Alderaan Decisions

[Andraste]

Her meeting with the Chancellor was the talk of the galaxy now. Tabloids and media ate it up, and there were countless photos and videos of her leaving and entering the building to meet with the Chancellor. There were even some pictures of the Chancellor himself looking more than a little uncomfortable. Andraste had learned to pay the media no heed, though it did amuse her occasionally. She had a copy of a high profile magazine in her hand, spotting her face on the cover, “They never get my nice angle,” Andraste sighed, “I swear this side makes me look chubby.”

She shook her head, sipping from a caf in her hand before she went into meet with a member of House Ulgo. Andraste brought her most diplomatically savvy husband with her for the task, the other two taking on tasks that were better suited to their roles. She turned to Cregan and grinned, “If you told me a few years ago that I would be playing politics, I would have laughed in your face. Now here I am talking to Chancellors and House officials.”

Andraste was adorned in a rich, blue dress. It was a nice change from her usual black, and she even wore some jewelry. Truthfully she missed Alderaan. She and Siris had a small apartment on the planet since her very early Alais days. They had to leave that place behind as the Empire grew and things became rocky with the Republic.

Her steps took her towards an ornate mansion. Andraste thought about how to best approach this with tact. She knew when to use intimidation and when to use diplomacy, and this one definitely called for the latter. If she crossed any lines, she knew Cregan would be there to smooth things over. She strode up to knock on the door, grinning at him, “Ready, honey?”

@Clayton @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus was rather amused by this whole affair - the Chancellor had fallen over himself to accommodate his wife despite all that tough talk about being part of the Republic military. He would have voted for Pancake to be honest. Evandrus had his ceremonial armour on, which was some high quality durasteel with gold patterns. His mind was still on something else however, as he jotted down some notes in a notepad he kept on him to continue his, admittedly rather odd, hobby of writing poetry. He smirked a little bit,

"If they managed to get a picture of you, looking anything close to chubby, it will so clearly have been edited that even the readership of such magazines would be able to spot it a lightyear away." he assured her with a chuckle, "I think it makes you look rather striking - I'm sure they will say 'terrifying' though but that's a matter of taste and weak constitution in my opinion."

He put his notepad away over his heart underneath his armour as they made their way to the meeting point. At her comment about politics he just smirked,

"Yes well if I'd have told you that a few years ago you would have shouted 'Ah! A Jedi!' and likely stabbed me." he joked back before smiling at her, Her Smile, "No... you were born to be Empress. Politics is just something that comes with that role so it's something you fit like a glove."

Striding up to the door by his wife's side, he smiled in respond to her grin and took his hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze,

"For you? I'm ready for anything."

Spoiler: Ceremonial Armour

@Clayton @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

Tenric's bald head reflected the soft lighting of the chambers. A small, electrum stud adorned the corner of one eyebrow, the purple stone glowed in the lamplight. A sigh escaped from two irritated lips as a hard gaze bored a hole into the ornate mirror purchased through the wealth that came with nobility and stature. "K-8, remind me why I have to do this."

"Because the people of Alderaan need you, Tenric. They need a leader that isn't in the Cartel's pocket, or put in place through a Republic-led military coup. You said so yourself."

Tenric waved a hand while perfectly manicured eyebrows furrowed into a point. Muscles twitched under skin as a masculine jaw briefly clenched. "No, why do I need to meet with her."

K-8, the trusty protocol droid that had been at Tenric's side for over twenty years, dipped his head. "Your position does not allow you to deny audience to an Empress, as much as you may want to. I just do hope that this meeting goes well. Or at least, better than what happened at Tython."

As much as Tenric hated to admit it, K-8 was right. The Jedi were involved, and it would be an insult to snub the Empress' proposal. Feelers for support had been put out, after all. Tenric glanced at a bottle of fortified wine, and only briefly considered taking a swig before the meeting. It would be a mistake, however, to approach this as anything but sober. Tenric did, however, give a second quick pass of antiperspirant. The mind was a tricky thing, but it could be controlled into giving away nothing if one knew how. Not that any living being could hope to guard their mind against Andraste and Cregan combined, or Andraste alone for long. The body on the other hand...a trickle of sweat would give away discomfort. "Let the record state that I have severe misgivings about this idea. It feels like, for lack of a better word, a trap."

"Duly noted, Tenric," the droid said as it followed Tenric out of the chambers and into the Great Hall. Normally it would be packed with either musicians, petitioners, or other court nobility that vied for Tenric's attention. Now it was empty. Sunlight filtered in from windows on the ceiling and scattered beams illuminated golden dust motes that drifted lazily in the air.

Tenric, at the back of the hall on a slightly raised section of floor, took a seat behind an imposing, solid wood table that was nearly half a foot thick and carved from a single piece of wroshyr tree. It had cost a fortune, but there were few in the galaxy that could attempt to rival it. "Our guests are at the door. Show them in, K-8." Tenric resisted the urge to gnaw on a fingernail, and instead took the moment to center. Force Sensitivity did not run in the veins of anyone in House Ulgo, but the Jedi (of ages past, at least) knew a thing or two about mental, emotional, and physical fortitude. The philosophy was not a terribly guarded secret.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Andraste]

Andraste knew she had an uphill battle wherever she went. Despite their stellar PR image, the Sith were the Sith, and she was still the Empress of an imposing Empire. Anyone that met with her did so with trepidation. This situation was no different, and Andraste could practically smell the fear off Tenric before she even spotted him. She knew Cregan would sense it too, and she briefly glanced at him to give him a roll of her eyes. She was here to help the idiot and he was already convinced she was going to pull shenanigans.

Naturally, none of this was displayed externally. Tenric would find himself across a small woman dressed very finely next to an even nicer dressed man in ornate armor. She strode towards the table he sat behind and reached her hand out to shake his, “Tenric Ulgo, it is an honor to meet you. Thank you for making the time to meet with us today,” She took a seat opposite of him. Her yellow eyes took in sight of him, eyes she knew would make him uncomfortable. They were unnatural eyes, and they couldn’t be passed off as simply being a difference race. There was something dark about the eyes to where even he could sense it.

“How are you faring with all the chaos going on around Alderaan?” Andraste sighed, “The notion that the Republic would move against a world within its jurisdiction is preposterous. I’m sure this has placed you in an awkward position,” She had done her homework, regardless of how much idle chit chat this was. Andraste offered him a faint smile, hearing him out before she decided to speak again.

@Nefieslab @Clayton

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus had to admit that he probably should be getting annoyed, like his wife, that people seem to fear them so much when they are up close but seem oh so very happy to call them via the holonet. Hell, the Sith Empire had unofficial fan clubs across the Galaxy and yet, it seemed, no one was ever quite prepared for what it meant to meet them in person, least of all meeting Andraste in person.

He did his best not to laugh at the eye roll his wife gave him, using the humour instead to strengthen his already rather stellar smile - every little helped right?

Letting his wife, and Empress, introduce herself first as was expected, Evandrus waited patiently before shaking the man's hand himself. While his grip was firm, he didn't try and exert too much pressure - instead just enough to be firm before releasing.

"Indeed, it is lovely to meet you. We've heard much." he smiled, quick to assure the man, as he sat to his wife's right, "All good I assure you."

His own gaze wasn't like his wife's... while her eyes were a bright yellow, striking and almost venomous in appearance to her foes, his own was just deceptively intense. After all, his entire face was a natural, easy, smile that reflected in every inch of him. The eyes, however, were sharp and alert.

Evandrus let his wife open with the small talk at this stage. She was guiding the conversation towards the issue well and he didn't want to speak out at this stage considering all he would have had to say was much the same. So instead he busied himself with another task; humanising himself and his wife a touch so that Tenric wouldn't be quite so afraid of them. Not enough for him to not fear them internally - just enough for it to not be obvious. With that in mind, he took a prepared jug of water and poured out two small glasses of water, sliding one to his wife and taking a sip of his own as he waited for the representative of House Ulgo to speak.

@Clayton @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

Andraste was quite short in person. Her reputation was far greater than her stature, apparently. Tenric stood, reached across the table, and gave both of them a quick, firm handshake before sitting back down. "I'm faring better than Queen Lucille," came the reply accompanied by a smirk. "The Republic's goal is understandable, their methods however, are extreme. Their first action to counter foreign espionage is to jump in bed with the Jedi and intervene militarily. Democracy is not being followed here. Not when they've already decided on who will lead Alderaan after their coup is finished."

Tenric's left hand tapped a soft pattern into the wood. "I don't like the precedent it sets. House Ulgo is capable of turning on the Queen with more than just words. Winning the throne against the might of a candidate propped up by the Republic fleet however, could prove tricky. You hate the Jedi, so our interests are somewhat aligned today. What can your Empire offer to help that problem go away?" Tenric did not mince words. The presence of Andraste and Evandrus, two of the most powerful Sith in existence, would very likely not go unnoticed by Jedi for long. At that point, Tenric would have to answer some pointed questions. The Jedi presence was, of course, a violation of the NAP so legally speaking, hosting a Sith diplomatic delegation was not breaking any laws. It would, however, give a worrying perspective to the now-hawkish Republic that Alderaan could trade one foreign-controlled regent for another.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Andraste]

He got right to the point, and she was impressed. Andraste nodded in thanks to Cregan who poured out a glass of water. She quietly took a sip as Tenric spoke. His fear from earlier began to dissipate as his focus shifted to the task at hand. He didn’t dance around any topics, and he arrived directly to the point she had wanted to discuss. Andraste thought over her words carefully before she responded, “The Sith Empire has no desire to get involved in military action or brute force. The way the Republic and the Jedi are going about it will incite a civil war. We are so against the idea of muddying our hands with childish fighting that we aren’t throwing our support behind our allies, the Hutts, as they keep pushing for Lucille to remain in power,” The confession was a game changer, and she knew it’d pique Tenric’s curiosity, “We are not blind to Lucille’s crimes, but we also will not support a candidate that has no proven track record of being a capable replacement for Lucille. Our interests align with the ideals that House Ulgo follows, and that is why we come here today.”

“The Empire is prepared to offer financial backing and, if needed, military to help your campaign to become Alderaan’s next leader,” Andraste took another sip of her water, “If possible, I would prefer to do this without having any troops involved. I want a peaceful resolution to the Alderaan mess, and I’d like to disassociate myself from the violence the civil war will no doubt bring. However,” She paused, looking at Tenric for a long moment, “Ultimately you will have to decide if you plan to have Alderaan remain a part of the Republic or consider it a sovereign nation. With the rearmament efforts taking place, it’s only a matter of time before the people here are drafted and any ship production is forced to support the war. Naturally, you have the option of deciding to ally with the Sith Empire, and Alderaan will exist outside of the jurisdiction of the Republic and under our protection. I do not foresee the Republic going out of their way to breach the NAP with us and you would be able to remain uninvolved in the war the Republic will wage against the Hutts.”

@Clayton @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus sat there and enjoyed the show. The leader of House Ulgo was rather abrupt for a politician but he found that he rather enjoyed that. Politicians were at their best, in his opinion, when they dropped all of their pretences and just went with what they were actually trying to say. To some this might sound kind of... counter productive. Almost like he was admitting that he preferred it when politicians weren't actually doing anything political.

Probably a safe bet to be honest - he much preferred Sith Imperial politics. Sith Imperial politics did involve an awful lot more stabbing than most others. But Tenric was being rather straight with them, which he appreciated.

"The Republic has taken a step away from it's roots, it's purpose... and you and your House are absolutely right to take a stance against them. Eyes from across the Galaxy are on your House now - liberty loving peoples across the Galaxy look to House Ulgo as an example of how democracy can be safeguarded by the people." he assured Tenric with a smile as he sipped at his drink, "Now the Sith Empire may not be a democracy but we listen to the collective will of our people, just as you are doing now."

He leaned back and allow his wife to finish before adding his own two credits, to reassure the man,

"We are willing to back you however much, or little, you want." he assured the man with a soft smile, "If you want us to provide financial support? Your bank accounts shall not run dry. Munitions? Aid for the civilians? Say the word and we'll be running supply missions daily. Military advisers the limit of what you want from us? The finest warriors and strategists from the Empire will be here to support you."

Evandrus' smile became a little wider.

"Your cause is our cause Tenric - as you said. Your enemies in this conflict are ours. Just tell us how much of a partnership you're comfortable with here."

Truly, the Sith Empire was magnanimous.

@Clayton @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

"The Republic is only lost if everyone gives up on it and won't stand up when it is wrong. I don't wish to see Alderaan even more under the thumb of people far beyond the Republic's borders," Tenric said with conviction, no other option was palatable. Tenric found Andraste's multiple offers tempting, and no doubt the aide of her advisers or wealth would be crucial to a victory. Evandrus' flattery of House Ulgo was not unnoticed, either. True, Tenric's ego was inflated a little, but that pillar of liberty would stand for what was right in the Republic, and not anywhere else. As far as drafting and ship production, Alderaan had no warship production capabilities. As far as drafting went, there were ways around that. Every army needed an exorbitant number of supplies and food. They could increase production to compensate for that increased demand. "Military advisers would be a boon. I do imagine that your Empire would love to engage in a war by proxy against the Jedi. Who knows what casualties lie in war? More importantly, they'd lose more face. If they are an ally that cannot accomplish even a basic goal on one planet, then they are an ally not worth keeping. You can appreciate that."

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Andraste]

Andraste smiled at Tenric for a moment, “You must understand that deals made usually involve a gain for both parties involved,” She drank the rest of her water, setting the empty glass down, “There is nothing for us to gain if the Empire’s hands will be tied by the NAP while Alderaan remains well under the Republic’s jurisdictions. While I don’t fancy having boots on the ground, I am not keen on helping support a candidate to power only to have them fall to the whims of the Chancellor. Which is why I support Alderaan being entirely independent as well,” Andraste slowly rose to stand, extending her hand to shake his.

“I thank you for your time and wish you the best of luck,” She smiled at him as she withdrew back and turned to leave. She knew of one more House she could possibly petition to, but this one was clearly not worth it.

@Clayton @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Apparently the Empire wasn't magnanimous enough for Tenric of House Ulgo.

He shook his head a little bit as his wife finished her water - his excuse for lingering at the table for a little longer was the small amount of water left in his glass. Sighing a little bit, Evandrus swallowed what was left,

"Tenric - I had hoped that we would be able to come to something of a deal." he expressed, seemingly, genuine remorse, "I was lead to believe that the House of Ulgo was practical... but you offer us nothing but the chance to, potentially, kill some Jedi indirectly? You've been watching the news. You know we hardly need to be indirect in striking at our enemies... so you offer us nothing. I... it is with regret that I must follow my wife away from this table."

Standing, Evandrus gave a nod to the head of House Ulgo,

"I wish you good fortune in the wars to come, Tenric." he declared with a soft smile, "And a piece of advice? You may be well served by looking to House Thul... and you may yet see the future of your House that you turned down. Have a lovely day."

Nodding to the man, Evandrus caught up with his wife before she left the room, smiling Her Smile at her but saying nothing aloud. Via the Force however...?

'So... do you think he's compensating for something with that table?'

@Clayton @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

Did Evandrus listen to only half of what Tenric had said? "Lady Andraste, what exactly do you think the Republic's reaction will be if Alderaan suddenly leaves the Republic? They didn't take the Cartel's interference lightly. They found the Cartel out, and they can certainly find out your Empire dipped their fingers into this political morass. Do you really want to encourage the Republic to see an alliance with the Jedi, and the destruction of your non-aggression pact, as a worthwhile endeavor? Or do you want to kill that notion in it's infancy? You say your hands are tied by the NAP, but then where is your silver-tongued ambassador to untie them? Don't tell me he can't spin the Jedi not signing onto the NAP against them." Tenric called out, irritated. "Alderaan has been a stalwart supporter of the Republic for ages, Lucille's puppetmasters aside. For that to suddenly change, believe me, it will not have a placating effect on the Republic. You might win a planet, but you'll gain a much larger enemy for it. Valorum's reign is over, as is her peaceful stance. You are sailing against the wind, so if I may offer my own suggestion Darth Evandrus, tack your sails. You'll get farther that way."

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Andraste]

Andraste hadn’t expected him to say anything more than a simple goodbye, but he engaged her again. She breathed in deeply and exhaled softly to curb the rage that was building. She let him finish before she spoke, “I would be careful with your tone around me,” She spoke quietly, “At the end of the day, you are addressing the leader of the Sith Empire,” Andraste slowly walked towards him, looking him dead in the eye, “Do you really think I’m afraid of the Republic retaliating? At this point, I’m hanging the NAP like a toy in front of the Chancellor’s face at the end of a string. Our forces can eradicate any opposition thrown at us by the Republic, and the Chancellor is well aware of this. No, Tenric, I am not afraid of what the Republic will do if Alderaan were to declare itself independent of the Republic. At the end of the day, each world has its own rights to make its decision. If you invite me to represent your interests, then it does not breach the NAP, just as the Jedi involvement with House Harlow has not. As long as the means are legal – which Lucille’s coming into power was not – the Republic is forced to recognize it.”

She grinned at him, “If you outright support the Sith, then the Republic will recognize it as your own free will because we will not have done any election tampering or illegal means of having put you in power,” Andraste paused for a moment before continuing, “Furthermore, the Republic’s own credibility is at stake as they are taking military action against their own world. Where do you think that leaves the general public? There will be civil war and riots, families destroyed and civilians left dead. Do you think your people will be keen to support this Republic or back the more powerful Empire that can protect its own and assure promises of peace? If the Republic continues to wage war on Alderaan simply because the planet made the choice to support a different regime, it will simply cause most worlds to stand up against such a war mongering government and step outside of its jurisdiction.”

“Furthermore, we have received intelligence that a prominent member of House Harlow is a key member of the smuggling operation known as the Free Trade Federation. As things roll into motion, you will begin to see the Republic’s credibility go up in smoke. You simply have to decide which side you want to be on. Don’t talk to me about sailing against the wind when you have anchored yourself to a sinking ship.”


@Clayton

 

[The Storyteller]

Tenric held Andraste's gaze as she explained her position in greater detail. The tidbit of information about Harlow was very interesting, and it was quickly mentally stored away for future examination. "You ask of me far more than I ask of you, and then threaten to walk away when I ask to give you less. That does not fill me with confidence in your motives or altruism here." Tenric sighed as ten manicured fingers steepled together. Tenric blinked, but did not break the gaze that peered down over the steepled fingers at Andraste. "Unfortunately, Lady Andraste, I do not share in your outlook of how events will play out. They are taking action against a puppet regime that has not capitulated. A puppet regime controlled by a criminal empire, no less, and one you are allied to. When this information about Harlow is released or discovered, it will be yet another problem of Alderaan's nobility being controlled by a foreign power. It is that scary 'Other' that can justify these extreme actions to the public. Given the choice between an excessive police action from the military, or allowing the foreign Other to control their worlds and influence their Senate, the people will choose the familiar regime they belong to. That is how the Republic can, and will, spin it. I don't believe that the people of the Republic will go to civil war over that."

@Sreeya

 

[Darth Evandrus]

Evandrus just stood to one side as Tenric decided that he had found enough balls to argue with his wife - it was was a fun sight to see someone having to big themselves up, to ready themselves, to actually dare to speak out against his wife. Well, Tenric had managed to do that but he wasn't exactly doing as well as he could be in Evandrus' eyes since he was arguing, what he believed, to be an argument doomed to fail.

"You argue that the people would rather support the Republic's excessive police action simply because they are familiar with the Republic?" He hummed a little bit, "That is a rather passive approach. You believe your people would rather allow their rights to be infringed upon by a 'familiar' foreign power rather than accept the aid of another that will lead to greater freedoms?"

He crossed his arms.

"We're a fourth option here. We're not the overbearing Republic, the corrupting influence of the Cartel or the uncertainty of the Harlow's smuggler robot." he tilted his head to the side, "Christopher Harlow is the 'son' of a Jedi as well... it's just another way for Alderaan to come under the control of an outside power. With the Empire? It's not about you surrendering control to us. It's about us empowering Alderaan to stand on it's own feet - to be a true Kingdom - with ourselves as your allies."

Evandrus shrugged.

"There is only one path open to you that leads to peace in the end... and it lies with the Empire, who can protect you when you cannot protect yourselves. If the people cannot see that then it is your duty, as their leader, to show them. To guide them along the path that benefits them in the long term." he raised an eyebrow, "People are short-sighted and emotional - you know that. Rise above that and make the best decision for them in the long term and they will come around, they will see the benefits that you saw."

@Clayton @Sreeya