At The Turn Of The Tide

[Blue]

Despite the threat of a new Pan-Galactic War rearing it's head in the immediate future, the Order still had its responsibilities to the Republic. This was made all the more difficult by the fact that they had still not fully recovered from the last war, and the Archeri Crisis that so recently plunged the galaxy into a panic had not permitted them much breathing room. So, Grand Master Moho sat alone in his chambers, the screen in front of him scrolling data: numbers and names and costs and losses. One such loss was Master Bib'fort Passik, the Jedi assigned as the Watchman of Naboo. The man had been pushing into his first century and had been nearly crippled during his long and admirable career. Indeed, he had been about to retire to the Temple and leave the position when he had passed away peacefully in his sleep. The Twi'lek had often told Moho that he did not envy whoever replaced him; his ageing made his duties difficult to perform but, considering the state of the Order, he had continued on anyway. Naboo was not exactly at peace as of late. Pirate raids had the system on high alert, and the current mustering of the Republic force, consisting as they did mostly of Vartians, had some in the planetary government rather uneasy. Add that to the apparent rising tensions between the human nations and the Gungans, and the lack of a steadying presence there that Master Passik once provided could prove quite dangerous. So Moho had begun the process of assigning a new Jedi to the position of Watchman of Naboo. With what Council members were free to do so, they selected a few among the Order who might have the skills and interests in stepping into the space left by the late Master Passik. Of the names on that list, Knight Alliera Tal'Verda stood out. She was not opposed to meeting and speaking with others, as evidenced by her time in the Temple occasionally teaching younglings about mechanical devices and her interactions with Republic military personnel. She had a decent head on her shoulders, with an understanding of politics such a position almost demanded. The knight's ability in the more martial arts were also well established, which would doubtless prove useful in such times when peace could prove uncertain. As such, he had summoned Knight Tal'Verda to his office to converse on the possibility of her being made the new Watchman of Naboo. The screen continued to scroll. Numbers. Names. Costs. Losses. The harsh data of life.

[mandajetii]

Alliera did her best to walk patiently through the halls of the Jedi Temple, some nervous energy permiated her still, the lightsaber that Arley had made for her sitting at her hip. There was the low level worry that always sat under the surface with Ally that the Temple would discover the relationship, and force her out, that her ad-hoc family would leave her. The image Alliera put out though, was almost soldier like as she walked towards Grandp-Master Moho's personal chambers, with her Jedi armor on, and her helmet held under an arm. The typically worn robe was over the armor as always. Alliera didn't know why Moho had summoned her, but she wanted to be ready in case. Alliera opened the door to Moho's personal chambers with a quick gesture, and walked in quietly, not wanting to disrupt whatever Moho was doing.

What Alliera saw made her forget about her own problems, as worry swelled within her. Moho had always been a grandfatherly figure to Ally, teaching her many things as a child and even a padawan later. It was clear that something was bothering the Grandmaster, maybe the War, or was something else happening? "Master Moho, what's wrong?" Alliera asked, disciplined manner gone as she slowly approached the Grandmaster

[Blue]

The Grand Master looked up at the sound of his door opening, and smiled as he saw Alliera Tal'Verda walk in. His smile grew warmer when she immediately asked him what was wrong. It was always a reassurance to the old Jedi when he saw members of their Order inquire after one-another's well-being; it was an indication of empathy and perceptiveness that all Jedi needed to possess to fully carry out their duties. "There are many terrible things going on in the galaxy, Knight Tal'Verda," Moho responded, closing down the screen with a small wave of his pincer. "It seems that no sooner as one calamity ends, another begins. It is distressing to witness, and we Jedi bear witness to it many times over the passing years of our service. But I will be fine, thank you. Please, take a seat." Moho gestured to one of the two comfortable looking chairs that were on the opposite end of his table and waited for his fellow Jedi to move closer before speaking again. "Of the latest troubling pieces of news that has come to me, the passing of one of our colleagues, Master Passik, is at the forefront of my mind right now. He was the Watchman of Naboo for nearly thirty years; indeed, he was soon to retire here to the Temple to teach before he died. With tensions high in the Naboo system, the post is one that we cannot leave empty." A datapad floated off the desk and hovered towards Alliera, turning on as it did so. An array of reports and news stories flickered onto its screen regard the system: pirates, civil strife, unease with the Republic forces stationed there. "Even with the threat of a new war with the Empire, we cannot forget our duties as peacekeepers and mediators. After speaking with the High Council, we have come to the conclusion that offering the position of Watchman of Naboo to you would be in the best interests of all parties involved in the current issues, and beyond." Moho allowed Alliera a few moments to digest this information before continuing. "Of course, this is not a forced re-assignment. The position is available if you wish to take it; if you do not believe yourself ready or willing for such an assignment, then it is within your right to refuse it. We simply think that you would be well suited for the task," the Grand Master finished, his tone reassuring. There were others who could be chosen to fulfil the role of Watchman, but Alliera Tal'Verda was at the top of that list.

[mandajetii]

Alliera refrained from speaking, sitting one of the chairs offered. One of the older masters had passed, The Watchman of Naboo. Alliera had not known the man personally, but dying before he could come home was a tragedy all the same. Alliera didn't interrupt the Grandmaster though, she just kept listening. She was being offered the Watchman position on Naboo, relief flooded her veins almost immediately. If she could get into contact with Arley soon enough, she could talk him out of joining the Republic Military and maybe joining her on Naboo. What if he wanted to join to fight the sith though? That was also a question she had, not weather or not she would support him, there was no question that Arley would recieve her full support whatever he did...but it did mean that she'd have to worry about him if he joined the War effort. Alliera did her best to hide these conflicting feelings, but she was never the best at that, and she was in the presense of the Grand Master of the order. "How do you want me to handle the Vartians?" Alliera said, distracting herself from her own inner thought "They are our Allies, but the methods are.... not ideal..." 

[Blue]

A conflict clashed inside Alliera as she heard the offer, but Moho quickly realised that it had little to do with the offer itself. No, if anything the concept of becoming the Watchman of Naboo appealed to the knight, but something else was wrestling inside her. Concern for another? The Grand Master's amber eyes observed her, following the traces of the emotion, searching for any hint of darkness... and finding none. Then it is fine. For now. "I take it from your question that you are indeed interested in the position?" the Grand Master stated with a smile, before his expression became more serious as he considered the question. "The Vartians are a strange case," Moho replied. "They have more in kin with battle droids than their fellow organics, but they will stick to their treaty with the Republic. As they are not truly a part of the Republic, you will have no true say in their activities or deployment. I would recommend that you read up on their history, and discuss with the senior Republic diplomat in the Naboo system on how best to handle them in the event that they become... difficult." The datapad that Moho had passed over to the knight flickered again, showing a long document on the nature of the Vartians and their previous engagements. "They are similar to the Mandalorians in some ways, but lack the honour code of the mando'ade," Moho continued. "The Vartians do not understand things such as mercy or compassion, especially in war; those have been biologically cut out of them. I would suggest that you do not give them an inch of ground, as they will perceive it as a weakness and your position against them will deteriorate, possibly to the detriment of the sector." Moho sighed. "It will be quite the test of your diplomatic skills. But as I said, confer with the Republic's diplomatic arms, both before you leave and when you arrive. They may be able to provide you insights for dealing with the Vartians that I do not possess."

[mandajetii]

"I'll make sure to make a nuisance of myself with the diplomatic corps before I leave." Alliera said, nodding "Needless to say, I'll take the position." Alliera was happy for this chance, the Order was giving her a pretty big responsibility, and it was a chance to do some real good for a world. "With the war coming, should I be preparing Naboo for it?" Alliera asked, her next big question "Normally, they're not a militant world by any stretch, but I might be able to get something together that can protect itself." Alliera wasn't fully sure about that idea, but the Jedi herself could only do so much, and the idea of relying on the Vartians was worysome at best.

[Blue]

Moho's warm smile grew wider when Alliera confirmed that she would take the position. It was good that Naboo would retain a Watchman over it; with things so uncertain in the galaxy, a stabilising influence was never a bad thing, and ensuring that the position was swiftly filled after such a sudden loss would go a small way to help that. "It would probably be no bad thing to ensure that Naboo is prepared for the possibility of conflict," Moho agreed. "Wars can stretch far, and even if the opposing armies never meet in the Naboo system the people there may find the war effecting them. Pirates are still plaguing the region, and they may grow bolder when the Republic turns it attentions more fully towards the Empire. "However, be sure to remember that your position will be an advisory one for the most part. It will be down to those in power on whether to follow your council or not; if they are wise, they will consider your words, and that of their other advisors. There may be times when your advice may be ignored, or overruled. Do not be discouraged if that happens, but make contingency plans in the event that they might be needed. Forethought is vital in the position of Watchman."