Master and Commander

[Brandon Rhea]

(NOTE: This takes place before the election for an Alliance representative on the Jedi Council.)
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This would not be a particularly enjoyable meeting.

Bastele had only just gotten off of the Mandalorian ship a few days ago by the time he was sitting in his office again, staring wondrously out the window into the Coruscanti skyline. Speeders buzzed about, blaring horns and sirens, their lights reflecting against the window panes along with the rays of the setting sun. It was tranquil, a refreshing sight after the nothing of the planet that the Mandalorians kept him on. Not that such a planet didn't have its own charms; with no civilization other than the Mandalorian encampment, it was practically a paradise, with most of the world covered in water. Yet Bastele was from Corellia, born and raised in Coronet City, and now spent his days in Galactic City on Coruscant. His whole life was spent in a city. Anything else seemed alien, even the Mandalorian world.

And he knew he should still be there.

Such was why he was not looking forward to the meeting. Soon he would receive the call that a delegation from the New Jedi Order, led by the Grand Master himself, would arrive in his office. It was then that Bastele would raise serious objections to how the Jedi and Alliance diplomats dealt with his rescue. While he was grateful to be alive, he had to ask himself one question: at what cost?

"Sir," a voice called from the intercom. "The Jedi delegation has arrived. Should I send them in?"

No. Send them packing. Tell them to drop dead. Etc.

That's what part of him wanted to say, but what he knew he couldn't. "Send them in."

 

[GABA]

The air was tense before Grand Master Sigur Vainikainen had entered the Chief of State's office. Joining him was the Prime Envoy Gracelyn Maier, who served in Bastele's absence temporarily. Today, they were to discuss the events and decisions that lead to the Chief of State's rescue. Though, he was surprised how quick the Chief of State was to get back to his work, thus suggesting that Nathanaeu was in fair shape physically, but mentally, that was what worried Sigur.

The Mandalorian crisis was a headache for everyone. He had met with Keller and Maier about the announcement of Bastele's capture by the Mandalore. The three of them were uncertain to how the CoS had fallen into his capture's hands. It was either by accident or purpose, with the sudden loss of his ship and how tight security was in the sector when they did lose his ship, the three of them could not, with the details they had at the time, did not allow for a fair conclusion. The fact of the manner, as it was argued, it was one man, Keller had made sure to emphasize with the Grand Master. And though Sigur understood, he did not approve of the military power struggle that could have ensued if some negotiation did not come to conclude. Sigur was certain they have returned now to argue that specific matter.

The Chief's intern greeted them as they entered, not bothering with idle chat, relayed to Bastele of their arrival. The two Jedi entered the office, Sigur could sense an uneasiness from the Chief, an agitation, however, the Jedi kept his calm inside and out.

"Good Evening Chief Bastele." the Grand Master greeted in formality with a bow, "Master Maier and I are glad to see you back to leading the Alliance as quickly as you are."

 

[Jiang Winters]

"Lord Commander?"

Keller's ear flicked as his pilot called to him. The Kushari representative was engrossed in a letter he'd received from the homeworld. He didn't hear the pilot - even if he had, he'd have likely ignored him. He was headed into a meeting he was not looking forward to in the slightest. The Alliance's Chief of State, whom Keller had recently retrieved from Mandalorian hands and delivered safely and soundly back into GA custody, was having a little sit-down with the Jedi Order's leadership and he had been invited. As the feline was certain he hadn't been called in just to receive a scratch behind the ears, he was less than comfortable accepting that invitation.

"Commander Keller, sir!"

The pilot's called for him again. Her voice broke his concentration this time, and he finally folded the letter and glanced towards the cockpit. He could see her leaning half-out of her seat and peering back at him through her helmet's faceplate. The structure that housed Bastele's office loomed not far ahead of the dropship, and he could see it clearly through the cockpit's glasteel window. He sighed quietly and slipped the letter into the breast pocket of his uniform coat. News from home would have to wait a little longer.

"How long 'till we're on the pad, Lieutenant?" he queried.

"Two minutes, sir."

The feline frowned and made sure his tail was securely bound in its sheath beneath his uniform coat. "Just peachy," he muttered irritably.

After landing, the remainder of the journey to the Chief-of-State's office was short. The feline officer arrived on the coattails of the Jedi delegates, and he was quick to make his arrival known to Bastele's secretary. As soon as he was granted permission to enter, Keller tucked his peaked cap into the crook of his arm and stepped inside.

The representative, like the Jedi before him, presented a cool and collected exterior. His simple olive uniform clearly denoted his military heritage - as did the myriad scars marring the young man's features.

"Chief Bastele, sir," Keller greeted, a slight nod of his head accompanying the Lord-Commander's words. He paused, and glanced towards the representatives from the Order. He dipped his heads towards them as well, and greeted them as best he could remember. "Grandmaster Vainikainen, Envoy Maier."

The six-and-a-half foot tall feline folded his free hand behind his back after speaking and cracked a thin smile. "I'm not late to the meeting, I hope."

 

[Brandon Rhea]

As a matter of fact, Keller was late, and the Chief of State was not one to take blithe sarcasm in the face of a meeting with the chief of executive of 3/4 of the galaxy lightly.

"Sit down."

His tone was difinitive and made clear the seriousness of what he wanted to say. He pulled out a group of datapads from his desk drawer and slid them across the table, one for each of the delegates. He controlled each pad from his own, to show what he wanted to show. With the click of a button, a report popped up.

"This is a report from the Foreign Relations Committee about what happened while I was gone," Bastele told them. "Ignoring the parts about how a member of Congress essentially launched a coup against this Alliance, it explains that you all were instrumental in my release from Mandalorian captivity."

Shutting off the pads, he said with a somber tone, "I am grateful to be alive, but are you out of your Jedi minds? What were you thinking agreeing to the terms of my release?"

 

[GABA]

The Grand Master exchanged greetings with the Kushari Representative, feeling the sudden agitation from the Chief of State as the cat did stroll in late. They took their seats as Bastele ordered, Sigur surely thought the days of sitting through a scolding were long behind him. He leaned forward to accept the series of datapads. The screen blinked on and he quickly skimmed through its contents as Bastele explained what they could find.

The datapads switched off and the question that Sigur had been waiting to hear was finally stated.

"For the welfare of the Alliance and her citizens." Sigur spoke, wasting not a moment after the Chief's last word was spoken, "It would have been an unnecessary power struggle. A waste of force and resources if we would have let them stayed in their occupied territories. Not to mention it could have created an opportunity for the Imperium to strike while we had our hands full with the Mandalorians. It needed to be resolved quickly, while keeping the welfare of everyone in mind." the Grand Master explained emphasizing in everyone, meaning both Alliance and the Mandalorians.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Bastele listened as Sigur spoke, taking in every word -- though he wished he hadn't. What he was hearing baffled and concerned him. Was this the wisdom of the Jedi Council?

"What you did doesn't help the Alliance or the people," Bastele told him. "For starters, from a philosophical but by no means unimportant standpoint, you negotiated with terrorists. You told the galaxy and all enemies of the Alliance present and future that if you want something from the Alliance, all you need to do is kidnap one man and we'll cower and do what you ask. You've weakened us diplomatically. Everyone in the galaxy knows that now."

He continued, "Strategically? Don't get me started. It's obvious the Mandalorians were aligned with the Sith, even if it was a tepid alliance at best. That's one of the big reasons we stayed neutral in their civil war, because we suspected the Sith were involved. We had the Mandalorians surrounded, completely cut off from the Sith. Now? They're next-door neighbors and can coordinate with one another and attack alongside one another. You've given the Sith their new best friends."

Bastele stood up again, glaring right at them. "I'd of rather died than be the cause of that. You should've let me die."

 

[Jiang Winters]

Keller allowed his datapad to fall to his lap as Bastele rose. The feline frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger in an attempt to ward off a headache he felt building. Sigur, admittedly, hadn't helped. The Grand Master's reasoning wasn't brilliant by any means, and they'd only served to fan the flames of whatever fire was burning inside the politician. The feline could understand a leader being so frustrated - and he could respect that. Even when Bastele resorted to theatrics, Keller still tried to empathize with the man. He even came to agree with him... To an extent.

"I firmly believe I made the right moral decision, sir," the feline stated softly, as he laid closed the documents displayed on the pad's screen, "It was, and still is, my opinion that hostile actions towards the Mandalorians would have only resulted in millions of civilian casualties on the Mandalorian side. It'd have been a holocaust."

The feline's eyes fixed on the Chief of State. "That being said, Chief Bastele, it was my idea to negotiate for your release. I take responsibility for that decision, and for its consequences."

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Bastele listened to Keller’s words, sitting back down as he did, and quickly replied. “The Mandalorians are a warrior culture. They dream of dying in battle. ‘Civilian’ is a very strong word.”

The Chief of State folded his arms across his chest, watching the delegates for a moment to get a sense of what they were thinking. The Grand Master, of course, was exceptionally well guarded, as Bastele would expect. For Keller, the Chief was also ashamed to admit he didn’t know enough about Keller’s species to read him anyway.

“I have no doubt about one thing, Commander,” Bastele said. “War from the Mandalorians will come. We’ve expected that for a long time. When it finally does arrive, will it be because of what you all did? No, but it will be in spite of it. We’ll be in a weaker position because of it as well. Whereas they were once surrounded by us, they are now guarded by the Sith they will most likely call upon as allies. Every major galactic power, save for the Hutt Cartel, will be at war with this Alliance.”

Leaning forward again, he said, “So I would like to know how the Alliance came to the decision to agree to Mandalorian terms and what the involvement of the Jedi was.”

 

[GABA]

The glare from the politician complemented the atmosphere in the office. He understood the man's frustration, if Sigur's moral compass was a little skewed or even military mind, he probably would have suggested different orders, but that of course was not the case.

Bastele had replied quickly to Keller before the Grand Master could interject, least now he was sitting back down. Though Sigur was projecting a calm exterior, the Jedi was quickly becoming annoyed, he knew Gracelyn would be able to feel it and he was glad she would be the only one who could.

Sigur responded glancing at the feline, then back to Bastele, "Master Maier had approached me, then us to Keller. The Mandalorians don't respect the Jedi and would not listen to the Envoy if she would have approached her. As we both said, this was the right choice, not ideal, we examined all options and I believe given with how Hunebar represented the Alliance at the meeting, the option of military force would only have fueled anti-Alliance sentiment and given the Imperium an outlet." Sigur paused for a moment, pulling on the Force to calm.

"We do not need the Mandalorians as enemies Chief Bastele, nor does there need to be a war with them. There's still time to make those amends." he stated, knowing very well his words were not going to change the Chief's mind, he was certain that even this comment would probably make the man stand to his feet again.

 

[Padmé]

Shortly upon hearing the news of the Galactic Alliance Chief of State's release, Gracelyn Vitorioso Maier knew this day would come. A day where the Chief of State, Nathanaeu Bastele would sit her down and perhaps air out grievances or lack thereof. Be it what it may, that day did arrive.

To Maier's surprise Chief Bastele called in not only the Jedi Prime Envoy, but also the Jedi Grandmaster, Sigur Vainikainen, and the singular most important man (as far as Maier was concerned) in aiding Bastele’s release from the Mandalorians, Sadiir Keller-Sjet. Maier wasn’t sure whether The CoS would be glad to know that the Mandalorians would have perhaps done worst things to him, due in part to Senator Hunebar’s poor diplomatic actions. By now he would have heard of said senator’s impeachment, and subsequent removal from office.

As the thoughts plagued Gracelyn’s mind she did all she could to remind herself of the positive events that did occur during Bastele’s absence. At the request of The Chief of Sate, the Jedi emissary arrived along with the Jedi Grandmaster. Vainikainen recently took time out of his busy schedule to personally deliver personal tragic news to Maier. Since that day Maier had always reserved a sense of high respect for Vainikainen. As the two entered The CoS's office, both Jedi offered the customary greeting. Grecelyn followed hers with a short nod of the head, acknowledging the Grandmaster’s words. Soon, the pair were seated, at which point the much dreaded meeting commenced. The fourth member, Sadiir Keller-Sjet, will later on walk in- a bit tardy.

Maier managed to hold her tongue during much of the initial meeting. She really didn’t have much to say, however, the moment Bestele slid down datapads down the ornate table, the Kaalian aristocrat had the urge to air her voice. For a time, she’d waited for reports from the Armed Services and Alliance Security Committee. Said committee never did send the requested report. Maier found it rather interesting that Bastele had not only access to the documents she had requested, but that the information, plus more were on several devices! A very noticeable frown would cross the woman’s face while perusing the electronic device. She then made a mental note for her office.

"This is a report from the Foreign Relations Committee about what happened while I was gone,"
Bastele uttered, with a slight hint of disappointment.
At this point Maier really wanted to speak, but held her resolve.

"I am grateful to be alive, but are you out of your Jedi minds? What were you thinking agreeing to the terms of my release?"

Nathanaeu’s words would rock the very core of the Prime Envoy’s mind for in her mind, Nathanaeu Bastele should be grateful to the Jedi part in his release. Not to mention that he could now return to that which he was great at- governing the Galactic Congress, as Maier certainly didn’t want the heavy burned resting on her shoulder. Considering the seniority of the present members, the Prime Envoy allowed the Grandmaster opportunity to respond to Bastele’s remarks. Which he did, although Bastele did not receive Vainikainen’s words in the same manner Maier had.

Being a Jedi, Maier could read beyond the physical appearance of each person in the room. Keller’s remained the same, but Bastele and Vainikainen’s changed. Tensions rose. Sigur’s was most apparent; Gracelyn saw not only his tensions raising, but the Grandmaster’s inward annoyance. The thought of another Holonet spin off from the failed GA/ Mandalorians diplomacy meeting suddenly flooded Gracelyn’s thoughts. Pushing aside the thoughts, the Kaalian Jedi shifted her body to face Bastele.

“With all due respect, Chief Bastele, I concur with the Grandmaster. We are Jedi; it is incumbent upon us to seek peace at all times. Leaving you in Mandalorians hands would have been a detrimental decision, not to mention civilian and congressional outrage. Your work goes far beyond the four walls of this office. Now that you have returned it is time to put forth measures that would cease future kidnaps.”

 

[Brandon Rhea]

He waved off the argument. No amount of debate would convince them of their own stupidity. The idea that they had achieved peace with the Mandalorians was absurd, but he would let them live with their delusions. He would be ready and waiting to tell them that he was right and they were wrong.

"Those measures are underway," Bastele said, "but it's not the only measure that needs to be taken. Effective immediately, I plan to nominate, for Congressional approval, an Alliance representative to the Jedi Council. The Prime Envoy is a member of Congress, and, given recent events, it's time that arrangement goes both ways. I ask for your support, but I will put forward legislation to require it if necessary."

 

[GABA]

Master Maier had sat in silence for a long time, he could feel her hold back her words, one statement at a time, however by then Bastele was done listening to what they had to say in defense for their actions.

Sigur laced his fingers together, his thoughts did not take a positive turn on the Chief's decision. The Order would not take this well, history had shown the Jedi did not take it well. The Grand Master understood why Bastele felt the need to put a representative on the Council, a sense of mistrust and undermining came from the man. Though Sigur knew if it was drawn to legislation, undoubtedly anti-Jedi sentiment could spread. It wasn't what either of them needed, it would only produce more propaganda for the Sith and divide the Galactic Alliance for them.

The Jedi remained silent long enough for it to settle in the room, his eyes narrowed, his tone flat, "Are you that disillusioned, you cannot see the bigger picture here?" Sigur felt his aggravation getting the better of him, "What would be the purpose of your representative on the Council?" he asked, "Will you be adding a representative to every individual governing body too while you are at it?"

 

[Brandon Rhea]

There was a certain naivety about the Grand Master’s words. While Bastele assumed he did not mean it in this way, Sigur’s words seemed to betray a complete lack of understanding about how the Alliance government worked, as well as the very principle of a democratic republic. The argument that Sigur made had no basis in reality.

“As anyone who has ever attended a civics class can tell you,” Bastele said, somewhat perturbed at the form the Jedi’s resistance took, “every governing body that has representation in Congress has governmental oversight. The agencies and groups that make up this government are filled with public employees and executive appointees who answer to this office, Congress, and ultimately the people. Local governing bodies on member worlds are made up of representatives of the people, as is Congress. I, too, was elected from Congress and am a representative of the people. We are here by the will of the people, and we can be tossed aside by the will of the people.”

He continued, “The Jedi are unique. You operate as part of this Alliance, with a Prime Envoy in Congress, yet you have no governmental oversight and the people have no voice in your Order. The position of Prime Envoy was first created centuries ago in order to strengthen the ties between the Alliance and the Jedi. I would think that returning the favor with an Alliance representative on the Jedi Council, even a non-voting member, would continue to strengthen those ties with the people, no?”

Bastele hoped that was true. The genesis of this idea was in giving more oversight to the New Jedi Order and ensuring that nothing was being done that compromised the security of the Galactic Alliance or its people, but it did serve as a way of bringing the two bodies closer together if done correctly.

“I know full well what you’re thinking,” Bastele said. “I also know the history of Palpatine’s rise as Emperor and how he appointed Anakin Skywalker to the Old Jedi Council, but I’m not Palpatine. I simply want what is best for the Alliance. If the Jedi are to continue to remain such an active role as military commanders, diplomats, and members of Congress, it is only right that governmental oversight and representation be extended to the Jedi High Council.”

Civic duty was what he needed to appeal to. “This is for the people. You are their guardians and protectors. Let them have a voice.”

 

[GABA]

No, Bastele was no Palpatine, and as far as Sigur could tell, he also wasn't a Daala either. Nevertheless, the idea of having politicians meddle in Jedi affairs, was still a touchy subject. The Jedi had learned their lessons in history the hard way. Luke Skywalker was no exception, even after Mon Mothma's warning when he brought back the Jedi. A mistake that he paid for with the actions of another Chief of State, Natasi Daala and the eventual launch of the Jedi coup. And now, possible Sigur will have that lesson fall onto him.

"I believe this is for you Chief Bastele, the Jedi Council does not need a representative. The tie between the Jedi and the Alliance has been strong. What is there to fix? This situation wasn't what would the chief of stated would have wanted, as I said, it was for the people. It was not a fight worth fighting. Whether or not you are willing to take the step back and looking at it from several perspectives will be entirely up to you."

Sigur unlaced his fingers, "The Jedi are not as reserved as you are making them out to be. We hear the people and we hear the Force, and in the end we still follow it's will, whether or not it is in favor of what you may want for the Alliance. We are not your heroes to save this galaxy." the Grand Master explained, leaning forward some in his seat.

"What's best for the Alliance may not be what's best for Jedi."

 

[Jiang Winters]

"What's best for the Alliance may not be what's best for Jedi."

Keller's ears twitched almost imperceptibly, and he quirked an eyebrow towards the Grandmaster. For the leader of an ancient and wise order of monks, the man's words were almost unfathomable. The feline had grown and lived in a society where those who wielded the Force protected and served those who could not wield it, yet were subject to all the same laws and rules as ordinary folk - and some laws crafted especially for them, enforced by guardians far more fearsome than a pudgy senator.

But what alarmed him most was the implication of the man's words. Perhaps it was just human subtleties playing tricks on his Kushari mind again, but Keller could have sworn that the Jedi was suggesting that the coalition between the Alliance and Order wasn't meant to last. Or, at the least, that he was implying that the Jedi would not serve the Alliance. Whatever it was the man meant, it didn't sit well with the young feline.

At any rate, he kept it to himself. Keller wasn't about to bring up a half-cooked suspicion, and he certainly wasn't going to accuse the Grandmaster of blindly chasing the whisperings of some imaginary god. He was, however, going to butt in - he'd been quiet long enough.

"I agree with Bastele," Keller interjected, "No alliance is a one-way road. The Alliance has the courtesy of allowing the Order a voice in the Senate - the Order should let the Alliance have a voice in the way you do business." The feline's gaze tilted towards Sigur, and he nodded slightly towards him. "If nothing else, Grandmaster, you can give it a try for a little while. If it doesn't work, you can always try another solution."

 

[Padmé]

"Those measures are underway…" responded the Chief of State.
Though they were not the words Gracelyn expected, she gave Bastele a listening ear. The words that followed, however, gave Maier an unsettling felling. A glance towards the Grandmaster’s direction revealed the same.

"….But it's not the only measure that needs to be taken. Effective immediately, I plan to nominate, for Congressional approval, an Alliance representative to the Jedi Council. ….I ask for your support, but I will put forward legislation to require it if necessary."

“So this is the reason Bastele summoned us…”
Maier thought quietly to herself, while crossing her legs, and pondering on her response.

A quick glance over her shoulder reveal confirmed the Prime Envoy suspicion. The Grandmaster, with his fingers laced together, appeared quite perturbed about the idea Bastele presented. Perhaps Sigur, like Maier, was disturbed about the political implications that would arise from having a government entity meddle in Jedi affairs. Was it a sound idea? Perhaps. But Maier had only heard the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, like Keller, Maier remained silent while Bastele and Sigur displayed a rare glimpse of unsensitized verbal exchange.

Both men had valid arguments and counter arguments, but unlike the Kushari, the Kaalian aristocrat did not offer a verbal support for or against Bastele’s idea. In Maier’s mind the CoS was set on his way. The meeting was simply a courtesy call to inform the Jedi of the pending Alliance representative to the Jedi Council.

Uncrossing her legs, the Jedi Prime Envoy merely twirled her thumbs.