Ask [Fondor] No Time to Wait

[Korre Belasi]

With the formation of the military approved and a loan on its way to approval, there was one more thing left to do to get this thing up and running. They would have some from worlds willing to lend their forces, but not nearly enough—ships. And who did she know who hailed from a world famous for their shipyards? Jin Vaisra.

She'd scheduled the meeting ahead of time, so he would know what she wanted to discuss before she arrived. It was definitely a business meeting, but she hoped they might have time to chat a bit. The last time they'd spoken, she felt as if they'd unlocked the door to a potential friendship. Korre was short on friends. It was kind of the curse of working in politics, and while she never expected to actually befriend another politician without there being ulterior motives, she still held onto the hope.

We will be dropping out of hyperspace in two minutes. Please take a seat.​

Korre settled down into her seat when the ship's comms announced their arrival upon Fondor. Within five minutes, her ship was descending down towards the private dock she'd been instructed to arrive at. The ship landed, the ramp dropped, and Korre made her way down. She carried nothing with her other than her trusty datapad, which Florin had made she'd remembered. He might notice the stress lining her skin, but her bright, friendly smile made lines of its own.

"Hello Jin."

tag: @Song

 

[Jin Vaisra]

“Prime Minister Belasi,” said Jin, taking a deep bow. “Welcome back to the Palace of a Thousand Stars. It’s good to see you again.”

In the courtyard outside the palace foyer, where the Minister was ordered to land, she would be met with the same extravagant wealth she first saw more than a year ago: manicured gardens, marble pillars the color of jade, and enough domes and elaborate spires to resemble the skyline of a miniature city. The Vaisra Dynasty had been anything but humble, that much was obvious, constantly reaping the benefits of ruling a shipyard world.

And with war on the horizon, they would only grown richer.

Jin offered an arm out for Korre to take, a smile playing on his lips. “I’d ask you how your journey was, but I think we’ve both attended enough charity balls to know that neither of us actually care.” There was no venom in his voice, only a light and cheery tone, as if he knew exactly why the leader of the Free Worlds was here. “Come, I won’t waste your time with pleasantries. I do hope you’re hungry. I’ve had dinner prepared for us in the banquet hall, as well as a special guest whom I’d like for you to meet.”

Whoever that was, Jin would leave the Prime Minister to guess as he ushered her inside to a grand foyer with glittering chandeliers and colorful tapestries hanging from the walls. Together, they would pass through a portrait gallery, a conservatory, and what could’ve been at least dozen halls, each dripping with wealth and fortune. In the meantime, he’d make a valiant attempt at conversation. A poor attempt, really.

“I understand you’ve been a very busy woman, Korre,” he said, skipping straight to her first name, testing the limits of their unique relationship. “Sith, Syndicates, Mandalorians, the pandemic. I am surprised you haven’t thrown yourself off a building already. Of course, the palace does have a very nice terrace on the fourth floor, if you are still considering.”

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

"It went just fine," she chuckled in response to his comment about travel and charity balls. She was well aware that fake pleasantries were common, but it didn't stop her from wanting to engage in them. For her, at least, they weren't so fake; if she asked something, she wanted to know. At least Fondor's senator was being honest, but he had a point. Korre was here for business.

The promise of a special guess was intriguing to Korre, so with curiosity forefront in her thoughts, she took his arm and allowed him to lead her inside. The Vaisra estate was absolutely beautiful. It really was a far cry from the modern, but pragmatic architecture of the Belasi's.

His poor attempt at conversation elicited little more than a quirked eyebrow from Korre. "If stress and heavy schedules would end like that for me, I wouldn't have made it through university." It was a bit of an odd thing to say, she thought, but she took it in stride. If she remembered correctly, he had been friends (or something along those lines) with the late Republic chancellor. Perhaps his death was weighing on his psyche. "We've got to take things one day at a time," she commented after a brief moment. She didn't specify who "we" was. It could be the Free Worlds as a whole, it could be her and Florin, or it could be the two of them walking. "But things are getting done, despite the cacophony." Hopefully, after today, they'd be even one step closer.

"And you, Jin? How have you been fairing?" It was a potentially loaded question, with the plethora of Republic planets having jumped ship and Ro's assassination, among other things. Korre mostly expected a vague, brief answer from him, but she was curious.

tag: @Song

 

[Jin Vaisra]

“Besides the Chancellor dying and a third of the Republic leaving en masse, things have been relatively fine on my end.” A thread of sarcasm ran through his tone, but it was the truth. While the Core was in tatters, Jin was rising above the ashes, building himself a proper shipping empire. “It might seem bad, but with Corellia’s secession, Fondor has received twice as many military contracts as it had before. War is here, Korre, and people are apparently in desperate need of battleships.”

He spared a glance at her with a knowing smile. Since the Consortium practiced neutrality and couldn’t risk arming the Free Worlds against the Sith, that left the Republic—and shipyard worlds like Fondor—the only options left for the Alliance.

“The loss of Emil was a tragedy, yes, but as determined as he was, he made a divisive politician. His actions led to what the Republic is today: a tangled mess.” He kept his eyes forward, hiding his emotions behind a mask of indifference. He knew it was unfair to judge the late Chancellor. Emil done far better than anyone else could have against such circumstances.

Deep down, too, Jin had felt something for him. He couldn’t quite explain what it was, but it had left a deep ache in his chest, a hole that not even Fondor’s success could fill. Guilt. Regret.

Jin gave himself an internal shake, realizing that they’d finally come upon the banquet hall. Members of the Midori, the elite female royal guard, flanked a pair of double doors, spears in hand. At the sight of the prince, they nodded once. No bow, of course, because men held no real power among the royal family outside of the field of business or politics. Instead, the women pushed open the doors, golden light pouring through to reveal a vast dining room, with a feast arrayed on a long curtained table.

And at the end of it, a woman waited.

Her skin was like porcelain and she sat poised, with deep black eyes and dark hair tied into a neat bun, an emerald pin tucked inside. She wore silks of leaf green, a pattern of phoenixes taking flight around the collar, and a pair of lips so red it might’ve been dipped in blood. “Prime Minister Belasi,” said Jin, his voice turning suddenly low and formal. “May I introduce you to Queen Leyti, the Jade Empress of Fondor and my mother.”

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

"People are apparently in need of battleships, yes," she mused in reply. For her own sake, and partially his, she wouldn't push the issues regarding the Republic. The woman was terrible at sympathies or anything of the sort. And, from what he said, the death of the Republic chancellor wasn't weighing on him as much she had thought it would. Then again, he could be putting up a false front. Korre couldn't be sure, so she chose to believe his words.

But what a surprise to finally meet the Fondorian queen! With a bow of her head, Korre would give the woman a smile and say, "Your Highness," Korre called out after her head raised back up. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

The Belascan monarchy she'd been born into was not all that formal, but Korre was still a princess by birth. Albeit only a small part, learning how to interact with others of royal status was something she'd learned as a girl.

tag: @Song

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Leyti did not rise to greet the Prime Minister. Despite the significant gap in rank, here on Fondor, only one woman mattered above all else. She’d always been so vain, Jin found, but she wasn’t completely devoid of manners. Instead the older woman nodded once, the crystals on her headdress swaying, and she gave a cold smile. “The pleasure is all mine, Minister Belasi. The Jade Dynasty welcomes you. Please, take a seat.” She waved a hand to the banquet table, although her words sounded less like a request and more like an order.

Jin already understood. Without hesitation, he made for his designated seat, left of the Queen, while Korre was ushered to her right. As long as the table was, all three of them seemed to crowd the very end, where a tray of sour-tasting appetizers sat along with a bottle of vintage and several empty glasses. Servants filled them each before retreating back against the pillared walls of the chamber, melding into the shadows.

Queen Leyti, never one to waste time, tapped her fingers lightly against the table. “Prime Minister,” she began, skimping over pleasantries in less than a moment, “My son says you’ve come to commission from us an armed fleet. Is this true?”

Jin chewed the inside of his cheek. His mother was even more blunt than he was. Perhaps a little too blunt. “Well, I only suspected the Prime Minister came for that reason,” he added and glanced apologetically at Korre. “We understand the Free Worlds has come under tremendous pressure in the last few months. Invasions against Ithor, Yavin and Lothal—independent worlds are dropping like flies. It would take a powerful navy in order to prevent more from following suit.”

“Indeed,” the Queen echoed, her eyes never once leaving Korre. “So, have you come to us for ships, Minister Belasi? I would like to know now if this meeting is a waste of time or not.”

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

With a smile, Korre took a seat to the Queen's right as she was waved to do so. She didn't reach to drink from any of the glasses, and instead folded her hands neatly in her lap and prepared to answer the Queen's blunt question. Jin interjected to soften the question, but Korre didn't mind. She actually quite liked when things got straight to the point.

"Yes, I have. The Free Worlds intends to commission a fleet of armed ships, and Fondor was the first place I looked to." Her blue eyes remained steady on the Queen, but at the mention of Fondor they trailed over to Jin for just a moment. If the Prime Minister felt uncomfortable in any way, it was far from obvious. She looked relaxed.

"It is my understanding that Fondor has one of the best shipyards in the galaxy. I have spoken with quite a few Belascan scientists who praised their efficiency." Again, her gaze would shift to Jin for a moment. It was only a few years ago that Jin and her had met to discuss something else entirely. The Fondorian would almost certainly remember it. It was that exchange that led her here today, willing to do business with them once again.

tag: @Song

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Jin was grateful that the Prime Minister was taking his mother’s bluntness in stride. Most politicians might’ve been taken aback by the Queen’s attitude, but Korre simply acted as she normally did, her expression blank and relaxed. Then again, he couldn’t be sure whether that was just her being dense, or she just didn’t care. Likely the latter. She’d always been a numbers girl, and while brilliant and accomplished, she lacked the same charisma President Thorn or the former Chancellor possessed.

But perhaps that was a good thing, in this case.

“Ah, yes. Belasco has provided plenty of ecological assistance in improving the quality of life aboard our shipyards. Labor complaints dropped and productivity doubled as a result. Without your help,” said Jin, looking warmly to Minister Belasi, “I seriously doubt Fondor would have become the manufacturing jewel it is today.” Of course, that wasn’t entirely true. One way or another, Jin would have accomplished his goals in developing Fondor, even if it meant leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Korre had simply provided a cleaner approach.

“This is good, then,” said Queen Leyti, and she nodded sagely. “Fondor would be welcome to accept a commission from the Free Worlds Alliance.” Jin smiled, relieved by how easily his mother gave in, until she continued, “However, I have several questions to ask you before we draw up a contract.” The older woman pursed her blood red lips. “First, I wonder about the state of your military. As my son had said, you’ve lost many worlds. Tell me, if we agree to build you a fleet, how do we know you will not simply lose it to the Empire? To the Mandalorians?”

Jin bit back a grimace. It was a good question, one he’d thought about himself many times, but the way Queen Leyti had asked it felt almost insulting, as if she believed the Free Worlds, even with all the firepower they could possibly have, would not be able to withstand their enemies. And while Jin—quite honestly—believed that too, why did it matter? Credits was credits. He’d sell to the Sith if he could. That was just the business of war.

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

Korre's face remained perfectly pleasant, even though the Queen's question was a tough one. It was a perfectly good question too because the Free Worlds were not known for their military prowess as a whole. They'd lost battle after battle, and the ones they'd won were entirely thanks to the Jedi. That being said, she was slowly getting things to change. After Fondor, she would be meeting with Blackwell to commission droids, and after that, the Jedi Grandmaster. If things didn't work out here in Fondor, she would have to look somewhere else, but this was not her only option.

"There is always the possibility that could happen." Korre was a scientist before she was a politician. There were rarely times when you could say something was true for certain in all cases. "It's a risk, and there will always be risks, but my Senate has approved the formation of a formal military. We have lost worlds because until now, we were unwilling to band together against them. That has changed."

She wasn't entirely sure what was causing the apparent hesitation to take the commission. The Free Worlds were a literal buffer between the Sith and the New Republic. If the Sith got through them, Fondor would be a prime target for them.

tag: @Song

 

[Jin Vaisra]

Queen Leyti sighed. “A lazy response,” she said, “and one that does not appropriately answer my question.” A flush crept up Jin’s neck. His mother had always been unabashedly blunt, with a tongue that could cut steel, but he hadn’t expected her to be so upfront with one of the most powerful women in the galaxy. Thankfully, she was not completely a lost cause. “However, at least you are honest, Minister Belasi, and better that you speak the truth than a comfortable lie.”

“I know the Free Worlds are plagued by bureaucracy and conflicting interests. Fondor had once been ruled in the same manner, divided between many noble houses and corporations, unable to function as one. The Galactic Empire conquered us, then the First Order. In the aftermath of both, we were left broken.” Queen Leyti stared past the grand feast before her, more than fifty years of wisdom and experience behind her eyes, green and gold under the light.

“It was only when my great-grandmother, an immigrant from an outside world, defeated her rivals and stabilized the planet under one united government, that we became a force to be reckoned with in the Core. Now, we are second only to Kuat.” She turned to Korre, the jewels and beads of her headdress swaying. “Perhaps you are like her, or perhaps not. But you have managed to do an impossible thing, inspiring those miserable fools under your government to work together. I’ll give you that.”

“My only other question then is this—what do you intend to do with our ships?”

Jin blinked. He was surprised by the sudden turnaround on Leyti’s part, but her next question left him confused. What else would someone at war do with a fleet of armed ships? They would fight. They’d be committed into battle, thrown against the Empire, until only one fleet remained. Perhaps she wanted insight on the Alliance’s military strategy or how they might employ it?

He glanced at his mother, wondering if she might elaborate further, but she just looked expectantly at Korre, hands folded in her lap, the very picture of grace.

@lizziie

 

[Korre Belasi]

Korre was beginning to get the impression that perhaps the Queen did not wish to accept a commission from the Free Worlds Alliance, and she could not figure out why. There was a story, then more questions and Korre found herself wishing that as blunt as this woman was, they could get to the point soon.

"The ships will be used to supplement the already existing Free Worlds forces to create three fleets that will fly under the Free Worlds' banner. We will defend our worlds and take back those which have been invaded.

"Is this cause for concern?"

tag: @Song

 

[Jin Vaisra]

“Three fleets,” Queen Leyti repeated. “How interesting. I suspect you intend to take a similar approach as the Consortium has with their navy? Dividing your ships into three-fold fleets?” A rhetorical question. After a moment of deep thought, she waved a hand, satisfied by Korre’s response. “No matter,” she continued, “and I have no concerns of which you speak. I was merely curious. I am the Jade Queen of Fondor, and I have a right to know what you plan with my ships.”

“Our ships,” Jin corrected. But as soon as the words left his lips, he regretted saying them. It’d been on instinct. For much of the meeting, he’d sat in silence, watching as his mother insisted upon her power, her rule, and disregarding the fact that it’d been him, her youngest son, who had made Fondor the industrial engine it was today. While he slaved in the orbital shipyards and cut deals with foreign ambassadors in the Senate, she rusticated in the gardens and drank tea with her favored ministers and daughters. It had infuriated him before. It infuriated him now.

The look his mother cast him could set a city ablaze. But Jin did not demean himself or bow apologetically. Instead, he matched her expression with a cold stare, silence descending over the room. He couldn’t imagine what thoughts might be going through Korre’s head—what to do, whether to leave or speak up—but fortunately, and to his great surprise, Leyti was the first to back down. She leaned into her seat, nails clicking against the table.

“Yes, our ships,” she said, then turned to the Prime Minister. “And soon, they shall be yours, too. Fondor will accept your commission, which my son will personally oversee, so that it is delivered to your Alliance before another world falls to the Sith. That is my promise to you.” She rose from her seat, the jewels of her headdress shuddering against her porcelain-white skin. “Now, it has been a pleasure to host you, Minister Belasi, but I am afraid I have other business to attend to.”

She looked over to Jin, and he could feel the sting behind her eyes. Then, she turned and left, disappearing behind the silk curtains of a separate entrance into the hall.

Jin stood from his chair and circled the table toward the Prime Minister. He offered his arm to her, surprised that he was not trembling after the clash with his mother. “The worst is over, Korre. Congratulations. Allow me to escort you back to your ship, where we might draw up a proper contract.” His lips split into a grin. “After all—war waits for no one.”

end thread.​