Common Cause

[Alysanne Drast]

Council Chambers, Drev'starn, Bothawui​

Waiting in the council chambers with her rebel companion, Alys was feeling good about their chances. The other missions had gone off smoothly, they had the support and the information they needed, and she was sure Gerruf's presence would be a plus as well. Not only was he a distinguished revel, he was also a member of the Jedi Order. The Bothans might take him seriously where her words might not work. It made her hope that they didn't have to use the information they had with them in the small holo-projectors in their pockets.

She was standing by one of the walls, observing one of the large portraits hung on it, when one of the doors into the large chamber opened and as she turned around a half-dozen Bothans, both male and female, began stepping into the room. Walking up to center of the chamber, in front of the dais on which the council had begun sitting down behind their single behemoth of a desk, she nodded to Gerruf before turning to face the council.

"Councilors, thank you for meeting with us. She performed a small bow in greeting, maybe her showing them this respect would help. With Bothans she had no idea what would and wouldn't insult them. "My name is Jedi Knight Alysanne Drast. My companion here is Gerruf Kupp'ifray, we bring greetings from the Galactic Alliance."

@Narsi

 

[Gerruf]

Bothawui, home, it had been far too long since he'd come here. Just stepping down the ship ramp and smelling the air had brought a measurable sense of peace to the young Bothan. Of course, standing in the Council Chambers with a Jedi Knight to await an audience was also extremely satisfying. Gerruf smiled lightly to himself as the thought ran through his mind, looking up at the room decorations with the other Jedi. Once he'd only been a minor member of a small and inconsequential clan, even lesser once tragedy had struck. Yet here he was, acting as a Representative of the Galactic Alliance and about to address the Council, as a JEDI. And to think his rise in power and prestige was still in its infancy.

He was here mostly as another bargaining piece obviously, something to help incite cooperation and keep the peace. What they were asking for was difficult, and the Alliance leaders were hoping his presence would smooth it over some. It wasn't wrong to do so, the Council might even see his participation as a good sign for their species participation. Yet, Gerruf feared it simply wouldn't be so quick as that. These people wanted power and influence and were used to having it. It would be all too easy to incite some feelings of paranoia or fear of status loss if the wrong thing was said. At least they had a good fall back if things did go sour.

The time came sooner than expected, a half dozen other Bothans filing into the room to sit behind a desk. Gerruf met Alysanne's nod with one of his own, composing his face into a perfect mask of politeness. He stepped up to the dais as well, though staying behind the elder Jedi a bit as he also bowed respectfully. "Greetings Revered Councilors, " He said in response to his introduction, deeply nodding his head in another brief show of homage.

@Wit

 

[Alysanne Drast]

The Council was not pleased, their displeasure at the presence of the two Jedi was evident on their faces. Alys had to wonder if it was simply a dislike of the two rebels, or their cause, or it was some knowledge of rebel activities on Bothawui over the past few days. They had met with those who technically followed the Council, the military and intelligence leaders who simply didn't see eye to eye with the politicians sitting on the Council. They had to know, if not the details then at the very least something of the meetings themselves.

It didn't matter, not anymore. She wanted them to ally with and help the rebellion of their own accord, because it was the right thing to do, what was best for their people. But she also knew the greed that guided men and women such as these. If she had to, she would use the information that they had obtained to convince the council of the viability of their alliance.

But hopefully that would not be required, maybe they just had one of those faces. All five of them. She was about to speak up when the elderly woman seated in the center seat raised a hand to cut her off.

"No, not you. She didn't even look at Alys as she spoke, her eyes on Gerruf. "We know what you seek, but our decision will not be made on the words of an outsider. She brought you along to earn our trust, did she not?" The elderly Bothan had locked eyes with Gerruf as she spoke, the other Councilors also focused on him. "Tell us child, why should we trust your rebellion?"

@Narsi

 

[Gerruf]

Gerruf kept his calm as the elderly Bothan indicated him to speak, though he was quietly cursing the fact on the inside. In truth, he'd half expected such a thing to occur. If he was here, then they would surely single him out to speak over the other representative. Even if the other representative happened to be a highly respected Jedi Knight, that simply wouldn't matter to the Council.

On one hand, Gerruf wasn't happy about being put on the spot and having such responsibility thrust on him. The Alliance's hopes and dreams now resting on his shoulders, even if they had a backup. On the other, this presented a great opportunity for self advancement, and he HAD worked up an argument beforehand for this very situation. So he nodded and stepped forward to stand with his fellow Jedi, meeting the other Bothan's gaze evenly.

"Because the rebellion is truly the best way forward for our species as a whole, Councilor," he started, slowly panning his gaze around to look at the other Bothans as well. "I've met the Sith, fought them, felt what motivates them. They desire only one thing, absolute power over everything and everyone. And they don't care who or what suffers to get it. They will never allow the Bothans accomplish or control anything of worth. They will destroy us if they think we pose even a minor threat, if not today, then someday. They already murder each other openly in ritual duels, never mind mere bystanders or allied worlds."

He paused for affect and to gauge the room, well aware that he was preaching a bit of ideology. Yet, it was the ideology all Bothans believed and lived by, this group especially. "This rebellion, working with the Mandalorians, has been making real progress, winning even. Ending the Sith rule is Bothawui's only true chance for advancement and the rebellion shows promise for such a result. And if we happen to be instrumental in making it so, then the Bothan people will be revered and looked up to by all who wish the Sith to meet their end."

He looked back at the elderly female Bothan once again, lifting his chin slightly now. "I believe so at least, its why I am standing before you on the Rebellion's side in this matter."
@Wit

 

[Alysanne Drast]

Alys had enough confidence in Gerruf to let him answer the Council member's question. He was a Jedi, a rebel, and that alone would have been enough for her to trust him. But she had done her due diligence, learnt a little about him from others who had worked with him before asking him to accompany her, and she knew from them that he could be trusted. The Council though, did not seem to be particularly interested in what he had to said. On the surface they paid attention to him, but through the Force she could sense their intentions. It was all a sham, an act put up to tell their subordinates that they had heard what the rebels had to say and refused an alliance after careful consideration. They had no intention of allying with them, no matter what they heard today.


The words that escaped the same Councilor's lips were further proof that she hadn't read their intentions incorrectly. "Valid points child, I see you trully believe in these rebels. She paused then, turning to look at the other Councilors, who nodded at her. "The Sith might not allow us to achieve true greatness, but we fear your rebel friends aren't the path to that greatness either. We can achieve it on our own, or do you not trust in your own people?" Alys watched the Bothan woman intently as she spoke. If she hadn't received the intelligence briefings about the Councilors she might have bought into the lie that she truly believed the Bothans could face the Galaxy on their own. No, her motivations were much more personal. As a part of the Galactic Alliance she would lose much of the power that allowed her to line her own pockets, and that was something she would not allow.

She had hoped they would not have to do this, but it seemed like there was no option left to them. Pulling out one of the datadisks, the one containing the less incriminating information against the Council members, she walking up towards their table. "Of course, there is no questioning the might of the Bothans. But it never hurts to have allies." She reached the table and slid the holodisk onto it, leaving it in front of the elderly Council member in the middle. "Maybe this will help convince you of the usefulness of an alliance with us."

She stepped back as the woman slid the disk into a datapad and her eyes widened as she sensed the information within. "Wha...what is the meaning of this?"

@Narsi

 

[Gerruf]

Gerruf was inwardly seething as he listened to the other Bothan's response, well aware as to what she was really saying. It was a no, dressed up as a accusation against himself as if HE were the one acting against the Bothan way. All because the Councilor feared the loss of her influence and power, so she was going to potentially risk the entire species and all they could accomplish. He wouldn't be shocked if this entire matter had been discussed and decided upon before the two Rebels had entered even, judging by the nodding heads of the other Councilors.

They weren't the only ones though, to have prepared for the meeting beforehand. Unfortunately for the Council it wasn't going to be a matter of saying yes, only of the when and how it was said. Right on cue, Alysanne stepped up with a datadisk, handing it to the female Bothan. The look on her face, Gerruf would've been lying if he said he didn't enjoy it. "That, Revered Councilor," he said in response, "Is one of the reasons why I believe the Rebellion is the best way forward for us" He kept himself from smirking only just, though a hint of his satisfaction managed to leak into his voice.

Watching someone fall from on high to his benefit was something he'd never rid his enjoyment of. Even his Jedi training had only blunted the urges for power and influences, and he was about to get a good deal more for the mission success he was watching unfold. It was something the other Bothan perhaps realized too, her look of outrage and worry growing by the moment as she made eye contact with him. "Now, I believe you had considered my prior points valid? Would you perhaps like to elaborate on that or will we need to consider these other reasons as well?"

@Wit

 

[Alysanne Drast]

The Councilor fumbled for a response to Gerruf's words, caught totally off guard by the contents on the datapad and the sudden disappearance of her grasp on the situation. Whatever power she might have thought she held was slipping away. "I.." She paused and visible and audibly gulped, at a loss for words. Around her the other councilors were displaying varying states of amusement and concern. The smarter ones knew they were just as much at risk as her, knowing that she had been smart enough to incriminate them in anything that could sink her. It was the one or two truly innocent ones who found this situation amusing.

It was to one of these councilors that Alys turned. "We have had discussions with your military and intelligence leaders, they are already favorably incluned to our proposition. The choice is now in your hands Councilors, what say you? Will you join us?" She waited for a response, hoping they would not be forced to further tarnish their reputations to get them to do what was right. Thankfully the councilor nodded, and slowly, reluctantly, the others started as well. One by one their heads started moving to acknowledge the proposal. Finally only the head councilor was left, her eyes still on the datapad. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, finally accepting the reality of the situation.

"You have learned to play the game, I did not expect this from a Jedi." She paused as she looked down the table on both sides to catch the eyes of the other Councilors, trying to assert some semblance of authority over the proceedings. "Very well, we'll do it your way. Bothawui will join and support your Alliance."

/End Thread

@Narsi