Ask Naboo Outside Help

[Sandé A Veruna]

For several months Naboo had prospered under its new Queen. Assuming power on the back of a populist rush of support, Queen Sandé Réillata had moved swiftly to cement herself as the popular ruler of the world, harnessing the support that came with aligning herself with the militarist and nationalistic outlooked of the 'common folk' which had come hand in hand with the Consortiums political leans. There were, of course, some who disagreed with her political approaches in recent months. Several of her ministers had spoken out, concerned with the centralisation of power around the palace, especially after her recent move, just yesterday, to hand the control of the Naboo Armed Forces directly to her own command.

One of the Ministers had resigned in disgust, and Queen Réillata had ensured to have a media commentary on the matter quashed by making a public appearance at the unveiling of a statue erected in the honour of the previous Monarch to have born her families name.

Dissent within the upper echelons of power was high, and Queen Réillata, sure of her own mission for the world and its subjects, was not going to allow the politicians to stand in her path. As such, she had begun a process of bringing in some additional support from assorted off-world sources, to cement her position. After all, the galaxy was not only a place of great danger but also one that Governments needed to express their own abilities and strength to step into and command.

Naboo had been invaded multiple times in its history.

Queen Réillata was determined to ensure that would never happen again, as well as to ensure that her world, and her family, played a dominating role in the command of the state, and continued to expand on the Naboo role in the wider consortium. Sweeping into the throne room, she was greeted by the hammering of feet, as her guards stood to attention, and she took her seat. As she did so, one of her handmaidens was quick to approach, informing her that her guest had arrived.

"Show them in." she instructed.

@Tulos

 

[Aska Ryun]

”Why am I even here?” The clone pondered whilst aimlessly strolling around the antechamber to the Queen of Naboo’s throne room. Tracing her finger across immaculate marble shelves, not even a trace of dust to be found, her stare remained blank as she mulled the possibilities in her mind. What need would the newly elected monarch have for a mercenary that her own private forces could not handle alone? An act that she could not hold any culpability for, something that could not be known on the galactic stage that would lead to fingers being jabbed in her direction? It was the possibility that made the most sense and yet it didn’t exactly fit with what her admittedly narrow views of who this woman was. And yet here she found herself, curiosity gnawing at her mind as if it were a buzzing insect hidden in the corner of a room. Step by step, fingers continued to slide along the marble shelf.

”The Queen is ready to see you now,”

The voice interrupted Aska from her train of thought, emptily turning to acknowledge the aide that had arrived through the large and magnificent doors that harboured her host. As she did so her hand moved slight inward on the shelf and bumped into a small yet intricate vase, an action that would send the object tumbling to the floor. Instinct kicked in with a wide eyed gasp as the clone spun, leaning forward and shooting out the hand that had not instigated the embarrassing event. Fingers felt the cool china press against their tips before bouncing upward and away from her. Leaning forward, the vase once more settled into her hand safely and allowed her a sigh of relief. Placing the vase back in it’s place with a slight smirk at knowing she still had the reaction time she needed in her career path, the clone turned to the aide and blew her bangs from her eyes.

”About time!” she replied with a smirk as she started walking towards the door, her hand reaching up to the breast pocket of her leather jacket to pluck a cigarra from her pack before placing it in her lips. ”Queen or merc, everyone’s time has a price tag,” she continued as she dug for a lighter, only for the smoke to be snagged from her lip as she was in arm’s reach of the woman with a stern glare. Eyes wide, Aska debated whether or not it would be worth it to strike the woman in her jugular but calmer minds prevailed. ”Whatever, let’s make this quick…” she groaned before entering the magnificent hall with both hands stuffed into her empty jacket pockets.

”Your Majesty,” Aska greeted Reillata plainly with her hands still stashed away, a slight hint of disdain could be heard as her cravings for nicotine began to eat away at her. Offering the monarch a bow to follow her words, the woman then straightened her posture and locked eyes with her host, her demeanor immediately softening upon seeing the beauty of the woman sat upon Naboo’s throne, both hands slowly being withdrawn to hang at her sides. A forced cough brought Aska back into the moment. ”What is it that I can do for you? I assume this is a matter of… business?”

@Nor'baal​

 

[Sandé A Veruna]

From where the Queen was sitting, Aska struck the very image of a mercenary as she swaggered into the room. Pulling up short as she looked up at the leader of the Naboo, Sandé smirked slightly, pleased that the august nature of the throne room was having its desired effect. From a young age, Sandé had been trained in the acquisition and execution of power, and it pleased her enormously to see the many years of this training being put into effect. It had taken weeks to track down members of the mercenary class willing to take this meeting, with the correct levels of discretion, and Sandé was delighted it had paid off.

"Come." she rose from the throne and swept down the short steps at its base, past Aska without looking at her, two dark-uniformed guards following in her wake as the Queen made her way toward one of the side corridors leading off from the throne room. "Leave us." she curtly instructed the over-eager guards, who bowed and stepped away as the door opened. "Business? No. Well, at least not in a conventional way." Sandé added, as the doors closed behind the pair, leaving them in the corridor alone.

"I would prefer the term, statecraft. You see," she began to walk slowly down the corridor, which was lined with artworks and statues "Naboo is a world with rich history, traditions, and a proud people. Within the Consortium, we have enjoyed a lauded position at the heart of President Thorne's vision for the galaxy. Yet, I believe we must go further." the Queen paused in front of a large painting, depicting an ancient King being coronated with two crowns. "Tell me, Aska, do you believe that great change is born of great actions?"

 

[Aska Ryun]

As the queen brushed past the woman she had sought an audience with, Aska’s expression twisted into one of befuddlement. Both hands raised with upward palms in a display of perplexity before she too turned on her heel to see the back of the monarch as she dismissed her guard. This action only further deepened the confusion the mercenary clone withheld. Certainly Aska had been searched and cleared by the Royal security but to leave her alone in a room with a ruler? ”Ballsy,” the clone would mutter to herself before giving Reillata her full attention once more.

”The ISC has certainly come a long way under President Thorne,” Aska began, silently recounting her own associations with the man who had brought large regions of the galaxy under a singular banner. ”but unless you’re searching for open warfare, I have to admit that I haven’t got a clue on what else you could hope to achieve,” It was true, Aska didn’t have a sharp mind in terms of politics. In her eyes, there was only one way to advance in nearly any form; take what you want, by force if necessary. Somehow, she didn’t believe this was Reillata’s intention.

Well, until she asked her next question at least. Great change born of great actions? Maybe she had misjudged the monarch.

”Change isn’t brought about by keeping your hands under your as-” Catching her vulgar comment perhaps a moment to slow, Aska coughed and re-evaluated her response. ”Sorry,” she grumbled, loathing any instance where she required couthe and etiquette. ”I agree, your Majesty. You can’t sit around and wait for change. I have to ask, what is it that you’re getting at exactly?” she queried, keeping her pace even with the Queen as they strode through the corridor, blue eyes flicking from statue to the art piece the Queen halted before in an effort to keep from betraying both her confusion and her curiosity of the woman before her.

@Nor'baal​

 

[Sandé A Veruna]

"Do not worry, war is not my objective." the Queen replied, hopefully putting Askas mind at rest on that point. "It is hard to deny that the galaxy stands at a crossroads. We have the New Republic, set to elect a new Chancellor, the Free World Alliance in a state of near-collapse, the Syndicates rearing their heads, and the Sith Empire and the Jedi Order ripping one another apart, with us caught in the cross fire."

She turned to face Aska, looking away from the painting to focus on her. "History has shown us what happens when the Sith and the Jedi go to war, time and time again the civilians of the galaxy are the ones who pay the price. I do not want that to happen here, on my world, to my people. That is why I brought you here." the Queen paused, wondering how to phrase what she was going to say.

"I want you to help me get Naboo to a place where it can protect itself, stepping up to form the backbone of the Consortium military, and bring together our people to protect them from what I know is on the way." she stopped speaking, her hand subconsciously touching the necklace she wore, as she waited for the Aska to respond.