Meeting With The Chancellor

[Andraste]

Andraste had made her way over to Republic space the last time she had met with the Chancellor. She enjoyed the various looks of terror and nervous glances she received, though she came away from it being impressed by the man. He managed to curb her displeasure last time, but she doubted he would be able to repeat the effort. In all honesty, she didn’t know why she bothered even communicating with him. The Republic had irked her enough to warrant attacking directly. However, she remembered the first days when she opened up dialogue with Mori and how she fought to prove her credibility. Mori had allowed her that much and it changed everything.

It was out of respect for Mori that Andraste bothered even doing this, but she was certainly not going to make an effort to meet him in Republic space. She was in one of her ornate offices within the Serenno palace, and she would appear on Holonet on a scheduled call. The Chancellor knew about this call for about a week, and he would have had his time to prepare for it. The war the Republic was waging against the Hutts wasn’t a secret, and by now he would have even had intel about the alliance breach between the Hutts and the Sith. After all, it was a group of Republic soldiers that ultimately succeeded in planting the seeds of doubt.

Andraste was adorned in a royal navy dress, her hair neatly tied back. Her face was gaunt and she had shadows under her eyes, clear markings of exhaustion and the dark side slowly sapping away at her. Her yellow eyes were as fierce as ever, and she was sat upon a rather expensive chair, her fingers drumming gently along the armrest. She didn’t make a point to hide that she was displeased this time, and Deryck would be able to clearly sense it even through Holo.

“Chancellor,” She began as soon as he would flicker on, “I admit I was hoping more time would pass before we had to have an unpleasant conversation,” Andraste wasn’t afraid to let her rage be known. Her voice was icy, her eyes menacing, and it was easy to forget that this was a tiny, pregnant woman sitting in a chair rather large for her addressing the Chancellor of the Republic.

@Nefieslab

 

[Vincent Deryck]

Deryck was beginning to think that he was too old for this kark as it was and now, on top of everything else he had to deal with, he was going to have to speak to the Empress of the Sith and attempt to come up with compelling reasons as to why they shouldn't be at war with each other by the time the holocall came to a close. It was going to be tough, he knew that much, and while he would freely admit that he was a tough old kriffer himself?

He knew that this was unlikely to go swimmingly.

Tempting as it had been to consider ignoring the call, he knew that he couldn't. And he had known that for the past twenty minutes he had been sat behind his desk, wanting to make sure he was early for the call in case she called early herself. In the end, the holo flickered to life at the exact moment it was supposed to and he was, once again, in the presence of the Empress of the Sith.

And she was, once again, pregnant.

Dear gods there were going to be even more of these terrifying people in the future... a problem for his successor, not for him however. Instead he looked her in the eyes across the desk.

"Empress Andraste."

He didn't move, just looking at her across the desk, doing his best not to fidget.

"While it is not unpleasant to speak with you - I also wish the topic at hand were less severe." he took a deep breath, "Would you like to present your concerns, Empress?"

@Sreeya

 

[Andraste]

Andraste observed him quietly for a moment as if silently looking for weaknesses. Her gaze was that of a hawk’s and anyone under piercing gaze would feel as if they were on stage under a spotlight. For a moment she said nothing, her expression difficult to read. Her eyes betrayed her, however, narrowed and clearly displaying the anger she felt.

“I’m growing tired of how often I have to remind you of the agreement we have made where the Republic is not entangle itself with neither the Sith nor the Jedi,” She muttered, allowing more of her displeasure to come across in her visage, “With the countless reports I am getting of Jedi being involved in the Republic and Hutt war, it seems clear as day that you have gone and made an alliance with the Jedi,” Andraste leaned forward in her seat, her eyes gleaming, “Which means you are very ready to toss the NAP aside. And who am I to get in the way of that? I called this meeting to give you the courtesy of formalizing the breach of the pact. Going forward, the Sith have no reason to abide by the rules of the NAP.”

There was a dangerous smile tugging at her lips, though she held it back for now. Andraste and the Chancellor were both aware of the might of the Emperor. Even if hard numbers weren’t shared, he would know the Empire could easily begin sweeping through Republic space. In the time of peace, the Sith had grown exponentially and it was a massive monster just begging to be unleashed. The only thing holding it back was the tiny woman gazing at the Chancellor now, a woman that was young enough to be his daughter.

“So it is agreed then?” She asked at last, not even denying that she would be pleased at the thought. She had grown tired of poking around about Jedi involvement with the Republic, and she doubted the Chancellor had anything to say in defense. He would notice her reaching for a fruity mocktail from her desk and casually taking a sip. It was clear she was ready to hop off the call after casually informing him that everything he commanded, billions of innocent lives, everything he had fought for, was in danger now.

@Nefieslab

 

[Vincent Deryck]

The bottom of his stomach seemed to fall out as she continued speaking and it was all he could do to keep from trying to speak immediately. While speaking was good and defending the Republic was also good... he doubted very much that Andraste would take kindly to being interrupted during her side of the argument so he didn't say anything. Instead he just sat there and winced as she mentioned that the Sith would have no reason to abide by the rules of the NAP.

It was a noticable wince and it signified to them both that which could not be hidden - the Sith Empire had the might to destroy the Republic and the only thing that had stopped them so far was the will to move to do so. The only thing that had stopped them was the patience of Andraste herself.

Which, it seemed, was beginning to become rather worn.

"Empress Andraste... the incursions of the Jedi into Hutt space have, at no point, been invited, I can assure you." he told her firmly but there was a note, a slight wavering, in his voice that spoke of his fear as much as the way he was visibly squeezing his hands together did as well, "The Republic has no desire for war with the Sith Empire - the NAP passed through the entirety of the senate and if it were proposed again today it would pass again I'm certain."

Swallowing thickly, he tried to hide how badly he wanted to fidget under her gaze right now. He took a deep breath before speaking again,

"Empress, my people in the field shall no longer engage with any Jedi and, in fact, fire upon Jedi should they attempt to force themselves into a situation with ourselves." he paused before slowly letting go of his hands, "I can control my own people and have them push back when the Jedi seek to provide their tainted aid and I will - because having the Sith Empire as our peaceful neighbour is far more important to me than anything the Jedi could offer. Please. On behalf of peace-loving people throughout the Republic I ask..."

A small pause.

"...no, I beg of you - to give the Republic a chance to prove that the incursion of the Jedi is not of our doing and that we shall put a stop to it by any means necessary."

Pride was a luxury afford to those in a position of strength - which he did not have in this conversation.

@Sreeya

 

[Andraste]

Andraste quietly sipped from her drink, her eyes narrowing at his words. They were not words she expected to hear. Not invited? How could he possibly suggest that these numerous implications were happening without his knowledge? Andraste’s expression grew angrier by the second, but she calmly let him speak. He would see that she was not at all pleased with everything he was saying, even if he began to beg her to keep the NAP in place. Gone were the days where she was the one cowering and begging to be given a chance. She stood now as a Queen of the Galaxy, a God that could pass judgment upon entire worlds and swaths of the galaxy. And to think – it had only seemed like yesterday that she was in a trial as a teenager, gazing up at the terrifying faces of the Jedi Councilors that were glaring down at her.

The brief memory caused a flicker of amusement in her eyes, but it did not detract from the situation at hand. For a moment, Andraste drummed her fingers lazily along her armrests, considering her options. The anger subsided and her expression now represented casual boredom. She briefly toyed with the little pink umbrella in her drink, weighing her options. She was quite literally debating whether or not she whimsically wanted to begin to destroy the Republic planet by planet or not.

“Twenty four hours,” She finally muttered, “You have 24 hours to make a public address to the Jedi declaring them as outlaws and brigands. 24 hours to declare to the whole galaxy that they are enemies of the Republic and a threat to the citizens in the war effort. This means their involvement in Republic political affairs as well,” Andraste met his gaze sternly, revealing she knew fully well about the Jedi nosing in on Alderaan, “My patience is at its end. I will be watching for your address. If I do not see it within the allotted time, consider the NAP officially null,” She let the murderous threat hang in the air. It was clear she was not afraid to back up her words. He would have, by now, heard of the devastation she had caused simply because a Jedi Master had a slight tone with her.

@Nefieslab

 

[Vincent Deryck]

Gods be good.

This was a right mess the Republic had gotten itself into now.

Or rather, a right mess the Jedi had gotten the Republic into. Wasn't that just the theme of Republic history for the past two hundred years? The Jedi had an issue with some faction of themselves who didn't like the originals and suddenly the Republic was staring down the barrel. First time it had been with the Exiles and their armies of slaves and now it was with a resurgence in the Exiles that came in a brand new package.

The Sith.

Organised and controlled in a way the rabid dogs of the Exiles had not been, the Sith Empire was quickly becoming as a large as the Republic itself and, unlike the Republic, had never stepped off the gas when it came to being on the war footing. This meant that they had the power.

And he had to accept that.

"Empress Andraste - you are gracious." he declared with a small bow of his head, "And you shall not be disappointed. I shall ensure that the broadcast will reach Serenno and your palace."

He paused for a moment, swallowing again before looking her in the eyes.

"Watch my address and you shall see that the resolve of the Republic to have peace has not wavered." he replied before bowing his head again, "Is there anything more, Empress? If not... I believe I have an address to the Republic to pen."

And a public he would have to sell this narrative to.

@Sreeya