Anchors Aweigh

[Tålamod Shapochka]

The classic shuttle of ages past fluttered within the atmosphere of Commenor, nonchalantly angling towards the aristocratic compound of Chasin City like a butterfly lighting upon a lily. Its cargo was a single passenger accompanied by six rather ordinarily dressed security officers. The passenger had not been of much importance over the past few years, but today it seemed that she was valued for her once esteemed recognition. It wasn't just anyone who was provided audience of the Queen, after all.

Upon receiving clearance, the Lambda-class shuttle touched down upon the designated pad for diplomatic visitors with nary a shudder, its automated landing systems known to be perhaps the smoothest ever produced for the luxuries of Empires past. Its boarding ramp unlatched and lowered itself gently with a series of serene hisses, signaling that the passenger of importance would be descending any moment. The six armed guards immediately trotted down the durasteel ramp and aligned themselves in opposing columns of three, and then followed the Queen's special guest.

She was a near-human woman of just beneath average height, her fair hair firmly knotted in an orderly fashion upon the head of her milky face. Her gait followed a strict tempo, arms and legs synchronized practically like a clock. Her pristinely pressed gray skirt and white coat clung tightly to her average figure, no creases or wrinkles to be found. Upon traversing beyond her final pair of guards, the woman halted with undoubted military precision and stood straight and tall to await the greeting party of the Queen.

It felt good to be back in her officer boots.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Today was going to be a good day. It was going to be productive, and would help to further Commenor's strength in government. This meeting was for the planet itself, not for the Alliance as a whole. Perhaps it was a testing ground for things to come. Regardless she had done her research after [member="Tålamod Shapochka"] 's file was sent to her. The woman had done much in her time serving the Republic and other governments. Her experience and great work ethic enhanced the reputation that she already had. She was well suited for the job in mind. After an attack at one of their military bases by an unknown assailant, General Omar Santiago decided to focus solely on the base at Eldritch Mountain itself, instead of all of Commenor's forces. So a replacement for him was needed.

And that was what her guest was here for. Kay watched as the shuttle landed on the landing pad. She was dressed in a more military styled fashion herself, but it was regal all the same. Only two guards flanked her, also dressed in unifo but sporting the Commenori colours of grey and blue. Standing next to her was her assistant Ophelia, an older woman that knew how to run the Palace well. Her orginization skills were something to be proud of.

All four bowed their heads in greeting to Tålamod and her guards, but it was Kay that spoke up. "Welcome to Commenor. I am Lady Kay, Queen of this fine world. And this is my asstistant Ophelia. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I hope that your trip was a good one?"

As always, there came the bit of smalltalk before heading to the Palace. All routine now for Kay and her staff.

 

[Tålamod Shapochka]

Tålamod bowed in turn, then resumed her attentive stance as she was presented with the Queen's salutation. After she had finished her welcome, the former admiral relaxed somewhat whilst still retaining a respectful posture, slightly widening her stance and clasping her hands behind her back. "Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty, yes," she responded likewise, her expression a perfect neutral: neither smiling nor perturbed.

Her eyes strayed to acknowledge the other three present, but her face remained motionless. "My journey was uneventful," the pale woman concluded, finding nothing more of importance to say. Accurate and succinct.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded with a small smile, pleased that there was nothing of note to mention on her journey. It meant no trouble in her corner of space and she was pleased with that.

She glanced over to the Palace behind her and then to [member="Tålamod Shapochka"] . "I was going to bring you inside the Palace, but the weather is too good right now. So let us walk in the gardens." Kay turned to lead the way, though allowed Talamod to walk beside her while the others fell in behind. "You have an extensive and impressive resumé, one that carries the kind of skillset that I require." She clasped her hands behind her back as she walked. "I have an opening for a Minister position. With it you'd be able to hold command over our naval and ground forces. Interested?"

 

[Tålamod Shapochka]

Tålamod followed at the Queen's suggestion, sidling to her four o'clock, close enough to remain accessible in conversation but lagging just enough to acknowledge her host's superiority. It was indeed a perfect day to stroll through a garden, but it was not often that she was invited to enjoy such trivialities. In a way, she looked forward to it.

"I only served my nation best as possible." She was hardly being humble. The admiral was well aware of her accomplishments and attributed them more to her hard work and obedience. "I worked in Commander Quee's supervision, yes. I saw his working.

"I am not as experienced as Commander Quee," she continued, referring to her former boss in the Galactic Republic. "But I would like to accept if you only believe I will serve you as needed."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded. "That's all that anyone wants. To serve with the best of their abilities." She continued to walk, noting just where [member="Tålamod Shapochka"] placed herself. It was a respectful spot and let her know of how much formalities mattered to her.

She smiled as Tålamod accepted her offer so quickly. It meant that there was less convincing to do on her end. That made the process easier. "Wonderful. I have an opening for a new Minister of Defence. My previous Minister is turning his focus elsewhere. Sort of retiring in a way. I thought that a fresh mind could do us some good."

By this point they had entered the gardens themselves. As expected they were in full bloom, well taken care of and very beautiful.

"There is of course good pay involved, free healthcare and room and board. How soon would you be able to start?"

 

[Tålamod Shapochka]

She was almost taken aback by just how quickly she had evolved from privileged guest to propositioned official. Obviously she had been pre-screened to her invitation, but everything just shifted so suddenly and yet so smoothly from being a former admiral of the Galactic Republic to the Minister of Defence for the Commenor Systems Alliance. She had never experienced this sort of instant recognition in the military.

As they entered the royal gardens and topics of provisions and salary surfaced, Shapochka finally registered just how serious the Queen was being with her. How soon could she start? Well, what else was she doing? "I can start soon as you having answered one question, Your Majesty." She turned her face solemnly towards her regal host. "What is the policy towards Sith?" Hopefully the answer was something along the lines of, They can all burn.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow slightly. Of course there had to be a catch. Usually it was financial though, a discussion of wages and whatnot. But instead [member="Tålamod Shapochka"] asked about something else entirely.

So how to answer? It wasn't exactly going to be cut and dry. Kay just had to answer truthfully and hope for the best. "There are some that are our allies. Not all Sith are hell bent on distruction. Some have aided us, aided me during our time of need. Commenor is neutral, so we have Jedi allies as well, and non Force users alike. Even some sentient droids support us. That neutrality has kept us safe. I wouldn't want to rock the boat." But if any of their allies attacked them, it would be a whole different story.

 

[Tålamod Shapochka]

Tålamod struggled to contain a sneer, lips trembling as she held back a pang of emotion that transcended anger. Not all Sith, she said. After everything they had done to the galaxy; everything they had done to the Republic; everything they had done to her homeworld; everything they had done to her family--this woman had just said, Not all Sith.

"Y-you really believing that?" she stuttered in a rare episode of emotion, blinking back a tear as her knuckles, still folded behind her back, went white with each hand digging its fingers into the other. Not all Sith. It filled her with a sort of rage to hear. "And you wanting me to serve as your Defence Minister?

"You need me." Tålamod breathed. She would show [member="Lady Kay"] the error of her ways. But not today.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay caught the stutter in her voice. She just looked straight ahead, though slightly disappointed. "Both sides are guilty of war crimes, both sides have killed innocent people when thry didn't need to, both sides have punished worlds for the actions or allignments of their governments. The line between good and evil has become so blurred, it's all a matter of perception. An entire race or group of people shouldn't be painted with the same brush due to the actions of a few. If I did that, then I'd be allied with no one, would do business with no one, and that isolationism would do nothing but harm for my people." She's had to explain this a few times, and now wouldn't be the last. At least Veiere understood. "I'm not naive to trust everyone, or all Sith or all Jedi, or all leaders. But there are some individuals that have proven themselves worthy of my trust. One is a current Minister. If that will pose a problem for you...then you have every right to decline."

[member="Tålamod Shapochka"] would will hopefully be open minded enough. But it was never too late to turn back. Regardless, Kay might have to keep an eye on her for a time. Especially as she'd be commanding her forces.