Private At Your Discretion

[Tavo Halor]

OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR // ENVOY FIELD RECORD
TAVO HALOR​

LOCATION Office of the Chancellor, Theed, Naboo ⟡ OBJECTIVE Awaiting Assignment​

Tavo arrived early enough to avoid being early.

There was a distinction.

Being five minutes early allowed for security, an unexpected delay, or any of the other small complications that seemed uniquely capable of surviving every change of government the galaxy could throw at them. Being twenty minutes early suggested nerves, or an unhealthy enthusiasm for government buildings, and Tavo was inclined to neither.

The Chancellor's reception area was familiar enough that he crossed it without hesitation, though his attention still wandered briefly toward the Naboo cultural pieces arranged throughout the space. He had always appreciated that there was enough personality in the collection to distinguish it from the polished anonymity common to government offices. Inside the office was even more revealing.

The woman behind the reception desk supplied rather more personality of her own.

Tattoos marked what skin her clothing left visible, and there was something in the way she carried herself that suggested she had not spent her entire life sitting behind desks. Tavo had met enough people from Denon's lower levels to recognise the particular economy of movement. She looked perfectly capable of handling herself, which made the reception desk seem less an occupation than one more place from which she happened to be watching the room.

He offered her an easy, professional smile.

"Tavo Halor. The Chancellor's expecting me."

There was no particular emphasis on the surname, and certainly no expectation that it ought to accomplish anything for him.

Once the necessary formalities were dealt with, Tavo continued toward Dominique's office. His clothing was precise without being ceremonial, dark and understated in the manner he generally preferred when there was no uniform to make the decision for him.

Whatever had brought him here would become clear soon enough.

Until then, there was little point inventing complications that did not yet exist.

Tavo stopped outside her door, adjusted one cuff almost absently, and knocked three times.

Then he waited.

TAGS
Dominique Vexx ​

HOUSE HALOR // SERVICE • DISCIPLINE • UNDERSTANDING

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Come."

Dominique hadn't raised her voice to carry across the expanse of her office, and yet the computerized system obeyed. The doors to her office parted to allow Tavo inside.

Unlike the lobby, her office was decorated with neon artwork and abstract sculptures from her home, Denon. The lights were dimmed to allow for the lightning about the art to accentuate their countless colors on display. That and to match the Chancellor's mood.

The woman of the lilac glareshades had her back to the door when Tavo entered the room. No holo displays were active, no glass-based projections activated. Hands clasped behind her back, the Chancellor stared out the window at the landscape of Naboo beyond.

"Mister Halor," Dominique slowly turned around in order to face her visitor. "Please, have a seat." She gestured toward one of the chairs set before her broad desk. "Grateful you could come. I'm sure a great deal must be clamoring for the attention of the diplomatic corps."

Well, perhaps not so much as the Republic might like in fact. The Mandalorians were establishing relations with the Sith, which made it dubious if they could be expected to join them in battle. Perhaps it would mean they would also not join the Sith either. Still, with relations with their ideological opposites solidly off the table, there were few others they could try to establish relations. Few, perhaps, but not none. Factions they would need to try reaching out to in order to halt the Sith's overconfidence.

"As you are no doubt aware, the High Republic finds itself in direct confrontation with the Axis of Sith. We are in need of dependable allies, and, perhaps, even more means to anticipate the movements of our enemies." Dominique stopped there to see if the man had anything to say on the matter. He was already an experienced field officer, capable of perceiving the shape of things.

Tavo Halor

 

[Tavo Halor]

OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR // ENVOY FIELD RECORD
TAVO HALOR​

LOCATION Office of the Chancellor, Theed, Naboo ⟡ OBJECTIVE Awaiting Assignment​

The doors opened and Tavo stepped through, his attention briefly moving across the room before settling on Dominique. The change from the reception area was immediate. Naboo had dominated outside, polished and restrained, while the Chancellor's office was unmistakably Denon. Neon artwork, abstract sculpture and coloured light gave the space a more personal character.

Tavo appreciated the distinction.

"Chancellor."

He crossed to the indicated chair and sat, a faint smile appearing at the suggestion that his workload might have kept him away.

"Rest assured, there is always room in my schedule for you."

His attention lingered on her for a moment, taking in the dimmed office and the unusual stillness of the room.

"Though it seems your own schedule has been considerably less forgiving."

The humour lingered only briefly before Dominique explained why she had called him in. Tavo listened without interruption, considering the problem for a moment when she stopped.

"Dependable allies would be preferable, though I don't think we necessarily need to begin with governments that particularly like us. The Sith succeeding only needs to be less attractive to them than the Republic succeeding. Shared interests can carry a relationship quite a long way before shared principles ever enter into it."

There were limits to that approach, naturally, but refusing imperfect cooperation while the Axis gathered strength would accomplish little beyond leaving the Republic increasingly isolated.

"And not everyone needs to join the war. Denying the Sith access, information, trade or political legitimacy can still matter. A government unwilling to fight beside us might still be persuaded not to help them."

His attention remained on Dominique as he settled back slightly in the chair.

"As for anticipating them, that's probably the more immediate problem. Diplomacy becomes considerably easier when we're not discovering their intentions at the same time as everyone else."

A faint curiosity entered his expression.

"I take it you have something more specific in mind."

TAGS
Dominique Vexx ​

HOUSE HALOR // SERVICE • DISCIPLINE • UNDERSTANDING

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"The Iron Covenant." Dominique reached forward to tap a control to display their current sphere of influence in the galaxy. "They recently confronted the Sith Covenant on Humbarine in order to protect their own. While they did not lay control to the planet, they did manage to secure a number of people requiring relocation." How better to know whether someone might be receptive toward a common goal than witnessing them already take steps? That, however, was no guarantee they'd want to work together.

"The Republic needs to establish the Iron Covenant's disposition. Toward us. Toward containing or eliminating the Sith Coenant's influence. As you pointed out, I'd accept them not being inclined toward attacking the Republic so long as they don't ally with or establish a non-aggression agreement with the Sith." They were on the opposite side of the Sith from where the Republic resided, which could be a strategic advantage for them both. It also suggested a lack of interest on their part to attack the Republic.

Dominique settled into her own seat and looked across at Tavo Halor . "There will be no problem establishing trade routes with the Iron Covenant if they are open to exchanging material or personnel, should negotiations go well." An important reassurance given their placement opposite of the Republic. "If anything, such distribution channels would only be a lure to draw out the Sith and deal with them away from their planetary defenses and fleets."

To date the Mandalorian Empire hadn't been hostile toward the Republic. They likely held a desire not to attack the Sith given Srina Talon's involvement, however. They would cross that bridge when she asked Aether if they would be willing to join in an assault. At least, for now, those very supply lines wouldn't be at risk of attack from both sides. In the worse case, they would use the Hypergate.

 

[Tavo Halor]

OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR // ENVOY FIELD RECORD
TAVO HALOR​

LOCATION Office of the Chancellor, Theed, Naboo ⟡ OBJECTIVE Awaiting Assignment​

Tavo's attention shifted to the projection as the Chancellor brought the Iron Covenant's territory into view. Humbarine gave the proposal considerably more substance than a purely speculative approach. Whatever their broader intentions, they had already demonstrated a willingness to oppose Sith expansion when their own interests demanded it.

"Then I wouldn't begin by asking them for an alliance."

He studied the display for another moment.

"They've already shown us the useful part. The Sith can create circumstances where our interests overlap. My first concern would be establishing how far that overlap extends, and whether they see the Republic as a potential partner, an inconvenience, or simply something distant enough not to matter."

The possibility of trade drew a slight nod.

"That gives us somewhere practical to start. Material exchange, relocation support, transport arrangements. Things that benefit both sides without requiring either of us to pretend we've discovered a sudden ideological affection for one another."

Regular movement between their respective spheres would do more than shift cargo. It created familiarity, points of contact and interests neither government would be particularly eager to disrupt once established.

"If they're receptive, those routes also give the relationship something to grow around. If they aren't, we still learn where they stand before circumstances force us to find out less politely."

Tavo looked back across the desk.

"How much latitude do you want me to have, Madam Chancellor? Am I sounding them out and bringing their position back to you, or am I authorised to begin putting preliminary arrangements on the table if the opportunity presents itself?"

TAGS
Dominique Vexx ​

HOUSE HALOR // SERVICE • DISCIPLINE • UNDERSTANDING