Friends, Naboo, Countrymen!

[TAC]

The small craft, cleared by the Naboo Air Control, landed safely within the main hanger of the Naboo Diplomatic Corps's headquarters. Its reception in the hanger, which held no more than eight ships at a time, was quiet and without fanfare. The hanger itself was quiet, no imminent takeoffs requiring the busyness that often dominated the ambiance of the hanger. Even without the fanfare, however, heads had been turned. Commander of the Naboo Royal Security Rand Xexil, a somewhat idiosyncratic figure, had come to this hanger at the flank of Michael Trenton, one of the Diplomatic Corps's most prestigious and well-known diplomats. Both of them were dressed formally within the uniforms of their respective offices - Rand in the sharp uniform of a Royal Security Commander and Michael within an elegant but simple white tunic and trousers, accompanied by an undecorated sash in the House of Jafan's colors.

Their mission today was simple, non-glamorous, but extremely important. For the first time since their consolidation of power, the House of Jafan would make official diplomatic contact as the majority government of Naboo. This contact was with none other than the Order of the Jedi, who held control of the planet, their system, and indeed the entire sector and beyond. While Naboo was a crucial point of power for the Jedi, and the Naboo were well aware sovereignty was yet out of reach as they moved towards control over their planet, establishing a relationship and clear boundaries with the Jedi would be crucial to their development as a planetary-wide government.

This meeting was to lay the ground work of that relationship and those boundaries, for the Jedi and King Jafan to formally sign later. Michael and Rand were doing the grunt work, albeit important grunt work. Thus they received the Jedi's chosen delegate without fanfare and without significant intention here at the NDC Headquarters. Al-Ric Fen, a Jedi Knight and their contact, was an unknown to Michael. The Jedi was not famous or even well known, thus the available information about him was extremely limited. Nonetheless, Michael was confident that he and Rand would be a dynamic team for the negotiations, and he awaited the disembarking of the now-arrived Jedi.

As soon as the Jedi was on the ground, Michael would take the lead, extending a hand to the man and introducing himself:

"Master Fen, welcome to Naboo. Michael Trenton, Naboo Diplomatic Corps, and this is our Security Force Commander, Rand Xexil. We are extremely grateful that you have taken the time to meet with us."

Michael wasn't exactly sure how to address the Jedi, it was something new for him that he had promised. He knew the Jedi had Lords who would be addressed as such, but this man was not one of them. Knight sounded a bit chopped. So he had settled for master, a relatively neutral diplomatic term.

@Zaphod Norblebrox @Ulysses

 

[Ulysses]

Al-Ric brought his interceptor down into the grand looking hangar. He was used to diplomatic missions but he want used to making such an entrance. As he came through the mouth of the hanger, he saw however that there were fewer people to see him in than the opulence would suggest and what eyes there were were glued to two figures stood to greet him.

He exited the ship carefully, with a quiet word to his astromech: "K4, happy to do the usual checks?" M1-K4 whistled back.

He climbed down from the cockpit with a measured slowness, as befitted the seriousness of their meeting, dressed in his plain brown Jedi robes - his lightsaber buried deep in the folds. As a Jedi he would not be without it, but as a mission of peace he was sure it would not be needed.

He grasped the proffered hand firmly. "Call me Al-Ric." He was used to being called all kinds of things and could see that it's safer to give someone a promotion in address rather than risk offence. However this was the first dealings he had with the Naboo, let alone the Diplomatic Corps and so added a fairly neutral "Sir." He went on, "I hope we are friends here, or will at least will be by the end of the day. The Jedi are as keen for peace on Naboo as you are."

Spoiler: OOC

apologies for slowness, should be more reactive now

 

[TAC]

MIchael took an immediate liking to the Jedi Al-Ric Fen. The clean shaven and well-kept human had mad a quick introduction, already preferring the sort of easy formality that displayed him to be an amicable spirit, which would bode well for their negotiations. Especially for the Naboo. Al-Ric was not soft-spoken necessarily, but his tone was friendly and his mannerisms mild. Addressing the diplomat, the Jedi laid out a positive groundwork for the discussions to be had.

Smiling in response and indicating with an inviting hand gesture that they should begin their slow march through the hanger, Michael nodded cordially as the Jedi spoke. "It delights us to hear that the Jedi are so ready and willing to negotiate with us, Al-Ric," the diplomat said, his hands laced behind his back as they spoke. Turning his head to regard the Jedi with a smile, he added, "And please. Call me Michael." The Naboo diplomat let his smile widen a little farther.

"We do, of course, understand the importance of the Jedi's outpost here on Naboo. However, as the House of Jafan and their allies gains power throughout the world and come to represent an increasing share of the people of Naboo, there is much to be discussed. How we can balance the needs of your Order and our increasing capacity and desire for autonomy, chief among them, of course." As they neared the end of the hanger and Michael spoke in a low, friendly, and somewhat upbeat tone, large blast doors swung open for them. They walked only a few short feet to a conference room, which also opened automatically, as if expecting them.

Michael once ahead gestured ahead, inviting the Jedi into the room. As they entered together, he moved to a small rolling card at the side of the room. "But of course, before we begin, you must be famished. Can I get you something to eat and drink?" The room was large for just the three of them, but comfortably so. A beautiful, sleek, modern table dominated the room, a holoprojector at the far end. The table was large enough for five of the extremely comfortable chairs to flank either side, but each held only two - just in case the Jedi had brought a friend, although none had appeared.

Once he had served the Jedi and Naboo Commander, Michael would pour himself a glace of tea and then take his seat. Each seat had ports to dock their electronics, through wireless charging, and a datapad on the table for each of them to take notes as necessary.

@Zaphod Norblebrox @Ulysses

 

[Ulysses]

Al-Ric fell into step with his new host. He spoke primarily with Michael as they set out the parameters of the talks, but also looked over to his silent companion as they made their way through the hanger and along to a meeting room.

The room had clearly been set up to impress, with a large table, comfortable chairs and modern equipment. Al-Ric also noticed, however that the chairs had been set up to face each other across the table, reminding him that, despite the pleasantries, there was an adversarial component to these talks and that the diplomat would be seeking to get as much from Al-Ric as possible.

"Just water, thank you, and if you're eating, whatever you're having, otherwise don't worry."

He took his place across the table and in an appropriate pause said: "well gentlemen, how in particular can the Jedi help you?"

 

[Nor'baal]

Sir Rand Xexil, Lord-Commander of the Naboo Royal Security Force. ’’Hardly rolls of the tongue.’’ Xexil remarked to one of the NDC staff who was cleaning the outer frame of the large painting of ‘Sir Xexil’ in the main lobby, recently installed following his receipt of the ‘Order of the Tuskcat’. ”Well, I’ve been called worse?’’ he added with a laugh, walking off at a brisk pace to his meeting.

Since becoming the Lord-Commander, his duties had almost tripled; moving on from working as the lead of the Kings close protection detail, to the overall Commander of the Armed Forces of Theed, and such necessitated such meetings as these - a closer link with the NDC if ever there was one. Rand was, foremost, an engineer - it was how he had made a name for himself, indeed; it was how he had earned his reputation, and lost it in equal measure, and as such it felt somewhat off to now have the mantle of military leadership hoisted about him.

Stepping into the meeting room just before their Jedi guest was set to arrive he opened with a broad smile to Trenton, a man he had come to see as his friend ”That new picture in the corridor, good looking dude.’’ he said, referencing his new portrait ”Going to be a real hit with ladies,’’ he added, pausing in front of the Diplomat and tapping his new medal ”Ahem...Sir Xexil, at your service.’’ he laughed.

Pulling a mock stern face, Rand let the Diplomat speak - it being no secret between them of Rands general distrust of the Jedi, well, his general distrust of basically everyone, before saying ”Well, if things go south…’’ he stopped, raised his arms and put on a voice ”We us-a de miiiind tricks.’’ he added, clearly showing he was not cut out for the diplomat's role.

Catching Michaels look of disapproval, Rand smiled ”You do the talking?’’

Silence fell in the room until the Jedi arrived, Rand breaking that silence only to adjust hs shoulder mounted Sunspear pistol, and the vibroblade at his side, both ornately decorated for their use today, to impress rather than intimidate. As the Jedi entered, Rand offered a slight nod - but otherwise kept his silence.

OOC - Sometimes I like to post very late in the thread.

 

[TAC]

Twenty minutes earlier...

Michael Trenton, famed diplomat and ex-pirate, stood in a corner of the meeting room. Today he would be conducting the first meeting and negotiation with the Jedi Order, on behalf of his Majesty Jafan, ruler of Naboo. How exciting! But there was an awfully lot of paperwork that accompanied this kind of work, and while Michael liked doing the work, the paperwork was reprehensible. Standing over a small shelf in the corner, Michael sorted through the proper papers and documentation, ensuring that it all looked in order and tippity-toppity-shape. Noticing a page he missed he clicked his tongue. Why was he even using hard paper? Why could this not be done on a datapad? The man hunched over the sheet with a frown, his space pen working its magic on the bureaucratic red tape.

The door wooshed open and in stood The Lord-Commander, Sir Rand Xexil. Michael looked up at him, and without reaction or expression, turned his attention back to the paperwork. Michael and Rand had become fast friends in their service to the House of Jafan, and a friendly banter accompanied their personal and professional relationships. Michael, one of Naboo's top diplomats, liked to talk things out. Rand, although it was an oversimplification he played up while with Michael, would rather shoot first. So when the aging Lord-Commander joked about his portrait, which Michael had previously noted himself, the diplomat had no problem brushing off the man's ego.

"Yes, yes, hello Mr. Rand," Michael replied, not looking up for a second time and appearing very busy. The Lord-Commander continued on, displaying... was it anxiety?... about the upcoming mission. After he cracked his ace joke, Michael slowly turned his head, a puzzled expression on his face. The bastard had never been more correct with his assertion. "Yes, I will do all of the talking. I would say you should act like a big, dumb Rancor, but you can't like something you already are." A wide grin spread across Michael's face as he just as slowly turned his head and attention back to the paperwork, finishing it was a space swoosh of his space pen. From there the two traveled to the hanger...

During the actual thread...

"Water it is," Michael replied. He poured three glasses, and then set a small biscuit in front of the Jedi. They were native to Naboo, a local delicacy to be sure, and were very sweet. The Jedi appeared to still be warm, even as they approached the business time. Michael smiled as the man spoke to begin the negotiations.

"Well, the Jedi have obviously done a great deal for the people of Naboo," Michael started, with a smile. He sat up in his chair but continued to relax, wanting to keep the loose tone of the talks. "Your outpost has been quiet and unassuming, and you have been welcome guests." Michael wondered how far he could push... "As the House of Jafan continues to unite our planet under a centralized rule, we thought it prudent to begin a conversation with the Jedi about how to expand your presence on our planet into a partnership with our new government. Although this sector is Jedi territory, and we have no arguments with that, the Jedi have always respected the self-determination of the planets they work on. Truly, all we ask is that you begin to recognize and respect ours."

@Zaphod Norblebrox @Ulysses

 

[Ulysses]

Al-Ric noted the clever words of the diplomat: the sleight of hand that turned the Jedi protectors into guests; a necessity into a sufferance; and patrons into supplicants. He put a gentle hand on the tiller of conversation, his face still genial. "Michael, Jedi protection means many things. One of them is the opportunity for those under their care to develop into mature statehood. What is it you had in mind?"