Post by Kayura on Aug 3, 2007 0:00:55 GMT -5
It was a day not too different from the others before it. There were ships being formed at the shipwrigths and there was the traffic comming in from the nearby trade routes. Given that this planet was very close to the deep core, it made perfect sense that it would be a member of the Galactic Republic.
Location didn't necessarily mean affiliation. Corellia's politics was such that there was a growing divide. The issue: joining that government that was already consuming nearly every servie and good that seemed to come from or pass through the plannet. The legal crackdowns on ship construction (namely the issues surrounding smuggle holds) and the crackdowns on piracy in general were threatening many trades the planet over.
It was an election year this year. As usual, there was tremendous pressure on both sides. The voices in favor of joining the Republic were quickly countered by those against it. The president of the planet was left with no room to make a clear choice. To make matters all the more confusing, Coruscanti diplomats were putting the pressure on Corellia in terms of trade.
He was the center of a swirl of maddening activity. There were advisors to the left and to the right. There were calls from diplomats every minute or so it felt. After half an hour of it, he cried out, "What in blazes?! Have we gone to war?! What's going on here!"
There was a pause as people froze. A staffer cleared his throat.
"What?!"
The staffer blinked and half-whispered, "Um, mister President, there's a message for you, this one is incomming from the diplomatic staff of Korriban."
There was another silence and then the president parroted, "Korriban?"
"Yes sir, it's apparently a secured, untraceable diplomatic line. It has all the official protocls and there is a woman on the other end who claims to be thier chief diplomat."
"Alright," he said as he loosened his colar slightly, "I didn't even know that Korriban was populated. Alright patch it through to my desk...this should prove interesting."
Moments later there was a figure of a woman glowing in the classic electric blue hologram, a life-size of the figure appeared in ghastly transparent fashion. The muted colors of the figure spoke of a woman clad in what appeared to be a burgundy robe that flowed gracefully over her slender figure. A strange set of features stared back at the president as the figure smiled a crimson arc and bowed politely.
"Good Morning mister President, I trust that this communique finds you well."
"Yes, I am fine, thank you, and you madam Diplomat?"
That drew another soft crimson smile and a velvet, lilting retort, "Mister President, I am Kayura Al-Shabbah, please feel free to dispense with the formalities as they are not your style." There was something dangerously piercing in her black, glistening eyes. Her black hair was neatly pulled back and folded, sliding a little as her head tilted. Her softly lilting velvet voice continued, "Mister President, I also understand that there has been unnecessary pressure put on you by Coruscant."
"Wow, news must travel fast. I think between you and the Bothans, it a solid tie. You're right, they have been at it , treatening tarrifs and possible sanctions."
There was a frown, "This is most unfortunate. I want you to understand that you have our sympathies. We may not have them at our back door just yet, but like you we feel that planets should have the right to political self-determination. It is our concern that if the Republic were to expand, there would be precious little to keep them away from our back door in time. Our Queen, likes her privacy, and so we will offer to those who share our concern about thier expansion, open diplomatic dialogue and possible support."
"Political self-determination. Ma'am, I hope you realize how loaded those words are."
"I know thier weight in the political arena. I also know that the Republic, if unchecked, could prove to be an equally loaded blaster barrel pointed right at the rest of us. It is better to act while they are not a threat rather than when they are a clear and present danger."
"That's true, but again, you're on the edge of the Outter Rim, why would you be so concerned? There has to be more than just the fear of expansion."
That drew a slow nod, "Yes, we have our interests in keeping the growing monster of a Republic at bay. Our primary concern is that ultimately, with such a disorganized separatist movement, there would be no effective counterbalance. While we are far away, we do realize that there is a tenuous balance on your planet. Corellia stands to lose considerably if the Rebpublic were to place one sanction, one boycott, one resolution against your polity and against your economy. There would be one clear loser in that fight. Mister President, let me speak plainly, if I may. We are not offering any sort of military alliance as we feel it is far too soon for such a maneuver, but we can offer the needed financial support should it become necessary. Right now, it is merely an offer. I did not anticipate an immediate answer. In fact, I would encourage you and your cabinet to think it over first. I will contact you again in a standard galactic week to see if you have reached a consensus."
"Miss Al-Shabbah, we appreciate the generous offer, and you'd better believe that we will be discussing it over the next week. We do find it a little surprising that Korriban would become politically active after so long. If you don't mind, why become active now?"
"We have our resons for breaking that age-old silence. We would not raise our political voices unless the Republic grew too rapidly or too strong. We must be ready to stand as a unified counterbalance against them if we are to make any impact."
"I see."
"As I understand it mister President, you're a very busy man. I will not take up any more of your time than is necessary. I'm sure you have more diplomats calling to sway you one way or another."
That drew a half-hearted chuckle, "You aren't kidding, on both counts. I appreciate you keeping this brief. I wish they all were as considerate. We'll be looking forward to meeting with you again next week."
The figure in blue-tinged burgundy faded away with bow and gastly silence.
Location didn't necessarily mean affiliation. Corellia's politics was such that there was a growing divide. The issue: joining that government that was already consuming nearly every servie and good that seemed to come from or pass through the plannet. The legal crackdowns on ship construction (namely the issues surrounding smuggle holds) and the crackdowns on piracy in general were threatening many trades the planet over.
It was an election year this year. As usual, there was tremendous pressure on both sides. The voices in favor of joining the Republic were quickly countered by those against it. The president of the planet was left with no room to make a clear choice. To make matters all the more confusing, Coruscanti diplomats were putting the pressure on Corellia in terms of trade.
He was the center of a swirl of maddening activity. There were advisors to the left and to the right. There were calls from diplomats every minute or so it felt. After half an hour of it, he cried out, "What in blazes?! Have we gone to war?! What's going on here!"
There was a pause as people froze. A staffer cleared his throat.
"What?!"
The staffer blinked and half-whispered, "Um, mister President, there's a message for you, this one is incomming from the diplomatic staff of Korriban."
There was another silence and then the president parroted, "Korriban?"
"Yes sir, it's apparently a secured, untraceable diplomatic line. It has all the official protocls and there is a woman on the other end who claims to be thier chief diplomat."
"Alright," he said as he loosened his colar slightly, "I didn't even know that Korriban was populated. Alright patch it through to my desk...this should prove interesting."
Moments later there was a figure of a woman glowing in the classic electric blue hologram, a life-size of the figure appeared in ghastly transparent fashion. The muted colors of the figure spoke of a woman clad in what appeared to be a burgundy robe that flowed gracefully over her slender figure. A strange set of features stared back at the president as the figure smiled a crimson arc and bowed politely.
"Good Morning mister President, I trust that this communique finds you well."
"Yes, I am fine, thank you, and you madam Diplomat?"
That drew another soft crimson smile and a velvet, lilting retort, "Mister President, I am Kayura Al-Shabbah, please feel free to dispense with the formalities as they are not your style." There was something dangerously piercing in her black, glistening eyes. Her black hair was neatly pulled back and folded, sliding a little as her head tilted. Her softly lilting velvet voice continued, "Mister President, I also understand that there has been unnecessary pressure put on you by Coruscant."
"Wow, news must travel fast. I think between you and the Bothans, it a solid tie. You're right, they have been at it , treatening tarrifs and possible sanctions."
There was a frown, "This is most unfortunate. I want you to understand that you have our sympathies. We may not have them at our back door just yet, but like you we feel that planets should have the right to political self-determination. It is our concern that if the Republic were to expand, there would be precious little to keep them away from our back door in time. Our Queen, likes her privacy, and so we will offer to those who share our concern about thier expansion, open diplomatic dialogue and possible support."
"Political self-determination. Ma'am, I hope you realize how loaded those words are."
"I know thier weight in the political arena. I also know that the Republic, if unchecked, could prove to be an equally loaded blaster barrel pointed right at the rest of us. It is better to act while they are not a threat rather than when they are a clear and present danger."
"That's true, but again, you're on the edge of the Outter Rim, why would you be so concerned? There has to be more than just the fear of expansion."
That drew a slow nod, "Yes, we have our interests in keeping the growing monster of a Republic at bay. Our primary concern is that ultimately, with such a disorganized separatist movement, there would be no effective counterbalance. While we are far away, we do realize that there is a tenuous balance on your planet. Corellia stands to lose considerably if the Rebpublic were to place one sanction, one boycott, one resolution against your polity and against your economy. There would be one clear loser in that fight. Mister President, let me speak plainly, if I may. We are not offering any sort of military alliance as we feel it is far too soon for such a maneuver, but we can offer the needed financial support should it become necessary. Right now, it is merely an offer. I did not anticipate an immediate answer. In fact, I would encourage you and your cabinet to think it over first. I will contact you again in a standard galactic week to see if you have reached a consensus."
"Miss Al-Shabbah, we appreciate the generous offer, and you'd better believe that we will be discussing it over the next week. We do find it a little surprising that Korriban would become politically active after so long. If you don't mind, why become active now?"
"We have our resons for breaking that age-old silence. We would not raise our political voices unless the Republic grew too rapidly or too strong. We must be ready to stand as a unified counterbalance against them if we are to make any impact."
"I see."
"As I understand it mister President, you're a very busy man. I will not take up any more of your time than is necessary. I'm sure you have more diplomats calling to sway you one way or another."
That drew a half-hearted chuckle, "You aren't kidding, on both counts. I appreciate you keeping this brief. I wish they all were as considerate. We'll be looking forward to meeting with you again next week."
The figure in blue-tinged burgundy faded away with bow and gastly silence.
