Private Now The Real Work Begins

[Liana Organa]

​

The Alderaanian Embassy, Naboo
Gram Arranda ​

The delegation of Alderaan had all cramped themselves inside of Gram Arranda's suite on the Embassy's upper level, watching the local coverage of the latest Senatorial session. There, politicians were debating the Alderaan Cession: a treaty that would determine whether or not Alderaan would be accepted into the High Republic. Over the last several weeks, Gram, Liana, and their attachés had been hard at work swaying public opinion in favor of the Alderaanian people and their plight. It had started with the Princess herself being sent to Theed as Junior Ambassador, and her home world's first representative to the High Republic. Though her work was largely symbolic, Liana's efforts had garnered renewed attention toward Alderaan, especially as circumstances grew more dire with the encroachment of the Imperials, and later the Sith.

With the appointment of Gram Arranda as Alderaan's lead Ambassador, these efforts were legitimized with clear focus. Gram and Liana put their plan to the test with a formal petition to the High Republic, which was answered with crucial sponsorship by the likes of Verity Stuyveris , Ayumi Pallopides , and even Chancellor Dominique Vexx herself. With the Alderaan Cession drafted, they hosted a celebratory event at the embassy not long after, designed to give a taste of Alderaan's culture and more importantly, to rub elbows with those who might bring this treaty into reality.

Tonight, there was nothing more they could do but await the results. Anxious chatter amongst the party was suddenly shushed by one of the aides as they noticed conversation shifting on the holo. Liana, who was sitting on the couch, was resting back against the couch in relief before the news had been announced. Everyone else jumped for joy when the ticker read: "Alderaanian Cession Passed with overwhelming support."

Cheers were had, drinks were poured, joyous tears were shed. Alderaan would not be left in the dark.

Liana stood up a few moments after the celebrations had already begun, her hands still shaking from the combined nervousness and subsequent validation. "We did it," She said to Gram when he found a chance to face her. The princess gave him a tight hug. He had always been there for the Organas. Now was no different, "We couldn't have done it without you."
/FONT]

 

[Gram Arranda]

Gram sat on a couch in the middle of the living room, the centerpiece of a tableau. All around him were his aides and attaches, the princess and her people, motionlessly watching the holo news. Beside him on the couch was his family, his daughters holding each others' hands, his wife gripping his arm as they silently prayed and hoped for victory.

This was it. All of their work these past few months boiled down to one vote. The fate of Alderaan would be decided now.

The results came in. Alderaanian Cession passed with overwhelming support. The room exploded with cheering. People embraced each other, smiling and laughing. Someone popped the cork on a celebratory bottle.

Gram released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He kissed Vera and hugged the girls. Someone handed him a glass, which he held up in toast. "To the Republic," he declared. "Long may she live!"

He downed the drink, letting the pleasant buzz seep through him. That was when Princess Liana threw her arms around his waist. Gram blinked in surprise, but soon softened. He passed the empty glass off to one of his aides so that he could hug her back.

"And where would I be without the Junior Ambassador?" he said. "You built the foundation this whole operation stands on. It's a shame you're not old enough to be our Senator, or I'd recommend you run for office." He laughed when he said it, but his smile was a little tight around the edges.

When he first agreed to come to Naboo as Ambassador, Gram knew it was no brief appointment. Alderaan now needed a representative in the Republic Senate, someone the queen could trust. He was qualified, and he suspected... no, he knew that Her Majesty would ask him to run for office. And because he was already here, had already proven himself as Ambassador, he would likely be elected.

All of which is to say, he wasn't going home for a very long time. No doubt Vera would insist on staying with him. Droxine was nearly old enough to live on her own and would probably be going to university on Alderaan, but Lysandra would remain uprooted. These melancholy thoughts dampened his spirits somewhat, though it was selfish. He would go back home someday, but until then he would work tirelessly to keep it safe.

"Now the real work begins," he said. "We've convinced them that we're worthy of citizenship, but that doesn't mean they'll do what's best for Alderaan. We'll have to make sure of that ourselves."

Liana Organa​

 

[Liana Organa]

Gram Arranda

​

Liana shrugged bashfully. How quick she was to take credit for things until suddenly the thing in question mattered. But it felt good to hear someone else say it aloud. The work she had done here mattered. It had begun the path which was now laid out before them. The people of Alderaan had her to thank, not because she was their princess, but because she was their ambassador. Or at least, one of them.

"Even more so..." Liana said, her eyes already steeling with deeper contemplation, "Our membership isn't guaranteed until those borders surround our world and Republic rangers patrol our sector. There's bound to be a lot of time between now and then. Time that the Sith could use to strike if they wanted.

This might delay them, but unless we act quickly, it may be just that: a delay."

 

[Gram Arranda]

"You are very wise, Your Highness," Gram said, saying more with his eyes than words could ever tell.

"There will be time to discuss our next steps. I will not delay. But for now, I believe we have a press conference to attend..."

The conference was held downstairs in the convention hall. Reporters from various publications had already begun to arrive. As soon as the Alderaanian ambassadors entered, the room filled with the sound of overlapping voices and the flash of cameras. Gram led the charge to the stage, dressed nicely but not pompously. He was flanked not only by the Princess of Alderaan, but by his wife and two daughters. Let them see his family and know exactly what he was fighting for.

"Good evening," he began. "I am overjoyed at the decision made by the Republic Senate today..."

Liana Organa​

 

[Liana Organa]

"Right. Can't leave the media waiting," Liana huffed. This part of the job felt very much like being a royal. Best to get it over with anyway. As they began to move downstairs, Liana halted for but a moment, a sudden pain ebbed through her head, and disappeared just as fast. Just a headache, nothing to dwell on.

When the ambassadors went downstairs, a crowd had already amassed to hear what they had to say. They each took place at a pair of lecterns, flanked by aides and security on stage. Gram set things up, and soon the questions were rolling. "So, Ambassadors, now that the legislation has gone through, what's the next step for Alderaan?" The Theelin reporter addressed them both, but seemed to point her focus towards Liana. Whether it was simply because she was more 'popular' than Gram, or an attempt to catch the greenhorn junior off guard, Liana took the bait.

"Well, for our part, we need to ensure that Alderaan is in compliance with all regulations the High Republic demands of its member worlds. That will ensure a smooth transition, and act as a clear sign of our desire to see this treaty through. It will be up to the High Republic to establish a secure presence around the borders of the Alderaan system. That is likely to take some time, as we are still several sectors outside of established Republic space." Liana nodded to herself, finding her own response satisfactory to start the evening.

Another journalist, a Gran, spoke up next, "Ambassador Arranda. After Alderaan joins the High Republic, they won't have need for your position anymore. Do you plan to run for Senator when the time comes?"

Gram Arranda​

 

[Gram Arranda]

Gram let Liana take the first question. She deserved to have her time in the spotlight, and she needed the experience dealing with journalists.

The second question was directed specifically at him. Gram gave the Gran and his camdroid(s) a small smile, endeavoring to hide his mixed emotions around the idea of becoming Senator as much as possible. "That is certainly a possibility," he replied. "The queen has offered her support for me as a candidate. But I will of course leave the decision up to the people of Alderaan as to who they would like to represent them in the Republic."

Liana Organa​

 

[Liana Organa]

"Princess, with your role in this process, do you feel like you've been asked to carry responsibilities meant for someone older?" One journalist chimed in, hunting for something of substance.

"I..." Liana began confidently, but the pause signified a slip of her mask, "...I may be young, but I have learned much in my time, thanks to people like Ambassador Arranda, and our allies in the Senate." She chuckled as if to downplay her own struggles to answer the question aptly. The individual that asked the question was still looking at her pointedly, as if trying to psychically coax more from Liana. She got it, and the princess took a sudden tone of impatience, "I can handle it. This position is important to me, and I want to prove that I've earned it."

There was some muttering in the crowd, and the flashes from the wall of cameras grew more irritating the longer Liana stood there. Thankfully, the next question was for Gram, "Ambassador, are you confident the Republic won't overextend itself by taking Alderaan in?"

Gram Arranda​

 

[Gram Arranda]

"With all due respect to the Republic's leadership and their efforts to maintain peace, war against the Sith is inevitable," Gram replied. "They achieved their current dominance of the core through conquest and subjugation, and they are continuing to spread into other systems like a virus. It is only a matter of time before they reach the Republic's border. No diplomatic envoy or treaty will halt their expansion."

His tone was that of grim resignation - but did he truly feel that way? Or was he a bloodthirsty warmonger, hungry for revenge against old foes? Sometimes he wasn't so sure himself.

"Princess Liana, do you believe that the Republic can defend Alderaan in the event of a Sith invasion?" asked another journalist.

Gram suppressed a wince. It was a hardball question, designed to trip her up. His immediate instinct was to step in, maybe even chastise the reporter who had asked. But intervening would likely do more harm than good. Better to let Liana do her thing. See if she could turn the trap into a victory.

Liana Organa​

 

[Liana Organa]

Gram's response seemed to spur some chatter amongst the press, but nobody was yet shouting across the hall for more answers at least. Liana pointed to the next reporter for a question, and was hit with concerns about military capability. She didn't feel totally qualified to answer on such things yet, but that was probably why they asked it.

"I uh, yes. I do." She said plainly, trying not to overdo it and risk self-sabotage, "They already offered us military support even before the cession passed. We see no reason why that would be lessened now." Liana could tell she was sweating. Could the cameras see it? She tried not to appear so, but there was a lightheadedness creeping up on her as the conference dragged on. She said no more, letting Gram take the next one.

"Ambassador, what role do you see Alderaan playing in the High Republic? What would you say you have to offer to this federation?"

Gram Arranda​

 

[Gram Arranda]

"Alderaan's ideals align with those of the High Republic. That is a rare and wonderful thing for a system seeking membership with a major galactic faction. According to legend, a dying Queen of Naboo entrusted her daughter to the care of a King and Queen of House Organa, to be raised as a Princess of Alderaan. For me that story speaks to the close ties our worlds once shared - ties which would serve us well in the coming days." He smiled, turning up the charm and finishing on a less lofty note. "We have more material contributions to offer as well. Our craftsmanship is renowned throughout the galaxy, as is our cuisine."

"Princess, in the event that Alderaan is lost to the Sith, what contingency plans does the Queen have in place?"

"The answer to that question is classified," Gram interrupted. "Suffice to say, Her Majesty will do whatever is necessary to preserve and protect Alderaan." He hid his annoyance well, but the questions of some of the more sensationalist journalists were beginning to wear on him. No doubt it was having a similar effect on Liana as well.

Liana Organa​

 

[Liana Organa]

Gram stepped in to answer the question before Liana could slip up. Not that she really would've known what to say, but at least he had her back.

Some of the voices were getting rowdier now. More provocative questions were being stirred up, and another journalist got antsy enough to speak up across the room, "Princess, do you think this treaty could just escalate tensions with the Sith?"

"I... Uh..." Liana seemed to be in a haze now. The lights were beating down on her heavily, and the voices were getting louder. She felt sick, and held the back of her hand up to her forehead. "I..." Suddenly, the princess's pupils rolled back and she toppled over, seemingly fainting. Beneath their lids, her eyes moved frantically, and her body twitched with the occasional spasm, as if she were suffering from a seizure. Security guards immediately moved to interpose themselves between the Princess and the reporters, some of whom were already leaning in for a better shot.

All the sounds faded away as Liana felt herself descending into the darkness. That darkness lingered for a time. She smelled... flowers.

Candlewick flowers. Like those that grew in the palace garden. Suddenly, one such flower came into view. The bud glowed faintly, as they often did. But the glow heightened, until suddenly it was no longer luminescent, but aflame. Its petals burnt to cinder in seconds, and the crackle of fire became deafening. The sound then morphed into a wailing klaxon.

She saw the palace now, at a distance. It was clear and blue out. Then she saw the palace again, in ruins beneath a blood red sky. Then she saw the palace again, more ornate and draped in Sith iconography. The imagery cycled back and forth, with growing rapidity. The klaxon wailed again.

She heard Gram weeping. There were trampled candlewick flowers falling into a pile. The smell of flowers had now grown rotten and sulfurous. The klaxon wailed again.

She saw her mother. She was standing over Liana, smiling. Then she was lying on broken stones, expression reversed and blood leaking from her mouth. The klaxon wailed again.

She heard cheering. Louder and more zealous than she'd ever heard before. Her stomach churned, the taste of poison bitter on her tongue. Sith symbols burned into her vision, the cheering never ceasing as the symbols seemed to exert a pressure over her the longer she was made to look. The klaxon wailed again. And again. And again. And agai-

Liana awoke quaking, but made no sound when she did. A light was shining in her eyes. She thought it was fire, but it was just a flashlight. Behind it, a dozen or more faces were staring at her. The clamor rose louder when she finally opened her eyes.

Gram Arranda​

 

[Gram Arranda]

Gram didn't realize what was happening until he saw the reactions of the journalists, the more predatory ones pouncing in search of a better shot. Turning, he saw the princess had fallen to the floor, her body seizing. His eyes widened.

Security was already intervening to create a barrier around Liana, who continued to twitch and spasm. His own guards pulled him away from her. They didn't know what was happening. It could've been biological warfare, a contagion that could pass from host to host. Gram followed protocol even as he worried for Liana's safety.

"Get a doctor in here," he commanded. "Corral the reporters. Don't let any of them leave yet." In case one of them had seen something, or Force forbid, was responsible.

There was an on-site medical team that should be arriving... now. He raised a hand to touch his comlink, about to call Amani... then hesitated. Until they knew more, he would have little to report. Best not to worry her until they had all the facts.

As the medics arrived and began to assess her condition, Liana's spasming slowed and eventually stopped. She seemed to be returning to consciousness. Gram peered at her silently through the press of guards and doctors, waiting to see if her condition would continue to improve...

Liana Organa​