Testing One's Resolve

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Near Denon
EQUIPMENT: Armor, Lightsabers, Cloak, Ring, Mantle
TAGS: [member="Darlyn Excron"]
​

Voph stood on the bridge of his new flagship, at the designated coordinates near Denon. The ship floated alone in the speckled black, not even a logistical vessel present to lend aid. The terms had been clear enough. One vessel. He had said nothing of what the minister could bring. Of course that likely was not his title anymore, was it? Voph sighed quietly, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his captain's chair. The minister was late. Voph pushed himself to his feet, wiping a spec of dust off his armor.

Truth be told, he was somewhat surprised the man had even agreed to this meeting. For all his blustering, Voph was unimpressed with the man's fortitude. Negotiating away from Vylmira into the void of space? Wasn't Voph's first choice, but then again it wasn't his last either. His comms station sat at the ready. For all the preparation in the world, he knew better than to think there was no way this could go wrong. His brow furrowed as he looked out beyond the bounds of his ship.

This conversation was going to happen. And Voph prayed that it would be simple. Darlyn could be rather hotheaded and stubborn, but he was hopeful that he would listen to reason. Voph turned as his tactical officer informed him, "Ship exiting hyperspace, sir." Voph nodded. "Open a channel." Voph could sense the presence of his old ally aboard the ship. He smiled to himself under the rebreather. Now...it was time to talk.

"Minister Excron. Assuming that is still your title. I must congratulate you on your appointment to the leader of Commenor. It's been too long." Voph mused for a moment. How long had it been? Two years? Five? "You are to dock with the Resolve when you are able. I have prepared a conference room for our discussions. On behalf of the CIS, I would like to welcome you aboard as an esteemed guest, and representative of the Silver Jedi Order." Voph turned to the comms officer. "Cut channel. Stay on alert. He doesn't like getting one pulled over on him, so expect something...rash."

 

[Darlyn Excron]

• Location: Near Denon
• Carrying: Both personal lightsabers, Exar Kun's lightsaber, Family Blaster (all linked in profile), Suit, personal datapad, cup of tea
• Tags: [member="Voph"]

Whoever or whatever had called for him to come had been rather impolite, if you were to ask Darlyn about it. 'The Viceroy of Vylmira' was about as formal as addressing Darlyn by name was forward, and held in the message sent a rather upsetting undertone of superiority. Combined with the line 'refusal would be unwise' and if the viceroy had hoped to put Darlyn on edge they had done a marvelous job so far. Well enough he had an old ship that had been returned to Commenor by the graciousness of the SJO, The Queensguard, though sorely in need of a new name. The ship was somewhat recently repaired and made fully operational, and it was by no small margin of consideration that he had chosen to commit to its use.

He felt somewhat more justified when he heard the voice coming through the transmission. Voph, well wasn't that a surprise. He harbored no real ill will towards the Miraluka, but he wasn't exactly fond of him either. Maybe something of a sour neutral, all things considered. Abandoning Commenor may have been necessary for the man himself, but he hadn't exactly done much to help the planet in the dark time that followed shortly afterwards. The President could've used his help much as he'd rather not admit it, still could've. What was done was done though, and if he was representing an ally of the SJO, well there wasn't much he could really do legally. Especially not with such a noticeable vessel transporting him, were the ship to go missing there would be a stir.

A bit of a social form of preemptive protection, considering the threatening tone he'd come here under. He sipped a cup of tea quietly as he listened to him instructing him on what exactly he wanted to occur. Well far be it from him to deny him, so he'd take his leisurely time rehearsing his precautions with the security staff. Going over the details on when they were to ping him, exactly every ten minutes, silently through his datapad messages, and how he would respond if things were going well or poorly. He went through their side of precautions, setting up and maintaining readiness to send immediate emergency beacons out to the Silvers, and maintaining an appropriate range to remain in a more, peaceful position? Non hostile.

He didn't want to provoke them.

With that done, he moved onto a shuttle, and sat the ride over, mulling over what he could want. They had not been on great terms last they met, and he could not imagine that Voph had changed in the slightest. He frowned, and took another sip of tea. He was not anticipating this, he hoped that Voph had managed to kill whatever misconceived notions he'd had of Darlyn's, well he'd say morality but that was probably pretty accurate at the time now that he considered it.

When the shuttle opened, Darlyn left the relative safety of his people's shuttle, flanked by his temporary head of security and four other personal guards, naturally all of whom were wearing little more than your standard guardsmen suits and carrying only relatively standard blaster rifles and pistols each. They were more for show all things considered, and easing public minds. He and his guards followed the staff to the meeting, letting Darlyn take his seat in the conference room with his guards backing him. Made them feel more important.

All that was left to do was wait, and sip his tea while waiting. His head of security had been smart enough to bring a thermos filled with it, so he could refrain from whiskey long enough to do business.

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Near Denon
EQUIPMENT: Armor, Lightsabers, Cloak, Ring, Mantle
TAGS: [member="Darlyn Excron"]​

​

Voph strode with purpose down the halls of his warship with two guards flanking him to either side. "Remain outside while we talk. If any of his people wish access, grant it. Vylmiran Defense personnel can wait. If it's high priority, take it to Captain Aklin. Only disturb us if a war depends on it." Though it was said with some level of snark, Voph was actually mostly serious. He needed time to speak with the young president. Alone. Or as alone as his staff would permit. Voph paused at the door, turning to his escort one final time. "Any more ships show up, hail them. Instruct them that this is a private meeting, and they are to vacate. If they open fire, you are authorized to do anything in your power to destroy them. I don't care who they are. We have guests aboard, and I'm not doing a damn thing to risk them."

Voph turned back to the door and cleared his throat quietly as the door slid open. The large man stepped inside, his armor glinting in the light. He was certainly a changed being from when he and Excron had last spoken. His hair was much longer, tied in a pony tail, and completely white, as opposed to the jet black it had been. He stood in silence for a moment, looking at Darlyn's seated form. "And so, we meet again." Voph's already deep voice was given a rather ominous distortion through the rebreather he wore. He stepped around the table to the chair opposite him. "I can only pray that Commenor fares better under the guidance of the Jedi than it did under the monarchy." Voph's brow furrowed as he looked at Darlyn, almost as if he were squinting at the man.

Voph didn't say anything for a moment, instead clasping his hands together where they rested on the table. He sat upright in his chair, clearly there on business, regardless of how...relaxed his demeanor might seem. "I'm glad to see that you still posses some modicum of reason. Though I would be lying if I said I do not smile at the thought of...the alternative." Voph's face was anything but smiling, even obscured by his rebreather. "But, you are here now, and permitting us to speak of these matters civil. I have summoned you here because matters have...captured my curiosity. For what reason did you find yourself on Umbara during the Cadera incursion?"

 

[Darlyn Excron]

• Location: Near Denon
• Carrying: Both personal lightsabers, Exar Kun's lightsaber, Family Blaster (all linked in profile), Suit, personal datapad, cup of tea
• Tags: [member="Voph"]

"The Jedi guide Commenor as much as I use the light, sparingly if ever. Outside of matters of collective importance, such as war, the Jedi guide and instruct Commenor little to none at all. It certainly fares better now than it did with the Lords alone." A statement of fact, even if it was in that truth a slight against Voph himself. It wasn't intended as one, as the delivery was matter of fact and lacking in passion, and similarly included his own daughter not just Voph himself. If it were a slight, he would have included the phrase 'or at least those who left business unfinished'. But if they had come to discuss the distant past Darlyn would have not shown up, the message implied a situation far more serious.

And soon enough the purpose was revealed. The 'Cadera incursion'. He could very easily imagine the route this conversation intended to take. A conversation he'd either already had with another, or would have eventually regardless, his memory served him poorly here. Still, the way he had asked was simple.... "Why was the President of Commenor visiting another world protected by the Silver Jedi? Business. I wanted to come and discuss trade personally, introduce myself. Gain rapport with Umbara's leadership. I had already been en route when the attack happened, so I decided to try and lend a hand, seeing as Umbara was unlikely to be discussing trade deals over a cup of tea."

He might've been insulted by the mention of a 'modicum of reason' if he didn't believe that Voph was underestimating him over some sense of superiority. The few times they talked, or met in the past went poorly. Voph trying to speak in mando'a to him and seeming to write him off after he lacked a clear understanding came to mind readily, considering the subject of Umbara came up. He'd worn Cadera armor then too..

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Near Denon
EQUIPMENT: Armor, Lightsabers, Cloak, Ring, Mantle
TAGS: [member="Darlyn Excron"]​

​

Voph watched Darlyn blankly. No movement. No emotion. No response. Until a brow rose slowly. "Trade deals. Over tea. Must have been an important deal, if you saw fit to oversee it yourself." Voph fell silent for a moment longer, then stood. "The Galaxy finds itself at a crossroads once again. And at it's center..." Voph leaned forward, placing both his palms flat on the table. "You." Voph's brow furrowed slowly as he stared silently at Darlyn. "You and all the rest of the clans. First Eshan. Then Umbara. The Mandalorians are preparing for something. And once again the Galaxy prepares for the spiral of war." Voph pushed himself off the table, and began pacing along the length of the table, no longer looking at Darlyn, his hands folding neatly at the small of his back.

"So, imagine my surprise when I discover that a young man is named President of Commenor in the absence and dissolution of the monarchy. A sovereign nation among the fold of the Silver Jedi. One that has withstood the test of time over, and over, and over again. For thousands of years. And it has been entrusted to you. A recognized member of Clan Cadera. At a time when Mandalorian unrest is at a peak. With ties, no less, to the convicted murderer Kay Arenais." Voph rounded on Darlyn suddenly, his blind gaze snapping to Darlyn's own. "A woman who, by her own admission, killed the very people I swore to protect with my life. I am well within my right to kill her and be well justified in doing so."

Voph held his gaze for a moment longer before resuming his pacing. Not a slow leisurely pace. More akin to a caged animal. "Who, conveniently, escaped custody in a nigh-inescapable prison, thanks to the help of the Mandalorian nation, from which she fled to the west, where she now sits appointed Empress of the Eternal Empire." Voph turned his head to stare at Darlyn again, turning to keep his gaze locked on the man as he paced. "I want to believe that you are not a threat to us. But I'm having a hard time convincing myself. A man of your position and influence would be a formidable ally to both the Silver Jedi, and the Clans. And right now, everything I have in front of me tells me that you are a threat. So, I'll make you a deal." Voph returned to his seat, still focused on Darlyn. "Convince me that you are not a threat. That you are not some Mandalorian dog that deserves to be put down with the rest of them."

 

[Darlyn Excron]

• Location: Near Denon
• Carrying: Both personal lightsabers, Exar Kun's lightsaber, Family Blaster (all linked in profile), Suit, personal datapad, cup of tea
• Tags: [member="Voph"]

"The deal wasn't what was important, it was the rapport. Relations between nations, I need to build these things in the wake of the monarchy's dissolution." Maybe it only made sense to him, but seeing how Commenor had suffered and changed so greatly there was little reason to trust the planet at all. Taking time out of his day to personally discuss deals felt to him as a direct step forward, and with any luck it was a step that dealt in other planets' concerns. On a more selfish level, it gave him an excuse to travel and not be stuck in the palace all day long.

He managed to remain seated calmly while Voph spoke, watching him pace and turn to face him. A threat? By the way he spoke he seemed convinced that Darlyn was already a threat and merely wanted him to acknowledge it. Prove it so that he had no qualms dealing with it then and there. He watched silently, sipping tea, until Voph returned to his seat with a final request. Convince him.

"I can only convince you if you are willing to believe me. If you've already decided in your heart what you think there's no force in this life or any other that will convince you otherwise. You've already seemingly forgotten that Commenor wasn't entrusted to a man with Mandalorian ties or ties to Kay, but with a man democratically elected by the people. I've served Commenor for a long time, Voph. The people understood that, and recognized that."

"I have only one interest, and that is continuing to serve and protect Commenor. From who or what I do not care. If anyone brought pain and devastation down to my planet, I would stand to fight for her sake. That is how it has been and how it will continue to be. If you can look at all I have done in her interest, and what I have given for her, and truly believe it irrelevant than you are blinded by some misguided notion I cannot fix. I have no desire to fight you here on this Voph. Not in the way you seem ready to fight. Of the two of us, you're the one who's making threats and creating ultimatums, who felt the need to hide in secrecy. Do you really want to believe I'm not a threat Voph?"

Darlyn stood himself up, unclipped his lightsabers and blaster, and tossed them onto the table in front of Voph before seating himself back down. It might be an empty gesture, since he could easily use the Force to collect them or fight, but in the moment it felt the best action that could be done. "Then stop looking at everyone else to decide who I am. I am not Kay. I am not Mand'alor. I am not a Jedi. I am not Sith. I am just, me. President of Commenor."

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Near Denon
EQUIPMENT: Armor, Lightsabers, Cloak, Ring, Mantle
TAGS: [member="Darlyn Excron"]​

​

Voph watched Darlyn silently for a moment. "It is not my concern that you have ties to the Clans. It is my concern that you have ties to that..." Voph paused before spitting a word in an ancient Sith tongue. One certainly not worth repeating. And even if its exact meaning was not understood, the context provided ample explanation. "...of an excuse for Mand'alor." Voph tossed a datapad on the table, and pressed a button on it. "Little Yash, did you happen to order a raid on Umbara? Kinda important so if you can get back to me I'd appreciate it." Voph pressed the button again, folding his hands in front of him as the recording concluded. "So perhaps you understand my dilemma. Umbara burns under the influence of Mandalorians bearing the mark of Cadera. While another of their members runs calling to mommy to confirm the legality of this attack."

Voph paused for a moment, letting the younger man process what was being said. "The mere fact that your actions are not accounted for prior to the skirmish only casts your intentions in further doubt. Particularly considering that you were seen clad in full beskar'gam on Umbara when the fighting started. Which, unless I have gone senile, you stated that you were visiting out of a desire to foster a rapport with the planet's leaders." Voph spread his arms, brow arching in the silent question that he voiced moments later. "So where is it? You respond to my message, after making considerable demands for your own safety, and you fail to even bring the one item that would best ensure it."

Voph clasped his hands together again. "Perhaps now you understand why I find it difficult to believe you're not a threat. And, for the record, your status as an elected official means nothing. Kay was beloved by her planet, and demonized in an instant when the truth of her conduct came out. Would your planet be so kind to you, should the truth of YOUR actions come out?" Voph's brow furrowed. "That you have ties to people who willingly bombarded civilian targets in an attempt at genocide? What message would that send to the people of your planet if they were to find out? Would they be so willing to love and support you then?"

 

[Darlyn Excron]

• Location: Near Denon
• Carrying: Both personal lightsabers, Exar Kun's lightsaber, Family Blaster (all linked in profile), Suit, personal datapad, cup of tea
• Tags: [member="Voph"]

Darlyn sighed, and set his cup of tea down. Ignoring for now how Voph had obtained a private communication on Clan Cadera channels, an oversight he would make sure to have corrected thrice over, he continued along a single path, seemingly ignoring what Darlyn had said. "If you insist on continuing this one line of inquiry, and disservice me again by judging me not by my actions but your own thoughts on those tied to me, lets go through this slowly then. One, since you clearly don't care about Clan Cadera ties, it's Niece, not 'mommy'. And I was calling to be sure of what her intentions were, so I wouldn't make any hasty, ill advised, poor decisions. There were many things that could have been going on, and it felt off, so I opted to do what I had done for years. Discover the truth."

"Then if you really think my actions are unaccounted for please, would you like my itinerary for three weeks up until the events? In light of becoming democratic once more my life is heavily documented day to day, both to ensure I do not betray the public and to ensure everything is properly done. There are also cameras across the Palace to keep tabs on everything, which means unless I'm sleeping or bathing I'm being recorded day in and out. My actions are well accounted for."

"And yes I came bearing armor, because it was a battlefield. You may recall I own two sets of armor I display prominently in my office. I also bring a suit of armor everywhere I go, in case I should need it, and have since the Incursion however long ago that was. In fact, I had only just changed into that suit on the way down to the planet. I came wearing a suit such as this, but believed it would be less useful than beskar plates on the battlefield. As for why I am not wearing it now," He looked around the room, answering the silent ping on his datapad as he did so indicating he was alright.

"Well, I see no battlefield nor anyone I would expect to be fighting to the death. It is pointless to wear it, and besides that it is a show of good faith that I'm here under peaceful pretenses, despite both of us having brought warships. Unless you think otherwise, I believe it's fair to say I have no need of such a suit of armor."

"And what actions? Kay admitted to murder, that's going to sour anyone's opinion regardless of context. You seem to be forgetting what side I stood on during Umbara. I chose to stand with Jedi against what could have very well been family to me. I worked in an attempt to save civilians, if that sours the people's opinion of me then we have much bigger problems to handle. Speaking of which, why is it you aren't bringing that up yourself? You are aware I was ready then and there to fight adopted family to the death for what I believed was right, or was that somehow outside the intel you had?"

"Please Voph, let's just end this now, there's no reason to think I'm a threat to you. Commenor is in Silver Space, under the protection of Silver Jedi Order. I've been nothing but open and honest with you, to let you know I mean you no harm. We both are under a nation's protection, any harm or threats to either of us would bring consequences to challenge our nations' relationship. I don't want to be that wedge."

 

[Kyyrk]

LOCATION: Near Denon
EQUIPMENT: Armor, Lightsabers, Cloak, Ring, Mantle
TAGS: [member="Darlyn Excron"]​

​

Voph remained silent and passive while Darlyn said his piece. He wasn't sure what he expected to change. Darlyn was the same headstrong child he'd been when Voph met him on Commenor. Perhaps child was being unfair. Being as old as he was tended to skew Voph's perception of maturity. Voph sighed quietly. "You were fighting them, yes. And I, for one, fail to see how this exempts you from guilt." Voph spread his hands in a gesture suggesting he didn't know what to think of the situation. "I have borne witness to, authorized, and conducted a number of operations against my own brethren to accomplish our goals. For the betterment of our people. So, it is not out of the realm of possibility that you were asked to keep your position....convincing."

Voph brought his hands together again to clasp in front of him. "Fight the good fight, kill a few low level grunts, maybe even an officer to really sell it, and all this accepted as part of the...grander plan." Voph leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowing slightly. "Because no matter your insistence that you have been...open and honest with me, you say that you brought your armor because of a battlefield. That, of course, had not begun until after you arrived for your diplomatic meeting."

Voph watched the man quietly for a moment. He was tired of this dance. But the man had made his choice. Voph only prayed the young President had the fortitude to see it through. Because there was one thing the young man had said that, for once, Voph agreed with entirely. "The planet is under the protection of the Silver Jedi, yes. You, however, are merely the elected official who governs it." Voph leaned forward, clasping his hands slowly. "And if you begin to become a....problem...well...let's just say I solve problems. Always have, always will."

Voph pushed himself to his feet, folding his arms at the small of his back, an added flourish as his left hand nestled within his right. He turned towards the port gazing out into the black expanse, and Darlyn's ship across the rift. As he began walking towards the window, he continued speaking. "You see, the thing that I think you don't understand is this. There are people I care about among the Jedi. There are people I care about among the Confederacy. And right now, you, among other things, are making it difficult for me to believe that no harm will come to them."

Voph turned towards Darlyn, pausing near the window. "I know better than to threaten you. For better or worse, you are too young and headstrong to give such a gesture the reverence it is due." Voph turned, and walked slowly towards the door. "And so, I would thank you for your time, but clearly you have too much of it already. Return to your planet, and go about your business. But understand this." Voph paused at the door, turning to face Darlyn fully. "Whether you want to be that wedge or not, you have become so. The Mandalorians are pushing the galaxy towards a renewed era of war. And you, President of a weak and withering utopia, Headstrong and ignorant, and barely older than my youngest son, sit at the heart of it. You find yourself at a crossroads, able to sway the course of this war to one, or the other. And I now know that I can do nothing but pray that you will not make me put you down."

Voph gestured to the door beside him. "Leave. Go back to your planet, and take what course of action you deem necessary. And understand that for perhaps the only time in your life, I agree with you. You may be a threat to the peace and well being of the galaxy. But you are not a threat to me. You would be wise to keep it that way." As Voph fell silent, holding a hand extended towards the door, he smiled under his rebreather. A cruel, predatory smile. While not the outcome Voph had hoped might be possible, he had still accomplished his goals. A resounding success. Now it was time to act upon what he had learned...

 

[Darlyn Excron]

• Location: Near Denon
• Carrying: Both personal lightsabers, Exar Kun's lightsaber, Family Blaster (all linked in profile), Suit, personal datapad, cup of tea
• Tags: [member="Voph"]
• Note: Last post

Darlyn quietly pressed a button on his datapad to make sure this portion of the conversation was recorded, particularly when it felt as though Voph was taking a threatening tone of voice. Darlyn very much wanted then and there to confront the man, on a number of topics, but resolved himself to weather the storm. When at last he was finished, he pushed himself up, still recording. "Fighting soldiers and fighting family are very, wildly different Voph. Since you seem to know something of Mandalorian culture, I would've thought you'd understand that. You also misunderstand, I brought the armor as a precaution towards any sort of violence. I wore it when I realized Umbara had turned to a battlefield." He sighed and shook his head a bit. He collected his weapons, the absence from his hip of Exar Kun's lightsaber no doubt contributing to his tolerance of Voph's... intolerance, as he was feeling more angry the moment it reached his person.

"However, it seems our discussion has ended. Have a good rest of the day, Viceroy. I hope your planet and people prosper." And with that, he left, wasting no time getting through the CIS ship, onto his shuttle, and making the short trip over to the Queensguard. Once on board, he had the crew make preparations to jump to Commenor, and requested with his guards to make a note to reopen Voph's file when they returned. Once the ship made the jump, and he was safely on his way to Commenor, he sent a short message to the Head Ambassador. "[member="Veiere Arenais"], your presence is requested on Commenor at your earliest convenience."