Causam Meam (Ayden Cater)

[Popo]

A lone Republic shuttle broke hyperspace over Fondor. It displayed Republic diplomatic transponder codes and began making its way to the planet. On board sat Popo, Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, in the passenger bay while the two pilots guided the ship in and headed towards the starport. As the shuttle neared the planet, Popo keyed his commlink.

"Lord Protector," he stated politely and calmly. "This is Supreme Chancellor Popo. Could I have a moment or two of your time, please?"

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Popo"]

Ayden got the message and paused. Was it -actually- the Supreme Commander, or was it a Sith trick? Fortunately Hutts were immune to mind tricks, so there was no change that he was a brainwashed assassin or anything. But the Sith could have gotten a voice modulator... "Of course, Supreme Chancellor. I'll have some soldiers waiting on the pad to guard and escort you up to my office." He closed the channel and sat back, tenting his hands in front of his chin. Four soldiers in black and white armor and two soldiers in black and blue armor stood at the bottom of the ramp in an honor guard formation. If there was no trouble there, then Ayden would rest a little easier. It was bad enough to that the Republic fell, but that it had fallen to betrayers...

 

[Popo]

Popo's shuttle landed and the Protectorate soldiers escorted the Shell Hutt up to [member="Ayden Cater"] relatively quickly. Upon being escorted into the Protector's office, Popo nodded politely in greeting.

"Lord Protector, I'm most appreciative you could see me on short notice," he said graciously, his voice deep and resonating. "I was hoping you would be free for a chat. Specifically, about current events you are most likely already aware of."

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Popo"]

Ayden nodded and dismissed the escort, leaving them to talk in private. "A lot of has happened in a short amount of time. I admit, I was unsure of what to think when I heard that you had been made Supreme Chancellor. It was wrong of me to rest on old stereotypes. Already you've forged a stronger Republic and done more for the galaxy than many of your predecessors." He smiled honestly and leaned forward in his chair, conveying the raptness of his attention. "I assume you wish to speak on the matter of the One Sith and their hold over Coruscant?"

 

[Popo]

"I appreciate the confidence you have in me," Popo said thankfully. "And, no, I do not wish to speak of retaking Coruscant, at least directly. I have a plan that, if I can get those involved that I wish involved, will be unprecedented. Before I start, however, I wanted to know. How does the Protectorate feel about this war?"

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Popo"]

"I think the Sith took control of Coruscant unlawfully from the Republic. That they're a menace that must be stopped at all costs before they plunge the whole galaxy into chaos and darkness." It was fairly evident what the Corellian's opinion of the Sith was. "I think that we need to find whatever launching point they used in the Deep Core to gather and orchestrate this return and burn it to the ground."

 

[Popo]

"I'm glad you feel that way," Popo said after a moment. "I have a plan."

At this, the Hutt set a small holoprojector on the desk and activated it. A small section of space appeared above the projector showing the Republic's western borders.

"We believe the Sith are coming from these planets," Popo stated, gesturing to the highlighted regions. "I am coordinating my forces and, hopefully, the militaries of a few other factions nearby into what will probably be perhaps the largest single offensive known to history. What I'm hoping for is the Protectorate to strike Constancia on the day and time you see there at the bottom of the projection."

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Popo"]

Ayden looked over the map and stroked his bearded jaw. "Ambitious, certainly. Though I must admit concern as to whole else would be joining this offensive. If I commit the Protectorate military to an invasion, what's to say we don't get invaded by one of our neighbors? The Protectorate is not in the best of locations in that regard. There are two slavering states that have each in the past expressed a desire for territory the Protectorate holds. What sort of guarantee do I have that they won't leap at our flank while we do this?"