Private The Edge of Peace

[Kaela Verrin]

Kaela listened carefully, allowing the words of both the Grand Moff and Prefect Tron to settle before she spoke. There was no visible shift in her expression, but there was a slight inclination of her head.

"You will find no argument from me regarding the Sith," she said. "The Alliance is focused there as well. Their influence, their violence, their disregard for anything beyond their own power has already cost the galaxy more than most people realize. If the Confederation is prepared to act, to open another front against them, that would no doubt apply the kind of pressure we cannot create alone."

Her hands rested lightly on the table, fingers steepled in a deliberate, thoughtful pose.

"And as for hyperspace routes, I could not agree more. The realignment of lanes and the shifting of economic centers are already affecting member worlds across our territories. Every week brings new updates from Frontier Systems asking for support, clarity, or help in reestablishing lost supply chains. This is a challenge that transcends borders."

Kaela paused only a moment before continuing.

"Perhaps it is time a formal Alliance delegation joins with the Chancellor and meets your Empress directly. There is only so much that can be done through preliminary discussions. If we are serious about avoiding conflict and establishing practical cooperation, then we should not wait for another crisis to make it necessary."

She turned then, glancing toward Cassia.

"What do you think?" she asked, clearly putting a lot of value in her opinion.

Nos Voros Cassia Fraus Selrik Lorcas Nolle Tron
​

 

[Nos Voros]

Objective: Ongoing security detail.
Outfit: Senate Commando Armor [X]
Full Kit Deployment:

Spoiler: Full Kit

See prior post for full loadout.

Nos held his position—unmoving in the shadow of the chamber’s symmetry, its polished cold, its sterilized civility.

Noweapons drawn. No shift in tone. Just words. The Grand Moff drank water before answering. A small motion, easy to miss, but deliberate. Meant to disarm. So was the grin.

Cassia hadn’t sat. Smart. She read the posture behind the rhetoric. Kaela's tempo slowed, voice steady. Nos’s HUD updated with mild telemetry pulses—body heat near normal, ventilation cycles holding. The Sentinels were attentive but still. Nothing yet out of pattern.

He didn’t judge the conversation, the common ground regarding the Sith theeat. He just mapped it. Catalogued it.

Kaela Verrin Cassia Fraus Selrik Lorcas Nolle Tron​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

She gave a small nod, speaking to the general company to start.

"Before I say anything, I'd like to make it clear that I am simply here to state things as I see them. My words are not intended nor designed to bring any further conflict or offence, merely to guide Senator Kaela towards the most informed decision she can make."

This statement served as a failsafe. One of the first things she'd learnt. Minimal, but always worth it.

Occasionally it would be required for Cassia to speak on topics that her opposition may sit against or dis-moral their claims. If there was anything urgent that she needed Kaela to be aware of, it would need to be said right there and then without her having to sensor it so as to not insult their present company. These words allowed her to speak with relative freedom. To an extent, of course.

Cassia met Kaela's gaze, taking a moment to consider her next words, and the implications of what had been said so far.

"It seems to be in general agreeance that this situation is not one that should be handled lightly. The Sith pose as great of a threat to us as they do the Imperials and as such are not to be overlooked. To sit and await another crisis would only serve to aid the Sith and their cause. Action needs to take place if we wish to avoid such things."

Her voice was even, directing her words primarily towards Kaela. Kaella was, after all, her main concern here. She folded her hands behind her back as she continued to talk.

"Provided that this visit carries out without any complications, I see no harm in bringing matters directly to the hands of their Empress herself. Time would be saved, and the urgent matters would be resolved more readily. Establishing a connection between our peoples, however short lived it may be, seems to be our best option forwards."

There was a small pause, a break in her speech. She knew her professional opinion wasn't the only thing Kaela was seeking. There was no need to make it known to the Imperials that what she said next stemmed from her own personal beliefs. But Kaela, of course, would know.

"With that being said, it would be unwise to head into such negotiations without further discussion that takes place here. We should not lay waste to caution just yet. Things that seem like good intentions can be misleading, especially when dealing with those who were once your opposition."

She was selecting her words with extra caution here. Despite her earlier statement, she was still being wary of what language she'd use. You could never have too much caution.

Kaela Verrin | Nos Voros | Nolle Tron | Selrik Lorcas​

 

[Selrik Lorcas]

​

Yes, there was the matter of the shifted hyperspace routes. The anomalous event that had transpired within the galaxy had done a number on everyone, including the Confederation. Whole systems had been moved out of alignment with their previously charted positions. It made it far more difficult to keep things orderly.

"Yes, thank you for bringing that up, Prefect Tron," he said in agreement with her statement. "I suspect you've had the same issue within the center of the galaxy as we have out here in the Slice with whole systems moving, new systems appearing, and various other anomalies. It would behoove us all to work together to reconnect the hyperlanes and re-establish trade routes. I do not believe it would be unwise to share what we know on planetary locations with you if you can reciprocate in kind."

It was in the best interest of the galaxy to work together to restore a level of normalcy after the event that caused the dealignment of worlds. Sometimes that meant putting aside differences. And while the Senator's aid seemed to view them as direct adversaries from a historical precedent, few within the Confederation had ever actually fought against them outside of the Empire Reborn's numbers, and not all of them had participated in those efforts either. Selrik was aware that the Risen Empire, from whom the Empress heralded, had never had a combative engagement with the Alliance or any other major galactic power.

There were other rogue Imperial elements still alive in the galaxy, some of them residing amongst the false empire of the Sith. Those could be problematic in the future if they were utilized to attempt to instigate hostilities between the Confederation and other governments under false flag operations. That, however, was not a problem worth discussing in this meeting.

"Aside from members of the Empire Reborn I do not believe anyone in the Confederation has directly fought the Alliance. I understand you are viewing us from the standpoint of a name, but that's quite stereotypical considering we've made no show of any form of aggression towards anyone at the moment. Our priority has been solidifying our borders and reorganizing with the change to galactic alignment. What I say holds merit as the highest ranking Moff of the Confederacy and a member of the Ruling council.

"However, if you wish to convene a more formal meeting with the Empress and the Chancellor, which I will be present for, I am not against it. I am, however, aware of the Chancellor's past, and the meeting will not be allowed to take place unless the Chancellor agrees to meet within a nullification room."

OUTFIT: Moff Standard | GEAR: Blaster Pistol | COMPANIONS: Imperial Sentinels x4
TAGS: Nolle Tron | Kaela Verrin | Cassia Fraus | Nos Voros ​

 

[Nolle Tron]

Objective: Keep open pathways, don't embarrass self.
Location: Moff Council Chamber, Imperial Citadel, New Alderaan
Outfit:Imperial Prefect Uniform
Entourage: Prystill Oasay, Theelin assistant
Tags: Selrik Lorcas | Kaela Verrin | Cassia Fraus | Nos Voros
Dialogue Key: "Galactic Basic" | <<Theelin>>

The Senator's acceptance of the Grand Moff's assertion that the Sith presented a threat to both the Confederation and the Alliance was hardly a shock. One did not make it to the rank of Senator by being blind to the obvious. The same can be said for a Prefect.

The question of whether the Confederation was ready to act against the Sith was another altogether. Supreme Commander Marlon Sularen was making strides and the Confederation could surely defend itself against invasion, but if they had the means for an offensive maneuver again the Sith Nolle was not quite sure.

The importance of the need for new hyper lanes being recognized by both Senator and Grand Moff was a comfort to Nolle. She had put things in motion. Hired contractors to map the most effective way to bring goods from the outskirts of Confederate space, and what should be Confederate space, to the Core of Imperial being. However, there would come a point where her Prefect status was not enough to continue forward.

The mention of a formal meeting of higher powers was something that Nolle could hang her hat on, but at the same time she wasn't sure her clout had risen to the level that she would be a part of that. How much credit would she get for whatever came from a meeting with the Empress? The Grand Moff would be there, but would he give her credit for helping to lay the groundwork?

The Senator asked for her advisor's opinion. Nolle turned to the braided blonde with interest. The woman had been silent up to this point. Unlike Nolle she had obviously already made her impression upon the Senator and was a trusted associate. Nolle still had to earn that from the Grand Moff and others on the Ruling Council, so she didn't have the luxury of waiting until her opinion was asked for.

A smirk formed on Nolle's mouth as Cassia prefaced her statement. This one would be more blunt, less diplomatic. That was fine with Nolle. She was the fourth to acknowledge the threat the Sith were to the galaxy. It appeared a military truce to focus on the Sith threat would be easily attainable. Cassia however increased the desire for action. Nolle was grateful that she would not be the one to answer for this action. Except perhaps as an economic response. The Blackwall seemed to make any sanctions against the Sith Empire moot however.

Cassia advised caution at moving too quickly up the ladder. This was pleasing to Nolle the more details that could be forged in this meeting the more likely she was to get noticed. The fact that Cassia used a supposed adversarial relationship between the Confederation and the Alliance bothered Nolle a bit less than the Grand Moff, even though the ISA and the Empire of the Lost had little interaction with the Alliance. At least that she was aware.

"I think there has been a good amount of agreeing done here today. If the purpose of the visit was to see if common ground was there, you can return to your Senate and claim success," Nolle responded, careful to keep the door open for talks to continue.

"I know that cooperation will be key in this time of uncertainties in the galaxy as our borders come closer together. If this is the end of this meeting, I hope you will not hesitate to ask me for any aid that you need in commerce within the Confederation. Or anything else. I will leave specifics of any meeting with the Empress to the Grand Moff."

 

[Kaela Verrin]

Kaela offered a small nod at both the Grand Moff's and Prefect Tron's closing remarks, her expression thoughtful but composed. Cassia and Nos each received a grateful smile, as well.

"I believe we have taken a valuable first step today. Dialogue such as this is rarely simple, but I have appreciated the candor and the willingness on both sides to engage directly. If we are serious about pursuing something more stable and lasting, then I do believe a meeting between the Chancellor and your Empress will be necessary. We have reached the limit of what can be accomplished in delegation alone."

She allowed a pause, not out of hesitation, but to let the statement settle with clarity.

"I will forward the relevant requests, including the conditions surrounding the setting and any expectations, to the Chancellor's office. From there, the matter will be in his hands. He is a careful man, and I believe he will understand the importance of the moment."

Her gaze moved between both Imperials again, steady but respectful.

"Whatever comes next, I am hopeful we can build on what was established here. I thank you both for your time and the civility with which it was given."

Nos Voros Cassia Fraus Selrik Lorcas Nolle Tron
​

 

[Cassia Fraus]

Cassia, with her own views on the situation being previously spoken, had no further remarks to make on it.

Not here, at least.

There were a few things she'd mentally made note of, small things, things that wouldn't change the outcome of this meeting. Things that may be of worth in the future, but for the time being were meaningless.

It was nothing but a few select words. There was every chance that she was simply overanalysing, reading too deep between the lines. Then again, in many ways, that was her job. To analyse every aspect of the situation and bring to light anything that may be of concern. No matter how small. She would simply point out what she'd noticed and allow Kaela to make of it what she will.

All things considered, this had been wrapped up fairly well. From her standpoint, there was little else here that could be achieved here. Further negotiations would obviously still be required between the two groups, but it was a solid foundation to be built upon.

Kaela Verrin | Nos Voros | Nolle Tron | Selrik Lorcas​