Private A Meeting of the Minds

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen's office was a quiet place. Burnished in wood and accents of gold, it was usually kept fairly neat, with the sole exception for the large Teradin wood desk where the Valde sat. Its wide surface was strewn with paper and datapads, each document a record of the Veran ruler's activities. As a system, it was intelligible only to Vulpesen who found purpose in each scattered piece. Even the use of archaic writing tools was meant to aid his personal endeavors as he leafed through the scribble covered sheets. At his right side, in a spot so permanent, it had practically been worn into the desk was a glass of amber whiskey with four cubes of ice clinking quietly as it was lifted up ever few minutes. On the left, there rested a small blue wolf on a small pillow. Ace was rarely far from Vulpesen's side, and as the Valde had no business that required a great deal of movement, Ace was enjoying some time out of the stuffy pocket that he often made into his abode.

Vulpesen's ears flicked to the door as it creaked open, even as his face stared down at what seemed like the hundredth law to pass over his desk in the last hour. The words were seeming to blur together and he couldn't be more grateful to finally have a break from the monotony of administerial paperwork. He scribbled in the last flourish on a signature and looked up to watch as Diarch Reign was ushered into the room. To this point, his fellow head of state would have enjoyed a landing permit to the Valde's personal port and an escort from the esteemed Trident company into his estate, and now, his personal office.

Vulpesen did feel a small pang of regret as he had been unable to personal greet the Diarch on his arrival, but the galaxy was changing once again, and with that, it fell to the Valde to keep Veradune safe and secure. Time was once again at a premium. "Welcome! Welcome! Good to see your again, sir. I hope your travels went easy enough." He rose from his seat and extended a clawed hand and a fanged grin. Their last meeting had been an odd mix of friendly and adversarial. An amicable duel where the pair had tested their strength against each other. Perhaps it wasn't the most orthodox of introductions, but it did do wonders to give Vulpesen the measure of the man he now welcomed into his personal sanctum.

 

[Diarch Reign]

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Location: Veradune
Tags: Vulpesen
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather
Color Code: #B35432

---

Reign had never seen a planet quite like Veradune, the harmony with nature that was exhibited everywhere he looked amazed him. He was a man of war, machines, and metal. Yet, he could be moved by the beauty of nature.

The ride from the personal port of the Valde to his estates had shown Reign such wonderful sights, and it reaffirmed to him that there was much in the galaxy to protect.

He was ushered into the office of his newest “friend” their initial meeting on Bastion had been quite unexpected, but it had taught Reign a few things. And as such, he wanted this being as his friend.

“They went as well as can be expected. Thankfully there is a corridor between Diarchy, Empire, and Mandalorian space so we were not accosted too much.”

He stepped more fully into the room and bowed slightly.

“Thank you for welcoming me to your planet, and your home. I hope that there is much we can discuss of the future.”

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen smiled at the news of an easy passage and lowered himself back into his seat. "My pleasure. Veradune is open to all." It was a simple statement, but one weighed down by history. Once upon a time, Veradune had been isolationists by necessity. Its reintroduction to the galaxy had been one of the Valde's proudest moments. "A corridor that will need to be secured if we want to continue enjoying that safety." Already there was a mention of the future, and Vulpesen couldn't help but begin with the list of things that entailed.

"That is a hope we share. Especially as the present condition of the galaxy is in flux." He was referring, of course, to the collapse of the Galactic Alliance's authority. Members of that failing government still continued to meet in its halls and he believed there were likely planets that still held to their laws and yielded to their regulation. Vulpesen and the planet of Veradune were not among either of those groups. Already, he had resigned his commission as an officer and returned to his home to focus on what came next. He bore no ill will towards the alliance, but the truth was undeniable. It could serve its purpose no longer. Now it fell to him to ensure his people's safety, something which came in many forms. One of those forms was in bonds forged in moments such as this. "I have to say, when I first learned of the Diarchy, your people confused me. Your kind seemed unprecedented, and I was admittedly uninformed. Since our meeting however, I've come to realize that perhaps, there is a chance at us working together to further our mutual goals."

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

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Location: Veradune
Tags: Vulpesen
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather
Color Code: #B35432

---

Reign smiled warmly at the being across from him, their encounter on Bastion had been one of Reign's favorites in recent times. He listened intently to Vulpesen's words, having gained a measure of the man from their friendly duel.

"There is much to be concerned about regarding the state of the galaxy now. With the Alliance falling, the great bulwark keeping the Galactic Empire in check has disappeared. Trillions of beings without protection."

His eyes softened a bit at this, Reign and the Diarchy had already pledged to help, his vendetta against the imperials being a nonfactor here. But his mind again went to the battles on Muunilinst and over Bastion, the assault on Atrisia, and his blood boiled.

Clamping down on the flare of anger he felt, his smile returned.

"I fear it is misinformation and assumptions that truly have guided how the galaxy views the Diarchy. We are a warrior people, unafraid to do what is necessary.. and in a galaxy so long dominated by the Jedi and those who preach "restraint" we are viewed as an evil. I can tell you that is not wholly the case"

He shook his head just a bit as he said this but there was no lie. In Reign's eyes the Diarchy were not evil, no matter what some of the other powers of the galaxy said.

"I would welcome an opportunity to work more closely together. Not just our peoples but us as well. I feel there is much I could learn from you"

 

[Vulpesen]

"The wheel of time is constantly turning. Bulwarks of freedom wax as tyranny wanes, then vice versa. What changes now is that I have taken an active role in the spokes, unwilling to be among the gravel that gets crushed beneath." He had been a solider for almost as long as he could remember. A youth spent fighting in the wars against the One Sith and the empires before them. Now, even as he stood as an elder among most life forms, he found that his life had continued to be one of service to powers beyond his own control. Now those powers had fallen and it fell him to rise up in their place. He was tired of riding in the crews of whatever ship flew by. it was time to take the helm. But leadership, he had learned, was not a burden to be carried in solitude.

"Given the future I have in mind, I'm sure that we'll have plenty of opportunities to work together." His hands moved through his desk, producing a small holoprojector which soon displayed a small model of the galaxy. A few swipes on the display later and a blur of colors displayed the various contenders of galactic control. "As you mentioned, there was a corridor of independent space that shot you down to us with relative safety. If I and my allies can secure that corridor, then cooperation can become that much easier. Though on a less official note, I'd be happy to offer what knowledge I've gathered over the years. The wilders have been separated from the outside galaxy for too long, I think."

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Veradune
Tags: Vulpesen
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather
Color Code: #B35432

---

Reign studied the holoprojector, the colors indicating his forces in the Diarchy, and the other rivals on the galactic stage.

He pointed his finger along the space than ran between Diarchy, Galactic Empire, and Mandalorian space ending at Veradune.

“There are many hurdles to securing this space. From the south and immediate east, you have both the High Republic and the Black Sun. To the North west and North east, the galactic empire and the Mandalorians.”

He pointed to the Diarchy in the far north

“Me and my people are determined not to let the barbarism of the Mandalorians, nor the tyranny of the Empire spread throughout the galaxy, but we too need allies in this fight.”

He pointed to the Imperial Confederation just on the other side of Black Sun.

“One comes in the form of the Imperials not affiliated with Silopsis. The Diarchy has found the Confederation to be staunch allies in the pursuit of order, and peace. It may be worth reaching out to them as well.”

His strategic assessment finished he folded his hands again, waiting for the more experienced leader to speak again.

 

[Vulpesen]

"Most reports about the Black Sun suggest a form of neutral isolationism. We're not anticipating any conflict with them at the moment." There was a coldness in his voice as he spoke. Tactics and chances . It was the voice of a man who had led campaigns and armies. "We are currently building connections with the Republic and Ra has a past with them that will lend easily to those relations. By what I know of the Mandalorians, this particular iteration isn't as bloodthirsty as some f its earlier counterparts. Shortly before the collapse of the Alliance, there were talks of alliances and partnerships between them. Of course, our major concern is the Empire. In fact, I would describe them more as the goal. Dismantling them is our primary objective outside of providing stability and independence for the local systems."

Vulpesen's eyes turned to the south when the confederacy was mentioned. He knew better than to discount any major players within the galaxy. But admittedly, their location had brought them underneath his notice. Hearing the possibility of additional allies was certainly an option worth exploring. "Not to cast aspersions, but while I've come to trust you through our meetings, I'm naturally wary of any group that espouses order as its goal." During his time as an agent hidden within the sith, it had been his outward reasoning. It was the kernel of truth that he had held to. Order was important, but when it became the foremost goal, things like liberty were often cast aside.

Diarch Reign

 

[Diarch Reign]

​

Location: Veradune
Tags: Vulpesen
Gear: Amulet of the Warden's Eye, Bladefather
Color Code: #B35432

---

Reign took the Valde’s words in. Eager to see such an ancient mind at work. There was much at play in the galaxy, and no one being could know it all.

“Having met with the Black Sun personally, I can tell you that they will attack anyone for the right sum. Or should the whim of their “prince” will it.”

He leaned forward in his seat when he spoke.

“However, the most concerning thing about them is their friendliness with the Sith Order. During our ill fated meeting with the Syndicate, there were Sith Lords advising the leadership there.”

The topic of the Mandalorians made Reign’s blood boil but he spoke with the calm and calculated manner of a tactician.

“The Mandalorians are not what they seem. There was formalization of alliance between the two of us, and we were betrayed. Innocent blood was spilled and now? It is war”

He sat back then, thinking while he analyzed the map.

“The empire should be on the forefront of everyone’s mind. Their war machine is nigh unstoppable, and while the Diarchy is not afraid to wage war, I genuinely do not know if we can stem this tide.”

He highlighted areas along the map, the corridor between Diarchy and Mandalorian space, as well as the budding front of Diarchy-Empire space.

“Our main forces are concentrated along these two corridors here. However, we may be able to spare the 4th and 9th legions and fleet to secure this passageway here”

He said outlining the area of free space towards Veradune.