Faction No More Negotiations | A THR Prologue

[Aurelian Veruna]

Aurelian stood before the Senate with an easy posture. He let the silence stretch. They needed to feel it. They had all been delivered information on what happened on Corellia.

"High Chancellor Vexx. Senators. Warlord Marlon Sularen entered the Corellian system without invitation, with a fleet positioned for occupation. Corellia was already in talks to join our Republic. He came to claim it before they could choose."

He folded his hands behind his back. Inside, his thoughts moved faster. If they hesitate, he dies in a cell.

"Lord Cynan Obaith , Ambassador to Corellia went to meet Sularen privately. He went to prevent bloodshed. He informed his right hand that if he failed to return, the Republic was to be notified immediately. That is exactly what happened."

A murmur rippled through the chamber. "Sularen declared his intent to seize Corellia and was willing to accept mass casualties to do it. Cynan argued for restraint. For diplomacy. For a lawful path. Sularen answered with a blaster shot and chains."

Aurelian's jaw tightened, just slightly. "Lord Obaith was shot in the arm and taken to an Imperial prison. We know this because his right hand can testify to the meeting's time and location. A Jedi investigator performed psychometry at the site. Sularen spoke the prison's location aloud. The Force confirmed it."

He let that settle. "This is not a rumor. This is not provocation. This is an act of aggression against a Republic ally and a direct assault on one of our own."

His gaze shifted to Chancellor Dominique Vexx . "I formally request that the Senate issue a demand for the immediate return of Cynan and the surrender of Marlon Sularen to stand trial in Republic space. If the Imperial Confederation refuses, then I ask you, Chancellor Vexx, to act."

Aurelian's smile returned, sharper now. "Corellia stood at our door. Sularen tried to burn it down, kill innocents. If we allow this, every system watching us will learn the same lesson. That the Republic does not act while its people are dragged away in chains."

He held the room with steady eyes. "We are a beacon. Let us prove it."

​

 

[Eadu Yittreas]

The background noise of the Senate transformed from a soft murmur to an intense buzz as King Aurelian Veruna finished his appeal to the Senators and Representatives. From his hidden vantage point, Eadu observed the man deliver a captivating performance, yet he recognized that in the realm of politics, a powerful display frequently masked a significant deficiency in sound judgement.

He looked down at the terminal briefly, his eyes sweeping over the document detailing the events that had occurred on the Planet of Corellia. With the Galactic Empire's fall, the planet found itself in neutral space, outside the reach of Republic Law. Asking the Imperial Confederation to surrender their Supreme Commander was a reckless demand that would inevitably result in conflict.

"The King's passion is commendable," He said as his pod detached from its clamp into the center of the building. "He speaks of Lord Obaith as a martyr of diplomacy. It is quite the stirring narrative but we must distinguish between a strategy and a consequence." Turning his head slowly to scan the growing crowd of senators and the flash of the holo-cameras floating around them.

"Marlon Sularen is not a mystery. He is a ghost of the Brotherhood of the Maw, a name synonymous with the mass-slaughter of entire systems and the institutionalization of sentient bondage. He is not a statesman but a monster of the old era." He leaned in, the dim light highlighting the sharp contour of his brow. The Brotherhood of the Maw instigated the dreadful Second Great Hyperspace War against the Second Galactic Alliance, leading to the enslavement of countless worlds at the mercy of Darth Solipsis.

"For an Ambassador to seek a private audience with such a man without a Republic escort or a military contingent, based on the naive hope of restraint is not diplomacy. It is a dereliction of survival. To walk into the den of a known slaver and be surprised by the sound of chains is, at best, staggering incompetence. At worst, it is a staged provocation." A murmur of discomfort rippled through the pods. Eadu's smile remained fixed and hollow.

"His Majesty, now asks this body to spend the lives of our sons and daughters to rectify the personal error of one man. He asks for a demand that he knows Sularen will ignore, followed by a call to action a sanitized term for war. Are we to burn a sector to rescue a man who chose to hand-deliver himself to the butcher? To attack the Imperial Confederation over a botched private meeting is to let Sularen dictate our foreign policy through our own impulsiveness." He looked directly at Aurelian, his gaze devoid of the polite nod he had given others. The Imperial Confederation was not at war with the High Republic, and the Planet of Corellia was outside of their jurisdiction to intervene.

 

[Aerys Mourn]

NOT AGAIN

Aurelian Veruna | Eadu Yittreas​

A brow furrowed over the eyes of the Echani as he looked out towards the senate floor, gasps and murmurs filling the room as King Veruna finished his speech.

Only a moment was given to ponder the speech before an impassioned response came from Senator Yittreas, his words washing over the rest of the room as murmurs and questions began to arise.

Rising from his pod, Aerys began to speak, his voice low and steady. Not booming, not theatrical, controlled.

"King Veruna, Senators, I cannot oppose the words from Senator Yittreas that the actions of Lord Cynan Obaith was foolish to not think a man of Marlon Sularen would be capable of such vile and underhanded tactics to get what he wants. But I beseech you to see what this whole senate is founded on. Democracy, and that everyone has a choice and a voice."

A breath as he looked out, his eyes scanning the faces of the senators around him as he spoke.

"Any one of us would like to believe in the best in someone, even though some have shown us time and time again that they are not to be trusted. I hope I can say that we all share that spark of hope that one day everyone has the freedoms in this galaxy that we share within our borders. That our sons and daughters have chosen to uphold our way of life, and fight against those like this Warlord, who only wishes to conquer and dominate all that comes beneath his reign. Do I claim that I am always the coolest head in the room? No. But I do believe that it is our duty in this moment to protect one of our own, and protect those who cannot protect themselves."

He felt his hands beginning to get clammy as the words echoed around the chamber, as he moved his hands to the corner of the console in front of him.

"All each one of us has to do is look around to see how many planets we have liberated from the clutches of darkness, and only have to look outward to see how many more are to come. Senators, I ask you this: Do you wish for everything we have come so far to do, to falter today? It is the choices in this room that dictates wether we continue forth in this galaxy, or stagnate like the other Senates that have come before us"

He let go of his grip on the console as he straightened his back and took one last glance out into the Senate floor, "I have no further comments Senators, I rest the floor."

As the words finished, Aerys slipped back into the chair, his hands finding their way to the glass beside him, lifting the cup as he chugged the contents. He took a deep breath as his shoulder slumped as his eyes glanced at the floor before composing himself to take on whatever the floor might throw at them next.

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Aurelian Veruna

Her eyes largely scanned the crowd while facing forward. To see the reactions while she stood in a simple business suit. Black shoes and pants, outer jacket in a gleaming obsidian while the under shirt was a crimson with a red over coat that went down to her ankles. The popped collar framing her neck for a moment as listening to the king he covered much of it. If they had to location though attained through psychometry was... something. Her hands remained in her pockets though as she spoke and her curtain of dark-honey hair curtained behind her. "By confirmation is it only from the force?" She said it as she looked and it wasn't in disbelief.

"As a force skill it is rare, its users skilled no doubt. What they see is true to a point hearing the name in a vision of the past. You can say anything and do another." Her eyes remained there but she wasn't against the action. "The ambassador being wounded initially may have happened but based on what we know of this person Sularen. He could just as easily have had him sent out an airlock in hyperspace. I am not against aid and rescue but if we are acting it should be decisive. It could just as easily be a trap for whoever comes to rescue the ambassador to either gain more hostages or just exploit the Republic for another purpose."

 

[Ravion Corvalis]

Ravion sat at the far side of the Chancellor’s dais, his posture measured, gaze steady as he fell into place beside Vexx away from prying ears. The hum of holo-traffic and murmured debate washed over them like distant static; but here, in the relative quiet, Ravion’s voice was low and unyielding.

“High Chancellor,” he began, leveling a thoughtful look in Vexx’s direction, “I’ve asked for a full green light from our commanders, and we’ve had the initial reports from Intelligence, the Bothan’s were remarkably quick. If this incident on Corellia has taught us anything, it’s that hesitation begets aggression.”

He paused, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, not in doubt but in resolve. “I respect the Republic’s commitment to diplomacy; I truly do. But peace must be the result of strength, not the expectation. You know as well as I do we can no longer allow border skirmishes and predatory advances to erode both our safety and our own deterrence. My fear is that if Corellia loses its Republic Candidate before it even joins because we failed to act, no senate resolution will ever repair that loss.”

His tone didn’t rise, he didn’t have to. He knew Dominique was on the same page, this was a gross offence against the High Republic and they needed to make sure a message was sent. His words were measured, strategic, and unmistakably firm. “You know as well as I do that Sularen’s incursion wasn’t a misunderstanding; it was a test. He thinks he knows exactly how far we’re willing to go.”

Ravion exhaled once, gaze shifting outward as holo-screens pulsed with senatorial chatter beyond the corridor. “It’s time the Republic stopped being pushed around. A decisive military response isn’t just justified; it’s necessary at this point. We just have to decide as to what extent.”

Dominique Vexx​

 

[Anet Raine]

Aurelian Veruna Dominique Vexx Ravion Corvalis Ayumi Pallopides Aerys Mourn Eadu Yittreas

Anet Raine, Senator from Belazura, has been monitoring the situation closely. Baffling, honestly, that the Supreme Commander of an Outer Rim autocracy would show up with a Fleet to kick around Corellia while sandwiched between two regimes that have proven to despise Imperial powers. Odd. Really, quite odd. And to hear he decided to take a political hostage?

Raine thought about it for a while and came to one simple conclusion, and so she spoke.

"High Chancellor - fellow senators... Your Majesty," she acknowledged in order, "Have we considered that this was an impulsive act?"

She pulled up some supporting data. "This is a man who is wanted for gambling debts, who has led two unsuccessful campaigns against the Sith, and now appears to have acted without due consideration at all... At least, the consideration you would expect from one at the head of a fleet."

She cleared her throat. "The fact that he can limp back to knowing safety says just as much about the Confederation as it does him. This is a failed commander from a failed state. I... despite my reservations towards empowering more militant elements within the Republic, believe a strong backhand is the correct move. If we try to address this with the dignity of a state, we suggest to the galaxy that the Confederation is a state worth dignity."

If she hadn't otherwise made that clear.

"It is not."

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Chancellor Dominique Vexx stood at the center of the chamber with her eyes turned toward the ruler of Naboo as he gave a recount of recent events. She stood stationary as Aurelian spoke. No effort was made to avert her attention as if unconcerned with the subject at hand. As usual -- when he wasn't knowingly being a pompous ass -- he laid out the details in a straightforward manner any should be able to follow. Not that it would sway certain elements, but you rarely could convince them all.

Eadu, for one, was not so eager to rebuke the Imperial Confederation even by proxy. Aerys was also beside himself at the 'reckless' actions of one man, but also empathetic to him and his reasons for doing so. Meanwhile Ayumi was cautious and skeptical of the circumstance they might be wading into.

"Thank you for bringing this grave matter before the Senate, King Veruna," the Chancellor intoned as a matter of fact. "In consideration for the victim's family, I am Sealing this Session in Shiraya's name." Dominique tapped a control to have the holobroadcast cut off and the doors to the Chamber shut and locked. Until the session ended, they were cut off barring an emergency. And while it was true that Obaith's family hardly needed to hear Senators speak ill of the man, Dominique's concern was altogether more strategic than that.

"Please," she lifted her hands to those gathered, "continue to work through your collective thoughts in how to best respond. I will present mine in due course."

After a moment, the Chancellor stepped off to the side with her closest advisors left to watch over the proceedings. If something demanded her return, it would be so. Barring that, however, there was someone else whose counsel she required given the very nature of the matter at hand.

Dominique strode back to the secluded confidence of her dais where Ravion lay in wait.

Her golden gaze met that of her Magistrate as he spoke of actions and consequences. Arms folded across her body, Dominique listened. She remain silent a few seconds after he'd finished; one finger tapping a bicep. Dominique turned to look at one of the holo-screens for only a second before she turned back toward Ravion.

"It isn't just a judgment of this Republic, but of this Chancellorship." A mirthless smile graced her lips. "I fully intended to disappoint them. I will return to the session to add my voice to theirs and seek to ensure a public pronouncement is made of our discontent. This will provide our enemies everything they expected -- a Republic that believes word alone will accomplish much. Whether they expect to then levy a high price for his return no longer matters," a dismissive wave of her hand brushed the thought aside. "Then I will contact the Supreme Commander directly, if he will take my call. No doubt he will express justification for his actions, but such overtures are expected." There was always the chance the Supreme Commander could acknowledge his crime and turn himself over. Almost nonexistent, but possible. It wouldn't hurt to ask, and it would buy them time to orchestrate their response.

"In the meantime, continue your efforts, Magistrate. I want to hear all military options available to our Command and the likelihood of extracting Cynan from their grasp alive. Let me be clear, I will hear all options and our Generals' thoughts about the price needed for operational success." Dominique's hands fell to her sides. "I do not wish to have a war on all fronts, but this Republic will not be mistaken for toadies and cowards. This endless assault on our representatives ends today."

Aurelian Veruna | Eadu Yittreas | Aerys Mourn | Ayumi Pallopides | Ravion Corvalis | Anet Raine | OPEN​

 

[Eadu Yittreas]

The electronic chime of the holorecorders dying by orders of Chancellor Dominique Vexx was the last thing that Eadu wanted at such an important session of the Republic Senate. The Citizens had to realize that recklessly rushing into a conflict with the Imperial Confederation could jeopardize not just their own lives but also those of their neighbors creating a strain on the economy.

He could do nothing but lean back into the velvet interior of his pod, his fingers interlocked in contemplation. Eyes scanned upward as the Naboo King Aurelian Veruna and Belazuran Senator Anet Raine were natural allies in this debate, both having similar forms of arguments that could sway the chamber that war with the Imperials was justified.

A sentiment echoed by the warmonger Ravion Corvalis , the Magistrate of the Republic, who stood to benefit greatly from being hailed as a war hero of the Republic. This is likely a tactic to protect himself from accusations that Eadu had previously leveled against the Magistrate, claiming incompetence in Senate Security, which resulted in the death of Senator Monaray Dod.

Aurelian and his ilk were too focused on the tragedy of the individual. They failed to see that Sularen, for all his monstrous history, was a convenient tool of attrition. If the Republic dashed its fleet against the Imperial Confederation's shields for the sake of one foolish ambassador, they would bleed resources Eadu's benefactors could use elsewhere.

He tapped a sequence into his private console, and his pod began its slow, mechanical retreat toward the docking clamp. He did not need to be in the center of the room to hear the rot; he only needed to ensure the rot stayed contained within these walls. Once docked in the senatorial ring, Eadu stepped out.

His senior aide, a gaunt Muun named Krell, was waiting in the lee of a heavy support pillar.

"The Chancellor has sealed the room," Eadu said, his voice barely a breath.

"She plans to confine us in this building to gain a much-needed boost to her reputation by confronting the Supreme Commander regarding the Corellia Incident. This incident can easily be portrayed as a calculated act of war, needing only her signature to launch a campaign."

Krell bowed his head. "And our interests, Senator?"

"Our interests require that the Chancellor's private communications remain...insufficient. Install this in the senate transmissions relay. If they try to contact the Supreme Commander, they will find nothing but static. Make it look like the Imperial has no interest in diplomacy so the Chancellor is forced to reopen the session on my terms " Eadu replied. He pulled a small, palm-sized cylinder from his robes then handed it to Krell. It was a high-frequency scatter-jammer, illegal in the Republic but easily sourced through the syndicates he tolerated.

 

[Liana Organa]

Eharl Sarn ​

So, the Republic was finally ready to have this conversation. Even with Alderaan the stakes were hypothetical (if exceedingly likely). But now an actual member of the Republic had been injured and imprisoned by an outside agency. And not only that, it was at the hands of that freaking Marlon Sularen chump Liana had the displeasure of meeting on Ukatis. Give how questionable the vibes had been in his presence, she could not say she was surprised to find this result. Maybe they needed to have a follow-up conversation about letting Imperial yahoos go on holiday in Republic territory. Regardless, the question was no longer a matter of 'if' or even 'when'. The question was how were they going to respond now that it had happened.

Opinions were strong on both sides, and the Chancellor had even decided to close this session off from the public eye. Liana's part in this meeting was merely to observe and learn; such was the lot of a junior ambassador. Today she was attached to the delegation from Enarc, led by Senator Sarn, who had already proven himself to be an ally of Alderaan and democracy writ large. "This is how it starts," Liana muttered so only the Ithorian could hear. "These Imps wanna see how much they can get away with. They wanna see if you'll try and dance around a confrontation." The High Republic needed to show that not only wanted to protect those under their care, but that they actually could protect them. If not… "There's blood in the water. And if we can't do something about it, it won't just be the Imperials coming in for a bite."

The Sith, she imagined, would be all too happy to press such an advantage if it were offered so willingly. Corellia, Alderaan, anyone too close to a hostile power was going to be up for grabs.

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

Verity watched the proceedings unfolding, trying her very best not to roll her eyes. It would not be seemly to be caught on holocam using such a dismissive gesture. But the truth was, this was very silly. A waste of the Senate's time. Worse, a distraction from the actual enemy: the Sith Covenant. The Senator's fingertips tapped on her thighs as she listened in, her eyes darting this way and that as her colleagues spoke.

Her fingers squeezed her kneecaps as the Chancellor's order placing the session under seal went into effect.

Now that was interesting.

This felt contrived, somehow, Verity thought as she watched the Chancellor and the Magistrate sequester themselves, retreating from public view. Why was this happening now, just as the Sith Covenant were heading this direction? Why now? Cui bono? Verity didn't like that one bit. She trusted the Magistrate roughly as far as she could throw a Star Destroyer which -- given that Verity was rather slight -- was not very far. The Chancellor had proven to be more responsive and reliable than some on Druckenwell had suggested she might, but that didn't mean she was above reproach or above suspicion.

Glacial blue eyes lingered on the dais, watching for a few more moments before flickering back to the Senate at large. She signaled her intent to speak and then rose. "Madam Chancellor, I rise to add my voice to my colleagues noting that there should be a serious discussion and review of the Ambassador's actions. Perhaps additional framework is required around Senate oversight of Republic Ambassadors and the Ministry of State. To say that I am underwhelmed by what has occurred -- the failure of sense by the Ambassador and the failure of responsibility by the Ministry of State and the Diplomatic Security Services most withstanding -- would be an understatement. We simply cannot afford to be engaging in this. Not while even now the Sith Covenant creeps toward us."

Her hands rested on the podium and she leaned into the microphone. "With that being said, I am not inclined to throw good diplomats after bad, nor am I inclined to endorse a plan to allow this petty warlord to play skeet shoot with our diplomatic corps without response. Let us -- quickly and decisively -- retrieve the Ambassador, deliver justice to Sularen, and then we can discuss who -- if, indeed, anyone -- is responsible for the foreign policy operations that led to this. I'm certain that there will be time for recriminations later."

Dominique Vexx | Ravion Corvalis | Eadu Yittreas | Ayumi Pallopides
Anet Raine | Aerys Mourn | Aurelian Veruna | Liana Organa​

 

[Ravion Corvalis]

Ravion did not immediately answer. He held her gaze, measuring the weight behind her words, her true words, not the rhetoric spoken for the chamber. His hands remained clasped behind his back, posture precise, composed. If there was satisfaction in her resolve, it did not show openly.

“At last,” he said quietly, “we are speaking plainly.”

He stepped closer to the edge of the dais, lowering his voice further.

“This is not merely a test of the Republic. It is a test of you.” His eyes flicked briefly toward the sealed doors of the chamber. “They will scrutinize whether this administration protects its own; or whether it folds beneath provocation.”

He let a faint exhale leave him.

“The border raids, the probes, the opportunistic seizures of officials under our banner; these are not misunderstandings. They are calibrations. They are measuring how much pressure we will tolerate before we break.” His gaze sharpened, his words thick with belief. “We have tolerated enough. When Aurelian was attacked by the Sithling Princess we should have razed that Black Wall down, but we didn’t. When the Alliance collapsed because of the Imperial threat in the core, we stood back and we watched.”

He inclined his head slightly, cracking his neck ever so slightly.

“Make the public pronouncement. Let them believe we are once again content to issue condemnations and that we are awaiting a reply as per normal. That illusion will buy us time.” A subtle pause. “But while the justification rolls around out there, we strike.”

Ravion began pacing slowly along the inner curve of the dais.

“A limited military action is no longer reckless; it is required. We don’t declare open war, that is too risky with the Sith breathing down our necks from the core. We act in retaliation though, a precise, targeted response. A demonstration that the seizure of a Republic representative results in consequences that are immediate and measurable.”

He stopped, turning back toward her fully.

“If Cynan dies in their custody, every Senator will look to you and ask what we did when we still had leverage.”

His voice did not rise, but it hardened.

“We know negotiations will fail. Hope otherwise, but assume failure. Begin mobilization discreetly. Deploy the clones and task the Generals with contingency planning for extraction and punitive action against strategic Confederation assets near our contested sectors. Not population centers. Military infrastructure. Supply lines. Listening posts. Something that stings.”

He picked up his datapad from the table and moved towards the office door.

“And Chancellor…once we do move, we must move decisively. Half-measures will invite further aggression.” He stepped to the door itself and turned back towards the Chancellor. “You have my word though, that if we are to do this. You have the support of the Magister’s office.”

A faint, cold smile ghosted across his lips.

“Draw them a line in the sand Dominique.”

Dominique Vexx ​

 

[Eharl Sarn]

​

Senate Hall
Theed City | Naboo
Items: x
Interacting with Liana Organa
Fellow Politicals: Aurelian Veruna | Dominique Vexx | Eadu Yittreas | Anet Raine | Ravion Corvalis | Ayumi Pallopides | Aerys Mourn

The twin mouths of Eharl Sarn released a low, resonant hum that vibrated softly through the sealed chamber, but what it conveyed wasn't merely sound; it was the resonating thrum of grief, frustration, and weary recognition woven together.

The kidnapping of Kalantha still lingered like a mottled bruise upon the Republic's conscience and within Sarn's heart. The Black Sun had taken her and despite the tireless efforts of Intelligence and Special Operations, she remained beyond their reach...and now this.

Sarn inclined his great head slightly as he listened to the debate echo through the Senate floor.

"It has gone far enough," he murmured at last in a deep and layered thrum through his translator.

"The Senate has been struck before by criminals and the like -- we have bled Senators. We have bled envoys. And while we have endured, those Vornskyrs at our gates grow bolder." His amber eyestalks lowered briefly. "First it was Kalantha, our Senate, then the Voice of Naboo was injured seeking to hold diplomacy together on Corellia....and now this Imperial warlord Marlon Sularen, kidnaps and imprisons another of our own."

A soft rumble of disapproval resonated from his throat sacs.

"Chaotic Sith press at our borders in the Core amidst the Imperials and yet another shadow rises. We are becoming encircled." He shifted slightly toward the Alderaanian Junior Ambassador. "But we cannot retreat into caution while our diplomats are dragged away for daring to defend democracy."

His tone deepened.

"At minimum a strike force must be established to locate and recover Ambassador Obaith. The longer we tarry the colder the trail becomes."

Another contemplative hum escaped him before he turned fully toward the young woman beside him.

"What would you, Junior Ambassador Organa, believe to be the best route forward?"

​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Mister Corvalis," Dominique paused just long enough to smile, "if you ever wish to speak plainly, you only need ask."

Ravion Corvalis seemed particular taken with the more direct approach to dealing with hostilities as well. Not something she was adverse to, but Dominique didn't believe Aurelian had made a strategic mistake back then. If anyone had been motivated to strike back it would have been the man stabbed by a lightsaber. No, the King -- flippant as he might be at times -- had made the rational choice. They had to prepare for war before they could expect to wage it. Back then the High Republic's military had been anything but ready. Capable of defending against invasion, but not an offensive war.

Obviously, the Chancellor and the Magistrate saw eye to eye in some things, but disagreed in others. He fully expected negotiations to fail. And probabilities showed they likely would. Nonetheless, Dominique always expected to walk away having negotiated an acceptable deal for all parties involved; but she was always prepared should things turn hostile. The Black Sun had seen that first hand with CorpSec's forceful intrusion on Wielu. The Galactic Empire had nearly felt its hand in orbit of Corellia -- had they tightened the noose to keep Republic citizens from escaping, the Chancellor had been prepared to sever their cord.

"This day was always in the cards, Ravion. Probabilities had it would be the Covenant that drew it first." Dominique paused to smile again. "And I don't blink." If he was worried she'd muster the troops only to chicken out at the last second, he -- and everyone else -- would find that a poor bet.

"It seems debated as slowed." The feed from the chamber wasn't as animated as before. "Time for my return." With a nod, Dominique turned to make her way back to the dais for the chamber to catch sight of their Chancellor once more.

"Senators," the Chancellor's arms raised high to call their attention forward, "thank you for your well-reasoned thoughts in this matter. Before I address the matter at hand, let me first correct another." Her arms lowered, hand set atop the podium. "Ambassador Cynan Obaith is neither naive nor reckless in his actions. This Republic does not abandon its own, but that is no excuse for throwing yourself willingly into harm's way; which is precisely what the Ambassador did not do. Did he seek an audience with a hostile party? Yes. Did he wait for the High Republic forces to jump into the system to back him? No. Was he wrong to do so?" Dominique paused for a moment for them to make their mental judgments.

"I met the Ambassador in orbit of Corellia when it was besieged by the Galactic Empire. Rather than aimlessly hope for the Republic's aid, or seek to save himself from what might be certain death at the hands of Imperial forces upon his return, the Ambassador sought to make available every resource at his disposal and coordinate with Republic forces to restore law and order to his cherished world."

"How, then, is it a surprise that such a man -- dedicated to the sake of his people -- should confront an invader? No price is too high to one willing to give everything in service to their world and their people. He knew the risks, Senators. He might have been shot on the spot with no chance by this body to do more than mourn the passing of a great man. Even now, with all our hopes, there is no guarantee we will bring him home alive, but I emplore you, Senators... I call upon you to publically decare in one voice that abducting our citizens, and our representatives is beyond reprehensible. It is an atrocious afront to the very heart of diplomacy. There can be no peace so long as the messengers and the guardians of peace and justice are held hostage, tortured, or slaughtered. And it is because of that we must publically demand the return of Ambassador Cynan Obaith."

"If this last chance is not taken, Senators, then we will have no choice," a knifed hand sliced through the air, "but to retrieve the Ambassador from the clutches of vile terrorists beset on destruction. Do I have a second in moving forward, Senators? To seeing justice done? To recovering one of our own and setting right this travesty?" Her open palm was extended out to the chamber in searc of support.

The entire chamber didn't need to be made aware just yet that the military had already begun to make preparations. Dominique wasn't the sort to wait on whether someone responded to a missive before preparing for an unfavorable reply. Even those hoping for another session and vote to 'approve' military action might agree to her call now thinking it just an impassioned plea full of empty sentiment and ambition. As for those already inclined toward force, unless Marlon Sularen capitulated and offered recompence for his actions such Senators would not end up disappointed even if at first they worried this was naught but a plea of empty sentiment; from them, Dominique expected they'd gladly support this and push for more. Unanimous support would be a wonder.

Aurelian Veruna | Eharl Sarn | Eadu Yittreas | Anet Raine | Ravion Corvalis | Ayumi Pallopides | Aerys Mourn | Liana Organa | Verity Stuyveris​

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

Verity raised an eyebrow and examined the Chancellor dispassionately from her pod.

She didn't necessarily agree with her assessment, nor did she find comfort in the allegedly brave deeds the ambassador had engaged in before. She was certain it would be cold comfort to the families of the men and women of the High Republic armed services who might die in the attempt at rescuing him. But that was all a secondary matter, now. The primary matter was to get him back, and to slap Sularen.

"I second," Verity declared.

Dominique Vexx​

 

[Eadu Yittreas]

Eadu observed Krell as he made his way down the seemingly endless corridors to set up the scatter-jammer device. He had also provided him with a substantial sum of credits to persuade the Senate Technicians to grant his aide entry to the potentially encrypted communication tower. It was a minor cost to bear to guarantee that the Corellia Incident would serve as an embarrassing failure for the Chancellor.

His left arm was tucked into a crude, patched sling, a dark fabric that looked as though it had been salvaged from a technician's locker. He moved with a feigned stiffness, a grimace playing at the corners of his mouth as he stepped back into his pod.

To the casual observer, it was the result of a tumble in the darkened maintenance halls during the lockdown; to the Chancellor, it was a silent alibi to explain his prolonged absence from the debate though he heard the musing of Senator Eharl Sarn on the way in.

Eadu waited for the echoes of Dominique Vexx 's heartfelt plea to fade into silence, even as Senator Verity Stuyveris seconded the motion. There was no detriment in adhering to his principles, despite the awareness in his mind that the Senate Chamber had already reached a conclusion. His gaze shifted towards the assembly now, bypassing the warmongers and the sentimentalists.

"Madam Chancellor," He began, his tone shifting to one of respect dissent. "You speak of the Ambassador's cherished world and his sacrifice. It is a heartfelt eulogy for a man who is not yet dead. But let us be honest, you are asking for the Republic Senate to authorize a public demand that serves only as a countdown to a war with the Imperial Confederation we are not prepared to finish." The High Republic faced far more pressing concerns with the Sith Covenant and the Sith Order looming near its borders. The Ambassador recognized the danger, and the Republic ought to abandon him to his fate, just as it had done with Kalantha.

"I will not have the people of Alassa Major, be condemned to the killing fields of Imperial Space because of the lackluster decision making of one Ambassador. I reject this motion entirely and the rest of the Senate should as well if they care about the lives of their own populace." A bold declaration that might raise skepticism among the more timid senators in their midst. A fragmented Senate was beneficial and with the Magistrate still potentially being scrutinized, everything was beginning to align perfectly with him at the pinnacle of power.

 

[Liana Organa]

​

Eharl Sarn​

"What would you, Junior Ambassador Organa, believe to be the best route forward?"

Liana hummed, thinking over her answer carefully while the senators around them deliberated, "Like you said, we have to get the ambassador back. But we need Sularen, too. If he faces no consequences, then nobody will take us seriously. If we can get these Imperials to hand both Obaith and Sularen over bloodlessly, then great, but something tells me they won't be up for that. In which case, some kind of military action has to take place. Again like you said, a small force if possible. A rescue team. But we can't back down if that's not enough to get the job done.

I think if the Imperials really are just testing our reaction, they'll let it slide as a diplomatic incident rather than an act of war. If they are looking for war, then it doesn't matter what we do anyway, it'll happen. Might as well dictate the terms ourselves."

The Chancellor returned to convene with the Senate once more, defending the Ambassador's actions. Liana more or less agreed. It's not like he just waltzed into enemy territory looking for a bone to pick; he was responding to a threat with the best arsenal he had: diplomacy. Anything less and he'd be abandoning his post. Anything more and he'd risk instigating a conflict far beyond his authority to do so.

The first two votes on the motion were split. Liana naturally had no vote of her own, and so she simply watched and waited to see what Sarn said on the matter.

 

[Anet Raine]

Eadu Yittreas | Verity Stuyveris | Dominique Vexx | Eharl Sarn | Liana Organa | Ravion Corvalis | Aurelian Veruna | Aerys Mourn | Ayumi Pallopides

Anet rolled her eyes when Eadu objected to the whole affair, then rose to speak again.

"I am supportive of the Chancellor's commitment to security," she began.

"While it is in the interest of our 'due diligence' to question such affairs... because of security, sovereignty, cost, what have you... It would be utterly ridiculous to let this go. It doesn't matter now whether the Ambassador acted poorly; we can address that later. What does matter is that we show this galaxy that the Republic is decisive. That we don't cower to threats from one state just because we fear another."

From the Black Sun attacks and kidnapping of the former Chancellor, to the Sith assault and destruction of Edic Bar, the High Republic needed to show strength more now than ever. At least, that was the way Senator Raine wished to present it. This initiative against the Imperial Confederation might very well be a last chance to show the galaxy that people can't just freely attack the Republic and get away with it. So either Eadu was a coward, or he had an ulterior motive... interesting. Perhaps they would have to talk.

Her attention shifted from the dissenter back to the Chancellor.

"However, I have to ask, Madam Chancellor. What are the conditions of victory here? Let's say - what happens if we extract the ambassador, but fail to apprehend or sanction Sularen? Or what if the reverse is true? I agree that we must act now, but we should consider the possibility of partial success, and what that looks like for our Republic."

Damage control versus escalation, essentially, had to be considered ahead of time - not in the aftermath of whatever happens next.

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Anet Raine Liana Organa Eadu Yittreas Verity Stuyveris Dominique Vexx Eharl Sarn Ravion Corvalis

She listened and gave a nod. "I dislike the possibility of war and would rather talks work but if we have to fight should be unity it it. I'll back you chancellor." She said it and the Sunwire would work for them with its military vessels... oh she could denate a stealth vessel to the cause as it were or some of their more advanced weapons and armor. Ayumi was checking on much of it but she listened to the others speaking or voicing questions and concerns. Her hadn't fully been answered but she wasn't going to side eye and go for something of her own. The agendaa was prosperity to her which benefitted all of them

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique turned to look directly at Eadu as the man objected to the overture. "In fact, Senator, I am making every reasonable effort to avoid war. If this body refuses to so much as cry out in outrage to the abduction and possible murder of one of our own -- a man that sought to peacefully resolve an invasion of their own world -- then we invite war upon us. In fact, Senator Yittreas, Ambassador Obaith will be but the first casualty of that war."

Her golden gaze swung slowly to Anet as the woman spoke, and brought forth a question. "I would prefer that the Supreme Commander return the Ambassador and compensate Corellia and this Republic for his actions. The manner of which we would discuss with the Ambassador himself to see his people are also satisfied with the outcome," the Chancellor replied as far as the diplomatic outcome was concerned. "However," and, of course, there was a but, "should the Supreme Commander choose otherwise, the return of the Ambassador is our primary objective. We will strive to apprehend the Supreme Commander so that we might hold court and decide the character of his conduct, but we will not pursue him any further than is necessary to secure the Ambassador's release." Anyone that wanted a prolonged war had only to wait for the clash with one or more Sith collectives. Another circumstance Dominique would rather avoid as well, but might prove inevitable.

There was a pause as she slowly lifted her hands. "This Republic must show not only that it will not be taken as fools, but that we have not forgotten the ideas of our Charter. Our purpose here is not war, but peace. Not dominionism, but unity."

A few faces, and voices like Ayumi Pallopides , seemed apprehensive about the suggestion of war or what might follow a declaration of return. "Again, I call upon this Senate to tell our people -- and the galaxy -- that we protect our own because we seek to do what is right. Not what is expedient. Not what is safe. What is right! To ensure prosperity, security, and community for all our peoples."

Ayumi Pallopides | Anet Raine | Liana Organa | Eadu Yittreas | Verity Stuyveris | Eharl Sarn | Ravion Corvalis | Aurelian Veruna | Aerys Mourn | Cynan Obaith​

 

[Eharl Sarn]

​

Senate Hall
Theed City | Naboo
Items: x

Liana Organa

The Ithorian's twin throats released a resonant hum of agreement at the Junior Ambassador's assessment. There was a quiet pride in it. The younger generation, he reflected, was not reckless. They were perceptive and they understood the currents beneath the surface.

"Indeed," Senator Sarn intoned with a thrum of his two throats. "The Republic cannot allow itself to be perceived as an institution that permits such grievous acts to pass without consequence."

Those amber eyestalks swept back to the chamber.

"We pursue diplomacy, peaceful resolution, and defend the sanctity of sentient life. Yet those very principles are being tested -- by the Black Sun, by the Covenant, and now by this Imperial warlord, Sularen. When such forces threaten our citizens and our member worlds we reserve the right to defend them."

A thoughtful vibration rolled through his chest before he continued.

"The Charter of Unity is clear. Should Ambassador Obaith not be returned, escalation becomes not a desire but a duty."

As the High Chancellor submitted her proposal, Sarn inclined his great head in solemn approval.

"Then we proceed with action," he thrummed, activating his microphone to formally signal his support for the Chancellor's commitment to Republic security.

"I am also supportive of the Chancellor's motion."