Faction Speak Softly (ME)

[Adelle Bastiel]

Sundari, Mandalore
Tags: Aether Verd | Mia Monroe | Sidonia | Renn Vizsla | Vytal Noctura | Jonah | Aselia Verd

The Mand’alor called.

Adelle walked briskly through the halls of the Sundari palace, her Mandalorian guide escorting her to the War Room. More fortress than palace, her bootsteps echoed in the stone corridors. Phantom lay draped around her shoulders, reveling the recent addition of the Iron Lord’s furred cloak. Adelle had cleaned and polished her own armor, the matte black gleaming dully. Less than a week had gone by after she sent her second report and the security holocam footage to Aether. The Mand’alor had summoned a council meeting in short order. As she lived outside of Mandalorian space, ambassador that she was, she was the last to arrive to the war council.

The stone doors swung open silently, the leaders and advisors of the Mandalorian Empire waiting inside. Around the table stood Warmaster Monroe, Warden Viszla, Warmaster Noctura, Warden Sidonia, Field Marshal Jonah Verd. At the Mand’alor’s side, Aselia’s familiar red armor eased some of the tension Adelle felt.

Adelle removed her buy’ce and gave a nod to the Mand’alor then took her place behind her seat as the doors were shut behind her. At his command, she settled into CorSec’s parade rest, fists resting at the small of her back with her feet shoulder-width apart, and began the briefing.

“Approximately two weeks ago, Warden Varanin was approached by an unidentified person claiming to be a Jedi outside the Embassy,” she said. “The conversation turned aggressive, with the alleged Jedi physically blocking Warden Varanin’s path before disappearing into the crowd. About one week ago, three Jedi entered the Embassy and marched into the Warden’s office without an appointment. The conversation became tense and relations strained to the point Warden Varanin felt it wise to press the panic button installed under her desk. Each of you has been provided with a copy of the security reports and the security holocam footage for both incidents.”

Adelle resisted the urge to stretch her neck and roll her shoulders, clenching her fists tighter instead. “Prior to the second incident, Ambassador Abrantes made assurances that the High Republic is conducting their own investigation into the first incident, as well as informing me that the Jedi had access to the Accords upon their ratification. And that they were well aware that Warden Varanin is a protected diplomatic entity. While the Order is a recognized, independent peacekeeping organization, they have no judicial authority within the High Republic and so are subject to following all laws and protocols regarding due process.

“In their… spontaneous meeting with Warden Varanin, the Jedi claimed to have wanted an open conversation and that they sought clarity as to the Warden’s purpose on Naboo.” As if it hadn’t been evident by Quinn’s publicly available status as Queen of Eshan and Mandalorian Warden, as well as the Accords. “Warden Varanin answered truthfully—that she was present as a protected diplomat of the Mandalorian Empire and fulfilling the responsibilities required of her.”

“The Jedi found the answer unsatisfactory, and continued to press until Warden Varanin became distressed and summoned security. They claimed they weren’t Republic representatives and broke etiquette, either accidentally or deliberately.”

That had left a sour taste in her mouth for the masked Jedi. Knowingly or not, she had found his farewell both condescending and disrespectful.

“As of yet, I haven’t heard from either Ambassador Abrantes or High Chancellor Vex on this matter or the Republic’s investigation,” she finished. “It is my recommendation that we at least escalate this to the High Chancellor with the appropriate sanctions.”

“What is the will of the War Council?”

 

[Jonah]

Jonah should have put money on it.

He recalled, many moons ago, a quiet conversation he had with his sibling. It was not one of the reports he formally made as Warmaster to the Mand'alor, but rather an elder brother giving his younger sibling some advice. When Aether had first considered working with the High Republic, Jonah had strongly opposed it. His reasoning? The Jedi were a wild card. No matter what agreements a so-called democracy made, so long as their "peacekeepers" were running rampant, there was no guarantee that their word would be bond.

And now, after the Second Treaty's ink had hardly dried, the Jedi were showing their asses. Jonah saw it for what it was: a test to see just how domesticated the Mandalorian Empire seemingly was. The Mand'alor had become known for his restraint. He had given the Diarchy many months of rope before the infamous crucifixion, in fact. So now? The Jedi wanted to see just how far they could toe the line.

After all, if they could harass a literal diplomat, what was next? How long until their very way of life was in the crosshairs?

After Lord Bastiel gave her report, Jonah's gaze moved from her countenance to those present.

"One would think that the Jedi, of all people, know better...given the High Republic's current predicament. Two Sith nations are on their borders, and yet their Jedi decide to slap our Warden in the face? Twice? Either their Jedi don't believe that we are a credible threat to the High Republic or they're itching for conflict with us for reasons beyond me." The Warmaster shook his head for a moment. "If nothing else, they need to be reminded that Mandalore is not to be trifled with."

Jonah's gaze then moved to the Mand'alor.

"I don't suppose you have any spare crosses lying around?"

Tag: Adelle Bastiel , Aselia Verd , Sidonia , Vytal Noctura , Renn Vizsla , Mia Monroe

 

[Aselia Verd]

Aselia watched Adelle with her blue eyes, attentive to both her and Phantom. Aselia had heard some of it from Adelle herself, but the footage had been all the more damning. She sat at Aether’s right, her crimson buy'ce sat on the table in front of her, her red hair pulled back and out of her face, her expression set in a way that did not conceal her anger, but she did mask how deep it went beneath the surface. She had listened to every word of the report without interruption; her siblings would know she was ready to draw blood over this.

Jonah’s reaction wasn’t unexpected. If anything, it mirrored what many in the room were already thinking. Aselia’s gaze shifted briefly in his direction as he spoke, acknowledging him without interrupting. She felt it partly, but she was not quite ready to write off the Republic just yet.

When he finished, she let out a breath, then brought her gauntlet up. The display flickered to life, projecting the holocam footage in a tight field between them. She scrubbed through it with practiced precision, isolating the moments that mattered rather than replaying the whole incident. The approach. The obstruction. The escalation inside the office. When Lorn Reingard and Zark San Tekka came fully into frame, she stopped it there.

Her finger hovered over the display for a fraction of a second before she lowered her hand slightly, leaving the image visible.

“Those two,” Aselia said, her voice even, controlled, but carrying an edge. Quinn was family, and she had been hurt. Not physically perhaps, but not all pain was visible, she knew that all too well. Her eyes looked around the table at them all.

“As typical, this is the Jetii acting out of place, we all know that,” she said. “These two have decided they are above their own laws, that they don’t have to follow the same rules as everyone else.” There was a quiet venom in her words, as if she was already signing the death warrant of those men, and truly she wished it so. “They knew who Quinn was, they knew what protections were in place, yet they chose to ignore it anyway.”

“We don’t answer that by burning the Republic, at least not at this stage, but I am not ready to rule it out.” Aselia continued, her tone firm now, grounded in both certainty and anger. “This was a humiliation not just of a warden, but of the Empire as a whole.” She paused briefly, allowing everyone to take her words to heart. “We cannot let this go unanswered. Jonah is correct.”

“I propose we deliver our terms to the Republic. They answer for it.” There was no embellishment, no attempt to dress it up. “The two Jetii, are punished by the High Republic. Publicly and loudly, our call for justice must be satisfied.”

“If they do that, this ends here,” she said. “If they don’t…” She let the sentence hang for a fraction of a second before finishing it without changing her tone. “Then we come for them ourselves, only this time we won't be asking. And we will not be as forgiving as the Republic either.”

“If the Republic decides to refuse,” Aselia added, quieter now but no less certain, “Then that means the Republic has decided to make us an enemy, and so be it. Either way, a price will be paid.”


TAG: Adelle Bastiel Aether Verd Jonah Sidonia Vytal Noctura Renn Vizsla Mia Monroe
​

 

[Mia Monroe]

None of this was unexpected.

The Jedi had never been smart. It didn’t matter what nation they worked within or without, they were always too tempted by the idea of being the hero. Placing Quinn as Warden of Eshan and then allowing her to stay within the Embassy on Naboo was the equivalent of dangling a ysalamiri in front of a voxyn. The Jedi would tear their own limbs off to get at her if they could.

Mia sat back in her chair, eyes on the datapad scanning the footage as Adelle gave her report. The simplest solution would be to remove the problem, to have Quinn return to Eshan and limit her movement on Naboo to official events only, but that was the equivalent to surrender and that was never going to happen.

She let out a small breath of a laugh, the corner of her mouth rising at Jonah’s suggestion and shook her head. Aselia’s response was equally charged, if a little more controlled. For them this wasn’t just a diplomatic incident, this was personal. This was family. And that made everything all the more complicated.

“A price will be paid…” she echoed quietly sitting forward, finally setting down the datapad and looking up at Adelle, gesturing to the seat she was standing behind, inviting her to be at ease and to sit.

“The Jedi should never have been allowed entry to the Embassy without a prior appointment. First and foremost, we should review the Embassy’s security and then Warden Varanin’s.” Her finger trailed along the footage to freeze at her guard's rather dramatic entrance, her finger tapping once on the screen. “I notice that her chosen guardian was not present until it was too late. Quinn should have been under better protection after the first incident, never mind this one. So her security gets tightened until the Jedi learn their place.”

Her head titled slightly in thought. “It doesn’t matter what the Republic does, asking them to step in would be a waste of time. If they had any semblance of control over the Jedi; if the Jedi had any respect for the Accords, then this incident would not have happened.”

Sapphire eyes moved to Aselia. “We can ask, it would be the correct route where diplomacy is concerned, but I have very little faith that anything will come of it. Jedi have always seen themselves as above the law.”

Her gaze moved to Jonah, the shadow of a smile crossing her face. “Tempting as it might be to nail a zealot to a cross, I wouldn’t recommend it. We’d just be playing into their hands and giving them justification to act further.”

She sat back with a sigh, letting her gaze settle on Aether. “Summon the Jedi Council. We deal with them directly, see what they have to say for themselves and act accordingly. If they want to act as a separate body to the Republic, then we treat them as such. We can notify Ambassador Abrantes as a courtesy, but we take resolution of the matter into our own hands.”


Aether Verd Aselia Verd Jonah Adelle Bastiel Vytal Noctura Renn Vizsla Sidonia

 

[Aether Verd]

Wearing:
Beskar'gam - Darksaber​

WAR COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MANDALORE

Mandalore's fingers drummed upon the table.

His visage, ever obscured by helm, narrowed in thought. The warriors he had chosen to aide him in leading the Mandalorian Empire shared a number of similar reactions to his own. In terms of what was considered standard etiquette between nations, the High Republic had crossed a line. In terms of what was considered permissible by Mandalorian standards? The High Republic had leaped over said line.

However, this very situation was one that Aether anticipated being a powder keg from the very beginning. Though his filial affection and shared history with Quinn Varanin was a well-known factor at this point, he had to set aside emotion and look upon this matter as Sole Ruler. And from that vantage point?

He sighed.

"If Diarch Reign replaced Sibylla as High Republic Ambassador, wouldn't our response be similar to the Jetii? Suspicion? Confrontation?"

His fingers continued to drum upon the table as he formed his thoughts.

"We must be realistic when it comes to this problem. The Jetii crossed the line, yes, and the High Republic will answer for it. But let us not forget what our Warden represents to their midst. She is a tangible reminder to the Jetii of their failures. A reminder that, for all the supposed 'good' they bring the Galaxy, the Sith thrive in spite of them. And now she sits in their front lawn, rendered untouchable by Mandalore."

"If our natural enemy wore the gilded protection of Naboo to stall our wrath, I can only imagine what incidents we'd have on our plates. That being said..."

His fingers ceased their motion. His helm moved, T-visor resting briefly upon each of their faces.

"We need a solution that permanently resolves this issue. Mandalore will not stand for the honor of our Warden being sullied. But we need to think beyond nails and crosses, as much as I would love to indulge my siblings. How can we ensure that this never happens again?"

The question was also their assignment: find the answer.

Adelle Bastiel , Aselia Verd , Jonah , Mia Monroe

 

[Siv Kryze]

.​

WAR COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MANDALORE​

​

Siv Kryze did not speak when the report ended.

He stood at the edge of the chamber, hands clasped behind his back, posture rigid with the discipline expected of a son of Clan Kryze and Warden of Concordia. His gaze moved from one voice to the next, weighing not just their words, but the intent beneath them. Adelle Bastiel 's precision. Jonah 's sharpened anger. Aselia Verd s restrained fury. Mia Monroe 's calculated pragmatism. And, above them all, the Mand'alor Aether Verd —measured, controlled, enduring.

Siv remained still until the room settled. Silence, when used correctly, carried authority of its own.

Then he stepped forward.

"The facts are not in dispute," Siv began, his voice even, controlled, carrying cleanly through the chamber. "A Mandalorian Warden—protected under the Accords—was confronted, obstructed, and pressured. Not once, but twice. By individuals who understood exactly what those protections meant."

His gaze swept across the council, steady and unyielding.

"That is not ignorance. That is a decision." A brief pause followed. "Mandalore is not a power to be tested at convenience. We stand as equals among the great powers of this galaxy—no less than the Diarchy, no less than the Republic. If we allow ourselves to be treated as lesser, then we invite further disrespect. That is not something Clan Kryze—or Mandalore—will tolerate."

His tone remained calm, but there was steel beneath it. "Good relations are not built on tolerance alone. They are built on mutual respect. The moment one side begins to act as though it stands above the other, that balance is broken." His eyes shifted briefly toward the Mand'alor. "And when that balance breaks, we must be prepared to defend our standing. Not with impulse. Not with theatrics. But with clarity and resolve."

Siv straightened slightly, his presence firm.

"We are Mandalorians. We are not defined by petty squabbles or reactionary displays. We are strongest when we stand on our own strength—when our actions are deliberate, not driven by provocation."

A final pause, measured.

"Give the Republic the opportunity to correct this. That is the proper path. But let there be no uncertainty in what follows if they fail."

His voice lowered, resolute.

"Respect is not requested. It is maintained. And if it is denied to us… then we will ensure it is understood."

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Tags: Aether Verd | Mia Monroe | Aselia Verd | Jonah | Siv Kryze

She had expected the crucifixion jokes but Adelle hadn’t anticipated the way it still made her stomach tie itself in knots. Her jaw clenched a little and the fists behind her back tightened into white-knuckled grips but she wasn’t about to show how deep that act had affected her. Some of her nightmares now featured the ringing sound of a hammer striking a nail.

Phantom bumped her head against Adelle’s cheekbone. <<Here. No ghosts.>>

Aselia’s anger burned, palpable even without Adelle’s empathic abilities. It brought her attention away from the bloody crucifixions but not in a good way. Seeing that edge, feeling that fire from someone so close to her brought up old memories. Bad ones. Adelle didn’t want to associate those with Aselia. She didn’t want to believe Aselia capable of that kind of thing. But experience was a cruel and thorough teacher.

At Monroe’s gesture, Adelle took her seat, listening to the Warmaster. Of the three responses so far, hers was the most measured. Something Adelle hadn’t really expected from Monroe.

Or from Aether. He’d already given warning to the Republic through his instruction to her. The limits of his restraint had already been tested by the Diarchy. And Quinn was his family.

She nearly jumped when Warden Kryze spoke up. She hadn’t seen him before now. Her datapad chimed softly with an alert. Adelle glanced down at it—Sibylla. She skimmed through the message while Kryze gave his input and advice. Something Sib said made her furrow her brow. She began to draft a message to the Embassy’s administrative staff. When Siv finished, Adelle set the datapad aside and looked at Warmaster Monroe.

“I will take responsibility for the failures of security,” she said. “Before the first confrontation, those that had business at the Embassy were allowed to make appointments in person at the front desk, after they had been checked in and gone through security. Afterwards, I elevated security to DEFCON 3. It… had been my experience that Jedi worked with the governments they served and within the laws they uphold.”

Her comlink chirped now. Adelle frowned and ignored it.

“As far as Warden Varanin’s security detail, I’d instructed her to bring her own personal security team in and granted them the clearance they needed. However, I left their deployment and instructions up to Varanin’s discretion. I am… unsure why her head of security was absent from the Embassy during the second incident.” Adelle shifted as Phantom hopped down to the table then into her lap, and turned her attention to the Mand’alor. The comlink beeped again. “I have been and am currently in communication with Ambassador Abrantes regarding this. Prior to the second incident, we had been discussing what the appropriate way to handle the Jedi’s concerns looked like, and potential consequences for any breaches of protocol. Right now, I’m trying to see if there’s any way to expedite their b—” Adelle cut herself off, thinking better of the word about to escape. “Their beauracracy.”

The comlink chirped insistently now, a call attempting to be made. The frequency was the Embassy’s. They knew she’d been summoned to Aether’s council and that she was to be contacted for emergencies only. The Embassy had better be under attack or someone had better be dead.

“Excuse me, I need to take this,” Adelle said. She stood from her seat and left the war room quickly.



The call didn’t take long. Adelle re-entered, trying to keep herself composed even as she ground her teeth. Of all the news she could have received, it wasn’t the worst news possible but it certainly wasn’t great. She tossed the comlink onto the table and took a seat, then rested her elbows on the table as she placed her head in her hands.

“A clerical error,” she said. For a moment, that was all she could think to say before explaining. “The Echani clerk fielding the meeting request put it on Warden Varanin’s schedule for her time on Eshan, not the Embassy.”

Adelle lifted her head from her hands, sitting back in her seat. “I will be receiving the relevant files and logs shortly, but that was the supervisor for the Echani administrative staff. She said the request had originally been made to meet with the Warden on Eshan but changed to the Embassy when they learned that Warden Varanin was local. The clerk missed that they made it on the wrong schedule.”

Legitimately, Adelle felt like she could cry but the utter chaotic mess of emotions just left her feeling numb. A clerical error had led to a diplomatic incident. That clerk was so fired.

 

[Itzhal Volkihar]

| Location | Mandalore, Outer Rim Territories

Soft rays of light from the world outside filtered through the expansive glass windows of the Sundari Palace, casting delicate patterns on the polished marble and alloyed floors that covered the perimeter. Outside, speeders streaked past in orderly lines of motion that flickered against the light for only a moment, yet were still more disruptive than the utter silence that consumed the sprawling corridors. A door further down wooshed open with a whirl of hydraulics, then just as quickly, closed with the soft hiss of metal gliding into place—footsteps following in their wake, a sharp clack in the relative silence.

Itzhal Volkihar's steps were measured, each clack of his boots in time with the next. Two Mandalorians blocked his way; the first was a towering figure draped in white and gold beskar'gam, adorned with the distinctive shape of head-tails encased in metallic sheaths that glimmered under the overhead lights; the latter, in an unfortunate blend of green and orange, was significantly smaller, reaching just to the Lawkeeper's waist as he approached. Short-range sensors in his helmet flared with the register of an external communication.

He didn't slow.

As he advanced, another step brought him closer to the checkpoint, closer to the set of blaster carbines in their hands. In a pulsing haze of light from a sensor in the ceiling above, a blue hue flickered over the Mandalorian's armour, distorting the red lines of his beskar'gam into a vivid purple against the deep navy blue that should have been black. Then, before he'd taken his next step, the smaller of the two released their grip of the handguard, raising their hand in a subtle signal that beckoned Itzhal to proceed onwards.

With a slight nod of appreciation, the Morellian continued on, brushing past the two warriors as they returned to their silent vigil.

The door ahead slid open with a near-silent hiss, parting to reveal the expansive stretch of the war room and the individuals that occupied the space within—Sat at the table, the Mandalor drummed his fingers against the table in thought, his visage concealed by the blank glare of the visor that travelled over the furious expression of Aselia, and the many other visor's that reflected his own stare, before they settled upon the resigned features of Adelle.

As Itzhal stepped inside, the soft whisper of his footfalls reverberated in the stillness that followed the Ex-Jedi's declaration; their words dropped with a similar impact to a proton torpedo in atmosphere.

It was often the tiniest of details, the seemingly insignificant oversights, that set into motion the most extraordinary chain of events—why would this have been any different?

Itzhal paused, his blue eyes sweeping over the room and its occupants before settling on the one remaining seat.

"Apologies, I was delayed—the details have already been sent to the relevant parties," the Morellian lowered his Buy'ce, a slight tilt of his head towards Adelle that did little to slow his passage. Once within reach of his chair, his hand wrapped around the upper support and smoothly pulled it away from the table before he slipped into his seat. "Please, continue. I will do my best to catch up in the meantime."

Tags: Adelle Bastiel Aether Verd Mia Monroe Aselia Verd Jonah Siv Kryze​

 

[Jonah]

Jonah listened intently.

His brother's talk of staying their hand from crosses and nails had amused him ever so slightly. It earned the beginnings of a smirk upon his face. But the gravity of the situation was such that the amusement died almost immediately. Before them laid a challenge: how to ensure that this never repeated? How to ensure that the word Mandalorian was enough that the Jetii didn't dare to overstep boundaries?

The Warmaster deliberated for a few moments, taking in the account given by Ambassador Bastiel and the thoughts of Ambassador Kryze. He also regarded the Lawkeeper's arrival with a solemn nod before clearing his throat, announcing his intent to speak.

"Firstly, I trust that our Ambassador will ensure that future clerical errors do not occur. While the circumstances were set into motion by this error, the spirit of the issue remains plain: the Jedi are a wildcard."

"Thus, it might be best to close that door altogether. We cannot trust them to act with sense, so let that be their consequence: their midst is to remain removed from our personnel while being lawfully present in Republic space. If an issue arises, the Republic has an entire military, let them be the ones who knock. But future interactions between any of our personnel and their Order? No. That door is closed henceforth. Through this, we ensure that anyone we place in Republic space doesn't end up with a lightsaber in their back."

He motioned towards those present with his dominant hand.

"What do you all think? I would assume the Republic wouldn't take issue with putting their Jedi on a leash, unless there are ulterior motives of course."

Tag: Adelle Bastiel , Itzhal Volkihar , Mia Monroe , Aselia Verd , Siv Kryze

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​

 

[Aselia Verd]

Aselia stayed quiet for a few moments after Jonah finished speaking, her eyes shifting briefly toward Adelle. The clerical error had clearly hit her hard enough already without the entire room continuing to circle it. Aselia had no interest in piling onto that. The mistake mattered, but it did not change the larger issue sitting in front of them.

The Jetii had still chosen to push.

Her fingers tapped once against the table before she leaned back slightly in her chair. "We know there was a security gap," she said plainly. "We don't need to keep beating that into the floor." Her gaze shifted toward Jonah briefly before continuing. "And shutting down every interaction with the Jetii completely just makes the next encounter worse. They already think they know better than everyone else. If every meeting starts with both sides expecting a fight, eventually somebody's going to give them one."

There was still irritation in her voice, but it had settled into something controlled instead of sharp. "The bigger problem is actually simple to fix." Her eyes moved briefly toward Aether. "Adelle can't physically be everywhere at once. She's handling embassy security, diplomacy, and trying to keep Quinn from ending up in another situation like this again. Nobody can do that alone every hour of the day."

She shifted forward slightly then, resting her forearms against the table. "So I'll handle it. Quinn stays under my protection on Naboo until this situation settles down. Discreetly. I'm not going to have guards marching after her everywhere she goes or make her feel boxed in." Her expression hardened slightly as her eyes flicked toward the frozen holocam image still sitting in the center of the table. "But she won't be alone again either."

Her attention shifted back toward Adelle then, her tone evening out slightly. "This isn't an indictment on you," she said. "You already have enough to deal with regarding the republic, and Quinn trusts you. I'm filling the gaps when you physically can't be there." She turned turned back to look at the group. "We still go through the Republic first. We still give them the chance to deal with their people properly. But until then, if another Jetii decides they want to corner Quinn again, they can try going through me instead. Is that acceptable Mand'alor?" Blue eyes turned toward Aether, awaiting his decision.

TAG: Adelle Bastiel Aether Verd Jonah Mia Monroe Sidonia Vytal Noctura Renn Vizsla Itzhal Volkihar Siv Kryze
​

 

[Mia Monroe]

A clerical error?

Mia let out a breath and shook her head, her heart went out to Adelle, recognising the stress as she lowered her head into her hands. This was a mess, and while it had not been caused by her, it fell under her jurisdiction. No one in this room faulted her for it, but that did not mean none of it was taken onto her own shoulders. Her eyes shifted to Jonah and Aselia in turn, listebing to what they offered.

"I agree with Aselia, cutting the Jedi off like that will only serve to further aggravate the situation. Temporarily, its a good idea, of all of us, you have the least on your plate and Quinn will likely agree to your presence, more than she would any other."

Mia shifted her eyes to Aether. "I still think sitting with the Jedi Council is worth a shot if at least to ease their concerns regarding Quinn. A conversation would go a long way to settling things." her eyes shifted to Adelle

"None of this is a reflection on you Adelle, if anything it just shows that we need more hands on the republic as a whole. Perhaps a second Ambassador is needed?"

Adelle Bastiel Aselia Verd Aether Verd Jonah Siv Kryze Itzhal Volkihar

 

[Aether Verd]

Wearing:
Armor - Darksaber - Mask of Mandalore
.​

MANDALORE

The Sole Ruler's fingers moved.

The rhythm was quiet, yet deliberate, upon the table. From behind his helm, it was impossible to read his expression. His posture did not betray his inner thoughts or feelings on the suggestions of his council. The sole window into the man's soul was the ginger tap...tap...tap...of his fingers as his trusted allies deliberated.

And soon, the sound came to an end.

There were a myriad of options for a permanent resolution. From putting the onus on the Republic for taming their Jedi to cutting off political contact with the Order altogether. The range of options was vast and varied...and it fell to Aether to decide. His helm moved in judgment, pausing briefly as his gaze fell upon each of his warriors.

"I have decided." he began.

Finality colored each and every syllable of his statement.

"Your suggestions revealed that we have two problems to solve: one in-house and one without. Starting with the latter..."

"Adelle, send a communication to the Chancellor on my behalf. Inform Vexx that Mandalore is displeased with the conduct of the Jedi regarding our Warden and request her assurance that this will not happen again. We request to know the specific steps the Republic will be taking on their end to make certain we do not revisit this. As of now, our relationship with the High Republic remains whole - but our trust in their Jedi has been damaged significantly. Report back to me when this is complete."

"Next, regarding the matter of the embassy and the Warden's protection, I have need of my council elsewhere. Devoting time to personal protection of our Warden is noble, but what awaits us in the near future will not afford this luxury. Instead, Adelle, you are to request that the Warden bring Echani Handmaidens with her during her travels to High Republic space. The Handmaidens are as skilled in combat as any Supercommando. I know that Varanin's history has created discomfort regarding proximity to armed Mandalorians. Thus, we will recommend that she protect herself in a manner that makes sense for her station: by deploying Eshan's finest."

"As for Adelle's workload, your concerns have been heard. Itzhal. Assemble a small detail of Protectors to conduct an audit on the Embassy. They will identify what can be streamlined, what support staff need to be acquired to make our ambassador's life easier, and what security measures need to be added. Once complete, report the findings to me."

"Aselia. Mia. Raise the readiness level in our southern territory. Inform Warden Vizsla that this is occurring. Direct additional forces to the region and make no effort to hide it. I'll need the both of you hands-on with this deployment."

The Mand'alor placed his hand flat upon the table. His orders were rendered. The will of their homeworld and people was made manifest.

"We will not attempt to sway the Jedi to see reason, for their kind is unreasonable by nature. We cannot expect a serpent not to bite. We cannot expect a scorpion not to sting. Instead, we will prepare our Warden and our Embassy. And we will remind the High Republic through action. Let the bolstering of our forces send the clear message: set your house in order, lest a third front be opened."

With thus said, Aether motioned with his hand towards the assembled. T'was a space for final thoughts before directives became action. If nothing needed to be said, then the work could begin.

Adelle Bastiel , Jonah , Aselia Verd , Mia Monroe , Siv Kryze , Itzhal Volkihar , Sibylla Abrantes

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: CT-312 //: Aether Verd //: Aselia Verd //: Adelle Bastiel //: Mia Monroe //: Jonah //: Siv Kryze //: Itzhal Volkihar //:
//: Attire //:

She was supposed to be part of this meeting. There was no reason for her to be excluded. Aether would receive her grievances on his own time, another time. Quinn, the Queen of Eshan, the source of this conversation, stood outside the great doors. She heard what she could, understood their points, but still knew that she should be in there.

How dare they converse about her and make plans concerning her without her presence.

Quinn looked towards 312, the woman who had proven herself a thousand times over to protect the Princess and Queen. 312 had been there; she was always there. 312 knew her activity, knew how she functioned to the point that they even had their own language of gestures. Quinn wouldn't have anyone other than 312 be in charge of her safety.

There was a moment's reprieve, and it was then that Quinn knew it was her time.

As the meeting seemingly drew to an end, Quinn made her presence known. The doors opened, and a small group of guards entered, standing at attention for their Queen. Following them was Quinn, with 312 close to her left flank. She was determined; what she was about to say was not up for discussion.

Reaching the table, she offered the appropriate respect to those gathered before her eyes settled first on Adelle, then on Aether.

"I appreciate the support I have received during these trying times within the High Republic. I entered their space, their worlds, seeking a better understanding of how others lived beyond my own experiences within the Blackwall." She smiled, posture straight and composed.

"Yet I was greeted as a pariah the moment the Jedi decided I was unwelcome and possessed of nefarious intentions."

A soft sigh escaped her as she adjusted her stance.

"They seek to attribute this incident to a clerical error. I find that explanation both foolish and insulting. It is far easier to blame an administrative oversight than to acknowledge the actual failure. Rather than following up to ensure I had accepted, or even intended to attend such a meeting, they simply imposed themselves, as though they were entitled to my time."

Quinn shook her head.

"I will call it what it is: an excuse. One so profoundly asinine that I am genuinely offended by what it suggests they believe of the collective intelligence gathered within the Mandalorian War Council."

Another measured breath.

"312 is the only security I require. She is one of the very few individuals I trust with my life. She is the individual the Mandalorian Empire will utilize to conduct security measures concerning my person. She is the individual who will approve or reject those measures as necessary."

Her eyes moved between Adelle, Aselia, and finally Aether.

"As the Warden of a Mandalorian world and as the Queen of Eshan, these are my decisions. These are my requirements. They are not subject to negotiation. You will respect 312, and you will respect my sovereignty and my right to determine matters concerning my own safety."

She bowed her head slightly to show respect to her King.

But Quinn had spoken, and in her mind, her words were law.