Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Loan Officer

A single, ancient Lambda-class shuttle arrived at the edge of the Coruscant system. It's IFF signal had not been seen in Republic space in centuries, or most of the rest of the Galaxy for that matter. It was the of the original Galactic Empire, an entity that had disappeared during the great plague. Or so most of the Galaxy believed. What a relic of the past was doing heading toward the capital of the Republic would have to be seen.

Abroad shuttle in the lavishly outfitted cabin was Vice-Admiral Akio Kahoshi, commander of the Atrisian Navy. As they drew closer to the planet, he sent a message to the planet directed toward the Chancellor asking for a meeting. Truthfully he had little knowledge of the inner workings of the Republic, so things should prove... interesting.

"This is Admiral Kahoshi representing the planet Atrisia, seeking an audience with Chancellor Saelari."
 
"Madam Chancellor, a most puzzling message has been received," Maxim, her aide said.
"Atrisia?" Aurelia commented after reading the message. "Escort him in to land. I will meet him in Room Seven."
"Mr Kahoshi, this is Coruscant control, you are cleared to land, proceed to dock eight. Do not deviate from this course," the controller warned. Just to get the point across some fighters fell into an escorting pattern that was just short of being a threat.

The Admiral would be then escorted into the Senate building, and then into Room Seven, the room with one of the most magnificent views on the planet. It was a room designed to impress. The Chancellor was not there yet, she would come when she was ready.
 
"Admiral​ Kahoshi," was the return to the Coruscant control. Referring to an officer with a civilian title was a tad demeaning, but given the importance of his visit he would let it pass for now. As the fighters came up and fell into position a small smile formed on his lips and he turned to his chief of staff. "It would appear we have been given an Honor Guard."

Once the shuttle landed, Akio let himself be led alone to the room. While he had to admit the view was indeed magnificent the Admiral did not look terribly impressed. He had grown up in a household that enjoyed flaunting their wealth, though he was not particularly fond of his family and their ways. Personally he prefered the simpler life aboard a warship. In his eyes few things rivaled the sight of the bare universe with only a little transparisteel between him and the vast nothingness.

Taking a seat, he noted that the Chancellor had not arrived to greet him despite the time it took him to land and walk here. It was possible that she was occupied with some critical matter that he could not have accounted for when timing his arrival, but he guessed it was more likely she was attempting to put their respective levels of importance in perspective. An old trick, though admittedly effective against most individuals. Turning to one of the guards he spoke with the authority of a military commander. "I would like some tea while I wait."
 
Tea was provided, and it arrived and was poured before the Chancellor arrived. She was flanked by a black haired woman with a grim, dour look, and a man with body armour on. Both were very obviously her own personal bodyguards.

"Admiral Kahoshi, I was most surprised when I received this request. Might I ask what has drawn you from Atrisia all the way to Coruscant, and why you requested to see me?" Had it not been for curiosity she would have simply passed him off to an aide or some other officer. However, he was here now, and she was curious just what would happen next.
 
When the Chancellor arrived, obvious bodyguards in tow, the Admiral was sipping the tea that had been provided. It was horrid tea, but about what he had expected from the uncultured masses of the rest of the Galaxy. Were it possible he would much prefer to have never have left Atrisian space, but now that the plague was gone Atrisia could no longer defend itself from the growing Galactic powers on its own.

Putting the tea cup down, cold blue eyes studied Aurelia for a moment before speaking. "I must apologize for taking up your time, Chancellor, but I have been ordered here by Moff Shu to represent the interests of the people of the Atrisian Empire. Specifically I bring an offer for you, and you alone."

Reaching into his uniform he pulled out a slim envelope. From inside he produced a few sheets of old fashioned flimsiplast. "This has the official details, but essentially Atrisia would like to sign a treaty in which the Republic guarantees to safeguard the sovereignty of our people. In exchange Atrisia will loan is military to the Republic for its own uses. We may not have much influence, but our military is significant for a single planet. We have a battlecruiser, two star destroyers, and a handful of smaller craft." Given most single systems could not even afford a single star destroyer, it was indeed a fair amount of firepower. But then it had been intended to guard the entire Atrisian sector... before the plague.
 
(Where is Atrisia on the map, I can't see it...but I'm bad at spotting things. :p)

Aurelia took the message and read it. It was in slightly old fashioned language, but understandable nonetheless. She considered it and Kahoshi's words.
"I noticed that you arrived on what must be charitably called a museum piece, Admiral. I hope that your ships are slightly more modern than that, for them to be any use in battle." She considered matters. "However, even without your warships I would be happy to invite you to join the Republic. You will maintain, as you say, local autonomy and the ability to conduct your own local affairs. However, foreign policy will be the domain of the Senate; of which you will gain a seat. We shall also expect some taxation and a draft of manpower or warships which are considered up to scratch by our military. Basically you give up your rights to make war and peace alone for the protection of the Republic. It is a choice which is wise and noble."
 
(usually called Kitel Phard on maps north of Abregado-Rae on the SWRP map but not there, west of it here)

"You mistake our intentions, Madam Chancellor. We have no desire of becoming part of the Republic. Atrisia wishes to remain autonomous. Rather, Moff Shu has no intention of bowing to Republic law, and for whichever reasons the majority of Atrisians would seem to agree with the sentiment. The Atrisian military will remain maintained by Atrisia and consist of Atrisian citizens, even though it will answer to Republic authority."

The whole setup was not Akio's idea, but unfortunately while he might be commander of the Atrisian Navy Moff Shu did not need to listen to any of his input. "Your concern about the age of our ships is reasonable. They are... of older design. However they have also been continuously maintained and upgraded so you will find them to be equal to anything out there now. Having said that, there are some refits that could not be handled without larger shipyards. The Atrisian government is willing to rent space at a Republic shipyard and provide our own technicians to bring our ships fully up to modern standards. We estimate a six month process for the Rancor, my flagship, with less for the rest. Assuming, of course, that we can agree on terms for Protectorate status."
 
Aurelia was not impressed. She was a woman of considerable self confidence, and she was not about to bargain with a world for special status.
"We have shipyards more than capable to investigating them and ensuring they are up to specification. However, the larger issue is that I do not exactly know what it is you are telling me. You say that you wish to remain autonomous, and I agree on internal matters. However, in matters of foreign policy and taxation you must submit to the overall authority of the Republic. There is nothing in our interest to create a system where you are you own protectorate as we get nothing from that. The Republic is happy to make you part of it, or you can remain outside it. We can of course organise trading and other access should you choose that, but you do not need my presence to organise that," she said haughtily.

"So what is your decision Admiral? Internal autonomy under the aegis of Republic protection or continued independence and the risks that brings?"
 
"The matter is not up for negotiation. Atrisia shall retain its soverignty. I am here to prevent my planet from being consumed by a foreign power, not sign paperwork allowing it to be swallowed up whole by you. Even the idea of us becoming a protectorate state underneath the Republic is humiliating to an officer who has fought to protect his planet, but I have no choice but to follow the legal orders of Moff Shu in this regard. Do not insult me and my people by insinuating that the significant military force the Atrisian Navy would provide does not more than enough compensation for your Republic in this case.."

While his expression did not change, his blue eyes seemed to grow icier. His words, with their slightly strange High Imperial accent, was polite but without any give in them. There was no doubt he truly had the best interest of his planet in mind, though what exactly that "in mind" entailed was a mystery to all but him. After taking a sip of the wretched tea, he spoke again. "I have, however, been given permission to discuss... trade arrangements. Given our extended self isolation we have a need for certain base materials and manufactured goods we could not make on our own... which we could agree to purchase from Republic manufacturers. In exchange we have numerous luxury goods and foodstuffs that buyers already seem interested in paying exorbitant prices for... and would undoubtedly be subject to Republic tariffs."
 
Aurelia considered this new offer. Tariffs were a very useful source of finance....
"Very well, Admiral. Contact your planet and send their delegation here as soon as possible. We will get this signed, and then have your ships assessed. Do you have much experience in combat, Admiral?"
 
"There is no need to send word, I am the delegation."

A polite smile followed his words, though really he was quite pleased with himself. The trade deal had cost his planet nothing, because they had already planned on doing business with the Republic to begin with. In terms of the super powers that had the resources Atrisia needed, the Republic was the only logical choice. Even with the Republic's obvious Imperialistic streak, something Akio could hardly fault, they at least played at following rule of law and self governance. The Mandalorians were an unruly bunch and the Sith would have consumed the planet without a second thought.

And the so called Remnant would have been unable to protect Atrisia had Moff Shu even considered giving up his complete authority to be under the thumb of some other Supreme. Even ignoring their comparatively small military, there was half a Galaxy between the Remnant and Atrisia. And given the planet's proximity to the every expanding territory of Omega Pyre, becoming a protectorate of their patrons only made sense.

"As with the Galactic Empire that was our government's origin, the military and government are irrevocably linked. So when Moff Shu ordered me to come here to sign a treaty, I was given all legal authority to do so. I apologize if I did not make that clear beforehand. As to your question about experience, yes. I was an ensign when Atrisia first invaded our neighbor in our quest to create a vaccine for the plague. Since then we have been involved in almost constant border skirmishes and conflicts with pirates. And after proving myself in those battles, I was eventually promoted to my current position of Vice Admiral. Commander of the entire Atrisian Navy. Small by Republic standards, true, but still earn by blood."
 

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