Thee Meeting

[Tobias Dracks]

The votes were in, and the senate decided to vote into the position of Vice Chancellor of the New Republic. Standing in his knew office he looked through his new office window and down at the prosperous city that was the Capital of the New Republic. What were they calling it now, Capital City? A interesting name, but with the Elections coming to a conclusion and the senate building finishing up, he was pretty amazed how it was all looking. The Republic Remnant moved to the Core Worlds only a month ago and the Provisional Government moved quick to reform the Military, Economy, as well as add planets to their boarders. They then renamed themselves to the New Republic and worked hard to place a permanent government body.

Either way he was new to this sector of space. Born and raised in the Outer Rim, he needed someone he could get the information about the near by nations. After speaking with the leadership within the New Republic Military, the previous Rebel Alliance leadership was well informed thanks to their spy network throughout the galaxy. Their leader and spirital master [member="Cedric Grayson"] was requested to meet with the Vice Chancellor now.

He spoke, "Katheran, bring out the Ession Wine and those Naboo Cigars the reps from the United Trade Conglomerate brought us, I am sure out guest will appreciate that."

"Yes Vice Chancellor." A disembodied female mechanical voice echoed through the room.

Tobias was new to the area, but the destruction of the Civilization of Ession was big new some months ago. It was thanks to the New Republic and several business as well as the Ession Lord that a small but populace group of civilians were able to escape. He continued to look out at the city and only thought of those fires being brought down on their growing nations.

A beep interupted his imagination as a voice spoke up, "Vice Chancellor Dracks, Master Cedric Grayson has arrived for your six o'clock meeting."

Tobias tapped his wrist comm, "Thank you Sharen, please send him in." He turned his head and body so the dark skies of the city were behind him. Seeing the Religious and Military Master entering, Tobias nodded and offered a seat by his desk, "Greeting Master Grayson, I am Vice Chancellor Tobias Dracks, I am glad you accepted my invitation to meet."

 

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The Sons Of Ession had come to the capital with little fanfare. Few within the Republic knew of the silent warriors that followed Cedric Grayson wherever he went, but most reactions had been reportedly pleasant. They were stoic men that wore the galaxy upon their shoulders: few were ever open to small talk. Two of those men followed a few steps behind Cedric's armored figure as he strode up to the office. The helmeted soldiers exchanged nods with the senatorial guards and took up positions adjacent to them.

Cedric had not needed the escort - he traveled alone even on hostile worlds - but the Sons needed to be shown that they were valued every now and again. The honor of accompanying their liege lord was something many of the men fought to earn via field commendations, and the station came with a great number of benefits beyond simple prestige. Earning a place at Cedric's side during meetings of importance was a sign of promotions to come, and was used as encouragement to motivate the newer men.

The Jedi Master entered the chamber and gave the Vice Chancellor a shallow bow of his head. "Honored to be here," the masked guardian said, "Restoring the Republic was always my hope. I'm happy to be a part of it, even if it isn't how I imagined it would come about."

Cedric took the seat, and leaned forward to regard Tobias from the anonymous filter of his mask. "Congratulations on your appointment. I've heard you're up to the task," Cedric mused, "Now, what is it you've called me for Vice Chancellor? Curious about something?"

[member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Tobias Dracks]

The reptillian caught a glimps of the soldiers that were escorting the Master, he recognized the armor pretty quickly. He served under Admiral Jaster Awaud and did a tour with those soldier. Dominion. It had been some time since such a combination of veteran soldiers. Anyone in the Outer Rim would have heard of the soldiers that fought all kinds of beings through out the galaxy, even rumored to fight with the Galactic Alliance.

He cut his imagination and looked to [member="Cedric Grayson"] as he complimented him, "Yes, the New Republic is not as influential as the Galactic Republic of old, but with my appointment I hope to make this nation stronger and brighter then the governments of old."

Tobias turned towards his desk and pointed to the bottle of wine atop his desk, "Could I offer you Ession Wine, Vintage 800?"

Wether the man took the offer or not, he continued on, "I am knew to the Core Worlds, though I served as Senator of Teth and Marshal Commander of the of the Third Republic Marine Corps. I know little about the Sith and Mandalorian Empires, as well as this Silver Jedi Government," He crossed his fingers and looked at the Jedi Masters faceless mask. "Our Military Forces are not as strong as the Galactic Alliance so I need to know any information I could get, our biggest threats are the Mandalorian Empire but they are in conflict with the Silver Jedi, and we have attempted to not provoke the Sith Empire who still blockades Commenor."

Nearly all of the Republics supply lines from the Hutt Territories traveled through the JTS and the blockade of Commenor only slowed the delivering of their supplies. The New Republic had all the equipment they needed, their man power was the only thing lacking however. Officers, leaders, and strategist were left in the hands of a Jedi General who was sitting as the Central Command Officer. This made this new government look like the Ancient Republic of the old days.

"I am working with the Senate to revamp the Military and I must ask," He sighed visible and leaned in closer, "Is peace with the Sith Empire possible for at least three years or will we always need a military force to defend our Galactic Northern Boarder?"

 

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Cedric listened respectfully as the Vice Chancellor explained his situation. It was an unenviable situation, but one Cedric had found himself struggling to escape before. When Tobias finished speaking, Cedric gave him a nod. "I'll take a drink. I see you've brought out my homeworld's brew to make me a bit more amiable." Though his expression was hidden, it sounded as if he were smiling. "Good job."

Cedric would pour himself a glass without much hesitation. He reached up, drew back his cowl, popped the seals on his helm, and lifted it from his face. The Jedi was relatively young for his station, late twenties to early thirties, and his hair and beard had been buzzed to the skin. Sharp blue eyes peered at the Vice Chancellor curiously as he drew the glass to his lips.

"Interesting question," Cedric mused, "Personally I don't think so. They mean to expand into the core, and they've been fairly open about their hatred for democracy, Jedi, freedom, all things we have." He shook his head, "No, at best they'll go after the Silvers first, and we'll still get dragged into that war trying to defend them. I'd say we have perhaps a year, maybe two if we're lucky before the Sith come after us. That's assuming we don't do anything to provoke them before that, and they'll use any excuse to justify a war. I'd like to be wrong, but I'd rather be wrong and prepared than right and unready."

 

[Tobias Dracks]

It was just a bad as he assumed, the imperialistic ideal of those that destroyed the Galactic Alliance and Commenor Alliance were only out to destroy the freedom of other species. Of course it was not just the opinions of one man, many within the Military would never take their eyes off the north of the galaxy.

Tobias only leaned back in his seat, his eyes were taken off [member="Cedric Grayson"] for a second. Then bringing them back to continue, "The Mandos and the Silvers are currently at one another throats," Pausing to think he continued, "The alliance between the Sith and the Mando Empire are just too strong, and allying with the Silvers is just too risky to be dragged into a war we are not ready for."

Leaning forward again he opted for another question of the Jedi Master, "What is your opinion of the Mandalorian Empire, is it possible to get them to stay neutral and keep the Sith in the Outer Rim, if we can get at least two years I think a full revamp of the military is possible, we have the equipment just not the manpower."

 

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"I say we stay out of that war. Whatever happens between the Silver Jedi and the Mando'ade is between them." Cedric quietly agreed. He had little love for the Mandalorians, but the Republic was not yet in a position to align with the Silvers. If they did, it could trigger another galactic war, and the odds were far less in the favor of the free nations this time around.

"As for the Mandalorians particularly, it's a complicated situation. I don't believe the current Mand'alor is impossible to work with, but she's in deep with the Sith Empire. The Mando have often been the unwitting pawns of the Sith in recent times; I would not trust them even if they do agree to any kind of pacts or alliances. Right now they're playing into the Sith political game. I would play for the Republic as well, so we can keep the Mandos from shooting at us if nothing else."

A pause.

"I don't put much stock in them as allies, but it's worth a try. We'll do what we can not to provoke them, and if they turn their guns on us, then we turn ours on them. Overall though, I would prefer to avoid any kind of conflict with the Mandalorian people."

Another.

"I have heard hearsay of another Mandalorian splinter group. One that doesn't have much love for the current Mand'alor. They might be worth reaching out to."

[member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Tobias Dracks]

He agreed with [member="Cedric Grayson"], Silvers were too deep with this conflict to even think of joining. The recent attacks of the Frontier Outpost was evidence enough of the Republics Military incapability. The Rebel Officers were not use to leading such large operations and in coordinated attacks that the Republic Soldiers were use to. May of the Rebels were old Dominion Soldiers or civilians armed with guns to fight the Sith with. The Republic Old Guard were no different either, use to fight Criminals and disorganized pirates, they had never fought a real organized attack.

"The Silvers will not receive help from the Republic at this time," Tobias knew that much, "We are in the middle of an election, I could barely request more toilet paper without being reminded of this fact, but even with the new senate in office, I do not think that would benefit the Republic in our current rate."

Finally he poured a glass of wine for himself, "Negotiations with Alderaan and Coruscant are stalled in the ground, and Anaxes wont join without Coruscant, and Commenor is still under the Sith Control, and the public will not get noticed by the Sith this early in the game."

He took a sip, "A ceasefire from the Mandos could really help us out in future planning, without the Hydra Way to travel, a Naval defense being prepared would be able to make a proper defensive perimeter."

Tobias new of these splinter groups of the Mandalorains, he had sent a Republic SIS Agent to report on them, "We have heard of these..." He pause thinking of their name, "Tel Vern, they are very much against the current Mand'alor, but an investigation is underway as many of their members have connections to the Sith Empire, and enemy of my enemy as the saying goes."

 

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The Jedi Master lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. "I don't disagree with you. The Republic isn't ready for war. We won't be for a long time. Our military's still in its relative infancy as is the Jedi Order. We need more knight at the ready before we start dealing with Sith or Mandalorians," he grumbled. It was evident that Cedric was not particularly pleased with the way things had ended up in recent time. Even Jedi Masters were bitter about the things that truly kept them awake at night, and it seemed Cedric did nothing but worry over what genocide the enemy had planned next.

"I think it's worth reaching out to the Tel Vern. I doubt they care for Jedi, but if the Mand'alor is working with the Sith, it's only logical that we provide them with assistance. Better to support the party that will leave us alone than the party that will turn their guns on us." The masked knight's brow furrowed as a thought found its way to the forefront of his mind.

"We'd have to be quiet about it. Volunteers, partisans, things of that nature," he shook his head, "Anyone in mind that the Mandos respect enough to speak to?"

[member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Tobias Dracks]

Tobias was incapable of smiling, the hard shell around his face was not that flexible. Though if the Vice Chancellor was able to do such at thing, he would have right then and there. "I've taken office now Master Grayson, with my appointment those fools in HIGHCOM will be put in their place and order will be established within the New Republic Military Branches, I have also gotten approval from the Senate in new budgetary lifts on defense and national security, the Republic will not be as weak as it was during our time in the Hutt Territories, we will be stronger."

He only listened again as the Master Jedi also brought up the reliability of the Jedi Enclave they considered a religious order within the Republic. There was also the continued push to meet with the Mandalorian Rebels, it did seem convincing.

Tobias added it to his list on his Data-Tablet, "These Mandalorians do peak my interest, but I can not throw my weight behind a group we know so little about, and with Republic SIS focusing on Commenor and Sith Imperial movements, the Mandalorains are slugging it out with the Silvers, if your can bring me evidence of no connections to the Sith Empire the I can talk with their leaders through back door channels."

Tapping his chin again he looked at the Master Jedi, the Republics reliance on their Force Users was on the rise again. General Halle, the Commanding Officer of Centeral Command was one of their Jedis', that alone was a bother to some of the Senators. However, with the most experience and the link that held the Rebel Alliance to the Republic she was the best choice. He was planning on introducing a new bill to the Senate, but it was not ready.

Instead he just nodded to the Master complaints, "The Order is not as strong as they once were that is true, but your new Grandmaster seems to be making improvement to the Enclave and should the Republic throw its full backing behind them there is a chance you all could get the title of Jedi Order back and maybe bring more to your cause."

[member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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The senator made sense, but then Cedric had viewed Tobias as one of the more levelheaded men working in the Republic's upper echelons of government long before his appointment to vice-chancellor. The two men had never actually met, of course, but Cedric did well to keep tabs on the major players within the senate. Whomever was elected to governorship over the New Republic was intern given unofficial governance over the Jedi Order. It was an important status quo to maintain, as it would keep the Jedi from getting too radical as they had when given full autonomy in the past.

"I'll poke around and see what they're up to. If they're indeed making their bed with the SIth, then I say we let them break out into another civil war and ignore it. It suits us to have them distracted, as I think we both know it's only a matter of time before the emperor convinces Mand'alor the Infernal to bring her armies to our doorstep." He'd met with the young Yasha Mantis and had a decent opinion of the woman, but the realities of the galaxy they lived in took precedence over niceties. Even still, a small part of the Jedi Master hoped that the Mando'ade would see the truth of things and decide against allying with the Sith once the war truly broke out again.

"I'm training as many students as I can, but the order won't be able to serve any significant functions until we take Tython. We need a strong spiritual base to reestablish ourselves from."

[member="Tobias Dracks"]

 

[Tobias Dracks]

Vice Chancellor Tobias Dracks only had to look to [member="Cedric Grayson"] to see he was a man of his word, having Mandalorians on the Republics side could make for a greater position with other nations. The political ramifications would help strengthen their ambitions in the Core Worlds. Though he knew the Military would still need to be deployed to secure some parts of the worlds that were corrupted by those religious fanatics that use the name of the Sith to justify their nefarious attacks.

He leaned back and nodded, "I will do some investigating of my own on the Internals factions, I have connections to people who are loyal to her group, we can possibly play both sides of this outbreak, whatever is the best course for the Republic,"

The Reptillion male stood up from his seat and walked over to the window that overlooked the city, "I remembering hearing the stories of the Ancient Galactic Republic from my father and mother, the peace, prosperity, and unassailable rights given to all sentient beings," Pausing as he placed his hand on the strengthened glass before him, "One day I will return the Jedi Order to the ranks of protectors of the people instead of soldiers fighting our wars, we will be stronger then those that fell before us to corruption and political failures of the pevious administrations," Turning to flash a look of 'Join Me' to the Jedi master he continued, "This city was build in a matter of months after the arrival of the New Republic, this shows the trust and will of the people that they want and need us in this sector of space, both you and I serve the People of this galaxy in our own forms, but they are fearful of what they do not know,"

He looked directly at the man now, "I have one last favor of you that is not as the Vice Chancellor of the New Republic, or even an offical of this government, but as its citizen," Another pause, "Help our people, help all people, show this galaxy that there is still a place for the Jedi Order as protectors and peacekeepers, they need that spark of hope in the coming darkness, for hope and loyalty will be our guiding light in these times of uncertainty and where this government will gamble with our future."