Private Maintaining Neutrality

[Fynch]

Maintaining Neutrality
Capital City, Lothal
Tags: Valery Noble ​

It had been a wild week. Lothal seemed to be the center of attention as of late. Historically, this was never a good thing for the planet. With the Empire moving in to secure the planet's doonium and the Galactic Alliance stepping in to halt their plans, the small Outer Rim world found itself the battlegrounds for yet another war. Ever since before the Battle of Yavin, the citizens of the planet suffered from the endless cycle of occupation and military conflict. Frankly, they were tired. Fynch new this all to well. It was his home, after all. He had seen this cycle play out over his thirty-seven year lifetime. It was exhausting, but now he felt that the greater powers of the Galaxy had crossed a line. The last thing he wanted was for Lothal to be dragged into yet another conflict. This Cold War was the last thing his people needed. As Commander in Chief of the Lothal Protectorate, he had a duty to ensure the security that the people of the backwater world so desperately desired.

As soon as he could, following the initial battle on Lothal's soil, Commander Fynch made efforts to connect with the Galactic Alliance's leadership. In this instance, the the move to route Imperial operations had been under the leadership of Valery Noble, Sword of the New Jedi Order. While the assistance was greatly appreciated, Fynch and his people had concerns for lingering GA military occupation. To be under the thumb of another galactic power was the last thing his people wanted, and the Commander in Chief knew this all too well. Should the GA occupy the planet, Fynch was prepared to do what he had to to ensure Lothal's independence, but he'd rather not. Such a war would be costly, and it was one that his underdeveloped local militia would surely loose, no matter how determined the population was to throw off their shackles. Fynch was simply going to request that, once Imperial presence was scrubbed from the planet, the Galactic Alliance remove their forces from Lothal and recognize it's neutrality. From there, he could gauge the course of action that he would have to take. It seemed that, yet again, the planet of Lothal was on the precipices of a new age. That, for good reason, filled the leader with great concern. A knock came to his door.

"Sir," one of his Riflemen began, entering his office. "The Sword of the Jedi is here."

"Bring her in," Fynch nodded. "I'm ready."

Fynch was elected by the people of Lothal to uphold their interests. He was prepared to maintain their security, but he knew that Lothal would need to maintain friendly relations with the GA, even if they remained Neutral. A local BlastTech Industries factory was a large source of income for many, and the export of doonium wasn't one that he could simply freeze. The economy of the planet was highly dependent on these things. Hopefully, this Sword of the Jedi would make his job easier.

 

[Valery Noble]

Lothal

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Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber (left in ship)
Tag: Fynch

While the strike against the secret Imperial facility on Lothal had been partially planned by Valery, she hadn't actually partaken in the attack itself. Her calling had been more meditative in nature, allowing her to converse with her late husband briefly. A way for her to move forward in life with his blessing, and truly be herself again.

But that didn't change what happened on Lothal.

A neutral planet had been dragged into a battle and many of its inhabitants were outraged and a response formed quickly in the form of a militia. Valery, while not a figure with political power in the GA, therefore decided to meet with their leader to mainly discuss what happened recently, so the GA's motivations are understood. Diplomats and perhaps other Jedi would have to come later for discussions about the future, but she could set a first step in the process of maintaining neutrality and peace.

So after her X-wing descended down to the surface, Valery stepped out without weapons on her belt and followed their instructions until she stepped into Solarus' office.

"Commander Fynch, is it?" Valery asked politely with a dip of her head. "I'm Master Noble, it's a pleasure to meet you."

 

[Fynch]

Capital City, Lothal
Tags: Valery Noble ​

As Valery Noble entered, Fynch was surprised to see that the Sword of the Jedi was not as grizzled as he assumed. Sure, there were signs of combat experience, especially her scar, but there were certainly more youthful features about her. For a battle-hardened war hero with a reputation, she was certainly unsuspecting. Had the circumstances of their meeting been different, he may have bought her a drink, much to the judgement of his cabinet.

"Commander Fynch, is it?" Valery asked politely with a dip of her head. "I'm Master Noble, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Master Jedi," Fynch nodded, gesturing for her to sit. He frowned, noting that she was without the Jedi's iconic lightsaber. She seemed to have come unarmed. "Unarmed?" he noted. "That wasn't a request of mine, but I respect the formality. I'd like to make small talk, but there are some matters that need to be discussed..."

The Commander in Chief leaned forward in his chair, folding his arms on his desk. His demeanor, while warm, was clearly serious. Fynch never liked prolonging business.

"First, I must extend my gratitude," the Commander thanked. "Our local militia would have been crushed should we have resisted. Had our mines remained in Imperial hands, Lothal's economy would have surely crumbled. For that, I thank you. Unfortunately, there's been a growing concern amongst my people. As a democratic leader, concerns like these find their way to my ears."

Fynch rose, turning to the window behind his desk. There was always something for the people of Lothal to be concerned about. They lived in close proximity to Imperial and Consortium space, and they seemed to be constantly plagued by raids.

"Lothal has a complicated relationship with the powers-that-be in the galaxy," he continued. "Even after hundreds of years, the thumb of oppressions leaves it's marks. There's a fear that the Galactic Alliance moving into neutral space to wage their wars may land our quiet world under military occupation. I'm sure that your operation was conducted with good faith at heart, but my people don't wish to be dragged into another war. I understand that you're no political figure, but it was my hope that you may extend this concern to your Galactic Alliance. I want to be sure that my home is allowed its peace."

 

[Valery Noble]

Lothal

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber (left in ship)
Tag: Fynch

Solarus was everything she had expected from a militia leader and perhaps more — tall, strong and even just the way he sat and greeted her with his gaze showed the confidence of a leader, much like how she carried her own with her. It was something she appreciated greatly and if these had been different circumstances, she would have looked forward to the meeting a lot more. But before any pleasantries, they had important business to discuss.

"I left my weapon in my ship," Valery said with a dip of her head before she lowered herself into a seat across from him, and locked her fiery gaze with his. "And of course, let's cover business first," she added with a soft smile as she relaxed and listened intently to what he had to say. She had a feeling what it would generally be about, but details could prove to be quite important.

"Our operation here was only with the intent to stop a much greater threat from being unleashed upon the Galaxy. Lothal has been subjected to oppression by Imperial forces throughout its history, so you understand better than most what they're capable of. This facility we destroyed was delivering vital supplies for the construction of a new weapon of mass destruction," Valery explained, knowing that this part he was likely quite thankful for.

"But it is as you say — I hold no political power, so I can't promise anything about future involvement. However, we have no inherent desire to bring Lothal into the war. We came here for one mission alone, and I believe that's all it will be." she paused for a moment and let out a soft sigh. "I do, however, believe that it might be beneficial for you and your people to talk to more of our diplomats about these concerns."

"The greater threat is the Empire and if they do decide to bring their trouble here, it's more likely the Alliance will come to stop it again, especially if our politicians know nothing about these concerns." Even if they knew, it was still likely they'd come here, but she had to give him a chance to make his case to those who could make a difference.

 

[Fynch]

Capital City, Lothal
Tags: Valery Noble ​

"A weapon of mass destruction..." Fynch echoed, his face becoming grave. "That... is deeply troubling. It's no wonder then that they made a move for Lothal's doonium..."

All things considered, he wanted Lothal to remain neutral, as did his people, but the Empire was clearly the greater threat. It always had been. Now, with the planet's doonium a highly desired resource for their campaign of destruction, it seemed that maintaining peaceful relations with the Galactic Alliance would be beneficial, to a degree.

"I do, however, believe that it might be beneficial for you and your people to talk to more of our diplomats about these concerns."

"The greater threat is the Empire and if they do decide to bring their trouble here, it's more likely the Alliance will come to stop it again, especially if our politicians know nothing about these concerns."

"I'm certainly inclined to agree with you," the Commander nodded, retuning to his chair. "It's in the best interest of my people to maintain a healthy relationship despite our neutrality. Feelings aside, the export of doonium remains the largest source of income and work for the planet. We cannot simply cut these ties. While I'm not adversary to aid, should the situation be as severe as the brief Imperial occupation, I would very much like to ensure that such aid comes on our own terms. It seems that an envoy to your senate may be a necessity."

Fynch was already beginning to think about the statement he was going to give to the citizens of Lothal. They were anxious, and fear was slowly creeping into the public consciousness. Fear, left unchecked, could boil over. He would need to make sure to tell them as soon as he could that the neutrality would stand and that their jobs were secure.

"I must say, Master Noble," he continued. "I had a different image of you in my mind. You've very much caught me off guard. It isn't every day that I get to speak with a leader of your quality. I was anticipating this to be drawn out, but you wasted very little time. Forgive my pessimism, but I feel that people like you are a dying breed. It's no wonder then that you've made a name for yourself."

His curiosity was peaking yet again. Fynch was well versed in the history of his home. There was a higher presence there, one that the Jedi of long ago recognized when the founded the temple which now lies as old ruins. How much of this was she aware of? Perhaps it was beneficial to gauge the interests of her New Jedi Order as well.

"Apologies," Fynch said as he realized he had become distracted. "I seem to have become lost in thought. I must thank you again. Establishing diplomatic relations with your Galactic Alliance is a course of action I had already been considering, but it's always favorable to receive the invitation to do so. As your people leave Lothal, I'm sure that the fears of the populous will begin to fade. I'll have much work to do afterwards..."

 

[Valery Noble]

Lothal

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Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber (left in ship)
Tag: Fynch

Valery nodded, "There are other planets where Doonium can be mined, so there's no guarantee that they will be back, but it's that resource that might bring conflict to your planet. Whatever it is you discuss with other parties, keep that in mind," Valery said with a soft smile. Neither the Galactic Alliance nor the Empire were in a position to lay claim to Lothal or absorb it diplomatically, so there was no fear that war would be sparked in such a way.

But as recent events had proven, it wasn't the only way.

"I must say, Master Noble," he continued. "I had a different image of you in my mind."

Valery blinked and appeared a little bit surprised at the statement, even though she felt similarly. She had expected a far more intense discussion but they seemed to be on the same page about all of this. Of course, that was not to say that his discussions with other GA diplomats would go as smoothly.

"You flatter me, Commander, but I feel similarly about you. I had honestly expected a more... aggressive response to what happened, but I'm glad to hear that you understand our position in this as well," she said with a genuine, warm smile. "So I must thank you as well, and I hope that all the diplomatic work that follows with the Alliance will bring peace to the minds of your people."

"The Alliance's departure from this planet will hopefully be a good, first step for it."

 

[Fynch]

Capital City, Lothal
Tags: Valery Noble ​

"You flatter me, Commander, but I feel similarly about you. I had honestly expected a more... aggressive response to what happened, but I'm glad to hear that you understand our position in this as well,"

"There is a time an place for aggression," Fynch responded with a whimsical smile. "A leader should know when drawing the sword bares no fruit. This is one such time. My people may have concerns, but they will come around to diplomatic relations, especially as the Empire continues to meddle in the Outer Rim. Old grudges are hard to stamp out. 'Empire' is not a name that Lothal thinks of fondly."

It was relieving to hear that the Alliance would soon be withdrawing. Such an action would surely bring ease to his people, which Master Noble had reasonably assumed would be the case.

"I hope this is the case as well," the Commander in Chief nodded. "I hate to cut our meeting short, but it seems I have much work to do. I'm sure that you have your own duties to return to. You have a war to deal with, after all. Perhaps our paths may cross again."

 

[Valery Noble]

Lothal

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber (left in ship)
Tag: Fynch

"I couldn't agree more," Valery said, clearly very satisfied with everything they had discussed today. It wasn't exactly a long meeting, nor was it intense or demanding in any way, but it was still productive. Which is exactly how she liked her meetings to be. Now she hoped the minds of those living on Lothal could soon be at peace, and that the war would never reach this world again. It was likely too idealistic, but a woman could dream.

Solarus then officially called the meeting to end, and Valery dipped her head to him with a smile.

"I do have some more work to do, but thank you for your time. It has been a pleasure, and hopefully, we get to meet under better circumstances next time, hm?" she stood up and bowed her head respectfully. Leaders like him she could easily respect, and he was even the type she'd socialize with if work wasn't so intense or war-focused.

But perhaps another time.

"Enjoy the rest of your day, Commander."