna's eyes widened. She'd thought that the B1-Battledroids she'd already seen were the assistance that their neighbor planned to send. But this? This was a full-scale relief effort if she had ever seen one. Silently, she wondered, exactly what their Queen had agreed to. Surely the droid nation would not be so prevalent if their governing body hadn't allowed it. Realizing, rather quickly, that this settlement would be in good hands for a little while she turned to smile at her Padawan again. "I think we could both use a rest and I'm pretty sure the invasion of the clankers is our cue to step away while we can. What do you say we take a drive?"

​

 

[Aryn Teth]

Aryn Teth

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Theed Royal Palace, Naboo, Chommell Sector, The Mid Rim​

Interacting With: [member="Srina Talon"], [member="Antoine Rhys"], [member="Jamie Pyne"]​

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Aryn had been silent, almost unnaturally so as he stood alongside Srina. He had no need to speak, he was not really there to take part in the negotiations, he still didn't speak for the Confederacy, he highly doubted that would ever be the case, either. He was only really there because Srina had wished him to be, it was under the pretense that he would answer any questions that the Queen of Naboo may have had about the intentions of the Confederacy, and to put on a good show - the former Supreme Commander still working to keep the refugees of the Alliance safe. Of course, all of that was only half-true. Aryn knew that Srina had wished him to come to see the resettlement of some of his people, and as she spoke of the money he had given to the Vicelord, he assumed she wished him to be present now that it was seeing good use.

Aryn knew full well that a strong part of Srina wished that this trip to Naboo would help Aryn, that it would serve as some form of healing for him. The fact that he had been so silent had, at least this time, not really been because he lingered among the thoughts of his failures, but because he was perhaps for the first time beginning to at least consider the points that Srina was trying so hard - albeit, quite subtly - to get across to him. There were facts that he figured still could not be disputed, he had failed, if he hadn't, the Alliance would not have been chased into the Outer Rim, where it now struggled to reorganize. Yet, he was perhaps beginning to see that his failure, the Alliance's failure, perhaps did not mean doom for the galaxy.

When Aryn did finally speak he hadn't even realised he was doing so, the words came almost on instinct as Srina finished speaking and Aryn's gaze settled upon the Queen herself. "If I may, Majesty - I have no rank or station to request anything of you or Naboo any longer - but if you were to ensure the sum of credits Miss Talon refers to was used to assist any Alliance refugees making their way into your borders, I would be greatly in your debt." No longer would Aryn's words carry any real weight, they could not compel or even suggest, especially now that the money was no longer his to give. Yet, he hoped that [member="Jamie Pyne"] would at least hear his words, in honour of the Alliance that had fallen.

He briefly cast his glance over to the Confederate party he had arrived with, noting to himself that perhaps he had spoken out of turn, yet he made no apology or effort to recall his statement, and he had not spoken for the Confederacy, only for himself. He was fairly sure at least that [member="Srina Talon"] wouldn't mind.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Theed Palace | [member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Amaya Cardei"] | [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Antoine Rhys"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Cora deWinter"] | [member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"] \​

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Before the opportunity to respond to Srina had presented itself, Aryn had injected a small request of his own regarding the use of the offered Alliance funds that had been salvaged before the collapse of Coruscant. Cerulean eyes fell upon the dispirited man, an empathetic nod followed. "You may rest assured that the entirety of credits transferred will be used solely for the benefit of the refugees seeking asylum from the core, Commander." Aryn may not have been the head of a military any longer, but Jamie felt the title due out of respect. "As to the appropriate recipient for those credits you may transfer them to the Royal Vault of Theed. Governor Gáros will be in charge of allocating funding throughout the relief sectors." The crown as well as a number of noble houses had also collectively allocated funding to offer support with the refugee crisis.​

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Jamie knew full well that Mariya wouldn't be thrilled with her appointment to this viceroyalty. The girl hated politics. She was short with her temper and sharp with her tongue, but she was also quick witted and held one hell of a poker face. The woman knew she would get no thank-you out of this, but there were scarce few remaining that could be trusted to carry the interests of the Naboo and represent the monarchy within the Confederacy. "If my sister is where I last saw her, you'll find Mariya in the palace hangar. The RSF may escort you there if you wish to see her."​

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The hangar was situated two levels below, built into the face of the cliff side and obscured by the rapid falls that covered its ray shielded entrance. It was used exclusively by the monarchy, the Royal Jedi, and the palace defense force. Earlier that day Jamie had found the girl there, stripping away pieces of her starfighter in an attempt to make whatever repairs it needed. That sort of thing was well over Jamie's head, even more so than the act of simply flying one was. Given the amount of work it appeared she had going on, it was very likely the brunette would be found in that same spot, beneath the belly of the fighter with a spanner in hand and her R7 droid somewhere nearby. "If nothing more is needed of me then I will see to allocating more hands to prepare for the additional refugees arriving."​

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Location: Theed Palace Hangar
Objective: BYOO - Repair N-9A Fighter
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Mariya rubbed the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, one of the few spots that didn't have a stain of grease, or rather, until she had wiped her hand across it anyway. "Yeah, I checked the lines for leaks, even disconnected them and blew them out to make sure there was no blockage." She blew the hair from her face, sitting up to look at Kurt. "Suppose it could be the injectors, though they weren't putting up any alerts. My only other guess at this point would be something electronic going wrong."

That would be an absolute nightmare to try and diagnose a faulty wire or relay. "But you still haven't really told me why you're down here." It wasn't quite like the two had ever spent any time together. "My sister told you to, didn't she?" She gave an expectant look of a lack of surprise. Jamie had been wanting Mariya to get to know Kurt for a while, but for what reason she was so adamant about it Mariya had no idea. Maybe it was due in part to the crisis that happened with Vrak.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

Theed - Palace Hangar
[member="Mariya Pyne"]

Electronics had always been the one part of ship building and repair he had left to someone else. On The Messa Kaile had always taken care of it, and on The Eve it had been Arn who had put it all together. It was something he would likely have problems with in the future, but he'd been thinking about getting a droid just in case something like that went wrong. Most of the time he could fix things on his won, but he figured better safe than sorry in that sort of situation.

He smiled a Mariya's question though, scratching the back of his head. "She means well."

The former Courier said in way of explanation, though Mariya already very likely knew that. There was no doubt in his mind that his girlfriend had a myriad of plots and schemes that involved him and her family, though he was of the opinion that her mother would never truly like him. Perhaps Jamie thought that having him form a relationship with Mariya would at least help him feel somewhat welcome here on Naboo.b

"Besides." He shrugged. "I really don't belong up there."

It was one place he'd never fit in. "I'm a Pilot and a Moisture farmer, not a politician."

 

[Kyle Naktis]

Objective: Figure out what's going on possibly help.
Allies: himself
Affiliation: none at this time.

Kyle Naktis squat down high up on a tower in the heart of Naboo, Theed. Kyle watched several CIS members scouring the city, some more towards the royal palace while others were helping Refugees. Kyle didn't understand what was going on, but he felt he needed to find out. Kyle stood up and leaped off the tower and landed on a nearby roof. Still pretty high up but he could see a Tad better now. The CIS was helping people. This pleased Kyle as he watched. Kyle then turned and ran hopping from roof to roof. Kyle reached an ally and noticed some mercenaries pointing blasters at refugees and threatening them.

Kyle jumped down activating his red and purple dual lightsabers killing two of the mercs as he landed. The other 3 started firing at Kyle, Kyle blocked them then used the force on one of them lifting him up using the force crushing his inside. Kyle started out with a open hand and then closed his hand. Then the sound of bones cracking and the merc dropped dead. Kyle then shot force lightning at another throwing him into a wall with it killing him instantly. Kyle then leaped at the last one using a scissor effect cutting the head off of the 3rd merc. Kyle deactivated his lightsabers and looked to the refugees.

There is CIS down on the next block, get to them, they'll help you.

Kyle watched the Refugees run away then Kyle jumped up scaling a building until he got to the roof and then begin running across roof tops again checking the rest of Theed.

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[Cassius Droma]

Location: Naboo | Outside of Theed
Objective: 2 (A Place in This World) and 3 (BYOO)

As Mr. Alovic walked away, bewildered at his healed injury and eased soul, Cassius raised his hand in a small wave. “May the Force be with you,” he spoke, marveling at how easily the words had spilled from his lips. Before, he’d found the phrase somewhat cheesy, and yet, it felt so natural just then. His eyes were soft as he watched the man leave, and he felt strangely at peace, considering the emotional rollercoaster he had just been on. Coruscant, Alovic’s family, his own hardships rising to the surface… all of it seemed to subside.

His attention was brought back to his mentor as she gingerly touched his face, the warmth of her fingers rooting him in the moment. She expressed her pride over his accomplishment, and he smiled and nodded. “Thanks – I think being so well-versed in psychometry actually helped. Building those connections with the Force… I guess I was better at it than I thought.” Cassius’s gaze fell back over the crowd of people, and instead of pain he felt empathy, a warm kind of empathy that made him want to heal even more… although he knew it would tax him.

Gianna remarked how this was going to be their way of undoing the damage of the Sith, and Cassius nodded. “I suppose there’s more to war than fighting.” Cassius didn’t need to be charging into battle, lightsaber raised high, or on the bridge of a huge star defender, doling out orders. He would maybe still find himself in the seat of a fighter cockpit, but this helped open his eyes to a new way to fight against the darkness.

A clinking of metal, the howling of repulsors, and the chattering of robotic tones all drew his attention to the new band of droids arriving. The Confederacy spared no expense, it appeared. New medical supplies and foodstuffs were going to be abundant – just what the refugees needed. His redheaded friend took this as a sign that they could depart and the camp would still survive. Cassius nodded in agreement.

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” he said, leading the way as he moved out of the camp, weaving through large cargo containers and fast-moving B-1 droids as they stumbled about the place. He gripped Gianna’s arm as he side-stepped a small transport landing, shielding his face from the wind that was kicked up from the fierce repulsors.

Soon enough, they were clear, and Cassius lead them to the blue gravsled that he’d taken to get here. Thankfully, no one had stolen it or scratched it in all of the chaos. Unlocking it and activating the engine with a keyfob, he clambered into the cramped driver’s seat, leaving the passenger door open for Gianna. Once she was seated, Cassius took off east, towards the more residential part of the region. He wasn’t entirely sure what their destination was, but he figured he’d get out of the way of those trying to get supplies to the refugee camp.

“So… where are we headed to?” Cassius asked, the sun reflecting off of the river to their left.

[member="Gianna Aegis"]

 

[Srina Talon]

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Location: Naboo - Theed - Royal Palace [Throne Room]​

Standing Beside: [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Antoine Rhys"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Cora deWinter"] | [member="Cardinal Vi'dreya"] | [member="Amaya Cardei"] | [member="Jamie Pyne"]​

Wearing: X​

Objective: 1 - Negotiation ​

Post: 5​

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Srina exhaled slowly when the flawless deployment of cargo ships signaled that it was complete. The confirmation of the proper protocol came from [member="AR-G002"] and the diminutive woman responded to his congratulations via her Holo-Comm. It was brief, formal, but not unkind. For anyone that had ever spoken to the Exarch, or, had access to Confederate personnel files it wouldn’t be a surprise. Some might celebrate successful negotiations—but in the wake of the destruction of the Core the young Echani could not even find the strength to pretend.

<< Noted, AR-G002. Ensure that all droid forces follow the restrictions that have been set forth. I will expect to have secure communications up and running at the out-post before sundown. The Vicelord will require a full report of the proceedings. >>

The voice of [member="Aryn Teth"] chiming in beside her caused some of the tension in her shoulders to ease. There was something about his presence that caused her to feel more secure. It hadn’t always been that way. When they’d first crossed paths on Sullust she’d regarded him with a healthy level of suspicion. Jedi and Sith generally did not mix, not even when their goals seemed to align, and their enemies were in bed with one another. The pale woman remembered even being angry with him.

His respectful request passed through the hall with evident humility. Were it not for their audience she would have taken his hand to remind him, once again, that the fall of the Alliance was not his burden alone to bear. The Queen of Naboo also seemed to either see or sense his disillusionment and kindly agreed. Srina nodded her head when directives followed about where to transfer the funds. The instructions were relayed through her comm and the Royal Vault of Theed would soon see the transaction. “Thank you, Majesty.”

Srina remained silent for a fraction of a second after hearing where their new member of the Confederate Viceroyalty might be hiding. She was curious, why the hangar, but let it be. “That would be most appreciated. I would only take up a small moment of her time. Just enough to make introductions and provide any necessary details.”

The wintry woman couldn’t think of anything else that might currently require the focus of the Queen and took her final statement as a closure to their first discussion. The Exarch respectfully inclined her head, just as she had upon entry, and waited patiently for the RSF to lead them from the Throne Room. Srina gave the Viceroys that had accompanied her leave to follow their own pursuits. Even Cardinal, if he chose, she would allow to stand down. Surely the potential for danger had passed.

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Location: Naboo - Theed - Royal Palace [Hangar]​

Standing Beside: [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Kurt Meyer"] | [member="Mariya Pyne"]​

Aryn would remain with her by his own choice as the RSF brought the rather somber pair to the Queen’s sister. Srina still hadn’t fully formed an opinion of the Nabooian ruler but she did have a better understanding. Practical. That would be the word she would use to describe her later on. It was hard to truly discern the nature of a person through diplomatic overtures in which every statement was a deliberate dance of words and intent. Their perception could wait.

“I know that you’ve never been to Naboo—but have you ever met Lady Pyne?”

It was an innocent question that she posed the former Commander of the Alliance. The RSF were respectful, but brusque, and didn’t seem the type to share information about their nobility. Once in the hangar, they were brought to two new faces rather than one. Silver eyes flickered between [member="Kurt Meyer"] and the form of a young woman seemingly repairing a fighter. It was a surprise to see her covered in dots and smears of grease—but not an unwelcome one. Simply, not what she expected.

“Good Afternoon.”, she interrupted gently, certain, that the many boots of the RSF would have caught their attention upon entry anyway. “You must be [member="Mariya Pyne"]. It’s a pleasure to meet you both. My name is Srina Talon and I’m from the Confederacy…”, she trailed off, trying, and likely failing to make this less than formal conversation slightly less awkward. She tried to be the Exarch that their nation required. Firm, polite, and focused—but at the end of the day, she occasionally felt a little like a droid. Repeating the same things, over, and over like a broken holo.

“Our negotiations have concluded, however, the Queen has selected you to handle representation of Naboo in her stead. There is nothing pressing that requires your attention but I at least wanted to meet you face to face before returning to my duties. Humanitarian efforts are well underway.”

 

[Gianna Aegis]

Location: Naboo | Very Remote Outskirts of Theed
Objective: BYOO
Tag: [member="Cassius Droma"]

The green-eyed Knight watched her Padawan closely in his responses. Gianna didn’t know everything about his past. Mostly, because she didn’t need to. His history was simply that—history. While it may have shaped the man he had come to be, it wasn’t for her to dwell on, when she had already accepted him as he existed in the present. She knew that he’d been born on the icy cold world of Rinn. He didn’t have a strong accent like some citizens of the Outer Rim, but every now and again, her ears caught a little inflection that made her smile. She also knew that Cassius was smart, talented, and so much of a pilot that when they’d first met—it had been hard to see him as a Jedi.

Nothing would ever take the adventurer out of him and Gianna would never try. It was part of him. The ginger-haired woman saw it as a little flicker of unbreakable spirit. It gave him drive, will, and a need to explore. It gave him courage and focus. He would need that if he wished to succeed.

With that in mind, she took stock of his well-being every time they worked on strengthening his connection to the Force. There were dangers to it. Especially, when diving headfirst into the pain of others. It was mind-numbing. All consuming. Her gaze flickered as she silently drew on the Force to lend support and warmth. Between her efforts, and his own adaptability, he seemed to be adjusting just fine.

Her smile deepened when she managed to snare his focus and a small dimple appeared in her right cheek. “I agree. Every ability you hone in the Force, even passive, is a building block for the future. I’ve seen Padawans become entirely overwhelmed in the aftermath of all this. You really don’t give yourself enough credit.”, Gianna murmured lightly, her tone light and smooth, like the lilting notes that poured from a flute. After a moment, she realized that he wished to do more, and a faint chuckle escaped her that seemed to soften the range of emotion in their immediate vicinity.

“Tomorrow, flyboy. We can return bright and early, if you wish, after you’ve had a proper rest and a good meal. The refugee camp won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”

By this point, Cassius would know her rules. Her methods of training were different than some. She did not throw him to the wolves. She did not burden him with the thought of failure displeasing her in any way. The lessons she designed were specific, and even if it didn’t go exactly as planned, there was always something gained. One of her first priorities revolved around making sure he understood his limits. The best way was to increase her requirements a little bit at a time. The experience today had taught him how to heal both the body and soul.

Tomorrow, it could be two people, or three, with more severe wounds. They would focus on endurance and his ability to acclimate to different types of people. At some point, she would begin to withdraw. Little by little, she would pull her presence away, until he was handling the problem entirely on his own without even realizing it.

The dark-haired Padawan mentioned that there was more to war than fighting and her smile seemed to dim. It wasn’t completely gone, simply, less bright than it had been. “War is…It’s not what people think. We can be so quick to play up the dark side of other nations that we tend to understate our own vices. Naboo has known relative peace for so long—I feel as if most citizens are entirely at a loss. They don’t know what to make of the Core, except, to fear and hate those responsible.”

“It’s natural to feel that way. Yet, we must never forget, that hatred is often born of a need to protect that which we love. The line between the two is so very, very thin...”, Gianna stopped when she realized she was starting to monologue as they left the medical stations and passed the Padawan an apologetic smile. She hadn’t meant to start rambling on and on about their duties and the nature of bloodshed. “Forgive me. I only mean to say that we will need to be vigilant in the coming weeks...”

She kept some things to herself. Such as the inevitability of retaliation. She didn’t know who, not yet, but Gianna wasn’t naïve enough to think this was the end. The redhead, despite her cheerful disposition, was incredibly mindful. In the meantime, they would continue to do what they could. Heal, help, and provide aid.

A transport dropping low caused the pair to stop and shield their eyes as it kicked up debris. Gianna let her Padawan pull her through, banishing her own murky thoughts so that by the time they made it to his blue gravsled she was all sunshine and light. The slightly freckled woman was actually a little bit excited about the property she’d been alerted to and her muted enthusiasm made itself known from the way she bounced into the passenger seat. “Drive South.”, Gianna informed Cassius with a little grin as she reached up to unhook the ties that held the sleeves of her robes back.

“It’s a pretty long trip from Theed but there’s just something about it...”

Long winding roads and dirt paths would eventually lead Cassius and Gianna to a slightly elevated location. There was a long driveway that had become mostly overgrown, however, once they reached the main buildings it would become apparent that the homestead had once been very well loved. It was older now, in need of some repairs, but the crimson-haired woman could still see its charm. In the distance, her Padawan would see some sort of orchard but it would be impossible to tell what they were from their vantage point. “Lemon groves.”, Gia supplied as the gravsled wound up the path, before she pointed the other way. “—And there are shuura that way.”

There was definitely more open air and property than there was living space but the residence was still fairly large. The hilly lands gave way to the plentiful lakes of Naboo in the valley below and the skyline along the treetops was breathtaking. It was a hidden place, off the beaten path, but not so far from civilization that it was completely isolated. Sandstone and permacrete made up much of the exterior of the dwelling and it was shaped like a wraparound square. A flowering tree with dark magenta blossoms decorated a quaint cobblestone courtyard.

The roof had a few holes that had obviously been tarped to prevent further damage and there were many surfaces that needed to be painted. Overall, it was an old-world picturesque place. It felt as if it had been forgotten about. There was something about it that Gia couldn’t get enough of. Whether it was the open air, or just the nature of a project, she wasn’t sure. Either way—she was leaning more and more on the side of making the purchase.

Jade eyes flickered toward Cassius. She had butterflies rolling in her stomach, mostly, because of the implication of actually owning property. Not only did it conflict with her own values, but, her current way of life. More often than not she lived out of her ship or inexpensive flophouses. Setting down roots that would require upkeep felt like a mammoth decision.

“It’s a lot. I know—And I know it would take a lot of work—“, she spoke once the gravsled stopped moving. Her fingers twisted in her lap a little bit. For some that seemed so sure of herself it would be different to see her nose crinkled cutely in confusion. “But I just can’t shake the feeling that this is where I should be. Generally, I trust my instincts. This is just...New.”

Sighing, briefly, she sat up and opened the door to get out. Her eyes were gleaming again, shining with happiness, and her worries blew away on the breeze. She could worry about the nitty gritty later. For now, they were just looking around. The seller had left her the code for entry so they could spend as long as they wanted.

“Come look with me. I’d really like your opinion.”

​

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Location: Theed Palace Hangar
Objective: BYOO - Repair N-9A Fighter
[member="Kurt Meyer"] | [member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Aryn Teth"]

"I guess." She said with a shrug. Though more often than not Jamie's reasoning for certain things eluded her. Mariya had nothing negative to say about Kurt, however she couldn't quite understand why her elder sister felt as though the two needed to spend time together. "I can see why you lead with the pilot and not the moisture farming bit. For the life of me I will never understand why people choose to live on a barren wasteland." The girl grimaced for a moment at the realization that her words came off a bit sharper than she had meant. "No offense intended."

Her attention turned however to the sound of the many footsteps echoing in the hangar as a contingent of RSF escorted what was clearly a group of off worlders towards both she and Kurt. The brunette dropped the servodriver from her hand into the small box beside her, and R7 rolled along towards the opposite side of the ship as the guests approached. Mariya cast a mildly annoyed look over to Kurt as they neared, which shortly thereafter was stifled in favor of a more presentable expression, if not incredibly fake for the sole sake of niceties. Curious, however, would be the word to describe her reaction at seeing the former alliance supreme commander tagging along at the heel of a Confederate. Upon their arrival the guards and officers exchanged brief salutes with Sgt. Pyne, thereafter stepping back and allowing the snow haired woman to converse with the pilot and princess.

The voice of this woman carried, echoing in the large, mostly empty hangar, sounding to her as programmed and digital as R7. That is until Srina brought it to her attention that Jamie had designated Mariya as the delegate of Naboo for the Confederacy. The brunette's jaw tightened, so much so that she could hear her teeth grinding. Internally she cursed Jamie for damning her to this position. The girl hated politics, even more so the politics that involved people and governments that knew nothing of Naboo. And while Mariya would never consider defying the wishes of the Queen, she was certainly irritated with her sister's decision. Surely she could have chosen any of the ministers instead.

"Very well. Consider this my acceptance then."

 

[Kurt Meyer]

Theed - Palace Hangar
[member="Mariya Pyne"] | [member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Aryn Teth"]

He smiled slightly. "Most don't choose to live there at all."

Tatooine wasn't anyone's idea of a perfect home. Even his parents would agree on that. Sure some had generations of life there, Arceneau being one of them, but most of the time when someone could move away they did. The planet was harsh to live on, though some things had made it easier. It was just a fact that more often than not people got stuck there. Really the only reason for going to Tatooine was to fit in with other people of...well rather ill repute.

Or if you were trying to hide.

"My parents for instance only went there to hi-" Kurt cut himself off as he noticed a rather well dressed woman and a man approach them. The Courier frowned for a brief second and then slowly took a subtle step back behind Mariya. Somehow he tried to make himself smaller than the girl, a task he knew was somewhat impossible. When the woman spoke he cringed slightly, picturing Jamie's younger sister in any role as a politician.

Quietly he thanked whatever deity was watching over him for not making him important.

He would much rather sit on the sidelines than deal with any of this nonsense. Still, he gave the people from the Confederacy a nice smile. Least he could do.

 

[Cassius Droma]

As Gianna expounded upon the nature of war and its nuanced complexities, Cassius nodded pensively. Sometimes, it was hard to remember that Gianna had seen just as much death and destruction as he had, due to her unending cheerful demeanor. It gave him a new perspective when it came to her, and frankly, garnered more respect from him. She wasn’t just the hippie Jedi, where everything is always sunshine and roses, and that conflict can always be avoided. They needed to be careful, is what she said. That was what would save them.

When she apologized, Cassius merely smiled at her as they walked along. “I know, it’s okay,” he said. After a short pause, he continued, “Out on the Outer Rim… it was easy to hate the pirates and slavers that came for our transport ships. They took more than just cargo from us.” He squinted and looked off to the side, the recently drudged up memory still having a little bit of sting. “There was a couple of times where we wanted to just go hunt them all down, find their bases and stop them from ever coming back for us. We had to remind ourselves, though, that we had to protect our own. We had to make sure we wouldn’t become pirates ourselves.”

Eventually, they got to the gravsled, and the mood had already lightened by the time they got cozy in their seats. Cassius nodded as he took the direction from Gianna and turned the gravsled right down a flattened path. His arm rested on the door, and the wind whipped through his hair. Naboo was such a gorgeous planet – if Gianna did in fact make this her home, he’d have to make a point of insisting his training took place here more often.

==To the House==

His hand rested easy on the steering yoke as the gravsled wound up the pathway, the engine giving its signature whine. His mentor pointed out the trees that were growing and the fruit they would bare. He nodded silently, still taking in everything. Gianna had certainly picked a rather tucked away property. Cassius couldn’t even see it from the main road, and the surrounding trees kept it well hidden. He guessed that’s how people around this area liked it – private. Cassius very much liked that sentiment. His domicile was a starship, after all. If he wanted privacy, he would just go into the middle of space and park there.

“Wow,” he finally uttered as the house came into view. Despite its bangs and bruises, he could see that the architecture was beautiful. Permacrete walls, terracotta roofs… it was very ‘Naboo’, that was for sure. He couldn’t see the courtyard from their vantage point just yet, but the flowers surrounding it gave it that pop of color that it really needed. If there was such a place as paradise, Gianna had found it.

When she uncharacteristically showed her uncertainty with the purchase, Cassius gave her a light touch on the arm. “Last I checked, feelings like that can usually be attributed to the Force,” he said, giving her a warm smile. “With everything going on in the galaxy right now, it’s not unusual to want to find a place to settle in. An anchor – something to come back to.”

Stepping out of the gravsled, the gravel crunched underneath Cassius’s boot. He breathed in the air, felt the current of the Force… it was strangely calm, here. Whereas in other areas of the galaxy the Force was like a waterfall or a torrential downpour, here it was like a lake or slow-moving river. One could almost forget all of the pain and suffering in the galaxy at large if they took up residence.

Cassius approached the house, giving his redheaded friend a sideways glance. “Let’s take a look around, then,” he said, stepping around to the side of the house towards the courtyard. “Wow,” he murmured once again, and probably not for the last time that day, either. “I like the pool,” Cassius pointed to the pool area that overlooked the cliff side. There was a covered terrace over there, as well as a few couches and lounging chairs. A few more steps, and the courtyard came into view. “Perfect place to have breakfast,” he mused.

He looked back to Gianna. “If this is what the outside looks like, I can’t even begin to imagine the inside.”

[member="Gianna Aegis"]

 

[Gianna Aegis]

Location: Naboo | Very Remote Outskirts of Theed
Objective: BYOO
Tag: [member="Cassius Droma"]

More often than not Gianna found herself to be incredibly lucky. She had been through some pretty crazy adventures, but, the one on Ansion that had given her Cassius was probably one of the worst. It had been an awful mystery that had spiraled into a diplomatic nightmare. But, they’d made it through, and the Knight felt stronger for it. She’d also gained the most wonderful thing. A Padawan. A friend. He always seemed to understand her oddities and never begrudged her when she put her foot down.

It wasn’t as if it happened that often, but still, he was respectful and kind. Intelligent. He listened. What more could she ask for?

The soft murmured sound of approval that escaped him caused some of the tension in her shoulders to loosen. Gianna hadn’t even realized that she’d been so uptight about it. Mostly, because it felt she’d been unburdened of a secret she’d unknowingly been keeping. It killed her honest nature to hold things in that had no harm to anyone. The light touch to her arm, and the wise words that followed, caused her to reward the Padawan with a particularly bright smile. “You’re right. I’m just not used the notion of wanting to stay. I love Naboo and Theed is wonderful…”

“But I’ve always traveled. From planet to planet… I’ve never felt the need for an anchor.”

It was the extremely dramatic shift from her day to day routine that caused her to pause and take stock of her decisions. Gianna just wanted to be certain that her sudden desire to put down roots had everything to do with making the correct choices versus a knee-jerk reaction to the destruction of the Core. Yes, she wanted to prove that she wasn’t afraid, that she would not be moved, or chased away—but was this really the way to do it? Either way, she looked at it the slightly freckled Knight felt the need to be here. To be home. For some reason, the peaceful world was calling.

Maybe it was the refugees. Maybe, it was the imminent threat that had drawn her home.

Gianna followed Cassius and moved toward the courtyard. The magenta colored trees that lined the area made her smile. It was impossible not to. It was so beautiful and the air smelled so sweet. It was a clean and clear scent that she had forgotten while living out of her E9 and bouncing from world to world. Coruscant had been the center of everything. But, it was a mess. Polluted. Crowded. Corrupt. It was everything Naboo was not. “I’ve missed it here…”, she trailed off honestly, her expression slipping into something almost bittersweet.

The dark-haired man commented on the pool and she laughed gently as she approached the double front doors. The wood was solid but dry, and the paint was cracked with age. It was begging to be stripped and varnished properly. “It would be nicer if the water wasn’t greener than the swamp on Dagobah. It’ll need filtered and cleaned properly before it’s safe to swim in.”

It made her feel somewhat better that her Padawan seemed to approve of this hidden little oasis. She led him through the opening as her holo-comm accessed the security system. It was old, a little glitch, but still functional. All the droids that came with the property had been powered down for so long and kept in storage that she wasn’t certain they would even know what decade they were in without an update from the Holo-Net. There was one service droid that bustled about, dusting, and carrying out light duties. The dusty and tinny machine really only existed to keep out looters and to provide a safety net for the seller.

“Mistress Aegis.”, the droid greeted haltingly, joints squeaking, as the doors flowed open of their own accord. It was almost as if the previous owner had preferred a mix of old and new technology. There was just enough for convenience, but, there definitely wasn’t an auto-chef in the kitchen. At the very least there was a strong signal to the Holo-Net. Gianna smiled at the winking yellow photo-receptors. The droid was old. So old, infact, that his little round feet were some of the only marks on the dusty floor. Some other had traffic had passed through…But it was clear that he was mostly it. “You have returned. It is pleasant to see you again. Would you like another tour?”

“No, Todo. I’d like to look around with my friend if that’s all right?”

“Certainly. Please be sure to sign in.”, the small droid advised and a holo-panel appeared for Gianna to provide her electronic signature. He was one of the few Vertseth techno-service droids that she had seen in the past few years. Everyone was always after the newest model. Gia liked this one. He hadn’t had a memory wipe in quite some time so he had a few little quirks. More than a few inappropriate jokes that had made her laugh so hard her sides hurt. “Thank you, thank you. Please don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

Gia smiled again and the creaky little service droid buzzed off to work on something. The old estate was always in need of, tender care, as he so eloquently put it. The doors from the courtyard led directly into a wide entryway with open areas and lots of windows. White and worn cotton curtains blew in the gentle breeze and the tile floors gleamed light topaz beneath the dirt. There was still furniture that could be salvaged. “The seller said that everything you see comes with the parcel. They’ll haul away anything I don’t want to keep.”

From the spacious reception area, it branched off in two directions. To the right lay another lounge, then a dining room, and finally a kitchen with a built-in white-limestone sitting area. Much of the interior was actually made of stone. It made Gia feel as if it were solid, versus a tinderbox, although there was still plenty of original wood. “There’s two kitchens. One for preparing large meals that branches off from the dining area and this little summer kitchen for easy snacks when it's too hot to fire everything else up. The doors over there, with the windows, lead back outside.”

“But if we go this way there’s a small library. Well, the information says a drawing room, but, I would turn it into a library.”, she intoned carefully, spinning slowly around the friendly summer kitchen, enjoying the way the light hit at almost every angle. Everything seemed to be made of more polished limestone. “There are a handful of bedrooms upstairs and on the first floor. A handful of living rooms…There’s a lot of space.”

“It seems a little much for one person.”

​

 

[Srina Talon]

​

Location: Naboo - Theed - Royal Palace [Hangar]​

Standing Beside: [member="Aryn Teth"] | [member="Jamie Pyne"] | [member="Mariya Pyne"] | [member="Kurt Meyer"]​

Wearing: X​

Objective: 1 - Negotiation ​

Post: 6​

​

---

The wintry woman wondered idly if the RSF would actually leave them with a little privacy or if they only ever intended to provide the illusion of it. The Sith Apprentice wished to converse with the young royal in question, without inquisitive eyes and ears but in the end, decided that it didn’t entirely matter. Srina had nothing left to say of a sensitive nature. Everything that could have been considered delicate had already been stated to the Queen of Naboo herself—before many, many more than the few RSF that had accompanied them to the hangar. The pale Exarch took in her features and found herself trying to make comparisons to her countenance versus the Queen. Echani sisters were nigh identical.

These women were not. Not in face, presence, or mannerisms.

Echani eyes, keen and bright, did not miss the displeased reaction to the news. A light frown touched pale-pink lips. The tightness of her jaw, the extended silence, the small involuntary responses that most humans couldn’t help… “I am glad to hear that you accept the appointment—”, Srina trailed off softly, pausing to exhale slowly, before continuing on. “—and I would be pleased to relay that to her Majesty before we depart if it is your will that I do so. Our officials are not forced into roles they do not choose.”

The shackles of duty, of family obligation, was something that Srina was more than familiar with. She had left Eshan and everything that she held dear so long ago for the same reasons. Not a day went by that she didn’t regret it, despite, the necessity. Following orders was what good Echani soldiers were made for. It was not their place to question or complain. Merely to execute. Flawlessly. “We would not require you to relocate, or anything of that nature, and most of our business can be conducted through the Holo-Net. If at all possible we try not to be a disruption.”

Her almost bird-like gaze moved from Lady Pyne, because Srina was not certain how to address her, to the man that seemed to be trying to make himself as small as possible behind her. Srina noted the differences in him. Not related, certainly. He seemed familiar, but, she had rolled through so many faces of the monarchy and governmental bodies in Naboo over the past few days they had all begun to blur together. “Forgive me. Under normal circumstances, I tend not to forget a face but the day has been very, very long. Who might you be?”

That was even IF he was one of the notable figures she had been advised to study. He didn’t wear the finery of the Ministers, however, Naboo was a strange place. Neither did Mariya Pyne.

“How would you both prefer to be addressed in the future if we will be working together? You may simply refer to me as Srina if that pleases.”, she offered lightly, preferring more than anything, not to be called the Exarch. The glacier woman was a warrior first, always, but politics always had a way of finding her. The Vicelord trusted her to make arrangements with the Queen that would be suitable for both parties because of her eyes and instinct. There was little she did not see. “I am uncertain what would be considered impolite.”

Wouldn’t it be confusing if she called both the Queen and her sister Majesty? Highness? It was respectful, certainly, but exasperating. The just over five-feet tall woman had barely slept since they’d traveled from Coruscant, to Monastery, to Geonosis—and finally to Naboo. Her ability to maintain the perfect decorum she was known for was slipping on the edge of a metaphorical blade. If Mariya chose to accept, truly, then Srina had quite a few details to pass along. There was no manual to becoming part of the Viceroyalty. There was no membership, no card, and no interview from the CIS. If it was the will of the leadership of the member world they did not question it, unless, there was something wrong. Srina did not know these sisters well enough to figure out the details on her own and did not want to be mistaken. That was why she requested clarification.

If Mariya did not want it—she would not be imposed upon against her will. Srina would return to the Queen and deferentially request another name. It was that simple.

 

[Queen Bots™]

N A B O O​

​

---

The venture to Naboo has paved the way for fruitful relations in the future between the CIS and their newest member world. The timing and reasoning for the acquisition of the peaceful planet is unfortunate, however, both sides will benefit from sharing in humanitarian efforts. The Confederacy is actively expanding and Naboo is not the only world that will be hesitant to accept aid or nation that is directed by a man who is openly known to be a Sith Lord. Some say that [member="Darth Metus"] would do well to hide his status, to hide whom he is, but he has thus far declined.

There is no need for it. The Confederacy has enough enigmas. This is not one of them. In the wake of the deception that the Core suffered, it is not a secret worth keeping, not when most of the galaxy is already aware. CIS movement in Naboo will increase until the refugees are settled. Citizenship visas take time to create and the displaced are still being documented. Once healthy, to keep Naboo from suffering under the weight of so many, they will be relocated by the Confederate Storm Fleet.

There are a number of worlds within CIS space that would happily accept new citizens. Those that wish to strike out on their own will be provided with the means to do so through the funds secured from the remains of the Alliance. As [member="Jamie Pyne"] offered during negotiations a small Confederate out-post has been established some distance from Theed. Another embassy will be decided upon at a later date.

For such a dark, bleak time, this movement is considered by most a tentative success. There will always be those that fear a Sith Lord in their space, however, those are perceptions that will never be changed overnight. Naboo has nothing to fear from their neighbors. Time will prove it.

| . | Mission Log Amendment | . |

Negotiation with the Queen successful. Proceed with supply runs and relocation efforts for the citizens of the Core. Increase Storm Fleet patrols while cargo ships are on the move. Intelligence has it that the Sith Empire has temporarily found another target in Commenor. Outcome is pending. Confederate space may remain temporarily nonviolent, however, the CSA is not far. Borders must be patrolled on at irregular intervals. Checkpoints must be maintained.

The Confederacy remains on high alert. No adjustments to protocol at this time. All suspicious activity must be forwarded immediately to the Minister of War—[member="Adron Malvern"].

Core Status: True number of casualties still unknown. Percentage, cannot be estimated. Looting has become rampant. Details Pending...

CSA Status: Pending…

TSE Status: Pending…

---

[OOC: As always, feel free, to continue your personal stories. You may continue to write freely in this thread to your heart's content. This is only a marker so that we may submit the Dominion for the Month of July. Please feel no pressure. If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact CIS Staff. As always, enjoy!!]​

 

[Kurt Meyer]

Theed - Palace Hangar
[member="Mariya Pyne"] | [member="Srina Talon"] | [member="Aryn Teth"]

Kurt let a small curse float through his mind.

Usually fancy people tended to ignore folk like him. True enough he was no longer dressed like spacer trash, clean shaved and well kept, but he still wasn't anything fancy. Most of the time dignitaries and people of note only looked at you if you were dressed as well as them. He briefly glanced at Mariya though and realized that next to her he probably looked like a noble. A brief flash of emotion crossed his face, and then he cleared his throat as he turned to Srina.

"I am her Majesties..." For a second he trailed off, then lit up. "Pilot."

It wasn't exactly a lie. He had ferried Jamie around plenty of times, both on The Messa and on other ships. It wasn't an official position or anything, in fact he was sure someone else had the official position, but it was the best thing he could think to say at the moment.

The Courier wasn't ashamed of dating Jamie, and he was sure she wasn't of him, but it was a piece of information that he felt she should reveal. Besides, he didn't really feel like it was anyone's business anyway. Specifically strangers from the Confederacy. It was bad enough that apparently rumors swirled around the Palace itself about him. "You can call me Kurt."

No reason to obscure that.

 

[Djonas Vile]

Objective: Talk business
Location: Bittie Land

Bittie Land may have just been revamped by Djonas after he gained ownership, but business was certainly growing. His new renovations and talent have brought plenty of credits his way. Not even the recent fall of the Galactic Alliance has kept people from his humble venue. Everything was going right for Djonas, for once. He sat in his office that overlooked the club, looking through the multiple security feeds that gave him eyes on every nook and cranny in Bittie Land. On the other side of his desk sat one of his more favored employees, Destiny Li.

"D, we have to talk."

"I'm listening."

"With the Alliance finally out of the picture, we finally have a chance to expand our business further. The thing we talked about before. You remember. I can still make it happen for you."

"I remember. I'm just trying to take my time here, Destiny. We don't know if the palace has eyes on us, yet. I'm trying to get some contacts on the inside first. Once I have those, we can focus on expanding. Until then, let's get some more girls in here."

"As always, you're right, D."

A knock came to the door of Djonas' office. He pressed a button on his desk which switched the camera feed he was viewing to that of the camera above his office door. Standing there was one of Djonas' contacts in the galaxy, a Duros smuggler named Jarwi. Djonas pressed another button on the desk, opening his office door. "You got something for me, Jarwi. Must be something awfully important for you to be coming straight to my office."

"Djonas. The Confederacy is here on Naboo."

"Chit.."

 

[Cassius Droma]

Somehow, the inside was even more beautiful than the outside. Perhaps it was just Cassius’s preference for indoor spaces. One could attribute that to being cooped up in snowy bases or patrol frigates most of his life – was more acclimated to them. Still, the way everything flowed together, and just the look of it… Cassius could almost forget that it was a somewhat dilapidated building. There was so much natural light, that he wouldn’t have even noticed any electric lights even if they were on.

The little service droid, Todo, greeted them in the foyer, his old servos and tapping feet on the tile signifying his presence. Cassius gave guy a little wave, but found it difficult to not look at every nook and cranny of the house. He was in his archaeology-mode, where he absorbed as much information as his senses would allow. Gianna wanted his opinion, and he would certainly give it to her after careful consideration of every observation he had.

“Two kitchens?” Cassius asked, flabbergasted. “If my mother had two kitchens, she’d probably have a heart attack,” he mused to himself. Life was simple, out on Rinn. Some people’s apartments in the colony were bigger than others, sure, but this… this was like living on a star cruiser. Cassius didn’t even know which food would be stored in which kitchen.

He followed her into the summer kitchen, stepping slowly and carefully. Cassius could already feel the dust gritting underneath his boots, and he didn’t want to scratch up the tile. He traced his hand along the countertop, marveling at the construction. Not for the first time that day, he wondered just who in their right mind would want to sell this off.

When Gianna mentioned converting a drawing room into a library, his ears, as well as his eyebrow, perked up. “I can get behind that idea,” Cassius nodded. “I certainly love libraries…” Already, he could envision the amount of data disks he could pour through, all while sitting on a comfortable couch overlooking the beautiful Naboo countryside. Perhaps there could even be a place where he could put artifacts on display… if Gianna wanted them displayed in her house, of course.

The redheaded Jedi Knight gave something of a misgiving, that nervousness and uncertainty creeping back into her voice. For the first time since they’d arrived, Cassius looked at her, managing to tear his gaze away from the beautiful architecture and onto her beautiful face. “Maybe,” Cassius quirked his eyebrow, leaning against the countertop, “I’ll be around a lot, though, while you train me. One of the living rooms could even be converted into a training area, if you want. If you want to have guests, you’ll have more than enough space for them.”

“Even if you don’t, though…” Cassius turned back to the window and held out his arms. “Let yourself stretch out. Enjoy the view, read a holonovel, sit by the pool. This will be your space, your haven. You’ll need it, from time to time.”

He looked back to Gianna. “One thing I have to know, though… does this place come with a private hangar?” People who lived in houses like this always had luxurious transports, right? They certainly wouldn’t want them out in the open, that was for sure.

[member="Gianna Aegis"]