Ask [Mon Cala] The Restoration of Nationhood

[Jal Widase]

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Night turned to day on the flotillas of Dac City, Mon Cala's premier site for negotiations with off-worlders. Not only was the city better suited to land-walking, air-breathing species across the galaxy, it also provided the more private, isolationist citizens of the world's depths a reprieve. Dac City was akin to a gate into the rest of Mon Cala: if an offworlder could get past there, then perhaps they may make it to the deeper oceans of the planet.​

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Today, Commander Jal Widase was manning this proverbial gate. Representatives from the Independent Systems Consortium (ISC) were scheduled to meet with representatives of the Crown to discuss the increased trade between their worlds. As it turned out, the Crown had a great interest in these dealings: the ISC had already proven itself to be a lucrative trading partner, hiring some of Mon Cala's finest engineers to produce weapons systems that brought a great deal of wealth and prestige back to the blue planet. The preparatory meetings for this had been a "who's who" of Mon Cala's political leadership: Captain Ri-Ren of the Royal Guard had overseen the briefing personally. It was a name that meant precious little to those outside of the world, but to Widase, it was enough to pique his interest.​

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This was the type of deal that could make or break a career. Specifically, his career: Commander Widase had his whole reputation at stake, as he had nearly begged to oversee this deal. Widase had a great deal of respect for the ISC, even before they had become a trading partner. Like some Outer Rim residents, he firmly believed that the Core Worlds' Republic was designed to fail, and that the mid-and-outer worlds were a mere buffer to be sacrificed to the gluttonous, war-hungry Sith. It was emboldening that the ISC would uniquely take a stand of Outer Rim unity. Many agents of the Crown were in agreement - some had even advised the good King to consider pledging this world's allegiance to them.​

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Today would be a litmus test for such an endeavor. Widase reviewed his datapad notes on his would-be business partners within their conference room, a shell-shaped, glass building that jutted out far above the ocean. He was joined by two members of the Royal Guard. On paper, they were there as a standard security measure, but they would no doubt report the day's proceedings back to Captain Ri-Ren with glee.​

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A message came into the room over a loudspeaker: "Commander Widase? I believe the ISC representatives have arrived."​

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He took one look out into the ocean, letting the endless blue waves wash over his turbulent mind, before clearing his throat. "Good. Send them in." ​

@Nor'baal @Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

Dac City would be a fine meeting place and he had been a little bit concerned that he might have been meeting Jal Widase underwater otherwise. It was much preferred as although he was not afraid of deep waters, per say, Carrick had little enthusiasm for being so incredibly deep inside the territory of another political rival. No, better that they met above the waves were a hull breach would not spell disaster for the non-water breathing species in the meeting.

As was becoming rather usual for the Secretary of Defense for the ISC, Carrick had left his security detail to secure his ship and to stand outside the meeting room. He was a known commodity when it came to security and he had made sure to keep himself protected. The suit he was wearing was lightly armored and he had made sure to keep a rebreather within the inside pocket of the suit jacket.

He had left his lightsaber on his ship as well so when he was briefly frisked at the door there were no issues before he was allowed into the meeting room. Julia would, not doubt, be arriving shortly and he would not dare to wait for her - the woman loved to be able to make an entrance. As he entered the meeting room, he smiled warmly and strode forward to offer the Commander his hand.

"Commander Widase. A pleasure to finally meet you - I've heard only good things."

He had also heard annoyingly little so he was not as well informed as he would have liked but never mind.

@Nor'baal @Fine Dining Set

 

[Julia Hipori]

Dropping down from the hanger of the ISC Lahsbane, a tiny Guild d'Lanseaux Luxury Speeder darted across the sky, dropping down to skim the sea level as it hastened its passenger to her meeting. Touching down in a sweeping arc, Julia Hipori disembarked and walked into the location of their meeting. She was dressed for work, no pleasure, he lightly armoured suit cutting a figure of a woman who was here to get shit done.

She entered the meeting room, and walked up next to Secretary Carrick, offering a short, curt, nod.

"Commander Widase - I can only echo the sentiments of my colleague, Secretary Carrick. Your world is one of boundless qualities, its rich history of self-reliance, something to inspire countless planets across the galaxy. It is a pleasure to be able to see it in person."

 

[Jal Widase]

His back was to the pair as they entered, as he still looked out over the coast. He turned to acknowledge them. "Secretary Carrick, Governor Hipori. Your flattery is appreciated, but unnecessary; I do hope we can enjoy the view." Sunlight beamed in from the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, shrouding Widase in a cloak of light. "Might you want anything to drink? Mon Cala's finest export, after our ships, is our liqueur. Just one taste, and you'll keep coming back...and that goes double for the ships." He chuckled to himself, tickled at his own joke.

"Feel free to take a seat," his hand gestured at the array of empty, ornate seats. Each one unique, shaped in a different coral-like or shell-ish position. They were quite soft, the kind of chairs one really sinks into. Widase sank into one at the head of the table. "Now, let me make a more proper introduction for myself. I am Commander Jal Widase, today representing the interests of Mon Cala's crown. While you may know little of me, you certainly know of our great Kingdom. Secretary Carrick, if I'm not mistaken, this world is of increasing interest to your Consortium. You've come here seeking to drain us of more of our best talent to build your shipyards, yes? To help build your rapidly growing army, which is still unwilling to intervene against those barbaric Sith that linger right in Mon Cala's backyard."

Perhaps the least charitable interpretation of the affairs with the ISC.

"And yet, we see the benefits of our cooperation. Governor Hipori, you are evidently familiar with our storied history. It is this planet that has been a bulwark against tyranny for centuries. And, for what it's worth, I have a great deal of respect for what your Consortium has been able to accomplish so quickly - reorganized a galactic fleet and army is no small task. I would know." He paused for a moment to consider his next words.

"I was going to launch into a whole monologue about our history, our fleet, our role in the galaxy - but you're not here for a history lesson. And before I make any more rude presumptions, perhaps you two can tell me about what you hope to accomplish today?"

@Nor'baal @Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

Well.

Carrick had barely taken a seat and already he felt that he had been unwise to do so. Thankfully he had turned down the offer of a drink with a polite, small, shake of his head to the offer itself and anyone who had seemed ready to provide such a drink. As something of a mixture between his old Jedi training and his current career choice, Carrick had an aversion to alcoholic drinks for the most part.

Had he taken a drink and, had he less decorum, he may very well have done a spit-take at the 'tack' shown by Jal in his opening comments. To go so seamlessly from a boast to an insult to a disingenuous compliment? Well it was something that Carrick had grown used to working in the Core for his people on Tinnel IV but he had not been expecting it from someone so, apparently, removed from such backstabbing politics.

Moreover, he did not have to suffer it either, not sit silent as the entire ISC was insulted in such a bold-face manner.

He shared a glance with Julia for a second with raised eyebrows before making to stand from his seat.

"Well, Commander Widase, the view was lovely but, I fear, not lovely enough to have made the trip worthwhile on its own. Nor lessen the sting of an insult followed by the most back-handed compliment I have heard in quite some time." he remarked bluntly, "Next time you want to insult delegates of an independent power for following policies you, personally, do not agree with, I recommend you just send a message. Far more economical on fuel, you see."

Now standing, he straightened his suit.

"If this is what passes for a meeting undertaken in good faith by the people of Mon Cala then I fear you have fallen far from the heights of your respected ancestors. Mores the pity for the Galaxy at large I suppose."

@Nor'baal @Fine Dining Set

 

[Julia Hipori]

Julia had expected more.

Much more.

She stood at the same time Carrick did, presented a united front with her colleague in the face of this hostile reception from the Mon Cala delegation. "I concur with Secretary Carrick. The ISC had hoped for a discussion in good faith, and had prepared accordingly. We did not expect to travel across the breadth of the galaxy, during a pandemic, only to be insulted. Good Morning."

With that, she turned and started toward the exit.

 

[Jal Widase]

Commander Widase’s head fell to his hands. Barely moments in, and he had already undercut the treaty he was assigned to negotiate. He stood as they did, gesturing a hand outward before he spoke. “You are quite right, I apologize. Forgive an old sailor’s poor manners, please, as a single hiccup in what will hopefully be the most significant legislation we have drafted in centuries.” He sat back down, taking a gulp of Mon Cala’s saltwater to collect his thoughts.

The thoughts of the previous night flowed into him, now regrets, as he had planned for the following day's conversations. He had been in his home - an apartment, deep underwater - surrounded by years of treaties, military records, weapons' test results, and the like scattered across nearly every surface the humble room held. A show of strength, he had thought, over a glass of Mon Cala’s finest deepwine. Show them that we are not to be trifled with. Then, we can negotiate.

He rubbed his head again, a dull pain setting in behind the layer of blubber now; he was negotiating with the highest levels of government, not the pirates and criminals he had grown used to dealing “I do not say these things to insult. Rather, I hoped to give you a taste of the kinds of hostility we have faced from elements of the crown for suggesting that which I have been assigned to see through today. We have all had such high tensions since the invasion of Felucia, civility has been short supply. This was perhaps...” He gestured idly with his hands, hoping to find a phrase that could diplomatically resolve his blunder. “...an ill-advised prelude to what is meant to be the meat of our conversation, the reason we have met here in person during this horrid pandemic.” He slides the datapad across the table, the screen paused on a rolling set of ledgers, figures, notes, historic references: the markings of a terribly long piece of legislation.

“Please, allow me the chance to make a second first impression, for the sake of a deal that would be to all of our worlds’ mutual benefit. Let us advance our work. Please, just...a few moments to show you both what we’ve been working on, here.” He offers them the opportunity to peruse the document, titled in large bold letters “THE OUTER RIM PACT.”

“I guarantee it’s worth it.”

@Nor'baal @Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

A tactic or a case of a former military man being expected to seamlessly transition into the role of a politician? Carrick himself had taken some time to change from being a Jedi Knight in all but name into the politically minded man he was today. If he was inclined to believe that Widase was simply attempting something out of inexperience, he could see it.

Listening to the man in silence for a few moments, Carrick both visibly and actually mulled it over in his mind. They had been insulted regardless of the intent but he wasn't certain it was worth it. Cutting their nose off to spite their face was not something he wanted the ISC, or himself, to gain a reputation for and it would allow them to see what this meeting was actually about.

In the end he gave Julia a slight nod before moving back to the same seat as before.

"I too know what it is like to go from one world, one duty, and be expected to perfectly pivot towards politics, Commander Widase." he allowed graciously with a small smile as he sat back down, "It comes with experience and a willingness to adapt is very useful."

Reaching out, he picked up the document that had been offered to himself and his partner. The title alone was what caught his attention, causing him to raise both of his eyebrows as he handed the document to Julia to see. Assuming, of course, that Julia hadn't taken the chance to leave.

"Well for better or worse one thing is for certain Commander; you had my curiosity but now you have my attention."

The Outer Rim was not the "backwaters" or even the "back garden" of the ISC as it had been for both the Old Republic and the Empire in the past - it was almost their entirety. Anything that effected the Outer Rim effected the ISC more than it likely did the FWA.

@Nor'baal @Fine Dining Set

 

[Julia Hipori]

Returning to her seat alongside Secretary Carrick, Julia allowed her disappointment with the manner in which the Mon Calamari had conducted himself to show as she took the file when it was offered. Waiting for Carrick to finish speaking, she replied herself:

"Commander Widase, perhaps you could provide an introduction to your proposal? Whilst it no doubt is something that would serve the interests of Mon Calamari, I am interested to see how closely it aligns with the existing systems we have in place here at the ISC. Ultimately, Commander, what is it that the people of Mon Calamari are looking for from the ISC as well - a defence pact? A trade pact? A combination of the two?"

"We are an up-and-coming player on the galactic stage, but by no means are we fools."

"The Sith are on your border, and the need for defence is vital. Yet at the same time, the Free Worlds Alliance provides for this, or at least is supposed to - so what can the ISC offer you that they cannot? How can we aid the development, and continued security of your world?"

 

[Jal Widase]

"Governor Hipori, Secretary Carrick, thank you for your graciousness. Please, allow me to continue." He produced another datapad with the same document available to peruse. As the two began to read the ledger, he pressed on the table; the familiar, light-blue color of a holographic image began to appear. It started off fuzzy, as the image rendered into realspace for a moment, but it became clear quickly. It was an atlas of the galaxy, showing existing hyperlane routes across space.

"As you may have seen, Governor Hipori, there are members of the Free Worlds Alliance who are less interested in a proactive defense than I. I fundamentally believe that the Free Worlds Alliance will stand together, stand strong, when tested; however, we must provide security for the denizens of our world nonetheless."

He zoomed in on the core worlds. On this active map, microscopic ships sped along colorfully highlighted trade routes in real time.

"There's a lot of meat to what we're proposing today. We can review a lot of it during your stay. There's clauses about preferential trade from Mon Cala Shipyards, a military engineer exchange, a mutual pact of non-aggression, proposals to jointly build defensive structures in Mon Cala space...but we wanted you in person to see this one, as we have had little discussion around it thus far."

The major hyperspace lanes: such as the Hydian Way, Corellian Trade Spine, and...well, you can see the rest. All of these well-traveled, well-defended routes cut through the core of the galaxy, from one end to the other. Almost straight lines, with some of them." The map zoomed out again, illustrating the situation as he spoke about it. The hyperspace lanes formed a fasces of sorts - a bundle of sticks tightly bound around the center of the galaxy. Pin points began to appear on the map from here - on Mon Cala, on Iego, on Bothawui, and on Ryloth.

"We believe that we can, together, change our luck. What I am proposing is a new, well-defended hyperspace lane that services exclusively the Outer and Mid-Rim worlds. Imagine the difference this could make for traders, diplomats, civilians, military. No longer would you have to choose between the long, expensive route through the core and the dangerous space of the Rims. We could build the first safe trading lane between Mon Cala and Ryloth, as a start. We propose building refueling stations and defensive installations in these systems' space. Ryloth, being the first leg of the Corellian Run, could be a perfect starting point." A wavy, purple line between Ryloth and Bothawui forms. The line then slowly crawls to Iego, and finally settles on Mon Cala. The same, microscopic, virtual ships begin to freely pass along this line.

"This could be just the beginning. Imagine a lane that connected all the ISC's major Outer Rim worlds. And a joint military taskforce of volunteer worlds to patrol this lane - keep it safe from any interlopers, be they Sith, pirate, or...anything else. Your fleet would be able to, almost instantly mind you, have priority access to any of your worlds. Pair this with any early warning system on a hyperspace beacon, and your armies would never be never caught offguard in the entire Rim." He paused for a moment, awaiting feedback. The Outer Rim was, by its nature, a hive of scum and villainy; there would be no way to ever change that entirely. "You could consider this a growth of your formidable sphere of influence."

@Nor'baal @Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

Carrick placed his chin in his hand in a thoughtful expression as Widase began his presentation. And it was, it seemed, a presentation rather than a discussion at this point - which was fine. It gave the Mon Calamari time to get his point across in a manner that made sense and didn't allow for much in the way of confusion. The visual aides were rather useful as well he would note within the privacy of his own mind.

What was presented was... big.

Not just as in a big ask politically speaking or even just large in terms of the resources and investment that would be required. It was, quite simply, just incredibly big in terms of sheer scale. The distances that were being discussed here today were vast and the proposed hyperspace lane would cut down travel time along it's wake but such an order of magnitude that it would change how people traveled through the Outer Rim forever.

It was, quite simply, one of the most ambitious plans that Carrick had ever been handed and he was, somewhat, at a loss as to how to actually fully express his opinions on it. His opinions on the whole thing were, to say the least, muddled. Some parts of it he was incredibly in favor of and others he found reasons to object but overall?

"You certainly don't want for ambition, Commander." he noted as he eyed the map again, rubbing at his chin, "The precise route would have to be agreed before we discussed anything further - if only because the extent of our need for certain other elements of what you've suggested will change depending on the route."

He was able to trace a line on the map with a finger, drawing a curved line from Ryloth to Mon Cala that passed Tatooine, Bothawui, Toydaria, Boz Pity, Saleucami, Iego and then ended at Mon Cala.

"This kind of route, for example, requires this hyperspace lane to pass through Hutt territory. Are you suggesting we attempt to pacify Hutt influence in those areas?"

Because if that was the case... it would require a lot more than what Mon Cala could hope to provide alone and could, potentially, have the ISC at war with the Hutts over having a hyperlane to Mon Cala. One that would, actually, act like a spine of trade through a large chunk of ISC space actually.

@Nor'baal @Fine Dining Set

 

[Julia Hipori]

Whilst the idea was not one that she was willing to immediately set to one side, Julia had to admit it was very ambitious. Certainly, the expansion of defensive arrangements on Mon Calamari would be welcome, a non-aggression pact likewise, and preferential trade, certainly, however the formation of an entirely new trade route, not so much.

"Secretary Carrick is quite correct, this is an ambitious proposal. However, I must note a rather glaring issue. Aside from carving a swathe through Hutt space, and the diplomatic complications," Julia avoided saying 'war' "...that would ensue. We are opening a high-speed transit route from the borders of Sith space, through Hutt space, and into the heart of the ISC. We could basically be writing an invitation to the Hutts, and the Empire, to invade."

She was not impressed.

"The cost of this is immense as well. Whilst mutual defence and trade is, of course, welcome, I am not sure of the value of a new hyperlane."

 

[Jal Widase]

They were listening. That's all that could be said - they were seriously considering the merits of this proposal.

"The Cartels are a concern, there you both are right. I have reason to believe they can be negotiated with - it's difficult to imagine truly pacifying them. But, unlike the Sith, their motivations are clear: They look for easy money. A show of respect, and perhaps a tribute of credits, would go a long way."

To Governor Hipori, he offered a rather puzzled look. Perhaps the Sith would view it as an act of aggression against them, maybe. But the Sith were, to Widase's understanding, a pack of bloodthirsty animals cursed with a ludicrous amount of power, sitting right next door. Mere existence was provocation enough to them, in his eyes. "I understand your hesitations, Governor Hipori, but let me assure you - it's not as if we're building a road from ISC space to the Sith Empire. Rather, we'd be investing in defensive infrastructure at already-existing, well-charted gravity wells. It would significantly impede an expansion of any kind - Sith, Hutt, Republic, extra-galactic invaders - that drop into any world along the lanes. It would slow them down moving in-world, while speeding up the movement of allied fleets to wherever they engage. It's a precaution against attack."

"I'm going to stop pitching soon, I promise." He chuckled, softly, trying to lighten the dour atmosphere that he had created. "There is serious value to this. There are reports - yearly reports - published by the FWA Anti-Piracy Commission," a body known mostly for creating reports in lieu of any actual action against piracy, "estimating the total losses to piracy and smuggling in the Outer Rim. Coupled with the efficiency losses fueled by traveling through New Republic space to get to any destination in the Outer Rim...if you look at it carefully, you could see millions, billions, in credit losses that could be avoided. That's not to mention the value added by traders, civilian transit, military vessels...this project would pay for itself."

He smiled at the two. "Of course, this is a proposal that you would need to fully buy in to. It's a project that wouldn't be possible without your Navy's support - you're the regional power. This is an ambitious vision, but it's made only possible by your own Consortium's ambition. I'll leave you with the working documents and an invitation to revisit this." He was tempted to push, to force the conversation long past any point of support. Equally, he feared that the already soured exchange paired with a large new project could permanently turn off the ISC to Mon Cala. Perhaps that would not be the worst outcome, as the world courted two masters between a reinvigorated FWA and the stability that the ISC nearly guaranteed. It was always a challenge to balance the foreign policy needs of the world with a sense of patriotism, of duty, to the Free Worlds Alliance.

At any rate, there was probably a more productive conversation that could be had right now. Perhaps it would also illustrate the need for an Outer Rim passage. "I will say, though, that fulfilling our end of our engineer exchange has been challenging. As it stands, we've been providing naval escort to Roche, up the Perlemian Trade Route to Corellia, where the civilian ships then make passage down the Corellian Trade Spine to Bestine. Further, with our concerns of Sith invasion, we're working hard to secure civilian evacuation plans off-world, just in case. If we could negotiate some kind of safe passage agreement for our hardworking engineers, we'd be more than willing to increase the number of engineers we send to your worlds. If you'd scroll to article 34, subsection 2..." This was a long one. Pages and pages of profiles of potential lead engineers, with expertise across the galaxy in a number of different weapons systems. On the ledger was a proposal to double the number of engineers already enrolled in the exchange, and extend their contracts with the ISC by a number of years. "Maybe, now, we can talk. You don't need to hear me lecture much more."

@Nor'baal @Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

Paying tribute to the Cartels?

Carrick's hackles immediately began to rise at the very suggestion that it was a viable way of doing business. It often was in the Outer Rim and had been for generations at this point but that was just one thing that the ISC had been formed to try and break - there shouldn't need to be Hutt involvement in the everyday lives of traders and civilians just because 'there always had been'. However, even with AMS kicking them very thoroughly in the backside, he was under no illusions about the liklihood that they could simply steamroll over them and force them to back down.

Which left only one option he found palatable.

"Any plan that requires we sell our souls to the Cartels, even in some small way, is already doomed. Future corruption will seep in from this seemingly small concession." he argued with a frown, "I see your point as well Julia; even with waypoints guarded and beacons set for warnings, a straight forward curved line like that could very much be used against us. With fewer adjustments needed, it would take so little time for hostiles to change from being a far-away threat to an immediate one, should the worst come to pass."

He raised a hand.

"So I would propose a change in direction in a very literal sense; still starting at Mon Cala, building off the Minntooine Spur toward Iego, and still ending at Ryloth. However I propose it extends to Kashyyyk - a central FWA world far removed from the borders of the Sith or the Hutts. Then cutting down past Ruusan before connecting to Bothawui." he suggested another ammendment to both his colleagues before adding to Widase, "This would hinge on Kashyyyk then being the lynchpin through which anything then come into ISC space. How are your relations with the Wookiees?"

The cost was not really an area he had much experience with. As Secretary for Defense he had a budget and he, by and large, stuck to it though he did engage in some practices that would allow the Crowns he had been given to make more Crowns to suppliment the budget and assist the ISC as a whole. Christophsis Driveyards was, after all, owned by the ISC Government and overseen directly by the department of defense.

Leaning back in his seat, he scratched his chin.

"Governor Hipori raises valid points, even if the long term benefits are numerous, the short term costs would be staggering. Specifically staggering for us." he frowned ever so slightly more, "I have no doubt that your planet would pull its weight but you have other concerns as you say. And the other major FWA planets along the route... Iego? Kashyyyk? These places simply cannot afford to take up any significant burden of cost and, yet, would benefit immensely."

Something for nothing in some cases and not something he could feasibly try and convince the President, or the Treasurer, of with any kind of success. Being generous was all well and good but there had to be something in it for them and if this was the deal, it wasn't good enough in the short term.

However the evacuation plans were another matter to discuss.

"I have a thought. Your engineers currently working on Christophsis and other planets within the ISC have been living out of hotels; what if we changed that? Engineers working within ISC space can have a second home within the local area and their families are welcome to stay. More importantly, they and their families are eligible to apply for dual citizenship should they stay within ISC space for at least a quarter of the months in any given standard year." he suggested, "Not just immediate family either, extended families are welcome to participate as well. That way a number of Mon Calamari, approximately five to ten times the number of engineers, would be pre-approved to live within the ISC with homes already waiting for them should the worst come to pass."

@Nor'baal @Fine Dining Set

 

[Julia Hipori]

Julia shuffled in her seat as the suggestion of paying the cartels for access to 'their' space came up. She shook her head "No. We cannot pay the Cartels with taxpayers money, to have access to space they illegally occupy. The Cartels would merely use this act as blackmail anyway in future." she nodded along at the suggestions to alter the route, unhappy with the Mon Calamaris proposal as it presently stood.

"How are your relations with the Wookiees?"

"Good relations with the Wookiees I have." Julia replied to her colleague, for some reason butchering the sentence completely. She had done work on Kashyyyk in the past, and like all worlds, it was a rich tapestry of changing and churning alliances.

"I can only add that Carricks, Secretary Carricks sorry, recommendations are completely in line with mine, Sir."

 

[Jal Widase]

The ISC - straight shooters as always. Sometimes it was more effective to push credits towards the Hutts, ever a fixture of the Galactic political landscape. At least, years of dealing with them as a smuggler had taught him as much. He appreciated the nobility inherent to their disgust at such a proposal, even if he was dissappointed it hadn't seemed to land on either party. It had, at least, opened up negotiations. He closed the map of hyperspace lanes, happy to let the image of the plan remain an image. For now.

"Governor Hipori, Secretary Carrick. I appreciate your willingness to indulge in my unorthodox style. I hope it's clear that I am a man who cares about my world, same as you about your respective worlds. Our shared love of our peoples will, assuredly, continue to deepen our relationship."

It was a statement that radiating genuineness. Widase was a negotiator of a different caliber, typically; dealing in half-truths at best and blaster bolts at worst. Dealing with legitimate members of government, elected officials no less, was a difficult adjustment. He opted to use the truth and his values to guide the rest of this meeting, rather than the showmanship that had threatened to stall the negotiations twice now.

"I promise, this meeting will proceed regularly from here on out."

Encouraging the emigration of thousands of Mon Cala was a bold idea. It could be viewed unfavorably by the world's conservative elite, who routinely challenged the crown to retain control of the broader population. A segment of the population abroad, with an outstripped level of political importance based on their advanced, militaristic skillset, would outrage the loyal Knights of Mon Cala.

The benefits, though, outweighed the costs. Dual citizenship for Mon Cala abroad would bring their relations closer, and the relocation of thousands of military engineers and their families to safer lands would ultimately protect them from the opening salvos of whatever war should occur. Perhaps, though, it was inept to leave the fates of Mon Cala citizens in the hands of an alien government. He smiled; the nobles of Mon Cala had never respected him, anyways.

"This is an excellent proposal, Secretary Carrick. Perhaps, we could invest in our diplomatic presence on Christophsis and surrounding ISC worlds, as well? Upgrade building infrastructure, make provisions for regular transit between Mon Cala and your worlds, allow for voting, paying taxes, and watching cultural or sporting events from our embassies."

He nodded, more pleased with his plan as it came to develop. "Of course, we would need closer relations for that. Perhaps we could establish more formal relations. If you would find it appropriate, perhaps now is the time for our King to send an ambassador to your worlds, who could negotiate on behalf on Mon Cala from the comfort of Christophsis." Until now, diplomatic relations had been handled by a chargé d'affaires - representatives who spoke on behalf of their nation, but without the full authority of the crown. Adding a formal ambassador to Mon Cala's diplomatic mission would not only speed up negotiation on the ISC's end, it would send a signal to the politicians of the galaxy that the two parties were cozying up.

"If I may request something, perhaps we could work out a docking arrangement for a City-Ship from Mon Cala to your worlds? Our people have grown accustomed to living on them; it would be as easy as sending one out to blue waters on Christophis to serve as a home for our citizens. No need for new construction on your end." Besides the morale concerns of having whole families moved from their homeworlds, this could help assuage the gentry on their fears of losing control of the population. City-ships were a cultural landmark of Mon Cala habitation patterns; they also kept populations coralled, controlled, and monitorable by Mon Cala navy.

"If you find that agreeable," he hoped that the pair would. "then perhaps we can walk away today with an agreement."

@Nor'baal @Nefieslab