Ask Change of Heart

[Zana Ryks]

Spoiler: Mission Text

The Senator of Ord Mantell, John Tyr, seeks to remove the Hutt's presence on his planet. In the interest of expanding Jedi territory, the Jedi Order is dispatching diplomats to Ord Mantell to speak with the senator about assisting him with his problem in exchange for the planet becoming a haven and potential base of operations for the Jedi. This acquisition would simultaneously provide a tactical advantage against the Empire, driving a stake into the open space between their territory to cut them off.

However, the Jedi are not going to Ord Mantell with the sole intention of killing any Hutt Cartel present. As always, we intend to seek a resolution through diplomacy or subterfuge by disrupting their operations and acquiring any additional assets discovered. Once we drive the Hutts off-world and the planet is secured for the senator, not only would the Jedi Order gain another ally and world on which to stage future operations, but we also gain all of the resources, factories, and otherwise, it offers as part of our agreement with the senator.

Any Jedi seeking to engage in diplomacy with Ord Mantell are encouraged to approach cautiously. The senator is intelligent and will demand practical arguments, facts, and grounded reasoning to allow the Jedi on his planet. He is an old dog of war, and the Jedi will not win him over with honeyed words and promises of peace and prosperity. We must ensure we appeal to and respect John Tyr, his beliefs, and his way of life.

On the second diplomatic mission in as many moons, Zana was beginning to wonder if the Order didn't have anyone else to run these. At the very least, she'd be encountering a new face in the Jedi, a Fiani Padawan she hadn't quite mastered their name yet. While the previous mission centred around food stuffs and their ability to provide sentientarian aid, this one would largely be the opposite.

Should they successfully convince the senator to work with them, a base on Ord Mantell would not only become a great asset for the Jedi Order, but they would also be a potent ally and partner when dealing with the likes of the Sith or Empire.

As the two Jedi sat outside the Senator's office, quietly watching the clock tick by, Zana turned to her Fiani companion with a small smile. "Are you ready, kid? This is probably going to be a long day." It didn't help that her ship's vending machine hadn't yet been restocked since their last mission, a product of starlight's functional logistics, of course.

@Javier esschoolbus @TheDudeMike @Remileah

 

[M'Akio Beastmaster]

Akio was unfamiliar with his surroundings and the mission he was attached too. He was told it was a good idea to learn how to communicate with planetary leaders. He didn't feel the need for it, after all in his mind most authority figures felt they knew what was best. Something that wasn't always true especially if it involved others. He was given over to a Jedi knight to assist her to the best of his abilities.

He examined the building that they were in. It's construction was unlike anything on Fiana that he'd seen. His tail waged excitedly at the prospect of the adventure awaiting him. From what he was briefed of the mission they were here to find a way to resolve the removal of the Hutt presence.

As he was finished looking around he simply was scrolling through his phone to pass the time. His companion turned to him with a small smile. "I'm not a kid anymore, I'm almost as tall as you." He seemed to level his hand to compare their heights sitting down. "I'm always ready for a new adventure. Hopefully the meeting part doesn't drag on too long." He gave her a toothy smile. His ears perking up.

@Xorism @TheDudeMike

 

[John Tyr]

A secretary in a pencil skirt suit exited the Senator's office. "Senator Tyr will see you now," she said. Her face held a smile, but her eyes seemed distant. A scar ran from her chin to her hair line. Within the room, John sat at a mahogany desk. The room was a circle of olive-drab. Bookshelves filled with books and framed accolades from his extensive military service covered the walls. A holo-projector puck sat in the middle, a map of a ridge line displayed. On the top of the ridge, red icons for infantry were drawn out. At the foot of the ridge, blue icons for infantry and artillery.

John rubbed his forehead, his elbows practically boring dents in the top of the desk. An EZPhone sat on the desk next to the projector. "Is the tracker accurate, Colonel?" John asked, his voice gruff and deep. Years of smoking a pack a day taking it's toll on his lungs and throat. He turned a hard, green gaze to the approaching Jedi. There were two chairs for them in front of the desk. He didn't motion for them to sit. There was not enough time in the day to tell the galaxy's supposed saviors what they could and couldn't do.

"Yes, sir. Crass Company lost two squads probing the ridge. By their last transmitions, the infantry and bunkers are accurate," the Colonel said. John nodded, his eyes still following the Jedi.

"Sounds like a job for a walking barrage," John said. "Keep me posted."

"Yes, sir." The line went dead. John turned the puck off, resting his arms on the desk.

"Sure took your time," he said, gaze turning to the kid. "Bring your kid to work day? Barely looks old enough to enlist."

@Xorism @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Kiyomi Tyr]

Location: Ord Mantell

​

___As John finished speaking, one of the doors on the far side of the room swung open. Through it stepped a Fiani woman dressed in a loose white shirt hanging loose around one shoulder, accompanied by a pair of blue shorts and a jade bracelet dangling from her wrist. Her hands were behind her head, gathering up loose, flowing locks of brown hair, and a hair tie wiggled between her lips. The woman's gaze fell on the Jedi, and she froze in place, staring at them like a Gallaze in speeder headlights. Holding her hair in one hand, the other shifted to remove the hair tie from her mouth.

___"John, honey, you didn't tell me that the Jedi would be here today," she stated, looking at the grizzled man with a sweet, knowing smile. "If I had known they going to be here today, I would have dressed up a little more," the woman sighed as she resumed tying her hair back. She glanced at the Jedi again, a look of appal flashing across her soft, delicate features. "Really, John? No drinks? When we have guests over, you offer them drinks," she chided the man as she secured her hair. She smiled at the Jedi.

___"I am so sorry for my husband's forgetfulness," she told the two. "I just finished cooking lunch, too! There should be enough for everybody," she continued as she turned back towards the door she had just entered. "I will be right back with some tea and food. Please make yourselves at home, Master Jedi," the woman finished before disappearing through the door before anyone could protest.

@Xorism @Javier esschoolbus @TheDudeMike

 

[Zana Ryks]

Taking their cue to enter, the knight picked herself up and entered the office with a light smile as it began quite well. Before she could answer his quip with one of her own, the togruta watched as the senators' wife, a senator in her own right, make an entrance none would easily forget.

"Thank you, Mrs Tyr." She said warmly, pulling up to the chair while directing the padawan to do the same. With her temporarily gone, Zana turned to the Senator with her hands nestled on her lap. "I can assure you that the little one and I are more than capable of handling the sensitive issue you inquired about." She spoke calmly but with an ounce of grit in her voice.

"But I suspect that you aren't one to trust our word, but rather our actions. So, if you'll have us, how can we help?"

@TheDudeMike @Remileah @Javier esschoolbus

 

[M'Akio Beastmaster]

Akio followed the knight and secretary up to the office. He was examining the office space half listening to the reports of the 'battle'. It was then he heard the remark about is age. His tail furled slightly as he turned to address the man at the desk. "I'll..." Before he could even finish his response a door to the side opened up.

Akio saw a Fiani goddess walk in completely derailing his train of thought. His world quickly came crashing down though as she called General Grandpa honey. How did such a prickly old man get lucky enough to marry her? As she left to get tea and snacks he once again perked up as she called them both Master Jedi.

Taking the seat next to his teacher on this mission he let her speak. Although he would turn to her with a slight pout as she called him little one. How could he help? He was confident that she could do something to help, but Akio didn't even have a lightsaber yet. What could he do that would be beneficial to the plan?

@TheDudeMike @Xorism @Remileah

 

[John Tyr]

John's emerald eyes rose to Kiyomi as she entered. Had he forgotten to tell her? There was so much going on that he didn't doubt it. Truth be told he was partly going to send the Jedi on a fool's errand, open a bottle of bourbon, and tell his wife that he was sorry but the Jedi angle didn't work out. Bunch of space hippies waving around glowbats. The real problem was that Kiyomi knew he'd do just that. So she was now in the talks too. Always the holster for his blaster, she was; with tape over the safety switch.

"It slipped my mind," he said sheepishly with a smile. He watched her leave before the smile faded as he was left in the room alone with the two Jedi once more. He sighed. "Guess she's right about the drinks." John opened a desk drawer and pulled out a half empty bottle of Ord Mantell bourbon. It was single barrel, cask strength; the best of the best on the planet. He put one glass out for himself, turning an emerald gaze to the Jedi.

"Bourbon?" he asked. He mostly held the gaze of the togruta woman. The kid wasn't old enough to hold a blaster, let alone drink. "I'm all out of warm milk in this office." He had to get the jabs in now before his wife came back. John would pull out another glass with the Jedi wanted a stiff drink and pour them both about a shot's worth. This wasn't shooting whiskey, though. He put the bottle back down in the desk drawer and closed it, sliding the togruta her glass if she had said she wanted any. John raised his own glass in a toast before taking a sip from it and setting it down in front of him.

"Actions are all Ord Mantell has left," he said, eyes boring into her. "I've got an entire county run by the Hutts, and they fund and supply all the smaller cells of gangs, pirates, and terrorists. We've been at war since before any of us in this room were born." His words were almost accented by the olive drab t-shirt he wore, with the Defense Corps emblem on the breast. "Couple that with how close we are to the spreading abomination threat, and all we have is a Defense Corps in blast vests and Clone Wars era weaponry. You tell me what good words do."

@Remileah @Xorism @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Kiyomi Tyr]

___While John and the Jedi spoke amongst one another, Kiyomi was dutifully at work, assembling a hearty meal for everyone involved. It wasn't long before she returned with menial labour droids ambling behind her, each carrying a tray of food while the last had a pitcher and empty cups.

___"Here you are, Master Jedi," the woman stated as the droids ferried the food to the gathering. "A favourite of the families of my home," she elaborated as the trays were set down before their recipients. On each tray was tender freshwater shrimp garnished with cream and rose leaves, devilled barley pearls in acorn puree, apple and carrot chews, and cabbage stalks steeped in creamed white turnip and nutmeg. There were pastries with melted yellow cheese and rough hazelnut bread for dessert.

___"Your drinks as well," Kiyomi added as the line of droids wandered off, followed by the final one carrying one last tray. On it was a large pot of steaming mint tea with honey and a small platter of tiny oat scones, each lightly spread with raspberry preserve. "Please enjoy," she urged everyone before pulling up an extra chair to sit next to John's desk, holding a plate of her own laden with some of the scones and tea from the veritable feast she had hauled for everyone. Kiyomi did not skimp on ensuring the Jedi felt right at home with this considerably-sized homecooked meal.

@Xorism @Javier esschoolbus @TheDudeMike

 

[Zana Ryks]

The studious Jedi Knight gladly accepted the glass of quality bourbon as offered as she took a seat and actioned for the padawan to do the same.

To put it bluntly, the Senator painted a bleak picture for the planet and its citizens. She could only wonder at the horrors the civilians faced on a day-to-day basis, with the horde of gangs and criminals seemingly overwhelming the security force's ability to properly respond.

"If I may, Senator." The Togruta adjusted herself in the seat as she considered all that he had said. "We could go down there today and eliminate the biggest threats to your security, but by tomorrow there would be another ready to take their place." It would take a large effort to first cripple the cartel's efforts on the planet and then cut them off from reinforcement.

"A partnership with the Jedi Order would see our investment in your defence as much as we would ask you to have our back when and if the time came." Given their association with a number of worlds well-equipped to produce arms, Senator Tyr would have the option of either procuring the weapons himself with their aid or receiving weapons and equipment directly. "We could also deploy naval assets in the region to assist your forces with both policing and anti-piracy efforts, as well as clamp down on other illegal activity."

From what she could tell, the planet's defence forces were capable and committed, but had suffered over a long period of time. With timely intervention and support from the outside, as well as stalwart leadership course correcting, the planet would have a fighting chance.

Smiling politely as Mrs Tyr arrived with the refreshments, Zana appeared excited. "Thank you, Senator Tyr, these look simply delightful!" The Togruta picked up a sample of the foods provided and placed them on a small plate for herself before also taking a tasteful sip of the bourbon.

@TheDudeMike @Remileah @Javier esschoolbus

 

[M'Akio Beastmaster]

Akio watched as the man pulled out a bottle of bourbon, at least that’s what he called it, with interest. The senator made a quip about not having milk available. Akio let out a low growl, “It’s ok, I’ve heard that once you get old your memory begins to slip. I’ll let you off this time.” He gave the senator a wide sh

He was then offered a glass of the bourbon. He took a small sip to taste the drink. His face scrunched up and his tongue was going in and out of his mouth. His throat was burning and the drink tasted awful, but he wouldn’t let this Grandpa win. “It taste good. They didn’t have this drink where I come from.”

The knight he was with then begin going into detail about various pros and cons of actions. Her first point was the idea of a power vacuum just creating a spot to be filled by another. The other was a military partnership of some kind. Akio was mostly lost at this point as he didn’t have a mind for military stuff.

He was saved from his strategic failings by the return of Mrs. Tyr. Her food reminded him of home. He immediately began fixing a plate of the food and taking a few bites. “This taste just like my moms!” He excitedly squeaked out. His tail was wagging wildly as he ate. “Thank you for the food.” He finished off he first part of the snack with a sip of the bourbon once again showing he did not like the taste but powering through it.

@TheDudeMike @Xorism @Remileah

 

[John Tyr]

John was surprised the Knight would allow her little-shit to even have an alcoholic beverage, but the face the kid made when taking a sip was priceless. Would he get in trouble with Kiyomi, oh absolutely, but he'd be damned if that face wasn't worth every word of the ass chewing he would get. When his wife brought the food, and sat next to him, he placed a hand on her thigh and gave her a smile before turning to the Jedi again.

"Naval assets would be good. Can't stop the flow of incoming insurgents if you can't hit them in orbit," John said, emerald eyes shifting to the Knight. "What exactly does a Jedi defense plan look like? Walk me through an extended Jedi presence on Ord Mantell. Will you build a temple? Most importantly, what about funding?" John questioned the Jedi, his gaze never leaving hers. The chess match had officially begun.

Answering the call was something every Ord Mantellian knew well, that part of the Jedi's request was the only guarentee. Without the Hutts to fight, Ord Mantell could put units anywhere the Jedi needed them, givin the proper naval transport. The Defense Corps was trained in everything from combat to humanitarian efforts, and every unit in it got plenty of practice in both with the Hutts being around.

@Remileah @Xorism @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Kiyomi Tyr]

___No sooner had Kiyomi sat down than she stood back up in virtually one fluid motion. She placed her plate of scones on John's desk before approaching M'Akio. The woman plucked the glass of bourbon from his hand, filled another cup with tea, and neatly slotted that cup into his empty hand. There would be no underage drinking while she was on watch!

___"I'm very happy to hear you like the food," she said sweetly. "If your mother was from Fiana, I would imagine our cooking is very similar," Kiyomi finished with an amused titter before sauntering away with the glass of bourbon. She set the glass on John's desk before she assumed her spot in her seat again, one long leg crossing over the other as she picked up her plate of scones. Once she was situated, she looked up at Zana with another cheerful smile.

___"You're very welcome. It's the least I could do for you while you endure my husband's interrogation," Kiyomi jested.

@Xorism @Javier esschoolbus @TheDudeMike

 

[Zana Ryks]

The togruta knight at the table with a cheerful smile as the two senators spoke. M'Akio may have been a junior, but it seemed like he was proving to be a witty one, and that was something she could appreciate.

"We'll start by significantly increasing the number of patrol vessels in orbit to counter the trafficking and criminals from entering illegally." The net would start to tighten. "Then we increase the ground presence of your security forces, backed up by Jedi." This would be a noose for the cartel. "Then we hit them where it hurts, their pockets. Their racketeering and other illegal activities would be stressed into inactivity by the near total blockade on their operation."

But cornering a criminal wasn't likely going to result in their sudden change of pace into a law-abiding operation. They'd have to take the players off the board in order to cripple the cartel forces into irrelevancy, or at least to the point that the security forces could manage. "Then when we get word that they're gathering to figure out how to fight back, we strike first and knock them out in one go." This would hopefully also limit any collateral damage and other property incidents by keeping it contained.

The Jedi would be able to handle the surgical strike with the security forces surrounding the compound to ensure nobody escaped.

"As for long term? Well, we would of course support building a temple here on Ord Mantell with your approval and if it wouldn't bother your people. Initial funding could be provided by the order, with the goal of seeing your planet self-sufficient."

@TheDudeMike @Remileah @Javier esschoolbus

 

[M'Akio Beastmaster]

Akio was about to take a sip of the bourbon when it was quickly replaced by a glass of tea. Wait a minute when did this happen? He looked up and realized it was Mrs. Tyr who changed his drink. He pouted as he took a sip of the tea. Though he wouldn't admit it he much preferred it's taste to the bourbon. Externally though he kept up his pout yet his ears and tail betrayed him swaying contently.

Her mention of Fiana made him come to life. "Yes, I was born there. I only recently became a Jedi after a temple was built near my home." He continued munching on the food and tea his mood drastically better. It then soured slightly as he began thinking of his family. He did miss them hopefully he could visit next time he's on Fiana.

Zana had broken down her plan to the senator. It was simplified so much he was sure a toddler would understand the plan. Wait, did she break it down mostly for me? His eyes narrowed as he gazed over to the knight. He then turned back towards the senator. "Is there any of the Hutt businesses that aren't exactly illegal? No need to burn everything if it could be used to better the peoples lives."

@TheDudeMike @Remileah @Xorism