Chapter 1: A Treaty on the Brink
Suggested Music: Star Wars Return of the Jedi Soundtrack - CD 1 Track 9 - Alliance Assembly
5 Elona, 25 ABY - Berchest System, Anthos Sector, Outer-Rim Territories
Aboard the Leviathan, Jedi Master Akea Oahu watched as the starlines reverted to realspace. The beautiful planet of Berchest appeared along with a sizeable New Republic fleet in orbit. Berchest was chosen as the location for the talks for various reasons. It is in close proximity to the sectors that the Imperial Remnant operates out of. There is a certain level of comfort for both the Empire and the Republic. Although the world is now a member of the New Republic, the sizable minority of the populace has a certain sympathy for the Empire as the world only recently converted its allegiance. Regardless of those points, the talks would be taking place on a starship of some kind. It would be unlikely the Empire would agree to have talks on the surface of an opposing world for security reasons. The Bastion Accords themselves, though quite a public spectacle, were signed aboard Pellaeon's flagship, the Chimaera.
Jedi Knight Allanar Onsai was flying beside the Leviathan in his StealthX fighter. Both ships were guided New Republic traffic control to land on the NRS Amity, a Nebulon-B Frigate at the center of the navy line. He guided his DeepWater-class freighter into the hangar. There was only one other transport in the hangar; the rest of the bay, which could normally accommodate up to two fighter squadrons, was empty.
As the ramp to the Leviathan was lowering and as Allanar was climbing down from the cockpit of his fighter, a group was approaching to meet them. The Jedi instantly recognized the woman at the center of the group as Minister of State Shira Tal. She was a six-foot tall Togruta dressed in elegant robes. Behind her were three younger Togrutas, a human, and a Quarren, who looked to be her assistants or associates. She had a brilliant smile on her face and was eager to meet the two Jedi.
"Welcome to the Amity," she said to the Jedi with a smile as she approached. "We are very glad representatives from the Jedi Order are able to be present at today's meeting. As you are well aware, the fragile peace between the New Republic and Imperial Remnant is collapsing quickly and this meeting is a final effort to salvage the Bastion Accords."
The group exchanged introductions and some small talk. They began to depart the hangar, and the Minister spoke as they were walking. "We have three hours before Pellaeon's delegation is scheduled to arrive. The talks will be held on this very ship, the Amity. Representatives from Talon Karrde's information-brokering organization are already here. We also have representatives from NR Intelligence. Now that you have arrived, we will discuss our strategy for the talks. Please let me or my assistants know if you need anything prior to the talks."
She continued navigating the Nebulon-B's hallways, heading towards the meeting room where they were to begin preparations.
After the introductions had been made, Akea Oahu moved quietly through the Amity's hallways alongside the Minister. He carried himself in the loose 'S' shape that most members of his species assumed when dealing with humanoid species ((OOC: See example picture on Akea's page)), propelling himself forward with muscular contractions of his lower midsection. Typically, Akea didn't bother with Jedi robes (the fit was an awkward one, anyway), though it did little to disguise his station - he was unmistakable, as elder Dur Sabon were rarely seen off their homeworld. He had brought his lightsaber along for the trip, though he'd left it aboard the Leviathan. Even if trouble broke out, Akea preferred to leave his defense in the hands of the Force, though he suspected none at this juncture. His adornments were minimal - he did wear a bracelet, upon which was inscribed Aurebesh and Sabonese transcriptions of the Jedi Code. On his other arm he wore a larger band around his wrist; this band opened to reveal both Akea's comlink and a holopad.
He had taken some time to review the agreements set forth in the Bastion Accords before boarding the Amity, and pondered them as they approaching the meeting room. He knew that it was not the place of the Jedi Order to be policymakers, and did his best to remain objective in his judgments of the agreement - they would provide input to the New Republic and Imperial officials alike, in an effort to guide both parties to a harmonious solution. At the end of the day, it wasn't their decision - open ears and minds were the best they could hope for. As their walk continued, Akea shifted a glance toward Allanar.
He was glad to see Allanar again - the two hadn't worked together since the Second Imperium Crisis, and Akea felt Allanar's unique background would allow him mediate between these parties especially well. Finally, when the blast door that stood between the group and the meeting room became visible, Akea spoke up as he looked to Shira Tal.
"We are honored to be your guests at this conference, and your hospitality is most appreciated. It is my hope that we are able to redeem the Bastion Accords to the benefit of all parties involved, although I remain wary of the threat the Imperial Remnant may pose if resolved to aggression."
The Dur Sabon vocal cavity extended throughout a significant portion of the serpentine body, producing a thick, baritone Basic, though Oahu in particular had mastered a nearly flawless Coruscanti accent. He paused after speaking and looked again to Allanar, giving the Jedi Knight (as well as the Minister) a chance to speak before they entered the meeting room.
Dan 01:37, 30 March 2009 (EDT)
Allanar hopped down out of his starfighter, nodding in welcome to his fellow Jedi who he'd not worked with since The Second Imperium, still very grateful to the elder Jedi for his recommendation. without it he might have still been a padawan. His attention returned to the issue at hand as he looked to the Minister and her entourage, exchanging introductions and polite greetings as they moved through the halls of the Amity. Allanar looked the more typical Jedi of the two, which was not surprising given the uniqueness of the Dur Sabon species, and he was dressed in the familiar brown Jedi robes that set him apart as a member of the Jedi Order. Also unlike his more experienced counterpart Allanar did not so easily separate himself from his lightsaber, which hung on his hip, hidden under the thick layers of his robes. As they came to a pause at the blast door he bowed just slightly to echo his fellow Jedi's feelings of gratitude towards the Minister before speaking.
"I too share my companion's concern about the threat of the Imperial Remnant, and if fractured it may prove to be more dangerous even than a unified body. And I hope that we can assure peace to all people of the galaxy once again."
Allanar held a unique view of the Empire and its remnants, and it was not one that was always as negative as one might expect from a Jedi of the era. He hoped that the unique position and his expereinces would provide him insight into the matter at hand, so that it might be resolved without further conflict. Without a doubt the loss on both sides would be catastrophic if conflict across the galaxy resumed. He would defer throughout the conference to the elder Akea who he respected greatly and was, without a doubt, the better negotiator of the two Jedi.
--FyreFly 21:54, 30 March 2009 (EDT)