High Command Meeting Chamber

[Lord Ire]

"For the Executor, you aren't observant are you?" Kommisar fires back at Zairon, he is trying to fear-monger High Command, close minded as ever. Kommisar switches his attention to Tuulk and the image of Lord Ire, where he notices a shadowy figure standing the Lord Ire's chair, and goes on to fire back at Zairon. "These are not the same 'Vong' that wiped out your planet Executor, they are the ones that stopped the invasion. If not for them the Yuuzhan Vong would have likely overrun the galaxy and wiped all 'infidels' out of existence."

"Not likely..." Grand Admiral Tuulk comments, which draws calls of approval from a few of the Moffs. "What do you know about the Yuuzhann, Regent Kommisar?"

"I know that some are seeking to add the word 'peace' to their vocabulary, as odd and scary as it may sound, its completely possible that they do want a true peace." Kommisar replies, he is about to continue when someone's voice makes that moot.

"Show me what you are proposing." Ire's image asks, the image remains frozen in place in a state of contemplation. If Ire was ever hard to read its harder now, what are his motives behind pushing this matter forward. The image of Ire turns to face the Yuuzhan Vong woman still in her near-human shroud and stares at her like he would any other being. "I assume you've come prepared to complete your task, therefore you should have some designs to show us... or am I wrong?"

[Lord Zairon]

Zairon was about to snap back when Ire spoke. As such he stopped, still glaring at Kommisar. He took his seat sitting back down and turned to watch the woman awaiting her to answer Ire.

[shadow]

He smirks silently when he sees Kommisar finally noticing him there. He looks quietly at Zairon. "Forgive my intrusion Executor, but I believe the Regent is correct. There are two types of the Yuuzhan Vong. The loyalists and the traditionalists." He glances at the guest speaker. "Forgive me if I'm wrong about that."

[Lord Zairon]

Zairon glanced back at Shadow and whispered back, "Anyone who would betray their own race and way of life would not hesitate to betray us if they saw the opportunity. We have more to lose than we do to gain by dealing with these Vong. We are offering them the chance to take our technology, to sabotage our ships, to know our codes, and to rebuild an army. In exchange we get what they claim will be better ships. Is the risk really worth it Shadow?"

[kaalyanii Hul]

At hearing Zairon's quick return, Kaalyanii knew she was taking something of a risk in answering so directly, but it was something she was willing to do, because he raised a good point. If this was how the rest of the known galaxy saw the shamed's actions, then it wasn't going to bode well for their progress.

"We did not betray our own race." She spoke out, voice clear, though heavily accented, matter of fact. "Executor, consider this, we could have easily slain all those who stood in our way, our opressors deserved no less by the standards of some of your own kind. But we did not. What we did was for the good of all Yuuzhan Vong. I ask that you see this from our point of view, we saved them from destruction."

Not wishing to dwell on the dire matter of Yuuzhan Vong loyalty, she was as eager as Lord Ire seemed to be, to show an example of the work she and the shapers had been working on over the past klekkets. Inclining her head slightly at the representation of the dark figure, she gesticulated towards one of the guards that had flanked her on their way into the chamber, who had taken possession of a gelatinous looking creature, similar in shape and size to a larger of the Yuuzhan Vong's communicative creatures, a villip. This was a distant relative of such a biot, capable of showing a recordable image, rather like a person reviewing a holo.

Taking it from the man's hands, she stepped towards the table, ignoring the concerned looks she was recieving from several of the chambers occupants, setting the creature down upon the unnaturally smooth surface with a squeltch.
With one hand she seemingly reached into the center of the gelatinous blob, twisting her hand at the wrist in such a way it seemed to awaken the creature almost violently, writhing and shifting against the table as it appeared to work it's self into the beginnings of some sort of undiscernable shape.
Kaalyanii removed her hand from the fray, letting the creature conform to the memory imprint it held within it's simplistic mind.

From within the writhing mass of optic jelly, came the sleek and angular shapes of a craft that could have been a living tribute to the birth of a star, with arms reaching out behind the nose of the vessel in a bursting array of natural and manufactured materials both.

"What you see here is only the beginnings of our shapers research, the naturally shaped aspects of this craft are without flaw so far as we can make them...it is the made thing aspects we require some more knowledgable help with. While our shapers have come into contact with such made thing vessels, we are unable to discern each aspects function as completely as yourselves, we know the basics, but require the exepertise to progress and develop this project into something truly worthy."

Kaalyanii cast another dark eyed gaze across the table, these people were almost as unreadable as one of the priests of the undying flame. Was it so unfeasable that they would wish a chance at peace in the spirit of the word as it was meant in basic? Perhaps for some it was, she had spent time among the 'infidels' as she had known them then, when she had been newly shamed, abandonned on a world that was retaken by the enemy and held captive for reasons she would only learn later on were very nearly the end of her. She had been destined for an alpha red testing facility, she could have held that against all the inhabitance of this galaxy, sought revenge in kind, but she hadn't. She saw the bigger picture as had many of the extolled. If only these beings would do the same.

((OOC: Bubba, if you like you can post those images here, I am writing this from work and am unable to do so.))

[Lord Ire]

Upon the creature that Kaalyanii Hul produces, a strange gelatinous membrane begins to show images of an interesting design, sleek and impressive, and from the looks of them they seem marvelous in ingenuity. The ship looks like two large skeletal white Y-shaped hulls attached at their centers by a single pylon, which allow the warship to change between the Y-shaped cruiser formation and the distinctive "star" shaped war mode configuration. From the looks of the design these ships could hold between seven and ten squadrons of starfighters on its own in addition to all the support vehicles and personnel needed, indeed this ship is beyond anything that has been seen before.

The Moffs begin to mumble between themselves and comment on the possibilities that this should could mean, whatever their side, good or bad is is thought of over this. Tuulk stands up, the Grand Admiral stands poised as he looks at the images as they display the designs before looking up to the members of High Command. "To see this as it appears is hard on all within these chambers, we remember the time the Yuuzhan Vong attacked the galaxy and devastated countless worlds, but we must remember why this Empire exists... to protect the people of the Empire. To offer a place to the Yuuzhan Vong is dangerous, no matter how you would see it, politically and publically."

"That's funny, I thought we wanted to unite the galaxy in peace." Kommisar comments after Tuulk finishes speaking. He stands there just as poised as the Admiral when he continues to refute both Zairon and Tuullk's arguments which are more based on fear. "Where you see danger, I see an opportunity to show the galaxy we mean that very thing. Think about it, with all the negative publicity the Empire has had recently its time to get more into the win column. We stamp out corruption yet we are unwilling to move forward, to give those that wish a chance to prove themselves loyal, it would appear you don't want peace."

"Didn't you once say to me that the Vong should be put in the lowest levels of city and forced to mate with the mutated scum in order to survive?" Tuulk asks the Imperial Regent.

"I believe I said 'those that attacked the Empire', dear Admiral."

[Lord Zairon]

"Actually, I'm pretty sure he is right, you said Vong." Zairon said to the Regent with a nod to Tuulk, "By the way, when did you get demoted from GRAND Admiral?" He said looking at Tuulk.

"I have not demanded that every Vong be exterminated, because genocide isn't ever pretty. I have only encouraged aggressive action against the Vong who are still attacking. Have I made any aggressive actions towards our guest here?" Zairon asked.

"Also, there is a difference between allowing Vong to be accepted into the Empire and handing over our shipyards for them to play with." Zairon says looking back at the Regent. "You don't just show up, request to join the empire, AND get shipyards handed over to you right away. That's crazy and only a greedy fool would allow it. I suggest we allow the Vong to join us and prove their loyalty like every other planet and citizen does before they get access to our military. That is after all why things like military clearance and security exist."

"I didn't realize, Regent, that you were so desperate to get cool new toys that could possibly endanger our Navy that you would simply accept them without any questions or credentials. Or is it because you sit around on planet and will rarely be in these ships that you don't care about their safety? Are the lives of our crew members and fleet admirals so insignificant to you that you can't accept taking precautions and just wish to throw them into danger? I almost have to wonder if perhaps you'd enjoy that, maybe even planned that. If these Vong are telling the truth and are loyal to us, you look good and gain standing because you brought it to us. However if they betray us and those ships cause countless people to lose their lives you get to knock off Grand Admiral Tuulk, possibly me, and any Moff's or other Admirals that are aboard them. The smaller the High Command the greater your power?"

Zairon then looks over at the rest of the High Command, "Give the Vong a chance to prove their loyalty and dedication BEFORE we allow them to play with military weapons. Let them join and act like normal citizens and upstanding members of society. If they do that for long enough then, like any other member, they can join other military engineers and designers. How is it fair at all to accept a new member into our Empire and promote them to full control of development right away? We'd seem like we only care about planets and races that give us new technology and other planets that offer workers, knowledge, and other resources don't matter at all."

"That's also just talking appearance. I was accused of fear tactics. However is it really fear or common sense I'm spreading? Unlike the Regent here I've fought along side Grand Admiral Tuulk in a few space campaigns. I've met some of the men in our navy and seen their loyalty and dedication, something I've yet to see from these Vong. I really don't feel safe tossing them on ships that were created by a group that is questionable, at best. A group whose loyalty has not been tested. We would be needlessly risking the lives of millions of men simply because we were impatient and naively trusting. Again I stress that we let them join, but make them wait before they get access to all our military designs and shipyards."

[Lord Ire]

Just as Kommisar was about to call Zairon the upstart that he is, the image Ire raises his hand and utters a single word. "Silence."

Looking around the room for the next person to say something, Ire seeks to quiet the bickering between the High Command. "We are leaders, not squabling delegates in the Senate. We are here to decide what is in the best interest of the people... and then do it. It can only be by the will of the Force that I have such wise men and women around me to help decide that very matter."

The image of Ire sits back down and appears to relax in the chair as he continues to address the High Command. "I know there is tension on the matter, I can feel the fears that you all harbor inside, but we have to look at this carefully and decisively. Before we continue, all non-High Command members must leave... immediately."

[shadow]

Shadow raises an eyebrow slightly hearing Ire but bows and nods his head. "As you command my lord." He turns and makes his way to the chamber doors and exits the chamber.

[kaalyanii Hul]

The concerns of a few dictated in large the concerns of the many, thought Kaalyanii as she remained silent, just listening to how the preposal went over, it wasn't a promising start all round, with Kommisar being their only true supporter here, she had rather hoped the promise of starting something new and revolutionary might captivate the minds of these otherwise stuffy sycophants.

And then Zairon continued to voice his opinion, expanding on what Tuulk had already brought to the table with much loathing. His manner was a margin more diplomatic, yes, but the way in which he spoke about her kind like she wasn't here, by using that word of all things, was beginning to make the age old part of herself boil with anger. But she remained impassive, this whole situation would have been endlessly frustrating to anyone aside from her and she had handled it quite well up til now. No sense in ruining things. However, it was her honour bound duty to point out that underlaying discrepancy.

"We would not wish control of your shipyards, you would retain complete control of them, our shapers would uphold our end of the deal, working along side Imperial shapers til completion." She said, then dropping her tone slightly for what was to come.

"Please, do not reffer to us as 'vong' it is deeply insulting. I have refrained from addressing you as infidel, it is a common courtesy, you understand?"

Her voice while softly spoken, could not hide the destinct guttural undertone that punctuated every sylable in that uniquely Yuuzhan Vong way, it made most things sound harsh, whether she wanted them to or not. Complaints weren't going to win this project votes, and upon Lord Ire requesting silence, she had not to opportunity to interject with anything else in their favour.

So be it then, the time for explanation was at an end, and calling that all non high command leave the chamber, Kaalyanii respectfully receeded from the table's edge, leaving the geleatinous creature right where it was, it's vision of sleek marriage of technologies still ever visible, like a glistening jewel at the center of a rock pool, marred only by the ripple of optic jelly.

[Lord Ire]

As the others leave the room, Tuulk wonders what Kommisar is up to with all this, there is an air of uncertainty hanging around the room. Its almost tangible, the uncertainty, thick like the dense mists of the swamps on Naboo. Tuulk looks at the other members of the High Command and reads the expressions on their faces, the room is almost split right down the center in how they feel about this matter, its clear that everyone has their own thoughts on this matter but thanks to Lord Ire those thoughts are mute now. As the doors close behind the last non-High Command member to leave, Tuulk looks over to Kommisar. "You're daft, Remus. You can't think..."

"I said 'silence', Grand Admiral Tuulk." Ire says in a cool and calm voice but what he says next is chilling, even though its coming from a hologram. "Don't make me repeat myself again."

"Forgive me, Lord Ire." Tuulk says as he bows his head, it doesn't take him long to do so after Ire's address. Ire looks around the room and sees the members of High Command as they sit in silence, he can sense their fears and its ripe. There is no emotion for Ire as usual as he goes on to address High Command again.

"There is no doubt in my mind that a good portion of you are wary of these 'Extolled' and their motives, you may count myself among you. However, the Regent does have a point of view we might want to investigate further; the matter of the Extolled joining galactic society. Now Lord Zairon, I see your point of view as well, your fear is that somehow these Extolled Yuuzhan Vong will turn their gifts, and quite possibly our own weapons, against us. You seek to protect the Empire, for that you can't be faulted, but I feel your personal hatred for the Yuuzhan Vong is clouding your judgement."

The holo-image of Ire stands and looks around the room as he continues on. "You all fear them for one reason or another, it doesn't take the Force to sense that, but I don't fear them... I loathe them. Not long ago the Yuuzhan Vong came into our galaxy with one purpose, annihilation of all 'infidels'. Some worlds were lucky while other perished, some lived while others died. Most of us here have experienced loss at the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong in the past and now they wish us to believe they want peace. I agree with you Lord Zairon, these Extolled Yuuzhan Vong need to prove their loyalty before we can trust them."

[Lord Zairon]

Zairon bows, "Thank you my lord. I'm glad you agree with me." Zairon says with a slight smile.

[Lord Ire]

"But I also believe that this is a perfect opportunity for us to test that loyalty." Ire states to a few following sighs of disbelief. Ire notes those who don't agree and keeps them in mind as he continues on. "We will commission a single ship for use, and we will watch them closely, they will go along with our oversight and will comply with the Imperial way of doing things. I have a feeling that we might surprise ourselves."

Ire's holo-image looks around the room and finally locks eyes with Zairon, he can feel the anger that Zairon has for the Yuuzhan Vong and with that the Executor walks a fine line between light and dark. The Yuuzhan Vong are the very thing that brought them together, little does Ire think that Zairon will believe what he is about to say but it doesn't matter. Ire is the Emperor and it is only his rule that matters. That is when Ire decides to reassure Zairon and the other members of High Command. "If we find proof that they wish our downfall, then we will hopefully know enough about them by then to make them wished they had stayed enslaved."

Tuulk sits and stays poised, inside he is screaming, he never has and probably never will trust a Yuuzhan Vong's word for it and he is thinks Ire is expressing an exercise in futility. He also thinks its possible that Ire is also looking for a reason to kill Yuuzhan Vong and this is the route he is going to take. He will have to ask these questions later but for now he will stay quiet. The only one that seems slightly happy by all this is the Regent, Kommisar is smiling as he bows to Ire's image for allowing this forward. But he also presses a matter with the beginning of the project. "My Emperor, the Extolled will need a shipyard area to make this ship, what shall we do about that?"

"That I will leave to you, Regent Kommisar." Ire decrees, "You're this projects champion, succeed and you will meet with great reward. Fail and... well, you know."

[Lord Zairon]

"If this fails, I'm more than willing to take my title literally." Zairon said with a frown.

[Lord Ire]

Ire notes Zairon's response and realizes that the Executor needs more assurance of the situation. Ire image then stands and decrees a close of the meeting. "This issue is closed for now, dismissed."

With an eerie silence, the members of High Command stand and bow their heads in respect of Lord Ire as they begin to file out the room. Ire's image looks at Zairon and addresses him proper. "Executor, please come to the throne room. I wish to speak with... immediately."

Kommisar, upon exiting the room, immediately goes to where Kaalyanii Hul is waiting. He approaches with a slight grin, not that previlent but enough for even the Yuuzhan Vong to tell that he has good news, and Kommisar stops and bows his head slightly at Kaalyanii.

"Guess what... you're about to be executed." Kommisar says bluntly, his statement sounds chillingly truthful, and then laughs with a lot of ego and a little bit of humor. "Just joking, you'll be glad to know that Lord Ire has agreed to commission a single ship for the time being and appoint me head of the project. He wants to test this 'trust' you want between us, you will follow Imperial protocol in the testing and development of the new vessel with freedom to do certain as needed. Imperial Tech officers will work in conjunction with your shapers to help integrate our technologies and offer you assistance with them when needed. Congratulations Lady Hul, your search for peace and a place in the galaxy has begun on a most.... favorable note."