The First of Their Name [Lady Kay]

[Valessia Brentioch]

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The hands of power continued to work and dispatched to Commenor the Secretary of State, the Foreign Minister. Valessia Creed, now aboard the Consul-class, diplomatic ship the FIV Advocate. Inside its hull, and within the corridors and deep in her own personal quarters. The Baroness watched the live holovids on one screen as she waited for [member="Natasi Fortan"]'s reply on the other. She turned, motioning for the holovid to go down in tone - news had broke regarding Yutan and the CSA. "And, Minister, do extend to the Queen a state visit to Dosuun, that's all."

Her screen went blank, left only with the image of their government's emblem. The brunette turned her attention back to the newsfeeds and then her attention was drawn to the surface of her desk. Wherein sat the datapads, and a personal handwritten note regarding the day's visit. She had written it awhile ago, when she had been awaiting the order to head to Commenor. It seemed like ages but really had only been weeks, the Minister briefly checked in with her Nanny on Dosuun. Young Gunther had just woke from his nap, and Valessia adored her son's little smile and the way his eyes seemed to dance in the light. He gave her a reason to live, as did her husband who seemed to be more and more involved with the military with every week that passed. Her attention was back to her notes soon enough.

"Minister, we're to revert back to realspace within the hour."

A diplomatic aide had been assigned but it had not been her usual aide, and Valessia suspected that was because the Counsellor had been needed elsewhere. Leaving the Foreign Minister to her own devices, in an almost Jeffersonian manner. The soft ocean blues of hyperspace brought her some manner comfort to know that she had somehow if only by Natasi's graciousness been restored to some semblance of power. She knew now that she would have to play the hand dealt to her, and as her eyes drifted back to the scribbled notes in Brentaalan. She pressed down on her communications button, "Amina, please send word to the Queen of our arrival."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay stepped into the foyer of the Royal Palace. She was tired, having spent most of her time at the Senate Hall, going through oodles of paperwork and talk due to the most recent of crises; Yutan ceasing their prolonged procedures for joining the CSA. Instead of speaking with her with regards to their grievences, they chose to back out entirely and ban all traffic, military or otherwise from entering their corner of space. Kay had wanted to reason with them, but given the recent broadcast by former Senator [member="Viktor Alexander"] and the Prime Minister of Yutan, the possibilities of that happening looked very slim. They say that bad things came in threes. With the attack on the Senate Hall a couple of weeks ago and now this, Kay wondered what the third would be.

She approached the door to her office, only to be stopped by her assistant Olivia. "My Lady, I know that you've just come in, but I've just received word that a Baroness Valessia Creed from the First Order is well on her way here and should be arriving shortly. You'd best go out there and meet with her."

Kay sighed a little, moreso out of tiredness than anything else. "Hopefully this isn't the third."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing Olivia, just thinking out loud. I'll be out there soon, I just want some tea first."

"I'll draw you some tea and bring it to you. Now go. You don't want to be late." Olivia took her by the shoulders and turned her around, nearly shooing her down the hallway. Kay loved the older woman, as if she was some over protective and bossy aunt, but sometimes, she just wanted to assert her authority and say no.

But today wasn't one of those days.

She walked down the hallway to head back out of the Palace to the landing pad that the First Order was given the directions to. Kay wasn't sure what this was about. Was it due to her visit from [member="Carlyle Rausgeber"] ? There was only one way to find out.

Once she reached outside, the First Order's ship came into view high above. Kay put on a smile and forced away her stress and exhaustion. There was time for such things later. Right now she needed to be a proper host.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

The FIV Advocate reverted back to realspace somewhere on the edge of the Commenor system.

"We're being directed to a landing pad," came a response from the naval officers, Valessia acknowledged it through her communication systems. The newly minted Foreign Minister looked herself over in the mirror. When she was satisfied the Brentaalan walked from her quarters down into the corridors, with a small contingent of guards around her as she entered the lift. The lift closed and moved slowly, where the Baroness checked that her ring. The ring would act as a force concealer making her appear as normal as anyone else. Her guards kept their composure as the lift doors opened and they moved through the small flight control center.

The Counsul-class glided through orbit and into the atmosphere of Commenor, making its way to landing pad three.

When it was clear, the ramp descended and from there the Baroness with her guards walked down and headed out to meet with her Majesty, Queen Kay of Commenor. Valessia reminded herself of why she was here and what the ultimate goal was. When she could see the Queen, the Baroness paused and waited as she met with the woman halfway. A bow of respect, "your Majesty. Baroness Valessia Creed, Foreign Minister of the First Order. I am so very pleased that you were able to meet with us."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay watched as [member="Valessia Creed"] and her guards approached. She bowed her head as she was greeted, giving her two titles to work with. So which to call her? Probably by the same that others use for her, the one of her occupation. It wasn't as though the lady was there for an informal visit. This was all about business, so she had to treat it as such. "Minister Creed, welcome to Commenor. Our doors are always open for our allies. Shall we go inside?" She half turned on her heel and gestured towards the palace.

Of course Kay didn't start walking. She waited for the Minister to be alongside her first so that they could chat a little on their way inside. "To what do we owe the honour of this visit? It's a rare thing for the First Order to be in this sector of the Galaxy. I trust that all is well?" She wondered what the First Order was wanting this time. More funds to help them recover from the latest battles like usual? Or some kind of adjustment to the trade route or of the trade deal that they shared? Only time would tell.

Her own guards remained at their posts along every doorway both outside and inside the palace. Given that the First Order had never threatened Commenor, there was no reason for them to be overly cautious.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Indeed we shall." The Minister fell into step alongside the Queen the two made their way into the Palace with the Queen asking the nature of the Minister's visit.

Valessia could scarcely blame her for being cautious, she would have been too. "First allow me to extend a personal invitation on behalf of the Grand Moff. She has invited you to Dosuun for an official state visit, and second." A small pause as the Minister took a moment as she collected her thoughts. "Second, the First Order wishes to offer you assistance." Normally for events such as a military ball, an invitation by holo would have been sent. This time, however, the matter required personal attention as it were the First Order did not wish to give Commenor its enemies and has thusly stayed quiet on the sidelines as Commenor continued to grow. While as a government and a people the totalitarian regime/Imperial despot has gained and gained from the generosity of the Queen. This time they wished to make good on their end as it were, and as the two entered the palace the Baroness added.

"The details of this assistance can be outlined further, in private."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded as [member="Valessia Creed"] invited her to Dosuun. She had been there a handful of times, mostly for the military galas and fundraisers. The other times she had gone to visit her Embassy. What she had learned during those visits was that there were many that craved power, high status and things that made her uncomfortable. Outsiders weren't highly favoured either, but she always tried to make the best of it. "Thank you for the invite. I'll see if my husband can join me. It will be a good enough excuse for us to spend some time together." [member="Veiere Arenais"] and Kay spent more time apart than together, each having chosen different paths to walk. But it was nothing new to them. Having seperate lives was something that they were used to, but they both had eachother's back and a means of always being in communication with eachother.

She raised a brow as the Minister spoke of the First Order offering assistance and for the details to be discussed in private. What was that about? Had it anything to do with the new governments popping up around them? Or of the troubles that she was having with Yutan? Or was there some other threat on the rise that First Order Intelligence had discovered? Another alternative could be about the economy. Was there going to be a crash in the market? So many questions. "Assistance? Well I look forward into hearing what that's about."

They were inside the Palace now, having strode past the grand foyer. She led the Minister to one of the meeting rooms. It was far closer than her office and she was quite intrigued. "Right this way, Minister." Inside the room was a long table with a dozen high backed chairs. The windows were tall, giving in plenty of natural light.

Kay's assistant Olivia was in the hallway when she saw the group of them walk into the meeting room. Right away she set about preparing a light snack, tea and Commenori brandy for their guests.

"Please have a seat." Kay pulled out a chair for herself and sat down. None of her guards were inside the meeting room. They only stood watch just outside the doors.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

Valessia smiled and nodded with acknowledgment as to [member="Lady Kay"]'s response to the invitation. As they were led into a small meeting room, the Minister followed her Majesty as their security teams kept a close watch on either one. Quietly, the Brentaalan Noble took her seat at the table and gave the Queen an answer. "Economic assistance as it were, we're looking to open up trade with Commenor and wondered if you might be interested in such endeavors." Military, Intelligence and any other assistance that the First Order might provide were neither here nor there. When word came down for her to negotiate such terms she would do so, but until then this was the only matter she had any authority to speak on.

When refreshments had arrived, Valessia politely declined the brandy but did take them up on tea. Drinking while on the job was a terrible idea, to begin with, and the second, it would greatly interfere with her ability to nurse her son. The minister motioned for her guards to step outside as she felt rather secure in the room with the Queen. The First Order did not often, if ever, openly negotiate trade with nations beyond its borders let alone well on the other side of Galactic Alliance space. But, new times called for new measures and this was one of them. It was clear to see that Commenor was a growing nation and the First Order wanted to help facilitate this growth. But, they did not want their trade partners to earn the ire of their enemies and with the Galactic Alliance smack in between both nations. One could see the need for discretion and why this was not done over a holo conference. Rather it would be negotiated in person and done through a more physical means of the pen, paper, and ink.

 

[Kay-Larr]

She folded her hands on top of the table, raising a brow slightly as [member="Valessia Creed"] informed her of wanting to open up trade with Commenor. Was their old deal forgotten? Did it expire and she was unaware of it? Much had happened since the two governments made a trade deal some few years ago when she was elected President. More so in First Order space. They had been through numerous wars and at each fundraiser, Commenor gave their donations. But who knows how many others had done so? This just solidified it further that her governments were really small. Sometimes though, being unnoticed was a good thing. It kept them safe.

When Olivia returned, Kay poured herself some tea, allowing the Minister to pick whatever she fancied. She wasn't aware of any part of her personal life. But anyone that knew Kay knew that she loved her tea. She picked up the cup in both of her hands, resting her elbows on the table as she brought the cup up for a sip. "The trade routes that we established between our two governments a few years ago are still open and protected. And we haven't done anything to change the tariffs and tax percentages. Our offers to our other allies have been at those same levels. Are you looking to renegotiate the terms?"

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Unfortunately, the First Order has no official record of any such negotiations," Valessia stated plainly, "any agreements for trade have not been recognized by our offices, thus why I am here in person to speak with you about an official trade agreement between our two governments." Any trade agreements that had been done, were not sanctioned by anyone with the authority to bind the First Order Government. Assumptions that they were, were simply assumptions with no actual backing. When it came down to trade routes, however, "now about the trade routes, the First Order will confer with you at a later date to decide and agree on a route, and the amount of protection both sides are to offer up to keep our convoys moving along."

Valessia took a moment to sip the tea, she let it sit on her tongue a moment and decided it was good. It matched what she was used to it and thus she took a second sip and smiled. "Now then onto the negotiations, allow me to get out our paperwork." She grabbed a few documents from her briefcase and began to sort them out. "Of course our deal won't be final until the Grand Moff has had a look over all the documents herself, but we can issue out temporary permits of trade so that we can at least begin trade, and then once she has approved it if she approves it of course. We can then give out the permanent permits, which will need to be reviewed annually." Never let it be said that there was never enough paperwork. The Brentaalan Noble then set out a pair of pens so that the two women could sign and initial all the forms in present. "By the way the tea is excellent, you'll enjoy our stocks when you visit I'm sure of it." Avalonians and tea went together about as well as Imperials and the Navy, which means to say, always and naturally.

[member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay furrowed her brows. She could have sworn that she had gone through the discussion of a trade route with the Grand Moff some time ago, after the construction of eachother's Embassies. Her eyes dropped down to the table as she ran her meetings both on Commenor and on Avalonia over and over again in her mind. Did they happen or didn't they? With her memories having recently returned, they also contained the memories of dreams. At times she was finding it difficult to recognize which memories were real and which were imagined. As her husband would tell her, the result of such trauma caused by her abduction, she became two people in one body, and that would take time to repair. She just had to be patient and not put too much pressure on herself. It was a bit too late for that though.

When she spoke her voice sounded a bit disconnected as she still searched for the truth in her memoroes. "Forgive me Minister, but I could have sworn that this was handled properly before. I get regular shipments of my tea from Bakura, which is in First Order space..." A quick shake of the head was made as her eyes were drawn up again to meet with those of [member="Valessia Creed"] . The last thing that she needed was to seem, unstable and unhinged. "I must apologize for my mix-up. I am still dealing with trauma from my abduction and relapses like this can happen every so often. Thankfully they are getting less frequent and I would greatly appreciate it if you could keep that between us."

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"Don't fret m'dear, you're in good hands with me," Valessia said with a polite smile, "now as stated I'm here to propose a trade deal on behalf of the First Order." This deal would bind the government to the deal, anything that had occurred before hand may have been done at the behest of a planet's governor to promote its own economics before the newest reform. "Now again this is a purely economic deal, anything involving the sale of weapons, starships, or advanced military technology is prohibited. I have here a list of assets that are available to trade, which does include tea although not just from our Bakuran stocks, but from many of our planets. As well as a general trade of agriculture." As approved by Agriculture, not everything would be up for sale.

The Foreign Minister was delicate in handing the tablet with the information over. She knew not of the woman's past or what had happened before to cause such confusion, nor did she actually care. Valessia was here to do a job and it would be done. Persistence, persistence, and determination would see her through it not just talent for the galaxy was filled with unsuccessful talented people, not just education for there are many an educated fool in the galaxy, nor genius for even geniuses were fools. Persistence alone would see her through this, "and do not worry if these are decisions you cannot complete today, I have a few days extended to me to get this done."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay sipped her tea, giving [member="Valessia Creed"] a small smile as it seemed that her little relapses were going to be kept quiet. Hopefully that would remain the case, but gossip spreads like wildfire. She'd know for certain later on.

She took the tablet in hand and began looking through the list of items, nodding as she heard of the limitations. Kay wasn't about to suggest the trading of military weapons, ships or the like. They had plenty of others for that, many contracts with both local and foreign businesses. She smiled a little to herself at the mention of more tea. At least her little addiction will never suffer. "All of this looks good. We have many fabrics, brandy and chrysopaz gemstones to share, as well as a variety of foodstocks from various corners of the Galaxy. But what about schooling? Would the First Order be interested in scholarships to our University or a student exchange programme? The University of Eight here in Chasin City is one of the best." It was a school that they were all proud of and one that had been established before the creation of the first Empire.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

"I'll leave scholarships and the like to our minister of education and labor," Valessia replied with a smile, "and I'm sure our trade representatives will be out to discuss goods to be traded at a later date. I'm just here to go ahead and get this relation cemented on paper." The Baroness took a look over the paperwork and swiped along the datapad, "okay and if I can just get your fingerprints and signature here. Then I'll be on my way back to First Order space." She paused a moment and thought on future procedures, "and again you'll receive contact from our trade reps and given highlighted routes to use into First Order space. As we want to tread cautiously around the Galactic Alliance."

Once the signatures were completed, and fingerprints collected. "Thank you so much for your time, your majesty. I certainly appreciate it."

And when all business was concluded, the Baroness returned to her ship ready to set off back to First Order space.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded. There was no deoartment to department sharing it seemed. The First Order was massive in size, easily dwarfing Commenor in both population and territory. And yet there wasn't much known aboyt them other than the fact that they knew a lot about others. Both Veiere and herself knew that they were spied on, most especially in their Embassy in the First Order capital. So they made it a habit to not speak of private and sensitive matters in areas where they were known to conjugate.

She raised a brow as she was asked for fingerprints for the contract. Most just required her signature and nothing more. "Fingerprints? Whatever for?..." It wasn't as though there was a risk of her being someone else. Why would they have a need to collect it? Hmm. She furrowed her brows as she signed the contract, but when it came to her fingerprints, she left a couple of partials in there and slight smudging. But who knew if that was enough to satisfy either of them.

Kay handed the datapad back to [member="Valessia Creed"] . "Thank you for coming by. Safe journey home." She got to her feet as the woman left her office and strolled over to one of the windows in her office while she sipped her tea. Some might say that she was making a deal with the devil. But she wasn't sure that anything would be made of it. They were too far away from eachother. Perhaps that was a good thing.

A very good thing.