Common Leadership

[Kay-Larr]

During the Occupation of Commenor, there were a few individuals that did their best to speak to Kay through various means in a bid to give her hope. She needed those moments, as she was made to be very much isolated and under constant watch.

But not any more. With the help of so many friends and allies of both her family and Commenor, freedom was regained. Imperialism, martial law, fear and oppression; all of it was gone. Hopefully for a long, long time to come.

A couple of days ago Kay had sent a message for [member="Tobias Dracks"] to come and meet with her. The Vice Chancellor for the New Republic played a large part in the current state of Commenor. Perhaps he would play a large part in it's future as well. Either way, she needed to meet with him.

Now she was just awaiting word of his arrival to the Royal Palace that was still heavily under reconstruction. Hopefully he could find the time.

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- Arriving out of Hyperspace in his personal Shuttle, he moved through the space that still had the scattered remains of his Fleet. He looked out the cockpit to see the red and white lined markings of his ships that were destroyed by the Sith Imperial Fleet. Even seeing the remains of the other Allied Ships his pilots navigated through the mapped out area of debris.

-- The Liberation of Commenor was a costly victory, the death count of Republic Soldiers was higher then the other Allied Forces. The Mandos and Silvers may have saved the Queen but it was Republic Forces that assisted Resistance Fighters across the planet. This caused great pains for the Vice Chancellor as later reports stated that the Silvers and Jedi were unable to subdue a small handful of Sith Assassins and allowed the Queen to become injured. The Republic was young and new compared to the other nations, but he knew his forces could of been better help.

-- He continued to run these meaningless complaints through his mind as his shuttle came in to land at the ruins of the Palace. The destruction of the Palace was much worse then the rest of the capital as both Republic and Silvers were striven to cause as minimal damage as possible. The Sith however, had other plans as it did not escape unscathed. The fires and much of the smoke that rose from the early to late combat fazes were now less then embers. He walked from his shuttle to enter the grounds of the Palace.

-- The Vice Chancellor was stopped by one of the guards and directed to where he could find [member="Lady Kay"]. He nodded and followed the rep to meet with the queen. Once in the area of their meeting, the Vice Chancellor folded his hand over one another, lifting them to shoulder level and bowing his head. "Greeting and Good Health, your Majesty," Lifting his head to a respectable amount he continued, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay got up from the small desk in the meeting room as soon as she heard of the Vice Chancellor's arrival. She checked to be sure that enough tea was prepared, and to have water and Commenori brandy on hand as well. And of course an assortment of little snacks.

She adjusted her blouse, flattening out any wrinkles. This wasn't a normal meeting. [member="Tobias Dracks"] wasn't a regular guest. Of course Kay could have waited longer and gotten more prepared for it. But sooner was better than later.

The door soon opened and she smiled, bowing her head in greeting after she had finished her approach. "Yes, Vice Chancellor. Thank you for coming. And this time ...we can speak freely. I'm still getting used to that." She gestured to the sofas. "You'll have to forgive me for the lack of formal dress and decor, the lack of a proper welcoming for a dignitary such as yourself, but we are still rebuilding and salvaging. Can I interest you in a drink or refreshments?"

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- Tobias was well greeted by the Queen of the World of Restoration. He was glad he was able to keep his promise and truly was a point of pride for the man. His master gave him many lesson and the ability to rise through the ranks quickly with his assistance. Once being no more then a lobbyist to now the Vice Chancellor of the New Republic. It all swelled up in him with the sight of the Queen secure and safe, may his masters soul rest in piece now.

-- He followed [member="Lady Kay"] to the seating area and waved a hand in dismissal. "Not at all ma'am, it is an honor itself to see a planet of such renoun free at last, I had heard that you were injured during Liberation and brought you a gift," He reached into his pouch and brought a bag of Tea to present the Queen. "Your niece is the Mand'alor [member="Yasha Cadera"] so I assumed Mandalorian Tea was preferred for good health, I do hope that is all right."

-- The man waited for the gift to be taken before he walked over to the seat and waited for the women to be as well through his politeness. "Freedom should not be something one should get use to and I am very apathetic that you have to go through that, the New Republic is at the ready to assist in any fashion you would require," He nodded as he lifted his hand palm up as though offering, "The Royal Eminence of Kuat, King Vulpesen, along with the Viceroy of Neimoidia and many other planets have all gathered relief aid packages, even our senate has approved the use of our new Super Star Defender the 'Mon Mothma' so be the vanguard of monthly supplies, and by the Force the Jedi have also offered support through Volunteer Healers should your Kingdom accept," He brought his hand back to the sofas arm, "Though we do not want to impose on the sovereignty of Commenor if your people would rather rebuild with their own hands, being from Teth I know the struggles of building from near ruin."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay blinked in surprise at being brought a gift. Getting hurt was all a part of war and she hardly felt as though she could escape from it unscathed. She took hold of the pouch and opened it, smelling the tea leaves straight away as [member="Tobias Dracks"] explained the choice. So he knew about Yasha, did he? How many others knew? Was it common knowledge? "I see that the Vice Chancellor has done his homework. Thank you very much. I'm sure that it will be of great help."

She walked over to one of the sofas and sat down, setting the pouch onto the coffee table just in front of her. Kay leaned back and settled herself in as the Vice Chancellor told her of everyone offering a helping hand to her people. One name in particular was well known to her. "Vulpesen? I haven't seen him in some time. I do hope that he has been well." And hopefully far better than how she has fared.

One thing about the Vice Chancellor is that unlike others who would be quick with their "I told you so's", he had never once started telling her that she had been in the wrong or had made wrong choices. In fact he had chosen to support her and lift her up, rather than take her down. And that was something that she could respect.

"The continued support of so many warms my heart, Vice Chancellor. I had brought you here to thank you personally for all of your help both during the occupation and in the battle for liberation. I know that such a thing doesn't come without a cost. Many lives and ships were lost during the struggle, and I also brought you here to let you know that our neutrality was lost during the blockade and siege of Commenor. And to partly repay you for everything that you'd done so far and continue to do for us, I pledge to you our aid in conflicts or trade that you may have. You've proven yourselves to be a great ally and the Commenori must do their part to ensure that that continues."

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- Tobias was quick to inform her of his source of information about the queen and most things in the galaxy. He looked at [member="Lady Kay"] shaking his head. "My research was more forced on me then really voluntarily looked for, I was trained by Jaster Awuad, and when I was running for Republic Office, he made me swear many things to secrecy until death," He paused as his eyes focused in the distance, "I had not though he was passing his knowledge before sacrificing his life..."

-- He snapped out of it and nodded before looking back at the Queen, "But on a better note, King Vulpesen has not joined the Republic though still works with us in our mission to liberate the Core, we are not in the industry or ideology of forcing worlds to join the Republic, but King Vulpesen still asks for Republic Aid for other planets, and from what I have been told is that is just his way and thus I would consider the man is well of and secure by Republic Protection."

-- The woman's kind words for the lost of Republic Life was respected and something he would have expected from the Queen. He shifted in his seat to face her better, "The Soldiers of the Republic signed up for missions like this, like I said earlier, Freedom is something all Being Should Never Get Use To," He tapped his fingers on the sofa at those last few words, "Personally I would want nothing more then the Commenorian People join the Republic, but my old master already informed me of you and your peoples run ins with the Galactic Republic and our government has decided the Sovereignty or your kingdom should be paramount," Though he could not smile himself, there was a hint of laughter in his eyes, "Don't know if you are aware, but Commenor has become a new beacon of Hope for all worlds that were laid waste by the Sith that even Imperial Occupation could not destroy your peoples will for freedom."

-- The Reptilian just nodded as if confirming his own statement, "As for becoming Allies and Trade agreement, we have no problem offering industrial goods and other trade for access to your trade network, many of our allies in the Hutt Territories during the Criminal Campaigns were blockaded from assisting us during the Occupation of your planet thus blocking us from raw goods in the Outer Rim."

 

[Kay-Larr]

"Jaster...." Kay spoke under her breath. The man had done so much for her, helped her in so many ways. He even took guardianship of her daughter to teach her what Kay and [member="Veiere Arenais"] couldn't. And to hear of his death during the siege; it was heartbreaking....

And if [member="Tobias Dracks"] was given information about her, it made her wonder just what that information was. For the moment though, she told herself not to worry. If Jaster trusted him, then she should too.

She bowed her head as he let her know that Commenor was going to be goverened on it's own for now, which was great. She hadn't spoken with her Ministers, nor her husband yet in regards to how Commenor would be moving forward. So it was good to see that they had time to work things out.

Kay blinked in surprise at the mention of being a beacon of hope. "We are? I'd of figured that we'd be facing a lot of criticism for what had happened.
People had been telling me for years that neutrality can never work and that we weren't safe. I am surprised that none have chosen to rub it in my face yet. But they will...they will..."

Again she bowed her head. "Once we gather enough forces and ships to regroup, we'll get the trsde routes safeguarded again. I've lost a lot of territory, but...that's okay. We have a lot on our plate as it is."

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- The Reprenative of the Republic nodded along, things were turning out for the Republic on top for once. Relations between the Republic and other nations were currently on a stand still for the most part. Back door agreement like that with the Alliance in Exile, the Mandalorains, and the Silver Jedi Council were just nods in private.

-- He leaned forward to the Queen, "Your neutrality was seen as weakness in your time as a Galactic Power your Majesty, but as you were the last of the great Core Powers to fall to the Sith, many now see you as a Bastion of Peace and a lighthouse in the darkest fog the Core has seen since the Sith-Republic War." He leaned back, "With your ties to both all the powers of the Galactic Empires and Governments even after the Occupation of your planet, well I must say there will be those outside reasonable comprehension skills that will rub your nose in it,"

-- He rose from his seat and walked over to the cart with the drinks on it, "Having access to the Outer Rim and the nearly abundant resources in the hands of hard working citizen and not slave worker like on Teth would allow the Republic to offer a Lend-Lease of our companies ships to the Commenorian Government and set up a sensible payment for the ships over the next..." He paused as he poured a cup of tea, "Lest say 15 year segments payments with a 2.5% interest rate, the Neimoidians still have a small defense force of your old Ships, we could send those to your kingdom with experienced Advisers that once served in your Alliance Navy?"

-- The Reptilian took a sip of the tea, and lifted it to [member="Lady Kay"], "Very good, would you like a cup?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

"So many lost their lives...Millions of them because I stood my ground. I had no choice but to swallow my pride and bend to their will, lest the entire planet become glassed. But I did not break...I merely...bided my time." And nor did her people. Their current freedom was a testament to that.

She watched [member="Tobias Dracks"] as he got up to serve himself a drink, she expected. All the while, her mind was focused on his proposal. It seemed all and good, and with the loss of the Systems Alliance; not to mention the confiscation of a number of their ships by the Sith; they could surely use more. But just how many and of what kind were needed, she wasn't sure at this moment. [member="Veiere Arenais"] would know more. "Thank you for the offer. As I've been out of touch with what we have remaining in our fleets, I'll have to get back to you on that."

She nodded a little for the offering of tea, something that the Vice Chancellor was probably sure that she couldn't pass up. And he'd be right. "Yes please. However you are my guest. Shouldn't I be serving you?"

 

[Tobias Dracks]

--Tobias pours another cup of tea, "Did you know I was born on Rothana, my father was a factory worker at one of the factories and my mother worked as well, if I had the Queen of Commenor serve me tea my Mother would roll out of her grave to teach me about proper educate, so please allow me." He chuckled again before he brought the tea over to the women, setting it on the table as he set his down and sat back down. The mention of his family was a distant memory, he really had come a long way from the poverty he endured to now a position of power. He never really saw his life turning out this way, but it was something he would need to get use to if he was to lead.

-- He nodded and continued on, "Many have died in these recent years, I only wonder if the plague or our own hands had killed more and all for the ideals of a select few," He leaned back in his seat and rested his hand on one of the arm chairs and the other was rapped around his neck, "My childhood was ruled by the Corporations, where to live, how to live, pretty much everything from birth to death is dictated," he dropped his hand from his neck and placed it on his lap, "I don't blame the Company, they had their reasons for doing what they did, but I always yearned for freedom to choose how to live, I strove to become Vice Chancellor to make that a possibility, and know where else does it feel like I have made a change but in the New Republic,"

-- He nearly locked eyes with [member="Lady Kay"], "If I remember from the Stories I was told by my master, you were also allied with this thought Lady Kay, I wish to offer help in repairing Commenor to its former glory or better, but also for you to continue your work as famed philanthropist you once were considered, financially, materially, or any other fashion, because my work as the Vice Chancellor can only take my dreams of galactic freedom so far, would your consider helping me make my dream come true your majesty?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay smirked as [member="Tobias Dracks"] mentioned that his mother would roll in her grave at the thought of him being served by her. "I wasn't born a Queen.
Far from it actually. I was born to an Imperial military family, then sent to an orphanage when they found out that I was....different...I worked my way up to being a Senator, then was arrested and exiled from serving in the Republic government. Later I was elected the President of Commenor, then became a captive of the Sith, only to become Queen and then a hostage. I know what it's like to have nothing and to work one's way to the top. I'm sure your Mother would be surprised about that."

She picked up her tea and had a sip, cupping the cup in her hands as Tobias reflected on his upbringing. Although different, his struggles were more or less the same. He rose from nothing into something that strove to improve the lives of others.

The fact that Tobias regarded her so highly was an unusual thing for her. Kay didn't feel as though she was deserving of such praise, nor that she was considered famous. Most often when she was in large meetings with members of other major governments, her words and her voice had often fell on deaf ears. It was as though she didn't need to be there at all for she'd of accomplished just as little. It was then that both Veiere and herself knew that they were on their own in the Galaxy.

But that had changed now.

"You honour me with such....high praise, Vice Chancellor.
You gave me hope when I was trapped and isolated. So thank you. The least that I can do to return the favour is to help you with your dreams and aspirations."

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- Listening to her about [member="Lady Kay"] talk about her past was interesting to hear, he felt a real connection was developing there. It was not just the death of his master that they shared now, but personal stories. He nodded along with her as she shared her struggles.

-- "My master had told my about your..." He paused for a second, "Difference.... As you called it, personally it makes no difference to me, but what really got me really interested in you was your side job while you were in the senate."

-- He paused again as he leaned forward to pick up his cup, "After my proposal to bring Commenor under Republic Protection in the senate," He took a sip of his tea, and closed his eyes in relaxation for a second, "This is good tea by the way," He set it aside with his arm on the arm of the couch, "It was then that our senate had discussed the creation of a Nonprofit Aid Organization that would assist the Republic with rebuilding the Core Worlds but was also organized to Rescue Slaves, send Relief Aid Supplies, Administered Medical Aid, and other needs of the all being across the galaxy, the on-going name for the Bill is the Galactic Red Cross, interesting name,"

-- He leaned back again and nodded once more, "I would like Commenor to be its headquarters as well as you leading this new Organization, your record as a Sentient Rights Activist, respect across the galaxy, and impressive leader of people within and around the galactic community, and you would have the full protection of the New Republic without it interference," He paused and let our a sigh, "The other reason I chose to offer you this is because Commenor is not part of the Republic, and as such this new organization would be able to help many more individuals without the large bureaucracy that would slow down the assistance of others."

-- His eyes were a little worried with this bombshell he dropped on her, he was really trying to convince her. "So would you help prevent what happen to you happening to others and help them rebuilding like your people are?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay blinked in surprise as [member="Tobias Dracks"] mentioned her side job when she was a Senator. Of course it was one that she did on her own with no support from the Republic at all. It made her laugh a little when she thought back on some of her experiences. Oh she was quite good at being the thorn in Sempra's side, disrupting his slave trade, ambushing his raids. No two missions were the same. It was that unpredictability that helped her in freeing as many slaves as possible.

She sipped her tea as she listened as he gave his proposal, her eyes widening as he asked not only for Commenor to be the headquarters for some new Organization, but for her to lead it as well. If Kay hadn't of swallowed that mouthful of tea seconds earlier, then she might of choked on it. It certainly was a bombshell that he had dropped.

"And when is this to start? As you can tell, we are still rebuilding here. There are many buildings under reconstruction. I would need some time to get my own affairs in order first before I could embark on this. I'm not saying no, Vice Chancellor, I'm just saying not right at this second." Kay had more than just buildings to rebuild. There was to be a restructuring of the government as well. That was on the agenda for her and her husband [member="Veiere Arenais"] to discuss. At the moment they had hardly had much time together. Their people came first.

 

[Tobias Dracks]

-- He was not surprised by her account on the situation on Commenor before those of the rest of the galaxy. He knew they came first, and that was were his other proposition came in.

-- Tobias reached into his pouch again and brought out a Holo-Projector, setting it on the table he activated it and the projection of a large droid appeared. "This is an ancient design of a construction droid that has rebuild Coruscant for generations, the New Republic is ready to send one hundred units to Commenor in the next rotation period, it would be the first action of the Galactic Red Cross Organization and we may be able to speak with the Mandalorains to obtain their Terreforming Technology to get the ecosystem stabilized, and I have spoken with several companies and planetary governments that have agreed to re-open their corporations back on your planet within the month after security matters along the trade routes have been secured."

-- He leaned back again. "I had figured that your government would want to protect your planet first, so I was able to get all the dominos' in place for your government and people were well prepared for what is to come next." The plans were really worked out before he had even gotten to liberating the planet. He knew the planet would be freed on way or another, and the Republic had to jump at the chance of new allies. "All was done covertly, and when your government signs off, the Republic Government is prepared to state the Commenorian Resistance movement as the initiate the started the talks,"

-- The reptilian man sighed a little, "I had seen the holo-vids of the failed rebellion in Sith Space, some of our agents were able to show us the battle and failed retreat of Jaminere, I do not have the ability to help those in need without calling out the force of the other powers, your connections and new found allies will make those who would attack the Republic second guess threatening your majesty at this time and so long as I have office you will be supported by the Republic as well."

-- "Just know that before you speak to your council, that is all I ask."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as she looked to the holo-projection of the construction droid. With that and the promise of contracts with various companues returning to Commenor once more; well it seemed as though [member="Tobias Dracks"] had thought of nearly everything to make her life a little easier during this transitional period.

"So Commenor is not only going to be the headquarters for this new Galactic Red Cross, but a testing ground for it as well?" She had another sip of her tea. "I'm not against that idea at all, mind you. I'm just curious..."

Her brows furrowed in thought as she heard of other planets that had tried and failed to liberate themselves from the Sith. "Were it not for our allies, we too might either still be under occupation or we'd be scrambling to try to survive with everything being taken from us.
Did these people not have the same luxuries of aid?" Kay didn't know much of what was going on out there. The Galaxy had once seemed so large. But now? Now it had seemed as though everyone has them surrounded; the once proud worlds of the CSA flew under the banners of others now.