We All Deserve To Die | Invite

[Natasi Fortan]

​

...and so, while I know it offers little comfort in this very difficult time, please know that your family is in the thoughts and prayers of a grateful nation and its leaders. Myself and the Supreme Leader grieve with you on the loss of your son. I hope it can bring some comfort to know that your son's death was not in vain, and that in his sacrifice he purchased a chance at security, justice, and peace for the people of Bespin and all across our great empire.

Yours sincerely,

Natasi studied the letter briefly, examining it before folding it over and sticking it in its envelope. It was, by Natasi's count, the forty-seventh letter she had done that day. The vast majority of the letters were signed by the autopen, but she insisted on doing as many as she could by her own hand. The practice, which she had had in place for almost all military engagements during her Premiereship, helped to keep the human cost of her empire's expansion in perspective -- and at the front of her mind. It had always been worth it. The discipline of the Supreme Leader's forces, their superior training and technology, had made their expansion reasonably painless.

But war -- well, war was another story.

At least Natasi's conscience was clear; she had done everything she could to avoid war. The Galactic Alliance had pushed and prodded the First Order, with a mounting campaign of skirmishes and incursions, until at last their murderous attack on the unarmed scientific and humanitarian at Kaeshana had pushed the First Order -- and Natasi herself -- beyond the limit where turning the other cheek would be responsible. The Alliance had butchered innocent people, and their murderous intentions had demanded a response. Natasi wasn't sure if a war of retaliation for these crimes was really a punishment, since every action they had taken was proof positive that the Alliance was hell-bent on provoking a war.

But now, with the list of destroyed ships, destroyed soldiers, destroyed families piling up on Natasi's desk, the question remained: when would they be punished enough? When would this war, costly in blood and lives and treasure, stop being a punishment of the butchers of Kaeshana and start being a punishment for the First Order, the wronged party?

The Grand Moff clasped her hands together in front of her, resting her chin on her fists. This wasn't the first time that she had been tortured by these questions. They had caused many sleepless nights and distracted moments. But as Clémence Wallace entered her office with a grim look and another stack. "More casualty figures, ma'am." Natasi dropped her head and rubbed the back of her neck anxiously. "Shall I put it on top of the pile?"

"No," Natasi muttered. A beat, and the Grand Moff sighed. "Yes." She didn't look up, but heard Clémence set the papers down, and heard her hushed footsteps on the carpet back towards the door. Natasi squeezed her eyes shut. "Clémence?" Her eyelids flew open and she forced herself to look up. "Would you call [member="Claire Organa"] and ask her to come to Number 10?" She paused again and then cleared her throat. "Better call her on the the Contessa line, just in case."

- - - - - - - - - -

When the meeting had been set up and the appointed hour approached, Natasi had endeavored to make the meeting look like a regular appointment with her dressmaker, rather than an official visit from the Ambassador to the First Order from the Free Worlds Coalition. Natasi had studied the galactic map for an entity whose neutrality wasn't a joke. The Silver Jedi and Mandalorians' involvement in hostilities ruled them out entirely, and Commenor, though neutral, didn't have the gravitas to bring both parties tot he table; the same was true for the Imperial Remnant or Galactic Empire or whatever they were calling themselves today, as well as the Resurgent Empire, the Iron Empire, and the Order of the Sacred Lotus and the Dominion. Pickings were slim. Although Draco Vereen's involvement with the Coalition was known to the First Order, if his influence could be isolated, there was hope for a successful dialogue brokered by the Coalition.

That was the hope, at least. Whether it could be true -- whether it could happen -- remained to be seen. Natasi stirred her coffee, staring at the fire in the grate of her quarters' drawing room.

[member="Faith Organa"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire spent her time between Alderaan and First Order space. She had heard about Bespin the shop that she had planned on opening was now smoking. But her status as Ambassador still stood as Alderaan had not sent troops or reinforcements.

But. Claire had to admit to a nervousness when she received word that Grand Moff [member="Natasi Fortan"] wished to see her. It wasn't an unusual request but it had come unexpectedly. She usually brought clothing for her perusal Claire currently had three items she wanted to drop to Natasi for her perusal. Maybe she could wear them around her home for comfort. Goddess knows Claire had been trying now for a couple years to get Natasi into something shapely. Which was why what she carried with her, Natasi would likely smile politely at and go..no.

She arrived in time for her appointment holding, 1 - 2 - 3 carriers. Claire herself was dressed in a simple black pantsuit with pastel pink top. Nothing extravagant, her datapad tucked under her arm. She was granted access and waited for a few moments while Natasi's staff made sure Claire hadn't brought anything explosive, or dangerous.

She smiled through it all thinking I've been here how many times already eh..everyone needs a job. The Bespin battle left a mark on many of the people surrounding Natasi. It was evident every where, black banners, news reports, the red swollen eyes of men and women on the streets, it all told Claire one story. Loss. They lost someone at the battle. The sadness settled on Claire she wished there was a way to help the weak smiles she gave, and gentle nod of a head were nothing.

War was harsh it exacted terrible prices upon the participants. Claire wondered was it worth it? She just did not know and now was not the time to be asking these questions of herself. She put away her thoughts unsure of what was ahead. She half smiled when they told her to go in the Grand Moff was expecting her.

A gentle push and Claire walked inside, "Hello Grand Moff Fortan , you asked for my presence. How are you ? OH I brought you something else to look at." Claire's voice trailed off she looked around, "Natasi?" Then she caught sight of her by the fire. She waited Natasi was still a high ranking officer and Claire respected her rank waiting to be invited closer.

 

[Jaius Sovv]

The Sullust Temple​

NJO Memorial Service​

​

"But I will not apologize for my ideals! I will not apologize for who we are, or our way of life! For defending our homes and our freedoms and our very right to exist! I will not apologize to an enemy who knows no mercy, pity, or tolerance. An enemy hellbent on our total annihilation. I will not apologize for justice!"

- President Jaius Sovv, Why We Fight​

Jedi Temple, Sullust
Galactic Federation of Free Alliances
Outer Rim

Too many funerals.

The same thought had been running through the diminutive Sullustan elder statesman's mind over the past several days, as service after service seemed to fill the ledgers of his schedule to bursting. He had just come from a similarly somber a ceremony at the Capitol Tower in Byllurun, the grief seemingly amplified ten fold with the sheer number of starbird draped coffins and the knowledge that in each a son or daughter of Sullust rested within, their last repose. Jaius tried very hard not to think too much about the certainty that similar mass expressions of mourning would take place on just about every world of the Federation in the coming days. The cost of war was high, their struggle against the One Sith regime and upstart cultists on Atrisia had taught that lesson already, but the scope of it...it was something that threatened to lay the President of the Sullustan Council low.

And yet, this First Order was not so black and white as the others who had challenged them before, they were a subtle beast. Wide smiles and vibroknives out, as the old Bomewright saying went. In all his years of political operation, he had never seen such masters of saying one thing and doing another. While whispers of tension may have preceded it, things had truly begun on Kaeshana, to this day one of the centerpieces of their state published, jingoistic propaganda campaign against the Triumvirate Council. In it, the Imperials tended to be portrayed as as patriotic humanitarians, the utopian ideal of a research and first contact scenario, until they were brutally massacred by thugs in jackboots with the starbirds on their warplate. Jaius knew the reality was a little more complex, and he had the holostills of First Order crucifixions to prove it, though it had been a long time since he had been able to even bring himself to look at them.

It was there in orbit above that world that Jaius had pleaded with their Grand Moff that to continue down this path of violent confrontations would only lead to massive grief for both of their peoples. Of course he was sympathetic to her rebuffment, the First Order was as expansionist as they had become these days, and to acquiesce to a foreign command to halt that expansion was not only unreasonable, it was offensive. And yet the pleas from the Eldorai diaspora had locked the Council on a course from which there could be no turning back. Political scientists were strangling themselves in the hallways of academia even within Alliance space as to who the rightful heirs to Kaeshana were, the native survivors or their disenfranchised sovereigns, but from the moment the Triumvirate had recognized the legitimacy of the leadership-in-exile, the Imperials had suddenly found themselves cast in the role of de facto armed insurgency.

Who had fired first? Who had escalated? The Imperial position on the matter was abundantly clear, but Alliance internal reports on the matter were more confused. The first wave of Federation friendly forces had apparently not initially been aware of the extent of the First Order presence, and by the time the rest of the Defense Fleet had arrived they had found their soldiers planetside taking casualties from Imperial fire, and responded accordingly. So deep was the nature of distrust between the two nations that even First Order video evidence was suspect, who knew what elements had been digitally altered or edited out of context, or what safeguards existed to prevent such duplicity in what passed for their justice system? In a world where men and women were lined up on the street and shot for their failures, anything was possible.

And yet President Sovv had still held out hope, even though his disastrous mission against Triumvirate Council decree to the war zone had led to political disgrace that had almost cost him his high office and earned him an official censor from his fellow Councillors. Hope that tensions could be deescalated, hope that the spark of Kaeshana did not have to ignite a war that would likely claim millions of lives. All that had changed the day this Order of Ren had emerged from the shadows on Mustafar. The day Kaine Zambrano had tread upon Galactic Alliance soil under the war banners of the First Order. This new breed of Darkside cultism had unleashed some form of powerful, malevolent Force assault at once of the few nexuses located within Federation space the New Jedi Order still had not been able to exorcise of its corruption.

The Panatha Question.

For months the Strategic Intelligence Service had heard whispers of a mysterious religious movement within their neighbors to the southwest, possibly Force based in nature, an order which had turned out to be these so called Knights of Ren. But they had known about Panatha's connection to the Zambrano family and their crimes against sentience for much longer. Though within Imperial territory, the First Order's relationship with the Panathan government had up to that point been nebulous at best, just another thing to add to the list of things they didn't know about these strange emergent Imperials. But to so brazenly associate with a government that to this day openly held associations with Sith and directly funded terrorism, and not only that but unleash a war criminal upon the Alliance's sovereign territory.

After Skor, and the continued use of chemical weapons, there could be no other response but to strike back, and to do so overwhelmingly. And so, the strike at the Ison Corridor and its surrounding sectors. And so, all the bodies shipped home, the recoverable and identifiable likely representing a mere fraction of the total sum. His legs ached from all the standing, and Jaius Sovv leaned heavily on his hovercane. What could be done against such reckless misuse of so terrible a power as the Darkside? In the past, the Galactic Alliance's stance had been that there could be only one response. Such corruption should be purged, lest its poison leech once more into the heart of the galaxy, a path that led only to unendurable tyranny. And yet, it was quickly becoming apparent to the old Sullustan that to continue on the present course would be just as likely to end in mutually assured destruction, than the accomplishment of the Alliance's aims.

By the time Grand Marshal Omai Rhen stepped forward to speak, Jaius had come to the conclusion that it was perhaps time for the Galactic Alliance to attempt another way, perhaps a better way. No one could be convinced of their folly down the barrel of a gun, and despite their polarizing ideological differences, Sovv did not believe that the institutions of the First Order were so fundamentally corrupt as the One Sith's, so deserving of being torn down completely. Detente may be the only true answer then, detente so that both peoples could survive, and perhaps in time find a way to deal with one another that did not involve turbolasers and the clashing of lightsabers.

It was time, he believed, to risk reaching out once more. But how?


[member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi turned her head when she heard Claire's voice, but didn't immediately rise. She was still puzzling through how to broach the subject with the Ambassador, and wondering how to get these wheels in motion without looking like a traitor. Coming to the Supreme Leader too early and it would be easy to dismiss her suggestion; coming to him too late and it would look like she was trying to usurp his authority to determine the disposition of the war. She wasn't concerned for her career, exactly; in the days between her decision to pursue some sort of understanding with the Alliance, she had steeled herself to the consequences of it. The Grand Moff was entirely prepared to resign over it, if the Supreme Leader insisted on continuing the war without satisfactory justification.

To be sure, power had jaded Natasi Fortan to a certain extent. But she wouldn't stand by and let her people suffer needlessly in pursuit of her own power. Even her ambition had its limits -- theoretically.

Finally, Natasi set down her cup and saucer and stood, going to meet Claire at the door. "Claire," she said pleasantly. "Thank you so much for coming." Natasi pulled the door open and looked out into the hallway. She couldn't see anyone, but that wasn't to say there weren't people prowling around in nearby rooms. "I have important news and I knew you had to be the first to know, because I'll need some special clothes for it." This was all said at normal volume, in case anyone was listening. It also happened to be true, but was of secondary concern to the real subject of the meeting. She shut the door, sealed it and activated the privacy locks.

"I'm sorry, Claire. I hate to put you in an awkward position but -- well, I suppose I should start at the beginning." She clasped Claire fondly on the shoulder, offering a weak smile. "You'd better sit down. Can I offer you a drink?" Once the refreshments situation was settled, Natasi sat opposite Claire on the sofa near the fireplace. Natasi took a breath, exhaled shakily. "First of all, you should know that I didn't call you here for a fashion consultation -- which isn't to say I wouldn't take a look at what you brought," she added with an indulgent smile. "The real reason I invited you -- and it must be kept absolutely secret -- is that I believe you and your government might be able to help us end this terrible war."

The Grand Moff observed Claire for her reaction, her throat tightening in anticipation.

[member="Claire Organa"] | [member="Faith Organa"] | [member="Jaius Sovv"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Natasi tone was normal as she greeted Claire and Claire would have continued to think everything was alright until Natasi sealed the doors. Oh Claire was accustomed to the Grand Moff not wanting anyone to know her dress size, waist size and weight but she didn't think she was so concerned about it that it required this much privacy.

Something was up. Claire made a few steps towards a chair, she declined the drink and sat when Natasi sat. The conversation was quickly confirmed Natasi wanted Ambassador Organa of the Coalition.

Claire nodded this was an official visit and now she knew she must speak plainly and honestly as the representative of Alderaan and the Coalition. "Natasi you know that Alderaan and the Coalition members believe in avoiding war when possible. That Alderaan abhors war and the costs associated with it, and when we say costs we don't mean the weaponry we refer to the lives lost, and cut short." Claire put her hands into her lap leaving the datapad sitting on the small table.

Claire knew war was terrible the people of the Alliance and First Order had lost too many lives to continue a war. Engagement after engagement slowly chipping away at one another leaving another mother without a child, wives without husbands, husbands with wives, and children without parents the cost was too high in Claire's eyes.

This what Natasi was asking was assistance to help end a war. It seemed for a moment that the room became eerily silent as if the very walls stood in shock that the Grand Moff would want an end to war. Only the walls here would know the reasons for such an action and Claire would not ask the reason. Just as she had noticed the look of loss on the faces around her she imagined that Natasi too had seen it. Natasi was not made of steel and iron as most would like to think Claire knew there was a softness to her that few saw.

War for the sake of war was waste. Claire nodded answering the question posed to her without it really being a question.

"Do you want me to try and get a representative to meet with you?." She could not imagine that the Alliance would not want this ended as well.

[member="Natasi Fortan"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi listened politely as she studied the face of her friend, her dark eyes searching Claire's pleasant features for any sign of deviance or deviousness. She found none. Listening to Claire speak about the cost of war and the Coalition's desire to avoid war, Natasi thought (not for the first time) that perhaps she was in the wrong business. The Grand Moff nodded along -- though she was slightly incredulous at Claire's claim given the involvement of Draco Vereen in the war -- and lifted her teacup up to her lips to take a sip of the contents.

"The First Order was never interested in war," Natasi told Claire as she set her teacup down in its saucer. "I did everything I could to stop it. Unfortunately, after Kaeshana, there was no way to turn the other cheek and retain any sort of credibility. They butchered our citizens -- not soldiers, but scientists, aid workers, volunteers. My own private secretary who went to oversee the scientific mission was executed on live holovision, and the Alliance and their friends were terrorists. I'm not trying to litigate the war with you -- far from it -- I just want it known for the record that the First Order were not the aggressors in this war. We were forced into a fight we never wanted."

Now that the First Order had decisively won the war, it would perhaps be a lesson to the Alliance and others looking to pick a fight. There was an old saying her father was fond of saying: never anger a quiet man.

"In a simple phrase, yes," Natasi agreed with [member="Claire Organa"]'s summation. "However, it cannot be revealed that we are looking for the meeting until they agree. There are still battles raging along the border, and if our soldiers thought we were giving up the fight -- which I'm sure the propagandists would say if we were caught out -- it could be catastrophic." The Grand Moff set her teacup down on the nearby table and leaned forward, clasping her hands together on her knees. "Is there a way you can approach them... discreetly?" she looked up at Claire, eyebrows lofting quizzically.

[member="Jaius Sovv"]

 

[Claire Organa]

There was nothing dark or empty about Natasi's words her emotions as controlled as they were showed in her eyes it told Claire she was honest in what she said, she wanted peace for the Alliance. The acts that Natasi spoke of were heinous she hoped she never saw such things or that such acts were carried out upon her own people. That is what gave her perspective though if it was her people what would she do? How would she feel?

Claire might not have every seen war in the way that Natasi had but she felt for those that had gone through it. War had cost her family many things, tossed them into a life they were not prepared for. Took everything, name, home, and family.

She nodded agreement that no one must know what she is up to. "I'm a fashion designer just about every one I have met needs clothes. I'll see if someone in the Alliance needs clothes." She half smiled thinking she knew no one in the Alliance. She would change that for certain she had to, lives counted on it. "See what conversations there are, need someone who can negotiate for them, and wants peace as well. You know some people will tell their designer things they'd never tell anyone else." She smiled. That was a conversation she and Natasi had on their first meeting. Claire was still like only one of a few people who knew Natasi's measurements.

"I can go to Sullust the FWC is friendly with them it shouldn't be difficult for me to get there." Claire needed an Ad Campaign, and a model or two. "Unless you know someone who could be open to talks" It was possible she knew someone Claire would want to take advantage of that information.

[member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="Jaius Sovv"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"I'm not entirely sure," Natasi confessed. "I almost had a diplomatic tete-a-tete with someone called [member="Jaius Sovv"] over Kaeshana. Unfortunately circumstances were overtaken by events. If he's not the one, he should be able to tell you who is," Natasi said. The Grand Moff picked up her teacup and took another sip, cradling it for warmth between her fingers as she looked over the rim of it at her friend Claire.

"I cannot stress enough the confidentiality of this request. I don't think you would tell anyone, but I worry that the Alliance will take this opportunity to propagandize about our weakness -- if you can imagine anything so absurd, after we won the war -- if they were to find out that the request was coming from us." She inclined her head gracefully, eyes widening a little at the thought of being exposed in this way. Finally, she stood and crossed to her desk, pulling out a small card. She took a pen from the desk drawer and scrawled some digits on the back before crossing back over to [member="Claire Organa"] and offering it to her.

"Call me anytime -- day or night -- if you hear anything. I mean it; nothing is more important than this now."

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire nodding taking the card from [member="Natasi Fortan"] the weight suddenly of what Natasi had asked of her came down on her fully. The necessity of keeping the secret and finding the means to get it done.

Claire rose up from her chair her brown eyes sitll resting on the Grand Moff of the First Order, her friend, her client, and in some ways her confidante, "I'll get started right way." Claire slipped the card into a pocket. At that moment she exhaled she must have been holding her breath how she did that she just did not know. But here she was. Standing still would not get anything done.

"Let me know what you think of the dresses" Claire turned heading towards the door before she reached for knob she turned back, "I'll start with [member="Jaius Sovv"] and if he isn't the one I'll find someone who is." She wanted Natasi to know that she heard her. She hoped she would have news in a few weeks.

She pulled herself together put on her happy face and headed out the doors. The campaign already going in her head and then how she would approach Jaius. First she would find out what she could about him.

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire started her ad campaign in Galactic Alliance territory the following week. She would contact Natasi once she had something solid to go on for now she was knocking on doors.

She sent an introduction to [member="Jaius Sovv"] explaining what her business was and if she could interest him in a new suit or two. This method sometimes got her in the door, and sometimes it fell flat.

//Greetings Councilor Sovv
I have heard your name frequently since Alderaan rebuilt the embassy on Coruscant. I am interested in building a store front within Alliance space and need a few clients to showcase my designs. Can I interest you in allowing me to come and have a suit or two designed for you? It would be a boost to my career, and give me an introduction to others on Sullust.

Respectfully, Claire Organa
Contessa, CEO//

Now she would wait and work on the clothing for the Emperor, he had picked out the style he liked and she was now in the process of creating the patterns and ordering the materials needed to complete them.

 

[Jaius Sovv]

Byllurun​

Capitol Tower, Byllurun
Sullust, Galactic Federation of Free Alliances
Outer Rim

Coalition building.

The tired old councilor internally groaned at the mere thought of the words. As President of the Council, a certain percentage of his duties were largely ceremonial, to act as a figurehead for the political body, a reassuring symbol to the people. What little time he spent off the hyperlanes and back home in the subterranean capital city of the Sullustan people, was spent locked away deep in windowless conference rooms within the labyrinthine halls of the Capitol Tower, in many ways the civic heartbeat of the Federation government. While Sullust Base, the seat of the Triumvirate was actually much closer to Pinyumb on the southern equator, the sway of the Alliance had not grown so much yet to wrest all status and control from the planetary government's seat of power, as well as SoroSuub headquarters, which made up a significant portion of Byllurun itself.

It was a loathsome career, politics, and Jaius would have been rid of the whole enterprise decades ago if it hadn't also been so important. So instead of walking the duracrete of his beloved home, he was sending out encrypted comm burst after comm burst, quietly assembling his forces. Not forces of arms, of course, but a force for peace. Confident that enough of the Council would back him, private talks with President Eldyr had confirmed Eriadu's support. But the worlds of the Alliance tended to cluster into political blocs based on region, and so Jaius had needed to reach out and either reestablish relationships with old contacts, or develop new ones altogether. The latest result of that victory was the tacit acknowledgment of a rep from Coruscant's Provisional Government that they would back a resolution if it seemed likely to carry through.

It was a start, but not enough. They needed more. The Sullustan had just finished drafting a formal letter to a contact within House Pyne, hoping to add the Queen of Naboo ([member="Jamie Pyne"]) to his list of allies. Even with Naboo, should the Queen be amenable, and a dozen other member worlds of the Alliance besides, their endeavor would never gain traction in the eyes of the Triumvirate without support from within the New Jedi Order. The Panatha Question would have to be resolved, the Order of Ren dealt with, but without more moderate voices from within the upper echelons of Jedi hierarchy to counteract the zealots pushing for total war and purification. The logical solution would be to reach out to the moderates, but dealings with Jedi were seldom if ever logical, and President Sovv had instead opted to reach out towards one of the potential zealots. If Jaius could convince Master [member="Taeli Raaf"], who by her public record had always been known to take a hard line against cultist infestation, of the logical benefits of a cease fire, then perhaps the Order would begin to think less ideologically and more pragmatically.

Of course, it was never a simple matter, reaching out to Jedi. Unpredictable creatures in their habits, Jaius no way of knowing if the Jedi Master would be the type to find a message by comm link offensive or not, and so the President had resolved that a face to face meeting would be the better option. Normally next to impossible for someone of his status in Sullustan society, luckily the Jedi Temple that floated above the planet's surface and delved below towards its core was one of the few other places on the entire planet rated secure enough for him to arrange transport to with a minimum of fuss. Having already called for the aircab to go and see about setting up an appointment with the Master, Jaius had plugged his datapad into a terminal connected to the HoloNet to sync with his personal messages when he had noted with mild surprise the communique from the Alderaanian Ambassador and member of the royal house of Organa. Having made it past the filter of his staff and directly into his personal messages was all the validation he needed to assure himself that it was a legitimate message from Alderaan.

"A new suit?" he asked his empty office as he read the message on his way out the door. He glanced down at his ceremonial robes of office in confusion.

It was late, Byllurun time, and it took Jaius a little more time than he was proud of to pick up the undercurrents of the message behind the message. Although perhaps it should have, any connections both Claire and Contessa may have had with the First Order aristocracy simply did not occur to the older Sullustan, out of touch with such things, and yet the clear intention of the message was to discuss something besides suits. Perhaps he was just being paranoid, projecting or overthinking the matter, and the young woman was simply asking for a favor her status and position allowed her to present to a foreign dignitary of Jaius' stature, and if that was merely the case then the old man would be happy to do it. If nothing else, it would be a nice little distraction from the hours of ceremony that tended to fill his days. Ceremony he had grown tired of a long, long time ago.

As he composed his reply to Ambassador Organa from within the aircab, offering for her to make the trip to the Outer Rim at her earliest convenience, as well as offering to provide an honor guard as they passed into Alliance space if she would care to provide them with her travel itinerary. The thought occurred to him as he tapped out the response, that if his initial meeting with Master Raaf went well, then perhaps he could arrange an introduction between the two of them as further evidence in his case. Alderaan and its Coalition were a powerful example the prosperous benefits of a less aggressive foreign policy. Much hinged on the Jedi even being willing to hear him out, but if she proved open minded then although she did not yet know it [member="Claire Organa"] could become a powerful asset in his cause for bringing about peace with the First Order.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"Master Raaf?"

Taeli looked up from the tome she was examining, setting an actual ink pen down. She had been meticulously been copying the tome into a new volume, given the dilapidated state the original was in. Spending several years in a cave had left it worn and damaged, and extremely fragile.

"Yes, Padawan?"

"A President Sovv is requesting a meeting with you, he's on his way to the Temple now."

"Thank you, when he arrives, would you kindly escort him to here?"

"Of course, Master."

Taeli settled back into her seat, pen once again back in hand as she twirling it through her fingers. The President of the Council was wanting to meet with her in particular, not with the Grand Marshal. How interesting. In the wake of the failed invasion of the Anoat Sector, she had been pondering what exactly the Alliance's stance was going to be. The defeat, narrow from what she could tell, was only going to drive the conflict further. Many people, both Jedi and Alliance personnel, were wanting to push again as soon as possible. She had gone on record stating that the Knights of Ren needed to be destroyed, although her stated reason was far different than her personal reason. She had publicly decried the dark side cult of personality for Sieger Ren, but privately... she just thought they weren't worthy of their lives. She was extremely unimpressed by their efforts during this war. Too many of them running away from fights or making rookie mistakes.

She wasn't too familiar with [member="Jaius Sovv"], but she had heard his politics. He was, by and large, one who wanted to see peace restored... which made his reason for meeting with her become clear. Now she was even more interested to hear what he had to say.

 

[Jaius Sovv]

Jedi Temple, Sullust
Galactic Federation of Free Alliances
Outer Rim

Jaius Sovv wasn't exactly a celebrity. The peoples of Sullust had thankfully, for the most part, evolved past the use of politics as entertainment. Still, he was a recognizable enough figure on domestic holonews programs that it was only natural to expect a certain...elevated atmosphere from those around him as he passed by, on the street or in a spaceport. Not so at the Sullust Temple, for as the Padawan escorted him through the grounds on their way to the Master's study, the anchorites of this monastic order of warrior poets bowed slightly in the same generic display they would reserve for anyone not of their Order but still deserving of respect. It would have been a curiously pleasant situation, to be ignored, if the Jedi didn't worry him far more than the odd overly excited political science enthusiast in a turbolift ever could.

It was not that he felt small when in their presence. President Sovv was a Bomewright, he was used to feeling small relative to just about anyone. It was that he was afraid that there might come a day when the Jedi thought themselves too big in his, too concerned with higher matters of their mystic Force and their endless crusade against the Dark to take into consideration the futures of the mundanes all around them. Publicly, Jaius was a devout member of the Church of the Force, like many within the Alliance. Privately, he believed fervently in the Jedi philosophy and hoped they were just in their cause, but sometimes found himself doubting his convictions. What if this was merely a war of ideologies, destined to consume the galaxy in an endless cycle as long as both belief systems survived? Given the choice between the two, Jaius vastly preferred putting up with the occasionally draconian peacekeeping tactics of the Jedi orthodoxy to the brutal tyranny of life under Sith rule, but sometimes he could not help but wonder if organized groups of Force sensitive were the true threat to lasting peace in the galaxy, no matter their belief system.

Such dark thoughts filled his mind as they neared their destination, and so comfortable was he in his surroundings that he almost forgot to clear his thoughts and throw up the mundane but not unfeeble mental barriers he had been trained over years of political service in the Sullustan Council to erect to fend off mind probes. Standard practice when dealing with sensitives, although not usually necessary around the Jedi, who were not in a habit of slipping into others' minds uninvited as a general rule. Still, mistakes could be made and thoughts could be unwittingly projected, and as he was on his way to feel out a potential zealot concerning what some might consider treason, the Sullustant President felt it was better to be safe.

"Master Raaf," Jaius bowed deeply once the Padawan had led him into the presence of Jedi Master [member="Taeli Raaf"], "I am deeply grateful you were able to see me with such little notice. I know that we have never before met, and I'm certain that if you've heard anything of my reputation you are curious as to what my motivations are for requesting this meeting. In truth, I have come here in search of your counsel in such dark and troublesome times, as the Jedi have always provided wisdom in such matters of state since history forgotten. I wish to talk to you about conviction, pragmatism, and the long game. Do you have a few moments to spare from your meditations?"

[member="Claire Organa"] [member="Natasi Fortan"] [member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Claire Organa]

Claire was pinning the last of the robes for the Emperor it looked almost like what he wanted. All of the armor plates he wanted would have plenty of room, and it would still provide some protection its own. The colors blended wonderfully. She was proud of this work it was the first rob she had been asked to make. They really looked like silky pajamas.

The sound of a message arriving took her attention from her task she looked up, "play message" She began to program the stitching for the robes. The voice of the computer read the message to her. She stuck her finger "OW!" that's what she got for not paying attention. So good news [member="Jaius Sovv"] had accepted her off and she was welcome to come.

Excellent. She thought about what to say in return now, and give thought to the honor guard as she entered Alliance space. Honor Guard would be an attention grabber but she did use a ship with Alderaan registry.

"Sir - Thank you for allowing me to come and show my designs to you. I don't think you will be disappointed." She looked at her schedule for the next week or so. Everything there could easily be taken care of as she traveled. She then moved over to request the ship and pilot with a departure date. A few more details here and there and she was ready, "I am sending my schedule, ship designation and flight plans for your awareness and for the honor guard"

He couldn't suspect her of anything right? She knew that they likely knew of her being ambassador to the First Order..but would he put two and two together to know she was coming to talk? No. Not possible.

She convinced herself, while she added a few designs to her data pad to show him. He might use a new outfit right...right. Again she was trying to convince herself. She now had a few days to prepare and leave to make her journey. She could feel her nerves jumping around already. She just had to find this contact to bring out peace.

[member="Jaius Sovv"] [member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Jaius Sovv"]

When he entered her office, she smiled as he gave his introduction and request. While he spoke, she observed him, noting his body language...the words he used which were likely carefully selected... the invocation of the time honored tradition of the Jedi giving advice to politicians. She didn't probe his mind, almost certain that the Sullustan, being a politician, had at least some rudimentary mental barriers to keep his secrets somewhat safe. Could she force her way through and glean his true intentions? Most likely, but there was no need. He was likely to voice his true thoughts soon enough.

She was colored intrigued by his use of the words conviction, pragmatism, and the long game. Not everyday she heard such... a plea? Perhaps.

"It's not everyday I get a visit from a being of your stature... or humbleness, President Sovv," she replied, still smiling and her tone light. She carefully placed the pen down on her desk, next to the two tomes on her desk. "Your reputation precedes, though we have indeed not met before. I know you as a man of peace, even as you have also been a man of strength in these dark times we find ourselves in. Before anything else, I would like to give my condolences to any of your people that might have been lost in the recent campaign in the Anoat sector. It is never easy, war. I've seen my fair share of it, and the dangers that exist that necessitate the fight against such dark stirrings."

She would give a look off into the distance, careful to make it appear as though she were in genuine remembrance of fallen companions. There was a hint of sadness in there, just to give the proper evocation of emotions.

"My apologies, I was at Bespin during the recent campaign and witnessed... a few things I never thought I would see," she said, looking once again at the Sullustan, her eyes much more lighter than a moment before. "To what can I lend my advice? How can I be of service to you, President Sovv?"

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Naboo - Theed
Royal Chambers

Theed had become a quiet place once more. The prior attacks of renegade Republic agents acting on behalf of the Sith, two Sith themselves, and an agent of the Ren now in the past, Theed had returned to a quiet, yet busy trade center for the planet. Peace once again settled for the citizens, and much of the destruction that had damaged the city center, and starport had long since been repaired. That allowed the queen and the royal palace to focus on other tasks that were equally as important. Chief among those was pursuing an ongoing and lasting peace between the Galactic Alliance and the First Order. Given her prior experiences with the Order, and with a man named Castor Ren, whose abrupt visitation of her brought forward the offering of peace drove her desire to see this war ended. Despite Naboo's relative safety, being at the far end of Alliance space and well distanced from the First Order, safety from distance was only a brief measure of security and would not guarantee their sovereignty if the Alliance were to fall. Thus it was in Jamie's best interest to see to a peaceful resolution to the hostilities and atrocities brought forth from both sides.

"My lady, I apologize for the disturbance. A missive has arrived for you from the delegation of the Galactic Alliance. I've delivered it to your personal HoloPad." The blonde had been meditating by the large open windows that looked out over Naboo. It was something she was not particularly masterful at, but found that it allowed a measure of calm and serenity to take over and bring her the focus needed to find the paths that needed to be walked. The sound of Retilavay's voice carried across the room, her similarities to Jamie were uncanny, including the manner in which she spoke. If ever there was a perfect double for the queen, Retilavay was it. Cerulean eyes slowly opened, catching glimpse of where the other girl stood quietly. With a nod of acknowledgement the handmaiden quietly sat just a few feet away from Jamie. Being the queen's double meant that either she or Skyela would need to be in Jamie's company at all times, while the other shared that information so that there was no misstep in the event that either handmaiden needed to serve as the queen in Jamie's absence. "Thank you. I trust you've read it?" A warm smile stretched across her face. "I have, my lady." Jamie nodded. "Very good. Allow me a moment."

The woman read slowly through the letter signed by one [member="Jaius Sovv"], a Sullustan politician for the Alliance. "It would seem the Alliance wishes to engage the First Order in peace talks as well." The handmaiden nodded, "It would seem that way." Several times the queen read through Jaius' letter, ensuring she had fully understood each and every word the man wrote before she began to draft her own formal reply.

Theed Royal Palace
Queen Jamie Pyne

TO: Jaius Sovv, Galactic Alliance

For centuries Naboo has stood as one of the galaxy's shining examples for democracy, peace, and civil rights. For centuries our people have stood among the people of the galaxy -- all people. We are not a people of war, and we are not a people of tyranny. The beauty of our planet I believe is truly a reflection of the people that call her home. Yet peace, equality, and stability is not a galactic right among all people. Still we struggle to find those things among the countless planets and stars. Still wars wage over economics, territory, and sharp tongues. To put an end to such volatility would be a great service to all living things. To bring true peace would be a monumental achievement. A galactic golden age I do believe is possible. But to strive for such requires the cooperation of the masses to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds. I believe that begins with us. I will lend the voice of Naboo in the mediation of these two great superpowers. The eyes of the galaxy will be upon these negotiations, let us not disappoint them.

Signed,

Jamie Pyne
House Pyne
Queen Of Naboo