EXODUS: One Minute to Midnight

[Moor Todan]

The Jedi Order had fallen, and the Republic would soon follow. It was unavoidable now. In his folly, the Supreme Chancellor had publicly declared his support for the genocide of the guardians of the light instigated by the Sith Empire. Moor's first thought had been to pressure the Senate into censoring the Chancellor, for his unprovoked declaration of war, unapproved by the member-worlds of the Republic, was unconstitutional as should be decided by the High Court. If he had not known any better, Moor would have suspected Sith intervention.

Although many in the Core still believed the followers of Andraste to be no threat to their way of life, the Senior Senator was wary of the dangers of imperialism. The Empire's hunger for galactic domination would not be satiated by the obliteration of its oldest enemy. Its thirst for expansion would not be quenched until it had engulfed the entire known galaxy. Soon by means of conquest or ultimatum, the Senate would be forced to pledge its allegiance to the Dark Council and the Sith Empress.

Devised by a man of action, Moor's plan was a direct response to the cultural unification that would no doubt ensue the annexation of the Republic. Knowledge and traditions deemed unsavory by the Sith would be lost; species value for their unique characteristics would be hunted to the brink of extinction; and the inhabitants of the Republic would be reduced into a state of intellectual servitude.

Fortunately, Moor was not the only one to be enlighten to the threat these hallmarks of diversity faced. Acting under the veil of secrecy, he had organized a meeting of like-minded individuals to discuss his plan to colonize a planet outside of the Empire's sphere of influence and preserve the Republic's most cherished cultural and technical treasures.

Away from the prying ears of the press and other politicians, the Works, Coruscant's industrial district, would be the ideal location for the meeting. Amidst rumbling sounds of metal on medal and the smell of rust and humidity clung heavily on the air, this solemn conclave would avoid attracting unwanted attention.

"Dee-doo, bee-too," the astromech beeped announcing his presence as he rejoined his master in an alcove at the end of a narrow alleyway. He was soon followed by his protocol droid, B5-OP.

"Master, I am proud to report that our task has been carried out to your exact specifications." They had been entrusted with the invitation to this jolly meeting. Fellow senators, independent smugglers, military personnel, a wide variety of Republic loyalists had been carefully selected for this operation.

"Very well, B5," the Nubian senator said absent-mindedly inviting the droids to take their place by his side. "Our guests should be arriving soon."

[Plot discussion]

 

[Michael Dryden]

"Your mission is to infiltrate the meeting posing as a Cultural Museum Curator. Your desire to ensure the survival of cultural artifacts and lore should supply all the rationale for your presence. Identify the objectives of this group, its leaders, and anyone facilitating their activities throughout the Republic."

Dryden leaned back in his chair and studied the encrypted datapad for a moment. His gloved fingers dances over the holoboard to inquire further, "And if the group poses a threat to Republic interests?"

"Let me be clear: there is reason to believe this group is being driven by the Sith to drive material and persons into their grasp. Do whatever it takes to earn their trust and uncover the ones behind this."

"Understood." The datapad fell into his lap with the channel severed. A slow exhale deflated Dryden's chest as thoughts of the upcoming mission plagued him. Could the Sith be using these people to acquire items they'd want destroyed? Why would they resort to using members of the Republic? They had operatives of their own, but their methods were far from subtle. One only had to look at their actions against the Jedi for that. And if they did choose to manipulate events from afar... a group of random people seemed an unusual choice. Unless of their operatives would join the group and guide their decisions.

Michael's eyes drifted over toward the large windows to his right. Hovervehicles of all shapes and sizes flew by in silence. Part of him resented being tasked with something like this when he couldn't foresee the fate of the Republic any longer. It had stood for so long, and had so many loyal subjects surely... But the Sith had just managed to scatter the Jedi. Both sides were flawed from where Dryden sat, but there was no doubt which benefited the Republic. With them gone, could their way of life endure? Would the Sith allow it?

The datapad clattered and skidded atop a nearby table as the operative stood. Intel must have other operatives in the field assessing the threat. Investigating this group was the sort of thing Dryden did regularly. Someone had to keep an eye on the homefront while others manned the front-line. Someone had to keep the enemy from stabbing them all in the back. Why then did this mission feel... wrong? If the Sith were coming why bother with this subversion? And if they weren't, why wouldn't they? Press the attack before the Jedi regrouped.

Right arm pressed against the window overhead, Michael watched as the sun began to set.

After several minutes he turned, swept the datapad off the table, and strode out of the apartment. Time to meet the conspirators.

It had been a leisurely ride to the Works. He needed to be timely, but not aggressively early. As part of his day job he did all of this as a matter of routine; but someone conspiring in the shadows would be far less calm about meeting in such seclusion. Once he neared, his hovercar began to descend toward the landing area.

For tonight's affair he opted to leave the helmet behind. The six foot tall, black haired man hopped out of the vehicle and landed on both feet. Steel blue eyes surveyed the area for a moment as he turned his head from one side to the other. Well, he thought, if there were Sith around at least this wasn't a trap just to shoot anyone that came. Off to a pleasant start.

At last, Dryden strode forward to find the assembly and begin evaluating the threat to the Republic. In short order he'd find a man flanked by two droids. A man Michael surprisingly recognized. A Senior Senator was not one to escape notice. His pace slowed, head turned slightly away with a glance to the side. Unease would be the norm here for the first meeting. Who could you really trust in these circumstances?

 

[Brion Varanus]

Brion had received an invitation by a senior senator by the name of Moor Todan to attend a meeting. It was not the usual meeting the judiciary officer was asked to attend. It was one that concerned many like minded people. The preservation of the Republic in the face of destruction that will come.

It was no longer a matter of if. It is a matter of when. If the Empress makes a decision for it to happen tomorrow. Well let's say there will be very little time to get anything done. At the same time Brion believed that the destruction will be gradual, chipping away at the outer walls before letting the house fall on it's own. Though the pillars that held the Republic together have indeed fallen. It is just a matter of time before the rest of the structure of the Republic fails.

Brion had always regarded the Jedi as allies, beacons of light in a dark, dangerous universe. With the Sith lingering in the shadows like a pack of rabid wolves waiting to infect the rest of the galaxy. The Alderaanian was in all honesty shocked when the Jedi were labeled as enemies of the Republic, and literally victims of mass genocide. A crime that in itself should have gotten the Supreme Chancellor kicked out of office if the laws were followed. Especially when an illegal war was declared. A war that Brion has personally seen the cost of during missions. No he had no regrets about the missions since the man personally made sure his partner Vilkas and his men got through alive. But events that have happened stank of Sith involvement.

It may be too late to do anything about the fall of the Republic that will happen. But it doesn't mean that like minded individuals can't do things that will be a beacon of light for future generations who decide to stand up to the Sith and their Imperial military. In all honesty, Brion is here in part because due to a mistake he as made.. He will be expecting child soon and wanted his child and others that despite the mistakes made that there is still a chance to mend all that has happened. Brion just hoped that enough will be able to be done to show future generations that in the darkest night there is light.

Walking the streets if Coruscant after a long flight from Denon, the man hitched a ride to get him closer to the industrial district without drawing too much attention. When he was asked why he was in Coruscant Brion simply told the Bothan that it was to investigate something before hopping out of the vehicle.

Now that as he rounded a corner, Brion spotted an all too familiar figure there already. Micheal Dryden. Wondering if the man was here for the same reason that he himself is. But incase he is not, Brion decided it was best to keep his distance. It was obvious that the man with the two droids at either side of him is the senator that called for the meeting. Brion cautiously approached the Senator, "Brion Varanus at your service, sir." He said in greeting as he gave him a salute as part of his greeting, "Senator Todan. It is an honor to have been invited to this meeting. It is unfortunate that it is under such dire time for the Republic and her allies and not something of a more positive time.. I pray that whatever we may be able to accomplish will be enough to give our children a beacon of hope." The judiciary officer spoke a bit quietly, unsure of if something else should have been said or if he shouldn't have said anything at all. The man has had no experience talking to senators on any level. So this is certainly a strange standing. Let alone he wondered how the senator knew that the officer shared the same thoughts. He doesn't remember ever openly dejecting the Supreme Chancellor's actions or talking about his suspicions.

 

[Trenton Kaizer]

Trenton was Senator of Chandrila no longer, having resigned in protest of the Chancellor's sudden aggressive stance against the Jedi. This had prompted him to look into a few things as best he could and although he didn't have all the facts he could surmise a few things. One being that the Republic was doomed, either to destruction of annexation by a vastly more powerful Empire. His predecessors had been played like fiddles, now they would all have to pay the price. Still, the man had enough influence to be of use yet, which was why he was here at Senator Todan's request. Now Trenton was just another soldier, something that he would perform well at considering his training on Chandrila. "I believe this is the first time we've met, Mr. Todan. I wish it were under better circumstances. However, even though I now lack some of the merits of my former station, I hope to be of use to you in your coming endeavor." Trenton would shake the man's hand before looking around at the others in the room carefully. If news of this venture got out to the wrong hands it could endanger everything.

@Aberforth

 

[Ake Alemanii]

A nobody, he was a nobody, nothing more, nothing else, that's what Ake was, or at least he thought he was, apparently for the eyes of a certain Senator he was valuable enough to be called on to this secure meeting, but of two things he was sure, the galaxy was not the place of raiding and honour no longer, and as the galaxy changed, he too had to change to match this new side of space.
The Plynder was not a long distance from the meeting location, and it would take only a relatively short walk to reach it, as he would arrive, four people and two droids could be seen, the droids being each at the side of who looked like the senator that invited us.
As Ake wasn't here to fight, he decided the best course of action was leaving his Vikingr armour behind, arriving only with the clothes on his back, his Westar pistol and it's Elduroxi axe, both of which were hidden by a long coat.

"Senator, accomplices... or should I say comrades now that we are here together?"

he would brush his beard with his left hand as he said so, before chuckling and continuing with his welcome.

"No matter, we are here to give ourselves a future, and this goal is the only thing that truly matters, I'm Ake Alemanni, and I don't think anyone of you ever heard of me yet"