Where to Begin

[Faith Organa]

She had spent a lot of time looking out windows and thinking about the past. She had already seen a lot of change in the galaxy but none had so affected her at finding out the Metal Lords, their allies were no more.

The Coalition took them all in that wanted to come and she fretted over the fate of [member="HK-36"] you had to meet him and talk to him to understand it all. He knew the history of Alderaan. He knew all the way back to when the Rebel Princess still lived. How she had loved listening to him even if he did embellish a bit.

But now a new leader was rising from the fall of the Metal Lords but there was still the fate of the organics that had worked for them, and understood them better than the galaxy at large.

Faith thought it best to invite Ra'a'mah to speak with her on Nubia. The Metal Lords capital world had been Denon she wondered should they go to Denon and allow the ML to continue. But first she had to meet with Ra'a'mah and find out what remained of the merchant fleet and if she would be staying on now that the ML had fallen.

She waited at the Grand Hotel a prestigious chain around the galaxy, they provided some security and the complimentary drinks and snacks needed for meetings. Faith didn't have an interest in sweets right now but she did toy with a glass of amber colored whiskey. A change from her drink of choice.

She asked Ra'a'mah if she would meet with her. It was not an order she just wanted to talk and if she did not wish she was not obligated to come.

 

[Riamah]

When the Metal Lords had been at their hour of need, the Free Worlds had answered their call for help. After a time of loss and confusion, Ra had transitioned maybe better and easier than the droids she had worked with before. The Metal Lords lived on, but HK had disappeared. The Spark Lords were still present, but certainly aloof from an organic like her. They only concerned themselves with the droids and Metal Lords. Organics like Ra and Harris were beneath their notice. So they needed to find a new place.

Not wanting to give up what she had accomplished with the MLs, Ra hoped to continue in the same capacity with the Free Worlds. In time maybe even help regrow the MLs and return them to Denon. For now though, they would remain with the Free Worlds until such a time that they could go back.

An invitation was sent to her to travel to Nubia and meet Faith Organa at the Grand Hotel there. The time and location set, Ra showed up dressed in nice looking business clothes. No weapons were visible and her Force ability was hidden like usual. The Metal Lords had not know of her ability and there was no reason to reveal it now. Dealing with an organic though, she would have be more careful.

Her red hair was pulled back into a tail that was fastened at her neck instead of a braid. She wore a light blue top and black pants. Nodding when she saw the woman already waiting for her, she walked over with the confidence of a successful business person. A polite smile was on her face, but since she had to actually get to know Faith, it didn't reach her eyes. Not coming across as cold or anything, just neutral and professional.

"Thank you for the invitation. I'm Ra'a'mah Numare, but please just call me Ra. Much easier for people to remember."

[member="Faith Organa"]

 

[Marina DeVoe]

"Oh thank the Heavens..." She had looked at her wrist crono.
For once she was a few minutes within the scope of being on time....hopefully.

Marina had pushed her ship across the galaxy from her departure of the Commoner system to Nibia, racing time and space itself. It had been a close race, with only one re-angle jump stop, giving time a little lead on her. But her perseverance in skimming close to a system-less star, with much objection from her droid, Marina regained that lost time and by the time she broke into the system; one could say it were a close tie.

Still, she should have arrived much earlier to have met her queen when her majesty arrived. But that's where Bekka came in. She was the queen's personal assistance and coordinator, as Marina was one of the interns by which the queen hoped to one day have Alderaan represented by on a foreign system.

Marina were greeted by the hotel host, who had been informed prior of the Coalition guests and company. All reservations on the Coalition side had been arranged by Bekka.
He greeted her following her father's title, Lady DeVoe. Marina were only a daughter of Duke Kyle DeVoe, and still had yet to be ordained Duchess like her mother and sister....not to mention her elder brother young Duke Jerrid DeVoe. But despite her thought on prefering to be called marina, she were still in competition with time, as time was relentless and never needed to take a breather, she didn't object and took to following the hotel host to her destination.

She were escorted to the suite and had entered the large chambers when her eyes caught a striking woman with fire hair greeting her majesty. Marina took in a deep breath and focused on the immediate scenario. In all honesty, Marina had only met one true sentient droid, SN-1411. And that went like anything else, she spoke with the sentient like he were like any living creature. But as far as knowing more about the Metal Lords, she knew little of their history and their relationship as far as their merging alliance to The Free World Coalition.
But she knew they were sentients that had become fully aware of their existence and had formed a faction of their own.

Marina knew these sentients were nothing like the battle droids she had no liking to even have in existence. The battle droids were created and designed with one clear protocol and that was to wage and be used in conflicts and wars without a thought to compassion or mercy. They were far removed from what one would call humanity...a slang used in the galaxy to express the consciousness of all living beings.
But Marina's only understanding of the Metal lords were that they, unlike battle droids had compassion, consciousness and were more humane than many living entities such as sith, majority of Imps and mandos...etc. As these groups were more mechanically minded in their absolute thinking than droid sentients who had become aware of their existence.

So it were of interest and pleasure for Marina to be here assisting her queen in discussing and planning options concerning the Metal Lords.
She approached her queen as the young lady introduced herself to Faith.
Marina, stood next to Bekka, as she waited for her turn to greet both her queen and the young woman who wished to be called Ra. A smile graced Marina, as the woman too preferred to be called by her given name rather than by her sir name or any entitlement. in her eyes, Marina had yet to earn her own assumed tittle of Duchess...but she was currently working on it.

She gave Bekka a smile, with a greeting undertone...and a hello wink. Bekka as usual remained as poised and ready under her majesty's command and beckon, making like she didn't notice her. Marina had to lightly elbow nudge her to get her show a slight smile, acknowledging a hello back at her.
Marina loved Bekka and they got along well, just that when in the presence of the queen, Bekka was all poised and proper.

 

[Faith Organa]

@Ra'a'mah | [member="Marina DeVoe"]

"Ms. Numare please come in make yourself comfortable" Faith did not know what to call Ra having no information regarding rank if she possessed one. Something Bekka had worked hard at finding coming up empty.

"This is Lady Marine Devoe of House Devoe of Alderaan. She's part of our diplomatic staff." She really needed to come up with a better title for Marina. She'd have to give it some thought. She would leave it to Marina to what name she should be called by in this meeting

"I am Faith, to everyone, so.. Ra." How to talk about this most difficult subject. "I don't know where to begin." Faith moved to sit and motioned that everyone should sit. This part of protocols drove her crazy. "I guess..how are you Ra? Have you recovered from the events at Denon?"

She had Theo's report about Denon but she wanted to hear from others that were there. How they were doing, what did they need. She would wait to ask the other questions that plagued her mind.

 

[Riamah]

Accepting one of the offered seats, Ra did make herself comfortable and took one of the drinks that was offered for them. Nodding and giving Marina a polite smile as Faith introduced the both of them, she would extend a hand for each to shake.

"Thank you for the invitation to meet, Faith. It is a pleasure to meet you and Ms. Devoe."

Faith expressed not knowing where to begin and Ra could understand that. Meeting new people could sometimes be a daunting task. It was something Ra was used to by now, but not everybody was. A simple how are you was asked and if Ra had recovered from what happened on Denon.

"Well, I personally got lucky in what happened with the Metal Lords. As lead of a merchant fleet, my ships are far from battle worthy and skipped under the radar of the attackers. My recovery needed was minimal, finding a place for the others has been a bit of a challenge. I do thank you for welcoming us and providing what you could. The other Metal Lords though are having a little bit more of a difficult time settling in.

"So far though, myself, other than my fleet, I lack a bunk to rest my head on when I'm not working."

That would be only real issue she had come across. Staying on main ship was fine, but it was always nice to have a bed on the ground to sleep in and a place to call home. Her own actual home was on Vjun and she had maintained Bast Castle there for several years now. She did get to spend some time there, it was too far away for her to spend much time there.

"Do you have any questions for me concerning what happened?"

So far other than the brief greeting her attention had been for Faith, but now she turned her attention to Marina.

"I will admit to being a business minded woman, but I am no diplomat. There is good in what you do, but it's not my calling. Do you have any contacts that might be interested in making trade agreements?"

This assumed the Free Worlds would allow her to stay on and in the same position she had with the Metal Lords.

[member="Faith Organa"] [member="Marina DeVoe"]

 

[Marina DeVoe]

"Marina would do fine..." She met the woman's hand, taking it in the traditional manner of greeting. Immediately, Marina had a good feeling for the woman with red hair. It were like an instant likeness of a person.

She turned her attention for a moment to her queen who had initiated the conversation and took her time to listen. Much were to be learned from listening. Especially since she lacked much knowledge of the Metal lords, say for her one sentient contact [member="SN-1411"] whom she had the pleasure of discovering he were such a self aware sentient. SN's story was unique to marina, as all she knew of droids really was her own on board companion TK1213, an astro-mech droid to her ship the Mariner IV.
TK wasn't a sentient droid..not that she were aware of, as it had never occurred for her to inquire. TK was simply a reliable companion..like a pet at times during her long flights. And of course and excellent mechanic and pilot to. But she could argue the piloting thing. She had too, or else what would be her purpose in piloting her own ship if she admitted TK could do as good if not a better job than she?

"If i may, your majesty..." She began, before replying to Ra. Marina were of protocols and etiquette when in the presence of her queen.
She was after all a Duke's daughter, but held no titles, as her elder sister had attained Young Duchess. Besides, Marina's heart aside from being on Alderaan were to the skies. And because of that, she was more off world (Alderaan) and exploring the galaxy than anything.
"I do have a very close friend who has taken to reside on Alderaan. She is what I consider my best friend, and I have agreed to provide her company with the means of transporting her goods to off world markets.
I know this is on a small scale as to what the Metal lords need as far as assistance with and the goods are incidentally Sovereign wines...again nothing by which the Metal Lords have need for. But one of the systems is Commoner and I am to seek permission as a transporter to get shipping rights.
This I believe could open up more trade with Commoner and provide the means of getting The Metal Lords some commerce in that system also." She explained. It weren't much, her own initiative to attain registration and permission to fly to and from Commoner system as a shipper/transporter, but it were by all means an open door.

"Naturally, I will have to seek permission with the system administration...namely the sovereign head of state. The Queen of Commoner. I have had good correspondence with a company executive whom I became very good friends with, a Cessy. Cessy assured me that my application should go through with the Commenor system administration, without me needing to get permission from the queen.
But seeing that I aim to open this door a bit wider to accommodate the Metal Lords, I shall go and see the queen as a representative of both Alderaan and of The Free World Coalition." Marina replied to Ra.

Then...
"I mean...if her majesty, Queen [member="Faith Organa"] will allow me?" Marina had to ask her own queen's approval, for she weren't now just going to Commenor as planned for her own shipping company, but actually to seek audience with the Commoner system's queen... [member="Lady Kay"].

 

[Faith Organa]

@Ra'a'mah | [member="Marina DeVoe"]

One thing Marina did that amazed Faith was talk quickly. From one subject to the next without a blink amazing. It was no wonder she was in the diplomatic corps actually because if anything politicians needed to talk, sometimes a lot.

Faith of course knew of the friend [member="Mariya Fleischer"] after all a business that talked of Alderaan was usually among the briefings in the morning to make her aware. Not to tax them or anything so ridiculous but to know that Alderaan was represented well by those invoking the name.

"We have trade agreements with Commenor Marina, I'm sure [member="Lady Kay"] would not mind additional goods to be swapped across borders." No she did not think Kay would mind at all they were at peace with one another and for two people who had spent so much time together once they rarely saw each other now. Odd how life works out sometimes. But that was how fickle it could all be.

Finally Faith turned her attention back to Ra, "I would very much like to know what happen. Everything seemed so..well planned, laid out." And where was HK she would wait to ask about her friend for indeed he had become one. "As for trade we have trade agreements throughout this portion of the core, and one with ORC, and GA. It should provide many avenues for expansion"

Trade they lived for it for somethings could be obtained no other way.

 

[Marina DeVoe]

Oops...she had not done all her homework. Marina were under the impression that Commenor System Alliances were not that close with the Free World Coalition...mostly due to the great expanse between their two governments. But they were indeed allies, she knew that much at least. Just hadn't been aware of the full trade agreements between the systems.
Still, it would then come to reason that her endeavor with her friend @Mariya Fleisher concerning the Sovereign wines from Alderaani orchards.

"My apologies, your majesty...." Marina bowed her head apologetically. She had assumed wrong about the current state of commerce between the FWC and CSA.
"I apparently didn't fully go over the manifest concerning our full relation disclosure with Commenor." She continued. When marina was wrong, she had no problem to admit it. Her lack of full disclosure was indeed an oversight on her part for sure. But her intentions would have been right, even in her lack of knowledge of the commerce agreements between the two systems.
"I'll bring myself up to date on that..."

With that, she thought best to recede a moment and allow her queen and Ra to converse on their own. marina were seen to slightly bite her lips shut. it were something she could do...sometimes. And this time, she best not interrupt her queen.

Lord were it difficult to keep her mouth sealed.... it were almost like holding one's breath.

 

[Riamah]

She had met Lady Kay many years ago once, before she had married her husband. In fact, it had been the night he stated they should get married. After that though, the two of them had left and started Commenor and been a success in their own right.

Marina stated she had a best friend and that made Ra tip the corners of her mouth up slightly. Real friends were something rare, but even she had one she considered a best friend. They had both helped each other through the years and Ra planned on continuing to help her friend when it was needed.

Seeming friendly enough, Ra still choose to maintain a professional distance between the other two. In time, she hoped to be able to call them more than acquaintances. Having just met both of them, it would take time for her to decide, but she had a good feeling about them.

When Faith spoke up about a previous trade agreement between the Coalition and Commenor, Ra gave a simple nod. Reestablishing the agreement, updating it and just keeping in touch could go a long way in things though. That is if she was allowed to basically do a lateral transfer from the Metal Lords to the Coalition.

"Marina, it can be difficult to keep up on everything. Even I have a hard time with that. Things will be fine though."

When Faith continued about agreements between the Alliance and the Outer Rim​. Ra nodded again and made a mental note to add them to people she could trade with. She also asked what happened to the Metal Lords as it had appeared their plans had been so well laid out.

"There was a rouge droid. Banished Metal Lord actually that amassed forces of his own. It was a surprise to all of us. He was somehow able to highjack and take control of one of our own droids. It just led to a fall out and we crumbled. HK went away on one of his space hulks and deactivated. At least we have not heard anything from him."

As she spoke, there was a sense of defeat or resignation in voice. She accepted what had happened, even if she didn't like it. There was nothing Ra could do to change that past or bring HK back. He had survived though or so she hoped.

[member="Marina DeVoe"] [member="Faith Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Marina DeVoe"] | @Ra'a'mah

Faith had not meant to admonish Marina at all just provide a bit of data. "Yes I negotiated it myself with Darben Skirae some time ago. He was very polite and also politely turned me down for military support. Meaning if we are under attack they will not aide us. We also provide lecturers if invited. A very open trade. But there is no harm Marina there are many documents to read. Don't fret over it.

They discussion turned again to what had happen. "A rogue." She shook her head, "That is the failing isn't it whether organic, or droid there comes a point where one feels the need to be in charge I guess. You say HK went away just like that without a word?"

That sounded so unlike him he was a fighter.."Should we look for him?"

 

[Marina DeVoe]

It were true, Marina hadn't caught up with all of the Galactic politics surrounding the FWC and it's standing among all the various factions throughout the galaxy. She knew that most of Alderaani core values were reflected upon the coalition, but still didn't know all the doctrines and standing treaties. She did however study galactic law, business ethics and politics. After all,besides her own personal interest in exploring the galaxy, she did acquire a doctorate in political sciences, as per her family tradition.
Marina was certainly new at this, per applied practice...reason she were under her queen's internship.

"Ah, I think I've a better understanding now." She replied, now more set on listening than cutting in on mere impulse. But the young daughter of the Duke could be said she had quite an enthusiasm in trying to do her best in helping. Just that sometimes, she would dive head first without feeling the temperament of the water with her feet.

"So, we do have a good relation with Commenor systems... but if I or anyone representing the FWC can strengthen that, it's all for the better...for both systems....yes." Seems like she did get it, as she beamed a smile to her queen.
Marina would certainly represent not only her friend's wines, but also the Coalition of Free Worlds.

"I may have met HK along some line, but I do know of [member="SN-1411"] . He is quite an intelligent sentient droid with a pleasant personality. Has anyone seen him of late? Perhaps he may have some insight on how the Metal Lords current conditions have affected their autonomy as a whole." She added, wondering as to what happened to her droid friend she had met at the Red Plum Gala, just weeks before.

 

[Riamah]

Her only contact with anybody in Commenor had been several years ago when she was a simple merchant. Technically Ra still felt she was a merchant more than anything else. A businesswoman and lead of a fleet of ships, but dedicated to the mercantile life. Her roles in previous factions as intelligence did lend a hand in her ability to reach out. She needed connections and contacts all over in that line of work. However, that was another aspect of her life she kept secret.

Turning her attention to Faith as she spoke about HK and his disappearing. When she asked about looking for him, Ra shook her head.

"No, I don't think he wants that, your majesty. If he did, he wouldn't have done it without a way for us to contact him. Maybe he's gone off in search for the cause of the rebellion or whatever C-02 wanted."

There were other theories she had, but kept them to herself for now. The only hope she knew HK had was there would equal rights for the droids within FWC space.

"What he wanted was equal rights for the droids. Is that something you can offer?"

Marina spoke up again and said she had a better understanding of things and Ra nodded. Reinforcing contacts was always a good thing and keeping in touch with the people always helped.

"He's not a member of the Metal Lords, I can tell you that much. At least I don't think he is. He wasn't on my ship when my fleet was picked up."

[member="Marina DeVoe"] [member="Faith Organa"]

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Marina DeVoe"] "Yes Marina you can always do things to strengthen ties. No one would fault you for that ever." it was true she only liked to be aware is all. In case someone called up one day and said Hey Marina was here and promised us food stuff that haven't arrived...what do you know. She could answer firmly and with a clue.

Faith was disappointed for certain. "I will miss him. For all his oddities and for being a droid. I found him most interesting a friend." Indeed he had come to every party on Alderaan, and made sure she had been safe on her travels in his sector of space. Yes he was a true friend. the thought of him out there turned off just weighed on her shoulders it wasn't death but it felt like it.

Equal rights for the droids,

"Yes we had a deal on Corellia that there would be a test of sentience for any droid. I would still honor that. " For a moment she thought of the clones they too deserved equal rights. That still seemed like a long time ago. It felt long ago.

"Would you know which droids were...not related or in collusion with CO2?" She did not want rebellion to come into the Coalition anymore than it already had.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

"I wonder if the connections I made with the Metal Lords would carry over to the Coalition? Of course, if you need me to maintain the merchant fleet and continue my job."

It wasn't a given, but ​Ra had hope and a good feeling she would be allowed to stay. They had given her and other Metal Lords places to stay, recover if they needed to and even some of the organics had found homes or positions of work here. Just based off the welcome they had so far, Ra almost naturally assumed she could have the same role for the Coalition.

Giving Faith a slight smile it faded as she thought of HK just going away like he did.

"Who knows, he may come back in our lifetimes, but I doubt it."

Ra wasn't sure if they had been friends, almost equals or what. HK was full of idiosyncrasies, but fundamentally he was a good person​.

"Thank you for honoring that. As for which droids are or not related to C-02 would be difficult to tell. I suppose if they act violently, then they are likely allied with him. The remaining Metal Lords that came with me though are not with those forces along with most of what we had to leave behind."

[member="Faith Organa"] [member="Marina DeVoe"]

 

[Marina DeVoe]

She listened with great interest, filing away what was pertinent on the main subject of the rift between the Metal Lords and what was not. There seemed to be some talk and emotions about one key sentient droid [member="HK-36"] , whom seemed to be held dear by both her queen and Ra.
Marina could see how one could become attached to such droids. Sure she met and understood @SN-11, but she had also grown sort of same attachment to her astro-mech droid. She hadn't realized how much of an attachment till her last trip on Juniper Canyon on the system Commenor, where she thought she had lost her droid to marauders. But luckily, he had only been grazed and only his comm link needed replacement. otherwise the little tin can was good as ever.
Yes, she could relate to her queen and Ra, when they spoke of their sentient friend HK.

"Well, you can count me in with your fleet, Ra, as far as it concerns the Metal Lords and the organics that need assistance. My ship is also equipped with an OEM factory license approved 3-D parts printer. If any droid, sentient or otherwise need to be repaired, it can replicate an OEM quality replacement part." She added.

Yes, besides a Med bay for organics, her ship had a state of the art 3-D printer, that for the most part, could replicate any parts of just about anything. Naturally, it required a specific downloaded blue print to do it, as it just didn't print by will alone. It needed to download a schematic or program for it to produce the part. that is, if it could not scan a good part to replicate.