Resolution

[Gerault Rush]

Coruscant First was a nationalist party, there was no denying that. Those in the upper echelons of the party's leadership though were pragmatic enough to recognize the need to participate in foreign affairs. Such a feat was easily attainable, despite what many may believe. The party had to pay close attention to their image though, with the Galactic Alliance painting them as extremist insurrectionists. If the party was to someday achieve it's goal while coexisting with the Alliance, they'd need an intermediary to help facilitate those discussions.

The High Queen of Commenor, Lady Kay, had agreed to travel to Coruscant to hear them out, albeit hesitantly so. Concerns were conveyed about their feature in IntelWars, Coruscant's state-sponsored media outlet. While no guarantees were made on either side what the outcome of the talks would be, discussions were the starting point for the potential further action, just as they would someday be with the Alliance if all went well.

[member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

An invitation to Coruscant. At first Kay had thought that her old friend [member="Jerolme Moore"] had sent it, given that she hadn't heard from him in a while. But no. This was not from the Governor's office. Instead it had come from a member of Coruscant First party. She frowned slightly, her thoughts shifting to what had been spread on the holonet lately, the outlandish lies and smearing of her governments good name. Maybe they had asked her there to apologize? There was always that possibility, however unlikely.

At the designated time and place, Kay had arrived on board the Free Lady, once her crew had received clearance to land. She was dressed in one of her finest, showcasing one of Commenori's colours. She wanted to put up a good appearance, and one that wasn't so intimidating. She had too much on her mind as it was with her husband's trial. Not to mention the actions of some of her Ministers, as well as the movements of other galactic powers.

This would be another distraction from it all. But a needed one.

[member="Gerault Rush"] [member="Apolline Wynver"]

 

[Gerault Rush]

Twas a mild day, a light drizzle falling from the skies. Fortunately the meeting would be held indoors, sheltered from the elements. As the Commenori ship descended onto the landing platform, two uniformed peace officers approached. The Office of the Mayor did have a security detail, but it was not as extravagant as other imperial or monarchic governments with ceremonial guards or specially outfitted security units. Tucking their necks in an effort to shield themselves from the strong winds from the ship's thrusters, they approached and simply turned away. As the engines audibly began to slow, they returned to face the ship, viewing the disembarking head of state of the Commenor Systems Alliance.

"Your majesty.", they both greeted with a polite nod. "Allow us to escort you to the Secretary's office."

------

"Your excellency, welcome to Coruscant, and welcome to City Hall.", Gerault said as he rounded his desk to greet the queen as she entered. "Thank you for coming."

"Please, take a seat.", he said, notioning to a small dining table in an open area of the office. While this was a formal visit, he wanted to be accommodating and friendly, and it was difficult to do so from a more formal approach.

"This is Assistant Attorney General Wynver.", he said, introducing her to the other woman at the table.

"Your arrival has us all very excited."

[member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay stepped down the ramp of her ship with three of her own guards. Like the ones that greeted her on the landing pad, hers were only in uniform as well. It was by her request that they not wear armour, even on the Royal Palace grounds. They were a government not at war, so it was best to look the part. Such a thing tended to put people at ease.

She bowed her head to her escorts, wrapping a lace shawl around her shoulders as she didn't quite take in account of the weather. "After you." Kay followed them, her own guards taking in the rear. She wasn't expecting trouble, but it wasn't as though she could go alone.


**********


Kay smiled and bowed her head to [member="Gerault Rush"] as he approached to greet her. He seemed a pleasant fellow, not at all what she was expecting. But again, appearances can be deceiving. "Thank you for the invitation." She made her way to the table and sat down, looking around for tea. Tea was always her crutch, her go-to in times of stress and whenever she was uncomfortable. It helped her to relax.

Her guards loitered around the back of the room, taking everything in. For them, it was their first visit to this city-planet. It was legendary.

She bowed her head to [member="Apolline Wynver"] as the two were introduced. "Lovely to meet you." Her hands folded themselves on the table. "What can I do for you? I take it that things are calmer now in this sector?" As far as she was aware, most of the battles took place in the southern territories.

 

[Apolline Wynver]

Apolline had been called by Mr. Rush to a meeting on Coruscant. Ah, this is why I love Galactic City so, she mused as a limousine speeder swept her to the location. I don’t even need to travel. Everyone comes to us.

The new Assistant Attorney General for Public Affairs wore a long black gown with a star-pattern on it, but if she had known she would be meeting a Queen, she may have embellished her outfit a bit more with jewelry or other accoutrements.

Once she arrived and settled in with Mr. Rush and the Commoner dignitary, she also peered around for refreshments. If none arrived soon, the intrepid holonews host had her own secret flask and of course designer pills.

The lawyer-turned-TV-host-turned politician was still getting used to her new role so she’d defer to Mr. Rush and only said, “Very lovely to meet you too, Mi’Lady.”

Though through gritted teeth she thought, what could be more common than Commenor?

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Gerault Rush"]

 

[Gerault Rush]

"Oh, calm would be nice.", Gerault began with an exasperated chuckle. "We're doing our best to distance ourselves, but the people are constantly reminded they live under the Alliance. You've no doubt heard of the demonstrations."

Those demonstrations have grown in frequency and passion the longer the Alliance stayed. Since the Zeradias Mant took to the office of the mayor, Coruscant First had been leading demonstrations to protest a number of grievances. The detention of the Mant, the continued support for Rupsin despite his proven corruption, but more than anything else, the unwillingness to even consider affording Coruscant their right to self-determination. It seemed there would be little chance of negotiation or concession, so the administration has decided that a new tactic would be needed. Coruscanti independence, true independence, could not be achieved without the Galactic Alliance at the table.

She did ask what she could do for them.

"Commenor has a repertoire for impartiality, one we believe you could use to assist us in our quest for independence.", he said, quite straightforwardly. "The right to self-determination is one that should be afforded to all, Coruscant included. We've long intended to establish a dialogue with the Alliance, however they've been quote opposed to participating in any such discussions. We were hoping you and the CSA could help facilitate these talks."

[member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded a little. Indeed she had heard of some of the demonstrations. However details were fleeting. She herself had been heavily distracted with her own trials and tribulations, not to mention the fact that due to their neutrality, Commenor was kept out of the politics of the rest of the Galaxy.

The idea of some people from Coruscant had wanted the world to become independant sounded all too familiar. There was no doubt that since the Alliance had moved it's Capital to their world, there was a fear that such a thing could leave the planet prone to attack by the Alliance's enemies. Nobody would want that on their planet.

Kay looked to [member="Apolline Wynver"] and then back to [member="Gerault Rush"] as he made his proposal. "We have had very little contact with the Alliance, which I'm sure is strange to hear given how close our territories are to one another. But I do have one contact." A long time ago, a Captain [member="Aryn Teth"] had visited the Force Praxeum outside of Chasin City for study, as well as to ask for military support. But Kay was unwilling to provide it. She wasn't willing to give up her neutral stance that had kept her people safe.

"I'll do what I can to establish some sort of talks between the two of you. However I do have a request of my own. A certain publication had been brought to my attention, one that falsely claimed my government to have given up our neutrality. I'd like to have that corrected please, and no more of it's nature published about us. The Galaxy needs stability, even if it's just a small pocket of it. I intend to maintain that stability for as long as possible."

 

[Apolline Wynver]

There was always some outside government or another sweeping into the Core and proclaiming themselves the saviors of the galaxy. Didn’t a planet as advanced as Coruscant have a right to stand on its own without the Galactic Alliance limping around as though it cared at all about their majestic city. That bluster was a pile of stinking bantha poodoo.

“Coruscant has over 1 trillion residents according to the latest census, most of them human.” She had to add that little tidbit. They were all human here, weren’t they? “We are interested in neutrality and independence like Commoner and not being dragged into the Alliance’s petty beefs. If we had to defend ourselves, there’s always conscription.” With the sheer amount of people and resources, the ecumenopolis would prevail against any aggressors.

Apolline leaned in closer, her flandorian flower perfume reminiscent of the famous yearly Coruscant Shaldania Parade. She moved her datapad closer and poised her slender fingers over the keys as though she were about to type.

“May I quote you, Your Majesty? I used to host the Holonews Program, Core Values, and I can certainly book a spot as a guest speaker tonight to correct that slanderous rumor. Would you give me permission to use your words, Mi’Lady? Or better yet, I can book you as a guest if you prefer and the galaxy can hear it in your own words."

Apolline glanced at Mr. Rush awaiting his cue as to whether that was the right or the wrong thing to say.

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Gerault Rush"]

 

[Gerault Rush]

Gerault nodded as the Commenori queen conveyed a willingness to assist in establishing that dialogue. However, it didn't come without conditions. His nodding of acknowledgement and approval ceased when she went on to express her concerns and desired resolution. Gerault pursed his lips as Apolline mentioned conscription. While it could theoretically be feasible, it didn't necessarily coincide with immediate party goals. Still though, he didn't speak on the matter. A mutual desire for cooperation eased any concern that the Commenori queen would leak any such statement to the media. Not only would it have been poor form to do so, but she seemed disinterested in a media war.

"Yes, I know which you're speaking of. Atlan Jonus is not an unreasonable man.", he started. "From my understanding, his conclusion was reached in that your defense minister opted to fight alongside Sith against the Free Worlds Coalition, albeit without CSA resources. Such action was taken while serving as an incumbent cabinet official, and it's not totally out of the realm of possibility that your appointee's feelings would align with your own. I wouldn't presume to be close to the issue, but I don't recall hearing of reprimand or dismissal as a result. Inaction is complicity."

As he spoke, Apolline chimed in as if on cue, offering a remedy to the situation. Gerault nodded approvingly, not sure if Jonus would compromise on his 'journalistic integrity' to appease a foreign national. An appearance on Core Values would do well to clarify.

[member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay crossed her feet at the ankles under the table, raising a brow slightly at the idea of conscription."With all due respect, if you have to conscript the citizens in order to get them to fight for you, then you don't yet have their support. Conscription doesn't help any cause. It only brews uprisings."

She looked to [member="Gerault Rush"] . "His conclusion was reached prematurely without any factchecking. I don't own my Ministers or their lives. What they do on their requested time off is not for me to dictate. I had assumed that she was dealing with matters pertaining to her business. Not in pursuing vengeance. The head of my Naval Fleet was on the ground protecting Alderaan and he was attacked by the people that she fought with. I was not as up to speed on what was happening as I've been preoccupied by my husband's trial. She had resigned and I was going to have her arrested when she was killed right in front of me. Given all that and more, I haven't had any free time to talk to the media."

She gave an inward sigh, not entirely certain of how best to go about it. Remain longer for an interview, or to allow [member="Apolline Wynver"] quote her here. Kay didn't really know how the people in the Core thought. For a long time they were under Sith control and now the Alliance, with some vying for neutrality. It was very much different from the atmosphere of her own people. "Whichever you think is best for it to be corrected will be fine by me."

 

[Apolline Wynver]

“Oh but conscription is part of Coruscant’s history. The New Republic relied upon it in 25 ABY presumably to combat the Yuuzan Vong, though the NRDF ended up losing that battle. I would not rule it out Queen Kay. I know plenty of brave men and women who would gladly serve to defend the jewel of the core.”

While Queen Kay was an attractive human woman, was she media-ready? Did she even want to appear on the holonews? It was difficult for Apolline to tell. And the Core Values’s pundits tended to be a little on the fire and brimstone side.

“How about this. I’ll quote you here and we’ll do a special editorial piece on it and if you would like to come onto Core Values for more of a debate you give me a call. Our debates tend to be… lively. Both sides of the coin and all.”

Apolline drummed her short, manicured nails against the white tablecloth. “If you would elaborate on your husband’s trial, and who is this Minister that was murdered? While I’m not going to try and persuade you, the commotion in your life would be of high interest to our audience.”

While Core Values was not a tabloid organization, Miss Wynver still owned a huge stake in the company and anything to raise the ratings and thus the advertising sales was extremely welcome.

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Gerault Rush"]

 

[Gerault Rush]

Gerault nodded in acknowledgement as Kay spoke. He didn't agree with her assessment in the slightest, but she was their guest, and one who would hopefully assist their mission. Even though it was morally the right thing to do, he wasn't going to indulge a minor quarrel which might jeopardize the mayor's agenda.

Wynver continued to speak on the topic of conscription, and while she wasn't wrong about the history of it on the planet, she was thoroughly misguided if she thought that it was on the table for this administration. Where be held his tongue earlier, he didn't have the patience to do so now.

"Conscription, yes, does have its history on Coruscant. This administration is not considering it, nor is it likely to ever consider it in the future.", he said with a measured voice. She continued with the plugs for Core Values though, if not to offer a swift resolution to the issue at hand, to boost ratings. Debates with the leader of a faction which would potentially help them in their mission would not be suitable for a debate though. Debates were had with rivals over key points of discussion.

"A debate is not necessary.", he answered for the Commenori queen. "A discussion perhaps, to familiarize the people of Coruscant first with our Commenori neighbors as well as clear up any...confusion."

By no means was he shutting anything down, but he was the government's chief diplomat. Whereas others may not mince words, it was Gerault's job to be diplomatic.

[member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Just because an idea was done in the past, even if popular, it doesn't make it right. Much like slavery. Just the very thought of people being forced to do something against their will irked her greatly. She knew fully well of what it was like to have someone use invisible chains to control her. Rebelling just brought death to those that she loved. She didn't want anyone else to go through that either. It was a difficult pain to bear.

Kay held up her hand a little, shaking her head to [member="Apolline Wynver"] at the mention of a debate. And it seemed that [member="Gerault Rush"] had felt the same way about it. "Right. There is no need for a debate. Discussions are far more beneficial for both sides."

Yet she needed to clear the air and not have her people's good name be dragged into the mud even further. "The Minister that was murdered was Amelia Sorenn-Syrush. I believe that it was for the bounty as her body was taken. I was being pulled away for safety, so I couldn't see who had done it. And as for my husband's trial...I can't go into detail until after the trial is over. But a while after he had relinquished his crown and title of King, he had commited a crime against one of our worlds. He has since been arrested and held in solitary until the trial is concluded and judgement passed." She hoped that it would be a judgement that she could live with. Even though what had happened wasn't her fault, she still felt partly responsible.

 

[Gerault Rush]

"So it is settled.", Gerault said with a polite smile. The queen would have her outlet to set the record straight, and maker willing, the Alliance would be brought to the table to discuss a path to independence. Idle chatter was not something particularly enjoyed, so he motioned to bring the meeting to a natural close.

"Ms. Wynver will be in contact to coordinate your appearance on her program.", he said as he rose from his seat, he offered his hand. If the Commenori queen were able to keep her word in reaching out to Teth on behalf of the party, it would be a significant achievement, one which could very well lead to a peaceful resolution to these many months of tension. "Please do not hesitate to contact me directly regarding the results of your outreach to Teth."

As if on cue, the door had opened and the three officials would be on about different business for the remainder of the day.

"Again, many thanks for coming, and do enjoy the rest of your time on Coruscant."

[member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Lady Kay"]​

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded, agreeing that the matters were on their way towards being settled. All of it was handled in a good way. No arguing, no name calling. Instead both were looking to get what they wanted. If only other governments could do the same thing. It'd be a much more peaceful Galaxy.

But of course that was a pipe dream. The super powers in the Galaxy would hardly hear a word that she would say, let alone listen to her. It was nothing to fret about though. She had peace in her corner of the Galaxy and that was all that mattered to her.

She got to her feet, taking hold of [member="Gerault Rush"] 's offered and and giving it another firm yet soft shake. "Thank you for taking the time. I do hope that it works well for all parties involved. I'll certainly do what I can." Hopefully the demonstrations would lessen. But she held no control over any of that.

Kay then bowed her head to [member="Apolline Wynver"] . "I look forward to hearing from you soon. Take care, both of you." She had no intention of overstaying her welcome. So without further adieu, she took her leave. Coruscant was a very busy planet. It should be simple enough for her to get offworld without hassle.