A Classified Meeting

[Jason Vaiken]

The Estate of Senator Palliser on Chandrila​

The estate is abuzz with activity as the servants and estate staff rush around the estate, cleaning and ensuring that all is well. The estate is positively gleaming and yet, the Archduchess herself is furious. Someone used a Kuati bomb to blow up the Chancellor's wife and she has been doing marathon meetings ever since. She had to report to her fellow Ten about this disaster. She has had more pleasant meetings with her father (who she detested). Part of her wanted to reschedule the meeting, but no openings on her schedule remains.

This meeting is important to her, she muses as she sits in her office. She was instructed by Her Majesty the Kuat to align herself closer with the BA and to learn more of the Jedi. The exact specifics of the meeting are for the most part confidential. She is not acting in her capacity of a Senator as she meets the Jedi, but as the Archduchess of Palliser. An interested women, not the Senator of one of the key worlds of the Republic. With that she awaits her servants to inform her of the arrival of the Senator of Mandalore and the mysterious Jedi Knight. She is a proud woman, but she can not neglect her duties as a host. She finishes her last thing for the day and stands up and strides towards the entrance.

Let's see who gets here first...

(OOC: @Dmitri and @Jessica Cloud)

 

[Jessica Cloud]

Jess looked out the window at the Estate below. It was beautiful. Green and white, and perfectly tempered in it's wealthy atmosphere. Grand and pristine. Just like so many of the residences she had come to visit on this planet. So smiled and leaned over to her companion in the seat next to her,

"Lynn. What do you suppose this whole thing is about, hmm?"

"Oh? Still worrying about that are you? ...Oh Jess. Dear Jess. How you humans love to worry. Hehe."

The pink skinned Zeltron gave a soft smile and put down her datapad. Leaning out into the aisle of the private shuttle. All the rest of the seats were empty save for the pilot's cabin. They were getting a free ride in first class. Still, the blonde Petra couldn't help but wrinkle her nose to the question,

"I'm sure it has something to do with the recent address by the Senator of Alderaan. The Senate has yet to come to grasps with any situation."

"You mean with the Jedi?"

"Oh no. I mean with any of it. The Border Alliance, The Sith. ...I suppose the Senator from Kuat is simply looking for a little stability. Something she can work with."

"Right but... Why us?"

Petra turned to the brunette human in the seat next to her. Giving her partner a fun wink wink,

"Because she's desperate for my companionship, of course. Hehe. ...Ooo. You don't suppose she's single and ready to mingle, do you? So hot. I've seen the pictures. ...Oh yes indeed. And, you know Jess? The best bodyguards always keep a bedside vigil. Rawrrr."

Jess couldn't help but blush and wave the sensual, but silly, comment away,

"Right... So let's just forget all the political current events and just settle with that sexy picture. Hehe. The Senator of Kuat want's in Lynn Petra's pants. The End."

The blonde Petra smiled smugly in her plush velvet seat,

"See Jess? I told you politics would be easy. Why, you're getting the hang of Chandrila already."

...

The private shuttle swished to a landing onto the estate's white helipad. Coming to a complete stop with a heavy automated sigh. Fwush. Then the boarding ramp came down and two finely dressed Jedi Knights descended into the grass. Jessica Cloud and Lynn Petra. Both garbed in regal blue shearling trenches. Long coats that hid their service weapon, their phones, and their Lightsabers. Making every light step they took across the lawn a very fashionable one indeed.

Nearer the door a silver protocol droid awaited. Who came trotting out to meet them with a goofy butler's gasp,

"Oh my! Welcome welcome. I am CV4-PIO. Human cyborg relations. And you must be Knight's Cloud and Petra. Hello there!"

Jess and Lynn gave a small bow as the droid continued his stuttering reply. Eventually leading the two Jedi inside the building and into the Hall. Where they would be asked to wait just a moment as the Archduchess of Palliser come out to greet them.

Petra gave Jess another quick 'wink wink' as their silver host took his leave. After all, a Zeltron always has her priorities in order. Sex, before politics. Always. Oh yes, Lynn was quite sure. No doubt about it. The Duchess was going to be a looker.

___

@The Star of Chaos

 

[Adèle-Luisa Palliser]

The Archduchess of Palliser strides through a set of doors and finds her guests in the main entrance, her long red hair flowing down her back, a regal expression on her face and in her bearing as she walks up to the Jedi.

"We are Archduchess Adèle-Luisa Palliser of Castermaine, We welcome you to our humble home. Rarely have We entertained guests of your stature. We regret to inform you that we are expecting one more. Our counterpart in the Senate, the Senator of Mandalore. We do feel that it is best that we inform you of her past, she is an ex-Jedi and is said to have some feelings against your kind. Come." She leads them to a few armchairs looking out of the window and sits.

"Tell us about yourself as we wait." She gives them a friendly smile.

 

[Jessica Cloud]

Oh my. Was that warning or a threat?

Jess looked around the hall and studied her feelings in the Force. Pursing her lips and nodding to herself, the brunette decided it was simply nothing. Best not to worry about it now. They'd get to table manners when they got to table manners. Until then? She had Petra's imagination to look after. After all. The Duchess was indeed, a looker.

The pink Lynn gave a bow before their hostress and both Jedi followed her to the chairs. Lynn spoke first,

"Thank you for the invitation My Lady. We are honored to be in your home."

"Yes. An honor."

They both took their seats and studied the room. Enjoying a moment of silence and of repose. None to hasty to begin. Though it was eventually Jess who spoke up to finish their introductions,

"I am Knight Cloud. Of Chandrila. ...This, is Knight Petra. Of Zeltros. And as you are probably already aware? We are guests of the United Ministry of Public Safety. We serve at the Jedi Council of Tython's good leisure, to better assist the planet of Chandrila in all matters relating to magic and The Force. Councilors, guardians, and your codex into all things mysterious and arcane."

"Indeed. My partner speaks the truth. We are here to protect and serve the good people of Chandrila. Always. ...So? How might the Jedi Order of Tython be of assistance today, My Lady?"

...

Beaming a smile and sitting up straight, both women looked the picture of royalty. Fashionably garbed and fashionably prompt. As all present waited for the meeting to begin in earnest.

___

@Adèle-Luisa Palliser

 

[Adèle-Luisa Palliser]

One of the servants came in and whispered something into the ear of Adèle and she nodded and dismissed the servant with a thank you and turned to her guests.

"It appears the Senator of Mandalore will not be joining us. She has been assigned to the delegation to Tython." She quiets as tea is placed before them, with sugar on the side. "We simply wanted to know about your Order, your Order's policies, and the Sith. Any information you can give us would be most valuable." She smiles at them and raises a delicate eyebrow as she takes the tea black.

(@Jessica Cloud)

 

[Jessica Cloud]

Jess could feel the disappointment filter in from their Force Bond. Petra was rebuffed by the Archduchess' comment. Thankfully, Jess encouraged the Zeltron to speak. Hoping that Lynn would quickly take the situation in a new direction,

"Such broad topics of discussion your Highness. We could fill volumes and volumes with such things. Alas, time runs always against us. Mm. Perhaps... Well. Perhaps, if you asked specific questions we might be able to offer specific answers. Otherwise? Mm. ...I fear that our eyes might become bigger than our stomachs. Naturally."

Jess said nothing. Rather, she quietly took the time to gather her thoughts for an eventual reply. Petra was the Senior Jedi here and, as such, was invited to speak unmolested. For as long as she wished. Jess contributed simply by nodding and lifting her chin in acknowledgement of her companion's comments. They were Knights, in unison, and bonded together seamlessly in thought. Happy to continue the conversation at a snail's pace.

 

[Adèle-Luisa Palliser]

Adèle has a small smile on her face, "We apologise for forgetting the long and storied history of the Jedi Order." She turns to the two of them, setting down her tea and her smile is replaced with a calm expression, "I wish to speak frankly with you and hope you will do the same. What I wanted to know on behalf of my fellows in Kuat is quite simple. We wanted to know your opinions on what our delegation is being sent to do, ask you to not fight. Yet, rumours are abound that you are in fact already fighting the Sith. I hope that when the battle lines are drawn, the Jedi will stand with the Republic against the coming darkness as it always has. We cannot defeat Sith without you, but you cannot defeat the Sacred Band without us."

Her tone throughout her little speech was laced with a kind of worry, a worry that belies the sense of futility clinging onto peace, when she knows that war is coming. The two Jedi can feel she needs some reassurance, some sense that everything will be relatively okay and that the famed Jedi will do their very best to protect the Republic and the innocent people who compose it. It also shows her worry, she does care for her people and she does not want to surrender them to the rule of the vicious Sith and Sacred Band.

 

[Jessica Cloud]

Jess was visibly taken aback by such a remark. Was there not already enough speculation in the Senate already? Or, perhaps. ...Perhaps this type of talk was a good thing. Jess had supposed that the Senate was taking the situation on the border too lightly. Perhaps it was good that other member worlds were worried. It meant they had not forgotten the danger. Petra gave no visible sign of discomfort but Jess could feel her getting restless in the Force. Lynn was beginning to feel this meeting was a waste of their time. The answer to Adele's question was almost obvious by now. Alas, Petra had to remember that word travels slowly in Republic space. So she gave a nod of her blonde head and began again,

"Ah. Well. Perhaps not everyone understands the great trial that lies before our great nations. The dangers of the Dark Side and it's hidden legions are always ever-present. Indeed, every day, they remain at the forefront of every noble Jedi mind. So, I can assure you My Lady. The Jedi Knights and the Jedi Order of Tython will do everything in their power to resist these forces. As we have. For all time in eternity."

She held up a hand to motion that she would like to continue. Taking only a moment to let that last phrase sink in. Or perhaps? To let it fade away,

"However. To current events. I must speak bluntly. And, more towards the details I suspect that will persuade you? Master Jedi Bau Zo has recently been declared Jedi Lord, and distanced himself from Home-Tython and her councils. Rather, taking upon himself a group of Jedi Knights as crusaders and new activists. A task force for a new era, we believe. This unique group of highly motivated sages is already leading the fight against the Sith Remnant in ever way imaginable. Including forays and missions into Sith territory. To discover even more about what the Dark Side, and our hidden foes, are planning for our nation's shared future. The future of Republic and the Jedi worlds alike."

Petra let her hand return to her lap and gave a nod. That last part was unknown to most who cared not to listen. As, Lord Bau Zo did not telegraph his new Jihad or Crusades openly. At least, not to those who preferred to remain blind to the truth.

"Now. I understand the Senate is going to lead a delegation recently. A delegation that will travel to Tython in an attempt to persuade the Council and her Order to remain neutral in this affair. And, in musing, ...yes. I believe they will be somewhat successful. I believe the Tython Council will remain publicly and vocally, Neutral. However... And again... The crusaders of The Jedi Knights. Under the leadership of Jedi Lord Bau Zo. ...Remain, independent of such wisdoms. And will continue to remain independent of the Council's position for some time. Indeed. The Jedi have always stood against the hidden dangers of the Dark Side. And we will continue to do so, long into the future. Always."

Jess pursed her lips after Petra had finished speaking. It was obvious that Petra was choosing her words very carefully. So Jess added shortly,

"As you can see My Lady. The Jedi Order and the activists among her Jedi Knights, remain stalwart companions of the Republic. Especially against the hidden threats beyond her rim. Home-Tython simply finds it's position, both politically, geographically, and internally... Simply? Difficult to express to the cameras."

Both women smiled. It was the nice way of say: It's complicated.