Drinking away our troubles...(Makiro Variyas)

[☢Axl☢]

Jakob pridefully approached the entry of his favorite bar, 'O Reily's. He walked in through the automatic doors, feeling the familiar vroosh of air as he passed by. He approached the bartender, a friend named Hagan and asked him for 'the usual'. Hagan instantly new what he was speaking of.
He sat down and waited for the man he had recently met, a senator who was interested in his 'ideas' for the future of the republic. He said he would come tonight, but when?

(Sorry for shortness, will be much longer once we start)

[Makiro]

The Liberty's Calling swung gracefully through the upper atmosphere of the Galactic capital, her top-mounted atrium glinting in the setting sun. As she maneuvered slowly through the peaks and spires of myriad ferrocrete skyscrapers, her chief passenger looked wistfully out of his stateroom window.

Avirod Escara - Avi to those who found themselves amongst his most familiar acquaintances; His Excellency, Prince Sarala of Keren, Senator of Naboo to those who didn't - gazed at the passing buildings in silent admiration for their beauty. He looked with awe at the subtle patterns of light and shadow that played across their ferrocrete and transparisteel facades as his private yacht wound her way delicately between their uppermost floors. He quite fancied that the inhabitants of those buildings would look upon the Calling with the same admiration as she drew elegantly past their windows, her ecologically-friendly ion engines glowing eerily in the dying light.

As the ship finally manoeuvred delicately down into a senatorial docking bay, the young, dark-haired senator adjusted his azure robes and gathered together a small pile of datapads that he had strewn carelessly over his desk earlier in the day. Depositing the datapads into a small briefcase, he exited the luxuriously appointed stateroom and made his way down the richly carpeted hallway. At the end of the hallway he was greeted by a contingent of bodyguards and aides, all clamouring for his immediate attention. He waved away an exasperated young secretary who seemed insistent on giving him another pile of datapads, and descended the ship’s docking ramp.

*******

The airspeeder ride to the small bar was not a long one, and within the hour, the senator’s small green speeder was pulling silently into a docking bay at the side of the large bar to which he had been invited. The Aurebesh letters above the automatic doors spelt out “O’Reily’s”; Avirod was sure this was the right place. He climbed out of the speeder, accompanied by two bodyguards and a faithful aide, and approached the ferrocrete building.

Walking through the doors, Avirod glanced around the crowded bar, closely inspecting each of the customers; he knew that his guards would be doing the same, checking all the while for potential assailants or assassins, but in the world of Republic politics, it paid to be vigilant. Spotting a lone man seated at the expansive bar, he approached him and took the seat next to him. Ordering a small glass of Corellian whiskey, he paid the bartender and took a sip. Waiting a few moments, he cleared his throat.

“Might I assume I have the pleasure of addressing Governor Rylayus?”

[☢Axl☢]

Ah Senator, please have a seat. He said as he jestured to the booth right across from him. As the bartender approached the booth and took the order from the man who just joined him, The senator attempted to pay him but Jakob simply couldn't have this if he were to convince Makiro to see Eye to eye with him. No, let me get this for you, sir; I Insist.

He readjusted himself in his seat as he took another sip out of his glass, So Senator, before we discuss what really needs to be discussed, I would like to ask you a few questions if that is okay with you, is it? He said as he put down his glass again, empty. He motioned for the two guards he had stationed in the back corner of the room, dressed in Heavy Blue armor to leave them to talk privatley. Also senator, if it is okay with you, I will have to ask your guards here to leave.

[Makiro]

Avirod rose from his stool and took the indicated seat, smiling graciously as the man offered to buy his drink for him. "Why thank you, Governor. That is most kind of you."

To tell the truth, he was used to such tactics when it came to political discussions. Despite barely a year's service in the Senate, he knew the tricks people used to get you on their side, or to see their point of view more easily. Still, this man seemed honest enough.

The young senator nodded enthusiastically at the man's question - the first of many it would seem. "Feel free, Governor; I could hardly ask you to discuss your ideas with a stranger!"

At the man's second request, the senator nodded again - this time somewhat less enthusiastically. Nodding at his bodyguards, he motioned for them to leave; they would, perhaps, wait by the speeder. His aide lingered momentarily, before a sharp glance from the senator sent him scurrying off after the guards, not willing to lose his well-paid job.

"Well, Governor, what is it you wanted to ask?"

[☢Axl☢]

Jakob felt assured that the man atleast somewhat trusted him as he allowed his guards to leave, however he saw the slight hint of a lack of enthusiasm in his facial expression. Sir I assure that neither I or my friend, the bartender here is armed nor should you feel that you are in danger whatsoever. He said with a warm smile on his face, even though he did infact have his two lightsabers burried in the deep boroughs of his blue robes.

He also felt assured that the man was open to questions, Firstly: How do you feel about how the Republic is run by the chancellor, do you think that he does a good job, or is he a corrupt, sniveling roach? Also how do you feel about the rest of the senate?

[Makiro]

Avirod was rather taken aback by the directness of Jakob's questioning, a fact that was not shown by his perfectly expressionless face; let it not be said that a life of politics teaches a man nothing. The senator took a few moments to consider his answer; he had to get the balance of truth just right. Too much and he would give away his true opinions – perfect ammunition for manipulation. Too little and he would scare away a man who clearly had a great deal of… interest in the Republic.

“Chancellor Baoont is an… exceptional man. His leadership style is certainly different to that of his predecessor, Chancellor Vilmar – with whom I did not have the pleasure of working. He is, I feel, too hasty to resort to conflict and arms, and too slow to consider the effects of his rule on the less fortunate worlds. I know for certain that my predecessor was not fond of him.”

Avirod paused for a moment and took another sip of his whiskey, practically draining the ornate glass. Staring at the remainder of the dark liquid, he carefully considered his next statement. Deciding that the man was trustworthy, he lowered his voice.

“I for one am not too sure that Chancellor Baoont is what we need at this point in time. However, it seems that his greatest opponent for the Chancellorship would be Senator Kail of Corellia: a man whom I feel to be even more militaristic than our current Chancellor. Don’t get me wrong, Governor, Donald Kail is a good friend of mine.” As close as Senators can get to calling each other friends, that is! “I simply feel that the Republic needs someone whom we can trust to lead us with the ideals of democracy at the fore, not simply as a method by which to orchestrate Galactic conflict.”

The senator paused briefly, fearing that he may have revealed too much. Still, it was said now, and the Governor was, after all, a politician like him; he certainly wouldn’t be reporting the conversation to anyone after what he had said.

“As for the rest of the Senate… Some senators – Senator Roshii and Senator Cheen, for example – have the Republic’s best interest at heart. Some however – and here I shall decline to mention names – take a far too aggressive approach to politics. They seem to have forgotten that the purpose of the Senate is to maintain peace and freedom within our own borders, not to declare war on any group they see fit. I only wish that… no, it is a trifling matter.”

Prince Sarala folded his arms resolutely across his chest, indicating that he wished to go no further on the topic.

“Why do you ask me these questions, Governor?”

[☢Axl☢]

Simply to completely assure myself that you CAN infact be trusted. He said with a slight chuckle. He stroked his cleanly shaved goatee before begginning to speak once more.
If you couldn't be trusted the conversation could not be continued as I would not openly share my interests with a man who could'nt be trusted; I may look young, but Im not as foolish as one might think. He said with a slight grin.

And not to my suprise, I believe that I CAN infact trust you as I feel almost exactly the same way. However I do hope you realize that the Sith never have been and never will be the kind of people to be making any permanent peace with; and with them re-emerging into the galaxy...peace will only come with more war. He said as he accepted the glass of Whiskey from the bartender who offered him yet another. He took a small sip, tasting the pleasing flavor on his lips and tongue and then putting it back down agiain on the table. Dont get me wrong, I am not as corrupt as the War obsessed senators you decide not to mention, I am simply not as ignorant as those who think in only 1 direction.

My next question, If not all is so perfect as one might like in the Senate. How do you propose we deal with the situation?

[Makiro]

Avirod swallowed nervously; the man had raised a valuable question. It was all very well and good criticising the other senator’s policies, but when he failed to even think of his own… well, did he deserve to call himself a senator?

“In my view, diplomacy is key. If, instead of turning immediately to armies and fleets, we employed our minds and our hearts; if we used words as our ammunition, in the place of blasters… then, Governor, we would live in a society I would be proud to call my home. However, as we both agree, too many senators in our Senate feel that armies and blasters are the way forward. Too many senators are willing to send beings to die for the idea of “peace through war”. This is a concept I cannot abide, Governor, for truly does violence beget violence.

On the other hand, as you have rightly pointed out, the Sith are different… they are… they are truly evil. The taint of the dark side corrupts their minds, rendering negotiation and diplomacy all but impossible. It would be wrong to think that we could just abandon faithful members of the Republic to their brutal onslaughts, and I am not for a moment suggesting that we do so. There must still be ways though. Ways to end the threat of such monsters, without sending wave after wave of beings to dreadful and lonely deaths, far from home and family.

Sadly, Governor, I feel that it is not the place of the Senate to decide how best to deal with the Sith. That duty can lie only in the hands of the Jedi Council, for only they understand the ways of the Force that corrupts those… monsters.”

Picking up his glass, Avirod drained the last dregs of whiskey and stared wistfully through the thick bottom. The world of Galactic politics was truly a complex one.

[☢Axl☢]

Jakob Pondered what the man had said for just a brief moment before speaking once more. Yes I agree with you, the Jedi Council has always been a great ally in dealing with the sith every time they reaccour. But lately they have'nt seemed to have been much help? Why? The Jedi are extremely pacifistic and will resort to anything before going to war, so unless their so called 'force' can either annhiliate the Sith Army or Navy or they have the abbility to negotiate peace terms amongst the Sith....they wont be much help right now. He finished off the rest of his whiskey, leaving only a tiny drop sitting in the bottom of the ornate glass. As the bartender, Horris, approached ready to pour him a new glass Jakob dissagreed. Oh no thanks Horris, It's a long ride home and Im trying not to get to the point where that ride could easily become fatal. he said as he quickly pulled his glass away. Unless...Unless we could strike a deal with the council. Tell me, are you good at persuasion; the abbility to make others see your way?

[Makiro]

Avirod thought for a few seconds, wandering what it was that the Governor wanted from him.

"I cannot - and will not - use words to force others to come to a conclusion they would otherwise rather avoid, or to force my own opinions or desires onto them. However, I like to think - however inaccurate such fancies may be - that I have at least some skill in the area of reasoned debate. What is it you would have me do, Governor?"

Avirod toyed thoughtfully with the collar of his robe, anticipating Jakob's answer.

[Makiro]

Suddenly, from inside the deep blue folds of Avi's robes, an intrusive beeping announced the imminent arrival of a commlink message. Fishing the small device from out of a voluminous pocket, Avirod read the brief message and rolled his eyes. Could the Senate really not function without him? Smiling apologetically at Jakob, he rose slowly from the table.

"My apologies, Governor, but it seems the Galaxy cannot remain crisis-free for any longer than an hour; I must take my leave."

Handing Jakob a small datapad, he smiled again.

"On here you will find my comm number, as well as the address of my private Coruscant residence. I trust you will be able to keep this information... discrete."

After assurances from the other man, Avi turned back to the door and left the cantina swiftly, already anticipating the broiling pot of politics into which he was about to launch himself.