Apprehensive, watching the end come...
Allies: TRA │
Me.
Enemies: [member="Alkor Centaris"] │ [member="Kor Vexen"] │ [member="Darth Voracitos"] │ [member="Vestille Thumahra"] │ [member="Djorn Bline"] │ [member="Khaji Ri'Had"]
The conversation had been going on for some time, though every passing second tension seemed to rise. It wasn’t in the room they stood so much as the air turned colder, the force seemed to churn and stir from upheavals and attacks, and the looming presence of war drew ever closer. Every second wasted on ‘debate’ and ‘diplomacy’ left the Jedi and the Gree at greater and greater disadvantages, and it was only compounded by the trivilities of their arguments.
“
-... and that is why the Gree believe their technology is too important to leave behind.”
“
I understand that, Grand Council, but the sith will look to steal the technology. Repurpose it for their own good, and they’ll use your citizens to do so. They don’t care about the sanctity of life as you or I, only what is useful.”
A small lul in the conversation as the Gree spoke amongst themselves. Metal knocking rang on the door behind him, forcing his attention away for the moment to see the same rebel he had seen before, only with sweat dripping down her brow and not a breath in her lungs. She rushed forward, quickly whispering in his ear;
“
Sir, multiple reports of unknown rebel groups firing on citizens and other civilian targets. Uplinks show no correlation to known dark cells, what do we do?”
Her voice was almost hoarse, rushed through tension with a tight jaw and a heavy heart. Wyatt could feel the pain she felt, and the worry that crept through her thoughts. Standing still, he pondered for a second before speaking once more;
“
Make sure everyone reports back to their respective commanders, or to me. I’ll… I’ll run damage control. Anyone not dark yet move to the evac points.”
He couldn’t help but think they were almost out of time as more and more Sith poured onto Gree and the capital city itself. Gritting his teeth, he walked back up to speak once more; letting the Droid and his masters take in the weight of his words;
“
Most Honorable Council. It has come to my attention as of only a moment ago that there are numerous firefights going on around the city. Some reports you may have seen would imply they are of Rebel association, that it is my people who seek to take advantage of the chaos, but I implore you to think otherwise.”
His voice was heavy, but confident. It carried with it equal measures bravery and sadness at the loss of life. The Gree were notorious for their intellect, but Wyatt could only hope they’d be swayed through empathy to trust.
“
You are amongst the most intelligent life in the galaxy, and that is not to mean flattery. We’ve been over Gree, and on the surface for months; and have yet to have any issue with one another. Up until today, there has not been a single casualties attributed to infighting between our two people, and yet today you’ll see that their is a stark contrast to such.”
“
I’d even go as far to say it is impossible that the Rebels have anything to do with it. The chances that the rebels would wait until the sith threatened to knock down your door to steal something we have no use for would be asinine. We’ve neither the facilities to use such pieces, nor the manpower; and yet…”
He paused, considering his next words carefully.
“
And yet, the Sith would have you believe us creatures of carrion. Despite the help we offer, that we would bite that hand that has fed us for so long. They insult your great people, your great accomplishments, and threaten your very way of life. I -”
He was interrupted once more as he felt the sudden darkness that festered outside their halls. It was as if his very words had held tight in his throat, scared of the air they were told to wander across. Eyes carrying themselves to the door, Wyatt watched as the doors were torn open with not so much as a knock this time.
“
Sir, Sith have landed half a click from the Capital Center! Evacuation centers have been warned, but we’ve got to clear the building.”
Wyatt stopped as he felt the presence of gluttony itself stand idle from the center. They weren’t pushing, he could feel that, but he could only imagine as to why.
“
Tell the men to man the temporary fortifications.”, he said quickly, forcing the two to run off in either direction shouting commands that turned fleeting the farther they went.
Turning back, Wyatt offered the now silent council a solemn stare. His words matched;
“
And now, the Sith posture for fear. I do not ask for your support of the rebels, only that you allow us to save your people from the conflict. My men will guide you and your forces through the back…”, he paused.
“
Another thing, Grand Council. Whatever you do, don’t side with the rebels.”
With that, Wyatt moved from the door towards the hallway, glancing around as the hundred or so rebels began to posture themselves around windows and balconies, hoping to gain some advantage. Temporary blockades had been lifted for additional security, but to say the group was outnumbered and undermanned was an understatement. Wyatt swallowed, only to move towards the front.
Pulling his datapad back up, his fingers moved with dexterity as he typed in commands to his local commanders. Reports came in that the crowds had various checkpoints set up in areas far from the actual evacuation zones looking for rebels, and a few had been caught as they looked to retreat with the Gree. Another had reported more information on the factory assaults, though they didn't have the manpower to respond to every single instance on the planet.
Wyatt sent out only a few choice words to who remained;
“
Get the willing Gree off the planet. If you’re able, get off yourself.”
Tucking the computer back into his pocket, he glanced around once more; finding the front entrance and taking a step outside. Shots hadn’t been fired yet, and the two forces simply stared each other down with hate in their eyes; all except for Wyatt. In his was a stark sadness that contrasted even the most hopeful rebel, for he didn’t carry with him hate, only the guilt of facing the brainwashed and dogmatic.
Still, he could feel the presence of the Sith Lord that threatened the building. With the force backing his voice, he called out to him as he held an unignited lightsaber in hand; his voice carrying to all that watched the standoff.
“
You will not posture yourselves before me and ignite fear in my men, Sith.”, he began.
“
The Gree have retreated, and you will not make them craven either. If you have any generosity, let them leave as a neutral party; to save their land, people, and way of life.”
“
What say you?”, he offered, expecting a sniper to shoot long before he got an actual response. In truth, he didn’t really want to get shot; not again.
[member="Darth Voracitos"]
---
The droid walked with the Gree, listening to their conversation as they walked and melded with the crowds. Many tentacles slid as the groups pressed and swayed, murmured and chortled this thought or that; as they moved towards the innumerable evacuations points set out.
“
I don’t believe we should leave! What of our technology? Would you leave it to such fools?”, one shrouded figure protested.
Another met him with anger;
“
We will come back when the fighting is done! If we stay, we risk only our lives in addition. We should’ve never let the rebellion stay on our ports.”
The voices came quick and riled, as they loaded themselves into speeders and began flying towards their destination. It was only then one more quiet Gree had spoken up amongst the forum;
“
Say what you will, but they have offered us kindness; if only too late. They offered us defense when facing down an infinite enemy, and laid down their lives to gain nothing. These men did not draw the Sith to us, it was only a matter of time before they would come in force.”
The others took his words in, but quickly fell into infighting once more. It seemed no conclusion would be met, but as they closed to the evacuation centers they lit up the transmitter and spoke through the droid to the Sith general in orbit;
“
General, The Grand Council has come to the conclusion of neutrality. They will not offer refuge for the rebels, and they will not offer refuge to the sith; in exchange for one thing. They wish for their people’s ability to leave, those willing.”
The offer came through synthetic tones, but the sad eyes of the Gree stood idle as they awaited a response.
[member="Kor Vexen"]
