Private Terra Firma

[Donavon Arturo]

​

// OUTRIDER // Senator Governor General for Eufornis Major
// LOCATION // Executive Suite, Eufornis Governing Tower
// OBJECTIVE // Inevitability
// THEME // Creep
​

The galaxy was on fire.

The first offensives against the vile Brotherhood of the Maw dragged on, even as the New Imperial's shuttered their borders, preparing themselves for the inevitable Mawite Invasion. Some time had passed since the attack on Courscant, exactly how much he didn't know. Meeting after meeting with the Chancellor had withered away the stalwart that once lead the Eufornis system. Donavan Arturo was a broken, and tiresome man.

For much of his time in the Senate, he had begun to shift more and more responsibility to his lieutenant. Exactly who that was had been forgotten in the labyrinth that was the Eufornisan bureaucracy. Instead, the Senator (or rather Governor-General, he was home today afterall) had withdrew himself from public life, locked away in his penthouse to draw up legislation, plans, and contingency's. With a stroke of a pen he had reinforced the Eufornisan Self Defense Fleet, called to action an army that hadn't been activated in centuries, and granted more and more autonomy to the city-world's beleaguered colonies. Plans within plans had been activated.

Even then, it wasn't enough. Eufornis he could manage, but the Senate? Convincing hundreds of representatives of the dangers lurking beyond their borders was harder than it should've been. There were notable breakthroughs however, as the success of the Common Solider Corps would point out. In fact, several were operating within the Eufornis System. Only a few could be taken serious however.

The appetite for a full scale conflict against the Brotherhood in the Senate was...undesirable to say the least. Committing millions to die in a war far away? Political suicide. Defense was the best offense, they'd argue. But not all of the Senator's felt that way.

The doors to his chamber swooshed as his assistant exited. A young Arkanian, she nodded to the Governor-General who removed his legs from his desk and straightened his posture. They were here. It was finally time for a different kind of meeting.

A more...important one.

Dracken Pryce | Tiresh Kobitan ( Kalie Alverez )
​

 

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: INEVITIBILITY
COVER ALIAS: TIRESH KOBITANA

CURRENT PERSONA: TIRESH KOBITANA
(SENATOR OF LUJO / REP OF THE KOBITANA FOUNDATION / CO-CEO OF KOBITANA INDUSTRIES)

​

Tiresh made her way through the hall towards Donavon Arturo 's executive suit, a small knot stuck in her throat at the prospect of meeting more personally with a man that she had so emphatically confronted during the Senate briefing some time ago. He had come off as a rather brash man who could not hold his tongue, at least when it came to his ideas related to the New Jedi Order. She hoped, for all of their sakes, that they could find some common ground together. Tiresh was wearied from the politics and the lack of action and perspective she had been encountering in the Senate... a group of people who seemed more concerned with their own bank accounts than with the impending doom that was clearly just around the corner. She had already begun to rally her planets support for an unprecedented militarization of the rather tranquil and independent planet. Ever the influencer, it had not been terribly difficult. The recent attacks on core worlds was enough to pull the support of both houses and the Grand Patriarch in her favor.

Tiresh shook her head as she approached the door, a sign of her personal sadness that it had come to this. Four elite Lujian Guardians followed closely behind her as her personal escort... Which were some of the first fruits of the newly developing Lujian Forces. This was their first active deployment as the Senators protective detail.

Tiresh entered, the guards remaining outside the suite as she briskly approached the general, her gaze more stern and stoic, attempting to hide the slight edge of embarrassment she felt due to their last encounter.

"General." She said in a determined tone, "While I might find your stance towards the Jedi distasteful to say the least, I trust there is more in common than not... at least, I hope so... for all our sakes." Her eyes found something. She walked up and picked up a bottle of the Generals favorite liquor, helping herself to a shot glass as she filled it before taking a small sip.

"At least you have good taste in your liquor. See... we have already found some common ground. Fantastic." She offered him a forced smile as she took a seat across from him, placing one leg over the other in a posture that communicated femininity and power at the same time.


Dracken Pryce

 

[Dracken Pryce]

The cityscape of Euphornis Major was strikingly similar to Coruscant in its expansiveness. There didn't seem to be the same haze or glow though, and he wondered if that was because the world had been largely untouched by the large-scale conflicts over the last few decades. Prestigious in every way, but still outshone by Coruscant, living in its and other core world ecumenopolis' shadows. Senator Arturo had proven himself to be a good man though. Not petty or envious as one might think.

The trip down from the Corellian cruiser was short and pleasant. He'd tried to argue against such a show of force. The Diktat had wanted to send him in one of the new Damocles Star Defenders just because of how much closer the system was to reported Brotherhood activity. He sighed as he looked out of the viewport of his shuttle at the hulking cruiser. He was surprised they'd budged as much as they had. He looked to the quiet Halcyon commando sitting across form him and smiled weakly.

"C'mon General. It can't be that bad, getting ferried around the Galaxy in your own personal cruiser." Pryce shrugged.

"It just reminds me that the galaxy is at a tipping point. And we don't know what the ground looks like on either side." The Halcyon grunted.

When they reached the planet and the tower the Halcyon went as far as the other guards, thankfully, and Pryce entered the wolf's den. Fixing his colar nervously he tried to put on his best Corellian smile.

"No need to be so tense Senator Kobitana," Pryce said when the doors closed. He was, as usual, wearing a Corellian Defense Force uniform, though the General's pauldron was absent for today. He pointed at the glass bottle. "You wouldn't mind uh," he made a drinking motion with his right hand.

 

[Donavon Arturo]

​

// OUTRIDER // Senator Governor General for Eufornis Major
// LOCATION // Executive Suite, Eufornis Governing Tower
// OBJECTIVE // Inevitability
// THEME // Creep
​

"It was a gift" he explained, "From the Mayor of uh...I want to say New Eufornisa?"

Truth be told, remembering names was not his strong suit. Especially not someone as forgettable as the Mayor of a city with a population of 50,000. He had much bigger fish to fry. He shrugged at the last comment. "Not exactly my personal views. Just politics. Welcome to the game" He motioned to them both, as Pryce entered the chamber.

Pleasantness were undesirable at the moment in time, but crucial in forging a relationship with both of those worlds. Eufornis needed allies, and Lujo and Corellia were the more likeminded he could find. "Senator Pryce. Or would you prefer General" He greeted the man more ceremoniously, reaching out to shake his hand. "A pleasure to finally meet you. A shame to hear about Mr. Kiyoshi. No one could've suspected"

Two Sith infiltrating the Senate? At the same time? No, no one could've expected that. Not even the most powerful of Jedi Masters. The Dark Side was just too..well, dark.

"I suppose I should get the point, however" He digressed. "We find ourselves in spectacular times. I wish to join together, in a pact of mutual friendship and political alliance, to ensure the defense of our people rise above petty politics"

Dracken Pryce | Tiresh Kobitan ( Kalie Alverez )
​

 

[Kalie Alverez]

ACTIVE AGENT: KALIE ALVEREZ
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: INEVITIBILITY
COVER ALIAS: TIRESH KOBITANA

CURRENT PERSONA: TIRESH KOBITANA
(SENATOR OF LUJO / REP OF THE KOBITANA FOUNDATION / CO-CEO OF KOBITANA INDUSTRIES)

Tiresh nodded a welcome to Dracken Pryce as he entered the room, letting out a slight sigh at his encouragement for her to relax. She had found that to be a difficult accomplishment these days. Tiresh was undeniably new to the whole political scene, and she found it to be exhausting as someone who preferred action over conversation.

“My apologies, Gentlemen. I find myself to be on edge more often than not these days. Anyways…” She took a sip of the glass, letting her sentence drift off unfinished as she listened instead to Donavon Arturo comment on the nature of his political stance being one of politics, not one of personal investment. Ah yes…. The game. She was curious at how many Senators could seemingly detach themselves from their own personal values and still be able to represent their systems effectively. She wondered further how such individuals were able to be elected if it was not related to what they personally stood for. She shook her head and smiled as she mused upon her own naïvety.

“I guess I am afforded the luxury of being elected because of my personal views. I am, on all accounts, horrible at the game of politics, I will be the first to admit as much.” She gave Donavon Arturo a smile. “It appears I have much to learn from you Gentlemen.” It was a statement that was genuine, but also carried with it an edge of distaste.

She sat silently, drifting a finger slowly around the edge of her glass as she listened to the General bring the purpose of their meeting center stage. He was looking to join their three worlds together for a common goal and mutual benefit. She nodded slowly, resolving to contribute towards the conversation in a way that would help them achieve such an end. While she was an ambitious young senator who carried a lot of passion and vision, she was also the Senator of Lujo… a rather unspectacular world in the grand scheme of the Galactic Alliance. If it wasn’t for her, the planet would have likely just been a footnote in most regards, not even contributing as much as a ripple of change or impact. But she was determined to push past such perceived limitations… and she understood that she would need strong relationships within in the Senate if she was going to be able to affect anything.

She needed to learn how to play the game… no matter how much she hated it.

And Donavon Arturo seemed like the ideal man to hitch her wagon to. He was a much bigger player than she was, and Eufornis Major was a significant system that held much respect and sway. In a similar way, Dracken Pryce was another Senator who she had grown to respect within the Senate chamber, and who also represented a system that was much more notable than Lujo. She cleared her throat as she resolved herself to attempt to fall within both mens good graces. Whether she liked it or not… she needed them more than they needed her.

She poured both men a shot of the Generals reserve, setting their glasses down quietly in front of them with a warming smile flashing across her lips.

“I hope you don’t mind me taking such liberties with your gift, General.” She said in a softer tone, as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs once again in front of her.

“I for one am relieved to hear what you are suggesting. We must come together to defend ourselves against our enemies. I fear what we have experienced so far is just the beginning, and inaction could be deadly for all of us.”

 

[Dracken Pryce]

I should have suspected.

The betrayal of Senator, ex-senator Kiyoshi still burned him. He had served that man for years, only for him to turn against the Alliance. He had spoken out against the Jedi when Lannik, a man he had once trusted, attempted to kill Kiyoshi and ended up dead himself. Would the Force ever forgive him for betraying such a noble man? Only time would tell.

He tried his best not to show the comment troubled him, but he frowned all the same as he took a glass from Kobitana.

"Either is fine. The General thing is only honorary with the CDF." General. Admiral. Senator. He really was pilling on the titles.

"I agree Kobitana. But I would hear what he has to say before I throw my hat into the ring. What do you mean by what you say? Talk is cheap, and I don't mean to flaunt, but of the three of us here Corellia is probably the safest and most well prepared of us. What are you really asking for here?" He gave the reserve a swirl and took a swig and waited patiently for his answer.

Kalie Alverez Donavon Arturo

 

[Donavon Arturo]

​

// OUTRIDER // Senator Governor General for Eufornis Major
// LOCATION // Executive Suite, Eufornis Governing Tower
// OBJECTIVE // Inevitability
// THEME // Creep
​

"Honor is something we must all cherish in these trying times" He responded to the General. "Long ago, Governor-General was simply an honorific title. A common head of state to unite the disgruntled colonies of Eufornis Major" He explained, "Needless to say, for the first hundred years or so of it's inception, it was universally hated. Until the Gulag Plague made a leader of one my predecessors"

"Following hundreds of years of reform, I am now the Head of Government of our united Commonwealth" United. He scoffed at the thought. If anything, the colonies of Eufornis- which itself, thousands of years ago, was- were together. Unity was an elusive dream.

He listened intently as Pryce spoke. He wasn't wrong. The Eufornis System had enjoyed peace for centuries, while it's core neighbors warred it out amongst one another. They didn't pick a side during the reigns of the Republic and Core Alliance for a very simple reason: They didn't care. It was that nonchalant attitude that threatened the billions upon billions living within the system.

"Corellia is a fortress world. A leader of military industry. Whereas Lujo is a world seeking to following in it's example. Eufornis on the other hand..." He raised his hands in exasperation. "Could learn a thing or two from both of you"

"Creating closer ties to Corellia is within my systems interest. A mutually beneficial alliance could see Corellia and Lujo gain access to the raw materials within the outer system, while access to Corellian prowess could help both Lujo and Eufornis prepare for Maw assaults"

Dracken Pryce | Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix


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[Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix]

Tiresh swirled her finger slowly along the rim of her glass, listening to both men probe the waters. She began to formulate her own comments to contribute, starting with response to Dracken Pryce ,

“You have done a terrific job in your efforts on Corellia, and Lujo has personally benefited from your proposal brought forth in the Senate to help strengthen the militaries of all of our systems. I do believe that we would benefit from your strength and leadership in what you have developed to help undergird all of our systems, as no matter how strong an individual system might be, we must consider the greater good of all when it comes to our defense against the Maw, as well as other enemies who might take advantage of our perceived weakness as an Alliance of systems.” She gave him a polite nod, taking a sip from her glass, “Also, the distancing of the New Jedi Order, while some might understandably feel it is necessary… I believe we can all agree that it could be perceived as a further weakening of our defenses as a whole, possibly providing further attacks at systems even within the core. All this to say, I see this meeting here as an opportunity to pursue a more unified front, instead of backing into our own corners and hoping for the best.”

She shifted in her chair slightly, finding a more comfortable position, before continuing to address both Dracken Pryce and Donavon Arturo , “While Lujo is admittedly a smaller player in all of this, I believe we provide an opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art defense fleet and force. As we are new to the game... which obviously has its drawbacks… It also has its advantages in that we can start from the ground up with the latest advances and technology. We could become a push forward into the next era of militarized possibilities. I have obtained the full support from the Houses of Lujo as well as the High Patriarch of the Ashmarrians to bring Lujo into a stronger and defensible future. And with an agreement formed between our worlds, Lujo would benefit exponentially in achieving our vision from both the experience of Corellian and the resources of Eufornis. And so what Might Lujo offer you then?”

She took another sip, “We are just now taking advantage of an extremely rare and invaluable resource which is only available in our system… With the development of a humane way to harvest Ashmaarian pearls, our coffers are now overflowing through extensive trade arrangements we have recently developed throughout the core systems and beyond. Yes, we can help to fund our combined defensive efforts. We can fulfill extensive and exclusive orders of raw resources, materials, combat and training programs…. We can help you as you help us by strengthening your economies at a critical time where we must all be investing in a stronger shield.”

“I also have personally developed a strong political relationship with Isla Draellix-Kobitana , the Minister of Defense and Grand Admiral of the Ashlan Crusade. This relationship would surely open up many possibilities to all of us, such as obtaining resources and assets within their boarders and influence.”

“I will also mention that, in a time of disunity and intense debate within the Senate… Lujo’s vote carries just as much weight as any other systems. If our aim was also in the direction of a political voting block that could help to push needed reforms through the Senate, then that could be advantageous to us all. But on that note…”

She leaned forward, looking intently at both men, “My hesitations would primarily be regarding the alignment and values of this proposed alliance. I need clarity on what we are standing for... while I am zealous for establishing a strong defense against our enemies in this precarious hour, I am not in interested in a purely militarized platform which might create greater problems if it goes unchecked. I need to have a solidified contract presented with clear terms and boundaries which would reveal how this political alliance and friendship will truly flesh itself out in the coming months... or years.”

 

[Dracken Pryce]

Lujo was indeed growing, growing much faster than most had anticipated. He could see why the General wanted them as allies on a galactic scale, but politically Pryce was one of the weakest senators in the Assembly and Lujo was just as much of an enigma to the scene. This was a huge gamble. But it also seemed like every political meeting he was a part of had to connect somehow to the threat of the Maw. Their attack on Coruscant had seemingly shaken the very core of every Alliance world and he understood how.

But fear can't be the driving force of change.

"Corellia wouldn't need anything so binding as a contract," he said, swirling his drink before taking a sip. "We can figure out trade and defense later. For now, you can count Corellia in, though I won't say we will jump behind every idea Eufornis puts out there. We do sit on opposite sides of the aisle after all." When it came to Alliance politics on the whole, Pryce was a staunch Populist. He'd defected from the New Republic military to aid Corellia in its own Secession movement years ago and he strongly believed in the Sector's right to sovereignty within its borders. He knew there that the two would clash from time to time when it came to many policies.

Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix Donavon Arturo