Private Raising up Ra'katha

[Alkor Centaris]

Mere days after the vicious scolding that the Viceroyalty received from the Vicelord and his Exarchs, the leaders of the Southern Systems dispersed back to their worlds with a fog of doubt shrouding their path forward. Some Viceroys took it as a harbinger of ill tidings, and others had deigned instead of offering retort to focus their attention on the future. One such Viceroy was Kemotar of Ra'Katha, a new member of the Confederacy and a voice that spoke out to suggest new legislation.

Alkor made a point of assuring men with good ideas knew that they did not go unheard. He arrived today on the world without sending ahead to tell them of his business. When he touched down, a select few members of the Viceroy's own entourage were informed, as well as the man himself.

He was not one to stand on ceremony, and while he dressed in finery and represented Isley with dignity Alkor did not want to be received in any especially lavish manner. This was business, and it was for the people of Ra'Katha and the Kemotar.

"Exarch," the man who greeted him bowed low. "We had no idea you were coming. What business brings you here?"

"I have come to speak with Bastille Rommer on matters of state," he answered. "Do not worry, it has nothing to do with the recently announced Inquisition."

 

[Bastille Rommer]

Alkor Centaris
​

Since Ra'Katha had opened up themselves to the galaxy once more, many changes had taken place on the once-isolated desert planet. Free lessons in galactic basic had been provided by the Kemotat, to the point where higher-level officials and workers in the Palace of Saltuhn could speak it almost fluently. The Kuhmrun ce'Tihra had been hard at work revamping Ra'Katha's industry, finances, and infrastructure all in the name of creating more wealth for its people and intergalactic power within the galaxy, and their works were shown in the new modern buildings that had begun to rise throughout the skyline of Saltuhn, including a newly-constructed spaceport that had begun to service the increasing departures and arrivals from the desert planet.

"Mva'Kemotar," A servant spoke in Wan'ante. Bastille was standing in his personal study, a cozier setting than the massive throne room of the Palace. A single arched window presented itself as a means of cooling from the heat of Ra'Katha's unyielding sun, and the Kemotar stood now with his hands on the balcony, facing out towards the heart of the city. Hearing the servant's call, he turned around to see a courier standing before him, and nodded to indicate that he may speak. "Exarch Alkor Centaris has just arrived, and wishes to speak with you," the man continued.

Bastille tilted his head in curiosity. The first and last time he'd recalled seeing the man was at the conveyance of the Viceroyalty not so long ago, in which the Confederacy's head of state had announced an inquisition into every level of government. It had to be coincidental at best, Bastille knew, since Ra'Katha had done next to nothing to look or be guilty of any sort of treason to the Confederacy. The relationship between the desert planet and the intergalactic nation was one of mutually beneficial interests, and Bastille had never seen anything that would change that. His curiosity piqued, he motioned for the courier to go. "Escort Exarch Centaris to my study, and ensure that his commute is as comfortable as possible. In the meantime, I would like two cups of tea from the kitchens to be sent up here, if you would be so kind," Bastille said in Wan'ante to the courier, who gave a polite bow and left Bastille alone once again. The Kemotar and Viceroy of Ra'Katha turned back to his window view, Saltuhn's spaceport a distance gleam of light and metal. Whatever the reason was, Exarch Centaris had surely been compelled to come to Ra'Katha for some reason.

And whatever reason that was, Bastille had a slight feeling that it boded well for his homeworld.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

Word arrived with haste that he should be ushered to the Kemotar's study, and the small group of people surrounding him quickly dwindled down to one. He got a good look at the city's skyline as they moved from the spaceport and the distinct sounds of innovation and industry resounded. It was a different planet from the first time he had seen it, ravaged by vagabonds and teetering on the fringes of chaos.

Their Kemotar acted in benevolence with the interests of his culture and people growing at the forefront of his mission. It was a vision he shared with the Vicelord, albeit on a scale far less grand.

Every journey began with a single step.

They arrived quietly and ahead of them, someone had brought two warm cups of tea. Alkor thanked the courier for showing him the way. "Viceroy Rommer," he greeted as the door slowly closed behind him. He moved to greet the man with a firm handshake.

"The Vicelord had some interest in hearing my thoughts on how Ra'Katha has adapted to Confederate life. I trust you have found your time among as part of the Viceroyalty a change of pace? Hopefully one most welcome?"

Bastille Rommer

 

[Bastille Rommer]

Alkor Centaris
​

Bastille returned the handshake to the Exarch with a grip that was firm, but not uncomfortably tight or unwillingly lax. Shaking hands was not the customary means of introduction on Ra'Katha; many different hand gestures, greetings, and signs were used in societal engagement, depending on one's gender, class, and rank in the Dejoka'ar. Yet, this Exarch knew nothing of Ra'Katha nor its customs, and Bastille did not fault him for it. He himself was unaware of every planet's individual quirks and traits, of which he assumed there were many. And so he and Exach Centaris relegated formalities to the universal handshake, a message of friendship and mutual respect, even if not sincerely intended.

While the Exarch spoke, Bastille took a long draught from his own cup of Shajamai Tea, letting the pleasuring aroma and soothing quality of the herbal drink sharpen his mind and calm his fears. The drink was as popular on Ra'Katha as the bitter Caf that offworlders everywhere seemed to enjoy. Yet Bastille could not bring himself to drink such a displeasing beverage -- the taste stuck in his mouth for hours after he had consumed it, and there was nothing exceptional about it. Shajamai Tea, on the other hand, was something of true quality and daresay beauty, and despite having full and unrestricted access to it, Bastille still savored any drop.

"Ra'Katha's addition to the Confederacy's large category of worlds has been of most benefit to us. We once again have a partner in trade and a customer to seek our vast reserves of raw materials. With these profits, we have been able to implement many much-needed infrastructural improvements to Ra'Katha," he said with a vague wave out the arched window into the sun-basked city, "as I'm sure you saw on your arrival here. As wealth has poured in, civil unrest has quieted, and not even the Wan'anteen tribes have found any offense to take up arms against. I am most grateful that my planet is in the thoughts of the Vicelord and his Exarchs, for people with so much to have on their mind," Bastille replied with grace and charm. "And I must give you my personal congratulations on your promotion to Exarch, Alkor Centaris. I have no doubt that you harbor the wisdom, avarice, and skill that influenced the Viceclord to ascend you to your position."

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"It has come a long way in a short time," he commented once Bastille finished his brief synopsis of the growth of Ra'Katha. "Some of the primary reports about your world's induction iterated something of a rocky transition. It is good to hear that the dissatisfaction of the people abated quickly."

He took a sip of the tea and critiqued the flavor in silence for a moment. It was not hard liquor or cheap swill, but it had an enjoyable taste to it. Alkor had grown accustomed to the harder things life had to offer, so an opportunity to partake of something gentler was not always horrible.

"I thank you for your kind words, Kemotar," he managed a smile. "The Vicelord has very specific goals in mind with each of his Exarchs. In my case, the Vicelord chose me because I have a proclivity for taking action and making things happen."

Alkor placed the teacup down and laced his fingers. "To that end, I wished to follow up with you about the motion you made during the last session of the Viceroyalty. Concerning the health and well-being of the citizenry. What steps have you taken on Ra'Katha to institute such measures?"

Bastille Rommer

 

[Bastille Rommer]

Alkor Centaris
​

"Ra'Katha is much more prepared to handle any medical crisis than it was, although I will admit that we still fall far behind of what I hope to yet achieve," Bastille allowed as he set down his cup of tea, still steaming, on the wooden table aside him. Unlike most worlds, wood was a very precious accomody on Ra'Katha - furniture made of it was often a sign of wealth or influence. It was no wonder, then that the palace of the Kemotar was filled with wooden furniture.

With his tea set aside, Bastille now turned his full attention to the Exarch, facing him squarely. "Change is being made, but slowly. Ra'Katha has two major sources of income - our vast reserves of ore, which he had begun to tap into, and trade. But both require ample amounts of infrastructure, and coin to build that infrastructure, which of both Ra'Katha, unfortunately, lacks," Bastille said. He had realized that it would be much more prudent to be honest with Ra'Kathas successes, and its shortcomings as well, than try to boast of riches and successes that Bastille did not yet have.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

"I'll address the most immediate of concerns for you before I go any further," Alkor responded immediately when Bastille mentioned the world's lack of infrastructure and coin. "The tariffs in question, and the subsequent effects on trade outside the Confederacy. It was a premeditated action, one that makes a statement. By penalizing external goods coming in, we seek to decrease reliance on foreign assets. I understand that limits the number of trading partners Ra'Katha has, but strategically, it also forces the rest of the Galaxy to fully understand what it has lost by the Confederacy pulling back and away."

He reached for his datapad and brought up a stream of numbers, the Ministry of Commerce's real time monitoring of the Galactic, and the Confederacy's internal economies. That would make it easier for both men to cross-reference as the Exarch spoke. "We made the decision to execute on Confederacy First knowing that growth would suffer a blow and fiscal gain would plateau or bottom out in the short term. This isn't a move that we are looking to gut ourselves with. Our goal is to breed a sustainable Confederacy that trades internally and ultimately does not need, but can benefit from the Galaxy at Large. There are hundreds of systems still readily available to Ra'Katha, and I can facilitate meetings for you if you haven't had the chance to exchange with other Viceroys on the matter. Knowing that and bearing it in mind, I will shift gears and address Ra'Katha itself, which is ultimately our prime concern today."

He left the datapad on the table so that the Kemotar could continue review if he so pleased. Alkor then folded his hands. "Frankly, the Viceroyalty meetings are discordant. Members talk loudly over one another, and until we recently put an end to reactive sessions in favor of a forward facing approach to leadership, we saw things that were tabled without prior conversation and voted on haphazardly.

My goal is to end the tiresome bureaucracy by placing each Viceroy on the same page. You are the mind behind, and the voice of Ra'Katha. Your decision, for your world, is law. I am here to empower you to act on behalf of your people. While it is noble to draw up ideas to benefit the whole Confederacy, each world is sovereign and maintains the right to decide for themselves what is to their ultimate benefit.

So I suggest this- a medical system that benefits the Ra'Kathan people, paid for by Ra'Katha and overseen by Ra'Katha. If you need financial assistance from the Ministry of Commerce to make a transition to that effect, I can assure that the proper people are in touch with you.

Instead of a vote that gets tied up and goes nowhere, I would ask you to make Ra'Katha a flagship world and lead by example."

Bastille Rommer

 

[Bastille Rommer]

Alkor Centaris
​

"I thank you for your kind words, Exarch, and will keep them in mind. Although I am no magician, I do believe that such a medical system, among many others, is achievable on Ra'Katha. If it is the Vicelord and yours wish that Ra'Katha is to lead the Confederacy forward by example, then I will endeavor to do so," Bastille said with a gratuitous smile. When the Exarch had arrived, Bastille was sure of the fact that the man had wanted something of him or his planet. But the request for Bastille to lead Ra'Katha in enacting his own proposed, yet struck down legislation was a request that had surprised Bastille, at the very least. Later, perhaps, he would be able to see the double meaning behind this, if there was one. But for now, if the Exarch was going to offer a hand of friendship, Bastille could see no reason why not to take it.

"Will you be staying further, Exarch Centaris, or do you have other matters to attend to? I assure you, the palace has no shortage in comfortable accommodations, if you so wish," Bastille asked with all the composure of a graceful host. It would not be a very good move to accept the Exarch's offer and then spurn him out of the palace.