[ENDGAME] Lawful Neutrality (Polis Massa - Galactic Alliance, Outer Rim Coalition)

[Linna Beorht]

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Spoiler

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[SIZE=11pt]Sharukan Empire[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] expeditionary cruiser [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Tyrax[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Polis Massa System[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Though Linna was a communicator and a scientist and half a dozen other things that had nothing to do with a warship’s long-range sensors, the displays looked messy even to her. Small huddles of Sharuka debated the system-wide situation in their own language. From time to time, their captain made a sharp interjection -- always a question. The Sharukan Empire had a thing for that sort of decision-making process. Once they made a decision, though, they stuck to it come Hell or high water. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]They’d made such a decision today. That was why the [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Tyrax [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]had appeared in the Polis Massa system, conducted a brief discussion with the local authorities by private channel, and begun staring down the biggest refugee influx Linna had ever seen.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]<<Commence broadcast, Doctor Beorht.>>[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Linna nodded and engaged the system-wide communicator. Her role was to translate words and concepts into Basic; virtually zero Sharuka spoke it, let alone knew the cultures that did. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Attention all ships in the Polis Massa system. This is the Sharukan Empire vessel [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Tyrax[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]. The evacuation from Subterrel and Manpha is clearly straining the system’s capacity and is causing unusual levels of interference on several key subspace frequencies. In the interests of-” [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Cleaning up your mess[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] would be the best translation for the captain’s intent. “-streamlining evacuation and resettlement flows throughout the region, the [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Tyrax [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]will transmit navigational support to all civilian vessels, starting immediately. With the permission of Polis Massan authorities, the Sharukan Empire will now host a meeting of local Galactic Alliance and Outer Rim Coalition representatives about options for instilling peace and order in the sector.”[/SIZE]

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Fondor -> Skor
Objective: Oversee evacuation

"All right, the command element shall remain in Skor's orbit, to defend both the planet and the medvac going back from Manpha and Subterrel"

So that's where the actual medvac was: busy ferrying refugees from Subterrel and Manpha to Skor and, to a lesser extent Polis Massa, she thought, while realizing that, despite an umpteenth attempt by the First Order to capture the Excubitor, probably because it was the ship that caused Cyrus to get out of Kaeshana with a firepower-killed fleet, the only ship that sustained any real hull damage under her command in that engagement on Fondor was the Subjugator. Which was sent to Hakassi, which, in turn, was much less affected by the flow of Sith incursions than Fondor has been, to say nothing of Coruscant and the Ashen Reach. Then again, she knew that the First Order was stretched thin on two theaters: Lothal and Fondor, and here she had to spread escorts between the two subgroups, hoping that, even in the wake of a brief attack over Skor, Metrobig City or any other Squib city was still better than Manpha or Subterrel to the refugees. Yet she would be led to think that there only were so many people she could evacuate in one go even with these 4km monsters she called Oxens, and that those Squibs would want their voice at the negotiation table. She received a transmission upon arriving over Skor:

"We're being hailed" the communications officer reported.

"Patch it through"

“Attention all ships in the Polis Massa system. This is the Sharukan Empire vessel Tyrax. The evacuation from Subterrel and Manpha is clearly straining the system’s capacity and is causing unusual levels of interference on several key subspace frequencies. In the interests of-” Cleaning up your mess would be the best translation for the captain’s intent. “-streamlining evacuation and resettlement flows throughout the region, the Tyrax will transmit navigational support to all civilian vessels, starting immediately. With the permission of Polis Massan authorities, the Sharukan Empire will now host a meeting of local Galactic Alliance and Outer Rim Coalition representatives about options for instilling peace and order in the sector.”

"Are you sure you can't invite the Squib administration? Skor is expected to receive a significant influx of refugees, especially with the ORC getting involved in this region of Wild Space"

Spoiler: Therapy Command

Escort elements:

ANS Excubitor (Procurator-XI-class heavy battlecruiser)
ANS Barkhesh (Barkhesh-class artillery carrier)
ANS Double-Counting (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Third Variable (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Skor (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Polis Massa (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Consignment Sale (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Bill and Hold (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Upfront Payment (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)

252 Premion-class light shuttles

Medvac:

ANS Oxen (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Fambaa (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Pharmacokinetics (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Tylenol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Oral-Turinabol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Alka-Seltzer (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Aspirin (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Nandrolone (Cardea-class medical cruiser)

336 M47 Illria ambulances

 

[Linna Beorht]

[member="Cathul Thuku"]

<<Explain to the admiral,>> said the Sharukan captain. Linna nodded and set up a return transmission to Therapy Command, a name whose idiomatic nature she could not unpack.

"Admiral Thuku, I presume. My name is Doctor Linna Beorht, speaking on behalf of the Sharuka. The local Galactic Alliance authorities we've invited will include decision-making representatives of planetary administrations as necessary. The Polis Massans have already agreed to attend, as have others. If you would like to reach out to the King of Skor to arrange Squib representation, we would be amenable."

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[member="Choli Vyn"]

He braced himself but it still hurt to be lifted onto the repulsor trolley. The staff then quickly unhooked the bacta dispenser from the arm on the bed and reattached it to the trolley.

Trextan's legs would have let him walk down to the hangar bay, but that wasn't the issue. Kurt had dropped him off on an Alliance medical frigate just minutes before he had keeled over. Kurt had stayed with him until they had stabilised him and found a bed. He had some good stories and promised to teach him to at least find all the right controls on a starfighter.

Some of his time had been a blur, but he had woken alone to the sight of the bright swirls of hyperspace. He had been through his scheduled surgery to deal with a perforated bowel right as the Alliance fleet was dispersed by a Sith assault. The word was that sith agents within the Alliance had betrayed them. Fleets were regrouping towards the rim and at remaining strongholds. Their leaders had done this before.

That was nearly twelve hours ago. Trextan looked down as one attendant pushed him quickly towards a lift. A clear pouch seemed to be stuck to his skin around the wound, forming a bacta bubble. He could barely see the wound now, but he could feel it.

The hangar was buzzing with activity. They were in orbit over Polis Massa and all the patients that could be moved were being ferried down to the surface. The fleet was staying put but the medical frigates were now beyond capacity. Specialist vehicles for the critical patients and GADF med-evac U-Wings for the others. Trextan was left against the wall with another ten patients.

He felt useless. Everything was moving so fast and he was left abandoned on the side of a hangar. Either their systems had been compromised or someone had deliberately locked out the terminal in his arm as he couldn't get a signal. Couldn't even browse the holonet to pass the time.

The ambient noise was too much to find any rest so he just stewed in his own thoughts and tried to ignore the pain. Pilots, crewman and nurses walked past him as if he wasn't there. A shadow of his former self that everyone saw through. Someone said Coruscant had fallen as they passed but didn't stop when Trextan tried to raise his voice to ask about. His voice had barely rises above a croak.

Nearly an hour went by before a soldier roughly yanked his trolley away from the wall. The young woman grumbled about doing busy work as she marched him towards a ship.

The trolley fixed itself into secure clamps on the wall. They didn't even wind down the engines. A perpetual hum continued as the other three patients were brought in. The soldier slapped the inside of the hull.

“Ready to go!” She called out before sliding shut the door.

The pilots exchanged a few words as they prepared to take off. Trextan recognised her voice immediately. His sullen mood was suddenly interrupted by a burst of elation at hearing her voice. Just sitting up a little brought fresh waves of pain. He gritted his teeth and then tried to call out.

“Cho-li…” It was too quiet. Barely a groan above the noise of the ship. He took a deep breath and tried to gather the strength to call out again.

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Skor
Objective: Medvac
Allies: [member="Linna Beorht"]

"Now to open a channel to the Squib administration: I'm sure the current Squib administration is grateful for the Alliance and would like to be in good terms with the ORC"

And not just because of the Alliance bankrolling the growth in the Squib's agri-food industries on the back of chocolate, grown in the hotter regions of the planet. The main question being: why couldn't anyone in the diplomatic services of both ORC and Alliance even think that a proper transition of power would require the cooperation of local populations? Who was there doing the stuff on Terminus? she thought, puzzled that while both medvac groups, comprised of one Oxen and three Cardeas, along with their respective complement of medvac shuttles, sped off towards their respective destinations, Subterrel and Manpha respectively. Meanwhile, she had to contact King Adegabaydee on a speed dial. It was going to be a major concern for the Squibs, especially since even the most conservative estimates of refugee flows would place significant burdens on the Squibs, given the limited ability of the Polis Massa system to host refugees (even though they can be triaged there), and hopefully the ORC actually understands the issues that come with such large flows of refugees, if only temporary.

"This is Admiral Thuku of the Alliance. The Alliance has requested the presence of the Polyanarchy in an emergency summit on Polis Massa regarding the transition of power in this region from the Alliance to the ORC"

"Me go to Polis Massa, but you must provide guarantees about refugees"

"Refugee handling is one of the more serious concerns we have"

Spoiler: Therapy Command

Escort elements:

ANS Excubitor (Procurator-XI-class heavy battlecruiser)
ANS Barkhesh (Barkhesh-class artillery carrier)
ANS Double-Counting (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Third Variable (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Skor (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Polis Massa (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Consignment Sale (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Bill and Hold (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Upfront Payment (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)

252 Premion-class light shuttles

Medvac:

ANS Oxen (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Fambaa (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Pharmacokinetics (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Tylenol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Oral-Turinabol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Alka-Seltzer (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Aspirin (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Nandrolone (Cardea-class medical cruiser)

336 M47 Illria ambulances

 

[Cuan Kunn]

The ANS ‘Spear of the Alliance’ had followed, well, limped, along with a few other ships towards the world of Polis Massa. The personal star defender of Coren Starchaser, this vessel was captained by a Vaemath and helped launch the Starchaser’s personal squadron into battle. With only a handful of picket ships and frigates as escort, the battlegroup here had faired terribly. Perhaps in large part to [member="Taeli Raaf"], but the main ships had survived. Working as a handpicked crew on Coren’s behalf?

Was an interesting issue. Still, the Tiburons were landing in space just after their command ship. And that meant Cuan Kunn had to pick up scanning again. But what he wasn’t expecting was the Sharukans. Cuan shook his head. Pushing the throttle to keep steady and in a holding position, the Sullustan eased off the throttle.

The next step was the Vaemath Commodore aboard the vessel, one Syykla, to contact the Therapy Command. <<Admiral Thuku, this is Commodore Syykla, new commanding officer of the Spear of the Alliance and Battlegroup Sentinel. We are seriously understaffed as many other vessels since the incident. But Sentinel is here to assist in any way we can.>>

The male Vaemath ordered the ships to await instructions from the senior admiral, and be prepared to follow orders.


[member="Cathul Thuku"]
[member="Linna Beorht"]

 

[Jaius Sovv]

Caravan Station
Alliance Merchant Fleet Flotilla
Elrood Sector

"I gotta say, Jaius. I can call you Jaius, right? Of all the Triumvirate I expected to make it here from Coruscant, you woulda been last on my list."

"I could say the same about you," the elder Sullustan watched the other man with a puzzled expression as his duros counterpart busied himself with mixing the alcoholic beverage his guest had already politely refused, "This place doesn't exactly scream 'getaway ship'."

Cei Kyros laughed at that, "No I suppose it doesn't. What can I say? I'm a lucky guy. We've been headed for Demonsgate ever since Thyferra."

"So you guessed which way the bedrock was shifting," Sovv grunted.

The Grand Captain shrugged and nodded, offering a freshly prepared cocktail to his guest. Jaius rubbed his sore neck after nodding graciously, shifting around in his ill fitting flight suit. He had just spent an excruciatingly indeterminable amount of time stuffed into the smuggling compartment of a Shadow-class Transport flying under the transponder of a lesser known SoroSuub subsidiary. His chaperones had dropped him off here on the Caravan at his own bequest, the Sullustan figured it was far easier to get lost in a crowd than on a single ship.

"That's my job, and I'm very good at it," he said more matter of factly than with any real braggadocio after downing his own mixed drink in one gulp and smacking his lips thoughtfully, "Even so, it was a close thing. We were still fording the Passage when Coruscant hit the 'Net, for all I know yours was one of the last ships under Alliance colors to make it through Vero in one piece."

To that he had no response. The exiled Chief of State hadn't been able to see much of anything from his berth the entire flight down from the Core, but he knew from the way his transport's crew refused to talk about it that the Vero system had been in bad shape during their crossing. How quickly things came undone, a beacon of light and security throughout the entire galaxy he had dedicated years of his life to help build had all fallen apart in a matter of days. The Galactic Alliance was dead.

"To Polis Massa, then!" Cei raised a fresh glass, sensing his guest's discomfort.

"Polis Massa?" the Sullustan asked, "I thought we were bound for Demonsgate?"

"We're bound for Demonsgate," Kyros replied, "You're going to Polis Massa! There's some big pow wow going down between the locals and a few Coalition big wigs, I'm no master politician but my guess is that's where you wanna be."

"How shrewd," despite his flippant tone, Jaius was forced to concede there was some truth to this 'Grand Captain's' line of thinking, "If the rumors about Lothal are true, we're not much safer here than we were in the Core. I don't suppose you could spare an escort?"

Cei flashed him a wicked grin, and raised his fingers in a peace sign, "That's two you owe me, Chief."

Interceptor-class Frigate Idiot's Array
Polis Massa System

"Sharukan cruiser, do not fire! I say again, do not fire!"

"Friends of yours?" Jaius asked, as politely as possible. He was fairly certain the blaring alarm meant they were being targeted.

"Ancient history!" Kyros cried, "A minor misunderstanding! Who knew Sharukan women held such a grudge-"

"Story time later."

"Right," the Grand Captain nodded, "Reopen channel. Sharukan cruiser, this is the captain of the freetrader ship Idiot's Array, we come in peace! Also, we have the Alliance's Chief of State on board, so maybe don't blow us up."

[member="Linna Beorht"] | [member="Cathul Thuku"] | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | [member="Cuan Kunn"]​

 

[Linna Beorht]

[member="Jaius Sovv"]

"Sharukan cruiser, do not fire! I say again, do not fire!" "Friends of yours?" Jaius asked, as politely as possible. He was fairly certain the blaring alarm meant they were being targeted. "Ancient history!" Kyros cried, "A minor misunderstanding! Who knew Sharukan women held such a grudge-" "Story time later." "Right," the Grand Captain nodded, "Reopen channel. Sharukan cruiser, this is the captain of the freetrader ship Idiot's Array, we come in peace! Also, we have the Alliance's Chief of State on board, so maybe don't blow us up."

Of all lessons to learn about the Sharukan civilization, perhaps the third most important was their extreme stance on miscegenation and xenophilia. The occasional Sharuka got labeled a pervert for consorting with other species. (Linna derived very private amusement from tacitly attracting various Sharukan gentlemen and watching them blush purple and run away.) Suffice it to say, the incident between Kyros and the Sharukan woman in question had caused Issues. Nobody felt like enlightening Linna, but she picked up plenty of shame and cold fury right here on the bridge.

At the captain's grudging nod, Linna tapped the comm for a private hail. "Idiot's Array, this is the Tyrax. You are at no further risk from us. However, when Chief of State Sovv comes aboard...he should probably do so without Captain Cei Kyros. In fact I would recommend that in the strongest possible terms."

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Skor
Objective: Medvac
Allies: [member="Jaius Sovv"] [member="Linna Beorht"]

True, loading and unloading five million refugees onboard a supertransport configured for medvac was taking much longer than it would take to fill a Dennari with refugees, as she did on Velga. That's why she shouldn't expect the two Oxens to return to Skor too quickly, leaving enough time for the King of Skor to get to Polis Massa for an emergency meeting with ORC and Alliance officials regarding its greater representation in the galaxy and, with it, its security risks. There was one thing for sure that the King would definitely want in for those talks: assurances for the Squibs' welfare beyond simply the security ones. He owed the Alliance for keeping the place free from the First Order, until the Alliance collapsed, but before the King would arrive at Polis Massa, about a few thousand light-years away, the King and his diplomatic retinue, as well as his security detail, stashed onboard a Neimoidian Yacht, are contacting the hosts of this summit in Polis Massa as they are making their approach towards that planet. The King's communications officer opened a channel to the Shakuran hosts:

"This King Adegaboydee of Skor II. His Majesty requests permission to dock"

Spoiler: Therapy Command

Escort elements:

ANS Excubitor (Procurator-XI-class heavy battlecruiser)
ANS Barkhesh (Barkhesh-class artillery carrier)
ANS Double-Counting (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Third Variable (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Skor (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Polis Massa (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Consignment Sale (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Bill and Hold (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Upfront Payment (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)

252 Premion-class light shuttles

Medvac:

ANS Oxen (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Fambaa (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Pharmacokinetics (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Tylenol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Oral-Turinabol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Alka-Seltzer (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Aspirin (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Nandrolone (Cardea-class medical cruiser)

336 M47 Illria ambulances

 

[Linna Beorht]

[member="Cathul Thuku"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]

"Docking permission is granted by default for all dignitaries' personal vessels."

All arriving dignitaries would be met by silent Testoran Guard in alien power armor. Each carried a tensor rifle, a disruptor sidearm, and assorted unfamiliar-looking nastiness. It would be clear to any visitor that the Sharuka had a deeply alien technological base. It would also be clear -- or should be -- that any Squib cultural tendencies of the kleptomaniacal sort would be viewed in the worst possible light.

Linna didn't meet the visitors at the airlock or in the hangar bay. Instead, she'd set up shop in a meeting room with the captain, an impassive and imperious Sharuka male.

​

The captain remained silent, apart from the occasional brief statement in his language. Linna, a former cabinet minister for the Omega Protectorate, knew the goal and needed little prompting. She and the Polis Massan authorities engaged in spirited discussion, in their own language, while waiting for others to arrive.

 

[Jaius Sovv]

Sharukan Expeditionary Cruiser Tyrax
Polis Massa System

Jaius stretched his stiff limbs as best as his withered frame was able while the Sharukan airlock was still cycling. His brief jaunt aboard the Idiot's Array had been the first opportunity for him to walk around unencumbered outside a smuggler's compartment or stuffy flight suit. Grand Captain Kyros had been all too happy to see his passenger off as speedily as possible, for the first time since Chief Sovv had met the man he had very little to say. There was little doubt in his mind that as soon as he was safely aboard the Tyrax, Cei would waste no time in hauling back to the Caravan as fast as the smuggler king's modded hyperdrive would allow him.

"I am Chief of State Jaius Sovv, representing the Galactic Alliance," he barely reacted to the sight of an armed Sharukan honor guard which greeted him once the airlock hatch slid open. Jaius had been in politics long enough to know that appearance was everything, "Take me to your leader."

He would not allow the public to glimpse the true scale of his grief for even a moment. And yet, the truth was as he was marched through the corridors of the Tyrax at an accommodatingly slow pace towards their designated meeting room, he also could not help but confess to an equally overwhelming sense of relief. Standing aboard this fringe alien warship somehow felt safe to him, it was the first moment he had been more or less assured of his personal safety since Coruscant.

"Captain," after his arrival was announced to the rest of the small Outer Rim summit, Jaius bowed to his host as a sign of respect. Under any other circumstance, his aides would have provided him with a full dossier on the Shakuran species and persons of interest well in advance, but given recent events the Sullustan was forced to rely on a vague memory of this species being prideful and somewhat xenophobic in nature, "Thank you for allowing us to meet here on this day under your banner of truce. Thank all of you."

Jaius turned his attention to the Polis Massa delegates including [member="Linna Beorht"].

"Thank you for granting Alliance citizens in search of sanctuary safe passage through your space, and for what temporary accommodations you have been able to provide on such little notice. I understand this was a crisis that was thrust upon you, where once Polis Massa was a part of our southern heartland it now sits on the edge of both First Imperial and lawless space. I know you must have many questions, both concerning the circumstances of my survival and more clear and present matters, but before we proceed I would simply like to apologize to the Alliance citizens both in this room and who will hear about this summit on the HoloNet."

"Your government failed you, those entrusted with protecting you failed you, and I failed you. We tried hard, but that doesn't matter because we failed. And for that failure I would ask, once all the facts are out, for your understanding and for your forgiveness."

[member="Cathul Thuku"] | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | [member="Cuan Kunn"]​

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Skor
Objective: Medvac
Allies: [member="Linna Beorht"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]

Yes, the Head of State of the Alliance did, in fact, acknowledge that he was part of the Alliance's failures. But, after permission was given for the King and his retinue to board, he was brought to the same chamber as Jaius was, and any other delegates from other stakeholders in the process, ORC or from other worlds involved in this summit, while Therapy Command, or what's left of it, was busy doing medvac over Subterrel and Manpha and have yet to return to Skor. The King had a few Squib aides, who did, in fact, have to keep quiet until absolutely necessary. Hopefully the Shakurans won't be too disturbed by the presence of the Squibs in the king's retinue, or even the Squibs; he, too, lamented the length of the notice being very short and leaving him with only the issue of the refugees to bring to the table, which was by far the most urgent and longest-lasting to his administration and also with so little knowledge of that race. He had to be with a few unfamiliar faces, such as the Kallidahin administration in place in Polis Massa who, from what he understood, had a very limited ability to absorb refugees.

"Me Adegabaydee, king of Skor II. Squibs have concerns about refugee flows; refugee flows come with big issues"

Spoiler: Therapy Command

Escort elements:

ANS Excubitor (Procurator-XI-class heavy battlecruiser)
ANS Barkhesh (Barkhesh-class artillery carrier)
ANS Double-Counting (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Third Variable (C-9982-class heavy frigate)
ANS Skor (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Polis Massa (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Consignment Sale (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Bill and Hold (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)
ANS Upfront Payment (Mustafar-II-class heavy corvette)

252 Premion-class light shuttles

Medvac:

ANS Oxen (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Fambaa (Oxen-class bulk freighter)
ANS Pharmacokinetics (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Tylenol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Oral-Turinabol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Alka-Seltzer (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Aspirin (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Nandrolone (Cardea-class medical cruiser)

336 M47 Illria ambulances

 

[Linna Beorht]

[member="Jaius Sovv"] [member="Cathul Thuku"]

The captain spoke briefly in his own language. Any protocol droids present would get a general idea through certain old linguistic similarities, some of them very old indeed. Pre-Republic old. Linna translated -- loosely.

"The captain of the Tyrax acknowledges your presence and extends you all the protection of the Sharukan Empire." His attitude, clearly, was that the Tyrax constituted the delegates' primary protection, despite the presence of the frankly gigantic Alliance fleet. "He also acknowledges the integrity of Chief of State Sovv in taking responsibility for the situation. Unregulated traffic and communications are cluttering and obstructing spacelanes throughout the region. Seeing to it that local governments -- the Alliance, the Coalition, Skor, Polis Massa, and so forth -- resolve these issues is the Sharukan Empire's first priority. How do you propose to do so?"

 

[Alexandra Porte]

Aboard civilian ship Hope's Pride
~Inbound to Polis Massa
[member="Linna Beorht"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]
[member="Cuan Kunn"] [member="Cathul Thuku"] [member="Trextan Voidstalker"]
___

The day that changed everything was when news reports first broke on HNN that the Sith Empire, the First Order and the Mandalorian Empire attacked Galactic Alliance-held worlds and vital interests from the Core to the Outer Rim. Mass destruction was noted with high numbers of casualties and death amongst civilians, military, and Jedi alike the reporters said. Refugees were fleeing as they could to various other factions that had opened their planets to them. The Taanabian knew she and the children would not be safe any longer on her homeworld as it had recently been brought into the Mando's territory after they took the Hapes Hex. It was time to enact SCAT CAT; the family's emergency plan Alex had devised after the twins were born.

Alexandra Russo-Porte pulled back the hyperdrive lever and prepared to enter the Polis Massa asteroid field. From back channeling with some old Galactic Alliance contacts she still had, the once Rogue Leader and now former Ambassador of Taanab flew her heavily modified SoroSuub Horizon-class Star Yacht with a deft hand through the rotating masses that hurdled past the ship to hopefully meet up with the surviving members of High Command that were rumored to be gathered here.

Her thoughts on the matter were two fold for coming to Polis Massa. The first was to offer her assistance from a diplomatic means. As Ambassador, Alexandra had worked tirelessly with the Queen of Alderaan in the humanitarian efforts going into the Refugee Relief Movement coreward after the Sith attack on the Free Worlds Coalition some time back. Plus with her military background and a skilled pilot, Alleycat was sure they could use her somehow.

The second reason was a more selfish one. With news that the Jedi temple on Lothal had been also hit, Alexandra wanted to find out if there was any news of survivors from there as her husband, Jedi Master [member="Kahne Porte"], had been recently recalled there, and she had not heard a word from him since.

"Polis Massa Control, this is Ambassador Russo Porte on Hope's Pride requesting permission to land. Sending data now," Alex keyed over the comm unit. She had attached her dignitary credentials just in case.

"Docking permission is granted by default for all dignitaries' personal vessels. Follow the beacon in, Hope's Pride."

"Roger that, Control," she answered in her pilot voice, then brought the star yacht into the docking bay with well practiced ease.

Having left her trusted astromech droid with the dear friends that were taking care of Aiden and Addison at a safe house while she did what she had to do, Alexandra disembarked from the Hope's Pride dressed in ambassadorial white with a newly acquired blue-plated protocol droid trailing behind her trying to keep up with the long-legged brunette. To be honest, the former Rogue actually missed the days of wearing the Force awful rebel orange flightsuits of the GA's Starfighter Corps. What she didn't miss was maternity wear... So glad to be back down to her pre-pregnancy weight and fitness.

 

[Jaius Sovv]

Sharukan Expeditionary Cruiser Tyrax
Polis Massa System

Not for the first time, Jaius realized how dependent he had become upon the luxuries of high office. He wished M-3PO were here, or any Alliance protocol droid really, and it made him sick to his stomach when it dawned on him that he could no longer be certain that Em Three was even still operational. How many more grim realizations would there be, he could not help but wonder. The Sullustan was in many ways still in shock, the full scope of what his people had lost in recent days had not yet fully struck him. All he could hope for now was that this mounting grief would not lay him low before he could safeguard the survivors.

"King Adegabaydee and the Shakuran delegation are most wise," Jaius replied, patiently waiting for [member="Linna Beorht"] to slowly translate at the end of each sentence, "Our first priority must be to the people, not only those fleeing calamity but the communities here in the Outer Rim which threaten to be overwhelmed by such fallout."

Hesitatingly, he bowed once more in deference. Formal engagements with a reclusive species sans any background research was like navigating a mine field, he could not be certain if any move he made would be misconstrued as an insult.

"I must confess some ignorance as to the current state of affairs," he continued, "I have been out of contact with my people since this all began, and it will take me some time to seek out a ranking official in all this...'clutter', as you describe it. Yet I believe I can hazard an educated guess as to what my general consensus will be. Honored representatives, the Alliance's capability to shoulder such a burden as resettlement on this scale is at an all time low. I must impress on both the Coalition and other local delegates the degree to which our core infrastructure and political hierarchy have been impacted."

"To be frank, I cannot say for certain how much of our Alliance is left."

[member="Cathul Thuku"] | [member="Trextan Voidstalker"] | [member="Cuan Kunn"] | [member="Alexandra Russo"]​

 

[Cathul Thuku]

With Therapy Command still being over Skor, or what's left of it, while still amounting to a gigantic fleet in this context, that fleet, and with it, Cathul proper, would not be present with the King of Skor. So the traffic clutter was a consequence of the refugee flows? It wouldn't surprise him in the slightest, and resettlement plans would have to be made accordingly, just that the extent at which they could be made would be the core of the issue. Certainly, as [member="Jaius Sovv"] said previously, the Alliance's ability to shoulder the effort was at an all-time low: Therapy Command was the only medvac unit left and, as much as it was necessary on Coruscant, Fondor, these were too dangerous for medvac given how the Sith operated. [member="Linna Beorht"] also asked a question that the King of Skor would probably have a proposal for. After all, the Salvagestuff Platform was built during his reign, and was nearly new when the First Order attacked in the wake of the Mustafar campaign, so perhaps he could have another orbital station built for housing the refugees in orbit, using refugee labor if at all possible. The Squib king then provided his answer:

"We want orbital housing: we could use some refugee labor on surface to rebuild what First Order burned however. However, ORC must foot at least part of orbital housing bills"

 

[Alexandra Porte]

Aboard the Tyrax, Polis Massa
[member="Jaius Sovv"] [member="Linna Beorht"] [member="Cathul Thuku"]
[member="Cuan Kunn"] [member="Trextan Voidstalker"]
___

Alexandra didn't get too far before being greeted by a welcoming committee of Testoran Guard. The lead guard motioned silently with authority for the ambassador and her 3PO unit to fall in with their escort. The brunette nodded appreciatively, though remained ever vigilant in case it was a trap, slipping her hand nonchalantly inside the confines of her robes and just making sure her hold-out blaster was there.

The Taanabian and K-3PO were shown to a meeting room within the Sharukan Expeditionary Cruiser where a conference was going on.

"Well here we go, Kaythree. Wish us luck."

"I am afraid luck has nothing to do with it. The odds are..."

A quick hand shot up to wave off the answer. She was in no mood at the moment to listen to a bloviated explanation that the blue-plated protocol droid had to offer. Oh how Alleycat missed Rusty and their easy banter. The quirky R2 unit and her were usually on the same page. This new droid would have to be broken in to her kind of humor.

Alexandra smoothed over her regal outfit and squared her shoulders just before the door slid open, then the starfighter pilot turned dignitary walked in with a congenial face.

"My apologies for the interruption," Alex offered apologetically to those gathered with a gracious cant of her dark head, then added with confident brandy brown orbs looking directly at the individuals she was introducing herself to. "I am Alexandra Russo Porte, former Ambassador of Taanab, and retired GAS. I'm here to help any way I can with the Galactic Alliance's needs and of those so kindly assisting them."

 

[Linna Beorht]

SHARUKAN EMPIRE CRUISER 'TYRAX'
MEETING ROOM

[member="Alexandra Russo"] [member="Cathul Thuku"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]

The Sharukan captain grunted and made an untranslatable remark. Even as a career diplomat, Linna blinked. She composed herself almost immediately and began embellishing.

"Welcome, Ambassador Porte. Thank you for joining us." Linna looked around the table, tasting their emotions -- the Sullustan's weariness, the new arrival's optimism, the Squibs' desperation and avarice, the Twi'ek's vague condescension, and the Polis Massans' urgency. "It is becoming clear that none of these parties are able to resolve the situation: not the Galactic Alliance, which may not exist anymore; not the governments of Polis Massa or Skor Two, despite their best efforts; not the fragmentary and largely absent Outer Rim Coalition, on whom so much depends.

"The Sharukan Empire sees no option but to annex this territory for the time being, coordinate shipping flows, regulate communications noise, and restore functionality to the sector. The captain recommends that all of you prepare to welcome significant volumes of refugees in the short term. Sharukan Empire vessels will begin guidance operations within one hour."

A declaration like this would have been unthinkable a week ago. It testified to how unstable the region had become, and how much the Sharuka cared about not having other species' messes on their doorstep.

 

[Julius Sedaire]

A ship had appeared. Scanners would be screaming, and anyone with Force senses beyond that of a child would notice a sudden surge in it immediately proximal to the meeting. Julius hated dramatic entrances, but since the rest of his envoy apparently hadn't made it out, he had flown as quick as he could, hailing the assembled party, face still a mask of stone from his lost fight on Corellia, and voice dead, though the Force came off him like a cat smiling at a mouse.

"Assembled gentle-folk. Excuse me that we are late... Fighting called us away. We will be ship board momentarily. We of the Coalition thank the Sharukan for offering to host these talks and remind them that they have done much to convince us that they are not a needlessly expansionistic empire. Why I'd hate to find out otherwise and have to remind them of the last Empire that got a little too cocky in our space. It cost us dearly, but it cost the Mandalorians even more. It is good that I don't have to remind them, with how respectful they've been. Advise when we can dock."

Smiling, he turned to his squad of companions and nodded, grinning ear to ear.

"Boys, I don't trust these aliens, but I can't risk walking in with guard dogs. Stay about the Ninth, secure the docking point, and be ready to jump aboard their ship, separate, and help me gut them from the inside out if I give the word. Otherwise, try and look casual eh?"

There was a snort from one of the number, carrying a vibrosword of odd make and lightly armored compared to the rest and Julius shook a finger at that one as he stood up.

"I mean it Lasinda, play nice. Just don't let them on the ship...."

[member="Linna Beorht"] | [member="Alexandra Russo"] | [member="Cathul Thuku"] | [member="Jaius Sovv"] |

 

[Linna Beorht]

[member="Julius Sedaire"] [member="Alexandra Russo"] [member="Cathul Thuku"] [member="Jaius Sovv"]

Since nobody else on the Sharukan payroll spoke Basic fluently, the communique got piped to the meeting room by default. Linna translated quietly to the captain.

"Coalition representative, this is the Tyrax," she said, still looking around the room. "Your ship is welcome to dock. The Sharukan Empire has no interest in conquering this territory, but we will not allow this problematic chaos to persist. If your government finds itself able to provide a convincing and comprehensive picture of how it plans to stabilize this sector, we look forward to hearing it when you join us."

Sedaire's ship would find no opposition, and the Testoran Guard outside the hatch would not set foot in his ship or bother his crew. On the bridge, the Sharukan sensor operators engaged in hushed discussion in which the word 'Aing-Tii' featured prominently.