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Post by Jalua Solast on Jun 21, 2009 21:45:16 GMT
Far outside of Coalition Territory, the shuttle arrived ahead of schedule. Space seemed completely empty, out of the viewports, nothing could be seen. Jalua sat and smiled as a few soldiers began to look out of the viewports, looking for any signs of a nearby vessel. "This is Omega-One-Two to MCAV-One, requesting permission to dock" the pilot could be heard saying from the cockpit. There was silence for a few long moments and the pilot again, repeated the request. Then out of the darkness around them, a series of spotlights powered up around them, and they found themselves travelling at the side of the MCAV, it's lights powering up and revealing the shape of the ship. The shuttle carefully entered the hangerbay and settled down, where numerous starfighters had been positioned. Walking down the ramp, Jalua was greeted by the Rear-Admiral since this was her first time on the new ship and didn't know her way around. He saluted and Jalua followed his rapid pace to the bridge, where there was a hive of activity. The bridge was far broader and longer than that of a normal Star Destroyer, it also had the central raised passageway, but two forty-five degree angled smaller bridges running underneath. These angled bridges also had their own trenches, where more than the expected terminals for a fleet could be found. This bridge could command Coalition Forces across the galaxy, and remain well hidden for protection or used as an operational battle station. Jalua spoke to the Rear Admiral, being shown the various equipment and greeting some of the higher ranked officers on the bridge. She then finally ended up at the front of the bridge, looking out at the infinite depth of space. To Jalua, there was more than met the eye here. "What is your scanners picking up here?" Jalua asked, which seemed to surprise the Rear Admiral. "There's something nearby, check it out, could be interesting" she said, almost in a daze. When the Rear Admiral left the presence of the Empress, Jalua turned to Dan. "Well, this is it" she began, "The place where we shall meet our old nemesis". With a slight smile, she breathed a sigh of relief that this moment had come, she would rather have them on her side than against her.
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Post by Dan Zorko on Jun 21, 2009 21:50:10 GMT
Dan couldn't help but be amazed as they arrived to the ship. The Coalition sure had been busy the last few months. Dan was looking around the bridge when Jalua said the nemesis comment. He frowned. "Which nemesis...?" he asked. He didn't like the look he saw on Jaluas face.
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Post by Idella Faros on Jun 21, 2009 21:55:58 GMT
The Republic Fleet came out of hyperspace and went into cruise until they reached the designated coordinates. Aware that it could be a trap, they kept shields low and weapons on standby, although they didn't want to radiate too much energy for potential enemies to spot. "This is Republic Warship Assurance, we are sending transport now" said an operator onto a pre-designated channel.
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Post by Jalua Solast on Jun 21, 2009 21:57:39 GMT
"This is MCAV-One to Republic Warship Assurance, confirmed. Hanger bay ready for your arrival" said an operator on the bridge behind Jalua and Dan. "That one" Jalua said with a grin, turning around and walking back with an escort to the hanger bay. She wanted to greet the rogue Admiral in person.
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Post by Talia Lenora on Jun 21, 2009 22:00:00 GMT
Talia Lenora, the contact which the Republic Admiral Idella Faros had found, was also on the Republic Transport as it descended into the hanger bay. Talia herself was impressed with the ship, it was obviously custom and to be this far outside Coalition Territory gave an indication to her that it wasn't one of the more active ships they had. Walking down the ramp, she let Idella walk first, nodding to Jalua from the distance she was keeping. She hadn't spoken to Jalua herself for some months, but it was good to see a familiar face.
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Post by Idella Faros on Jun 21, 2009 22:01:53 GMT
"Empress Jalua, it is a pleasure to finally meet with you" Idella greeted with a casual salute to the Empress. Idella had struggled recently, and it was obvious that their former enemies had actually had a new policy, since they wouldn't be having this meeting right now otherwise. "I trust our ships are here without any interruptions?" she asked, before proceeding.
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Post by Dan Zorko on Jun 21, 2009 22:02:09 GMT
Dan couldn't help but cock his eyebrow. The Republic... That was a surprise... He stood there and said nothing, waiting to see what would happen before him.
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Post by Jalua Solast on Jun 21, 2009 22:14:00 GMT
Jalua nodded to her fellow Jedi Knight and listened to Idella carefully. "Not at all, Admiral Zorko is here because he came with me. He hasn't brought any forces along and neither have i" she said to reassure to Republican. Finally beginning to walk, Jalua made it careful not to indicate she was actually following an officer, who actually knew the route to take. Although the soldiers hadn't arrived to escort the Empress, casually dressed Special Forces soldiers were in charge of making sure the Empress was safe, although they wasn't raising attention.
Entering a conference room deep in the ship, Jalua sat down with the others and turned on a hologram projector, placing a datacard into the machine. It continued to show illustrations of what had happened in the galaxy around them, and although gave an indication of the growing tensions in the galaxy. "What we can see here is that John Hammond's forces have recently attempted to take a leading role, even threatening war to get this peace he wants. It worries us, as it does you to some extent" Jalua stated, letting the Admiral know she knew more about the game than she had previously indicated. "Since your priority is to no doubt restore Republic rule to various systems, I'd like to make you an offer. We are currently attempting to keep the peace with all factions, so we cannot show expansion without having bad reflections on us. So we can give you connections, contacts, intelligence on areas which would still be perfect for your forces to guard. What we want in return is enough space for ourselves to expand outwards if necessary and also for your forces to eliminate any growing threat to both of our empires. I'm not saying we would let you do it alone, but we cannot control enough territory to stop this happening. With your help, we might just eliminate the chance of a rogue warlord rising up and causing us distress where we really do not need it. What you do after that in terms of your own expansion is up to you, just don't interfere with my policies and we will be anything but a threat to your reformation". This was a good deal for both sides, Jalua had long wanted to guarantee security in the Outer Rim and towards the Mid Rim but could not, her forces couldn't cover that much territory and continue to defend the borders against invasion. By letting the Republic regrow and take on some of this pressure, where Jalua would be unlikely to control anyway, it would allow her to expand later at will and continue to manage growing threats north of her border rather than attempting to far to the south.
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Post by Dan Zorko on Jun 22, 2009 0:03:38 GMT
"Eh..." said Dan. "I should probably apologize about trying to kill you at Coruscant..." He shifted in his chair. "So sorry. On the plus side, you guys sure have nice Viscounts. Never had one of those before now."
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Post by Idella Faros on Jun 22, 2009 0:04:24 GMT
Idella realised from that moment on that the Empress knew exactly where her and Idella's card were. Idella couldn't really do much, she had been hoping for an alliance or at least peace with the Coalition, but even that wouldn't be reached with how the galaxy was right now. Thinking for a moment, she looked up at the holoprojector, it showing how things were coming towards a climax around Bandomeer. "I can live with that. How many systems roughly would you say would support a Republic fleet?" Idella asked, wondering exactly how much intelligence they could offer.
Idella looked at Dan for a moment, studying his face for amusement. "Yes well, they are very useful" she said, keeping a neutral tone.
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Post by Jalua Solast on Jun 22, 2009 0:28:57 GMT
Jalua replaced the data card in the holoprojector with another, which listed about three hundred systems. "These are quiet systems to be honest, there's a couple on there like Sullust and Sluis Van which would be busy, but that should be plenty to build up your forces" she said before removing the card and giving it to Idella. "If you require anything else, then let me know".
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Post by Idella Faros on Jun 22, 2009 0:31:13 GMT
"This is more than enough, thank you" she said to the Empress, delighted on how much information was actually there. Jalua even seemed to consider that the Republic wouldn't be able to re-enter the war or even go public for some time, so this information was even more useful, since it was based on quiet areas which would lend support. This would give her time to rebuild her forces and begin taking enough territory for when she finally takes up the sword again, the Republic will be ready for a fight. Standing up and shaking hands with the two faction leaders, she headed out of the conference room and back towards her vessel.
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Post by Jalua Solast on Jun 22, 2009 0:34:30 GMT
Jalua watched her leave and looked at Dan. "That could be useful, very useful to the both of us" she said, waiting to see if he had any indication on how. "Well once they are set up, they will want to sneak up towards the Core again, only then can they be considered a threat. Giving her this information, although it isn't a peace treaty, she will later hold us into better regard and be less likely to mess with our affairs. Plus, she's got her head screwed on. She knows how to bring the Republic back and what went wrong with it the first time, I doubt she will be letting many politicians into her ranks for the time being, which gives them added security" she revealed, knowing full well that soon Dan would want to expand outwards, although the Republic would be far away, it would still provide a necessary distraction for him to continue expanding.
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Post by Dan Zorko on Jun 22, 2009 0:38:08 GMT
Dan nodded. "Plus having another person to distract John is a nice bonus also. As long as she doesn't get in our way, I don't think she'll be a problem. But do you trust them? Considering... Well... What they did to Galor, your father and my friend?"
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Post by Jalua Solast on Jun 22, 2009 0:40:10 GMT
Jalua pondered this for a moment, "Not yet no, but I would rather trust them than John. His motives aren't clear any more" she said thoughtfully, before standing up in a quick motion. "Right then, you staying here or want to get back?" she asked with a slight smile.
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