Ask The Congress of Ubrikkia

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

The Congress of Ubrikkia​

<Bonsiahcha-oba doth koudane che yanee.> - Hutt proverb​

For months now, the war had damaged the economic stability of the Free World’s Alliance and the Sith Empire, otherwise verdant lands of opportunity for the entrepreneurial-minded. Some had considered the matter closed, the war had begun and only in victory would it conclude - yet few had contemplated the possibility that there were others with a stake at the table. Eager to ensure the stability of their own business dealings, the Hutt Clan opened backchannels to the two rival powers, seeking to bring them to the same table, and negotiate a truce, or better still - bring peace to the troubled region of the Galaxy.

Ubrikkia was picked as the world that would play host to these powers, a neutral world residing outside of the direct influence of the assembling powers. Located on a busy space route, enabling those who wish to arrive in secret, to do so.

The Hutt Clan delegation had already arrived on the planet and completed preparations to enable the Congress to commence. Delegates would arrive at a dock in the main city of Ubrikkia, and from there would be driven by escorted skiff to the outskirts of the settlement, and upon arrival, join the Hutts on the Triumph of Hutta, a LO-KD67 Sail Barge, which would host the negotiations. On the main deck of the Triumph, Nor’baal Desilijc Fa’athra waited for their guests to arrive, keeping himself busy by running through the plans for the day. Flanked by skiffs, mounted with guards, the Triumph would take a tour out of the city, before arriving at a pit fighting arena located in the Ubrikkian wastes, where the guests would be able to watch the blood Jub phase of their negotiations.

Naturally, food and drink would be provided, and all-in-all, Nor’baal was slightly confident that the Congress would end well. Reclining on his throne, he waited for the first of gues guests to arrive.

---

OOC - Welcome to the Congress of Ubrikkia, a platform for negotiation between the Free World’s Alliance (@llamallove) and the Sith Empire (@Altaris), alongside the Hutt Clans (@Nor’baal, @Cinderella and @Mockingjay).

The main thrust of this thread will be to go through the various stages of the jubjub, with each stage commencing in canon once Nor’bala Desilijic opens the stage. Whilst this takes place, the negotiations will take place!

As we get further into the thread, a separate PvP thread will startup, in which champions (TBC) from each faction will fight one another for our enjoyment and sport.

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

Mordeth was the second member of the delegation to arrive. She had been skeptical of the invitation to the so-called Congress as one of the Hutt Clan's representatives; but an opportunity to open business relationships with the Sith was too shiny a pearl to ignore. On the flight over from Ord Mantell, she had read Nor'baal's resignation as governor of Kessel. While he had coated the message in flowery language to lay the blame on anyone other than himself, he had to know there was now blood in the water. Kessel was an invaluable market for the Hutts. Now that he had lost it, he needed victories at this Congress to reassert his power over the Hutt Clan.

She had no such burden. In fact, she considered barbing him for his loss of Kessel her prime objective for the evening.

Her servants carried her litter up to the deck of the sail barge Nor'baal had chosen as the meeting location. There she found him, toiling like some human mother over the cleanliness of her house before guests. He reeked of the sweat frustration and anxiety, so she sprayed her fan with perfume and wafted some into her face to obfuscate the smell. «Tytung yogua bu wahca masonka see Pattee,» Mordeth said, announcing her presence. «Jee dotmay mee wika see da waajo nanbaga wohot tee kouikei tee lodia, Nor'baal. Bu Gainlei nah paknee ata fa jicag.»

Not that it would motivate any action from them, the useless brutes. These days there were better drugs on the market than spice. But spice was a more consistent market. Always a profit to be made. And there was no better spice mines than those on Kessel. It would be hard to negotiate with the Free Worlds Alliance now that one of their governors had been revealed to be a big Syndicate boss. But she supposed as long as things went over well with the Sith, the need for things to go good with the Alliance was secondary. After all, the Alliance negotiator could hardly make promises for every planet in the Alliance. Their governmental construction was flawed in that way. @Nor'baal @Altaris @llamallove @Cinderella

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus silently marched down the ramp of his shuttle, weaving his way through crowds that packed into the busy spaceport of Ubrikkia. While the rest of the delegation gradually arrived on the planet, the Axxilan stood as the sole representative of the Sith Empire to take part in these negotiations, and he was cautiously optimistic about what to expect from the day's events.

On one hand, there stood an opportunity to open business relations and brocker a lasting peace with the Hutt Clans. After all, even if the Empire’s war with the Syndicates had escalated in the previous weeks, Crymorah had always been at the center of the conflict. Perhaps more importantly, the Congress offered an opportunity to negotiate directly with a delegate of the FWA in order to discuss a way to end the war between their two governments.

While Jaikus severely doubted that any significant changes towards peace would come out of the negotiations - or if that was even in the best interests of the Empire - it was a first step in that direction.

The Axxilan arrived on the planet in his full capacity as a member of the Sith Order, and he appropriately dressed for the part. He donned his signature armor, the ensemble of armorweave and dark leather fitting tightly to his frame, while his fine features were shrouded by the metallic visage of his mask. His lightsaber was tucked plainly against his hip, though it would’ve been surrendered to any security if the issue was raised.

Unlike the fellow members of their delegation, Jaikus didn’t need servants to carry him upon a litter. Arriving alone, he kept his hands folded against the small of his back as he made his way towards the Hutt sail barge, slender fingers clasped together. His posture was straight and rigid, exuding an aura of confident and reflecting the Axxilan’s own noble upbringing.

As he strode onto the barge and into their designated meeting area, Jaikus’ eyes flicked between the two Hutts who had already arrived - immediately recognizing their host and the man who had effectively squandered Kessel in the span of a few months. Notably, the FWA representative hadn’t arrived yet, either.

“Lorda Nor'baal,” The Axxilan dipped his head towards the Hutt, his smooth voice heavily modulated by the filter of his mask. “On behalf of the Empire, allow me to thank you for this gracious invitation to these negotiations. It is my hope that our discussions today prove to be fruitful.” Jaikus then flicked his attention over towards Mordeth, greeting the female Hutt with another dip of his head.

With that, Jaikus casually began to make his way to his place at the table - patiently waiting for the arrival of the rest of the delegates.

@Nor'baal @Mockingjay @llamallove @Cinderella

 

[Cassian Graves]

The Senator of Onderon did not arrive alone, accompanied by an Untamed mercenary at the insistence of the Onderon Royal Family. The mercenary, a 7'2" Houk known to Cassian only as Gurp, walked four feet behind the senator. He was an ugly brute with only one good yellow eye that constantly roamed, but his thick skull and fiery temper would come in handy should this meeting spiral into fisticuffs.

Outside of the crown of Onderon and the Prime Minister herself, no one knew Cassian was here, and he wanted to keep it that way if at all possible. The Hutts had a way of sullying the reputation of anyone they came into contact with, as well as just... simply sullying. Nor'baal Desilijic had managed to lose his governorship in a matter of months after investigators started looking into his familial ties and connections to organized crime.

Naturally, the Hutt had resigned before the scandal could get out-of-hand, but he had hardly saved face in the eyes of the public. The resignation he broadcasted for the galaxy to see painted him as the victim, not unlike his political campaign built on demystifying the reputation the Hutts themselves had spent a millennia building, but it did not change the fact that he had lost favor in the eyes of the public.

Although a lesser-known Hutt when compared to the likes of Nor'baal Desilijic, Mordeth Anjiliac had a reputation of her own. Mordeth's infamy was growing, as well as her hold on the Free Worlds planet of Ord Mantell.

Cassian couldn't help but wonder which of them would rise—or rather, slide—to the top of the Hutt Cartel. Both of the Hutts were ambitious and cunning, and it was only a matter of time until they turned on one another. Would Nor'baal simply disappear as had Mordeth's competition on Ord Mantell or would Mordeth have an accident one day and tumble from the balcony of her villa? Only time would tell.

The Zeltron wasn't here to judge. This was strictly business, and when doing business it never hurt to make a few friends along the way. In Cassian's experience, you didn't win friends by pointing out their elicit business dealings.

"Nor'baal," the senator greeted with practiced warmth in his voice, bowing to the Hutt. In a way, Nor'baal was the Hutt of the hour, the one responsible for this whole arrangement. "Thank you for your invitation. It's true what they say—the ISC has the best looking politicians, and you yourself are a testimony to that. What a shame that you should resign now and leave all the alluring to President Thorne and Governor Ordalos. I'm afraid they will be completely lost without you. The three of you were rather like the Three Magnificent."

The comment was a not-so subtle jab at the former governor of Kessel. You didn't win friends by insulting them either, but Cassian couldn't help himself. It would probably come back to bite him before the day was out, but you only lived once. Cassian was counting on it.

Turning toward Mordeth Anjiliac, the Zeltron would bow once again. "Lady Mordeth. A pleasure to meet you."

Only one acknowledgement remained, the ambassador of the Sith Empire. Cassian turned toward the masked man, his blue eyes involuntarily lingering on the hilt that rested on the Sith's belt a few seconds longer than it should have. When the Zeltron's eyes would finally travel upward to meet the hollowed out eyes of the Sith mask, he would nod respectfully in greeting and leave it at that. This was the first Sith Cassian had ever encountered, and he was unsure of their customs.

At least the day would be interesting if not productive.

@Nor'baal @Mockingjay @Altaris @Cinderella

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

With great reverence, Nor'baal nodded at the flattery of his guests. Sith Lord Axxilan and Senator Graves were both your typical humanoids, smelling violently of soap, the musk of travel of the overall stench of an all-to-short life. Their bowing and general genuflection, however, went no end in reminding the Hutts in attendance that these two were aware of the proper and correct decorum to follow. <Uba yanay Yikke cay mee dan cohai, Lorda Axxilan, Banokon Hacda.>

With a judder, the sail barge started to move on its 'tour' of the world, as Nor'baal called the 'meeting' to order with a clap of his pudgy hands <Chobaso, mamhayankonka dee Beh Kacmahea, an bu Jeday Danko Kankahuesa, bai Ubrikkia. Dah cohka dee Lanka, jeejee doth faee bai kotky tah yetkaha jubjub, du bu cahuodaha dotmay da jeejee caiot jot wata yabee cay tam cohkamhanonka, tam bargon, an wa tam jewz ku che tytung.>

Slowly, the barge started to move, as food was brought out by a flotilla of droids and 'servants' to the attending guests, as Nor'baal jostled and cajoled them all into position. <Bai pacanla tee bunno, Cheesba jah camai bakanh bai bu hhowa dah pacahla see tah sobahonh panwuepka kankay bu dopa pawa. Tah doth tee wa sayehenbe wuona- dowapkeieu see setmika an nai kachu janse- hahcena kouwoleuala che ten tytung. Dotkot see pacmhanaduee taceueh wompa peee tee.> he brushed the civilian issues off with a shrug <Cheesba saconba vee bapka du tah dohopka, haku fa hatkocanh paknee ata um baw wah panlamh see hih cog bai doth chemant? Cay da wanba, Jee banka jeejee caiot joday bimhee no ya.>

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Formalities had been observed, and Jaikus stood with both hands behind his back as they waited for the last member of their delegation to arrive. Citrine eyes shrouded behind his mask flicked between Mordeth and Nor’baal, observing the two Hutts silently. Whatever else they accomplished at this meeting, the opportunity to establish profitable connections with the Hutt Clans was not one that Jaikus dismissed breezily.

A few minutes passed, and Jaikus’ attention was once more drawn to the entrance of the sail barge - citrine eyes fixating onto the Zeltron and his Houk bodyguard as they sauntered into view. Up until this point, the Axxilan wasn’t aware who the Free World’s had selected for this meeting, but he immediately recognized the pink-skinned Senator when he came into view.

After all, it was not so long ago that Jaikus had stood within the home of the Senator of Onderon. He remembered the polite words that were exchanged and drinks that were shared on that night, and he remembered listening in on the verbal warfare between the Senator of Onderon and Jin Vaisra. It was the night the Axxilan had stood before the Galaxy arm-in-arm with his partner, and it was a memory he cherished fondly.

He remembered Cassian clear as day, and he knew that the Zeltron wouldn’t have the slightest idea who was really standing before him.

While there was an ever-present, polite smile etched onto the Axxilan’s face, Cassian wouldn’t know it. All the Zeltron would see is the wraith-like visage of the Sith turn to face him the moment he entered the group, hollowed sockets staring directly into the Senator’s blue eyes. He would see the way that Jaikus remained entirely unmoving - hands clasped behind the small of his back - except for the ever-so-slight tilt of his head to the side, silently regarding the Senator with keen interest.

Perhaps too, the Zeltron would feel how the air grew just a tad bit colder in the Axxilan’s presence.

“Senator Cassian Graves,” He finally broke his silence. His voice was heavily modulated and robotized by the filter of his wraith-like mask - a chilling distortion of his typically smooth voice and one that the Zeltron would not be able to recognize. “What a distinct pleasure.”

Even if Cassian had no intention of addressing the Sith quite yet, Jaikus stuck to the formalities and was as calm and collected as could be. His posture was straight and noble in its nature, and the Axxilan never so much as moved his hands in the direction of his saber hilt. Nevertheless, he hadn’t missed the way Cassian’s own eyes lingered on his weapon.

Jaikus’ gaze lingered on the Zeltron for several long seconds. His attention eventually snapped back to Nor’baal when the great slug spoke up once more - clapping his hands together and proclaimed his hopes for their meeting. Jaikus was cautiously optimistic of any legitimate progress that could be made, but he gave a firm nod in response to the Hutt’s words.

As the sail barge began to move, the Axxilan briefly glanced back towards the small army of droids and ‘servants’ who brought food and beverages, waving off each with a lazy wave of his hand. He returned his attention to Nor’baal as the talked commenced, nodding along as the Hutt mentioned both the financial and civilian concerns of the ongoing conflict. It wasn’t hard to decipher which of the two the slug actually cared about.

There was a faint, long exhale through Jaikus’ nostrils when Nor’baal finally asked the question they were all waiting for.

What would it take to achieve total peace?

If that was even something the Empire wanted. Conquest had always been the method of expansion of their government, and it had seen the Empire grow and thrive into what it was now. Moreover, whatever altruistic angle the Empress - and he, to a lesser extent - attempt to paint of the Empire, the rest of the Galaxy would never see it that way. There would always bee psychopaths like the Senator of Lothal and Kashyyyk who would see the Sith as nothing but monsters, and the chances of normalized relations with either the FWA or Republic seemed unlikely in any event.

Nevertheless, the Axxilan was here to discuss their possibilities - unlikely as they might’ve been.

Jaikus was silent for a long moment, wandering within the confines of his own mind as he considered the question. Only after a prolonged silence did the Axxilan step forward - moving to the center of their congregation and taking the floor, as it were.

“Our war,” He began, “Is, and always has been, with the Jedi. With the dogmatic Order who has been hostile to us and our philosophy since the very beginning, and who will stop at nothing to see us eradicated from the Galaxy.” The hollowed sockets of his mask snapped towards Cassian.

“The Free Worlds Alliance chose to associate themselves with the Jedi. You have provided them shelter on your member worlds. You have allowed them to build their temples and bases within your borders. You have supplied them, and your Rangers have fought alongside them against Sith and Imperial forces on Felucia and elsewhere. Just like the Republic, the Free Worlds Alliance bring themselves into this conflict.”

He lifted a hand. “If you believe otherwise, you need only look to the Consortium. The planets of the ISC have maintained a staunch anti-Jedi policy, and have refused to associate with their order from the beginning. It is for that reason that our two governments, to this day, maintain cordial relations.”

“The terms for peace are simple.” Jaikus stated smoothly, glancing between the two Hutts before settling his gaze back onto Cassian - unwavering in the intensity in which he stared down the Zeltron. “If the Free World’s Alliance wishes to bring a swift end to this war? You will sever all ties with the Jedi Order - on every planet within your borders.”

“Yavin. Ossus. Lothal. New Alderaan,” He listed off the names of planets, knowing full-well the Jedi presence on the FWA-governed worlds. “Here and elsewhere, you will revoke the rights of the Jedi Order to reside within temples within your borders. Any alliances or military agreements your planets maintain with the Jedi will be terminated.”

“You will completely disassociate and disavow the Jedi as a whole.” He said, once more tucking his hands against the small of his back. “Then, and only then, is peace with the Empire possible.”

@Nor'baal @llamallove @Mockingjay

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

Mordeth didn't very much care about peace. Peace was boring. War was profitable. Bloodshed was only bad for business when yours or your clients' blood was the blood being spilt. The Free Worlds Alliance was too pretentious to do business with a Hutt, and the Jedi Order was so self-righteous that they actively tried to stop Hutt business. Hang them both. It was the Sith she was here for. The Sith had a long history of amicable and profitable deals with the Hutt Clan. And she very much wanted to partake in one of these lucrative deals.

«Paknee ata fa doi wa Yih, Banokon,» Mordeth said, fanning herself. «Bu Jeedai tee dotke kanu bu bona. Heee chabepoba cea hatkocanh doutmaya twa hou cohauou uba dah bu saptkhe an koumhoiag dee yoskah an lee chalya uba tanea du moova mee. Gee wa Jeedai vee pha ba Kankahuesa danko? Doi peee Dobra pinteba, la doutmaya cuee see twa hou cahba.» Here, Mordeth partook of some of the wine at the table, sipping it through a long, twisted straw. «Wonkee jot mee camai chateua che hoohah joppay uba caiot chaweka doi wa dan cohanlala cay bu Kacmahea. An bu Yih.»

She threw in that last bit shamelessly, because if Nor'baal wasn't going to advertise for them, she would. She didn't think Prime Minister Belasco would go for an arrangement with the Hutts, but who could blame Mordeth for trying? She had only one thing in mind since she was old enough to want anything at all: getting rich, and staying that way until she died. And part of being rich and living to a ripe old age was acknowledging who had the best chance of winning and getting on their side before you pissed them off. Compared to the Alliance and the Republic, the Sith looked like a winning ticket. And the Hutts had amicable deals with the former Galactic Empire. The choice was all too simple. @Nor'baal @Altaris @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

"The pleasure is all mine," Cassian would reply in turn, an unmistakable gleam in his eye. The compliment was sincere, but whether or not the Sith had meant what he said was left open to interpretation. Being able to read and feel the emotions of those around you was just one of the perks of Cassian's species, but the Zeltron was unable to read this Sith—no doubt due to his presence in the force. The dark robes and mask didn't help either. Cassian would take the remark at face—or rather, mask value.

Salutations would have to end there, as the senator had no name with which to address the Sith that stood before him. 'Sir Sith' or 'Swishy Sithy' would have been fun tongue in cheek greetings, but Cassian didn't want to get his head lopped off just yet. After all, the meeting was just getting started.

With the clap of his hands, the Great Nor'baal had called the meeting into session, and delegates were expected to find their place on the floating barge. The Senator of Onderon was skeptical that any real, lasting progress would come out of today's assembly, but at least the Sith Empire and the Free Worlds Alliance were talking. That was progress, even if it was short-lived.

Despite his doubts, Cassian settled into the closet available seat with enthusiasm and leaned back, getting comfortable. He owed it to the people of Onderon and the Alliance itself to negotiate peace with the Sith Empire, even if he could only speak for himself and the planet he represented.

"I couldn't agree with you more, Lady Mordeth." Cassian spoke directly to the Hutt, but it was his intention that his words reach the ears of the others as well. The Sith in particular. "My position has always been that the Jedi aren't worth their weight in bantha fodder. I suppose they mean well, but they cause more problems than solutions."

He of course spoke of Felucia, where the Jedi Order had led an assault on the Sith base located there. That little stunt, compounded by the embarrassing behavior the Senator of Lothal had displayed in the aftermath had caused the Free Worlds Alliance quite a few headaches.

The ambassador of the Sith Empire had already presented his case, the intensity of his gaze and the meaning behind it not lost on Cassian. The man was detached, cold—almost as if he'd just strolled out of a walk-in freezer. He was trying to intimidate the Zeltron, and Cassian couldn't decide if it was working or not.

Well, here goes nothing...

"The Free Worlds Alliance did not choose to associate themselves with the Jedi Order," he would reply in an even voice, staring into the hollow eye sockets of a mask. It was such an impersonal way to do business, though he supposed that was the point.

"Unlike the New Republic, the Free Worlds Alliance has never allied itself to the Jedi Order, and if I have any say in the matter, never will. I have never supported the Jedi Order and have, in fact, been vehement in my criticisms of them. Onderon wants nothing to do with the Jedi Order. Death and destruction follow them wherever they go. The Prime Minister has never supported the Jedi Order, and the majority of free worlds have no connection whatsoever to the Jedi.

"To judge an entire alliance on the premise of a few is folly. Yavin, Ossus, Lothal, New Alderaan—they are but four planets out of hundreds."

Cassian sucked in a breath and continued, his gaze passing steadily over the others. "Nor did the Free Worlds Alliance involve themselves in this conflict. Unfortunately, that decision was made for us, by none other than the Sith Empire when they invaded Denon. Taris. Firrerre. None of these planets harbored Jedi, and yet they were invaded—attacked. Firrerre was bombarded, its citizens left to burn alive as the Sith responsible fled to the safety of hyperspace.

"If the choice were up to me, I can assure you with all sincerity that Yavin, Ossus, Lothal, and New Alderaan would sever all ties with the Jedi, but that choice is not mine to make. That choice is not even the Prime Minister's to make."

His gaze settled on the Sith, a faint smile brushing against his lips. "But you know that. If absolution of autonomy is what is required by the Sith Empire to coexist peacefully with the free worlds, then I'm afraid peace is impossible. Which is unfortunate, because I do not desire conflict with the Sith Empire. Nor do many of my colleagues."

This was not how Cassian had expected to go out, between two Hutts and a one-eyed Houk, but life was full of surprises.

@Nor'baal @Mockingjay @Altaris