Faction The Renaissance Project (Rimward Trade League, Outer Rim planetary govts, companies)

[Mya Jesel]

EXHIBITION AND LECTURE HALL
SUSEFVI MERCHANT-MARINE ACADEMY
YUMFLA
SUARBI SYSTEM
QUENCE SECTOR
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The invitation had gone far and wide- to Orask Terrano in the Terminus system with the Crossroads Republic to Ellie Omera and the Arsenians to the north and even the Illyrian government under Adron Malvern , as well as every Outer Rim planetary government, company, and artist that the entire Susefvi analysis and investigative industries could find between the two.

The League claimed to represent and stand for the value and importance of the Outer Rim. And while they had made proclamations declaiming colonization and exploitation by galactic powers, this was the first time they were truly bending their collective efforts and resources to the task. And collective it was going to be. The Charter Council and the heads of the Rescue Service, Merchant-Marine, and representatives from the Interstellar Merchant Captain's Guild had concocted a massive project not seen in the Outer Rim in decades.

And more strikingly, this was to be a strictly civilian project. It would begin with a massive project to spearhead the initiative not as a military endeavor, but one of peace and elegance and beauty. The so-far named Dream of the Rim as a ten-kilometer long solar-sail cruise and exhibition ship. Such a massive ship needed to fill space to make it affordable, yet alone profitable, but this wasn't meant as a profit-driven project.

It was about saying something to the galaxy. That the Outer Rim was strongest when they worked as a collective that recognized the importance of individuality, uniqueness, and autonomy, and how much they could accomplish when they voluntarily joined together to accomplish a vision. It was to be symbolic of the vision of the entire League. And that was why they had invited as many different smaller entities in the Outer Rim or joined to the League through trade and charter as they could find.

They had tens of thousands of square meters of space to fill up and the League wasn't going to be the primary ones doing it.

Around her, lights flared on and she went to the microphone to begin her speech.

"Friends, compatriots, my fellow members of the Outer Rim, I welcome you to Susefvi and to the announcement of this project! Named the Renaissance Project by one of our most valued supporters, we are embarking on a bold new effort. In this effort, we seek to create a new fleet of starships, not for war or conquest, but for beauty, elegance, and education about the wonders of the Outer Rim and the accomplishments we can make when we work together."

She paused to let those words sink in before continuing.

"This project embraces the old technology of the sailing ship and modernizes it to the interstellar society through a wide variety of solar sailer ships, designed and contributed by any of you who wish to participate. Our only stipulation is no weapons- these are civilian ships that promise a better future for us all. And to begin with, we have The Dream of the Rim, a ten-kilometer long solar-sailer cruise ship, with a hull we have already designed, but we are inviting you to fill. We want this ship to be an exhibition of the finest of the Outer Rim to show to the entire galaxy that our uniqueness and our individuality are our strengths. We want to see the artwork you most want to share with the Coruscanti elite or the technology you want to show to the Kuati engineers, or the agricultural hybrid you want to demonstrate to the scientists of Alderaan and Chandrila. Perhaps it is the vistas of your world that are rarely seen by those not from your planet but you believe deserve so much more."

"We invite all of you to contribute in whatever way you wish to the development of this ship so it truly showcases the uniqueness and wonder that so many of us have found and cherished here on the edge of the galaxy. Bring us your best and we will pay you to include them on our vessel, as commerce and the fair pay of all our fellow inhabitants is the bedrock on which the League is based and we would be remiss to not hold to that principle even here. This ship will be our ambassador wherever it goes and we want to be sure it always shares our vision with those she meets."

A display flickered to life across the hall, a scale model of the hull design and its many areas open for development and the requisite technologies to make it one of the largest, safest, and most luxurious vessels in the entire galaxy. Packets of the crucial information had already been distributed, along with mics to connect them all to the room-network so others could hear.

Spoiler: OOC

So, this is some IC development for the 10km solar sailer I said we'd make, and this for people to IC aid in the design and grant permissions for any tech they want to see included. Throw all your ideas this way- innovative tech expos, giant walk-in planetary environmental simulators, safety features, shields, escape rafts. Let's make this a truly collaborative effort [/OOC}

 

[Orask Terrano]

Orask Terrano was here for his usual diplomatic projects, building an alliance with which the southern outer rim could use to further its own domestic interests and ward off the attentions of their potential adversaries who sought their resources, their labor, and their territory. In the process of doing so Orask had met some fairly unique individuals and groups, and he found himself surprised every time by how un-Outer Rim his own Crossroads Republic truly was. In fact, in his diplomacy and political projects he'd learned something, the Crossroads Republic was decidedly close to the cultures and mindset of the Core Worlds due to their massive population and their military mindset, alongside a zero-sum-game outlook on life diplomacy and politics.

The group which Orask was amongst was mostly kept at arms-reach thanks to the fact his bodyguards and some of his staff were always formed protectively around him. He'd seen the massive ship project, and was suitably impressed by the scale of it, although his people had their own super-ship in the making, a ten kilometer monster that they called the Invincible which was meant to be a replacement for the CRS Crucible as the Crossroads Republic Fleet's flagship. Although the ship itself existed entirely on the drawing board. But this new ship, the Dream of the Rim, was giving Orask an idea.

So, after listening, Orask decided that it was time that Orask pipe up to give Crossroads its contribution.

"Madame President," Orask began, "If you would accept, I would be proud to offer the industrial might of the Crossroads Prime Orbital Array shipyards to this endeavor and to protect the integrity and security project, its personnel, and its assets with the combined might of the Crossroads Republic's Armed Forces and our various intelligence agencies."

 

[Mya Jesel]

Orask Terrano

Mya let herself rest for a moment as the conversation in the room went to a buzz amongst the various delegates and representatives. Governments, arts councils, companies. They had all come to answer the call. Many were gesticulating to each other and assessing the technical specs that the ship had offered.

Terrano, whom she had met earlier, spoke up, offering shipyards and protection. “Thank you, Prime Minister for your offer!”

Mya beamed and nodded. “We will need a multitude of shipyards to construct them all and your offer is greatly appreciated! And while I wish protection was not necessary, this is sometimes a dark galaxy and there are many who seek only to destroy because they hate to see what others might build, and I fear a project such as ours is a natural target for those who only wish to wreck what others have built.”

She readjusted her data pad and accessed that side of the project and went to airdrop it to the prime minister. “This is what the League analysts and intelligence agencies have proposed for a plan, and they would be glad to hear from your people as well.”

 

[Orask Terrano]

"There's plenty of room with Starlight Shipyards Orbital Arrays, and due to our planetary shield networks we can provide a great deal of protection," Orask informed them, "We've got a substantial security apparatus as well, so any covert threats can also be countered. The External Security Department and Internal Security Department along with the Fleet, of course, can assist your people."

 

[Mya Jesel]

Orask Terrano

Mya jotted down several more notes and then nodded, "Excellent, thank you, Prime Minister. Your offers are happily accepted. There are enough pirate fleets and cartels out here, even with the Hutt Republic and Broka the Hutt cracking down on the traditional cartels, that keeping the project shielded and dissuading any bold pirate from running off with the hull will be of great value."

She paused for a moment, and wondered if the Hutts would accept the invitation. Certainly, there could be a lot of tension that way. But, this was going to an opulent vessel and one had to say, the Hutts knew luxury. If not, it was no problem. They had much to be concerned with on their own front and their behalf. They were much closer to the Bryn'adul border than the rest of the League.

That brought out another note. How could the League assist the worlds on the frontlines of the Bryn'adul onslaught and potentially further First Order colonialist expansion. Those would be questions for a different day, however.

 

[Broka the Hutt]

Mya Jesel Orask Terrano

Broka typically never traveled to this region of space. It was always crossing between the Unknown Regions and Hutt Space. He had no clue if the others were coming on their own, so he mostly had it in mind to act as the Lorda of Nem'ro more than the Supreme Mogul of the Hutt Republic. He arrived relatively ostentatiously, and made it in time for the speech by the president. Somewhat worrying, hopefully she had somewhat flexible morals. The "paragons of virtue" that are the Jedi have started to become slightly annoying to deal with as the overarching government for the Hutt Republic.

As he listened to the speech he realized this was a good idea to get behind for sure. His new government needed some advertising, and this effort was the perfect outlet. Not only does his organization get its name out there, but it is put on a similar pedestal to these more "ethical" groups as well. It was perfect! He could at least get the Nem'ro name out there, and eventually that trickles to attention on the Hutt Repbulic too. This almost seemed to good to be true, but it was true.

The Crossroads Prime Minister spoke about security, making Broka wonder exactly how thrown into anarchy is this region of the Outer Rim. With Hutt Space, the security was to the existential threat of the Bryn'adul now that the small mobs and gangs were taken out for the return of the Hutts. He nearly spit the wine the servants poured for him when she mentioned his name. Unexpected, but not unwelcomed. He swallowed the sip, and responded.
(In Huttese)"Well, not necessarily cracking down on them. It is more like taking over their territories after years of them wreaking havoc in my kind's realm for decades. More importantly that has only been happening on Nar-Shaddaa and Nal-Hutta. However, expansion to all of Hutt Space is intended in the future. Now, there are no shipyards large enough to support this project while we are trying to build ships of our own government's use in our current realm, however, if this initiative is still taking place when the Hutt Republic expands to Rorak4, then there could be more the Hutts could do for the construction of these rather elegant vessels. In the meantime, I, as being the Lorda of the Nem'ro Clan, can invest a sum of credits to this initiative to help cover the costs of construction. To get the whole Hutt Republic involved, that would require a vote to be passed on the Hutt Assembly, and that may take a while.>"

Broka then took to the drink again. The wine was the drink to keep his wits sharp. The other kinds were meant for more relaxed occasions.

 

[Orask Terrano]

Orask wasn't a fan of the Hutts, it was an engrained cultural distaste for anything embracing slavery or drugs. There was also a history with the Crossroads Republic and the old Hutts back a long, long time. There was never a war outside of police efforts and dedicated task forces over the years. Although this was the maximum that this hostility went, and since then it was just a police matter, although the massive glut of refugees who'd fled from Hutt space were now citizens in the Crossroads Republic, and their disdain of the Hutts made its way into the political scene due to the fact they were a powerful voting block.

"I see no need for your government to be distracted by this project when such a threat as the Bryn is at your doorstep," Orask offered, being rather passive-aggressive, but in the context of diplomatic discourse the message was meant to be clear.

 

[Broka the Hutt]

Orask Terrano Mya Jesel

Broka could tell that the others were sneering down on him from their pedestals of "virtue" and "morality". When the Prime Minister spoke, that passive aggressive tone made it clear he was among those. Broka did not blame him for not learning that the Hutt Republic is far more legitimate in both its function and efforts than the cartels of old. Sure, the Lordas in it might be conducting some dirty industries, but the republic itself was not part of that. Broka had to enligthen the Prime Minister, and all these other moralists that thought themselves superior, that what they think they know of the Hutts today is not exactly correct. Though, if anyone was superior here, it was him. His species ruled Hutt Space for over a millennia. The Bryn'adul are the closest anyone has come to conquering it, but time and time again, the Hutts outlive the other powers of the galaxy. The Hutts will always survive and thrive. So, it was time to educate those who have not yet learned what the Hutt Republic was. It was time to begin stating how it was not a nation of slavers, but of lords of commerce. Not to play all the cards on the table initially, but to create the introduction to that lesson.

"<If you were not so busy looking down on the Hutts over past grudges done in bygone times, you would note that I said that offer as a personal investment from the Nem'ro Clan. In other words, out of my own pocket. I did not expect the Hutt Assembly to care much for it anyway, and the vote would take a while. Too long of a while if it were to pass by some strange chance. The Hutt Republic's funds have been spent on rebuilding the armed forces on Nar-Shaddaa and Nal-Hutta. Spending more of its coffers would not prove much useful anyway. You do not have to jeer from your position of your perceived version of virtue to ensure I know that fact as well as you do. I mentioned those shipyards as a possible location to construct them in my realm upon expanding to Rorak4 to continue that personal investment. Now, if you are willing to let bygones be bygones, and do business, my door is wide open. That is why I showed up here to begin with. To allow the Hutt Space portion of the Outer Rim to begin to build better ties here because we can do business to a much greater degree than in comparison to what we Hutts currently see from the other regions of the galaxy controlled by other nations and organizations. For years other nations and organizations of the galaxy have competed near tirelessly for an audience with the Hutts. To get the privilege of Hutt Space's wealth to trickle to their worlds. The fact I personally sought this organization out shows that you are worthy of the Hutts attention. You should consider yourself honored by that instead of passively pushing us away due to grudges that are bad for business to begin with.>"

He then took another sip feeling rather proud of himself. He did not despise the man for the thoughts. The galaxy was filled with moralists in this day and age. It is only a matter of time before they understand things are not as black and white. He also meant what he said at the end. Grudges were bad for business. That was a fact found the hard way by others throughout history.

 

[Mya Jesel]

Orask Terrano Broka the Hutt

Ancient divides and even older grudges. She spoke Hutteese fluently enough to know what was going on and not need to rely on a translator. A great boon for living in the Outer Rim her entire life. The Hutts were, perhaps rightfully so, mistrusted in wide swathes of the Rim. They were most famous for their crime cartels and criminal empires that cared little for the rest of the sentient beings who inhabited the Rim.

That was the nature of the galaxy- they fractured by old rivalries and ancient grudges dating back thousands of years. Until those were consciously and intentionally addressed, the League's vision for a galaxy of independent groups, united with a shared vision, would never come to pass. And this was the first chance to address and begin laying the foundation for what could come.

"Your offer of investment is appreciated, Lorda Broka, and happily accepted, as well as the possibilities inherent in Rorak 4." She paused for a moment to consider how she would phrase this. "And while the Prime Minister's unspoken suggestion is understood, it is also what has kept the Outer Rim from achieving what we are all capable of, together. We are split by ancient rivalries and judge each other based on history from centuries ago. Let the Jedi and the Sith be the only ones who continuously war against each other because of ancient history. It's time for us to stop rely on old sentiments and greater powers to tell us who's right, who's wrong, who we should avoid and who we should fight. If we are to overcome our own history and prejudices, we must put them to rest openly and deliberately. Intentionally seeking to work past these differences and share in a vision for the betterment of everyone in the Outer Rim, regardless of what we think of their history."

Mya paused to take a sip of water. "And yes, the Hutts are particularly known from history as being crime cartels, this is the Hutt Republic- a new endeavor and a chance to turn over a new leaf and forge a new legacy. "

 

[Orask Terrano]

Orask just sighed through his nose, and looked to Mya, “I will square it with the Crossroads Assembly, many will not like it. but it can be worked around.”

 

[Mya Jesel]

Orask Terrano Broka the Hutt

Mya nodded and smiled. "Excellent! Convey my thanks to them for being willing to help set an example for setting aside old grudges in the name of a cooperative future. Someone else had spoken up about tensions between two different planets and she adjusted, to respond and answer their questions. "I am aware your two planets have been rivals in the past and have skirmishes on multiple occasions."

There was an outraged interjection, which Mya sat back and listened to. "Combine the resources both of your governments have spent and consider what could be accomplished by investing in that together, rather than investing in destroying each other. Which way will leave you farther ahead after everything is said and done?"

That conversation split off into a quiet one between the two tables and Mya returned her attention to the rest of the room.

 

[Orask Terrano]

Orask walked calmly over to Mya, calm and collected, although he was very much in a business mindset.

"Madam President," Orask offered a greeting, "Quite a gathering eh?" he asked her, making some small talk.