Everything Is Going to Be Okay

Vollen Shai · Jun 29, 2018

Theme

Vollen hadn’t been able to sleep. Not for the whole flight into the core did he manage more than a wink at a time, drifting in and out of consciousness when really he should have been resting. This was an important meeting. He should be rested for it. Instead he was a bundle of nerves as the shuttle pulled into atmosphere and down into the endless skyline of the Republic capital, speeding toward a place he’d been before. Though not under these circumstances. He was not alone. Jon accompanied him again, as he had a number of times now. His presence was reassuring, and given that much of this was his idea he intended to make sure Jon saw it to the end with him. But he was leading this, and so the weight of much of the responsibility fell on himfor any failures. And he’d felt too much of that recently to let it happen again. He looked across at his companion, before looking away to speak

“We have to succeed now. If anything comes of this it was because of you. If nothing does, that’s because of me” his voice was dour, somber, he knew the responsibility they’d undertaken and meant it when he said it,

“Thank you, either way, for sticking by me for it” he looked back and offered a smile. It was his one bit of reassurance left as the shuttle pulled in to dock at the landing bay of a very posh, and very private residence of one Senator, with another meeting them there.

This was bound to be the start of a very interesting day.

@Wit @Minuteman75

Zamid Sarlo · Jul 2, 2018

Dressed in more causal clothes Zamid Sarlo came to greet the two Jedi that just recently arrived. With a pleasant smile on his face the blueish humanoid greeted the duo. “Thank you for arriving on such short notice gentlemen. Please come inside.”Letting them follow him, they all entered. Directing them to a gray colored sofa, Sarlo would offer them each a warm cup of of coffee if they accept.

Sitting down at a lone chair, Salro would asked.“In your message you hinted of a possible discovery that could help with the Alderaanian case. You two can speak freely here I have checked this room throughly a dozen times for any listening devices. By all means do share.”

Anthony Price · Jul 4, 2018

Senator Price had long tried to meet with the Jedi Order in order to coordinate their efforts. Yet, sudden executions, being stood up for dinner, and several other factors weighed in on this goal not yet being made a reality. This time, it appeared the Jedi were reaching out to both him and his fellow Senator Sarlo in regard to the Alderaan investigation. Had they uncovered something worth using? Only this meeting would tell.

Sarlo greeted the Jedi as they arrived, with Anthony already seated and greeting them with a smile as they entered. He rose to his feet, shaking their hands as they entered. "I think I speak for Senator Sarlo when I say we are eager to see what you have to offer."

@Nightfall096 @Minuteman75 @Wit

Jon Atreides · Jul 4, 2018

Jon had made one trip too many to Coruscant in the past few months, for one reason or another the planet seemed to keep drawing him back. It was all these blasted politicians, just when he thought he was out they pulled him back in. At least this time it didn't seem like he'd have to pay with a leg, this day would have to take one weird turn for something like that to happen again.

But that risk was something he had to take, it just came with the territory of the job. He was a Jedi, it was an occupational risk. And besides, he wasn't gonna let Vollen do this alone, he was gonna help the Jedi Master see this though to the end, in whatever way he could. "We're Jedi, we're supposed to have each other's backs." He grinned as he replied to Vollen's words, trying to cheer him up a little. "Though I think this metal leg of mine is a little short, I might be titling one way. Wonder if that makes my back harder to defend or easier to miss?"

As they were welcomed by the Senator from Duro, Jon smiled and performed a small bow towards both the Senators. "Greetings Senators, thank you for meeting with us." He didn't say more as he took a seat as well, wondering what the Senators would say upon realizing that the Jedi hadn't just come to share information but also ask for a favor. He smiled inwardly as he shut up, letting Vollen the pleasure of broaching that topic.

@Nightfall096 @Minuteman75 @Fyremage

Vollen Shai · Jul 4, 2018

And so the meeting begun. The formalities were short it seemed, not that Vollen exactly minded right now. With all that had happened, as much hope as he had for today, he also wanted it over quick if nothing quite went their way. At least then he could face the shame sooner, have it gone sooner. But either way, he had to speak first, and so he drew in a deep breath before he began,

"Senator Sarlo is aware, though I don't know whether he informed you, that the Jedi had been looking into the Alderaan case as well. With what we learnt from Werner I had meant to mount an infiltration of Lucile's Palace, get out with the security logs..." He paused, this was a moment he was not so proud of and he wasn't exactly wanting to share it,

"We failed, I failed in doing so, too many unforeseen circumstances forced us out of the palace before anything could be gained. Though it seems my companion here had atleast thought ahead. He'd recorded the whole time on a small camera from his perspective, meaning we have footage of the guards who forced us out. But, one looked familiar to both of us, a mercenary it appeared, that we'd seen before" There was another too, who seemed familiar, but that effort was less guaranteed.

"To confirm our suspicions though we'd need the footage from the Hutt attack on the Senator Cormond's party" Another pause, it was time to ask for that favour "That's why we wanted to speak to you. If you could share with us the footage as part of your investigation, we could confirm whether Lucile has Cartel agents in her employ" Vollen waited now with bated breath. It was a large ask, given the Jedi and Republic were not officially allies. But hopefully common purpose here would be enough to win their assistance, and if things went well help secure it in future.

All he could do was hope.

@Minuteman75 @Fyremage @Wit

Anthony Price · Jul 13, 2018

"I'll see what I can do." Anton responded after reflecting upon the words shared by Master Vollen. "I have a few connections I could potentially reach out to. I am a part of the security commission so it may simply be just a formality to acquire such evidence and get you a copy. We'd likely have to keep all of this in under wraps, for obvious reasons." To say that Anthony was relieved to hear that the Jedi had something that could break this case wide open would be an understatement. But something within the Corellian senator unsettled him.

"Forgive my skepticism, but why are you both doing this? I have come to deeply respect the Jedi as of late, but I suspect there may yet be something to gain that you aren't telling us."

@Wit @Nightfall096

Zamid Sarlo · Jul 15, 2018

To say that Sarlo was intrigued would be a massive understatement. It is possible they gained something from this headache of an investigation after all. This new evidence could prove if nothing else that whoever was guarding the palace was also connected to the gala attack. Nodding in agreement the Duros then replied with confidence.“It will be arranged, Anton here is good at that.”

He listened to his Corellian friend express his concerns. Before Sarlo can say anything, his commlink began beeping. Quietly apologizing to those present, the Durosian took the call. Listening, the blueish elder’s expression turned into a disappointing frown. Turning back to the Jedi and other senator Sarlo then revealed.

“It looks like gentlemen I must leave immediately. An important sponsor for my Chief of State has arrived on Coruscant and insists on meeting me at the embassy. Please carry on without me.”

With an apologetic bow, Sarlo went over to his private room away from view and gotten dressed in a traditional robe. Then he proceeded to walk away and exited from the door, leaving the others to settle this affair themselves. Sarlo believed in these men to carry it all out without him.

OOC: Exiting from Thread

Vollen Shai · Jul 17, 2018

"I..." Vollen stammered on his words in response to Senator Price's question even as Senator Sarlo left the room. Why were they helping? Even as the Senator expressed thanks and offered support, that question remained. Vollen, for his part, had barely touched it himself, barely considered it.

"Senator, gain is not our intent here. Some time ago now members of our Order attempted to assist Werner Antilles escape from Alderaan. While the man left and indeed the Knight left our Order, this was simply a piece of unfinished business. And I am not one to leave threads dangling, nor are many members of the Order" He began, there was something reassuring about bringing himself to reaffirm why he was here, for what reason the Order had involved itself with the politics of the Republic. Though, in all honesty, there were few places in the galaxy where one could ever really be free of politics, even amongst the most meditative and elusive of the Jedi Order,

"The Hutts are a common enemy. While the Order, myself included, abhors the use of violence, the crimes of the Hutts are greater and no less grizzly. Senator, letting such power and submission propagate is of use to no one, of good to no one, not even those who claim to serve the Hutts. Truly, if nothing else the very fact that the continue such crimes as slavery should be enough to worry anyone, as I'm sure you worry too. While the Republic is by no means perfect, such barbarism is at least outlawed and enforced. To have such practices encroach back to its borders and indeed inside it through planets and their leaders is an insidious threat that should worry anyone" He continued. His speech might have been too much, but it was as much for him as it was for the Senator,

"All we wish Senator is to stop this, you ask the wrong people what reward we're in it for" He was being honest, he swore. Perhaps it didn't seem true, though hopefully Price could read his sincerity,

"And indeed, if there's anything else we could assist you in, by all means" he offered with a gesture of open arms. He wanted to see this thing through.

@Fyremage @Wit

Anthony Price · Jul 20, 2018

[don't=constantia]Anthony was quiet for a long time, even after Master Shei had finished his monologue. What could he say? He wanted to believe the Jedi, and while he could understand the Noble ideas expressed by the Jedi Master: everyone had a price, it was just a question of how high it was. Was this Jedi's price really simply about doing the right thing? Anton liked to look at himself as a man of Integrity, and considering the makeup of the current Senate body, he was arguably among the top percentile of such men. But he also recognized that sometimes men of integrity had to do things they didn't want to do in order to get things done.

It was a grim reality he was loathe to admit, but admit he had to. Finally, the Senator rose from his seat and approached the Jedi, his hand outstretched: "Very well. On behalf of the Alderaan commission, I accept your help. Given Senator Sarlo's required leave of absence..." He cast a glance off to the door which had long been closed behind Sarlo's exit. "...Would you accompany me again to Alderaan? We still have a few interviews to do and we could use your help."

@Wit @Nightfall096

Vollen Shai · Jul 21, 2018

All Vollen wanted to do at Senator Price’s offer was breathe a deep sigh of relief. The investigation would continue, and he could continue to offer his help, and see this thing through. He had to now, even as his own efforts had failed he could do something now, assist the Senators where they needed it. Such things were done in times past, when the Republic and Jedi were united. Now things had changed. Ever since the end of the war and the NAP the two powers had been estranged from each other, even if polite. But slowly things were turning around, and here was another chance for that to blossom. Or so he hoped. If the investigation failed then it was unlikely to lead anywhere. And if it succeeded, well, it could only help. And of course, the Cartels’ encroachment could be expelled and held back, at least for a time. Even if nothing came of it, they would have done that much together, and that was good itself.

As he grasped the Senators’ hand in return, he could only hope,

“Senator Price, I would be more than happy to do so” Vollen replied as he rose to is feet. There would be little time to lose, and information to go over before they arrived on Alderaan. But there would be time for that yet. Vollen, for his part, had to hope that Lucile would let him on planet, given the rather tumultuous events she’d had with Jedi in the past.

But for now, there was cooperation, and a lead. And, well, that was all they would need to get to the heart of the matter.

@Fyremage @Wit

/EndThread