Ask Lean on me

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

There was a running bet over whether Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl would retire first, or die in office; what had started as a joke during the aged Wookiee's senatorial campaign had taken on a life of its own as he began his first term and immediately faced a turbulent first Senate session. His allies would claim that it was a sense of duty that kept Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl in office well into his golden years, while detractors called him nothing but an ancient figurehead of a time long past. If you asked the Wookiee himself, however, the answer was that he found the energy so long as there was injustice present.

In many ways, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl was powerless to change the injustices that spread across the galaxy, such as the Sith invasions or the AMS virus that ravaged entire worlds. He had similarly felt powerless as the Senate had purged the Jedi from their ranks at the behest of the ISC; a relatively new and powerful faction Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl was wary of. And although he'd tried to defend the Jedi against their detractors, fear had won and now the noble Force users found themselves shunned by the very galaxy they had served for millennia. Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had lived through a similar occurrence under Palpatine, and he would be damned if he didn't try to change the outcome. And now that he was a Galactic Senator and not just a tribal chief, the responsibility was his to actually do something about it.

That was why, after the fallout from the recent Senate meeting had died down, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl found himself on a secure holocall, awaiting Grandmaster Alex Voran's presence. As usual, the Senator leaned on his Wroshyr tree staff, his hologram form still managing to look old, but there was a determination burning in the Wookiee's eyes.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex clicked the holorecorder on. In a moment, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl would see her blue figure appear before him. She stood in the Council Chambers deep in the New Alderaan Temple. That seemed like a fitting location for her meeting. Alex smiled as the Wookie Senator appeared before her. Despite the distance, she could practically feel the iron in his spine.

“Senator…I must admit I was surprised to receive your call.” The Morellian Jedi shrugged. “Given the current galactic climate and my own monumental mistake.” She let that hang for a moment. “I know you defended the Order at great personal cost. For that, I will forever be grateful.” Her failure was all over the holonet.

Despite some distance, she was unable to shake the stench of that fuck up. Alex rarely used harsh language but that was the only description that fit. The Wookies had been allies of the Jedi for centuries. The Order owed them their friendship and Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had taken a risk by standing up for them. “How can we help you and Kashyyyk?” She was direct…to a fault sometimes. “People our age don’t have much time to waste. Although, you may have me by a few years.” Alex let a wide smile spread across her face. She was old but the Senator nearly quadrupled her age. There were few who could understand the burdens of long life. He was one.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl chuffed in amusement as the Morellian referenced his longevity- while he often disliked references to his age, the Grandmaster was clearly making a joke in this instance. Besides, her admission of his efforts to defend the Order had already struck a positive chord with the Senator, who nonetheless was surprised that the Jedi was under the impression that he wanted something from her. A sad galaxy we live in, indeed reflected the Wookiee, when the only reason someone calls is to ask for something from a people who already give so much.

"History is precisely what I hoped to speak about" he replied, perhaps worrying the Jedi that he was about to go down a 400+ year memory lane. "Grandmaster, you are correct that I am old. Very old, depending on whom you listen to" the Wookiee said through T-8R, his miniature protocol droid. "But my memory is sharp, and I remember the good that the Jedi do far outweighs your mistakes. My people- and the galaxy- have suffered when the Jedi are persecuted, and while I cannot change the foolish decision of the Galactic Senate, I can still offer aid to the Jedi Order."

The Wookiee senator wanted to expand further- particularly, on his memories of fighting against the Separatist forces, then the Empire, and the First Order alongside the Jedi- but the Grandmaster was correct in that their time was precious so he cut short his sales pitch.

"There is an ancient fortress recently uncovered from the days of the Czerka occupation" Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl said, referencing one of the earliest occupations of his home planet. "It was used as a resistance base, and while it is an important part of our history it is remote enough that it cannot be used for tourism. It is notoriously difficult to find, as evidenced by the fact that we recently stumbled across it ourselves, but if the Jedi Order wishes they may have it to use as a temple; along with a modest annual stipend for the upkeep and modernization of a historic monument." Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl didn't want to go into the number of strings he'd had to pull to get this approved by his own government, but his tone would also betray the fact that there was, as always, a catch to the deal.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex let her very real surprise show. She saw no reason to hide the genuine emotion. “Senator…I’m a little speechless.” She ran a hand through her hair. “The Order and Kashyyyk have always been tied. That is a bond I intend to honor.”

Slowly, she paced around the room. “But few see things as clearly as us. Galactic politics poison every choice we make. We must unite to protect life against the Empire.” Her feet slowed so she could make eye contact with the holo. “This is a step in the right direction.” Alex was certain of that. The Force firmed in her heart.

“It has been too long since we’ve had a permanent presence on Kashyyyk…a condition I will gladly rectify.” It did not take the Force to know there was a but at the end of the Senator’s proposal. There was always a catch. She did not hold it against the older Wookie. This was a simple reality of their lives. “Tell, honestly, what do you need from us to make this happen. I know it could not have been easy to find agreement.” Even on Jedi friendly worlds there were factions who would rather be left alone. Alex knew this would come with a cost and she was prepared to pay it.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Despite her surprise, the Grandmaster definitely knew how to stroke Aezzairfhowrrhudrrl’s ego, and the Wookiee graced her with a rare smile as it was clear she approved of his plan. A Jedi temple- on Kashyyyk! Truly, this was an achievement that would stand the test of time; something that would outlast him and add to Kashyyyk’s security in these uncertain times. The Senator had no desire to see his world burn, and his anti-Sith rhetoric had no doubt placed a target on Kashyyyk’s back. Having Jedi around to help defend it would make him sleep better at night.

“The first request I have is that the Jedi’s presence on my planet remain as secretive as possible” he rumbled; Dantoooine had been invaded because it held a Jedi temple, as had Ossus. “It is not uncommon for Jedi to visit my planet for training purposes, which is welcomed, but for the safety of my people I wish the greater public would not know of the temple’s presence until such time I can further invest in Kashyyyk’s defenses.” The Grandmaster would see the regret written plain on the Wookiee’s features- it was clear that he wanted nothing more than to proudly announce the Jedi’s cooperation with his planet. "Perhaps it can serve as a sanctuary for your people" he added, almost as an afterthought.

“We also have been running into some problems in and around the temple itself” he continued, his intonation implying that the "problems" had teeth and claws. “As you are aware, the environment of Kashyyyk is less than welcoming, and the fortress has been abandoned for centuries. If secrecy is our goal, then your Order will have to clear the ruins without aid from my people.” The Force only knew what kind of beasts had made their home inside the stout fortress.

“I hope that those burdens are not too great to place upon you, Grandmaster” Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl concluded, meeting the Morellian’s eyes. “And I would also ask if there is anything else I can do for the Order at this time.”


((OOC: I'll write a mission pack for the clearing of the temple/some other side quests, if Alex agrees))

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex smiled softly again. “Of course, Senator. Our presence draws unwanted attention and your people have suffered enough under Empires.” Her voice remained soft while she spoke. “We need a place to hide…to be blunt.” The secret of Ifrane was absolute. No Shadow would speak of their hidden home. The remaining Temples were all publicly known if not always fully populated. Truthfully, should Yavin fall they had nowhere to go. Ossus was a fortress but loathed to make the statement changing their capital there would mean. “We will be discrete and closely guard the location.” The second request was perhaps slightly more difficult.

This time, Alex laughed. “Well, it wouldn’t be a Jedi Temple if we did not first have to clear some terrible mortal danger.” It was an all-too-common theme. The hazard of an Order that rose and fell to power in time with the Force. “If you can give us the particulars, I will see the Temple made safe.” She straightened her back and cracked her knuckles. “I will see to it personally.” Hopefully, the importance of her coming to Kashyyyk was not lost on the venerable Wookie. “What else could I ask of you? No…Senator…this is more than I could have ever hoped and perhaps much more than we deserve.” Her holographic eyes met his again.

“You are a good man, and your people are lucky to have you. We are lucky to have your support. We will defend Kashyyyk as if it were Yavin and if ever you need me…just ask.” The Wookie had won her eternal admiration. Perhaps he could convince Korre to push the Free Worlds off their ass. But now was not the time. First, make a good impression and then see what they could do together.

@SlagathorTheUnknown [/abox3=75%]

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

This meeting had gone even better than Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had imagined- the Grandmaster was fully onboard, and the significance of her personally visiting Kashyyyk washed over the aged Senator like a wave. The last time the Jedi had experienced good relations with his people was pre-Empire... now, he hoped that today's meeting was the reformation of what had previously been a strong bond between them.

"Please... it is a humble gift considering all the Jedi have done for my people and for the galaxy" the Wookiee responded, although he glowed with pride at the Grandmaster's words. "I shall have the details sent to you as soon as possible."

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had expected this to take longer than it had, and with some regret he realized that he had nothing more important to occupy the Grandmaster's time with. "Thank you, again, Grandmaster, and may the Force be with you" he signed off, suddenly hoping that he hadn't committed a faux pas by using the traditional goodbye of the Jedi.

Perhaps his age would buy him a pass this time... hadn't he been around when the phrase was first coined?


/ThrExit [End Thread]

@Valen Pelora