Commen Council

[Onrai]

"Some group of neo-barbarian Mandos who wanted to turn into militant warmongering territory snatchers. Led by the Vizsla clan. They terrorized the galaxy for decades before dying off. I think there was a recreation of the group a couple of decades ago, but nothing more from them since then. Though I guess the Mandalorians did return to their galaxy conquering ways. Damn Gilamar..." She thought for a moment.

"You're less pacifist and more isolationist. The New Mandalorians were appeasers and actively demilled the Mandalorians until there were very few capable of fighting on their own. Eventually that led to them needing the Republic - which really caused them a lot of trouble down the line from my understanding." She shrugged. "But I don't see you as the sort to willingly lead her people into some sort of false utopia waiting just on the other side of disarmament - a naked man is more appealing prey to the rancor than an armored man, after all."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Gilamar? Do you mean [member="Gilamar Skirata"] ? Or some other?" She had come across him before, or rather he came to her and General Santiago in a bid to help train some of her soldiers. As far as how that panned out, she wasn't certain. She hadn't seen him since and she wasn't about to ask the General about it. She liked to avoid him where possible. Every question seemed like a wrong question with him.

"We're not really isolated. Only from war and the bigger politics going on in the Galaxy. People use us for the trade routes and economy. With us continuing to work, the risks of blockades are very low. So there's good reason for others to ensure that we are still functioning properly. We keep things moving." That was about all that they were good for and she knew it. Kay knew that the other governments saw her for just that purpose. Yet it kept her people safe. And that was all that mattered.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

"Yes, Gilamar Skirata." She said. "I would... prefer to ignore him and some of his associates given the injuries inflicted to me sometime back at their hands. Suffice to say, I know what the inside of a wood stove feels like for the bantha meat." She grimaced - her time as Circe getting baked alive inside the oven was not something she wanted to mentally repeat.

"I mean... you're not really an expansionist power. I suppose that's how you were able to get all these allies, by not butting heads." She pointed out. "I certainly don't get the feeling that you're a conflicting sort. And I appreciate that. unnecessary conflict is definitely undesirable." Of course as a Sith she was used to instigating conflict, but she certainly preferred the more diplomatic and silver-tongued solution.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Well that was unexpected. [member="Vanessa Vantai"] seemed to have gone through torture. And at the hands of the Mandalorians. Kay knew very well what it was like to be tortured and she knew very well that it was best not to bring it up. Such things were better left buried deep with the hope of being forgotten.

Their food and drinks soon arrived. Kay took hers with thanks and already started on her soup. It was lovely and creamy with little bits of meat and herbs. She spoke inbetween spoonfuls. "We expand, but it is never forced. On the contrary, it is usually the surrounding worlds that want what we provide. Safety, security and stability. All without a fear of oppression. We only ask that they abide by our charter, which really isn't all that difficult to do." For those that weren't criminals and slavedrivers anways.

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa moved to take a bite out of her sandwich. "Oh? And do tell. What is the charter?" She was curious, even as she continued to eat her food, which was very much delicious. It seemed that Kay herself had been a wonderful opportunist, using the desires of surrounding systems to help them fulfill what their needs were. "I'm not going to lie, the more I hear about the way you choose to run things here, the more intrigued I am regarding assisting in the growth and spreading of Commenor's influence throughout this region of space. Why, you might even end up stretching out into Wild Space."

There were many possibilities, that was for sure.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had another mouthful of her soup, swallowing it down and enjoying the flavours before she chose to answer [member="Vanessa Vantai"] 's question. "Basic common sense. No slavery, no murder, no drugs or otherwise illegal activities. Everyone is equal and entitled to many things, such as healthcare, education and a good paying job. We have no poverty here, there are no second-class citizens. All of which is available on the holo-net."

She took another spoonful of her soup, thinking upon expansion and influence. There were only some instances in which she really pushed for it. But that wasn't necessary anymore. "I'm quite comfortable with our pace so far. If we were to expand too quickly, we'd lose control. Every expansion requires more fleets and more officers to work to protect the widened borders. It's better to be able to keep up with it all, instead of spreading ourselves too thin. And as for influence? We have enough."

 

[Onrai]

"So the standard gamut of things found in a Republic or 'Good Empire,' from what I can tell." It wasn't intended to be an insult or otherwise demeaning - they just seemed to be core principles and whatnot that were apparently found in those factions she considered to be aligned to the side of good. The level of welfare was interesting, she had to admit, though the level of government control over the lives of its citizens - it provided them with a life, and thus their life was the government's - sounded like something more Sithy in form. She took another bite of her sandwich.

"I'm sure there are plenty who would love to serve in a military role. That said, if it's fleets you require for further expansion, I assure you that my company can provide such." She smiled. "After all, we have the one thing whoever might threaten you does not have - beam weaponry." She grinned. "And beam cannons are a fantastic weapon when put to use correctly."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded. It wasn't the first time that her Alliance was called and Empire. Some did so as a tease or a joke. Yet some did so in warning. It was funny though, that her government's most supportive ally was one of the 'bad' Empires out there.

She ate more of her soup while [member="Vanessa Vantai"] spoke, though she maintained her interest. Ships were never a problem. Her Alliance had their own shipyards and resources for constructing both large and small vessels. But what they lacked was some of the best designs and the top-of-the-line weaponry. Some of which Vanessa's company could provide.

"The fleets are only for our protection. There are plenty governments out there that we have non-aggression treaties with. But even they are expanding right to our borders. I hope that we'd never have to worry about them. Yet it's good to be prepared just in case." Her biggest concern were the Silvers. They were known for their aggressiveness and in all of her meetings with them, they were bullies towards both herself and others. There was little trust there. But hopefully what was there was enough.

 

[Onrai]

“Population growth rates dictate that more land, more resources will be required to continually sustain your government. If you end up being cut off from a potential route of expansion, then you will eventually deplete the resources and be forced to rely on external aid - putting you at the behest of other factions. Effectively placing a collar around your neck.” She said. “I would not desire to see that. Preparation is key - especially with those rogue ajedi in the Silvers running about.” Vanessa recalled the attack on Anzat that had inflicted significant damage to her worn-out warships, barely being driven back. The Void Irregular Fleet was currently being refitted in the Caridan yards right now - it would be some time before she had the ability to engage hostiles with the ability showcased before.

“Beam weapons are the most effective way to deal with an enemy force, in my opinion.”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay shook her head in disagreement. What [member="Vanessa Vantai"] said was only partly true. "We are among some of the busiest trade routes in the Galaxy moving in and out of the Core. We are a heavy trade economy. Only embargos and blockades on our entire territory and around it would give us a cause for concern. But for the moment they are all counting on us to keep things going." Plus they had plenty of resources to last them quite some time. She didn't want to make them soely reliant on others.

She started on one of her biscuits next, slicing it open and buttering it. "Tell me more about these beam weapons. How do they work and what makes them different from what's already out there?"

 

[Onrai]

[member="Lady Kay"]

"I suppose that's fair - though in the end, I suppose it's worth remembering that we live in a finite galaxy with a tremendous though limited amount of resources. No reason to worry about expenditure." She stopped for a moment, then noticed the interest of the woman in beam weapons as she took another sandwich bite. "These weapons are relatively quick-firing beams - I suppose the best analogue would be a scaled down version of the weapon of the Eclipse or Sovereign​. These beam cannons are capable of refiring at a relatively high rate for such a weapon - consider that the coaxial superlaser of the Eclipse​ took over two minutes to recharge. This does that in less than a quarter of the time, though it is of course weaker." She smiled. "It's a revolutionary ship to ship weapon."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had a sip of her tea while she listened to [member="Vanessa Vantai"] explain the beam weaponry. Already she was envisioning videos from the holonet of such weaponry charging up. Indeed they would take quite a bit of time which could sometimes determine the outcome of a battle. To hear of one with the capability of charging up in roughly 30 seconds was something that she took an interest in. If ever CSA space was invaded, their forces would more than likely be outnumbered. "Some of our ships could benefit from those. I think that I'll have General Santiago look into it more." Such a thing might even make the old General crack a smile.

 

[Onrai]

"I'm currently working on a sentry gun capable of fitting the beam cannon that can be placed in orbit by common jump points. In concert with a gravity well generator, ships can be dragged out of hyperspace at a specific point and be destroyed by swarms of sentries placed around a single central location." She responded. "It's an effective way to cordon your enemies into a specific location where massed defensive firepower can be deployed to engage them."

She finished the other half of her sandwich. "I would hope that we can adequately conduct business down the line. It would certainly be enjoyed to have worked with a... Well, a marvelous woman like yourself."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay raised a brow. Gravity well generators? She'd heard of them but have never seen one operate. Nor did she have any in her possession. Yet the strategy that [member="Vanessa Vantai"] came up with was interesting. Was it widely used? Given that Kay had never really participated in a big battle, she had no idea. "We could probably use some gravity well generators. Could use them as a defensive perimeter, to keep unsuspecting fleets away." But there was a lot of space traffic in CSA territory. Trade was very busy.

She sipped her tea. Vanessa was sending compliments her way. It made her wonder if the lady had served in politics at some point. Flattery was one of the tactics used. Kay just didn't use it often. "I'm sure that we'll have a few items from your company added to our own capabilities. They'll be a great benefit."

 

[Onrai]

"My company manufactures a ship that was formerly used by the Sith Empire. It fits multiple gravity well generators and can interdict ships from multiple hyperspace routes. This, in concert with these sentry guns, could be placed at an 'intersection' of sorts for hyperspace lanes. Drag ships out and destroy them. It's as easy as that." She responded. "An effective defensive strategy."

She continued to enjoy a drink. "The more contracts, the better. Perhaps we could even establish manufacturing facilities on worlds within the CSA. Encourage trade and job growth."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

As easy as that? It sounded much more difficult to her than turning on a light switch. There was plenty of planning to put in place in order to even set the trap. And it was all out of her expertise.

She sipped her tea after finishing off a biscuit. "That'll be something that we'll have to look into. I'll have to speak with my military advisors first. They have a better handle on what we need than I do." She'd have to get in touch with both General Santiago and [member="Amelia Sorenn-Syrush"] . Maybe even [member="Than Balthor"] as well. "I'm sure that there will be many items from your catalogue that we'll be purchasing. Krest did well in sending you here." If this was the favour that she had owed, it wasn't a bad one. [member="Vanessa Vantai"] had some great items for sale.

 

[Onrai]

"My association with Krest goes back a long way." She said. "And it was his way of paying me back for something... important he decided to take from me." She chose not to elaborate on what exactly that was - she had no idea after all as to what relationship Jair had with the Commenori. "Before I encountered Krest, I came across this woman named Jairdain. Blind. Force user. Would you happen to know of her?" She asked.

"I am also curious as to whether there are any preexisting factories for sale on Commenor that we could perhaps purchase and refit, or any plots of land suitable for industrial use we could purchase. Expansion to our customers' holdings does allow for a much quicker delivery of materiel - especially when it involves military equipment."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay knew all about Krest taking things. He had destroyed her K-unit droid Mrs. Nesbitt, crumpling the thing until it was a tiny mass of metal. Sometimes she could still hear Mrs. Nesbitt's screams. It wasn't as though the droid could feel pain, but it knew that it was getting destroyed.

"I know Jairdain. She works with my son. I haven't heard from either of them for a while however." She expected that they were okay. Yet with Brad, one never knows.

Kay took another sip of her tea as [member="Vanessa Vantai"] inquired about property and/or empty buildings. "The Warehouse district has plenty of space without needing to rezone. It's the industrial part of Chasin City. You could have a look there."

 

[Onrai]

"I'm willing to purchase a factory right here and right now. If you provide me with the contract, I will gladly send the credits to whatever account you insist I pass it to." Vanessa was eager to get to work - either by building the factory or refurbishing an unused one. "Research on the new sentry gun prototypes will be complete soon and we will have products for your use."

She took a sip of her own drink. "This is an opportunity to play the game of defensive warfare."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Well I'll have to have a couple of my Ministers work on a draft of the contract, as well as a location. At the moment, I don't quite know what exactly is available."

Kay sipped her tea, tilting her head to the side a bit at [member="Vanessa Vantai"] 's final comment. "I'm not so eager to play that sort of game. War is a last resort and something that I work hard to avoid. Being prepared to defend ourselves is a better goal." Hopefully no one would deem them to be a threat. At least hopefully not any time soon.