Alliance Apparitions (Zonia)

[Mr. OOC]

Leos rarely ever had time to actually go to the office on Telos. That was why he'd hired Kaela. She did all of the work while he went about his business. Not that she'd ever complained to him about it before, but he was pretty certain that at times it was annoying to her that he was never there. So, he'd made a small effort at concession and had made a trip to the office so that he could finalize some paperwork that the woman said he had to take care of. She couldn't do this herself. Apparently the board wasn't going to have any of that. No, he had to sign off on it.

Sometimes he wondered why they had a board.

Of course he wouldn't get rid of them. It was no longer in his power to do so, even though he owned the majority share. Bylaws and such. So he had to do what they said or else forfeit his position, which just wasn't going to do considering it was his company that he built from the ground up. Ink onto paper wasn't so bad, though he did actually have to take time to read what he was signing. He wasn't going to be bamboozled.

That was about the time his comm went off.

"Yes?"

"Leos." It was definitely Kaela and she sounded agitated. "There's some representative from the Galactic Alliance here that's demanding to speak with you. She's pretty adamant. To the point that I'm afraid if I don't let her we might have to get security involved."

Leos groaned and lifted a hand to rub his temple. He didn't meat with clients, press, or anyone else. That was Kaela's job. But, keeping her happy was essential to the function of the company.

"Send her up," he said with resignation. "But just her. Nobody else today. I can't get work done if I'm being bothered."

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

Force users. The tiniest fraction of the population but all the trouble. They couldn't be trusted with their abilities, this much was evident from millenia of galactic history. Zonia shared this opinion privately, as her entire family was slain by the Sith. Officially, she had to tolerate Jedi within the Alliance, even in High Command. Yet their role in invasion of Coruscant was crucial. Nonetheless, it didn't imply they could be trusted at all.

The visit to Ignus Industries was motivated by a very special item they had in their inventory, rounds against which the Force was useless. The Alliance would need all this company would produce, in the next five years. As a matter of fact, Zonia was here to seal an exclusive deal, the kind of contract that made every manager salivate. If Kaela knew of her intentions, she would've been much more courteous. Zonia couldn't blame her; secretaries were buffers, both literally and figuratively speaking. Once Kaela finally admitted her to the office above, Kalranoos graced her with a miniscule, albeit satisfied smile.

Clad in a red business dress with a knee-long pencil skirt and sable-colored hair assembled in a neat bun, Zonia made her way to the elevator. Black stilletos clicked against the perfectly polished marble floor. Ten seconds later, the door of the turbolift split open with a low hiss, revealing a green-skinned man sitting at a table by the window. He looked busy, not even noticing someone had arrived to his office.

With a steady stride, the Prakithan made her way to the middle of the room. The way she bore herself radiated both professionalism and confidence, but also an aura of subdued sensuality of a woman in her prime. Still, the Mirialan didn't lift his gaze from the documents he studied.

"Am I interrupting something important, mr. Palle?" she asked politely, waiting for him to finally look up. Perhaps what he would see before him would convince him this conversation was worth his time.

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

Honestly he just wanted to get the "paperwork" done so that he could get out of the office. It wasn't that he was really annoyed about having to deal with a customer, it's just that dealing with her meant he would have to spend more time in the office, which meant he couldn't be out looking for the people that they needed to continue their goals. Still, he couldn't argue with the fact that dealing with customers would inevitably create a boost in revenue in most cases. Subsequently that helped him fund his other company, which was in the process of developing equipment for use by the secret project he and a few others were working on.

After a few more moments, he looked up at her and was pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful woman standing in front of him. He'd expected an irate crackpot based on what Kaela said. He was intrigued to find that wasn't the case. So why was she so insistent on speaking with him? He figured he'd find out.

"Please, have a seat. If you'd like something to drink I'll have it brought in."

Pushing away his work, he made an effort to make his desk seem more presentable to her. For the moment that meant shuffling things around to make a clear area in front of him. It was probably obvious from the amount of work on the desk that he didn't spend a lot of time there. Though, the room was decorated with various pieces of art from throughout the galaxy. He was a bit of an avid collector, just as Kaela was. Not really surprising since the two of them had a lot of similarities to go along with all of their difference.

He could sense that the woman felt a tiny bit agitated, but that was normal. Better than being downright afraid.

"What can I do for you, Ms-?"

Since he didn't know her name, he'd go for the old ask two questions at once line. Kill two birds with one stone, right?

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

"Kalranoos." she replied upon taking a seat and crossing her legs before him, both of her hands placed on her right knee - "Zonia Kalranoos."
She wasn't exactly a household name, at least not in this part of the galaxy. Perhaps a proper introduction was in order, since Zonia now directly answered to Command. She oversaw all of Alliance's assets and finance and was not an associated member at Command meetings. Chief of State Xan fully relied on her expertise and negotiation skills alike. However, Palle had no way of knowing the internal structure of the Alliance.

"I am chief economist of the Galactic Alliance, mr. Palle." she stated, letting an idle moment pass so her words would sink in - "You may have something we want."

Dark eyes studied the Mirialan and his facial markings. His iridescent orbs were captivating, glowing eerily under the shadow of his brow. The Prakithan was perceptive enough to pick up some subtle signs, like the veins on the back of his hands. They were unusually dilated, from physical strain. The same kind of physiology she saw on the likes of men such as Giden Raith. The hands of a solider, not the frail knuckles of a man who spent his life at a desk in some office. She didn't comment, just observed.

"What is your opinion on Force Users, mr.Palle?" she probed, quirking a dark brow.

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

Leos blinked. Chief Economist of the Galactic Alliance. Well, this was certainly a surprise. Not some random woman, this was a woman with a position of importance in the galactic struggle for supremacy of ideals. Not only that, but she represented an organization that would want him dead if they knew what he was, which they didn't at the moment as he was careful to use his real name only in association with the company, and otherwise called himself Darth Ignus when doing his other work. Thankfully his appearances had been restricted to only the Stygian Caldera so far. It was unlikely his name would get out quickly.

He tapped his fingers once against his desk and then let his hands clasp together and fall into his lap as she asked her question. That was definitely a loaded question if he'd ever heard one. He had to wonder why she asked that, but it could possibly have been due to some of the things the company was currently manufacturing. Chiefly, rounds meant to be used against Force Users. Or it could be that she was asking because the Alliance had Jedi among their number.

"Depends on the practitioner, I guess. Some of them have their usefulness, and others are rather detrimental to society. I've dealt with my fair share of both in recent years. May I inquire as to why you ask, Ms. Kalranoos?"

Oh he was very curious about that. And indeed there would be subtle signs of combat upon his physique. He knew how to handle himself, and kept himself in good physical condition, after all.

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

"You see, Mr. Palle..." she started off, slowly getting up from her seat - "Sentients sensitive to the Force make up such a small part of the population of the galaxy, yet disproportionately represent us in matters that concern us all."
Kalranoos stood in front of him, then turned towards a painting that was hung on the adjecent wall. The artpiece was dark, painted in dark anthracite hues with streaks of orange and red. It reminded her of the landscape of Sullust, the inhospitable cradle of the Galactic Alliance. The Prakithan walked towards it, her steps as soft as those of a cat.

"There is a growing number of members of the Alliance... who do not feel it is prudent to let our destiny be forged by wizards among the stars."
Her hand was placed against the crackled surface of the painting; she felt its heavy texture, the artist coating the canvas in a thick layer of oily paint. Her index finger trailed across the embossment, dark eyes trailing along the magma-coloured creases pervading the picture. Art as dark as this was an acquired taste.

"Trust is a rare commodity these days. Not as rare as ambition. Or greed."
She looked over her shoulder, straight back at the Mirialan who still sat in his seat. If he had any business savy in him, he would know what she was after. Perhaps he knew not of their appetites for what he was selling. Thus Zonia made her way towards his side of the table and sat on it, by his side. She crossed her legs and eyed him, like a woman who knows what she wants.

"I want to kill as many Sith as possible." she said calmly - "And you happen to have just what I need. Just say the price."

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

Yeah, he could see where this was going. She wanted blood. Unsurprising.

"A contract for the delivery of our anti-Force User rounds is what you want, I take it?"

The fact that the first major government to come to him for the purchase of the rounds was the Alliance was a bit striking. Of course the Commonwealth had a standing order for them from what Kaela had told him. They didn't quite have the galactic significance of the Alliance, however. It definitely would be a huge boost to their profit margin if they could sign a standing contract with the Alliance for delivery of the rounds en masse. In fact, it would probably help him personally as well. Considering his current efforts, that would be quite the boon. Ignus Black was needing more money to get things done for the future.

"We'll be happy to provide that, but would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions first? They'll have no bearing on our willingness to provide, I assure you."

Sitting back in his chair, he pondered this development for a few moments. The woman clearly hated Sith. There weren't a lot of people in the galaxy that didn't hate Sith so this wasn't exactly a surprising development as far as he was concerned. Still, it made him curious.

"It's obvious that you hate Sith. Not an uncommon thing. But do you, then, trust the Jedi more than Sith? You know they've been known to committ a surprising number of atrocities themselves; genocide, orbital bombardment of civilian cities. Do you think killing the Sith will bring order to the galaxy? The Force will still exist, and Force Users will always exist. Is there not a better solution to the struggles of the galaxy than killing Force Users?"

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

"Mr.Palle... You speak with so much concern, almost as if you were...one." she noted with a cryptical smile and slightly leaned back, slender legs revealed by the upward curling of her pencil skirt. Nonetheless, there was nothing lewd in her exposition. It was powerplay, above all else.

"I trust no one, Leos." Zonia said somewhat sternly, opting to use his first name to make a point. Her eyes narrowed a notch as she inhaled deeply, before diverting her gaze away from the Mirialan. After so many years had past, she was still uncomfortable speaking about the death of her family. But since he insisted, Kalranoos would oblige.

"My father, my brother and sister, were all killed by the Sith. Without a reason, of course." she stated coldly, her gaze fixed on the painting once again - "Hate is an understatement. They are the reason why I walk this world alone."

Very few knew this fragment of Zonia's past. Apart from a few close people and the psychiatrist who evaluted staff at the Alliance HQ, noone knew of her personal tragedy. Instead of wallowing in it, Zonia let it give her purpose.

"Who said the rounds would only be used on the Sith?" she replied, effectively avoiding the question about Jedi. She wasn't at liberty to dispense her opinions of the Order to anyone, let alone some merchant. Her dislike of Force users was private, as it would have severe repercussions on her career.

"I find your concern for the well-being of the Sith surprising. Why do you care?" she probed again and leaned in, holding his gaze, expecting an answer.

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

"Unfortunate, Zonia, that you lost your family. But you aren't the first and likely won't be the last."

He deliberately ignored her attempt to pry into whether or not he was a Force User himself. It would take a lot more effort on her part to get that bit of knowledge out of him. Though she most certainly did have a fire to her spirit and he didn't doubt that she was going to be doing some research on him when this was all said and done. That was perfectly alright with him. She wouldn't find much except for the fact that he seemed to come out of nowhere when he founded the company. Leos was very careful about these things because of the impact that they would have on his vision for the galaxy.

Oh, and that move with her skirt, didn't even draw a glance from him. Leos was not prone to the weakness of his base instincts when it came to women. She was certainly a divine creature to look upon, but he knew restraint that most males did not.

"The rounds have practical applications against armor wearing entities as well, which I'm sure you face. Stormtroopers, for example, are good targets for the rounds at close range. There are numerous applications for them."

He shrugged and leaned forward a little.

"Who said I cared about them?" A smile touched his lips. "Perhaps I'm just interested in your motivations, or perhaps I'm trying to point out the flaws in your hatred. After all, I highly doubt that all Sith were involved in the murder of your family. Hatred for the sake of hatred is worthless and destroys your soul. It will make you into the monster you despise so much. Would it not be better to work towards a solution that could bring actual balance and peace to the galaxy? Murdering the Sith won't do that."

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

With a gentle push, Zonia slid off the table and back onto her feet. Her stilletos clicked against the marble floor as a few steps were made towards the window overseeing the busy Telosian skyline. The spires of business district reached the very edges of atmosphere, duraglass glistening in sunlight. Kalranoos just peered into the distance for a moment before offering the Mirialan merchant a reply. She clasped her hands behind her back before she finally spoke.

"Hatred is not what fuels me, Leos." she said idly.
Her chin dipped a notch, following a shallow sigh.
"I would be no different than them, should I let hate consume me. Besides, it is sorrow that I feel, not hate..."
Kalranoos was a pacifist at heart, who loathed violence in any form, even if it was unavoidable.
"...a sorrow nobody deserves to feel. That makes me get up in the morning...I want to prevent others to feel this way."

Once again, she glanced over her shoulder. This time, not at the Mirialan, but at the painting.
"I've devoted my entire life to rebuilding the world they've destroyed in their wars, both Jedi and Sith. I've helped build hospitals, theathers and museums, on the ashes of their empires."
She sniffed softly, before setting her gaze on the skyline once again. The luminous orb of the sun was sinking into the horizon, slowly marking the end of yet another Telosian day.

"Despite all that I have done, I think its rather pretentious to assume anything I do would bring peace on larger scale. With greedy men, a plea for diplomacy falls to deaf ears." she said softly, with a miniscule smile - "They all seem to want a piece of world I've built. The First Order, The Commonwealth, The Mandalorians. And they would kill each other for it."

Her smile widened a notch.
"That is how I know I created something of value."

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

Leos turned in his chair to watch her. He couldn't decide how much of it was seductress, and how much of it was genuine thoughtfulness. The woman was an enigma, to be certain. But perhaps an enigma in a good way. Though, to draw her in might lead to her wanting to kill him considering what she'd said before. Not that he couldn't handle himself if it came to that. There were plenty of ways to resolve that situation without killing her.

In listening to what she said, he couldn't help but be drawn to telling her more. She was ripe for the movement. She wanted it, she just didn't know it yet. Her want for it had led her to do things that drew everyone to want to kill each other. It was the same as what they were doing, in a sense. No, he had to choose his words carefully here, and so he turned in his chair to face her as she looked past him at the painting. She clearly liked it. Maybe he'd give it to her when all was said and done. For now, he tapped his joined fingers against his chin as he regarded her with his orange eyes. She could do more. She could do a lot more.

"You've done a part of what is necessary, but not seen the full picture to do the rest."

Curious words. How long could he keep from telling her the truth? Wording was key.

"The galaxy can be saved from itself if the right people get together to do so. If the right circumstances are brought into play. Peace is achievable, but it takes people who truly believe in the cause to achieve it. Wanting the death of Sith, or Jedi, or anyone else, striving for it, guarantees no peace. Inclusion is the answer. Bringing people together rather than alienating a side here and a side there. Division is the key to anarchy, inclusion is its opposite. Strive to bring together everyone, to find a ground where all can exist comfortably and fairly, and you will do much more than building a sanctuary, or hospitals, or museums ever could.

"Do note I'm not saying that everyone could be brought together amicably. There will always be dissidents, after all. People who want more than they deserve."

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

"Hm. Peace. Such a rare occurence in history books. What makes you think this might be the natural state of the world?" she inquired, albeit not expecting an answer, After all, what did one merchant know of peacekeeping? He probably never left this office, apart from going to the gym, judging by the width of his shoulders. Kalranoos turned to face him. Her smile had vanished, giving way to a more serious, almost studious look.

"There is a concept they teach you in graduate school, in advanced game theory class." she began, crossing her arms before her - "The concept of credible threat. Contrary to popular belief, a weapon of mass destruction can be a vessel of peace."

A short pause ensued before the Prakithan opted to explain.

"Perhaps the most stupid move the Rebels did was to destroy the Death Star. It was probably the most powerful commitment device they would've had at their disposal to maintain peace. Nobody would dare to attack the Republic if they kept the weapon intact. Also, they would've never needed to fire the weapon again. A great commitment device, indeed." she said with a tinge of regret in her voice. The amount of resources used in construction of Death Star was staggering. To simply destroy it, without a moment's thought to at least salvage the engineering advances was indeed foolish.

"Trade has a similar effect, albeit not so dramatic. If war hurts the economy, nobody will be motivated for it. Trade agreements and trade alliances make conflict costly." she offered with a nod - "Much can be accomplished through economics alone, without violence. I am certain of it."

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

"Provided it doesn't have a readily accessible exhaust port."

He was quite familiar with how effective gunboat diplomacy could be. The thread of total annihilation? Yeah, that could certainly keep people in line if they couldn't destroy the weapon that was being used to threaten them. The stupidity of the Empire's designers was hilarious in that regard. They'd tried that very tactic and failed, losing two superweapons to snubfighters and a freighter. Pitiful. Waste of resources, anyway, considering a star destroyer could just as easily turn the surface of a planet to glass if given enough time. People feared those wedge shaped ships at one point when they were used effectively.

The rest of what she said caused him to sit back in thought. Using economics to win the galaxy. That was a notion he hadn't considered. Someone like her could certainly find a way to do that. He was surprised at all the things she said, considering her allegiance, though. Didn't really seem like the kind of thing you'd hear from a member of the Alliance. There was definitely more to this woman than meets the eye.

"Zonia, what if I was to tell you that there's a movement that's been started in an effort to unify the Jedi and Sith, ending a need for their bloodshed, and that said movement wants to work directly with people who cannot touch the Force in order to bring balance to the galaxy? These people believe that if they don't do this, the cycle of destruction will continue and ultimately lead to the galaxy destroying itself. They believe that a galactic government, a single one, is necessary for peace. Would you want to be involved in that?"

Well, he managed to get through that without indicating that he was a Sith. That was a good start. Now it was up to her to respond. She could laugh it all off as impossible. A few had already done so. Or she could simply not want to be involved. There had been one cowardly individual who didn't care enough about the galaxy to want to fix it. He just wanted to make money as an information broker. Yes, Leos had figured out what Munin was really up to. No other reason for someone so tech savvy to be sitting on a backwater world in the Stygian Caldera, after all. Not unless they were raking in information resulting from the recent Sith resurgence there.

He watched her, his eyes remaining focused on hers. Not blinking, just waiting to see how she would respond. She had an opportunity here if she would reach out and grab it. From what he understood of her, he hoped she would.

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

Kalranoos lifted a dark brow. She did not expect her visit to Telos would pan out this way. Simple negotiations, nothing else. An exclusive contract with the Alliance. Maybe a complementary dinner, if the gentleman insisted. She took a minute to conjure a reply, extremely careful with her wording. She took a step forward towards the Mirialan, her facial expression a mixture of surprise and discontent.

"Mr.Palle, you are asking me to betray the Alliance." she said softly, slightly tilting her head - "You've known me for five minutes and... well, you flatter me."

The Prakithan half-chuckled, waving her hand dismissively.
"I mean, if I am to stand trial for grand treason, at least buy me dinner first." she jested, her lips stretching into a wild smile. She was entertained, much more than it was appropriate. Leos seemed serious in his intentions. She, on the other hand, could not allow herself to be so frank. If nothing, she was formally tied to the Alliance. And there he was, practically a complete stranger, asking her to become a mole in her own ranks.

"Ahm..." she cleared her throat as her smile slowly vanished - "Do tell me more, I am intrigued."
Somehow, she doubted an millenial war could be ended by any existing means. She was curious to hear what Leos had to say.

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

"Your humor is amusing," he said, smiling a little.

In a way he was asking her to betray the Alliance. He could see how she would look at it that way. But at the same time, he, personally, didn't see it as a betrayal of the Alliance's people, but rather an attempt to write the never-ending failure that the Alliance would be. The thing was, he had to say that in a way that didn't insult her or their efforts. After all, even the most pitiful of governments did something right, and the Alliance was certainly not a pitiful government. Misguided, but not pitiful.

"You mentioned the use of economics as a means to an end. The group I mentioned believes in the use of alternative measures before the use of force becomes necessary. They would no doubt be interested in hearing of your thoughts on the matter, and likely employing them."

He looked up at her, keeping his eyes focused upon hers. There was plenty of her that they could drift to, she was a beautiful woman, but he liked her eyes. Their focus. Their intensity. Their curiosity. You could tell a lot about someone through their eyes if you knew how to read them. He needed to win her over to the cause, to show her that the Alliance would never succeed in their goals, and that only those who were willingly to do everything it takes to succeed could actually see the galaxy brought into a state of peace. It would not be achieved over night, and probably not in their lifetimes, but plans had to start somewhere.

"Let me tell you a story. When I was growing up on Mirial there were three children that I enjoyed playing with. One of those children, Kaela whom you met before, was older than the rest of us, and she was the most studious and wise. Another was a Atalos, a brash and physical boy who loved to fight. The third was Niama, a beautiful young woman with a sparkling personality. One day, those three children went on an adventure. I was busy and couldn't go, myself, so I heard this story after the fact. They went off into the desert together and found a small spring. Rare on Mirial.

"As they were enjoying the water, a man approached them. He was much older than the three, and the sort of being that liked to prey upon children. He went for Kaela first, because she was more developed than Niama. Atalos did not like this, and began to attack the man. He was struck down by the back of the mans fist, cracking across his face. Kaela struggled mightily, and despite her age and propensity for getting angry in certain situations, she could not free herself. The only thing that saved her that day was Niama. Beautiful little Niama, the girl who always smiled, barely spoke above a whisper and always had something nice to say, was carrying a knife, which she plunged into the back of the mans head while he was holding Kaela to the ground. She struck him perfectly where the spine reached the brain, killing him instantly."

He tilted his head just a bit.

"Atalos, you see, was the knight, the good one who wanted to protect his friends from the evils of the world. You could liken him to the Alliance or the former Republic. He wanted to do good and defeat evil, but he failed because he was too gungho and only sought to assault the enemy. Kaela, for her part, is much like the Sith or Empire. They strive for knowledge and excellence, but lack the practical skills of dealing with threats effectively and permanently, despite their attempts. She still can't fight well to this day. Niama, however, is like the people I was telling you about. She knew that she couldn't strike out at him, so she waited patiently, and let the others try, and fail, before she took advantage of his moment of blindness and ended the threat swiftly and without collateral damage.

"The people I know plan to take over the entire galaxy. Not in their lifetime, but they plan to begin the effort to do so. Their goal, as I know it, is to start from a small seed and blossom outward through diplomacy. They seek worlds that want peace and are willing to fight for it, willing to accept the authority of their Triad for the good of the people. As they grow in number, they will press further outward, slowly expanding and absorbing smaller governments. They're well aware they will be resisted, and will have the capability to fight.

"But you see, the Alliance can never achieve peace if all it ever seeks if the destruction of the Sith and those like them, because they can never be destroyed. They are ideas just as much as they are tangible beings. Ideas can never be destroyed, they can only be controlled. Just the same as the First Order will never succeed in galactic dominance because they want to destroy the Jedi and rule through tyrannical power. Authority need not be tyrannical. It does need to be absolute, but it needs to be fair across the board. That is what these people are striving for, and that's why I support them. What you've said, albeit brief, and how you've said it, are why I think you would fit in with them.

"You can stay with the alliance and make the changes you've made, which will someday falter, just as the Alliance will follow, eventually, in the footsteps of its predecessors, or you can strive for real change and begin the journey of a lifetime, and perhaps your childrens lifetimes if you have any."

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

The story he told was quite amusing, but completely unrelatable. Perhaps this man forgot that Zonia knew the galaxy well; she was intimately familiar with both the Alliance and the Republic, but also The Sith and First Order. She had travelled far and wide, from the Unknown Regions to the Deep Core, representing the Alliance in a multitude of capacities. The Mirialan underestimated Zonia, especially her level of awareness. Unlike him, she was a realist, with feet firmly on the ground. Her job was to tell Command what was feasible with given resources and what wasn't. The Alliance functioned as a federation of planets, the minimalistic form of government which was already stretched thin just as they began expanding inwards from the Outer Rim. Managing hundreds of star systems became excessively hard. His words, thus, sounded as nothing but a delusion.

"The galaxy is a very large place." she reminded him with an index finger lifted in the air - "With hundreds of thousands of worlds, inhabited by thousands of different species with different cultures and customs. I don't see how all of this could fit under one roof."

She looked him back in the eyes, quietly admiring the luminescence of his orange orbs. Indeed, the eyes were mirrors of the soul. Unassumingly, she was peering into the very same primordial flames that lit the eyes of those who slayed her entire family. Ironic really, that she found the subdued lustre of the Dark side so pretty.

"You assume there is a common set of values people can agree on, across the universe." she asserted sagely, her lips stretched thin as she mused - "The notion of peace and harmony."

"Well, I am sorry to inform you. No such ideal exists. No common denominator in the form of noble sentiment." the Prakithan reported, before rubbing her chin.
"There is something else, however, that keeps the galaxy together. Binds it, like the Force."
She blinked a few times and smiled.
"Money. Profit. Those are the universal values you are looking for. Peace can be maintained only if war is costly."

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

He shook his head.

"I don't assume that, actually. Some people will have to be subdued by force for the betterment of the galaxy."

Though she looked into orange eyes, he'd actually had them before he developed an inclination for the darkside. Orange was a normal eye color for his species. His, however, were more luminescent because of his usage of the dark side of the Force. Indeed, she stared into the eyes of a Sith whether she realized it or not. A Sith that wasn't trying to strike her down for holding a high position within the Alliance. A Sith which was, ironically, trying to recruit her to save the galaxy from itself. Interesting how things could work out sometimes.

She brushed at her chin, and he reached out to touch her arm lightly, stilling her hand, assuming she didn't flinch away, in which case he would let his hand drop into his lap. He wasn't going to hurt her after all, but the simple movements of one deep in thought were sometimes irritating, and brushing her chin distracted him from her eyes.

"Indeed that is an avenue to ending wars. But only if you can influence everyone. The downside to galactic commerce is that there are far too many companies willing to provide you a service, and willing to beat a competitors price in order to steal a job. Add in the black market, and you're not going to get anywhere. People will always find a way to get what they want, unless you destroy their ability to get it."

This wasn't going to work unless he told her the truth. Assuming she'd let him take hold of her arm, he'd maintain hold of it as he spoke.

"I'm telling you everything here for a reason. I, personally, think you have a place in the Protectorate's Triad. You have a sensible head on your shoulders and a drive that most others do not. What I've said the goals of the group are can be achieved with perserverence and the right leadership. A unity of the practitioners of the Force and those who cannot touch it, under one banner, can unite the galaxy under the same banner. It will take both diplomacy, economic gaming, and force to achieve it, but eventually, a fair set of rules can be crafted to govern all species in the galaxy. It's not something that can be done overnight, and it won't be easy. We don't have all the answers yet, but that's why we need someone like you.

"You see, I am a member of the Protectorate's Triad. In fact, I am the one that posed this solution to the other member, and she saw the necessity of the plan, the need for it. The Triad, as it stands, is missing its third. We have a Jedi and a Sith, but we lack the neutral third party. And yes, if you're wondering, I am the Sith."

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

"Sith..." she whispered as her lips slightly parted, the air escaping her lungs to leave an inner void. Her dark brown eyes stared into his iridescent irises that resembled the magma of Sullust, the liquid core of a planet. For a moment, she wondered how many people had witnessed the glow of his eyes at the last thing they've seen before they died. His hand was resting on the side of her arm, gently grabbing her tanned flesh. Clearly, he didn't want her to move. And she didn't. Zonia inhaled deeply, her chest rising upwards. Fear, he could smell it, if he tried.

Her instincts told her to run right out through that door and never look back. Somehow, she doubted Palle would let her, especially now when he divulged the intricacies of his plan. The Jedi of the Alliance would come for him, one way or the other. He laid a hand on the Alliance's prime asset. If anything, they would make an example out of him.

Sooner or later, Zonia would be confronted with those who indirectly weaved her fate. A woman of her importance and connections was bound to meet and deal with Dark siders. She might have even done so in the past, albeit without knowing it.

Yet, the sable-haired woman did not flinch; instead, she held his gaze for a long, long time. Quite unexpectedly, Zonia took a step forward towards him, which decreased the distance between them to less than a foot. Her own palm travelled up her forearm to cup his large hand that held her half way to her shoulder. The tips of her fingers slid down his knuckles, intertwining with his own fingers like roots across the forest floor. The sensation was almost electric, tanned on green-coloured skin. Her eyes closed, long lashes casting shadows underneath her dark brown brow.

In the outer corner of her almond shaped eyes, two beads of fluid formed, like two pearls inside an ancient shell. Her lids pressed lightly together, projecting two single tears out of each eye socket. Droplets lingered there momentarily, like divine dew, before trickling down her face in a rivulet that meandered between the freckles littering her cheeks.

[member="Darth Ignus"]

 

[Mr. OOC]

He blinked.

The first thought he'd had was that she was going to bolt when he told her. She was going to run away, back to the Alliance, tell them who he was, and the Jedi would come to tear down a company that was doing its fair share of good in the galaxy, and was even signing a contract to provide them with rounds that could be used against him. Counter-intuitive but it served his ultimate goal. Besides, Leos didn't enjoy having to kill people. It was a necessity and he didn't have any qualms about doing it, but it wasn't as if he got sick pleasure out of it. In fact he wanted to preserve the safety of the people of the galaxy. Harming them was directly against his goal.

The second thought he'd had was that she would go for some holdout weapon that she'd hidden somewhere on her person. He couldn't begin to think about where that might be. The ideas would probably disturb his view of women so he quickly pushed that thought away.

What he hadn't counted on was the tangible fear he felt from her, the reaching for his hand, the twining of her fingers with his. This made little sense to him. But worst of all, she was crying. If there was one thing he absolutely could not stand for it was a crying woman, especially one that was afraid of him for what he was. After all, he'd never threatened to harm her, and he wouldn't. He'd never said any word against her. In fact, he'd been praising her for her beautiful mind. Sure, some Sith would do that just to mess with her and then chew her up and spit her back out like yesterday's spoiled lunch meat, but he wasn't one of those.

Instead, his free hand reached up to gently wipe the tears from her cheeks as he offered a sigh. He didn't remove his hand from her arm, or her other hand from his.

"Zonia, there's no need for tears. There's no need for fear. I have no intentions of harming you. That would be counter-productive to me wanting you to join my Jedi friend and I in beginning to save this galaxy, don't you think? I promise you are safe here, as long as you are willing to look past the stereotypes you have been taught about my kind. Not everyone fits the same mold."

[member="Zonia Kalranoos"]

 

[Zonia Kalranoos]

Kalranoos spent countless nights thinking how she would confront a Sith when she finally met one in person. Back in the day, she imagined countless ways how she would kill him or her, or them. Or simply have others do it, while she watched. At the beginning of her career, Zonia was full of vengeance, ready to launch a personal crusade against those who stripped her of kin. Over the years, her anger had melted away as she came to terms with the cards she was dealt by destiny.

The longer she spent rebuilding the world the Sith had left scorched, the more mellow her exposition, the less belligerent were her intentions. Almost an entire decade after the sacking of Prakith, she barely remembered her father's and brother's faces. Distant memories in an ever evolving world. No, the pain was not gone, but was encapsulated in a husk that grew around it. Her suffering and regrets were the marrow of the vessel that contained her sorrow, a glass filled with an ocean of tears to the very brim.

From what Zonia understood, those in tune with the Force could feel emotion much deeper than other folk. They were sensitive to the afflictions of the universe; undoubtedly, the Mirialan Sith was no different. Dark side tapped into ones pathos, the emotional being that resided in every single individual, making one human. Zonia needed him to feel. Words would not suffice.

Her palm reached for his arm and ever so gently pulled him towards her, into what would be a gentle embrace. The side of her face touched the fabric of his robe just under his chin, hands gripping the seams of his shift lightly. Tears were absorbed by the heavy textile as her head was buried in his chest, her eyes closed. Light tears continued flowing out of her closed eyes, the entirety of her being shivering ever so gently. Sorrow overtook her, ripping her heart into tiniest fragments, atomizing it into pure stardust that would drizzle over his dark soul. She broke infront of him, like a piece of finest pottery in the hand of a wreckless child.
"No more... no more..." she whispered through miniscule sobs as her breathing became intermittent.
If Leos Palle was indeed the Sith he claimed himself to be, he would accept her burden of pain and help her carry it through life.

[member="Darth Ignus"]