Open Spicing Things Up

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

OOC: Diplomacy Thread. Open for opposition for 48 hours.

Jakku had been an unmitigated disaster. Whatever favor the Republic or Charlotte sought to win was scattered into dust. Her brilliant plans for slow walking the Free Worlds into the Empire were going extremely poorly. A constant frustration for the Sith. Worse, Charlotte was forced to constantly hide the depth of her power. The cost was worth it…but only if she succeed.

The Ascendent burst from hyperspace surrounded by a small Hapes Consortium fleet. She would try again. This time with more vigor. The Representatives of Commenor had agreed to meet with the Queen. While the planet rested in the Republic it was a lesser-known world on the edges of Republic space and quite close to the Consortium. Just to her liking.

A chime rang in her quarters. “Queen Mother. Your shuttle is ready.” She smiled. Excellent. Dressed impeccably, she swept through the ship’s halls to the hangar. Her lush personal shuttle awaited to whisk her down to the capital. The trip was short…the ride pleasant. In short order the landing ramp was lowered, and she was being welcomed to Commenor. A wide smile split her beautiful face. “Thank you.” Now it was time to go to work.

 

[Armaj Branthom]

Standing in attendance with the greeting party was a man with sharp features and well formed features of a wealthy birth. His graying hair was parted sharply to the left in a sort of militant fashion that was common to some of the deeper portions of the Empire. His fine clothing bore the uniform like style of Imperial worlds and his matching cape with brilliant red interior implied his status.

Armaj Brantham was not a widely known figure in the Empire, and did not have the grand cataclysmic power or militant experience that were so often publicly utilized. Armaj was a sharper tool that was used for more delicate procedures. With a mind and tongue that worked in tandem to represent the glory of the Empire and their Sith masters, he was linked to those moments of modern history that would allow new bases to be founded, new factories to be constructed, and new recruits to rally to the Imperial cause.

He was an envoy of the Empire. He was a loyal servant of the Sith. And he was an ambitious knife in the dark for all of it's cause.

"Your grace," He spoke with a nod. He would kneel to a member of the Sith, but as a representative of the Empire he would only give deference to other dignitaries. "I welcome you to Commenor, on this finest of days. I am Armaj Branthom, Envoy of the Empire."

What secret purposes were the in the mind of the Hapen Queen Armaj did not know. But he was here to guarantee more friendly relations between the Empire and its sympathizers on Commenor. And any advantage he could gain to that end would be taken.

@Valen Pelora

 

[The Storyteller]

Spoiler: Governor Lucka Tanor

Commenor had once been a fortress world of the Galactic Empire and now, even hundreds of years later, it was still a fortress. One that had been allowed to crumble in places, certainly, but the old walls still held firm. Batteries of turbolasers and anti-aircraft cannons tracked the shuttles of both the Queen-Mother and the Imperials who had come to the sector to bargain. The defence fleet of the planet was a veritable who's who of old Imperial ships - all of them manned fully in a way that almost no planetary defence force could truly manage these days.

The defences tracked but the guns remained silent.

"And both of you are my guests - be welcome!"

A booming voice called out as a finely dressed man strode ahead of a security detail to greet them with a wide smile. He held out a hand to Armaj as he approached, which he would shake before turning his attention to Charlotte. At which point his smile would widen and he would request a hand for him to gently kiss the back of - if she avoided it he would simply bow his head.

"Ambassador Branthom. Queen-Mother Le'Anna... be welcome to my planet." he bade them, straightening with a bright and energetic laugh, "It is so good to see you both - your advance missives both seemed so enthusiastic, I just had to meet you in person!"

Both missives had been dry as a Jakku sunrise and they all knew it. He smiled regardless, seeming for all the Galaxy to mean it even as he lied.

"How were your journeys? I trust no one thought to object to Commenor security checking everything over? They do like to be thorough." he gestured and half of his guard broke off to head toward the shuttles, "I hope you don't mind but my planet didn't earn its reputation as a fortress for lack customs regulations. The search of your ships will be brief but professionally thorough I assure you, now; drinks?"

@Valen Pelora @Morse

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte’s eyes raked up and down the Envoy. Her distaste for the Imperial utterly real. The lackies of the Empire who could not touch the Darkness remained beneath her. Charlotte’s dislike of the sniveling ambassadors served her persona as Queen Mother well. “Mr. Branthom.” She nodded curtly and continued her walk. A walk that was brightly interrupted by Governor Tanor.

She smiled even more brightly. He was what she had been told to expect. Charlotte allowed the Governor to kiss the back of her hand, flashing a brilliant smile with a small bow. “Thank you, Governor.” Her eyes flicked to the guards beginning to move towards her shuttle. Well, they would find nothing but the trapping of royalty therein.

“Of course not. I would expect nothing less.” Her voice was light and airy. “We would do the same on Hapes. These are dangerous times.” The Queen Mother’s smile somehow grew more brilliant. “Which is a perfect reason for a drink.” She gestured for the Governor to lead the way. “But I don’t know my way around.” She extended her arm towards the Governor. An invitation to take her arm to show her the way. “And a tour?” She did not know what game the Envoy was playing. They were not deep in Republic space, but they were far from the Empire. The abdication of Andruil had made things difficult.

@Nefieslab @Morse

 

[Armaj Branthom]

"The Empire has nothing to hide, Governor. Be as thorough as necessary for the comfort of your people."

The stale and tempered line was as eagerly placed as ever for the Imperial Envoy. When speaking with neutral parties the Empire was extremely transparent, but there was seldom a soul in the galaxy that did not expect the underlying motivation of the state. That Armaj was here at all meant that there was something in it for the Empire. Whether it was a trade deal, military alliance, or to sew the seeds of a joined future, Armaj was clearly there for a purpose.

Yet his smug and sharp features gave only the impression of a true believer. And Armaj was just that. The most faithful followers of the Empire and their Sith Masters. It was his gift and duty to spread its word across the stars.

The Hapes Queen appeared cordial and receiving of his purpose. Still her reasoning for being there was a mystery to him, and he would seek to know the truth of it and its advantage.

"A drink and tour would be precisely what this wonderous day would call for." Armaj spoke in agreement, inviting himself and attendants to come along, with eyes that were not uncertain of his own intrusion.

@Valen Pelora @Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

The Governor found the idea that the Sith Empire had nothing to hide to be a rather bold faced lie - it was a government and all governments had something to hide. His own had things that it kept hidden from even other elements of itself, let alone the Sith or the FWA. So he just smiled indulgently at the Imperial Envoy.

"I'm sure."

That the Hapans would do the same was something of a given as their isolationism had been the stuff of legend for hundreds of years. Their Queen Mother being out and about in the Galaxy smacked on some kind of change to their structure on a fundamental level... but they were still closed off enough that it wasn't clear just what. Unless he had missed some tell-all holonet interview where Charlotte revealed the inner workings of her government.

He doubted he had.

"Then today I shall be Governor of my fair planet and its most enthusiastic tour guide!" he declared brightly as he led them from the landing area along a balcony that ran the length of the building that the landing pads were attached to, "The building we are currently standing on is the Governor's Palace; construction on request of Palpatine's Republican body shortly before the end of the Clone Wars but modernised across the centuries."

Indeed, the palace was large, blocky and very clearly meant to double as the seat of military power in the sector. The defence emplacements were numerous and those were the ones that couldn't be retracted behind durasteel curtain shields. What stopped it from being quite such an eye-sore as most proto-Imperial buildings were, was the fact that it wasn't the slate grey of duracrete but, instead, a rather warm red colour with white lines serving to highlight the edges and flowing into insignia.

"The insignias you see drawn upon the Palace are numerous because a new one is placed for every Governor. If they do not shame the office, their insignia legally cannot ever be removed - ah but here is the most important part!" he joked toward the end as a service protocol droid rolled closer, "Our bartender. Would you care for a local speciality? The Commenor High Ball is to die for."

The Commenor High Ball was a mixture of local whiskey and a carbonated mixer with a slight hint of citrus - quite drinkable by most standards. Lucka took one himself and took a sip.

"But listen to me speak of Commenor's military history without a care in the Galaxy! Do you know much on the topic?" he asked both the Queen and the Envoy, eyes narrowing ever so slightly over the rim of his glass, "We often have people visiting for our military past and present."

Were they here for their military future he wondered.

@Morse @Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Imperial pride nearly shimmered before Branthom. Charlotte could smell the stooge in him. If only she could reveal herself, life would be much easier. But always, the Queen Mother had a part to play. She smiled and nodded as the Governor spoke. The perfect picture of rapt attention. She knew most of this, of course, but it never hurt to play along. “To die for? Then I better have two.” Charlotte’s glossy smiled widened. The conversation quickly shifted as the Governor deftly sought the purpose of their visit. “Commenor’s place in galactic history is well known on Hapes, Governor. Another world renowned for caring for their own.” She waved a hand around.

“Without the need for greater interference.” Charlotte turned and nodded towards the Governor. “I have often said the Consortium needs more such friends. The Republic is too controlling for our tastes and the Free World’s lack drive.” How careful did she need to be? Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. “They always have things done to them, not the reverse. You must understand.” Commenor was independent. She knew there was a wedge to drive with the Republic. A wedge to send them into her arms.

@Nefieslab @Morse

 

[The Storyteller]

Governor Lucka was, absolutely, flirting with the Hapan Queen Mother. Not only was flirting fun but it was a great way to put people off their game and disrupt their masks of lies. That it was probably the only time a male was able to openly flirt with the Queen Mother in such a manner just made him want to do it even more - he rather enjoyed the danger of knowing that, had he done so in her territory, her personal guards might have tried stabbing him.

He raised his glass to her own in a toast.

"And the Hapan people are well known here for being fierce in their independence and strength."

To be fair, any group that had managed to basically hide and protect itself from even the machinations of Emperor Palpatine was no joke. The Hapans had managed to scare off the old Imperial military, even if it had mostly been because of their location and the natural barriers to invasion. But the Hapans played the cards they were dealt and they played them well.

He respected that.

"Indeed." he mused as he took another sip of his drink, eyeing Charlotte over the rim of his glass, "I'm not much of a reactionist - do you propose my people wait until slights are levied before we react?"

He raised an eyebrow with a small smirk.

"Or would you see Commenor act on the larger stage?"

@Valen Pelora @Morse

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Oh how she loved this game. For of course that is what this all was to her…a delightful game. Charlotte smiled and batted her eyelashes. Whatever Governor Lucka dished out, she would equally return. She raised her glass to clink against his. “And the Queen Mother is meant to embody that ferocity.” White teeth shinned in the Commenor sun. “I would never suggest you wait and see, Governor.” Charlotte’s voice took on a slight edge. “Just as I won’t.” She took a mall step forward.

“I would see Commenor seize a chance to command the galactic stage.” She took a careful sip of her drink. “You know as well as I that the Republic is ponderous. Worlds feeling into the arms of others. Their influence waning.” The game was getting deliciously dangerous now. “You could entertain a dalliance with the ISC, but their steadfast neutrality is limiting. I certainly don’t see you rushing to embrace the Empire or Jedi. So where does the leave us?” Her smile widened again.

“The Free World Alliance is lacking but that vacuum of power gives us opportunity. I seek to fill that vacuum and offer a chance for your influence to grow far beyond these borders.” Power was her singular goal. Overarching…all consuming…power.

@Nefieslab @Morse

 

[The Storyteller]

The Sith ambassador seemed content to allow himself and Charlotte to continue their conversation rather uncontested - it didn't speak well for the Sith's interest in his planet if they were unable to send a diplomat who had the good grace to even look interested. Dismissing the Sith agent for now, he focused his energy on the Hapan Queen Mother instead.

A much more engaging conversation lay ahead he could just see it now.

"I believe I am beginning to see that, Queen Le'Anna." he responded with a lazy smirk, "And I do so detest waning... and limitations."

Beyond the flirting, which was nice but, ultimately, a tool in his diplomatic kitbag, there were words being spoken between the words actually said aloud. She was attempting to paint a picture with the space in between the words, about how the Republic and the ISC would not be best suited for his planet. That they had not sent their own diplomats at all suggested that they also seemed far less inclined to see Commenor as any kind of equal.

He didn't believe that Charlotte would see Commenor as an equal to Hapes for even a moment - but she was painting a picture. That Hapes, the Free World Alliance as well, would benefit from a relationship with Commenor. That there was worth in a more formalised friendship with his planet and people.

"One of my concerns with joining the FWA, one that is not present with a potential movement to join the Sith Empire, is the lack of a strong central authority figure. The FWA currently lacks a defined leader or speaker, whereas the Empire does not." he pretended to muse as his smirk grew ever more pronounced, "Is the title Prime Minister, President or would you keep Queen-Mother?"

The idea of being brought into the FWA to serve as a scalp for the ascension of Charlotte as a politician was tempting... because if she won that election it was leverage. It was a favour in the bank with someone who's stock was on the rise and that? That was worth paying attention to.

@Morse @Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

“Oh, Governor, it is always Queen-Mother.” Images of a blood drenched Battle Dragon flipped through her mind. Her predecessor dying with a vibroblade in her chest. Charlotte’s father having the life squeezed from him and her mother dying at Andruil’s hand. She had sacrificed too much to on her ascent to the throne. “It is that very concern that gives us such an irresistible opportunity.” What she was planning to say could not be unsaid.

Hapan culture was centered around unfettered ambition. A quality the Sith had only further driven into her core. The Consortium needed to grow or be left behind. “The Free Worlds have been adrift since Belasi stepped down. Too many voices clamoring against the din.” Charlotte took a long sip of her drink.

“A strong leader would be able to take control and assume all that it entails. We could craft a more unified front for the Free Worlds.” She left the juicer part unsaid. The Free Worlds were notoriously difficult to corral but with the right pressure better control could be asserted. “Perhaps a kingdom with vast resources, a growing fleet, and powerful allies.” She raised her eyebrows at that. “The Free Worlds as we know it will not exist much longer. The time for change and to seize the chaos it brings is now.” Charlotte waved her hand. “Imagine, Commenor at the center of such change. The first to join me in this new vision.” Her smile widened. “By my side of course.” Hapes did not have the resources of the Republic or ISC, but she was rich and her fleet was considerable. This could be the start of true seismic change.

@Morse @Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

Let it not be said that Charlotte didn't have a very good point - one that the Governor had raised himself, of course. It was the standing down of the FWA's former Prime Minister that had caused so much chaos amongst the FWA. They were a collective of individuals far more than the New Republic, the ISC or the Sith Empire could claim to be and it showed when there was no central authority figure.

They were a ship adrift in hyperspace without a navicomputer.

Not for much longer, should Charlotte be believed, and Governor Lucka was beginning to think she might be believed. Commenor had a history of being militarily important but it could never be said to have been politically important on any level. Throwing their weight behind the FWA might be dangerous - they would be joining a faction currently at war after all, but it could also be an opportunity to finally make a mark on political history.

Be more than just a fortress world, be something that people spoke about when it came to the power behind the throne of the FWA and, if Charlotte's words might hold water, behind the throne of a new Prime Minister. One more powerful and composed than the last...

"And what manner of existence will it have... Queen Mother?" Governor Lucka asked with a small smirk and raised eyebrow, "Commenor would be amenable to being given a position of prominence in a new order as it were. We are a fortress world with resources from at least two Civil Wars meaning our population is drilled, disciplined and equipped. We are willing to be accommodating allies... if we find likewise in yourself, Queen Mother."

If Commenor joined the Sith Empire, it would be appreciate. His people would grow fat with profits from their factories and their youth would march off to war even if the war with the FWA ended - because the Sith always warred with somebody. Commenor would be appreciated... but it would never be vital.

No, in the absence of any compelling argument from the Sith Representative, Governor Lucka was beginning to think it was better to be relied upon, to be needed and appreciated, in a similar position amongst the FWA. Or, rather, the new FWA that Charlotte was presenting.

@Valen Pelora @Morse

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

A wide smile split the noble’s gorgeous visage. She could feel the power collecting beneath her fingertips. She was close. The Governor saw what she saw…a better world…a more controlled world. “The Free Worlds love their freedom of choice, but where has it ever gotten them? Broken and battered. They will never willingly give up on that illusion. If enough worlds join me, follow me, they will have no choice but to tow the line. From there we make the changes we need to stop the bickering and idiotic policy plans. We rule with strength.” Charlotte placed her hand lightly on the Governor’s arm.

“Commenor would be the first to join us and would be rewarded likewise. The Hapes Consotrium’s naval prowess is unmatched. Our wealth beyond compare.” She squeezed that arm. “We will share both and the galaxy will know you stand with us.” Her smile grew impossibly wider. “Imagine the resources you have built over centuries being united with what I can offer. Strength begets strength, Governor…and we would be strong.” Charlotte had to have this. She was on the edge of the cliff, one small yes pushing her off to greater success. Her ultimate plans remained cloudy. How to best fold her growing assets into the Empire…but…she had been loyal to Andruil…and Andruil was gone. Where did that leave Charlotte? Perhaps to build an Empire of her own.

@Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

Charlotte was very careful in only bringing in her ambitions when she was comfortable that she knew the person she was talking about better. It was a safe bet to assume that the Governor of a military fortress world would have an ingrained appreciation for law, order and discipline. Honestly, one of the main reasons for Governor Lucka resisting the call to join the FWA before now was out of his people's instinctive dislike for decentralized government.

Their entire political structure was tied to their military after all - they liked structure and a strong chain of command and authority. This?

This was speaking their language.

"Freedom is a great and beautiful thing." he agreed as he looped his arm with the Queen Mother of the Hapes Consortium with a wide smile, "But freedom without the discipline and strength to grow with that freedom is nothing. The FWA of old has, historically, stood opposed to what the people of Commenor seek in government. I believe I can see now that this was only because it wasn't what we needed, because it wasn't ready to be what it needs to be."

The smile grew wider and the Governor bowed his head once.

"Because it was waiting for you to lead it to that end goal that they didn't know they needed." he declared with finality, "The Hapan people may consider the people of Commenor their staunch allies from this day forward, your majesty."

Why stand as an equal among many when there was the chance to stand above them? The FWA had tried, for decades, to prove that their way of governing was tenable and they had been proven wrong time and time again. It was time to see what Commenor could gain by being on the ground floor for such a drastic shift.

/End Thread, Commenor will follow @Charlotte Le'Anna to the FWA and beyond, seeking to become the right hand of the new regime they believe will exist within the FWA

@Valen Pelora @Morse