Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Tea Is Important (Moira and Atrisian Empire)

@[member="Akio Kahoshi"], @[member="Mirien Valdier"]

The Atrisian Empire, recently turned into a monarchy after Moff Shu had been toppled from an office he had for a long time only held in name, was starting to expand into the Unknown Regions, secured by the Ithorian Treaty. It was unashamedly imperialist, but that was something Moira Skaldi could appreciate. Too many a ruler refused to call a spade a spade. Of course, one had to conjure up a good story to feed for the masses about serving galactic peace, but it was an entirely different matter if one ended up buying one's own press about doing good.

The yacht transporting her burst out of the depths of hyperspace and sped towards the planet of Atrisia, transmitting the proper codes to the Atrisian defence forces. Doubtless TIE fighters were screening it, keeping the orbit of the planet safe. In times such as these could never be too careful. Aboard the vessel Moira was seated, seemingly as still as a statue, studying a datapad with an intelligence report when one of her minions, dressed in an impeccable blue uniform and looking like straight out of an ODF commercial entered. Moira did not bother look up, as a minion he was not really worth her attention.

"We've left hyperspace and we've sent a message to the Atrisian Forces Command with a request to parlay with their Foreign Ministry," he reported crisply.

Moira tapped her pen on the datapad, still not acknowledging him. "Good. Officially we parlay with the Ministry's representative and my counterpart in the IIB. Contrary to popular belief, one does not just show up on another sovereign nation's doorstep and demand 'take me to your leader'," she said flatly, looking, unsurprisingly, impassive. "Especially not if one is several ranks beneath the ruler, disparity in power of both nations notwithstanding." Of course Moira had a terribly high opinion of herself and her own skills, along with a natural disdain for most other beings.

That was how the game was played. If she ended up seeing Emperor Akio then it would be because he decided so. Given that he was the ruler of this nation, he decided what was polite and appropriate. Moira did not care for standards of propriety, but she understood the rules. "If the crew is not on its best behaviour, I will be displeased," she spoke the word with such emphasis anyone would understand that 'displeased' was her code word for very pissed off. "Should anyone offer you tea, do accept it."

"Yes, ma'am. So...these people want to restore the ol' Empire? Out here in the wilds. Sandwiched between the Republic, OP and Fringe?" the naval officer asked, sounding a bit sceptical, not that Moira cared.

"Where better to test and harden your forces than fighting the horrors of the Unknown Regions?" Moira asked rhetorically. "The Protectorate started as a small merc company, after all." Presently it also had no allies, something she believed she was more keenly aware of than most. "Get back to your duties." Clearly the moment for small talk was over and she put the datapad in her pocket as the ship entered into the atmosphere of Atrisia and descended.

Even if nothing came of the meeting politically speaking, Moira considered that nonetheless it might be interesting for her. The creatures encountered at Rakata Prime had piqued her curiosity after all.
 
@[member="Moira Skaldi"] @[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

A knock came on Mirien Valdier's door. "Directorate Chief?" A voice called to her as she was in the midst of sorting through the latest reports of the new alien threat. There was little intell at this point but enough to be concerning. She sighed, a little startled from her thoughts.

"Come." She said coldly, sounding a bit annoyed. Always keeping with the harsh icy attitude that everyone knew and loved... er feared. It was just her nature to present that front to the world. Only one knew of her loving kindness, and that side of her would remain hidden in that matter till the day she died.

"Ma'am, we have representatives from the Protectorate who seek to speak with our Foreign Ministry. It has been requested that you meet with them first and foremost to determine if their request is valid. If so, then they may speak with the Emperor or so the line goes."

Mirien gave a nod in reply, the look in her eyes growing darker, more bitter and cold if that was possible. Annoyed, that she was having to do this ... but at the same time she understood the need. And, it helped that she held a life debt to Emperor Kahoshi. He'd gone out of his way to keep her from being executed a little over a decade ago.

"Of course." She said, a bit of a bite to her tone. "Have them escorted to the Imperial Palace, the conference room there. Make sure the Emperor, is elsewhere until I determine the validity of their request." Polite words for, make sure the Emperor is safe, and out of the building until I'm certain they are not their to kill him. After that she shooed the aid away and started to gather her things. The Grand Inquisitor, would need to return home to pick up her dress uniform in any way.

"Make sure they are given tea, and have a meal of the finest quality prepared for our guest. Our finest foods, sushi, and the like." She said as she passed the aid at his desk on her way out the door. Rebecca paused right as she was about to hit the door. "Ensure they are screened for weapons please. No risks or chances will be taken today, thank you." And with those words spoken Novar was out the door and on her way.

On her way she typed a simple message out to a couple Inquisitors. She'd feel safer with at least one or two in the building with her at the time this meeting was taking place. We've foreign visitors coming to speak with the Emperor. For his protection and mine I request that you join us in the palace. You don't have to sit in the meeting but to be nearby in case we need you, would be of great help. -M.V. With that, she quickly pressed send and sighed softly.

Once at her home, Mirien quickly changed into her IIB dress uniform, numerous ribbons, medals and pins were neatly aligned on her left breast. Her rank, Directorate Chief, on her shoulders, and just above the ribbons, Novar, her name was pinned there. With the change, she carefully tucked her saber into it's hidden location on her person as well as a holdout and a very tiny slugthrower. All neatly hidden away. One never could be too careful. And this was for both her safety as well as the safety of the Emperor. No chances would be taken.

Finally Mirien arrived at the Palace and she herself was escorted to the conference room in all it's glory. It was all arranged neatly, exactly enough tables and pillows brought in for the foreign party in question. Right now, only hot steaming tea was sitting on the table. Empty plates in front of each spot, just waiting for each person to select their foods and enjoy the best Atrisia had to offer. However, that meal would wait for the Emperor to join them, should they pass her test. With a soft smile, granted a masked one Mirien took her seat, one spot to the right of the head of the table. That place was reserved for the Emperor once Mirien had cleared them.
 
@[member="Mirien Valdier"]

Little time passed before Moira was conveyed into the conference room by an escort party of stormtroopers. Needless to say she had been screened for weapons by soldiers and she suspected there had been various invisible scanners as well. Doubtless the visible Imperial Guards, clad in the fine red armour that connected them with the bygone age of the First Empire, were not the only ones monitoring her. Obviously Moira did not know about the Inquisition, but she was well aware of how serious Imperial Security took its work. After all, this was the residence of their lord and master.

She took in the scenery of the room as she was led in, noting the precise arrangements, the hot steaming tea placed on the table, the empty plates. Calculating blue eyes scanned the room, taking in the guards and noting any exit though outwardly she betrayed no emotion, her face a mask she strode in. Her crew had been left at the yacht and would behave itself unless they were foolish enough to want to experience what really happened when Moira was displeased.

Seated before her was one spot to the right of the table was the woman apparently called Novar with the rank of Directorate Chief. Imperial Intelligence no doubt. Here to vet her, no doubt terminate her if she was a threat. A soft smile on her face, familiar in it being a calculating mask.

Why did Moira think that? Because it was the one she was using as well. Granted most of the time Moira cared little for pleasantries. Most living beings were simply not worth the effort of being talked in a different manner than impassive. Doubtless this woman was more than just a bureaucrat.

"Directorate Chief Novar, the delegation from the Protectorate," one of the stormtroopers declared, his voice sounding mechanical through the visored helmet.

An aide followed Moira, though naturally she paid him no mind, what with him being a minion and all. Her stride was precise, every movement flawlessly placed. For her part Moira was dressed in a formal blue uniform with her rank insignia and commendations displayed, though less elaborately bedecked with medals and ribbons than that of 'Novar'. Her black boots were polished to perfection an seemed to shine. Upon taking sight of her Moira snapped to a precise salute with bonecracking efficiency.

"Director Moira Skaldi, Military Intelligence And Combined Operations, here on behalf of the Protectorate Government. The Lady Protector Alcori extends her cordial greetings to His Majesty and his Empire. I thank you for receiving me," the words were spoken formally and politely, but if one were to look in her eyes there was no life in them. It was like staring into the depths of a void.
 
@[member="Moira Skaldi"]

"Director Skaldi, please sit." She said softly, motioning to the seat across from her. It gave her vantage point she preferred. It gave her distance, reaction time which was everything in the realm of spies. A space of a foot, and a mere two second gap could be the difference between life and death. "I know the journey must have been tiring. Please, join me in having cup of tea." A most welcome greeting to be presented tea, to refuse a grave insult.

Stretching out her senses, something was quite strange about the woman before her and for what she wasn't sure. But she didn't sense her in the force, nothing. She knew there were force dead individuals, products of vong tech but this was not the case, this she knew.

"We did wonder how long it would be before the Protectorate came knocking on our doorstep, but glad to have you here none the less." Pleasantries, though false came with a smile, a mask. Exactly what Mirien was good at. She wasn't here for idly chit chat and tea, she was here to determine if this woman was a threat to the Emperor, and thus the Empire.

With her powers extended fully, she stretched out, drew upon the force pulling at threads of it seeking knowledge, to ascertain if this being was a threat. This, her duty. "The Emperor will be with us soon. It was asked that I greet you first, determine your intent and if they are deemed valid, an audience with Emperor Kahoshi will be granted, otherwise you'll be sent on your way." Her smile fading slightly, business time was here.

"You must understand, it's nothing personal, just business. And I am in the business of protecting the Empire, and it's leader." Quite forward, but that was Mirien's nature. She did not mess around, did not play games with matters of state, always cut to the chase.
"Miss Skaldi, I must know ... Why exactly are you here?" There were about a million answers but Mirien needed to know, her answer would depend if she would be granted an audience with the Emperor himself. Because so far, everything told her that while she could be a threat, Moira currently was not.
 
@[member="Mirien Valdier"]

"Thank you, Directorate Chief. I have come to appreciate Atrisian tea. Stimcaf is a bit...lacking sometimes," Moira said softly. She knew enough to understand that refusing tea would be considered a major fax paus in Atrisian space. As little as Moira cared for traditions and found them archaic, she knew how the game was played, formal protocol and all that. The Atrisians were her hosts after all.

She noticed the intense gaze of 'Novar' on her, the scrutiny and calculating look, but she could not pinpoint the nature of it, though it seemed to go beyond merely scanning her with her eyes. Deaf and blind to the Force as Moira was, unable to perceive the currents and the flow of the great river, she would be unable to sense that Mirien wielded it, but she could sense how lethal this woman could be. She was not a simple bureaucrat who worked behind a desk and filed reports.

Polite on the surface, a cordial mask, but keeping her distance. Good. There was nothing to sense in Moira, it was like gazing into the depths a fathomless void. Not darkness...not malice....just emptiness. No internal emotions, no passions that could be pinpointed, nothing. "Understandable. I know how seriously the IIB takes its duties. I would do the same if an emissary came to see the Protector," at that comment she tilted her head to the side, a gesture common to her.

"To negotiate a non-aggression pact and potentially a defensive arrangement between our nations. I am aware that Atrisia has joined the Ithorian Treaty and you have ambitions to seek out your manifest destiny in the Unknown Regions, having seen your forces at Rakata Prime," she said frankly in a calm tone. No big speeches, no euphemisms or grand words or declarations of common purpose and friendship. There were ideological divergences between the Protectorate and the Atrisian Empire, but in a world of power politics these were less relevant than purists might believe. For without power one died.

"Our interests in these regions do not clash. If someone polices these sectors that is beneficial to us, especially a civilised power capable of guaranteeing order. I am authorised to discuss joint ventures between our shipyards and privileged access to Omega Pyre contracts," she spoke.

There was one final hook: the mutual threat where she believed the IIB could be of use, but she left that out for now, calculating it would be a card to play later.
 
Sitting in his personal quarters, Akio was currently occupied by reading a report about various important Emperor things. It was all very interesting and tedious, and not as all useful in the long run. He was not the type of ruler to constantly pass new laws, he did not see a need if the current laws were sufficient. Without the bickering of different political parties fighting over what was "best" he could simply decide on a course of action and stick with it. The end result was far more efficient than what the politicos of Coruscant produced, and in much less time. He blamed their substandard tea quality. Dimmed the mind.

Setting down his fan for a moment, he reached out and took a sip of tea. Real, Atrisian tea. Then he set the cup down and picked his fan back up tapping it gently against his chest a few times absentmindedly. The fan was still obnoxious to carry at all times, but he was beginning to grow used to its presence. Which did not mean he no longer hated it of course.

@[member="Moira Skaldi"], @[member="Mirien Valdier"]
 
@[member="Moira Skaldi"]

"I've found it rather delightful, much lighter than stimcaf and just as stimulating, if you have the authentic article. Otherwise, it's crap." She said flatly.

There was one thing Moira had right, Rebecca was no bureaucrat, no. No, she was something much more, something that could crush a frail human in a heartbeat if she desired. Cold, cruel, calculating, that is what she was. She gave a slight bow of her head to Moira as she took a seat and spoke of how she'd do the same. Delicate games they played. Delicate indeed.

"Rakata Prime was a strange endeavor, new race has come to light and a very dangerous one." She left it at that. They still knew so little in that regard, so little intelligence about the matter had crossed her desk. A brand new species and a damn lethal one at that.

A nod of her head, she gave as Moira went on explaining her reasons for being here. "On that you are correct, we have similar interests and perhaps we can find some alignment that will work between our governments, but it is not for me to have the final say in. That ultimately will be Emperor Kahoshi's decision." The offer, interesting and the swirls of force around her, everything she was sensing even with the deadness in the force in the woman before her, she could still sense the offer genuine.

"I think I have what I need." She said flatly, almost a little coldly but this was the very reason she was here. "I don't feel you a threat to us, nor do you seem any bit deceitful, so ... I believe an audience with the Emperor can be granted."

Reaching up, she touched a comlink in her ear, "Inform the Emperor, that an Emissary from the Protectorate has come seeking possible ties, and interesting possibilities with a non aggression pact and mutual interests as well. It would be worth his time to join us in the conference room. And on that note have the servants bring us lunch. I'm sure our guest is hungry as is his Majesty."
 
@[member="Mirien Valdier"]

Moira noted the brief response to her line about Rakata, revealing much without revealing anything. "Yes, strange...but also interesting. Threats can be an opportunity as much as a problem. A chance to grow by pitting yourself against them. Natural selection," she saif softly. Moira had a rather particular way of talking and interesting ranked quite high in her specific dictionary. Such a threat was a way to test your forces, to separate the wheat from the chaff and harden them. Beyond, dissection might be its own reward.

She inclined her head slightly when Ms. Novar ascertained that she was not a threat. Presently at least. Moira could be lethal - indeed it was safe to say that there was more to both women than was immediately apparent. The same calculating manner, the same coldness that seemed to surround them like a shield. But this was not the time and place or indeed the objective. If she had meant the Emperor ill she would not have formally petitioned for a meeting. "I thank you, Directorate Chief. Your professionalism does you and your country credit," she spoke. From the lips of anyone else this might have sounded like arse-kissing, but Moira said it in the same flat, almost emotionless voice she had used during most of the conversation. She did not flatter, mainly because she did not care about what other people thought, she could appreciate someone who did their job properly...or went beyond that.


"And, yes, lunch would be appreciated. Thank you." She did not think they would try to poison here. That was for tinpot despotates.
 
@[member="Akio Kahoshi"] @[member="Moira Skaldi"]

A call came into Mirien's link in her ear, she gave a nod. "I'll be right there." Seemed even now she could not escape her duties.


"Miss Skaldi, I'm sorry but I am needed for an urgent matter. The Emperor will be here shortly." She said quickly, rising from the floor and walking briskly out the door. A few Imperial Guards entered to replace her, heralding the entrance of the Emperor.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top Bottom