Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Good Neighbors

From the depths of hyperspace surged forth a single vessel: a Resolute-class Star Destroyer which promptly came to a halt within the orbit of Coruscant. It had made its arrival promptly, at the time which had been appointed beforehand for the meeting between the Grand Marshal and the new Supreme Chancellor. Messages were exchanged between the vessel and the crews on the ground, and once proper clearances were given, a single shuttle launched from the Star Destroyer's hangar. Within it stood the Grand Marshal, flanked by a dozen of his personal guard.

The ride down to the surface was, more or less, uneventful. Upon the shuttle's touching down upon the landing pad, and the party's disembarking, they were greeted by delegates from the Senate and promptly escorted the relatively short distance to the Senate building. The experience for the clone was one that brought back many memories of his first years of life in service to the Republic; and admittedly this was the first time in so long that he had been "home".

The procession continued until the party had been brought before the doors of the Supreme Chancellor's office, at which point the majority of the clone's guard were encouraged to wait outside. Genesis selected a pair from their midst, a duo by the name Biggs and Wedge, to accompany him into the meeting and was admitted within the Chancellor's office. The duo stood by the door, alongside the other guards present within the room, as Genesis stepped forward to introduce himself.

As typical, the man was garbed from head to toe in his trademark armor of white, but for this meeting he reached up and removed his helmet; before rending a polite bow.

"Greetings Supreme Chancellor," he began, "my name is Genesis Rostu. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"].
 

Aleidis Zrgaat

Young soul from an older generation.
@[member="Genesis Rostu"]

Aleidis stood as the Grand Marshal was let into her room - a show of respect, really. If the teenager was learning anything after having met so many men in positions of great power, it was that a little respect went a long way. Especially when talking to a large, grown man who was used to being respected by girls half of their apparent age. "Good morning, Marshal Rotsu." The Supreme Chancellor chirped with a friendly smile, offering a polite bow, adjusting her blue-and-white veda cloth robes as her own personal security made room for Biggs and Wedge to stand by.

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting you to request a meeting so soon. I've heard that the CIS is a busy place these days." The young woman remarked, sitting in a chair that was a bit too big for her, putting her desk between herself and the imposing clone. She folded her hands together and offered a warm smile, motioning to a bowl of strawberries placed in the center of the desk. "Would you like a berry? I harvested them myself this morning." The Chancellor offered politely.
 
At first glance, the Supreme Chancellor was not what the clone had expected. Word had reached the South that the newly appointed leader of the Republic was young, but Genesis did not anticipate her to be as young as she appeared. Nonetheless, if this was who the Senate deemed capable to appoint, who was he to judge? As such, he opted to give as much respect as was given, and due to her wonderfully upbeat attitude, came to the conclusion that it would be nothing short of a pleasant meeting. Genesis took a seat at the chair before the Chancellor's desk, and graciously accepted the woman's offer.

After all, strawberries were delectable!

He selected a pair of the berries from the bowl and promptly plopped them into his mouth, chewed them over, and swallowed with a slight sigh of satisfaction. "Many thanks Chancellor, those were delicious!" he said with a warm smile, before addressing her former statement. "Things in the South have been quite busy indeed, however I found it necessary that you and I meet in order to discuss the future relationship of our respective nations. To say the least, we have been enjoying the peace brought about by the neutrality agreement that stands to this day, but I would like to take the relationship between the Republic and the Confederacy further. I would like to forge a formal alliance between our nations."

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"].
 

Aleidis Zrgaat

Young soul from an older generation.
@[member="Genesis Rostu"]

Aleidis nodded thoughtfully, mulling over his offer while helping herself to a strawberry. While it was true that the CIS had a standing NAP with the Republic, her intel suggested that the Confederacy had been gearing up for war as of late. Darron Wraith had allegedly been inserted into their ranks to keep tabs, a duty that was nearly entirely off the record and had been summarily abandoned in favor of self-imposed exile. If both the Republic and the Jedi Order were wary enough of the CIS to observe them, she couldn't completely discount their concern. After all, ending one war would be meaningless if she bungled relations and set off a second, or got pulled into one via a formalized treaty.

"What did you have in mind, Marshal?" Aleidis asked curiously, canting her head slightly to one side. "I'm all ears." Regardless of her concern, the least she could do would be to hear the Councilman out, hear what it was the CIS wanted of the Republic. Marshal Rotsu seemed a cheerful enough sort, and military men tended to be forthright and earnest - which was honestly one of her favorite things about them.
 
"First and foremost, I must express my thanks that you would be open to hearing what I have to propose, and for allowing me to meet with you today. This visit has been nothing short of pleasant thus far." he began, reaching out to claim another succulent strawberry into his grasp. The clone punctuated his thoughts with a bite into the berry, chewing it over, and swallowing before continuing with a smile.

"To begin, I think that you should know that...the growth of the Confederacy has not been an easy one. With each step forward, we must exercise extreme caution so that we are not decimated by our neighbors. Our goal, as it has always has been, is the ushering in of freedom, progress, and prosperity to those dwelling in the Southern Systems. To this end, our days and nights have been spent combating the Southern Slaver's Guild, and ending their relentless trafficking ring once and for all."

"So today, I come to you in order to announce the fact that we bear no ill will towards the Republic and its people. In fact, it is my heartfelt desire to work alongside the Republic in order to usher in an era of prosperity for all peoples of the Galaxy. One devoid of the hellish realities that are currently tormenting the South and beyond. To this end, I wish for our nations to ally, in the name of peace and progress, so that we may assist each other in the endeavors we both diligently strive for."

"In particular, I request two terms that would characterize this union. The first of which is mutual defense. In the event that the enemies of the Republic, or Confederacy, rise up in order to strike, we will defend one another. However, this pact only addresses aggression made towards our nations, not aggression that we ourselves create. In the event that either of us initiate war against another nation, it will be to our discretion whether or not to lend aid to this endeavor."

"The second term is that of commercial cooperation. To date, there is only a minor trade agreement which exists between our nations, centered around the mining of the Cularin asteroids. However, I'd like to take this several steps forward and initiate a trade agreement with the Republic. Through this, our nations can mutually benefit through the exports that we are able to trade. So, this is all that I would request from you Chancellor, what say you?"

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"].
 

Aleidis Zrgaat

Young soul from an older generation.
@[member="Genesis Rostu"]

Aleidis mulled his offer over, pondering the angles. The Republic military was... well, not doing so hot, recently. Granted, what the lacked in finesse, they made up for in numbers and production, but still. It was on her considerable docket of 'things that I need to address', and rather high up on that list to boot. In the spirit of egalitarianism that she was trying to bring back to the Republic's reputation in the Galaxy, Aleidis was hesitant to enter into any agreement that could potentially plummet the worlds under her protection into war on someone else's behalf. Doubly so when her own military was so frail, and dependent upon the presence of the Jedi in battle. A presence that was increasingly frail these days.

"While I'm open to the idea of a trade agreement, Marshal - war is another matter entirely." Aleidis explained as tactfully as possible. "While increased trade between us can only help boost our economies, I'm working towards abolishing war outright through the Galaxy. A lofty goal, I know." She admitted with a sheepish smile. "But one I've taken some pretty solid steps towards. Half of what you suggest pertains to war alone, which... kind of makes me worry about the sort of enemies you might be bringing into this treaty.."

The Ghostling opened her hands slightly. "So, I'm hesitant to jump in bed with the CIS just yet, if you'll excuse the, uhm, turn of phrase." Aleidis chuckled quietly.

"I'd like to levy a couple counter offers. The first being that we leave the trade agreement in place, but table the mutual defense agreement for the time being. Let our respective planets and cultures... get to know each other, as it were." She explained with a small smile. "After, say, a year of peace, when we've both done nothing but gain from each other's presence, we'll add an amendment to the agreement we set down today - including the mutual defense pact." Aleidis explained.

"The second is likely closer to what you had in mind coming in today. If, in the event that the CIS is attacked, the Republic military will intervene, but purely in a humanitarian effort - to neutralize the conflict, mediate a peaceful solution, and treat the wounded." Aleidis explained, gesturing with her hands. "To ensure that your enemies - whomever they are - don't become OUR enemies by extension." The Ghostling helped herself to another strawberry, taking a tiny bite. She had a whole basket of them to work through, after all. "Naturally, I wouldn't ask anything of the CIS that I am not willing to offer, myself. So under this agreement, it's not as though you'll have to spring up and put the call to arms out to defend our borders."

"The third offer is, honestly, my favorite." Aleidis admitted with a saccharine smile, her skin glowing faintly. "We leave the mutual defense agreement on the table and focus on trade between our two factions. We pool our resources, increase relations and travel between our borders, and see where the future takes us. Anything of importance in the Republic - at least in terms of war and the like - is decided by popular vote. Winning the hearts and minds of our people would sway them towards your cause." She explained.

"I respect that the Confederacy places a high value on freedom, trade, and commerce. I really do." Aleidis promised, smiling in a manner most complimentary. "In function, at least, you're not terribly far removed from how the Republic got started, oh... a long, long time ago." She explained. "We value freedom, too - which is why the planets under our flag are more or less self-governing. From what I've read, you've got a similar setup." She explained.

"...what I find most interesting of all, is how the Confederacy manages to generate so much technology and stimulate business the way it does, without imposing taxes like the Republic. If I'm to be honest, Grand Marshal, we've lost innumerable talented individuals and companies to the CIS. Not that I resent you for catching their eye - I promise!" Aleidis insisted, grinning. "If anything, I'm jealous. How do you do it?"
 
Silence ruled the armor-clad clone as he began to mull over that which the Chancellor had proposed. Seconds rolled by, and Genesis said not a word; and who could blame him? His next sentence carried the potential working relationship of the Confederacy and the Republic, so to say the least he would need to carefully consider the pros and cons of each and every proposition. To say the least, however, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the Chancellor was a wonderfully agreeable individual; and thus far, her mindset for peace was vastly similar to his own. Finally, after coming to a decision that he deemed the best for the Confederacy, the Grand Marshal spoke up.

"First and foremost, I think you should know that the Confederacy has entered into this dialogue without a single declared enemy. We have established neutrality with majority of the parties across the Galaxy, but that which I propose to you this day is to address that which the future may hold. As you and I are both aware, the closest of allies can turn into the most bitter of enemies at the drop of a credit; so I must take measures that reassure my mind that the people of the South will be secure in the event of war."

"Now then, of those options which you have graciously outlined, I am inclined to agree with the first. The Confederacy will gladly pursue trade and commerce, in addition to allowing our peoples to get to know yours. After all, I'm sure there are numerous rumors floating about the Galaxy that could be put to an end simply through getting to know one another. As such, one year from now, I will gladly meet with you once more to make an amendment to our pending agreement that includes mutual defense."

At this point, a small smile graced the clone's features. She was curious as to how the Confederacy managed to operate as it did; and this was a curiosity he was sure that many throughout the Galaxy would like to see sated as well. So, he opted to answer as best he could. "Well," he said, reaching out for another strawberry, "to make a rather...lengthy...explanation brief, the Confederacy houses a council known as the Trade Guild. Those seated upon this council represent a number of businesses across the Galaxy, and each of them are given wonderful contracts; some of which include exclusivity in a particular market. Instead of imposing tariffs on these select few, we ask a financial contribution to the construction of our military forces; and through this agreement we have seen astronomical growth on the part of the Army and Navy."

"The planets themselves contribute that which they can. The Confederacy itself does not levy taxes upon the member worlds, but the taxes that existed prior to coming into the fold still exist to this day. It is not our place to tell a world how to run itself, as I'm sure you're aware. In any case, the member worlds have agreed, upon joining the Confederacy, to contribute that which they can financially. It is an initial agreement that is forged upon joining, and each agreement is unique to the worlds dependin upon that which they can afford to contribute."

"So, all in all, how we do it is banding together as a unit and pooling what we have. In a sense, we're a family doing what we can do to see each other survive."

@[member="Aleidis Ijet"].
 

Aleidis Zrgaat

Young soul from an older generation.
@[member="Genesis Rostu"]

Aleidis nodded her understanding. While her knowledge of economy was born of several months of feverish research to prepare for All Things Chancellor, even she knew that a model like that was prone to collapse if it got too big. But that wasn't her place to point out, even if she wasn't wrong to begin with. "Huh. Well. My mother used to tell me that a day where you learned nothing is a day wasted." Aleidis admitted, smiling brightly. "I'm interested to see where the CIS goes from here."

"And, of course, I'm sure the commerce between us will only help that." Aleidis added with a pleased smile, resting her chin on her entwined fingers. "In the mean time, Grand Marshal, I look forward to seeing you in a year - if only on the Holonet as you hash out a defense agreement with my successor, if I'm voted out of office." She chided playfully, poking fun at her own transitory status as Supreme Chancellor.

"Of course, do feel free to stop by sometime. Especially if you'd like to return some of our expatriate businessmen and engineers." Aleidis chuckled, standing. "I'll have a treaty drafted based on the transcripts of our conversation, and sent along to your cabinet, or council, to be looked over, and then we'll be in business. Would you like to take the rest of the strawberries?" The Ghostling offered, leaning on her desk. "I've got three pounds of them at home - I really don't mind if you help yourself to the bowl."
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom