The Giers Compromise
_ _ _ _ _
OOC: Herein is the edited and slightly altered transcript of the mini-event that Orell and I acted out between Cordae/Vyla and Quarasha. These scene contains the events that outed "Cordiil" and led to the intergalactic media firestorm and pursuant "Jedi-Keyis Hearings" wherein Cordae was questioned at an All-March Assembly hearing to ascertain whether he had, during his relationship with Shaantil, committed treason or any such crimes.
This has long since happened already and I've just now gotten around to finishing the editing. Enjoy!_ _ _ _ _
The Erinian Embassy to the Sith Empire, Kaas City, Dromund Kaas, Main Lobby [Ambassador Heqtor Vfond has requested Quarasha's presence and can be seen waiting in the lobby on a bench. He is dressed in full Erinian ambassadorial regalia - Every fur has been brushed and even perfumed, every metal has been polished to a shine. Inside the embassy, staffers rush to and fro.] Quarasha approaches the ambassador in her normal Sith Lord robes, a gleaming tiara perched on her head and her lightsaber secured on her belt. A few Imperial officers, armed only with datapads, entered behind her. Their number included one Lieutenant Rylar who brought up the head of her security detail. Quarasha bowed her head to Vfond in greeting. “Ambassador.”
Vfond, who had apparently been watching the door, stood immediately upon her arrival. "My Lord, a pleasure as always," he said, offering a short, stilted bow. He had been about to launch into his usual niceties when he regarded her advancing retinue. "And...guests. I'm sorry, I'm quite at a disadvantage,” he said, giving the group of soldiers a penetrating, if cursory, once-over.
Quarasha chuckled slightly. "Two Imperial marines and my own adjutant, Lieutenant Rylar." Rylar nodded at Vfond upon his introduction but maintained the utmost silence.
After a brief, awkward silence, Vfond nodded. Before long, his default expression - a smile with only trace amounts of detectable sincerity – returned to his face. "Ah yes, very good, very good." He nods once more. "My Lord, if you would kindly accompany me to the shuttlepad? We must be on our way."
"After you,” said Quarasha.
Turning on his heels, Vfond led them through the cramped embassy, up a set of stairs, and through a DNA-locked to the embassy’s roof. There sat rather unceremoniously an Imperial shuttle which was there on loan from the most gracious Imperial Navy. After a brief flight and customary light-show courtesy of Dromund Kaas’s unique menagerie of atmospheric pressure fronts, the party docks with the ERN battleship
Damocles.
___ ___ ___
As the loading ramp extends downward to allow the guests to exit, they would be greeted by a group of Royal Navy marines in full dress as they stand at attention. Vfond would lead the group down the gangway, past the line of marines, and finally to the waiting captain of the Damocles. A young man with roughly-hewn features and short-cropped blond hair, Captain Lorei Santovai hardly needed the medals on his chest to show his experience – a ghastly fissure of a scar which vertically divided the right side of his face, claiming with it the whole of his right eye, more than outdid his service stripes and theater medallions. He cut the air with a crisp salute and held it as Quarasha advanced down the gangway of her shuttle and into the
Damocles’ main hold.
Quarasha bowed her head to the captain. "Permission to come aboard, Captain?"
The Captain ended his salute and dipped his head reverently. "Permission granted, milud. The men ‘nd women of the Damocles salute you. I trust the flight over was unuhventful?" His thick, peaty Pallimarch accent clipped his words, but projected them with a satisfyingly earthy inflection.
Quarasha chuckled softly. "As uneventful as any flight through Dromund Kaas' weather is. I believe I saw a clear day once, many years ago." Captain Santovai smiled. His was a strange, lop-sided smile that coupled with his severely scared face to resemble a wry smirk, although it was quite bereft of any ill will or annoyance.
"Very good, milud. My homel’nd experiences comp’rable weather. The elders look ‘pon the “Day of Clement Weather” with much fondness ‘ndeed.”
"My deepest sympathies towards your farmers, then. Shall we proceed to the council?"
Vfond clears his throat and couples it with a slightly pointed look. Santovai doesn't react outwardly, but dips his head to Quarasha once more. "If you'll follow me, milud, I've taken the liberty of arranging for you your quarters."
Quarasha smiles at the Captain. "Of course, Captain. Lead the way."
After a few short words about safety protocol to his distinguished guests as he led them led to their quarters, Captain Santovai took his leave for the bridge and left Vfond with Quarasha to brief her on the Shared Advisory Board and what sort of reception she could expect. After several hours, they found themselves in Erinian and began docking protocols.
After a few more requisite displays of maritime tradition, the
Damocles entered drydock at Kalyuz Spacedock. Once all of the pomp and ceremony befitting their stations had been dutifully followed by the officers of the Kalyuz, the band of diplomats and their details boarded a small inter-system shuttle bound for the Shared Advisory Board’s meeting place.
The Shared Advisory Board met in a building set almost exactly in the middle of the Prueq Sea between Eresar and the Allied Marches on a tropical island named South Dreiq. Chosen over its cousin island North Dreiq for its proximity to Eresar – a “good faith” concession made after the close of the most recent war only a few years prior, South Dreiq proved to be the vastly superior of the two if for no other reason than the fact that North Dreiq had a booming population of Erinian Armored Bears. South Dreiq had, in comparison, only small marsupials and the occasional istu – a quick, flightless bipedal avian creature with a penchant for attacking taxiing shuttlecraft – to worry about, making it the obvious choice.
Within minutes, the party had touched down and were led with all due haste into a lavishly decorated hallway. As Quarasha approached, a deep, thrumming note issued forth from inside the main chamber. Somewhere far off in the complex shook softly as the resonant note washed over the island, ushering in the board’s 27 delegates – 9 for each country present.
Almost immediately, Quarasha recognized one of the Marcher delegates as the King of the Allied Marches, but there was no time for any interaction. Indeed, she had barely recognized him before his security detail whisked him into the room.
Also in the lobby, taking up a spot off in the corner, Quarasha spied Lord Ambassador Cordae Keyis and his adjutant Lt. Ames Ricker. Cordae, dressed in the best of his ambassadorial finery, dipped his head to her. "My Lord."
Quarasha nodded to Cordae. "Lord Ambassador," before raising an eyebrow at Vfond who had since taken up a middling position behind Quarasha and her men.
Cordae bowed his head to Vfond as a matter of course. "Ah, Lord Ambassador Vfond. Good to see you as well." Vfond returned the already stilted gesture with one of his own before turning to Quarasha.
"The meeting has been called to order," said Vfond, looking between Quarasha and Cordae. "I expect we'll be summoned sho-" Suddenly, Vfond was cut off by a footman as he pushed aside the chamber’s two large, gilt wooden doors and approached the group.
"Lord Ambassador Heqtor Vfond?" Vfond smiled and gave the man a curt nod. No sooner had he done so than had the footman then turned on his heels and escorted the Lord Ambassador into the chamber. Cordae had enough time to turn to Quarasha and open his mouth in an attempt at small talk before the exercise was repeated for him. After another half-minute, Quarasha found herself summoned and, in a matter of seconds, standing before the Shared Advisory Board.
The Hall was circular with a high, concave ceiling walled in with large, spotless windows and aesthetically pleasing linework. Three tables sat at the far end of the room, one for each delegation and each one next to each other, all curved inward toward the center of the room. At the center sat an upraised speaker’s area which was in turn flanked by three sets of tiered wooden benches arrayed like those of so many arenas.
The left and center tables were filled with the delegates from the Allied Marches and the Eresari Dominion accordingly. However, the right table sat in stark contrast to the other tables as it was in fact noticeably less populated. The table was entirely empty save one man – a lone Kyn Roca whose high station was indicated by his long, plaited silver hair and his equally illustrious shimmering robes. Behind him stood a Kyn warrior in full war dress.
Once she was inside, the footman set about securing the large outer doors. After a brief silence, the man went to stand directly before the three tables. "Lord Quarasha, Lieutenant Rylar, Sergeant Kearn Tasn, and Private First Class Enzies Duffont of the Sith Empire,” he said as he introduced Quarasha and her retinue.
After her retinue had finished setting up the myriad datapads and other devices they had brought along, Quarasha ordered them over by the wall as she approached the speaker’s bench. Before taking her seat she greeted each table of delegates, first as a group, then each one collectively according to all proper ceremony and custom.
From left to right, the delegates from each table stood and bowed. The solitary Kyn Roca stood with the rest of did not bow. Not one to disrespect the esteemed guest of his Marcher allies, however, he managed to give what shall forever be known as the most stilted, forced inclination of one's own head ever to have been given in modern history – done more to recognize the plain fact of Quarasha’s physical existence rather than anything else. If given form, the frown which graced his long, equine face would have been sufficient to stun a team of oxen in its tracks. In response Quarasha only smiled, recognizing the Kyn’s greeting in the same manner as she had those of the other delegates.
"We welcome you to our world, Lord,” said Tu’usak Baloi, Szejuk of the Eresari Dominion. A pale-skinned mountain of a man, Szejuk Baloi bowed his head to Quarasha in the customary way before returning to his full height. “Ambassador Vfond is held by this chamber with high regard. Naturally, this esteem is
of right to be granted to all who he has brought before us. We would hear your proposal, if it pleases the Board." The other members nod their assent in various ways. The Kyn says nothing and does not respond at all, opting instead to eye Quarasha and her retinue with distrust.
"Thank you all for allowing me this time,” she said as she took her place at the speaker’s bench. “As you all know, I am here to propose an expansion of the Sith Empire's diplomatic mission to your world, for the benefit of both Erini and the Empire.”
Quarasha tapped her datapad and a holographically projected globe of Erini flew to view. A single green dot appeared in northwest Ernmarch – Vysberg, the capital of the Allied Marches.
"I loathe stating the obvious, but this is your world, Erini, home of 1.78 billion sentient beings, spread out across a vast continent. And that dot is the sole representation of the Sith Empire, an Embassy with a staff of twenty people. I of course mean no disrespect towards the hard working staff of the embassy, but this minimal representation does little more than aid with minor tourism coming from the Empire, and even then they are of little help to those visiting or attempting to trade with groups outside the Capitol.
“This means, of course, that your own citizenry have little chance of meeting with a representative of the Empire, either to help with trade, tourism or emigration. We are all aware that trade with other groups enriches both societies. Both in base material terms, and in social and cultural terms as well. As such, my proposal is twofold."
All in attendance - save one - listen as Quarasha speaks. The Eresari delegation seems slightly disinterested given this particular subject matter. At her mention of the proposal's two-fold nature, one of the Marcher delegates finds a brief pause in the presentation and exploits it.
"My Lord, I think before we speak at length on the other sections of your plan, we would be better served by elaboration on this particular facet. Could you speak on your proposals for the embassy specifically?"
"I was just going to." She said as she tapped her datapad, bringing up a map view of the area around the Embassy, with the current embassy in blue, and a larger section in green.
"The first proposal is that, to aid better trade and relations with the Erini people, the Embassy be expanded to 300 personnel in total, into a building capable of allowing them to perform their work." She tapped the datapad again, bringing up a list of the count and roles of the embassy staff. One of the sections, and a rather large one, was be listed as Consulate Relations.
"I will note that these numbers are best estimates at this point, actual numbers may vary slightly."
The Marcher delegates leaned forward as they inspected her plans. Meanwhile, the Eresari delegation began to engage themselves in quiet discussion. One of the Marcher delegates spoke, his voice taking on an annoyed tone. "We have had no problems with relations between Erini and the Empire that could not be resolved with the current staff or building."
He was answered by another Marcher, Advisor Tolsant. "Rolq, have you /been/ to the Imperial embassy? It's the size of a thimble."
Delegate Rolq responds, condescension clear in his voice. "And they do
very well despite their
hardships, especially considering the burdens of diplomatic immunity and access to central-district housing. The
point, gentlemen, is-“
"She's not asking us to build them a castle-" interrupted Tolsant.
Suddenly the King hit his hand against the table and all fell silent. "I believe we have rather missed the point, gentlemen." He turned from his delegates to Quarasha and smiled politely. "Increasing the size of the embassy is not inherently problematic...we will revisit the issue when the matter is opened to actual debate. Please proceed, ambassador."
Quarasha bowed her head to the King. "Thank you, your highness." She turned back to the display and tapped the datapad again, highlighting the Consulate Relations section. "The primary focus of the expansion, however, is the second part of the proposal."
The Marcher delegates murmur quietly.
"Even if we had fifty thousand staff in the Embassy...which is not being proposed..." she said in a half-joking manner. "...we would not be able to help Erini citizens and businesses, as well as Imperial travelers and businessmen, in areas outside of the Capital."
The joke received no reaction. Off in his seat, Rylar shook his head softly.
Quarasha tapped the datapad again and the map of Erini returned with the green dot in the Capitol and an additional ten blue dots spread out across several major Erinian cities including four in Eresar, five in Ernmarch, and one in Kynmarch. She held her tongue for a few moments, fully expecting to be interrupted.
A different Marcher, a large older gentleman with thinning black hair who appeared to be almost entirely rotund, spoke. "What business do the Imperials have outside of the capital city anyway?" He said, seemingly unsettled.
Another delegate turned toward his spherical colleage. "It's a fairly large planet, Cromwyn." Another advisor interjected with a snide comment, but is cut off before the punchline is heard.
The lone Kyn Roca looks at the display. His frown deepens. The Eresari delegation, in contrast, had become extremely interested in her proposition and began to quite down.
Quarasha smiled at the older gentleman. "The business is, frankly, that there are businesses all across your world. Farmers, smiths, brewers, artists, crafters... this is a large, vibrant world. The beverage Vysint has already made a splash, pardon the pun, on Nar Shaddaa, and that is only the barest glimpse of the potential that the goods crafted on your world can have on the galaxy as a whole."
One of the Marcher delegates seemed supremely entertained to hear about the galaxy's thirst for vysint. "Ah, careful lads. We'd better hide the good stuff or there'll be Harrowers and Hammerheads knocking down our doors." The quip earned a chuckle, but the Eresari delegation - which had remained relatively quiet throughout the proceedings - seemed to be getting increasingly more annoyed with the Marchers.
"How comfortable for you to know that /your/ goods are well known and lauded by the galaxy at large,” said one of the Eresari advisors. An uncomfortable silence descended, but it was eventually broken by the Eresari Szejuk.
"We would hear more, please," he said as he nodded to Quarasha with deference.
Quarasha nodded at the Szejuk. "And, of course, there is the aid that the Empire can bring to your world, especially to the regions that the Capitol's embassy simply has no hope of reaching. We have knowledge and expertise on increasing crop yield, uplifting industry to the modern age, improving and stabilizing the basic services upon which civilization depends most on..."
"These are not things that twenty people in a small building half a continent away can accomplish, ladies and gentlemen."
As Quarasha spoke, several delegates from both tables were either listening intently or writing things down. The Roca remained frowning throughout her presentation.
"Of course, these Consulates would only be raised with the permission of the local government. We do not wish to force our presence upon your citizenry." She smiled at the Kyn delegate.
"One additional addendum regarding the Kynmarch consulate? If it would help your people feel more at ease, I will personally assure you that no Sith or others talented in the Force would be stationed there."
Roca Szamel stood - as was customary for the Kyn - and spoke. "There will be no foreign embassy in Sorqia or Kynmarch." His words, rarely heard in this chamber, were met with a brief, uneasy silence.
"As she has said, Roca, it is at the discretion of the local governments," said King Istvan.
Szamel glanced over at the King, then to Quarasha. His expression hadn’t changed in the slightest. "And so have I spoken whereall.” He said, sitting.
"Very well," Quarasha said, bowing her head to the Roca before going back to regarding the King and Szejuk.
"Each consulate would have around thirty staff, plus or minus some based on the local needs. In truth, the precise arrangements would be best handled on a case by case basis, as the needs of some cities are vastly different from others, and I imagine there are some questions about this part of the proposal."
"Yes, I imagine so," said the King, standing as he prepares to address the room. "I present the motion to begin debate and review of the proposal. Who shall second?" The Szejuk raises his hand, seconding. The King turned to address Quarasha specifically. "Because you are unfamiliar with the style of this chamber, I take it upon myself to elaborate. Here, no outside party may speak - which includes Ambassadors Keyis and Vfond - unless explicitly called upon by this body. You may request a chance to speak and it may be accepted by any member and vetoed only by a head of state OR, inversely, you may be vetoed by anyone and given the floor by a head of state, effectively ignoring your veto. Do you understand?"
Quarasha noded.
The King turned back to the advisors. "The debate shall proceed." Just as soon as the King sats, a Marcher beains to speak.
"Friends, I am no enemy of the Empire or the Republic, but I am not in favor of this plan. Although the galaxy currently enjoys peace, in whatever we shall indeed call "peace", Erini is no less at risk now than we were a century ago or even five centuries ago." This elicits moans of annoyance from a few Marchers.
He continues. "We need look no further than the Empire's illustrious and most adventurous exploits on Balmorra and Corellia. And yet the Republic is not innocent either, as we can see on Ilum and Quesh. These powers seek only to control us. What better way to accomplish this means than through the slow suffocation of poisonous diplomacy."
A thin Marcher with a cane stands and with a nasally voice responded, "We have had a Republic and Imperial embassy on Erini for years and I haven’t seen any of the poison to which you refer, sir." Several members offer enthusiastic here-here's. "The exchange between us and the galactic factions has only made us more prosperous." Suddenly, an Eresari interjects.
"/You/ have been made prosperous, sir. Not us." Several boos come from the Marcher delegation and the thin man responds.
"Oh? And have you forgotten the successes of the Sukhoi'a venture in your own Southlands? The materiel to make those harvesters came from Republic warehouses and the expertise was acquired from Imperial contractors."
Quarasha kept a straight face, doing her best not to react to any of the statements made....... although a very brief, very slight smirk could be noticed by a practiced observer at the Eresari's objection.
"And the Eresari are the cheap, expendable labor needed, yes sir, I see very well." More groans and a response.
"It is not our business to dictate safety regulations to Eresari foremen."
A different Eresari responds, obviously distressed. "What Eresari foremen!?" This response is met with agreement from the Eresari and disapproval from the Marchers. One Marcher delegate remains silent. Vfond is off in the corner next to Cordae. He can be seen with no expression on his face while Cordae is obviously annoyed and has taken to massaging his temple.
Quarasha raises her hand.
One Eresari moved to recognize Quarasha, but he is immediately vetoed. Amidst the rising din, the Szejuk bangs the end of his large staff against the stone floor, the percussive bang echoing throughout the room calling down strict silence. The Szejuk, after a quick glare at several of the Marchers and a few of his own people, overturns the Marcher veto and recognizes Quarasha.
"I have two notes,” Quarasha began. “First, every aspect of this proposal is negotiable. This is, in fact, your choice, and I have no desire to infringe upon your right to self-determination. As for the Republic, if they wish to expand their diplomatic presence on Erini, that is entirely between you and them. The Sith Empire entirely respects Erini's neutrality.”
“That said, I do not see the relevance. The Empire and the Republic are at peace.” At ‘peace’, several expressions were heard from the Marchers, a mix of incredulity, amusement, and cries of falsehood. “This proposal includes no alterations to the any of the treaties involving the Empire, Republic or Erini. If war were to break out tomorrow, your neutrality would still be respected, with or without an expansion of the Empire's diplomatic presence on your world." She lowers her hand, nodding at the delegates and then at Cordae.
A previously unheard Marcher delegate speak or rather blurts amid his colleagues’ cries "Do forgive our extreme and well-reasoned doubt concerning the Empire's inner altruism." His quiet voice is bolstered by the encouragement of the delegate to his right - a large, ruddy-faced man - who claps him on the back. He continues, slightly rattled.
"The...the fact of the matter is, my esteemed delegates, that while the Empire and the Republic are at peace, their actions on
numerous battlefields - yes, battlefields - bespeak a more fluid definition of the word "peace" than I think we are all accustomed to.” The advisor, building momentum, is encouraged by several Marcher delegates by bangs on the table and other such things.
“
Furthermore, the bellicosity of both factions is obvious in the extreme. Voting for this proposal will only further involve Erini in this conflict which we more than anyone have absolutely no right to enter."
Quarasha managed to keep a straight face at the "Fluid definition of peace" bit that she actually found pretty funny, meeting the marcher with a soft, practiced, understanding gaze.
Having said his bit, the delegate sheepishly conceded the floor, his face burning red. An Eresari quickly picked up the slack. "That is all well and good, sir, but if the Republic has not seen it worthwhile to expand its relations with us, why should we come to them with hands outstretched and refuse their industrious Imperial friends?" He received a fair amount of agreement from both sides. The King speaks.
"Ambassador Vfond, your expertise on Imperial policy is, I think very earnestly wanted in this chamber. I welcome your thoughts.” Quarasha turned to Vfond, smiling politely and encouragingly at him.
The suggestion was met with no opposition and Ambassador Vfond stood up. Cordae stood as well, allowing him to exit the separated amicus desks and nodded to him as he did so. Vfond took a position slightly in front of the desk and addresses the assembly.
"Honored delegates, I have served our planet in representing us to the Empire for many years. In all of my years, I have only found that the Empire has been a loyal ally to those who seek its friendship. I have found that their people are a noble people worthy of respect and admiration - a respect and admiration that I have myself come to appreciate in my dealings with them. In my many years, I have come to see clearly that in a galaxy full of treachery and betrayal...and secrets...that we must guard ourselves most cautiously. However, we have only tried to do so when we see a middle road to walk.”
Vfond began to casually walk around his side of the open central space, never walking between Quarasha and the delegates. "Never giving more to one over the other..." He came to a final stop in front of the amicus benches and turned to the Marcher table.
“...This is truly dangerous, my lords." He stopped briefly to look around the room. "Some would dismiss this modest proposal simply because there is no Republic counterpart being offered to counter it. In fact, any such Republican proposal is, I think you shall all soon find, quite unnecessary." Vfonds words earn several murmurs which the King silences with a wave of his hand.
Quarasha's smile remains, but a note of confusion betrayed her and became slightly visible after Vfond's speech.
The King pursed his lips and leaned forward. " May I ask what exactly you might be suggesting, Ambassador?" Vfond nods.
"Yes, my King, I shall explain, of course. You see, honored delegates, the state of affairs between Erini and the factions is not as balanced as we have oft-times suggested. In fact, the balance is tipped heavily." Cordae begins to raise an eyebrow, never taking his eye off Vfond as he makes his rounds.
Suddenly Vfond turned to face Cordae. He displayed an expression that, with days of earnest care, could have one day approached true disappointment on his face, then turned back to the delegates.
"I have reason to believe that my honored colleague has entered into a secret alliance with the Republic."
Quarasha's smile began to fade with haste.
Cordae blinks. "What in sacred fe-" Cordae is immediately interrupted down by his King.
"Ambassador, you have not been recognized by-" the King is interrupted.
“No! No, absolutely not. I will not sit here and be
insinuated against like a criminal!” Cordae turns to Vfond. “Accusing me of treason are you, Heqtor? I admit, I quite wonder what had taken you so long…”
“I quite wonder how I didn’t see it sooner, Lord.” Vfond shrugged, deliberately choosing to address Cordae by his hereditary title and not his position. Cordae’s face, previously rent by a sort of battle-ready sneer, quickly gave way to something with the tiniest spark of cold rage.
“Lord
Ambassador.”
“You are one of those, certainly,” answered Vfond as he straightened his posture and held his hands behind his back. Cordae stood up, his eyes wild and a retort ready in his throat only to be interrupted by King Istvan’s gavel.
“Ambassador Keyis, you have
not been recognized!” Cordae looked back at the King with a distant remnant of the look he had given Vfond, but quickly stifled his feelings. From the corner, a bailiff had begun to approach Cordae to read the rules of the room – customary in cases where amicus interruptions had been taken note of.
With one large, calloused hand, Cordae shoved the man back. “Oh feth off, I’ll be quiet,” he said, more annoyance in his voice than anything else. Finally, Cordae took his seat, nodding to his King.
The King looked back at Vfond. His expression betrayed his curiosity and suspicion. "Continue, ambassador."
Quarasha’s gaze was caught between Vfond and the King, now fairly certain of where her Erinian colleague was going. Deep in thought, she pursed her lips and listened with great intent.
Vfond, being stared down by Cordae all the way, reached over the amicus bench wall and retrieved a dossier from his spot. After holding it up for all the room to see, he handed the file off to a bailiff who, in turn, surrendered it to King Istvan.
"My colleague has perpetrated a great farce of his office,” continued Vfond. “He has, in fact, betrayed his oath to serve only his people over all other masters foreign or domestic...Or should I say, knights?"
Quarasha smacked her forehead with an open hand in visible frustration, immediately raising her other hand in a request to speak.
"Vetoed," answered the King as he opened the file and began thumbing through its contents. He waved a hand toward Vfond. “Continue, sir.” The Szejuk remained silent, curious to know what could possibly be happening.
Quarasha, meanwhile, has given up, tossing her hands up then folding her arms across her chest. Cordae breaks his gaze and sees Quar's expression. Briefly, confusion surfaces, but it is immediately stifled by rage as he looks back at Vfond.
"My friends, I shall be frank. The good Ambassador Keyis has been carrying on a secret relationship with a knight of the Jedi Order, the sworn protectors of the Galactic Republic - Knight Shaantil. I do not know how long this has been going on - though I'm sure his Highness could say - but I do know that it represents a fundamental failure in our government to take into account the neutrality which we greatly admire.”
“Has Prince Cordae been acting in the interest of this planet? Can you give me an honest answer? Approve this proposal, my friends. To some, it may seem to throw our priorities sharply askew, but in truth, I seek only to correct the imbalance which already exists."
Cordae and Quarasha simultaneously raised their hands to speak. If Quarasha projected any sort of calm-headedness, her aids certainly did not as they began scrambling around at their posts, trying to make heads or tails of what had just happened.
The King leveled a calculating look at Quarasha, studying her, then turned to address the chamber. "If it pleases this assembly, I would defer recognizing Lord Quarasha until immediately after Ambassador Keyis has had a chance to defend his himself against the charge which his colleague has just levied against him." Cordae looks at his King, then at Quarasha, locking gazes. Finally, he speaks. "...I withdraw my request to speak and cede to Quarasha provided my immediate recognition afterwards."
The King nodded and looked Quarasha with an interested expression.
Quarasha shot to her feet as she fixed Vfond with a death glare, then turned to Cordae. "Ambassador Keyis, let me first personally apologize that I provided the venue for this unwarranted smear directed at you. I assure you, I had no knowledge of Vford's plans on this subject, and if he had told me I would have expressed my most sincere disapproval that he would even consider making this manner of claim against you."
“Oh, very good of you!” said Cordae as he leaned back. The bailiff approached him once more, but was immobilized by a particularly pointed glare.
"As for you,” Quarasha said, turning to Vfond.” All you have is a claim that Ambassador Keyis has had a private relationship with a Republic citizen. You have provided nothing resembling any evidence of any "Secret Alliance". You should be ashamed of yourself for this smear against an honorable man." Turning, her voice recedes to a somewhat into a more diplomatic tone.
"For the sake of full discretion, I have spoken to Ambassador Keyis several times in the past, and at no point have I seen him act in any way that would validate any of Vford's claims, beyond the mundane relationship itself. I strongly urge you to ignore Vford's comment. They are not remotely relevant to this discussion." Quarasha nods at the King, indicating she had finished before glaring once more at Vfond.
Rylar, through the din of the chamber, looked up from his datapad to gauge the Kyn's reaction to all this is. To his amusement, he found that Roca Szamel was rather busily counting the number of dots on the ceiling and had almost entirely removed himself from the excitement.
Cordae looked at Quarasha, not daring to show what appreciation he felt for the fear of seeming as if he needed rescuing from a man like Vfond. However, certainly not unthankful, he offers her a curt nod, dipping his head to her ever-so-slightly. He raises his hand once more and the King looks at him. Quarasha returns the very tiny nod as the King began to speak. "I recognize Ambassador Keyis."
“My...colleage,” Cordae began, his tone one of extremely forced evenness, “Has suggested that I am a part in betraying this planet to outside interests. I will not defend myself against these allegations because they are baseless, the last attempts of a petty,
little man to discredit me in an effort to reduce the sheer mass of his own ponderous, glaring inadequacies. I have done nothing wrong." The room is dead silent.
"I will say that I have participated in a romantic relationship with a private Republic citizen. My colleague suggests, however wrong-footed and shamefully, that I have not acted as an impartial ambassador from this land to other foreign powers. This. Is. A. Lie." Cordae spat the final word out like a curse. Vyla, sitting behind the two ambassadors' seats, looks around, partly out of confusion, partly in awe.
Cordae took a very slow breath and continued. "To the point of the proposal - I recommend postponing a vote until such a time when the Republic has proposed a similar deal of equal value, for the imbalance that Ambassador Vfond has spoken at length about is not, in fact, real. Therefore, I see no reason to upset it so.” As Cordae ended his response and sat down, Quarasha shook her head and raised her hand.
The King immediately stands. "As the sovereign ruler of the Allied Marches, I will speak." The Eresari Szejuk, not really knowing what to make of any of this, glances at Quarasha, holds his hand up, then respectfully nods to the King who then continues.
"Honored delegates and esteemed guests, I feel I must immediately respond to the events we have just witnessed.”
“It is not illegal for a citizen of the Aliied Marches to enter into a private relationship with a citizen of the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire. While this right is not guaranteed by treaty, it is very much a tacit and understood agreement between our peoples.”
“However, it should be said that a Jedi Knight is no ordinary private citizen. That is simply a fact.” The King turned to his Eresari colleague and nodded to him, then to his own people.
“As it is only right, I shall submit a petition to the All-Marches Assembly that Ambassador Keyis be summoned to a hearing, the purpose of which shall be to ascertain if any laws have been broken or if his mandate was exceeded through collusion with an outside power against the express interest of our planet.”
Vfond blinked and stood suddenly. “My King, I can understand a father’s need to protect his children, but this really has gone too far. Lord Keyis has-“
“
Lord Keyis is an ambassador and minister plenipotentiary of the sovereign peoples of the Allied Marches and you would do
well to remember that,” the King interrupted. Vfond took a small half-step forward.
“My King, he is sleeping with a
Jedi. The time for inquiry is
long past. This problem requires action!”
“Do you presume to tell a King his business, Vfond?” the King asked, rising to his full height.
“I presume to serve my people which is more than what is being accomplished
here-“
“Who is doing the greater disservice, Vfond, you or me?!” Cordae yelled, slamming his hand on the bench divider. Vfond whirled around to face him.
“A wet rock could do more in the service of Erini than a whining, entitled cyborg with a
Jedi whore-“
“Ambassador, I have heard enough from you!-“ Vfond wheeled around to face King Istvan.
“Are you so afraid of the truth about your son, King?”
“I will have
order in-“
“Will you tell us justice is blind?" he asked, addressing the chamber with his voice raised as he held his arm straight out pointing toward Cordae, "Or is it merely
half blind?!"
“ENOUGH!” The King’s words were hewn into a auditory, percussive shout that cut into the chamber and echoed off the walls. Vyla Giers jumped slightly in her seat. After a beat, the two Royal Army guards in full dress stationed beyond the doors stormed into the room, arms at the ready and altogether unsure of the cause of their King’s distress.
King Istvan threw his outstretched hand forward, ordering them to halt which they did immediately. The Marcher delegates looked anxiously between themselves, Vfond, and their King wondering what would happen next. They hadn’t long to wait.
“By royal executive order, my right proclaimed by the constitution of the Allied Marches, I hereby strip you of the title Ambassador."
"You can’t-," Vfond began to stammer, but the King cut him off.
"Silence. In this chamber, you have tarnished, perhaps irrevocably, the name of ambassador. Because the fault lies solely with you and not your office, I
remove you from your office, that it might be given time to recover.”
"This is not a response to the…fiasco we’ve seen here today but a series of poorly chosen remarks and allegations made by you concerning our allies, the Eresari." At this, the Szejuk turned to give Vfond a particularly harsh look before returning to the King.
"Those remarks will not be aired publicly for the sake of the harmony this Board at one time espoused, but shall be shared with Szejuk Baloi for his approval." The King said, turning to the Szejuk. "I implore you trust me on this." After a moment, the Szejuk nodded carefully and bade King Istvan continue. Vfond, by the point, had begun to shake.
"Furthermore, because you have seen fit to besmirch the name Lord - a title which was given to you in recognition of your service to the Royal Army of the Allied Marches during the Great War and the Resurgence War - it shall also be taken from you in hopes that it also may one day recover from this egregious slight. Your conduct is unbecoming of a Lord Militant General in the Royal Reserve Guard, and so you are hereby, at my leisure and command, disbarred."
Quarasha bit her cheek to stop herself from adding any snark, smiling with dark pleasure at Vford's dressing down.
"Finally…” The King addresses the guards with a smile. "Orleaq, Sustara, remove him. I don't care where you put him, though do aim for solid ground." he adds as Vfond is forcibly removed from the chamber, causing a stir which the King and Szejuk allow to go uninterrupted. After a few seconds, Quarasha raises her hand and order was restored.
The King, rather pleased with himself, his fists resting on his waist, turns to Quarasha. "Ambassador.”
Quarasha blinked, slightly put off by the King’s proud stance but continued regardless. “…The Sith Empire of course requests that Vfond's seat be filled as soon as a viable candidate is found.” His fists still on his waist, the King remained standing.
“We shall appoint a successor to Vfond in our own good time. Proceed,” he gestures for her to continue as he takes his seat once more.
“As for the proposal? Neutrality is not simply precisely equal treatment to both parties. That sort of rigid thinking can lead to problems of its own, as we have all recently observed. My request is that this proposal be considered on its own merits, independent of the Republic's actions regarding Erini.”
The King, about to speak, suddenly noticed the hand of the diplomat behind Cordae, sitting next to the Allied Marches Minister of State. Vyla Giers, a young, thin woman with long black hair and a scar over one eye sat forward, her eyes widened in eagerness. He nods at her. "I recognize Diplomat Giers." With slight hesitation, Vyla stood to address the assembly.
"Honored delegates, I am Vyla Giers. I hold the rank of official Diplomat with the Allied Marches Ministry of State. I have been assigned to research Erinian relations with both the Republic and the Empire and consider myself well versed in the subject. I believe my superiors will agree with my assessment. " Minister Rysz nods and she continues.
"As it stands, I believe the Allied March delegation to this Board will only vote for any offer which can be easily reciprocated by either faction. This has less to do with promoting neutrality - for indeed, voting to improve the embassies of one faction invariably links us to them - and more to do with keeping Erini away from the center of the galactic conflict. This conflict being of course the same one which Lord Quarasha denies - and correctly from a legal standpoint - but is being discussed daily as if it were a real thing. I need only mention the recent increase in hostile exchanges between the Empire and the Republic."
Vyla’s words earned a frown from Quarasha, but she remained quiet, allowing the Erinian to continue.
“At the same time, my brothers in the Eresari delegation will vote for any proposal which will encourage Eresari growth and revitalization. This is a worthy goal and is to be commended. However, this leaves us at an impasse in terms passing this vote. If it pleases this board, I propose a compromise.”
“First, the Imperial embassy in Vysberg is expanded according to Lord Quarasha's original proposal. Second, the Republic embassy will be expanded along the same lines and notice shall be sent to the Republic regarding their newly upgraded facilities. I doubt they will waste the opportunity to fill a new building that we've upgraded for them. Third, in the interest of promoting the revitalization of the Eresari economy and with the goal of promoting cultural exchange between Erini, the Empire, and the Republic, an Imperial and Republic embassy of equal or lesser size - though the size of one shall be equal with the other - shall be constructed in the city of Sistisani, the capital of the sovereign nation of Eresar.”
“Again, with the building and means already provided to both faction, I have no doubt based on previous studies of Republic and Imperial diplomatic on Quesh and Voss that the vacancies and positions afforded to each posting shall be filled with particular haste,” she said, finishing and sitting down.
As Quarashed raised her hand to speak, Vyla's eyes went wide. Hastily – and loudly, she added, "If that proposal is in keeping with the Imperial ambassador's original mandate and orders!...Provided that-…" She opens her mouth to say something else, but decides to shut up.
"I have been granted wide latitude on this issue,” Quarasha chuckled. “As for the revised proposal, while hardly my preference, I believe I could convince my superiors of the value of it. I would like to ask, however, that physical size explicitly be stated as what is matched, and not the personnel count. You would be providing both sides equal opportunity to expand diplomatically, but that the Empire should not be punished for any inaction by the Republic. Additionally, I would like for it to be known that I would want to revisit this discussion after a few months, to ensure that no additional consulates need be created elsewhere on the continent. Is this acceptable?"
Minister of State Rysz beamed at Vyla from his seat in the amicus benches, pride very much in his eyes, but quickly snapped out of his complacency and left to approach the King. The Eresari delegates spoke amongst themselves in hushed tones. The single Kyn, still solitary, apparently hadn’t moved in a long while.
Finally, the King spoke. "The Allied March delegation is ready to put this matter to a vote." Only seconds later, the Szejuk nods.
"The Eresari delegation accepts the vote motion."
"All those in favor of the compromise proposed by Diplomat Giers, vote by count of hands.”
Exactly seven delegates on each side raised their hands, totaling seven of nine for each delegation. Roca Szamel voted no and the remaining eight Kyn delegates were forced to abstain. The motion had carried.
"Having reached a majority with those present in favor of the proposition, this agreement shall be put to paper and signed into mutually-recognized law at some future date to be determined." The King and Szejuk Baloi rose, followed by their delegates and the chamber audience. Quarasha gave a quick, curt nod to Lt. Rylar, who then began the task of relaying the outcome of the meeting to the diplomatic corps.
Quarasha bowed before the delegates. "The Sith Empire thanks you for your time, and looks forward to a mutually prosperous future together."
As the delegates and heads of state began to file out of the room, Quarasha moved to quickly intercept Cordae. "...Ambassador,” she whispered, “I'll keep things as quiet on my end as I can, but this will hardly remain quiet forever. Best hurry, if you understand my meaning."
Already on edge, Cordae greeted her advice with a sharp look, but immediate retreated as began to exit his belligerent frame of mind. “Better she hear it from me than a newspaper,” Cordae conceded. “Know any good assassins?" he asked, earning a smirk from Quarasha.
"No comment, Lord..." said Quarasha. They both exchanged nods and exited the chamber.
Once Quarasha made her way to her ship - and after checking that she was alone - gripped the bridge of her nose and muttered to herself, "Force save me from helpful idiots."
