Private Of Matters Most Dire

[Ala Quin]

It felt as though her shoes were filled with lead. Every step felt like the weight of history bore down upon her with increasing derision. Every choice of hers was examined. Accusations flew. People whispered. She knew it to be true. And yet, Ala's resolve to what she believed was right only grew stronger.

Determination did not make things easier though.

She had been told to go into the Chancellor's office, but as she entered, Ala quickly realised that she was alone. It took her a moment to remember that the droid had said, "The Chancellor will be along shortly."

So, Ala waited, eyes being careful to to stare at anything too long. She did not want the Chancellor to think she was studying her. Or perhaps it was wise to do so?

The door hissed, Ala turned, and offered a bow of her head.

"Chancellor. It is good to see you again. I only wish that it was...under better circumstances."

Today, Ala sought for assistance in arresting Lorn Reingard.

| Dominique Vexx |​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Director," Dominique stood in the Situation Room facing a holoprojected image of a man, "are you aware of just how many defense platforms are in orbit of Denon at this very moment? Are you also aware of the exacting sensors enabling those platforms that are able to lock on to the finest filaments on a tick's idiosoma? I'll spare your analysts the effort of discerning my intent, Director. If you don't complete that project by the end of the week, I can assure you that when the enemy arrives that they will all inexplicibly fail to defend an impossiblely precise section of Denon's surface. If our people have to suffer because of your excess, I will make certain you and yours suffer with them."

Before the first word was out of their mouth, the transmission was severed.

Some people lacked the ability to read between the lines. Others simply refused to believe there would be meaingful reprisals. How someone like that managed to climb to such a position of authority was beyond Dominique's ability to comprehend.

"Chancellor, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order seeks an audience in your Office."

Dominique turned her head to look over at her Secretary. Ala Quin was there in person?

"Have the droid tell her I will be with her shortly." With that, the Chancellor turned to stride out of the room. Doubtful the conversation ahead would be of any greater cheer, but Dominique didn't wouldn't let the galaxy's problems bring her low.

While not eager to be on another's schedule, Dominique wasted no time making it back to her office. Whatever it was might be important, and the Jedi Order -- even if they weren't an army -- was not a resource she wanted to alienate from neglect.

"Grand Master Quin," a smile spread easily across the Chancellor's lips as she crossed the room and guaged whether the woman would appreciate hand shake, "a pleasure to see you in person. Would you care for a seat?" She gestured to the comfortable chairs before her desk. "How can I be of assistance?"

Ala Quin​

 

[Ala Quin]

The handshake so offered was welcomed with another dip of Ala's head. "Please. Just Ala," she said, but knew that the dropping of formalities would not stick. It rarely did. "It is a pleasure to meet you properly. Forgive me for taking so long to make this moment a reality."

She did take the seat, as offered, but she did not recline into it. There was no ease in her posture, nor tone.

"I have come to discuss a...fissure...that has begun within the Order. And I am concerned that if certain members of the Order were to go to far..."

She cleared her throat.

"...that we will need assistance with their management."

| Dominique Vexx |​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Of course." Dominique smiled as they clasped hands. "I didn't read into it. The Jedi aren't a political body, and are busy with continued organization of practitioners." Is what she said. The Chancellor wasn't daft enough to think the Jedi had no political bone in their collective bodies nor one political brain cell shared amongst them. Still, one couldn't hold the Jedi to the same playbooks as you expected of veteran diplomats. Which was terribly ironic considering how often they inserted themselves into matters to help reach an amicable outcome.

The woman in white had just turned the corner of her desk when Ala spoke of a... fissure in the Order. Dominique's stride slowed, the tips of her fingers brushed along the top of the desk as her golden eyes peered across it at the other woman. By the time Ala finished, the Chancellor had taken her own seat to weigh what had just been said.

A... fissure. It happened so often among Jedi. Some wanted to be cautious. Others did not. Inevitably a charismatic person arose and a split formed. It was the sort of circumstance Dominique had hoped wouldn't occur until the Order was much larger. The Republic was a touch young by comparison to the Galactic Alliance's gradual collapse in Jedi relations.

It was, of course, the Sith. They were acting out in the open. Naturally, some Jedi took exception to their boldness and wanted to respond.

"How can the High Republic be of assistance in managing such members?" The Chancellor smiled as she laid her hands atop the desk with a slight lean forward to express her interest in participating in the discussion.

Ala Quin​

 

[Ala Quin]

Back rigid, Ala took a moment to breathe. Of all places, this was a place she should have the greatest calm. And yet, her heart skipped a beat or two when considering the potential outcome of this meeting.

"There are those within our Order who wonder if a more proactive stance regarding the Sith threat might be warranted," Ala said, a carefully manufactured calm washing over her. "Most of the Jedi involved are individuals of exceptional character." Some of them I love dearly.

Her eyes focused on the Chancellor, assessing her every expression — micro or otherwise. Given the growing anti-Jedi insinuations among some of Naboo's elite, Ala was unsure in herself how Vexx herself felt about the Order and its place in the Republic.

"My concern is primarily systemic. Should any individual act outside of established expectations for a Jedi, a unilateral intervention by the Council risks exacerbating internal divisions. However, if the Republic were to lead any necessary intervention, it might offer a framework where more measured perspectives could prevail."

| Dominique Vexx |​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique Vexx's countenance was exactly as one would expect of someone that'd been practiced in the art of excusing monsters and indulging in the fine things of life while atrocities were committed. The slight smile, the attentive gaze, her upright posture and almost noticeably lifted chin. Years and years of practice combined with an arguably sociopathic mindset. She did try to put on her best outreach effort, however. Demonstrations of concerns for the little folk, that sort of thing. Who knew where the mask ended and the real woman began?

That being true, Ala should at least take heart -- from where Dominique sat -- that the Chancellor didn't grimace or withdrawal at anything she'd said. Especially concerning the Sith. The High Republic was gearing up for the inevitable on that front, after all.

"Astute. Though I would be remiss if I did not point out the inherent risk to such an approach. One I have tried to avoid as long as possible. The sort of thing that led to institutionalized divisions between the Galactic Alliance and the New Order." A lone brow arch ever so gently over a lilac-framed eye. "You will, of course, have my support to deter such opportunists."

"You understand, however, that the Republic cannot enforce Jedi tenants. A violation of Temple Law would have no standing in Republic Court. But, as you said, their actions are less a matter of internal debate and might carry with them interstellar consequences. Those there will be little issue pursuing." When it benefited them both, of course. Though if this splinter cell of Jedi operated on their own with no regard for the Republic or Dominique's plans then Ala would have little to fear about whether their interests would always align.

Ala Quin​

 

[Ala Quin]

A quiet, heavy breath escaped Ala, her hands folding neatly into the fabric of her pants to hide the slightest tremor of tension. The Chancellor was a master of the political chess board, and Ala knew she had to speak Dominique's language — despite being a novice.

"I am not asking the Republic to enforce Jedi dogma, Chancellor," Ala said, her voice dropping to a low, measured cadence that carried the gravity of a confession. "I am asking the Republic to enforce its own sovereignty against a potential internal threat."

She paused, looking directly into Dominique's golden eyes, playing the most dangerous card she held.

"The Council cannot imprison our own for differing philosophies without tearing the Order apart from the inside. Furthermore, our facilities are designed for rehabilitation, not the indefinite containment of high-profile, combat-ready dissidents who believe they are saving the galaxy."

Ala leaned forward slightly, her posture rigid but deliberate.

"However, history offers a precedent. During the ancient conflicts, the Mandalorians engineered specific, specialised vaults. Those designed purely to neutralise and hold Force-sensitives. The Order cannot ethically or politically possess such facilities. But the Republic...the Republic could commission them as part of its preparation for war with the Sith."

| Dominique Vexx |​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique didn't make any large movements. She slightly rolled her head a bit to the side, slightly moved her brows up and back down, and generally left her hands in full view of Ala the entire time her guest spoke. Her golden eyes shifted slightly to regard the Jedi's body language, her eyes, and the corners of her mouth.

At last, the Chancellor began to reply, "A wonderful idea." A smile graced her painted lips. "Construction of purpose-built facilities to house Sith prisoners of war. While no-quarter is often a stark necessity engaging them there is inevitably a time when one might be caught alive; and under such circumstances -- given their numbers -- likely more than one." Dominqiue's hand spread out over the desk, palms rotated upward. "An excellent idea to help the Republic prepare for upcoming conflicts."

A slight dip of the chin before it rose back to its former height punctuated the moment. Whether Ala understood its meaning only time would make clear. Dominique had purposefully avoided echoing or even suggesting Ala's actual purpose behind making such a suggestion. They both knew of what the Chancellor was speaking without any further embarrassing admissions.

Yes, much better that the idea of housing Jedi in such facilities never be brought before the Senate. It would only have a way of finding its way back into the ears of the rank-and-file Jedi. Not to mention poison the thoughts of Senators that had yet to even decide which side they were on. Highlight they were meant for the Sith in particular. There was no difference either way. The Force was the Force. Why needlessly constrain development to merely the Dark Side? What if a hostile party were one of those mythical 'Gray' sort, but allied to dark forces? Yes, allowing to secure all manner of Force-user was the prudent solution.

"We will, of course, be prepared to confine threats from both outside and from within the Republic. Agents of the Sith are certainly already seeking to assert influence and control; once found they will need held to discern their true purpose and what else they may know." Which was merely another omission of the truth. Dark, Light, or somewhere in-between wouldn't matter.

"The Jedi Order would be willing to aide us in properly designing such a facility? You wouldn't need to do the actual construction, but consulting services to ensure we do so properly."

Ala Quin​

 

[Ala Quin]

Ala's jaw tensed, the muscle jumping against her cheek. There was an invisible line drawn in the sand here, and the air between them felt thin. She knew they were encroaching upon it. She ought to tread with absolute caution.

"The Jedi Order stands ready to assist," she said, her voice a measured, steady anchor against the rising tension. "Not only with the construction of a permanent containment facility...but with the deployment of specialized, portable prisoner transportation pods..."

She paused, drawing a slow, deliberate breath through pursed lips to steady the sudden flutter in her chest.

"...I can assign a member of the High Council to personally oversee our portion of the project."

| Dominique Vexx |​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"The Order's assistance in whatever form it deems appropriate would be most welcome. Researchers work tireless to prepare our soldiers for combat with the enemy every day, but few of them could be said to possess more than an academic understanding of The Force." Not that anyone had successfully devised a new form of mathematics to account for everything -- or even part -- of what the Force was purportedly capable of achieving. Still, a long history of happy accidents had yielded materials providing resistance or nullification. Many such resources that were often quite expensive due to their rarity, and high demand.

Of course, Ala would be concerned about the optics of participation. She should be. Dominique would leave the extent of their involvement to her discretion -- though the Chancellor would, obviously, try to encourage more rather than less. "As this is a collaborative effort, however, I would be quite comfortable having legal documents drawn up. The sort ensuring anything developed through our combined efforts would not be used outside of the confines of the law at least." Not perhaps an iron clad reassurance, but under the circumstances excluding 'some' Jedi from the rest would provide quite challenging. "As Chancellor I could squash any suggestions by well-meaning," arguable, "Senators suggesting any inappropriate use of such facilities."

Ordinarily, Dominique would be quite happy to allow the other party to walk themselves into a bad deal. As Senator of Denon her position had always been that a company headquarterd on Denon would never force anyone to sell their planet to a corporation. On the other hand, if said planet willingly sold themselves to a corporation (one or many) what could a woman do? Deny them the freedom to make such a choice? However, in the interests of fostering deeper relations with her Jedi allies, Dominique would extend certain opportunities for them to accept (or decline) at their discretion.

Ala Quin​

 

[Ala Quin]

The balance of history was held on the battle field, in the war room...and in the offices of politicians. Ala could feel the weight of history, and the Force gave her view of alternate paths through which they could go from this point. Many of them lead to greener pastures, but some to far darker places than she dared dwell.

"Your wisdom is appreciated, Madam Chancellor," Ala said, conveying none of the dread she felt creeping in through the edges of her prescience.

"May the Force...and history...smile upon the path we have chosen," she said, a finality weighing down her words.

| Tag: Dominique Vexx | The End |​