Faction Finishing the Hat | THR Senators

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Vaerelyn Thorne Misha Kaskadov Aurelian Veruna Dominique Vexx Rue Katsumi Royal

Listening to the king was one thing... the interaction between him and Verity another and then she heard the major ask a question and for a moment she was only a little confused but it brought her attention to the woman on the comlink and this entire meeting was interesting in the wrong ways. Conscription being added now was bringing her around SHe had been thinking the best ways to utalize and who she would need to talk with and share this with for the Denon security and CTRL or the military. They already leased out officers to smaller systems and if they could do this to help militia's then it was another source of revenue for them. She looked over at the Chancellor and raised an eyebrow mostly in trying to figure out where this was going.

 

[Thel Nelvas]

​

Paper. He had it printed out, the entire proposal. And as the others talked, another curious, novel thing moved in his hand- a pen. Not a datapad, not a screen. Scratch, scratch, scratch, his pen went on the heavy parchment. He clicked when he was done listening, looking about, leaning forward. His voice was deep, commanded attention, and spoke with experience and authority.

"From experience, Senator Thorne is correct. We do not want to misconstrue our intent to the individual's populace." He stopped, wrote some more. He was formulating his thoughts, bullet-points to dwell on when he spoke. He valued his time, and his colleagues.

"It would be wise to train potential militia leaders either by liaison with Republic troops, or by a centralized facility. We should first focus on Officers and NCOs, who then can develop training programs unique to their needs and desires. No doubt the concerns from Duro, would be much different, than say, the concerns from Nivek."

He tapped his pen, thinking carefully before continuing.

"The cost, in the long run, I and my advisors from Duro believe, would be better suited if we trained these militia members to act as Special Forces units, such as the Pathfinders or the current Commandos as potential models. Arming and equipping an entire militia, rather than a highly-effective and small group, which, in turn, could train their local populace, would be much higher in cost and much more difficult logistically. Additionally, the vetting and selection process to be Special Forces would prevent future... issues." He adjusted his glasses, looking over his notes. Issues such as espionage, fraud, misuse... and foreign collusion.

"And, additionally, to alleviate the King's concerns, a singular Special Forces unit would be devastating to say, a ground-side Sith invasion for days or hours until the full Republic response, but, it would be very difficult to enact a coup or use them nefariously en masse." He looked around the room, gauging responses before wrapping up.

"As well as this would return the control of these units to the planet or place of origin, but- in the event of war, once the Republic military arrives, the local forces would agree to be under the centralized command of the Republic military. For a length of time yet to be determined and voted on, or perhaps, until the end of the potential and future conflict. I think that would be a fair compromise to arming, equipping, and initially training these units, as well as respecting the sovereignty of our Republic planets."

He spoke of future conflicts- not potentials. Inevitabilities. He glanced up from his paper, leaning back with a slight twinge of pain from the back of his throat. He hoped his microphone did not pick it up, but it often did.

 

[Katsumi Royal]

Tags: Verity Stuyveris Misha Kaskadov Aurelian Veruna Ayumi Pallopides Rue Dominique Vexx Vaerelyn Thorne

So much to go through, and so little time... Well, at least little time to the paranoid captain.​

"Should the legislation pass, however, I would ask that those volunteers receive their training away from Gorath's Haven."

"Any and all training is to be done locally by that planet's milita, senator Thorne."

It would make no sense to move these men and women elsewhere to train in a whole different enviroment.​

"It would be wise to train potential militia leaders either by liaison with Republic troops, or by a centralized facility. We should first focus on Officers and NCOs, who then can develop training programs unique to their needs and desires. No doubt the concerns from Duro, would be much different, than say, the concerns from Nivek."

A new face had taken a step in, starting with the same topics that Katsumi had brought up before.

"I agree with this, I had mentioned beforehand that the Republic military can supply these officers such as myself. Someone of my rank or higher would be overseeing the more junior officers along with the sergeants that serve as the primary instructors. For my own men I handpick each and every sergeant, they provide a crucial role for enlisted."​

"The cost, in the long run, I and my advisors from Duro believe, would be better suited if we trained these militia members to act as Special Forces units, such as the Pathfinders or the current Commandos as potential models. Arming and equipping an entire militia, rather than a highly-effective and small group, which, in turn, could train their local populace, would be much higher in cost and much more difficult logistically. Additionally, the vetting and selection process to be Special Forces would prevent future... issues."

"My ideal approach is close to that I suppose, we don't really require such high value teams. The goal is to provide a broad, stubborn blanket of defense with a minimal cost. The answer is easy, if I was to say be aiding in the development of said milita on my own homeworld. I would find and task sergeants who share the same home, this way each and every garrison created on our different plants gets a good understanding of their home turf. We don't need highspeed killers with top shelf equipment, that is for the main branch. Never underestimate the value in guerilla warfare. A low cost, unconvential method. It becomes harder to set up during an invasion if you have to deal with small but broad bands of fighters, slowly draining your precious resources until the hammer comes down."

The captain tried to speak with a level of tact when approaching this, not trying to make it seem like her goal was to simply kick the man down over his ideas.​

"As well as this would return the control of these units to the planet or place of origin, but- in the event of war, once the Republic military arrives, the local forces would agree to be under the centralized command of the Republic military. For a length of time yet to be determined and voted on, or perhaps, until the end of the potential and future conflict. I think that would be a fair compromise to arming, equipping, and initially training these units, as well as respecting the sovereignty of our Republic planets."

"I would imagine that by technicallity there would always be some minor level of adhearing to command, but not enough to devalue the level of independence given. Communication is key, after all. However, in the event of federal touchdown all homeguard units are expected to listen to command. Once said issue is resolved and the threat has been eliminated it would be safe to resume the typical status quo of reduced federal involvement."

Her brain almost had her say something along the lines of "You understand what I am saying?", never really could take the stubborn commanding stance out of an officer. However, she thankfully catches herself. She wasn't dealing with trainees, this was- well is supposed to be a professional setting. Though the king and his rival swapping between sour and spice, and the child just openly threatning the privacy of this meeting did little to persuade the woman that this was professional.

Where was that wine again?

. . . .

Right, the senator from Denon had brought it. And seeing like this may take a while, Kat does finally get herself a cup of wine, steadily letting it hit her tastebuds as her pallet judged it.

It wasn't the typical cheap whiskey she enjoyed, and thus her pallet decided this drink was too expensive.

Did she have a choice? Unsure, but was she still going to drink it anyway? Yes, are you daft?






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[Thel Nelvas]

​

"Captain, it is my job to not underestimate the value of troops and people in the right places. To me, the point raised by an Armor Officer regarding Special Forces, is..." A pause, searching for the right, and tactful words. "Misplaced."

He pushed some notes around on the desk he was at, before continuing. "We should turn to an example that during the Battle of Coruscant, it was a strike team of Alliance Commandos and Special Forces, aided by a capable Special Unit Pilot that brought the Star-Destroyer safely above Coruscant for it to be destroyed. All in all, less than 20 people. Republic Special Forces also captured Mauve, a wanted criminal, and have staged rescues and interventions since the inception of the High Republic, to great effect." His eyes were laser-focused on the Armor Officer now. It was unsettling, his gaze. He placed his fingers on the table, neatly settling the paperwork in front of him.

"In my time as an intelligence analyst with the SIA and other apparatuses, I will kindly remind you, Captain Royal, that it was my job to figure out how to hurt the enemy. Training and equipping a small Special Forces unit from individual Republic worlds, who can then turn and train these... guerilla fighters, seems more worth it to me as a return-of-investment of time and resources and manpower, than a large-scale militia. The term "force multiplier" is used for Special Forces for that specific reason."

He tapped his fingers on the table and papers, taking in a deep breath. The most contentious thing he would say was coming.

"Furthermore, to me, at the least, you seem to be callous with the lives of Republic citizens and those who would fight for their homes. I would rather risk the few than the many. We need not to throw many of our citizens as forlorn hopes against enemies of the Republic. What better are we than our enemies, if we only reduce our citizens and those who would fight for their homeworlds as tools and numbers before the main Republic force?"

He picked up the pen, jotting something down. He looked up at the Captain, then the others, waiting their responses. He spoke out of turn, perhaps, but it seemed to bother him little. His dark brown eyes looked back up at his colleagues, gauging their reactions.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Katsumi Royal | Thel Nelvas | Ayumi Pallopides | Verity Stuyveris

Aurelian had been singularly focused on measuring Senator Stuyveris for a quiet, legislative demise when the dry, rhythmic scratching of a pen broke his train of thought. His razor-sharp attention shifted toward the representative from Duro. Having completely tuned out the mid-level political banter around the table, the sharp turn in the argument instantly caught his interest.

Senator Nelvas made an undeniably pragmatic case. Training a lean, highly specialized group to serve as a force multiplier made vastly more sense than trying to fund, arm, and organize vast numbers of raw civilians. Aurelian leaned back in his seat, watching the debate unfold between the tactical intelligence analyst and the hardened captain.

"I find myself agreeing with the Senator from Duro," Aurelian declared smoothly, cutting into the back-and-forth. "A concentrated, elite element offers clear tactical value without blowing out the Republic budget or handing over an entire army to local planetary bosses. It certainly would not hurt to frame the bill around that structure."

He turned his gaze back toward Captain Royal, offering a faint, knowing smirk. "Each planet remains free to opt in or out, though I imagine most will gladly take the opportunity once the funding is structured properly. Welcome to the Senate floor, Captain. If you want to see your vision survive the ink, you have to concede a little ground."

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[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique stood off to the side quietly listening to the discussion unfold. A sea that churned through concepts and ideas eager to be formed into legislation. An opportunity for the many worlds of the Republic to weigh in without the Executive dictating how things should be. Just what Verity wanted -- a balance.

That being true, the Chancellor did speak up after a time of holding her peace. "Gentlemen. Ladies. I applaud the thoroughness in which you explore this topic. If I may make an observation, however." There was a second's pause long enough to seem to invite a response, but not long enough to receive it. "Almost every wealthy or long-established world in the Republic already possesses a private self-defense force. Some are larger than others. Some better equipped, better trained, or more experienced. A number of them already have ties to Republic Command to avoid 'miscommunications' during the heat of battle."

"Control isn't as important as coordination. Acceptance that if Republic Forces say to withdrawal that there is a reason to do so. If to attack a certain position then there being cause. Such decisions are made with the larger picture in mind; with more information than those on the ground may have at hand. At the same time, the reverse can also be true. So, local Forces would retain discretion to implement the overall objectives as they see fit aware of the particularities of a specific battlefield. A distribution of authority, and a trust in every commander's ability to get the job done."

"I welcome the idea of offering Special Forces, of course," as someone that'd spent considerable resources making her own to help reform CorpSec, "but there should be legislation to grant our less celebrated and yet crucial worlds the opportunity to defend themselves, if they so choose. Special Forces aren't appropriate for handling search and rescue, hostage negotiations, or deterring piracy -- common, every day threats our people yearn for us to quash. If there are able bodied and able minded people on these worlds that wish they could defend their homes more effectively, we should give them that opportunity."

"And with these worlds investing in themselves, offering both options to help them address their greatest need for their world and their sector should provide the greatest benefit." Dominique smiled as she regarded those in the chamber. There was still the matter of finance, but she didn't want to bore everyone with details. Obviously those less well-off would require more just to establish their first, proper command post. A forward operating base of sorts. Distributing the Republic's military influence over more worlds was no bad thing. It could provide them even more listening stations and early warning capabilities.

Verity Stuyveris | Aurelian Veruna | Katsumi Royal | Thel Nelvas | Ayumi Pallopides​

 

[Katsumi Royal]

Tag: Aurelian Veruna Verity Stuyveris Misha Kaskadov Ayumi Pallopides Thel Nelvas Dominique Vexx Rue Vaerelyn Thorne

​

Armor Officer

She lets out a mild sigh, gently setting her cup down. It was important to listen to everything that was to be said, a key factor in pulling it apart.

The most frustrating part was that the man did make rather important points when it came to the value of said forces, however the more agitating part was that she knew all of this already. This wasn't a bill to form specialist units who are heroic poster boys, it was to give those who wish to volunteer a way to fight back against mostly everyday issues. And to have good means at slowing invading forces.​

callous with the lives of Republic citizens

Out of everything, this line clearly sent a spark of hatred to glare in her eyes.

"Volunteer forces are callous?"

No no no, after all she had done and how long she had risked her own self to make sure the goals of this Republic had been met, being considered callous when it came to lives of Republic citizens...

"I have only recently moved to armor, for a whole decade I have been boots on the ground. While I may be mobile infantry, I still hold an officer's rank for a good reason, I am still alive and know how to do an officer's duty. Teaching these volunteers how to best avoid the enemy while also slowing them down so the main Republic army can come in to clean up? Callous? I am not sitting here and saying that those within a specialist branch aren't useful, what I am saying is that these volunteers are better suited to help put down common issues. And in the event of invading enemy forces? These men and woman who are volunteers would be helping slow down the enemy through guerilla warfare, so that those who are non combatants have more time to get into safety. The whole point of my suggestion is that these units are given the right training, and can effectively run off basic and less expensive equipment."

She resists going for her drink, instead choosing to continue.

"Persons within specialist roles cannot be everywhere at once, they are an effective hammer to strike down at a specific target. In order for these souls to operate how they do... Do you have any idea how long and hard that level of training is? You have to sacrafice a part of yourself, be able to live with your actions for the sake of duty. Sending volunteers to even try to get a fraction of that training? The first hellweek will break them, how do I know? You could say it is my job to help train many of the brave souls who defend this Republic. It's easier on them to receive levels of basic training, giving a combined package of those basics along with environmental knowhow. Again, I repeat this. The whole point of guerilla warfare is to inflict soul draining levels of HURT to the enemy while keeping the equipment and manpower cost low."

She sighs and shakes her head.

"What matters the most to me is making sure our people have more protections put in place, at the end of the day if you all desire to throw civilians into dealing with specialist units then by all means... Toss resources at it. I just want extra guns on those lines, and to not stumble into ghost towns."
​

Welcome to the Senate floor, Captain. If you want to see your vision survive the ink, you have to concede a little ground."

"With all respect sir, it isn't and shouldn't just be my vison. It should be the vison and goal of every persons within a seat of power to better protect their people."








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[Ayumi Pallopides]

Thel Nelvas Vaerelyn Thorne Misha Kaskadov Aurelian Veruna Dominique Vexx Rue Katsumi Royal

She was listening to the discussion and from what they had going the bill was getting some shape but it was a good plan for the moment. Ayumi looking at Dominique for a moment. Her head turning back to the woman as she spoke. "No one is saying it isn't in their interest or power but it is a rarity to have the knowledge and skills in both areas. The lives we represent there is a vision for their protection and the Republic as a whole but we all have various criteria. What is expensive on New Cov is possibly standard issue on Denon or Naboo. Volunteers who would be able to protect their world can vary as well since populations are a factor. Druckenwell and Denon have a lot more then other worlds so a small percentage for us could be a larger force for another world."

She said it but was bringing up a few things on the kirano. Small flicks of her eye and muscle twitches the interface could pick up as it overlaid with the room and she was setting up some of it. "For training and emergencies, we have proposed in the past having stockpiles and access to additional supplies are already in the budgets. We do have a few things that have been worked on that could be used to supplement. At-Avexxian has been producing and stocking up since we toured it." She said it and looked at Verity and Dominique who had been there for the tour. "We could also give a reserve of droids or biots for emergencies. Immediate while those who want to volunteer are trained and all measures are done to make sure the lives are valued. The borderworlds could be augmented with other things we have. We don't lack for talent and industry."

 

[Thel Nelvas]

Do you have any idea how long and hard that level of training is?

"Yes. I'm more than aware of what it takes to be an operative." That statement was final, and it carried weight. He didn't often flaunt his time at the SIA and the Republic but- before his injury, Thel was a dangerous man. Still was, but, not as much anymore.

"Again, even if they volunteer, do you not think it looks bad as a Republic, when we use citizens as cannon fodder? What does that say about the Republic that our first line of defense is not a professional soldier trained to the highest degree, but militia members ripe for the slaughter through guerilla warfare? As someone who has conducted guerilla operations, insurgency, and then counter-insurgency and counter-guerilla operations..."

He stopped, thinking best how to go on.

"Frankly, most of the people I served with on those operations died. Guerillas suffer an enormous casualty rate. I won't condemn Republic citizens to that fate for the sake of a possible military success. If you want to protect people, you don't throw them needlessly into a meat grinder to slow down the enemy."

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Katsumi Royal | Ayumi Pallopides | Dominique Vexx | Thel Nelvas | Verity Stuyveris

Aurelian rested a cheek on his hand, observing the back-and-forth with a faint, amused smile. Thel was laying it out with experienced precision, stripping away the romanticism of civilian militias. War was rarely a place for honorable ideals, and relying on under-equipped volunteers to stall an army was just a slow death sentence.

"The Senator speaks the truth, Captain," Aurelian cut in. "I have to ask, what exactly are you so afraid of here?"

Crossing his legs, he leaned forward slightly, holding the good Captains frustrated gaze. "You get the core of your bill passed, the outer systems gain their line of defense, and the Senate gets a little extra reassurance that we aren't just handing out blasters to eager mobs. A small, elite, properly vetted unit satisfies both sides. You get your legislative victory, and the Republic gets a clean, controlled asset. That sounds like a remarkably good trade."

​

 

[Rue]

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Tags: Aurelian Veruna | Ayumi Pallopides | Dominique Vexx | Thel Nelvas | Verity Stuyveris | Katsumi Royal

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Stood on the fringes of the debate, as Captain Royal debated with the room about her proposal, Rue was in a quiet, discreet conversation with the person on the other end of the transmission emanating from her left ear. Royal's questions and implications of some type of espionage fell on deaf ears. There was a certain liberty taken here, of course. Kenari was supposed to have their own delegate here representing their interests. To out source that interest to a third party, such as Vūm, was cheeky to say the least. Rue found herself in agreement with whoever she was talking to from the K.R.C. It was time to go.

A rudimentary understanding of Royal's proposal and the concerns of the other delegates in the room had been achieved. There were political insights, economic effects, and a certain style of politicking which were beyond Rue. There had been a lesson somewhere in this room and in time she would learn what it was. For the person on the other end of the line that understanding was all there. On the furthest edges of the High Republic a new debate would be waged as the consortium discussed what they had learned about Captain Royal and the others here as they considered their own ventured interests.

As for the peculiar, strange girl who had voiced Kenari's input into the proposal, with the idea of conscription squashed as an idea, Rue discreetly exited the room. Down the hallway she turned the transmitter off and then raised the cowl of her hood to conceal their facial features.

Enigmatic. Mysterious.

Gone.

[ THREAD EXIT ]
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