Private Trailblazing

[Spirit of Unity]

Coruscant // Galactic City // Senate District
Executive Building // Chancellor's Suite

With the project’s concept reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure, a considerable budget allocated by the Ministry of Commerce, and some generous private investments secured through Technoid Manufactorum & Republic Engineering Corporation, it was finally time for the Alliance to seek potential partners for its recently announced hyperlane. Since its first mention in the days following the controversial Confederacy First doctrine, the project had managed to gain significant media attention across the Core Worlds and even the Outer Rim, with citizens eager to learn how it might benefit them in the wake of uncertain times.

In truth, the Alliance faced very little economic risk from the sudden declaration of their Southern neighbour. By a stroke of luck or careful calculation, the Chancellor had been quick to establish strong trade with the other nations surrounding them mere days after the signing of the Common Charter saw the end of the short-lived Grayson Imperium. Although Confederate representatives were quick to insist that their new mandates would not impede the lawful passage of goods, the news presented the Alliance with an opportunity to act on the Galactic stage and alleviate public concerns -- warranted or not.

The development of a new trade lane would mean better control over the flow of the goods moving across it. It would also mean reduced taxation and fewer fees by reducing the number of galactic borders crossed in transit. However, such an undertaking would be no easy task; not even for an entire government body. The Deep Core was already infamous for its hyperspace complications. Very few chartered routes existed through it, and those natural lanes shifted constantly due to the mass shadow density of the galactic core. Entire divisions of the Hyperspace Navigators’ Guild were dedicated to round-the-clock mapping of the region to provide daily updates for the movements of crucial supplies to the Alliance’s worlds within. Nevertheless, the Alliance’s concept proved to be feasible in its simulations. But it would require the help of others to bring it to life quickly.

So, with the data and drafts gathered and ready to share, Chancellor Emmen Tagge awaits the arrival of his invited guests from Concordia, the Outer Planets Alliance & the Spacer Guild in the comfort of his office. Should the meeting go well, a prosperous future seemed to be on the horizon for those willing to be involved.

---

Silver Rose | Atlas Drake | Jerec Asyr ​

 

[Jerec Asyr]

In honor of the solemn company and their grand ambition, Jerec Asyr shaved and put on a clean shirt. He almost bought new shoes, but these ones were fine. Or so he'd thought until he tracked a little dirt into the Chancellor's Suite.

He took a seat, aware that the seat in question cost more than he did. The place had a killer view. Smelled good too, but in the kind of way that made you feel cheap by comparison. Same went for this whole district and every dank ferrik around, government types included. Wasn't long ago he'd been here protesting Jedi overreach after Quekko's murder at Kessel. Some beautiful soul, a Duros business magnate, had sneaked him inside the big meeting.

And look at him now, here on his own accord, free and clear and legal and under his own name. Captain Asyr, thank you very much, representative of the Spacer Guild and its couple thousand independent ships.

That thought made him a lot more comfortable in the expensive chair.


Spirit of Unity Atlas Drake Silver Rose

 

[Atlas Drake]

"Captain Asyr," a uniformed officer extended his hand, "Your reputation precedes you."

It was Atlas Drake's first time on Coruscant and only the explorer's second Core World experience. For most of the galaxy this was the center of everything but for him it was simply far from home. Impressive as well to say the very least. Galactic City's immense scale dwarfed even Terminus in all its run down splendor. He tried not to let any of his awe show, the Outback had a certain backwater reputation among civilized circles already.

"Chancellor Tagge. I bring you greetings from the outer planets and a bulk shipment of talon coffers presuming we come to an accord."

Drake may have seemed an unlikely choice for diplomat but he specialized in deep space operations and had training in first contact. Politics in the OPA wasn't so much a matter of cooperation as influence and a lowly Kathol Navy captain was popular because he didn't bother anybody. That said trailblazing a new path across the cosmos definitely fell under his expertise and he had the Technical Academy diploma to prove it.

Spirit of Unity Silver Rose Jerec Asyr​

 

[Silver Rose]

Jistune walked into the room, looking uncomfortable in the confines of a tailored suit. A data pad was clutched firmly to her chest, held out of the bag strung across her front. She paused at the door, taking note of the distinct lack of female representatives. She pursed her lips, a Karen to out Karen them all. Well she'd be sure to report that back to her superiors.

Never the less, she was here to talk trade routes and finances, not point out the 1:3 ratio of evident gender inequality. "Sentient beings," she greeted primly, helping herself to a seat at the other head of the table. She took out a handkerchief and rubbed at the table top, her nose wrinkled ever so slightly as she deposited it into a sealed baggy In her satchel. Only then did she place her data pad down, one finger of each hand ever so carefully straightening it out until it aligned flushed with the edge of the table.

Once satisfied, she pushed the glasses further up her nose and looked owlishly up at the others. "Well, is this it then?"

 

[Emmen Tagge]

​

Emmen observes each of his guests with a warm smile as they gather together in his office for their planned discussion. It was a truly diverse group here before him, with the clothing and demeanor of each of them easily showcasing the many ways the Galaxy differed across the stars. It was a diversity that was welcomed, and one the old Tepasi had great pride in.

In no intended order, the Chancellor first addresses the officer of the Outback. Emmen was well accustomed to dealing with military brass in place of politicians. It seemed to be common, these days. Having served in his own planet's defense force in his younger years, Emmen held those who dedicated themselves to the protection of their people in high esteem. "Captain Drake," he begins, "I'm pleased to have a member of the Outer Planets present here today. If my memory serves, it has been quite some time since our people sought cooperation in our endeavors. While I understand the politics of your region are drastically different than our own here in the Core, I do hope that this project offers more opportunities for our nations to grow together."

With a slight bow of his head, his attention turns to the diplomat of the newly declared Concordia. The last time her territories had sent ambassadors to Coruscant to meet with him they had been Jedi of their Silver Order. While he would never admit it, it was certainly a relief to find himself greeted by a career professional this time around. "Representative Jistune, it is an honour to once more host a member serving the interests of your combined worlds here on Coruscant. I've been quite satisfied with the recent news of this Concordia initiative, and am hopeful that it will serve to better align our goals," he lets out a slight chuckle "and no doubt, I've been quite thankful for the trade agreements we set up before the recent declaration by our Southern neighbours. We could never have predicted such a thing, but it would seem the pre-emptive shift of our primary trade routes to the East paid of."

Lastly, his attention falls to the unassuming spokesman of the Spacer Guild. Captain Drake had been correct in stating that the Guild leader's reputation preceded him. "And Captain Asyr, your representation of the Spacer Guild in these discussions will be invaluable. I know your fellow pilots have expressed great concern over the announcement of the Confederacy First doctrine. As we've worked to reduce the possible economic impacts of this policy, my thoughts have often turned toward the implications of such a doctrine for organizations like your own." He lets out a soft sigh, "Their decision has caught many of us by surprise. However, I think our proposal can not only mitigate concerns, but even see an increase of wealth and trade opportunity over time. Should we find ourselves in agreement, your experience will be a massive resource."

At that, the Chancellor pauses to allow for any final comments or formalities before diving in to the meat of their assembly.

---

Atlas Drake Jerec Asyr Silver Rose ​

 

[Jerec Asyr]

"I mean, between you and me, Confederacy First isn't that hard for independent shippers to handle now that they've walked it back so hard and given it a gorram hilariously flimsy border pass system. Especially with tariffs making everything a potential off-the-books commodity until import substitution really kicks in - but yeah, let's get started."

Jerec sat back down now that the handshakes were in the rearview. Atlas Drake and Emmen Tagge both seemed like the lawful-alpha-dominate-the-room type. The SJO rep, by contrast, came across as a quant, a staffer who knew what they were talking about, not a bright-and-shiny. Probably a good sign.

"So. You want to build a hyperlane."


Silver Rose

 

[Atlas Drake]

"Representative."

He rose from his seat at Jistune's arrival in a backwards display of frontier chivalry.

"We're old friends of Corellia and Alderaan," Captain Drake subtly reminded the chancellor of his Core's own recent political instability, "Until recently we saw no need to bother with formalities, if you'll forgive my blunt assessment."

In fact it had been something of a minor miracle that Atlas was on deep space assignment in the Colonies and not months away from Coruscant when word was dispatched to the OPA. Diplomacy was not their strong suit. His presence here alone was indication of that, but it went beyond mere disorder and political envy. It was a part of their nature to avoid speaking for the people unless absolutely necessary. Divining an official stance on anything was a heavy burden for the captain to bear.

"I'm glad to hear the Confederacy isn't giving your crews a hard time," he turned from Asyr back to Chancellor Tagge, "But even with the latest...clarifications, the tariffs and foreign taxes they are imposing have impacted our local commerce. Its their call who they buy from and at what price, but now many merchants are faced with the impossible choice of taking unacceptable losses in markets that are suddenly foreign or shipping their goods all the way to the Deep Core at rates they can't afford."

Atlas cleared his throat.

"So, yes. We'd like to build a hyperlane."

Emmen Tagge Jerec Asyr Silver Rose​

 

[Silver Rose]

​

"Precisely," Jistune quipped, following up Atlas Drake 's final point with her immediate interjection. "Such sudden and careless halting of decade-long trade deals is reckless and damning. Stocks are dropping, small businesses going under-- they threaten to send the intergalactic economy into a recession and to what-- deepen their already substantial pockets?- bah!" She scoffed.

Jistune did not possess a politician's tongue.

"We won't have it. We offer the members of this meeting assistance with this hyperlane and priority dealings with all future trade. See if they learn a thing or two about keeping their word, we're the largest exporter of Nerf filet!"

Spoiler: OOC Note

Please note: Shooting this NPC will only grant you momentary satisfaction. She has clones. Many clones.

Spoiler: OOC OOC Note

For all the pms: No, she's not the HoS. Nah, she's no one special. She's a throw away NPC while official ones are made. This is just momentary fun!

Jerec Asyr Atlas Drake Spirit of Unity Emmen Tagge

 

[Emmen Tagge]

​

Emmen shakes his head dismissively at the Captain's assessment. There was nothing in it to offend the Chancellor; it was an accurate one, afterall. Although at the time he was nothing more than a governor on his then unaffiliated homeworld of Tepasi, the standoff between the Imperium and Republic on Alderaan and Kuat was a moment in recent history that most in the region were well familiar with. Like so many times before, the citizens of the Core held their breath, anticipating yet another war to come. How fortunate they were that things had changed.

"No need. Given the circumstances I believe we should speak as freely as need be," he replies. He offers a firm nod at the Captain's rundown of the difficulties being faced by those on the frontlines of the issue. While their factions as a whole may only see the impact as meager numbers on a board, those small numbers represented the livelihoods of hundreds or thousands of hardworking citizens.

His attention then moves to Jistune as she picks up the topic, nodding along to her additional points.

Folding his hands together, Emmen leans back in his chair to straighten his posture and take in a breath, "We have long overvalued trade with the Confederacy. Their position across the Inner & Mid Rims made them a convenient trade partner for all of us, especially before these new restrictions. However, if they're going to conflate convenience with necessity, they'll find themselves disappointed. The Corellian Trade Spine has been a staple route for millennia, yes, but it is not our only option. With some careful planning and time to adjust, we can redirect our primary routes and bypass the CIS entirely, if it comes down to it."

His hands part, with the left moving to tap at a holographic keypad built into his desk. At the final keystroke a seamless panel slides open at the center, ejecting a small holo-projector lens. With a few quick flicker of gentle blue light, a three-dimensional mockup of the hyperlane is rendered and suspended in the air above the table for each to see.

"I am glad you all agree that a new trade lane is the best approach," Emmen begins, looking over the proposed design "with careful considerations, our navigators have proposed this as a possible route. Of course, it is not yet physically mapped and there may very well be room for adjustments based on feedback, but this particular route was constructed using the collective results of several million simulated astronavigational calculations."

His eyes move between the planets along the route as he goes into more detail, "As you may have noticed, the new lane would aim to connect the pre-existing Byss Run of the Deep Core with the Cerean Reach of the Mid Rim. This would provide an efficient route from Coruscant all the way to Bespin, completely bypassing all trade complications brought by the Confederacy. We would have full control the market, fees and taxation."

"There's only one complication with this model," Emmen pauses for a moment to adjust the image, zooming in to focus specifically on the section between Byss and Jakku. "Here. I won't bother going into the details knowing full well I'm not the expert in the room, but navigating hyperspace in the Deep Core is not an easy feat. The Byss Run is kept stable through the use of artificial s-thread boosters. They do the trick, but they are terribly expensive. Unfortunately, we'd likely need to utilize them to establish a reliable route from Byss to Jakku. With that said, the Alliance has already managed to secure some early investments from the Republic Engineering Corporation and Technoid Manufactorum to help offset these extensive costs and aid with construction."

Leaving the projection up for his guests to continue to examine, the Chancellor looks through the transparent image to each of the three, "There will still be much to do after this is all approved, but are there any thoughts or suggestions?"

---

Atlas Drake Jerec Asyr Silver Rose​

 

[Jerec Asyr]

Jerec scratched his stubble in a disappointed kind of way.

"I don't think it's clicked for your people just how fast the Feds take new territory. This map's recent but it's still out of date - they've just taken Ophideraan and Belgaroth, right here." He stood up and reached to stick a finger into the holomap near the proposed route. "Nobody else is in position to stop them scooping up, let's see, Donadus or Tasariq or any other point on that route. It's inevitable they'll own at least a small chunk of it. So what's the plan for that?"

Emmen Tagge Atlas Drake Silver Rose

 

[Silver Rose]

Jistune snuffed, the suggestion distasteful. "Of course they'd have to go and take away our things. Can't just play nicely and leave others to their pleasures-- I bet they were only children. All of them. Poorly socialized!" She tapped her well manicured finger sharply on the table, her eyes growing larger inside her owlish glasses as she leaned in.

"I say we dont let em have it. Any of it. They want to retreat into their own bubble-- look inwards-- Then they shouldn't mean dominating other places." Her tone went low, a fiery husk of indignation leveling from her. Despite her frilly demeanor, there was no doubting she was pissed. Jistune did not keep her cards close to her chest. There were no games or sly words from her.

You knew where she stood. Irrevocably.

"They twist their narrative however it works-- Someone has to call them out on it. They come for our lanes, we say no! Stick to your words. Focus on your own people! Leave these ones alone!"

"Our lanes, our investment-- we protect them. Or we're just a lot of Pansies in pantsuits-- speaking of which, this are horribly sexist, have you ever thought of wearing a dress--it would do wonders for cultural mindset to woman's fashion where-" The ramble started.

 

[Emmen Tagge]

Emmen nods as Jerec leans forward to point out to two systems that had recently fallen behind the Violet Curtain, having anticipated the Captain to voice a concern over the issue of Confederate growth. Glancing to Jistune when she suggests the sovereignty of the hyperlane would be their responsibility to safeguard, he speaks up to agree, "My thoughts exactly, Representative."

Absently looking between the various systems on the holomap that Cpt. Asyr had listed, the Chancellor continues, "Choosing any route through the Unknown Regions will carry a degree of uncertainty. As far as I'm concerned, if we want to be successful here we must be willing to stand firm and not let ourselves be bullied by a larger foreign power. If the Confederacy were to purposefully advance on these systems in a way that would jeopardize our established trade, the Galactic Alliance would treat it as an act of aggression."

---

Jerec Asyr Silver Rose Atlas Drake ​

 

[Enlil]

Coruscant was a world unlike anything he ever imagined.

The largest city in the Kingdom was microscopic by comparison to Galactic City, an Ecumenopolis that spanned the entire surface of a planet. So many things about this Galaxy beggared belief at times that the once King stopped being surprised. The Outer Rim was by and large less decadent and far less organized. It had a system in place, but there was a certain order to everything in the central systems that suddenly made Enlil realize how different it truly was.

The need for strong figures and presence was much higher out there than it was here.

The community, however, was larger than just the Outer Planets or the Core Worlds. He began to understand that on Kintan, when he spoke with Caedyn Arenais and learned of the Jedi, and of the Sith. He learned more from watching Galactic politics unfold. Whether or not each system had a solid leadership, all of them had to find a way by which to coexist.

And when the rest of the Galaxy lost the ability to freely move and interact, to trade, and to simply conduct their daily lives- that was an injustice that he would not abide.

He was in the back of the room listening, at first. Jerec Asyr and Atlas Drake spoke at length about their intentions and the potential hang ups. What the Outer Planets could do against the Confederacy was limited, but there was representation from both the Silver Jedi and the Galactic Alliance in this room who could speak to such action.

So, it was time for him to join the conversation.

"We have no formal Government, and our standing armies are more militia than the genuine article," he had not introduced himself, but they would know him soon enough. "But our support in surveying, building, and maintaining the lane is nothing to balk at, certainly. You of the Galactic Alliance have the military force to enact some sort of policy, do you not? You could make it so that the Confederacy would face war if they impeded the proposed lane, or attempted further conquest?"

He moved to take a seat near the others chosen to represent the OPA, clad in fine looking clothes that were suitably informal.

Silver Rose, Emmen Tagge

Spoiler

Picking up for Jerec and Atlas, they're free to continue if they want.

 

[Silver Rose]

War was quite a big word to toss around over space lanes, and it certainly wasn't something Jistune was qualified to speak for on behalf of so many independent nations. She showed a rare sign of will-power as she bit her tongue, the woman nervously adjusting her holopad in and out of place in its invisible box on the table.

"Well we could certainly talk about it. As pin-headed as they'd been with recent shenanigans, they've always proved reasonable to negotiations before. Sounds like they don't want confrontation-- why else would they be shying away from the front lines like squealing pigs at a butchers?" She waggled her pen for a chopping display.

"We'll provide it protection, oh just you wait and see. Don't let them use it either until they change their food-grade certification for turnips grown in bio-sphere's-- did you know they use pharmaceutical pesticides to grow their products? We might as well be injecting it into our blood streams! Unacceptable!"

Emmen Tagge Enlil

Spoiler: disclaimer:

Jistune reads trashy 4 mom articles on the holonet. This is probs not true.

 

[Emmen Tagge]

Emmen's brow lowers at the hesitance. He'd had hopes that Concordia would show a stronger backbone when it came to the protection of the hyperlane's sovereignty. With the Confederacy and Eternal Empire in close proximity to many of the proposed systems in the lane, they'd all have to be willing to take a risk, assert themselves, and stand behind eachother if they wanted to protect the flow of goods.

Finding an apparent ally in Enlil on the subject, the Chancellor shifts his attention to the man and gives a stern nod to his question and points.

"Yes, my thoughts exactly," he agrees, "but not just the Confederacy. I see no benefit to singling them out. It is my belief that an attempt by any foreign power to assert their influence or dominance over this vital trade lane be viewed as an act of aggression."

He looks back to Jistune, now with a renewed sense of confidence knowing he'd found common ground with the OPA, "Whether our first response is a diplomatic one or an immediate counter-strike may be situational, but I remain adamant that we let it be known that any advance on this route shall be viewed as an act of hostility against our combined forces. We all must be willing to fight for it. The Galactic Alliance should not be expected to lead a lone offensive for our mutual benefit under such circumstances. I would expect the full support of the Outer Planets Alliance and Concordia."

---

Silver Rose Enlil ​

 

[Silver Rose]

"Ooooh, don't get your panties in a knot-- I just said we'd protect them. Typical politian, acting like it's them against the world! We're equal investors." She took out her handkerchief and blotted down some spittle from her upper lip.

"Not just gonna let our money go out the window without cause-- You men and your bolstering-- You really do like to speak with such absolutes, don't you? --Yes, we will aid you in protecting those poor, poor people-- Stop acting otherwise-- I literally said--" She huffed and puffed.

 

[Enlil]

"Unfortunately, I can't make that kind of promise. None of the Outer Planets are unified in the way you're describing. Kal'Shebbol and Bespin are only aligned in that they're free from being conquered or controlled by a larger body, and that's just one example of the many complex relationships between worlds out in the Rim. I don't have the authority to promise action on behalf of anyone."

He made that assertion as clearly as possible, and he left it where it lay. They were militarized. They weren't Jedi. They had no politics, no infrastructure.

"There may be people out there who sympathize with you. It may be that when it does come to a fight, you'll have spacers flying on your side. That's a decision that every individual has to make on their own. What I can speak for is their willingness to combine efforts to survey, map, and help build the Hyperlane. That alone."

Enlil bowed his head slightly, deferring to the others in the room. "And so, with all I have to offer laid out for you, I will take my leave. When you have a finalized decision, we will be glad to get right to work."

Emmen Tagge Silver Rose