Ask Helping Hands

[Ceris Odrosess]

"How does my makeup look?" Ceris asked towards one of her juniors. "It looks great ma'am, but I don't really get the fuss, you're meeting is through a call." Ceris made her way to the desk in her office space, turning on the data computer. "To be quite frank, I've never met a Jedi, in fact, never even SEEN one besides that time the Grandmaster was kicked out of the senate chambers. I must make a good impression." Ceris took a moment to read through the notes on her data pad while her junior brushed her hair "The Chancellor and the former one have ruined the relationship between the Republic and Jedi, which hurts my deeply as I personally desire their help so we can go ahead and destroy this Empire in our backyard. Hopefully this former one can get me in good relations with their Order."

On today's agenda, Ceris would reach out to the founder and boss of the Star Guardians, well-known former Jedi Clove Vanhoop, who's organization has been on the rise. Ceris was no stranger to providing relief and other care to planets that needed them, such as her adventures with Senator Vaisra, and she knew how helpful they were for one's career. In fact, her missions with the Senator helped her become a Fleet Admiral so quickly. Ceris desired to spread her name even more in order to become the next Grand Admiral after her old ass geezer mentor, Brum, and Ms. Vanhoop could help her accomplish that, unknowingly of course. It was a win-win situation for everyone: the former Jedi's organization gets recognition, Ceris gets recognition, and the suffering shit holes get their help.

Ceris turned on her holo-projector and her own camera to display herself to the receiving end of the transmission. Once the lines connected, she would speak "Hello Ms. Vanhoop, it's a pleasure to meet you. I apologize we couldn't have this meeting in person, but it's good to know that we both maintain a busy schedule. I truly thank you for finding time to have this meeting." Ceris wanted to throw up in her own mouth from saying 'thank you', but she maintained her pretty smile through-and-through.

Tags: @LilyNion

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

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"BOB?!" Clove called out as she paced back and forth in her poofy pastel pink gown. "Are you sure everythin' in my office is connected properly?" Her large brown eyes danced around the office, which they had only recently finished decorating. Although some plants were still missing, it quickly felt like home. Or it would have felt like home if cable work hadn't been so slow and difficult. "Ms. Vanhoop! You already know I'm a droid engineer! I don't know much else besides what we checked!" Clove's cheeks puffed out as the Twi'lek shouted back from another room. He was right, and she knew everything worked well. But she was nervous. No, not just nervous, she was anxious.

Her gaze was drawn to the holo-projector in the center of the table. She couldn't believe she was about to meet someone from the New Republic. The New Republic. The most difficult faction to form an alliance with due to their opposing viewpoints to the Star Guardians'. She needed a lot of goodwill and a lot of peer pressure to make a dent. So to be contacted by Ceris' assistant, requesting a meeting? Clove felt like she was flying through the clouds and puking at the same time.

"Fineee! Thank you very much, Bob!" Clove eventually called back after circling the office two more times. Then it was time to sit, take a few deep breaths, straighten her mane of curls, which she kept in a half-up-do with braids, and turn on her holo-projector. She tried not to panic when the Fleet Admiral came into view, especially when she realized she didn't know how to address her. But s he managed to calm herself down enough to focus on Ceris' words with a few hidden deep breaths. And hey, she actually sounded nice!

The half-Annfyn smiled at the woman with genuine warmth. "Hello, Admiral Odrosess,"—please be correct—"The pleasure is mine; I was pleasantly surprised when I was told you wanted to meet with me. I hope you an' your men an' women are well; the galaxy has been a turbulent place." The Killiks and Joined were everywhere, and an Admiral was almost always on the front lines. "I have to admit, I didn't get a lot of information before this meetin'." She'd heard something about collaborating, but that was about it. So she was very interested to find out why Ceris wanted to talk.

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[Ceris Odrosess]

Ceris was rather turned off upon seeing Clove pop off. "Pink dress, basic ass office space. For fucks sake is this a child?" she thought to herself. Ceris didn't even want to get started on the lack of plants, or that Clove wasn't informed well beforehand. She made a note in the back of her mind to punish whoever it was that scheduled the meeting. For now, the Admiral kept up her fake smile and responded "I apologize you weren't fully informed before this meeting, but I'll gladly explain our current interest. Oh and please, just 'Ceris' is fine; I hear my title enough in one day."

It felt like things would go well when the former Jedi said she was surprised to be contacted, although, it was maddening to Ceris that a Jedi didn't even consider working with the Republic. If only she was able to bring Emil back from the dead and choke slam him. "So the topic of this meeting," Ceris continued, clasping both of her hands together "I would like to collaborate with you and help your organization. While we may not necessarily align, I love what you have been able to do." Ceris absolutely hated it; worthless people should continue to live their miserable lives rather than get free help. "While the New Republic as a whole shares different views, I do not, and I have the authority to make decisions that most benefit my area of influence."

Pressing a few buttons on her datapad, a mission file would display on the projector showing some logistics. "I have been a part of a few AMS relief missions during my time, and I would like to continue similar projects as well. Displayed currently is an outline of what I want to accomplish. I want to build self-sufficient hospitals, medical tents, and shelters on nearby struggling planets, due to a medicine or cure against the Killiks possibly being released soon." The Galaxy's top medical laboratories were racing to collect the reward announced by the ISC President, Emryc Thorne, for any group that can create a reliable cure. Ceris was betting that this cure could be made, and having distribution centers prepared would immediately push the New Republic towards the front. Ceris was very well aware on how successful ISCRA was for the ISC, and she wanted to accomplish the same.

"Now you may be wondering where the Star Guardian's fit in to this plan. Well, to put it quite frankly, I am requesting guidance on how to go about this." While the very sentence made the Admiral want to jump into the nearest sarlacc pit, it was painfully true. "I, or really the Republic as a whole, haven't done an operation like this. I would love for your organization to help us build quality facilities, and train the locals to sustain the facilities for themselves. Rest assured, the construction will come out of our pockets." Ceris rested her hands on her thighs, hoping her pitch was enough to interest Clove. Her back felt rather tight; she was rather nervous for the first time in ages. The young Admiral was desperate to make a name for herself, and the clock was slowly ticking on whenever the living fossil, Grand Admiral Brum, would bite the dust.

Tags: LilyNion

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

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Clove gave Ceris a gentle smile as she apologized and reminded her to just call her 'Ceris.' So it seems she used the correct title, which was a big relief! "Oh, don't worry about me not bein' fully informed. Mistakes happen! An' of course. Call me Clove in that case." Ms. Vanhoop was a title she couldn't get used to. Bob was adamant about using such a title, and it irked her every time. So she jumped at the chance to be called Clove.

Clove leaned forward slightly as the Fleet Admiral began to explain her plan, her face drawn with clear interest. It was an interesting plan, and she couldn't deny that the New Republic had many suffering planets. So it made sense to her why Ceris approached her. But that didn't mean she didn't have her own questions and doubts.

Clove took a moment after Ceris finished her explanation to collect her thoughts before responding. "I think your plan is lovely an' even noble. But, if you don't mind, I have a couple of questions an' problems." She smiled apologetically at the woman before continuing. "For starters, because the Star Guardians take a neutral stance, we do not help in the construction of facilities that do not bear the Star Guardians flag. Because helpin' the construction of facilities that carry out rules that contradict our own goals is a very risky move an' can shake that neutrality flag." No, if those facilities became anti-Jedi, like the rest of the New Republic, and the Star Guardians helped in their construction it'd violate her agreement with the Jedi. And the same counted for the Sith.

"I am very interested in the opportunity to train civilians, but I have two questions. First an' foremost, is this intended exclusively for the New Republic? Or are the Star Guardians allowed to teach other Civilians outside of the New Republic?" It was something she had to get confirmed; if the New Republic decided to keep it exclusively for themselves, it would be an instant deal breaker.

"Secondly," Here came the part she disliked, "I understan' you are a Fleet Admiral, which is an admirable position an' one I respect deeply. But, as Admiral, do you have the authority to grant the Star Guardians access to New Republic space an' allow us to teach New Republic citizens? Because, as far as I'm aware, a Fleet Admiral only has jurisdiction over their own fleet?" Clove tried her hardest not to look insecure while addressing a point she'd rather not say aloud, all while clearly trying her hardest not to dismiss the woman's efforts. "The road to obtainin' permission from the New Republic Senate to build in New Republic space will be long an' I hope you can understan' I'm incredibly careful."

This was why she disliked all these political discussions: the potential of offending or hurting someone. It was enough to make her back stiffen and her arms tense on her lap.

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Tag @Altaria ​

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

Ceris listened intently, but was rather dumbfounded by the Jedi's questions. "Maybe there is a different reason they've been banned..." When Clove finished, Ceris took a second to process how to go about answering them without belittling the Jedi. "Maybe I wasn't clear when I said 'nearby struggling planets', that is, we're not going to be within New Republic space Clove. Unless you thought I was referring to..." Did Clove think the New Republic themselves were struggling? "Disregard that last train of thought."

"As for your first question," Ceris continued on with the torment "I don't quite understand what you mean by 'allow'. I think you are under the impression that you will be a part of the New Republic, if so, I definitely do not have the power to do that. We know of your neutral stance and do not seek to compromise that at all, which is why we are simply wanting to collaborate, that is, work together to aid planets that actually need it." Ceris would bring up an image of Denon on her screen to share with Clove. "Denon was actually the first planet we were looking to aid. It isn't a New Republic world, so the building itself won't follow New Republic rules. You won't be helping the New Republic, you will be helping Denon, thus not breaking your neutrality. You will also only be helping civilians outside of the New Republic. It's just that we, the New Republic, just want your help in helping them... if that makes sense."

Ceris leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands together "If you don't mind me asking, what was it that you were under the impression of? I'm quite frankly a little lost on what you were thinking about."

Tags: @LilyNion

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

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This time it was Clove's turn to fake a smile, something she'd gotten better at over the years. Something about Ceris' tone bothered her. Every faction had troubled planets, and no faction was perfect. With the number of planets under their banner, they couldn't be. Even Sibyl, a woman of high class and dignity, admitted that her planet was experiencing social problems. Was it so strange to think a New Republican Fleet Admiral was discussing New Republic planets? Was it the mere suggestion that the New Republic wasn't perfect enough to offend her?

Regardless, she brushed it aside and paid close attention when Ceris explained it would be about a neutral planet. Thankfully, her interest overshadowed any other emotion in her eyes.

"I see. That does change thin' a lot. I was under the impression that this was related to the New Republic, hence my confusion an' caution. My sincerest apology. We'd be happy to help in teachin' Denon's civilians an' providin' guidance in the construction of a facility. If you are interested, we can also set up a few camps in the worst areas, such as slums, with food, water an' necessities such as blankets." Clove leaned slightly forward. "Is there anythin'' else you'd need for the Denon project? Medication, for example? We're almost done with our first batch of home-made medications an' we'd be happy to give some to the people of Denon." The plan was to sell any unused medications for an incredibly low price, allowing civilians all over the galaxy to get more affordable medications while also providing the Star Guardians with a passive income, and then donate whatever wasn't sold. But that would have to wait for now.

"Well," Clove's smile became awkward. "I assumed you were askin' help for nearby planets in New Republic space. Because you wouldn't the first person to seek help with their own planets." Was she going to say something like 'surely, there are some new republic planets that could use the help?' No. No, she wasn't. "Please accept my apologies if this came across as condescendin' or offensive. That was not my intention. When we are asked for help, we simply do not judge or question thin', which is why I did not consider thinkin' beyond the New Republic."

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Tag @Altaris ​

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

Ceris put her right hand up as to signal Clove to pause "No need to apologize, I came at you a bit too passive aggressively." Luckily she didn't burn a bridge down on accident. "I realize you may not be well versed in how things operate politically in the Republic. You see, I can only perform these tasks outside of New Republic space. The planets within our space are controlled by their respective Senator or other governing official."

After clearing the air, Ceris continued to finish the deal "You're suggestions would very much be helpful. Although I have the luxury to be funded by prominent sources, my checkbook isn't big enough to provide for everyone. I've been in talks with representatives from Denon, and it will take awhile for us to officially start. Unless you have any other questions, we can go ahead and begin preparing." She hoped the Jedi wouldn't ask if there were any complications regarding Denon. After all, Ceris was a part of the fleet that bombarded the planet under Chancellor Emil's orders. There was still distain from the residents of the war-torn planet towards the New Republic, but the Admiral hoped she could turn it around and gain their favor.

Tags: @LilyNion

 

[Clove Vanhoop]

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Clove let out a deep breath when Ceris admitted she had come on a little too strong and took her time explaining how things worked. Everything made perfect sense, and the half-Annfyn nodded along while listening intently. "I see. Thank you for clarifying!" She gave Ceris a gentle smile, clearly relieved that the air between them had cleared and that they could focus on other things.

"That sounds perfect; the Star Guardians will brin' whatever we can afford to miss in order to help Denon's citizens alongside the New Republic." She paused, considering whether she had any questions. But, in reality, she wasn't concerned about the complications; as long as Ceris was in contact with Denon representatives, there was no reason to be concerned. "No, I think I'm good on the Star Guardians end. Once you give us the go-ahead, the Star Guardians will head to Denon an' help in any way we can. We can't wait to get started! Do you have any further questions?"

She truly couldn't wait to get started. It would be such a wonderful opportunity to help those on Denon and give so many of them a new start. And it would be the beginning of a hopefully long and fruitful relationship with the New Republic!

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Tag @Altaria ] ​