Hallowed Halls: Snake in the Grass

[TAC]

Hallowed Halls
Snake in the Grass

[OPEN] reaction thread can be found here.​

The Senate chamber was abuzz.

There had not been such energy within the Senate for nearly a century. Families across the galaxy tuned in. Days after the assassinations of both the Chancellor's husband Zeke Knenko and the Border Alliance High Commander Cameron Quin, it had been announced by the Office of the Chancellor that a delegation from the Sith Brotherhood would be meeting to discuss the state of the galaxy with the Republic. This sent ripples through the galaxy, especially with the allegations flying around in regards to the assassinations of both Quin and Knenko, in addition to Border Alliance attacks on Serenno and Yavin IV, as well as Sith expansion around the borders of the Border Alliance. A Senate Hearing had been scheduled to take place a few days after the appointed 'talks' between the Republic and Brotherhood delegation regarding Knenko's murder. It was an interesting time in the Senate halls, and not getting any less interesting as time went on.

Security around the Capitol of the Republic was heightened severely, with planetary fleets offering support. On planet, the Senate Guard staffed the shielding generators as well as the Senate chambers and offices themselves. A no-fly zone was declared for the airspace surrounding the building, with the single exception of the Sith Brotherhood delegation. The two members of the Sith delegation would leave their weapons with their counterparts in a private Senate hangerbay.

The expansive seating in the Senate was reserved for Senators and planetary leaders bold enough to risk the Sith threat. Intense scrutiny was given to the two Sith entering the facility on behalf of the Brotherhood, while all visitors also went through intense security measures - including metal and alloy detectors - as they entered. No bags were allowed in the facility. Senate guards escorted all members of both delegations, and lined the main hall of the Senate building, turned to watch both the crowd and the Sith.

The Chancellor would yield her usual middle podium for the night. Each half of the main hall sported eight center-facing podiums which jutted from the walkway. To allow for a view of the opposition and for the best camera angles, both delegations would be on one side of the hall. Counting from left to right, the Bandomeerian Senator Augustus James Roderick, the acting High Commander of the Border Alliance, would be in the second podium. The Chancellor, Senator Charon Chanzot of Zeltron, would be in the third podium.

Nisara, the Supreme Leader and High Priestess of the Sith, would occupy the sixth podium, with Darth Vyrdesseus, Lord of the Sith, occupying the seventh.

--

Senator Roderick was the first to arrive in the Senate Hall, as was planned. The Sith delegation would take their positions shortly after him, followed finally by the Chancellor. A hush swept the crowd as the man walked out of the entrance between the fourth and fifth podiums. He halted there, surveying the crowds as small droids with cameras hovered and spun around him, bright lights illuminating him. The man wore a sharp, navy blue uniform with a white bar down the pant leg signifying his rank as a Captain. The uniforms of the Border Alliance's Defiant Squadron were only available to Captains and higher, and only used for formal occasions.

On his left breast shinned a freshly polished pair of wings, an insignia that denoted his status as the High Commander of the Border Alliance. The image of his long time friend Cameron Quin came to the man's mind, but it faded quickly as he turned to the right and marched to his assigned podium. Placing his hands upon the sides at a comfortable height, his eyes turned to the entrance to wait for the arrival of the Sith Brotherhood delegation. Quite whispers had turned into a small din as he had walked, and they would undoubtedly continue until the arrival of the next speakers.

While the Sith Brotherhood had been somewhat vague about the talks, it was clear what the issues would be that evening: the assassinations of Quin and Knenko, Sith Expansionism, as well as Serenno and Yavin IV. What details would be revealed about each, and what the end of the talks might look like, was anybody's guess. But the diplomatic meeting was being streamed live across the galaxy, and Augustus had no doubt that those at home would get more than a treat.

@Beta12 @Dakota @Sapphire Storm

 

[Sapphire Storm]

The din continued to rise within the hallowed halls of the Senate, fueled by voices dripping with excitement, nervousness, fear and adrenaline. It was almost to the point of being deafening, when suddenly it ceased. Emerging from between the fourth and fifth podiums was a figure in dark, voluminous and hooded robes. The figure's features were shadowed and hidden within the deep hood of its robes. Much like the acting High Commander before it, this figure halted after walking through the entrance and taking a few steps. Pale hands, previously hidden within deep, dark sleeves, rose up and were revealed as the fabric previously covering them fell back, drawn by gravity toward the elbow. Fingers took hold of the hood of the cloak, slowly lowering it as camera droids buzzed around the figure.

The pale skin of her face was revealed first. Her skin was smooth and she looked young. She could have been anywhere in her twenties, or maybe even her low thirties. It was a hard thing to gauge. As her short, white hair was revealed, her silver eyes looked around at everything. They surveyed the cameras, each of the podiums and the entirety of the crowd. And then, as her hands dropped back to her sides and her hood fell back completely, she smiled. Whether it was with joy, mirth, or simply for the sake of smiling was unknown. What was known, however, was that she was very clearly of Echani heritage. Somewhere on the planet of Eshan there would be people gasping, asking each other and themselves if that truly was the person it looked like.

The Echani woman looked away from the crowd after a good ten seconds of surveying it and began to move past the fifth podium and toward the one she had been assigned to. She paid the crowd, the droids and everything else no more attention as she made her way to her podium, her dark robes swishing around her as she walked. It had been a very long time since she had found herself in Republic space, and it felt good. The entire situation was to her liking, and as she took her seat in her podium that same ambiguous smile graced her lips as she once more went back to scanning the crowd, the other podiums - pausing briefly on the one that held the acting High Commander - and the droids. One particular camera droid came quite close to her face, so she looked right at its little camera and gave it her best, most brilliant smile.

 

[Darth Vyrdesseus]

All men have machinations. Whether transparent or opaque, these desires drive them to do and say. While some may suggest that Senators exist to represent their people, Vyrdesseus knows otherwise. The people are nothing more than pawns in a galactic game of chess, objects denoting worth and status rather than living lifeforms. Senators use these bargaining chips to advance their own agendas, political or otherwise. He's certain his hypothesis will be confirmed tonight, as the now acting High Commander of the Border Alliance will attempt to glorify the threat they pose to his own ends, perhaps to serve his status as a champion of the Border worlds and a hero in his own right. Others will watch from behind the gilded gate and speculate their reasons for being here. The Sith, now playing the role of peaceful negotiators. Oh, he could hear them yelling their slurs now. It's a trap! Trap! Kill them and be done with it! But it was too late for any drastic actions. They were already in Chandrilan airspace. If a missile were to strike their transport now, the Warlord of the Sacred Band would assume his position on the throne and lead an all out assault on the Border worlds in retaliation. Mutually assured destruction.

Unlike his Supreme Leader, the Dark Lord's face remained completely hidden behind the dense shadow that the hood of his robes cast upon him. His robes appeared ancient and cold, their edges tattered and scarred by various conflicts across the galaxy. The man himself (if he could even be called a Man) carried with him an aura of malignant dread, a bleak sadness that hung over him even as the guards began escorting the delegation into the Senate chambers. They were more than overprotected, overcompensating for something. It spoke volumes about the fear that lingered within the heart of the Republic even now, decades after the collapse of the Empire, of a resurgent Sith movement. Before entering, as a sow of courtesy, he relinquished both his lightsaber and his sword quietly. As he pulled the ancient blade from its sheath, he studied the Senate guards faces quietly, memorizing every detail. And, with a hushed and ragged warning, he told them quite plainly that if anything were to happen to these tools, they would suffer the consequences. They recoiled slightly, but gave a rapid series of nods. All who volunteered to man the shields and the entryway, the security and the pilots, all knew how dangerous they could be without weapons anyway.

The cameras' found nothing to focus on as he entered alongside Nisara, his hands clasped together in front of him as he observed the much touted Capitol of Democracy. Many of those who were seated in the foreground would not speak, which only served them well. Their delegation was always bound to draw a crowd. This way, the Senate hall would not descend into complete chaos. As Nisara made herself comfortable among the floating cameras and the chatter that rang throughout the room, the Dark Lord's face (or what could be conceivably called a face) remained fixed on Augustus and the Chancellor, waiting for them to begin the proceedings.

OOC: Sorry it took me a bit. Should be good to be on active posting now.

 

[Beta12]

The senate chamber, often filled with the tumult of thousands of representatives debating various topics, became shockingly silent. Though that might have bothered the Chancellor little more than a week ago, her face remained serene as she strode into the senate chamber. Senate Guard stood all around, and two in particular followed her has she made her way to the podium. Roderick, and the Sith Delegates, had entered before her to take their seats. Now, hover cameras floating aimlessly about the chamber focused in on her. The woman looked far better than she had during her galaxy-wide broadcast mental breakdown. Her singed red hair was pulled neatly into a pony-tail behind her, and the gold plates of her head-dress gleamed from a recent polish.

It seemed as if the entire week had been dedicated to this very moment. The Chancellor's rust colored eyes drifted between Roderick and the empty dais in the middle of the chamber as she made her way by him. So much had happened within a week that it was rather hard to keep everything sorted out. Her husbands death, followed by exceedingly important motions, left bags under her eyes. The only good thing about being completely red was that they were rather hard to notice, along with her bloodshot eyes.

She kept her gaze off the the Sith Delegates as she sat in the third podium, though she knew she would have to look at them eventually. Zeltron's could be almost predatory with their mental and physical manipulation, but she had heard wild stories about those able to wield "the force". Whatever mysterious force that granted them power was definitely not as picky as she would have been. That is how it starts, give someone incapable of handling power responsibly unlimited resources... Her son barged his way back into her mind as she settled.

"Welcome, To the Republic..." Her voice was soft and silent, only amplified by the senate intercom system, as she spoke. It felt odd, welcoming another governing body outside of the Republic too the republic. Foreign affairs had involved a variety of planets and systems, but not something that used to hold a portion of the galaxy in their grasp. "...delegates of the Sith Brotherhood." Her eyes moved slowly up and down the delegates. They didn't seem like monsters, and maybe they weren't. "You have come a long way, so it is only appropriate that I open the floor to anything you might have planned to say." She tented her fingers on the podium before her. The guardsmen behind her tensed, but she doubted they would be a match for some type of crazy laser sword.

 

[Sapphire Storm]

Nisara watched the Chancellor curiously as she entered and made her way to her own podium. She watched her in silence, that same confident smile on her lips as she did so. She'd never actually met a Zeltron before, so this would be a new experience for her in more ways than one. She'd heard many interesting things about them, of course, but had never had the opportunity to talk to one. She watched the woman intently as she sat down, and as she began to speak, and then some more as she fell silent. She said nothing for a span of five to ten seconds after the Chancellor fell silent. Her smile faded into a look of grave somberness as she stared at her.

When Nisara did finally open her mouth to speak, her eyes were still on the Chancellor, and her words were very clearly meant for her. "I am sorry about your husband, Chancellor. It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially in such a... violent way." She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in briefly as she continued to stare directly at the Chancellor. "I also feel that I must inform you that the attack on your life was not performed by us. We would not be so sloppy as to completely miss our intended target like the orchestrators of that attack did." It was going to come up eventually, and if it hadn't then it would have been left to fester and any blame for it would have been placed upon the Sith anyway, so why not just be blunt and address the issue immediately? That is how Nisara looked at it.

After a moment she turned her gaze to Senator Roderick, giving him the same somber look she'd directed at the Chancellor. "The death of a brave warrior never pleases me," she said quietly, voice carried and expanded by the intercom system of the Senate. "It was a necessary and required action which I do not regret in the slightest, but I take no pleasure in it. His death was a direct result of his reckless, unprovoked attacks against our planets. It is important that you understand that. I hope you, and whichever soldier you choose to assume the mantle of High Commander, are not as reckless and hungry for war as he was. It is a very self-destructive way of living your life."

Nisara leaned forward in her seat slightly, looking directly at the Senator the entire time she spoke, and continuing to do so as she fell silent. Her comments were likely to be taken as inflammatory, but then again, almost anything she said would likely be interpreted as an attack or threat. It didn't bother her. It would be entertaining, at the very least, especially since this Senator was likely angry, short-tempered and looking for any excuse to scream insults at her. A man he'd considered a friend had been killed by a Sith, after all.

With her piece said, Nisara remained quiet, leaving space for either Darth Vyrdesseus or one of the others to speak. She kept her eyes on Senator Roderick, attempting to gauge his mood and reaction as best as she could from this distance.

 

[Darth Vyrdesseus]

As the Supreme Leader spoke, he looked cautiously into the crowd that had formed around them. Words, he knew, had more power than any blade or any temple-learned secret. So as she wove her tale, his hands clasped together in front of him, and he observed quietly the reactions. With the deaths of their people immediately addressed, now would be the time to bring up the obvious, and begin turning the tide in their favor. Twisting the Jedi would come later, as he was sure this delegation would last well over several hours. For now, what the people so desired was to see their Senate trounce the measly Sith and sentence their entire Brotherhood to death at the hands of the Border Alliance, or perhaps even a newly formed Army of the Republic. But for that to happen they would first need to crack the impenetrable walls of he and Nisara's eloquent speech, a task they were likely unprepared for.

Unlike Nisara's, his voice is naturally detached and cold, carrying with it scars from years of physical and mental abuse as it echoed loudly throughout the Senate chamber. "...Chancellor, Senator. As difficult as you may find this to believe, you will find that the allegations posited by the Supreme Leader are....correct." He refers of course to suggestion that the death of the High Commander was brought upon by their own folly, a punishment for meddling on worlds in which they did not belong. "....One hundred years. That is the length of time that has passed since the end of this infernal war. The fools who tread over your civilizations and robbed your people are no longer with us.....for their avarice and greed led them to their own demise long ago. Yet....even to this day, your Border Alliance sees it fit to punish those who had nothing to do with these atrocities. I was a witness, first hand, to these reckless actions...when a group of your soldiers," his head turns to face Roderick directly, "saw it fit to trespass upon the Fourth moon of Yavin and, armed with explosives, enter into that sacred jungle with the intent to destroy a Holy temple. Had I not sensed their presence...they would have too murdered an innocent civilian. That is to say nothing of the destructive "reconnaissance mission" conducted over Serenno. If I didn't know any better, Senator....," his voice trailed off for a moment. There was a faint hint of a smile beneath the shadow of his cloak, though none but him would know it. "I would've thought you were out to incite a war....perhaps to justify the Grand Army that you and your Border worlds have so desperately pleaded for...over the past few decades." The ghostly figure's voice continued to ring throughout the area, all essence of humanity behind it seemingly lost in a miasma of thinly veiled hatred and rage.

He and Nisara knew they were not here to negotiate, or even to make valid points. No, merely to anger. To offend, and to exploit every fallible weakness revealed in the both deaths. The Senate seemed to know already what they wanted them to, that the Jedi were not to be trusted with their affairs. It is a card he would hold to himself, one he would reveal only after they had twisted the conversation and thus flipped it on their enemies. Anger and rage were such easily exploitable emotions, especially in the wake of death. These very feelings have lead countless Jedi away from their life of blasphemy and back to the one true path, back to their homeworld of Korriban. Should they do the same, they would suffer the same fate. Now that they had both spoken, the Dark Lord leaned forward gently, his eloquence and unnatural civility serving as his one true weapon here.

"......The delegation now cedes the floor to the Senator from Bandomeer, so the chamber may hear his thoughts on the subject at hand."

 

[Beta12]

(As it has been almost two weeks without a response to this thread, I will just carry on the conversation. @TAC Feel free to have Roderick speak up whenever though, since the delegates did open the floor to him.)

"I am sorry about your husband, Chancellor. It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially in such a... violent way."

Charon watched the delegation from her podium as passively as possible. Zeltron's expressed their emotions in a variety of colorful ways, and it had been a great effort to train herself to do otherwise. The Chancellor found this task exceedingly difficult as the Supreme Leader's eyes fell upon her. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting. Laser eyes, laser swords, being set on fire, all of them seemed like plausible options as the woman finally began to speak. Consolation, however, had been the last thing that she expected. Relations between the Republic and foreign governing bodies were spotty at the best of times, and formalities were often lost in the translation.

"I also feel that I must inform you that the attack on your life was not performed by us. We would not be so sloppy as to completely miss our intended target like the orchestrators of that attack did."

Though her first reaction would have been to thank the woman, and then insult her, Charon simply offered and nod and allowed her to continue on with what she needed to say. Chandrila was the capital of the Republic, and though the Republic did not have a standing army, she doubted that the Sith would go out of their way to attack the virtual core of the Republic. For many centuries, the role of Chancellor had been more akin to a figure-head than an actual head of state. The galaxy was ruled by their bureaucracy, and the senate that headed it. More often than not Charon was simply there to make the tough decisions surrounding appointments. While the position commanded respect, it did little to convey the sheer lack of authority she had as far as the senate was concerned. There was no reason to kill a a mouth piece, and she was sure the woman in front of her could be much more efficient.

"The death of a brave warrior never pleases me, it was a necessary and required action which I do not regret in the slightest, but I take no pleasure in it. His death was a direct result of his reckless, unprovoked attacks against our planets. It is important that you understand that. I hope you, and whichever soldier you choose to assume the mantle of High Commander, are not as reckless and hungry for war as he was. It is a very self-destructive way of living your life."

The news of the Border Alliance's attack on Sith worlds had come to her on the wings of Roderick himself. She had been livid, to say the least, but there was little she could do about it now. What was done had been done, but if the Border Alliance continued to operate in such a way there was little that could be done without a hearing. Bureaucracy had kept order in the Republic for generations, but it wasn't efficient enough to stop chaos brought on by its members. Her own red gaze flicked toward the Senator of Bandomeer as the second delegate spoke to him directly. There would be a lot to answer for in coming days, but right then they needed to appear united.

Though the floor had been opened to Roderick, Charon knew that anything he might say could cast the Republic in a bad light. He did not have many friends in the senate, and this meeting would quickly become a case of political damage control if they were not careful. "Esteemed Delegates, I thank you for your kind words." Charon's interruption rang over the intercom, bringing focus away from Roderick and onto herself. "The infernal war you mentioned has since long passed, yet some in the borders of Republic space still hold onto the pain and suffering brought on by such an event." Dozens of hover cameras closed in on the Chancellor herself, several flashing as they took holo-stills of her speech. "These... tensions.. have brought about rumors of skirmishes for months, and it must be known that we do not take these allegations lightly, or as rumors." The events had occurred, Charon herself had been briefed on them. "The nature of the Border Alliance is that of a loose collection of worlds, brought together by their own combined outlook of your people. The Senate, despite a few rather vocal senators, has not entertained a motion considering hostilities with the Sith for over a century. Many seek a lasting peace. If the Border Alliance truly moves to attack the Sith unprovoked, you can be assured that the Senate will seek judicial punishment for these offenders. These attacks, regardless of who committed them, were neither perpetrated nor approved by the senate. If this is true, these subversives acted without restraint, and outside of Republic Law." No matter how her words might grate against Roderick, Charon knew she must set the record straight. The Republic would not be dragged into war by the Border Alliance if she had anything to say about it.

 

[Sapphire Storm]

The Chancellor's response wasn't surprising to Nisara. If anything it was expected. It was well known by anyone that paid any attention to their publicised hearings that the Senate was anything but fond of the Border Alliance. It was also well known to anyone that knew anything that Senators loved to play their little games. Lies and slander were their weapons of choice, and some were very good at using those weapons. Nisara, however, was fortunate enough to be in a position that allowed her to ignore their little games. She was not a member of the Republic Senate, whose very base of power relied upon allies and paying very careful attention to what she said, lest it open an avenue for her enemies to damage her image and potentially alienate allies. No, Nisara was in a position that allowed her to ignore such games, no matter how large or small, and simply act as she wanted.

"For the sake of the argument, let's assume these allegations are true and these attacks did, in fact, take place," Nisara said as the Chancellor fell silent. The Chancellor definitely knew the attacks had actually occurred. A person with the title of Chancellor was never left out of the loop, even if they were a figure head with no real power, which was entirely likely in the case of the Chancellor. Nisara didn't know enough about the intricacies of Republic politics to say one way or the other. Regardless, she was positive the Chancellor knew the truth of things, but she was willing to play her games for now. "What actions would be taken by the Senate to ensure that such a thing does not happen again, and what punishments would be meted out to those responsible?"

Nisara sat back in her seat as her question hung in the air, waiting for an answer with a look of complete confidence and calm on her face. A look that truly reflected how she felt inside. One would think that sitting in the heart of Republic space would make a person nervous. Fearful, even. Not so. Not for Nisara. She didn't respect these politicians, and she certainly didn't fear them. They were all far too busy arguing amongst themselves and playing their little political games to pose any actual threat. They spent so much time creating the illusion of power for themselves that they failed to actually take any for their own.

It was entirely likely that Nisara had just spoken out of turn and breached the protocol of the entire process. She found that the thought didn't bother her. It might make the Senator and Chancellor angry, but that just made things more fun, and she was well aware that making them angry and causing a stir was part of their goal. If she could achieve it as easily as this then she would be a very happy woman. That would probably not be the case, though. For right now, however, she was far more interested in what the others had to say than she was in making people angry. She would do that naturally, simply by virtue of being in the position of power that she was.

 

[Darth Vyrdesseus]

"....They already have attacked the Sith unprovoked. And they were punished for it, albeit by fate....and not by us, or by you. Yet." The precautions taken by the Senate were, in all likelihood, for the best. Had he his saber or his sword this would be no Senate chamber but a Colosseum, he the glorious warrior, the senators and their ilk the ravenous lions. Like Nisara, he feeds off of fear and anger. The room is heavy with it now as he speaks, and he punctuates every word with an eerie clicking noise from his mouth, likely just a part of his strangely crafted features rattling against him as he speaks at a higher volume. His fingers rap against the wooden podium as he addresses the Chancellor directly, as Senator Roderick has seemingly exited the area for the time being, perhaps out of rage. His voice booms forward, filled with some destitute anger, but still surprisingly collected and calm. He has no reason to be afraid; the Senate has just revealed their only leverage, and have discarded it in the very same breath. "The question I pose is thus.....why do you still allow this Alliance to exist?" Oh, he's picked his words carefully. He knows exactly what he's saying. Leaning back from his podium, his hood lifted slowly so that he could 'look' directly at the Chancellor instead.

"....This Alliance is an artifact of a bygone era, Chancellor. The fact that these worlds....these military powers operating outside the jurisdiction of the Senate are still allowed to exist, is baffling. These claims you make....about how they will be brought to justice; the only true justice would be to disavow them. If they wish to incite a war....if they wish to drag the Jedi into their conflict with them....that is of no consequence to us, for we will do as they have done and defend our lands to the very end. But they do not have to destroy your people....or your peace as well." A bony, scarred hand reached forward and graced Nissara's shoulder gently. It appeared a sign of solidarity, but each word said thus far in these chambers has been done so for the purpose of exploitation and political gain. After a few seconds, and after feeding from the energy radiating from her form, the Dark Lord's hand slipped back against the podium, where it stayed for the remainder of his speech.

He knew full well his requests were, at the very least, outlandish. They would never happen, unless they forced it to happen. But it was always fun to see the Senate in a state of frenzy. As he spoke, loud jeers of dissent came pouring down from the remainder of the senators still watching the delegation, as others, those who were against the Border Alliance's creation from the beginning, found themselves at an awkward crossroads. Were they actually in agreement with the Sith, of all people? Whether or not they believed in the Sith's cause, or their rally for the end of the BA's tyranny, other senators began fighting back on the opposing side, trying to calm those who had become so outspoken. Their fear was rightly placed; it wasn't just the Jedi or the Republic watching, but certainly the Warlord of the Sacred Band and his servants back on Serenno as well. They were poised to invade at any moment, should the Republic give them a reason to, but all they could hear now was shouting.

Having fulfilled his purpose for now, Darth Vyrdesseus quietly ceded the floor back to the Chancellor. As he listened, both eyes closed beneath the nebulous shadow of his cloak and he drank it in, all of it, the rage and the anger that had erupted from the Senate chambers. He was certain there would be much more to come in the following minutes, as well.

 

[TAC]

The laughing of the Bandomeerian Senator filled the chamber.

All eyes, cameras, and ears turned to attend to the man, who was letting a painfully hearty chuckle loose. Augustus leaned onto the podium for support, allowing himself to continue laughing in the painful silence until, eventually, he stopped. Wiping a tear from his cheek, a grin spread wide across his face, he looked directly at the Dark Lord of the Sith.

"Who the hell let you have a microphone?" the man asked, and there were several among the collected who gasped. While Senator Roderick was quick witted, he had never before been rude while defending his people or his planet.

"You say, dear Darth, that the Alliance is artifact, suggesting it is antiquated, which is both foolish and ignorant. The Border Alliance is an organization that was created only shortly ago, and with an expressed and obvious mission - to defend Republic worlds against your Sith Brotherhood. We who live on the border know what the Sith are planning - you're not the peace loving, dormant souls you claim to be any more than you were one hundred years ago!

"Our organization exists because of you," the man nearly shouted, jabbing his finger into the air furiously at the Sith. "It is you who have invited war between us, not the Alliance. Had it not been for your militarization, we would not have needed an Alliance in the first place.

"And you can spout your lies about neutrality all you want. And the Chancellor," the man said, turning and softening his tone for little more than a moment, "Must be civil and accept your words... But I am not held to such a position! I am here to tell the Republic what we see every day on the Border Alliance, and I will continue to do so. It is a shame that even after our warnings, even after the death of the High Command, and even after the death of the Chancellor's own husband, that the Republic continues to entertain this ridiculous perversion of who and what the Sith are."

The Border Alliance Commander sneered and turned his mic off, gripping onto the sides of the podium angrily as he stared down the two Sith.

@Darth Vyrdesseus @Beta12 @Sapphire Storm

 

[Beta12]

A frown slowly spread found its way to the Chancellor's lips as the Sith continued to ask for assurances. With each passing second the Zeltron became more aware that the delegates would leave today with nothing more than hollow promises. As Chancellor, she could assure the delegates to the ends of the galaxy that she would do her best to keep the Border Alliance in toe, but the issue at hand was by far more complicated. The Border Alliance was not well liked, but the idea of betraying them to assuage the grievances of the Sith Order would not sit will with the majority of Republic worlds. They were the border, the far flung citizens of the Republic, but denying them the right to defend themselves would become political suicide should they ever be attacked. It was her duty, as far as she was concerned, to maintain her career as much as it was to maintain the Republic.

"De-.."

Roderick's laughter filled the chamber before Charon was able to get a word in edgewise. The scathing criticism of the Sith delegates that followed left Charon gripping the edge of her podium. The delegates of the Sith were not expected to adhere to the formalities of the chamber. If she demanded that Roderick himself should, she would only serve to further divide the united front she had originally hoped to uphold. All formality and procedure had been thrown out the window, leaving nothing but a blanket of tension in its place. "Your concerns are noted, Senator Roderick." Though Charon's words were clipped, they were far from venomous. "Why shouldn't they consider you a threat?" Her rust colored eyes, for the first time in several minutes, flicked toward the Supreme Leader of the Sith herself.

"If you wish to end hostilities with the Border Alliance, then speak to the man representing them. This vitriol, this... anger... does not come from mere delusion. If you truly seek peace with the Republic, you will seek it in its entirety. The Border Alliance is your concern, and you concern the Border Alliance. We will accomplish little today if neither is willing to bend." It became glaringly aware that Charon would not chastise Roderick for his outburst, as her voice slowly faded from the Chamber audio system. If the two parties were content to hurl accusations at one another, Charon would simply see that she remained above it, to some degree. Should no compromise be reached, the blame would hopefully shift to the Sith or the BA.