Star Wars OPEN Star Wars: The RPF Galactic Senate Game: A Galactic Alliance

IC: Senator Aryan Graul
Senate Chamber



Having exposed the Emperor's scheme, Aryan crossed over to Bellorum's pod to celebrate their victory together. He fully expected the man to concede, opening the door for them to assume control…

But that’s not how the session unfolded.

Instead, the Emperor lashed out with his anger, condemning the entire assembly for the results of the vote. His ire sent shockwaves through the Senate rotunda—or maybe it was merely the sound of distant explosions as a motley group of soldiers rushed in from the exits. From their perspective, it was difficult to discern whether they were friend or foe.

Had the Emperor arranged for such an attack?

Or perhaps it was some sort of test; the man was certainly cunning enough to pull such a stunt.

Either way, Aryan intended to take full advantage of the ensuing chaos as several of the chamber’s essential structures began to crumble around him.

Fortunately, Bellorum had the same idea.

As the Emperor leaped from the central podium and landed in the pod beside them, the Chiss woman rushed to protect him. Aryan knew from his own observations that Bellorum did not think too highly of the man—however, she likely recognized how dire things had become. If she could gain his favor, it could potentially place her in a position to rise to the top.

Aryan approved of her plan, and incidentally, Bellorum agreed. He couldn’t explain what happened… or why, but the woman impressed those sentiments in his mind. Her voice was crystal clear, almost as if she had spoken directly to his face.

'Help me protect the Emperor.'

With a sly grin, Graul stepped forward and passed directly in front of the Emperor's gaze. "I’m quite familiar with the hidden passageways that run beneath this chamber and continue into the heart of the catacombs," he explained in a confident drawl. “I could lead you out that way... if you would follow me…"

He swept his hand across his chest to show the way, canting his head marginally to regard Bellorum with a sideways glance.

'Trust me.'

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent; @Sinrebirth; others in the chamber

 

IC: Emperor Fel V
Ablaze

Ish Kabibble was in-fact, by virtue of not being crushed to death, safe in his offices and able to see the carnage unfold…

The Senate chambers were ablaze with fire and chaos, figuratively and literally. The Emperor stopped himself snorting at the two Senators he had encountered when something detonated beneath the pod, and he toppled over the edge.

He grimaced, hanging from the railing - he was winded, and undoubtedly, vulnerable.

But that wasn’t his problem, presently - the angle meant from at one 180 degree angle the pod itself obscured him, and from another he was completely exposed. The toppled pillar did however give some cover though.

So a 100 degree arc?

He peeked over the Senate pod, at the two - he could tell the pod was angled, hanging onto the wall just about. Fel could see the aged Aryan and the Chiss woman, and he recalled, addled by the detonation, that they were going towards one of the secret exits. Interesting that he knew of those -

But then blaster fire erupted from the opening, and that meant the rebels knew too! The Emperor swore to himself.

The three, four troopers were raising blasters -

He craned his neck, tried to see what was happening along the arcs where he was endangered -

There was a Senator, almost ignored, crawled, and he realised that the gunners should really have seen Amethyst in the mess, she was colourful enough -

The Emperor only belatedly that the enemy was mainly targeting Imperial Senators -

And defending themselves, definitely. The first wave of troopers were retaliating against the bodyguards, but it was all small arms fire, but the Emperor appreciated that Kigrael was keeping a 50 degree arc in check - and Senator Tal had stood with a blaster and began shooting down everyone like some kind of drunk crazy -

Emphasis on crazy, if a bit inspirational.

Right until a blaster bolt caught Tal in the hip!

An explosion above blew in the roof of the Senate, and there it was; a Crix-class shuttle. Soldiers began rappelling down -



The shuttle turned and began firing shots into and through the doors of other secured offices! It was tracking, making a methodical effort of murder which would eventually reach Ish. The Emperor closed his eyes as transparisteel rebounded off his shoulders, conscious that the moment that shuttles full circle turned it would begin shooting apart anyone who was ‘winning’ would be in danger -

There was a crack, and the Emperor looked down at a pod that had crashed to the ground. A grenade had gone off inside it -

An ion grenade? Why ion?

Why not a traditional?

The Emperor tried to see who was in the pod, from his terrible angle, and became a lot more focused on his own plight when the water sprinkler system kicked in to deal with the various fires that had rose up from blaster burns into the carpet and dangling fronds -

His grip was slipping -

Jerrec Vaklu would thus be wet, but only bruised. They’d targeted his pod, to disable it, rather than kill -

From the lower entrance an officer in Resistance attire rushed over. “Sir, come with me!”

TAG: @Silvertough, @Adalia-Durron, @HanSolo29, @darthbernael, @Lady_Belligerent, @DarthIshyZ

 

IC Amethyst Ordwgal
Senate chamber

Low, get low

That was what she knew to do, her darkened garments would hide her colour, not for the first time in her life did she once again curse her mothers colouring. Reaching back she pulled the oversized cowl of her gown over her head, disguising her lekku and long braided dark hair as best she could while she scrambled to escape. Blaster fire was all around and she could hear the screams of those who were being hit. Amy only wanted to avoid being one of them, half wishing she had access to a weapon, or better her X Wing.

Reaching a nearby outside wall, Amy pushed herself back first up against it as she attempted to look back into the chamber, to her horror, she saw what looked like troopers dropping into the chamber from above, when without warning a blast went off, but not what she'd already experienced.

Was that an ion blast?

"Kriff." She muttered, knowing full well, all comms were now down the chances of help coming were just severely reduced. She needed to find someway of defending herself, but where?



TAG @Sinrebirth.

 

OOC: The 'violence' approved by GM

IC: Kigrael
Galactic Senate Chambers

The Senate chambers were descending further and further into chaos as Kigrael fought through the troops that ringed the Observing Platform. Even with his speed and advantages he had only cleared a relatively small arc of the platform already. Anyone that saw him now wouldn’t be sure he was the same well dressed Senator that had been sitting in his pod only a few minutes earlier. His suit was in shreds, blaster burns crisscrossed him and his eyes were deep and void black pools. His hands and talons were dripping with blood and gore, the floor of the platform awash with the same fluids.

So, when the sprinkler system kicked in, it became even more of a slippery encounter for all on the platform. Fires still blazed and that one Senator with the blaster was still firing it in all directions so he stayed away from the edge, avoiding the random shots. He had to spring back from an attack on one of the troops when the ceiling of the Senate chamber exploded inward, showering the platform even more than the chamber itself with debris. Sudden light flooded in before a shadow obscured the light, the shuttle entering the chamber. His course across the platform became more evasive as turbolaser fire ripped out from the turrets of the shuttle, firing on and past the pods, into the offices beyond.

Between the flashes of the turrets firing, he could see ropes dropping from the craft, bodies flashing past the platform toward the pods below. His talons grazed the skin of his palms as he lightly clenched his hands, growling low. The talons of his feet slipped through the grooves in his shoes for them, as he took off at a run.

He almost skated across the platform, toward the shuttle, cutting through invading troops that got in his way, as he did. Reaching the lip of the platform the railing deformed as he pushed off of it, leaping through the downpour from the sprinklers. His arms and legs wrapped around one of the rappelling ropes, just above a trooper who was on his way down it. Smiling darkly at the shocked look given him by the man, he kicked the trooper in the head hard enough he heard a crack and the man’s hands released, the trooper dropping into the chaos below.

Using his talons as leverage he swiftly made his way up the rope, aware that above him he could feel someone trying to cut at the rope to make it drop away before he reached the ramp. He leapt again, to a neighboring rope, using the body of the trooper he latched onto to assist him higher on the rope, kicking again to remove that one from the fight.

What came up onto the ramp the troops had been rappelling from was as much apparition as living being. His hair was streaming and plastered to what was left of his shirt, the tips of his proboscises were writhing, just out of their cheek pouches, most of the gore had washed from his hands but his sleeves and talons still dripped red, his eyes glowed an eerie black, and a smile was upon his face, as he looked at the trio of troopers, blasters wavering as they were pointed at him, one frozen where he’d been sawing at the rope Kigrael had used to board.

In a low, harsh tone, ”I am hungry so you have two choices. You can either be my meal or you can guide me to the officer of this craft. Decide now but drop the blasters first. They make me even hungrier.” The talons of his feet dug into the plating under them, as he leaned forward slightly, in case they decided to open fire instead.

TAG: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29, @Dandelo, @Lady_Belligerent, @Adalia-Durron, @Mitth_Fisto, @DarthIshyZ, @Silvertough

 

IC: Bellorum
Senate Chambers

Bellorum rubbed her neatly manicured thumbnail across the soft flesh of her fingertips, and waited. The chaos was escalating and the Senate chambers were slowly being wrecked, and Bell was seething. She and Aryan had made an effort to assist the Emperor, and to aid his escape, but he’d all but ignored them… the tables were now turned and Fel V was dangling off the side of the pod.

She glanced at Aryan with her brow raised in a questioning expression. We have no choice, but I’m letting him wait a moment.

Bell smiled ever so slightly, appreciating her view. Graul was somehow distracting her at a moment like this, she couldn’t allow that to continue. Even a slow, deep breath didn’t help clear her mind. He was close enough that the subtle notes of his cologne, or soap, was maddening.

Her cheeks started feeling warm, and she decided the Emperor had waited long enough. Bell went to Fel V and reached over to grasp his arm. She waited for Aryan to assist so they could haul Fel back into the pod with them.

“Hello, again,” Bellorum said to the Emperor.
“Now, Senator Graul and I are privy to a passage of escape. You’re welcome to join us?”

This was one of those situations when a woman asks a question, using a very specific expression, and you know she didn’t want an answer.

Bell looked over her shoulder at Aryan Graul.

Aryan, give the Emperor a push if he hesitates. I can break our fall… trust me.

Bell turned and dove head first off the side of the pod.



Tag: @HanSolo29 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Senator Aryan Graul
Senate Chamber



It was hard to process everything that had occurred in the last few minutes. The Senate had dissolved into complete bedlam; troopers of unknown origin stormed the chambers with blaster rifles and various munitions; the roof collapsed in a spectacular explosion, revealing a renegade shuttle that belched more blaster fire and troops into the ensuing confusion; the pod on which they stood lost its integrity and began to tip onto its side, leaving Emperor Fel to dangle precariously over the abyss.

Senator Bellorum had detailed a plan to save the man’s life—to take a leap of faith, quite literally, and escape into the catacombs—never mind that she had conveyed her strategy through her thoughts! She was inside his mind! It was disgusting to him that the Sith possessed such a power, especially when they utilized it so brazenly. He had a notion to push the hapless Emperor over the edge to his death as an act of defiance; he would not become a pawn to further the Sith’s agenda!

But he knew that such an act would ultimately backfire on him. He needed the Emperor to achieve his goals. If he served as this man’s savior, he could fast-track his own ascension through the revamped Senate. A prominent cabinet position in Fel’s new administration would be ideal.

And so, Aryan Graul had no other choice.

Inhaling deeply, he shuffled forward and knelt down beside the Emperor. "When we reach the bottom, you run directly for the base of the dais," he said in a stern voice, angling his chin toward the pit below. "There’s a concealed entryway that leads into the catacombs. We escape through there."

Without waiting for the man to acknowledge his instructions, Graul gripped his arm and jumped.

He could only hope that Bellorum would uphold her end of the deal and catch their fall.

Otherwise—

Well, he didn’t want to consider it.

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent; @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Emperor Fel V
Skirmish In The Senate Chambers

The Emperor dropped, trusting Aryan Graul, who had suddenly gone much up in his estimation.

Bell would be able to catch them, not targeted in that moment because the attackers were too busy with the fact that Kabibble had acted promptly from outside the jamming.

He had, after all, called the Empire's Wrath upon them.

The Imperial Knights would be here soon.

The shuttle crew that faced Kigrael heard the call, that comms had been breached and reinforcements called, and they roared a war cry, charging the bodyguard.

But it was merely a cover for the shuttle crew to try and blow the shuttle - to send Kigrael tumbling down the ramp at very least aflame!

As Fel called upon Bell to join them, they took catacombs not too far away from those that Senator Vaklu had retreated along, he himself used the Force to shield them, but any Senators out in the open would be hit by the concussion wave, which slammed into Ordwgal and others not a moment before she would see a Resistance blaster rifle clatter to the ground besides her. Indeed, the offices that Kabibble had been safely (mostly) secluded in became a wall of shattered glass that wounded his clerks -

The violence in the Senate came to a sudden and abrupt finale.

A Senator was dead, Tal, and at least one Republic Senator had fled.

The Imperial Knights arrived with a chorus of snap-hisses, and Fel watched as two, three, they slid down the tunnels that Vaklu and other Resistance fighters had taken.

He couldn't see where Bell was in the confusion of a stunned and likely concussed Senate chamber, indeed, his ears were ringing, but he pushed his words into the minds of his Knights - and indeed any of the Senators who were awake.

Arrest all Republic Senators; bring the surviving Imperial Senators to my chambers so I can name Moffs.

The Republic Senators had no choice but to flee.

Vaklu would be in the hands of Resistance partisans, eager to serve, Ordwgal would have to rely upon her pilots heritage to get to a ship and make a quick getaway.

His eyes turned to Aryan Graul.

"You're descended from a long line of Chancellor's, are you not?"

TAG: @HanSolo29, @Lady_Belligerent, @Silvertough, @darthbernael, @Adalia-Durron, @DarthIshyZ

 

OOC: Shuttle exploding per GM

IC: Kigrael
Galactic Senate Chambers

Through the open ramp of the assault shuttle, Kigrael could hear the noise and violence still raging but slowly petering out. Before him he saw the remaining troops scream out a warcry and charge him. A lazy smile crossed his face and his talons shone as they flexed, in the light.

Suddenly his head tilted at an odd angle, as he sensed something. His arms whipped around before him, keeping the troops at bay, as he wrinkled out what it was he’d sensed. ”Sneaky…”

Pushing at the troops crowding him, his talons released from the floor of the ramp, leaning back. And then his senses went white, overloaded with the noise, the pain, the energy of the shuttle exploding. He, vaguely, felt as the shockwave threw him out of the remains, hair, clothes, even skin in flames.

’Frack….’ he thought as his mind came back into focus, feeling the rushing wind as he fell, realizing that he had been near the top of the hollow sphere that was the Senate chambers when he’d been thrown from the shuttle.

The one piece of good news was that falling like this was mostly putting out the flames that covered him. However, around him and above him chunks of the shuttle were falling with him, meaning that whatever pain he’d find when he hit the ground would be even more when those pieces landed on him.

Growling in pain, he managed to get his body turned around, facing down. It’s often said by people, in an intense moment, that time slows down. In that moment, Kigrael was experiencing the same effect, seeing the ground rush up towards him. ”This is going to hur…” he got out before his body slammed into the broken off central spire.

He bounced, as unconsciousness claimed him. His body hit again, bouncing and rolling down the spire, as flaming debris from the shuttle rained down around and on him. The wild roll came to a jarring halt on the floor of the Senate as a large chunk of the shuttle landed on his crumpled form. The impact drove a muffled grunt from him before the angle caused it to roll off his body.

It felt like an eternity later that his eyes opened again but was truly only a few moments. He could see the hole in the ceiling of the Senate from where he lay, his body feeling odd. Blinking in a touch of confusion it took him another long second to realize why, his head was turned around almost 180 degrees. His right arm answered his mind when he tried to turn his head back the correct direction, but as it did so he could see his left flopping over at an unnatural angle, just above the elbow.

Using his good arm, he pushed off the Senate floor, cradling his useless arm to his chest. Another wincing growl escaped his lips as he tried to get his legs under him, only to find his left leg also was broken, dragging across the floor. Sitting up finally, his body growing weary rapidly as it began to heal. As he was assessing injuries, a morbid chuckle escaping when he found a piece of hull bracing that pierced his abdomen from front to back, missing the spine, he ‘heard’ the Emperor’s message.

Arrest all Republic Senators; bring the surviving Imperial Senators to my chambers so I can name Moffs.

He sighed as he rocked back on his heels, snarling as pain signals rocketed to his mind, pain and the warmth of the bones knitting back together. Which was when a pair of shadows fell over him. Looking up he chuckled darkly. ”And where have you two been while this…” he gestured at his shredded pants, bloodied and ripped shirt, and the various wounds that covered him, including the piece of hull still running him through. ”...happened? Ah well, the Emperor calls, so…”

Pushing up, he grasped the held out gauntlets of his ‘bodyguards’, their armor soot streaked and blaster fire creased. He couldn’t hear, his ears were still ringing, he realized he couldn’t hear any of the fire or orders that were being yelled out as order turned to chaos.

Which meant he didn’t hear what one bodyguard said to the other, “Should we tell him his hair is still on fire?”

TAG: @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29, @Lady_Belligerent, @Adalia-Durron, @Mitth_Fisto, @DarthIshyZ, @Silvertough, @Dandelo

 

IC: Bellorum
Senate chambers

Bellorum’s immediate thought was that she didn’t want to fall clumsily, which wasn’t easy considering her shimmersilk garments threatened to blow up and expose more flesh than she would prefer. She grabbed a handful of the hem just before her tunic fluttered up, which allowed her to pay more attention to slowing her fall in time to lightly step onto the floor.

She quickly took a couple of steps back and glanced up, as the two gentlemen stepped into view a second before plummeting towards her. Palms up, she forced air upward, slowing their fall. Then, at the last possible moment, she switched to telekinesis, using her mental power to lower Aryan, and Fel, to the floor near her.

It surprised Bell that she’d held her breath since she’d jumped, for a moment she had been concerned that Aryan might decide that he wouldn’t trust her.

Bell had guarded her own thoughts over what she would do if Aryan didn’t follow her. There were options for her escape, but she didn’t like the notion of leaving him there, not with so many enemies firing on them. That fact startled her, why did she care?

Thankful that she hadn’t been placed in that position, she gave Aryan a small smile once his feet were on the floor. Her cheeks felt oddly warm from the realization that Aryan had trusted her with his life after all.

Bell nodded in agreement when Fel told her to join them. It was a huge relief to leave the chaos inside the Senate and pass into the underground tunnels.

She stayed a step behind the two men, guarding from behind as they retreated.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29

 

IC Amythyst Ordwgal
Ouch......


She'd been crawling, desperate to find a way out, there was no way she was going to have her parents hear she'd died crawling away from danger, not her, not the daughter of Resistance fighters and leaders, it wasn't going to happen. Glancing back she heard an explosion, but it wasn't the regular kind, in split seconds she found herself physically picked up and thrown to the side. Landing hard she rolled several times ending on her stomach, utterly winded. Gasping she lifted her head as knowledge told her she'd not be alone in this event and she only had seconds to escape what or who ever was after them. Pounding head behind blurred eyes glanced around and beside her she saw what she'd been seeking only moments before so scrambling on bruised knees she threw her body at the weapon, grasping it and pulling it under her body.

As her eyes cleared she could make out the now exposed offices of what she believed were Senator Kabibble's, the transparisteel wall that had been his ability to hide in there was now gone but she knew the chances of the pieces cutting her were slim so stuffing the blast riffle inside her outer coat, she crawled with desperation and determination toward the open wall.

Once there she rolled to the side and sat up with her back to a solid wall, looking through blurred vision for the offices' intended occupant. "Senator Kabibble, .....may I ......have a word?" She panted.



TAG @Mitth_Fisto @Sinrebirth

 

FIRST TAG for Tay!

Later

Anthony would come to in a room that included a hulking Imperial Knight, his arms folded across his barrel chest.

"Senator Neir," he said gruffly. "You are accused with conspiracy against His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fel V."

He took a step forward in the dimly lit room, the Senator's hands manacled to the table.

"How do you plead?"

TAG: @Tay Neir (combo)

 

IC Senator Ish Kabibble and Senator Amethyst Ordwgal. (thanks to @DarthIshyZ)
Hidden.

Finally some sense, "Yes, I'm fine and I'm alone.........and I'm armed. I grabbed it when someone fell near me and dropped it." She held up the weapon, "and I'm very capable of using it." Dropping her head back to the wall, her lekku twitching wildly as she sighed, attempting to calm herself. "I'd like to be as far from this mess as possible please?"

The senator nodded his heavy head. "Understood and agreed. You're relatively safe, now. That office is very secure with the door panel shut. It's basically a 'panic room' now." He paused a minute as he looked around. There were still a few holes where someone could have slipped in. "Amethyst, I just need to be sure. Please just check under my desk and other hiding places to ensure there's really no one there."

In back of her there was a holobroadcast device playing. "This is Striks Usnill with the MSGBC newsroom. We're interrupting the live developments at the Senate with a special report. The office of Senator Ish Kabibble has reached out to us. Senator, are you safe?" "Yes, Striks, I am. I also have Senator Amethyst Ordwgal nearby. We're both reeling from these developments."

Amethyst heard the Senators voice, but could not see for the smoke. "I can try!" She called out as she pulled the blast riffle out of her robes and checking the charge. Full, perfect. Gathering her feet under her, Amy stood, sliding her back up the wall and glancing around. It didn't matter, she couldn't see very much at all and her only real option was to crawl like a coward, something not in her vocabulary, or to make a run for it. Meaning only one option.

"Three, two...go!" She hissed as she pushed off the remains of the wall and running into the corridor, she could hear blaster fire and didn't even know it if was directed at her or someone else, it didn't matter, she spun 180 degrees and began firing indiscriminately down the way she'd come heading toward the door, glancing for it and back to the smoke every second. She'd found it and without waiting to knock, she ducked down, pressing the button to open it and tucking the weapon under her, tumble rolled into the room. Coming up she scampered for the button to close it again. "Senator, I think we have a problem."

A woman's voice came over the video intercom on the wall. It was Wherow, the senator's secretary. "Senator Amethyst, as long as you can get in there and close the security door, you'll be fine. Press the red button beside the door to shut the security panel." The video showed Wherow look back and forth as if she was taking in the whole of Senator Kabibble's office from the camera. "Madam, I don't see anything that might raise a concern with me. What are you seeing?"

Amy frowned, where was the Senator, and why didn't this person know here surname, who used first names in the senate? Looking around she saw security panel, leaning across on her hands and knees she slapped it to open it and reveal the red button. "Well, better than nothing." She pushed on it hard and seconds later a panel on the door slammed shut. "The senate has been attacked, I can't even tell you by who but there is blaster fire and I think senators are being arrested, for what? Your guess is as good as mine!" She sat back against the wall, Amy really had no idea what had happened.

"Yes, yes. We're already researching." She said, impatiently. "Just a few min-" She was interrupted and pushed out of the way by Senator Kabibble.

"Be nice, Wherow. Senator Ordwgal is a friend." He turned to the camera and said to Senator Ordwgal, "We'll get you in here soon, Amethyst. How are you? Are you alone in there?"

Finally some sense, "Yes, I'm fine and I'm alone.........and I'm armed. I grabbed it when someone fell near me and dropped it." She held up the weapon, "and I'm very capable of using it." Dropping her head back to the wall, her lekku twitching wildly as she sighed, attempting to calm herself. "I'd like to be as far from this mess as possible please?"

The senator nodded his heavy head. "Understood and agreed. You're relatively safe, now. That office is very secure with the door panel shut. It's basically a 'panic room' now." He paused a minute as he looked around. There were still a few holes where someone could have slipped in. "Amethyst, I just need to be sure. Please just check under my desk and other hiding places to ensure there's really no one there."

In back of her there was a holobroadcast device playing. "This is Striks Usnill with the MSGBC newsroom. We're interrupting the live developments at the Senate with a special report. The office of Senator Ish Kabibble has reached out to us. Senator, are you safe?" "Yes, Striks, I am. I also have Senator Amethyst Ordwgal nearby. We're both reeling from these developments."

Amy was crawling to the desk when she heard the reporter, once she was there she ducked under, muttering, "a reporter, really? Is this all part of some media promotion?!"

The reporter sounded bemused briefly. "Senators, it is a pleasure to see you safe and well. I have already heard that several Senators have been arrested by the Emperor's Imperial Knights, and I gather warrants are due to be issued for others. Do you expect both of your names to make the Emperor's list?"

Senator Kabibble made a grunting noise, something quite rude on the herdships. "I couldn't care one whit whatever our esteemed 'Emperor' is doing, whatever 'list' I'm on, or whatever 'crimes' he throws at us. We were simply exercising our rights as citizens of the galaxy! And when Senator Ordwgal joins us from the other room, I'm sure she'll echo those sentiments. This whole exercise is wholly illegal."

Wherow was watching Amethyst's examination of the office. Satisfied with her progress, she opened the security door. She said, "Thank you for your patience, Senator Ordwgal. Welcome to our sanctuary."

She'd checked the room as best she could, the entire time in disbelief that reporters were involved in all this. When the door opened and she scampered through, standing beside the door as it closed she heard Senator Kabibble speak to her. Leaning back against the wall, the blast rifle still over her shoulder. "Thanks, appreciate it." She sighed dropping her head back.

Striks Usnill could smell a story. "Is Senator Ordwgal truly there, with you? I have footage of her brandishing a rifle, and I'd love to hear her view of matters."

Amy sat shaking her head slowly, her brilliant green eyes narrowed as she almost sneered. She'd not be part of a news story for entertainment value. "I have no view." She muttered.

Ish looked at Amethyst as she sat. He gestured to the camera to say, in essence, there you have it. "Striks, we're all quite rattled here. She just got out of harms way, so I don't think she'll be in the mood for any talking for a good while. As to 'brandishing' anything, our 'Good Emperor' brandished first with this illegal action! He's threatened us with death for representing our constituents and not or own pocketbooks."

Amy nodded, and with one hand held up her index finger and waved it, "yeah, that!"

Striks smiled. "Watchers, if you're just tuning in, the Senator Kabibble here has just confessed to sequestering a Senator who a few moments ago was marked for imprisonment by the Emperor. Are we seeing the beginnings of a civil war? Or a coup by the Republicans that they're attempting to take the high ground over?"

Their eyes took in the two of them. "Let's see, shall we. We invite Emperor Fel V to discuss the situation live on air, before the situation escalates. If we're not going to return to the Empire of Palpatine, Caedus and Snoke, then we beseech, no, beg the Emperor to negotiate."

Striks turned to the camera. "This is our last, best chance for peace."

Snapping their fingers, the feed was cut, leaving the three of them. "Thank you so much for that. I'll be in touch if the Emperor's representative turns up? You'd best work out your own way to escape that office if he decides to send in the goons... I've already prepped my shuttle if this goes south!"

The reporter was playing a very delicate game here.

These Senators had just been made the most important in the galaxy.

But also had a massive target painted on them.

Would Emperor Fel V prove a tyrant, as he was accused of being?

Or would he parley - and avoid a continuation of the Star Wars?

"Good luck," Striks left the two of them to each other.

Amy had her head back, eyes closed as she listened to not only the rambling reporter but the distant sounds outside. Her vibrant green eyes shot open, "what the kriff?" She gasped, this was her first assignment representing Bakura and the last thing she was qualified for was negotiation in anything, not even with her parents!

Senator Kabibble, put his hands on his hips and stared at the monitor. It appears the Emperors dis-information patrols had gotten to even the most liberal news outlets. "What the kriff, is right," he agreed. He turned to face his friend and fellow Republic senator. "No matter. The public would be able to, at least, hear our side. And the Emperor's goons can't just bust in here without some political blowback. We should also try some of the other news outlets to see if we can get a more liberal slant. Wherow, look into that, would you?" He put his hand on Amethyst's shoulder. "You're safe. We're all safe for now. Would you like some food?"

"I'd like a stiff drink." She stood, this was not good, not even slightly. The last thing she wanted was to be seen as 'a rebel', wait till the media dug into her background.




Tag @Sinrebirth, @HanSolo29, @Lady_Belligerent, @Mitth_Fisto, @DarthIshyZ, @Silvertough, @Dandelo

 

IC: Senator Aryan Graul
The Catacombs



As fate would have it, he did not plummet to his death nor impale himself on an outcropping of debris as he hurtled toward the ground floor. Senator Bellorum had succeeded in mitigating their fall, and in the process, displayed her proficiency in the Force. It wasn’t entirely unexpected, especially when he considered her status as a Sith, though Aryan had to admit that he initially had doubts. He had trained himself to practice caution around such beings.

Nevertheless, as he landed on the stone surface, brushing off his trousers and straightening his lapels, he angled his chin and regarded the half-Chiss with a sideways glance. A prolonged pause hung between them before a thin smile flitted across his lips, followed by a nod. It was the only acknowledgment he would allow to express his gratitude.

After the moment passed, Aryan turned and ushered the Emperor and his fellow Senator into the darkened passageway below the main chamber. As they moved, he could hear Fel’s telepathic message inside his mind, which prompted him to clamp down on his mental faculties. While the connotation was clear—he had prevailed in gaining the Emperor’s favor—he did not appreciate the willful invasion of his thoughts.

However, before Graul could protest or express his disdain, the man pivoted to address him directly. "You're descended from a long line of Chancellors, are you not?"

Aryan narrowed his eyes, slightly bemused by the inquiry. He had only brushed the surface of his family’s history, though he had learned enough over the years to know that Fel was correct in his assessment—it only partially.

"From what I can recall, there was only one Chancellor in my ancestry," Aryan replied smartly, watching the man out of his peripheral vision. "I believe his name was Tomas—though my memory may be a bit vague on the details. He served his term thousands of years ago."

A quiet scoff escaped his lips as he reflected on that fact. "I suppose a more apt description of my family would be a long line of bureaucrats and government officials. It’s been a very long time since we’ve reached the pinnacle, after all."

A cunning grin spread over his features, though it quickly passed.

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @Lady_Belligerent

 

IC: Emperor Fel V
Amused

"Come now, I am well aware of your chequered past," his eyes cut to both of them. "Each of you."

Did he know? Was he speculating?

They reached a hardened room, full of all manner of console and communication, a turbolift to the upper levels (and lowest levels) of the Senate building, and even a private hangar, including a TIE Predator and a Nune-class shuttle. "Welcome to the Fortress. The route down takes us to a location in the Works, a tunnel previously used by Palpatine, I gather, to avoid attention as he led his double life as Darth Sidious."

He was interrupted by a bulletin involving a Coruscanti news service and two Senators.

His head Imperial Knight, Yalta Val, had passed it over marked urgent.



An interplay between the presenter and two Republic Senators - Senator Ish Kabibble and Senator Amethyst Ordwgal - it was publicized for all to see.

"Let's see, shall we. We invite Emperor Fel V to discuss the situation live on air, before the situation escalates. If we're not going to return to the Empire of Palpatine, Caedus and Snoke, then we beseech, no, beg the Emperor to negotiate."

The Emperor's expression grew stony. "This cannot be allowed to continue."

He turned to Aryan. "Acting Chancellor Graul, I expect you to open a discourse, a very public one, with the two Senators. Deal with it, immediately."

The Emperor turned to Bellorum. "I need you, Grand Moff, to speak to the Chiss. The diplomat there, Moff Fehlaaur;aitel'loro, he is a former Imperial but in the distant past was content to support Emperor Krayt. We need the Chiss Empire on-board to keep the western flank peaceful, and they're the most important faction in the galaxy outside the Alliance." He growled at that.

"Arrange a meeting, a holocom call, or a coup - a bloodless, secret one - if need be." He looked from one to the other. "Are we understood?"

TAG: @HanSolo29, @Lady_Belligerent
---
In the Senator's Office

There was a small army of reporters and their assistant droids camped beyond a thin line of Stormtroopers - just enough to keep the peace, but not to be a threat, with a set of speeders and hover-vans behind them. Senator Kabibble's staff kept a watch, and brought out refreshments to the troopers and the media, a little interplay to emphasize that he and Senator Ordwgal were being completely peaceful in their protests.

But with all that attention, there was no way to use the Senator's private hangar to escape, and no way to move through the rest of the Senate Building without being noticed; often. So far there were no Imperial Knights on the picket line, but there was a communique from the leader of the Imperial Knights; Yalta Val.

The Emperor will not personally entertain your theatre show, but he will send an appropriate representative to the head of the Rebel Party, which we presume is one of you two. All Senators have been arrested save for the Senator of Onderon and an unaccounted bodyguard. We expect you to be able to offer their locations.

Be prepared.

Of course, the unaccounted-for bodyguard would turn up...

TAG: @DarthIshyZ, @Adalia-Durron, @darthbernael
---
Sneaking out

Ona had rolled her eyes somewhat at the Senator's theatrics.

"My life is in your hands." He had said, bowing his head in turn to the Devaronian and the Wookiee. "Shall we?"



The Grinning Liar



Chak



Kee

"Sure," the Devaronian said, as the Wookiee rumbled his annoyance.

There was suddenly a clatter behind them, and Stormtroopers appeared.

Ona had a blaster in hand immediately, shouting. "Go, go, go!"

Suddenly a noise filled the hangar, a female voice speaking up.

This is General Yage of Skull Squadron. Surrender, or be destroyed.



Gunner Yage

There weren't any TIEs in-sight, but Chak growled at Vaklu. The price had just gone up.

"I hope you can shoot as well as you poet, Senator," Kee said, slapping the ramp-release.

TAG: @Silvertough (combo)
---
The House Arrest

The Imperial Knight and his Stormtroopers transferred Senator Neir to a more pleasant environ, and notwithstanding his cooperation, he followed along.

"I am Ganner Krieg," he said. "You are in my care."



The safehouse was a nondescript warehouse in the Works district, and a speeder took them swiftly, and surely.



But when they reached the location, there was a sudden explosion and the two Stormtroopers were dead; a blaster clattered to the ground in front of Neir!

Ganner ignited a silver lightsaber as two individuals appeared from the shadows.



"I don't want to have to do this, Ganner," the Zeltron said, a large blaster to hand.



"Yeah, let's make this easy, and give the Senator to us nice and easy," said Jariah Syn.

Ganner stepped in-front of the Senator. "He has agreed to be taken into protective custody."

"Yeah I'm sure you read him his rights. No lawyer present? Very Krayt," sniped the Zeltron, Deliah Blue.

The Senator would have to decide whether to tell his 'saviours' to leave him, or to turn on the Imperial Knight in all his misguided nobility.

TAG: @Tay Neir (combo)

 

IC Senator Kabibble, Senator Ordwgal, Senator Kigrael.
Secret stand off! - thanks to @DarthIshyZ and @darthbernael


The sound behind her made Amy spin in surprise toward the window and in astonishment, watch the dramatic flourish. The man’s clothes showed her he'd been in the senate when it had been attacked, and she wondered who exactly he represented.

Then she looked at his face.

She knew the species now; she'd heard stories from her mother telling of a similar being meeting her great Aunt at her mother’s home. Although her mother had been a child, the being had been there and the story of his manner of feeding had frightened Amy as a child. Gasping she stepped back, "who are you?" She asked as fear gripped her, suddenly she had an inkling of who killed those outside.

Kigrael’s lips twitched at the gasp from the Twi’lek woman, almost forming a smile for a moment before they returned to the usual neutral line. His eyes, still black within black, crinkled at the edges of his eyelids as he peered at her. Nodding, a short, sharp movement, “How boorish of me for not introducing myself. My apologies. I am Senator Kigrael, representative of Anzat. And the Emperor asked that I come speak to you both.”

He was exactly what she thought he was and now Amy was scared. She knew what his species did, knew how they fed, and looking to Senator Kabibble, her green eyes wide with fear.

Kabibble stood up and turned so fast he tripped on his large feet. He tumbled to the ground on his butt. He had to pick himself up as Kigrael introduced himself. His expression became one of annoyance and embarrassment. "So. The emperor’s plan is to kill us all? I suppose that's what I'd expect of the man!"

"Kill!? It's not what he does, it's more how he does it!" Amy backed up to a nearby wall, she felt sick. "What's the Emperors offer?" She wanted to stall as long as she could hoping to find a solution before this creature got hungry again.

Amused now, by the reactions of both the Republic senators, Kigrael shrugged. “He didn’t grace me with that information. Only told me to come here and speak the leader of the Republic senators, one of you I’m to believe is that leader.” His tone was bored, as though he had better things to do at the moment but was there as the emperor had sent him. He, otherwise, ignored the comments from the female Senator about what he was.

Amy turned to Kabibble, a look of questioning on her face without a word said, she knew she was not the leader of anything, it had to be him. "Talk to us? What about? If he gave you no outline, what does he want?" She stopped, her mind working, was he here to stall them, distract them from what was really going on, going to happen?

Senator Kabibble held his heavy head in his hand in emulation of a facepalm humans were so fond of. "You're here to talk to us. But you don't know about what." He gestured to Kigrael. "You try to con your way in here, and when that failed, you break in. Brilliant. That's how you start sensitive negotiations. Very professional." The last of what he said was dripping with sarcasm. "You want to talk, so talk." He resumed pacing. This was getting tedious. "Oh, but before you start..." Kabibble pressed a couple buttons on a nearby tablet. "... everything we say is being recorded and stored off-site."

Amy liked that, at least if she died here, her parents would know how and why, and who. "Are you a distraction Senator? If you've not been given an outline, does that not strike you as strange? Could you be a pawn as well?" She had to put it out there.

Kigrael’s smile was fractional. He chose not to sit, not yet. “When the Emperor gives an order…” he began. Glancing over at the tablet he shook his head, “And you are quite paranoid, Senator.”

He turned his attention to the Twi’lek, “Are we not all pawns in someone’s game, no matter whose? And I have been given a brief outline of course, did you not hear the Emperor’s command earlier?”

Reaching up, a finger pretending to clean out one ear, ”I must admit I did not ‘hear’ it, felt it yes but hear, no. I was busy falling from a shuttle full of troops trying to kill me, even as it exploded.” He snorted, “But, our benevolent Emperor has requested that I not…explore my own nature here with you…yet.”

Amy snorted in disgust, "and I was busy trying to stay alive, listening to a megalomaniac talk bantha poo doo wasn't high on my list of priorities." Stepping forward toward him she put her hands on her hips, "felt? Arh, like my grandmother does, or my great Aunt.., or my Uncle....I know that one. Sadly, not all of us were born with that gift and get that pleasure, so if you'd like to enlighten us 'lesser' beings please?" Pausing for a heartbeat she went on to add, "and I know what you own nature is, and what you are....and I won't hesitate to use my blaster to stop that."

Kabibble listened with wry amusement at the exchange. "You'll have to pardon us if we don't live up to your *ahem* "standards. You have to admit we have good reason to be, as you said, paranoid. We came here expecting an honest exchange of ideas. A give and take. Not a take and take. Just a few hours ago, I was waiting in my office... that outer office right there. Then, BOOM! Everything went up in a blast in the Senate. I made it back here to safety, quickly followed by my fellow senator. She in between shots being fired at her by some unknown entity. Then our lovely Emperor decided to blame it on us and place all my fellow Republic Senators under arrest. I'm sure one or two were 'accidentally' killed in the firefight."

A hand went to his head and he grimaced. "Wherow, a pain reliever, please. I have a headache."

He turned back to Senator Kigrael to continue. "So, yes, I'm being 'paranoid.' With good reason, I must say. Currently, I don't know if I'll make it out of here alive. Especially with someone so loose with the lies and trickery as you've demonstrated you and the Emperor are, sir." He received the pain relief tab from his secretary and put it in his mouth to dissolve.

Kigrael glanced at Amy, one eyebrow arching in a sardonic expression. ”Firstly, the Emperor didn’t speak his instructions, he broadcast them Senate wide, mentally, so every being present should have felt them in their minds. Secondly, that would…tickle…if you attempted it and you know that if what you say is true of the stories you’ve heard.”

Turning his attention to Kabibble, gesturing with both hands at his torn, ripped, stabbed, and burnt garments and half burnt away hair. "Do I look like I am speaking falsehoods or being tricky that I was involved in a major firefight recently? I’d say my garments and flesh speak for themselves about that. Did I attempt trickery to enter your office a few minutes ago? Well, yes, expecting you or the Bakuran Senator here to simply have shot at me through the wall or door otherwise, which would have been…problematic in keeping my word to the Emperor if you had done so.”

With a movement that seemed to be a blur, he darted along the window, snatched a chair, and returned to where he’d been standing, before sitting calmly, black eyes taking them both in. "I truly do not need trickery if my intention were to kill either of you. As a matter of fact, I estimate about an 80% chance that if I so desired it would be done and me already most of the way home to my people to tell them that the rest of the galaxy can just go back to prey status before what I did was found. So, trusting that I am here simply to talk should be your one and only wish at the moment.”

The longer he had them talking, even inanities such as already had occurred the sooner he’d have more knowledge of why the Emperor had decided to send him here to speak to these two in the first place. And, if it was the Emperor’s intention to use him as bait to then destroy all in here…there would be two deceased and he’d be perturbed.

Kabibble watched his display. He showed he was impressed. Rumor and data on a species abilities were nothing compared to witnessing them. "I understand your meaning, and agree. But, still, it's hard to trust you or the Emperor with his two-facedness and your actions so far." He held up a hand so he could gather his thoughts. "How about this? We restart. I will offer my apology for not letting you in right away. You offer a similar apology for breaking in. Then we'll each pledge to approach these talks with honesty, openness and integrity. And we'll just have to trust each other." He added force to the last bit to emphasize how important it was.

Amy moved to put her back to a nearby wall as the two spoke, the language was basic but the eloquence was always what she'd struggled with. Touching her fingers to her temple, where there was a soft ache, she wondered why she'd not 'heard' this message from the Emperor, why somehow it'd not managed to seep into her mind. Her grandmother had always said 'the Force can have a strong influence over the weak minded', was she that strong minded? She'd not interfere, it was clear Kabibble was practiced in the art of negotiation, so if nothing else, she may learn something whether her life be long or as suggested, near it's end.

Sitting back in the chair, an amused expression on his face, Kigrael noted as Amy put her back to one wall. His hands folded in his lap and he turned his attention back to Kabibble. "I suppose that is easier for you than it would be for others, as an Ithorian.” he stated, calmly.

Nodding, his expression unchanged, “I must admit I did enjoy the drama of my entrance as it, perhaps, shocked you both into thinking rather than acting. So, let us move forward, what exactly are you expecting here, when the Emperor has expected that the Republic oriented Senators be taken in?” he asked, one eyebrow arched in curiosity. Raising his hand, “And, I wish to hear from you both, not just the Ithorian Senator, unless the Bakuran one is saying that he speaks for both worlds, with her actions.”

Amy was confused as to why Republic Senators were being blamed for this debacle, and that was what she felt needed to be clarified. If the media was indeed watching, the public deserved to know. "Where is the proof of any Republic Senators or, Republic...anything, being involved?" Her voice even as she stepped forward. "What is to say we won't be arrested or worse any moment when we have done nothing wrong here. I had to defend myself, how would that make me an instigator?"

Ish gestured toward Senator Ordwgal with a nod as if saying yeah, that. He crossed his arms across his chest. "What do I want?" he repeated. "I want something that the Emperor can't give me any more. Amy is right. We had nothing to do with this. And he goes and plasters accusations against us with no evidence. What I want is to live in a world where we can have a Senate like we did. Where a free exchange of ideas is expected and allowed. Where sometimes words or actions might anger others, but armed troops and threats of legal actions are left at the door. I want a legislative body run by the rule of law. Not by the rule of a tyrannical Emperor. Can you, Mr. Kigrael, give me that?" He walked over to his chair and took a seat, yet not as dramatically by far as the Anzat did.

Kigrael’s chuckle, he was sure, have an almost physical impact, with the touch of mental energy he’d imbued it with. Shaking his head he muttered “If wishes were fishes…”

Looking back and forth between the two Republic Senators, he let a softer snort escape him “Your fervent wish, Senator Kabibble,” emphasizing the title as the Ithorian had neglected to do when addressing him, "is not something that even existed in the time of the Republic, the Old Republic, any real era of the galaxy. There is and always have been factions, on any side, that have sought to make things their own way, to pervert the laws to their own ends, even in the mystically good republic. Which has been partially why us nightmares under the bed made flesh have almost always avoided the idiocy of the beings that compromise most of the galaxy.”

He sat back in the chair, hands on his lap as a smile danced across his face, “You, I am quite certain, are asking for something you knew well enough before you even asked the question was not in my power to give you. And, a counter question, why do you think the Republic Senators were demanded by the Emperor, could it have something to do with the fact that those who are on the Imperial side were the ones that were mostly targeted by the attack that just occurred?”

Ish couldn't believe his ears. Did this being actually believe that it was only the Imperial senators that were targeted? "So..." he stammered, "so, you're saying that it was only the other guys who were being attacked. Amy, did you see any of the bullets whizzing past your head selectively veer off course or beg pardon for coming near you? If only there was something, some event that could show it was the whole Senate being attacked." He paused in mock thought. "Oh, yeah," He stood up and glared at Kigrael. "MY POD WAS EXPLODED OFF THE WALL OF THE SENATE!"

Amy shook her head, her long lekku moving as she did so. "I was running for my life; pot shots being taken at me from all directions! If I'd not had the training my parents had given me, I'd be dead now! So much for not being the military to avoid the violence!" She was outraged, this wasn't a random attack, it was targeted and if anyone said otherwise it was clear to her, they were being bias. "Here to negotiate? Are you insane? You were there! If you feel this wasn't a centralized targeted attack, then it's clear to me who you are supporting in all this." Amy was angry now, if she was going to die in this joke negotiation, she wasn't going to go down quietly and without protest.

Kigrael’s smile was that lazy, toothy smile of a predator now, feeling the fear hormones of its prey. His black eyes, still not having shifted the irises back to their normal color, drifted back and forth between the two Republic Senators. “And where, pray tell, did that pod of yours impact, Senator Kabibble? From what I saw, falling from an exploding shuttle, it seemed to have been the one that impacted the central dais and tried to kill the Emperor. One part of that could be a coincidence, but the second…deliberate.” he replied, in a cool, flat voice, as his eyes shifted between the two widely placed eyes of the Ithorian Senator.

Shifting slightly in his seat, he let his gaze track back over to the Twi’lek, "Thank you for emphasizing my point Senator Ordwgal, indeed it was a targeted attack. I will not deny that everyone was affected by it in one way or another.” Lifting his hands, he gestured at his form, at his still rended and charred garments, “If some of us had not taken the fight to the foe I suspect this entire building would be rubble by now so accusing me of collusion is…” His lips became a neutral line on his face, "asinine. If I truly wanted things changed…” a chill seemed to radiate from his being, “I would have simply done what my people do best.” The last sentence came out in an emotionless, dry, and flat tone that held undertones that he meant every word of it.

"However, if neither of you are going to afford me the same respect I have afforded you in remaining calm and using your Senatorial rank, but instead fling accusations at me and refuse my own rank, I believe it may be better to leave you to your own, rapidly diminishing paths.” He didn’t seem to move but between one moment and the next he went from sitting to standing to moving toward the same window he had opened to enter.

Amy stepped back ever so slightly. The creature, or was he a man, she didn't know, but he was right. He could have killed them both by now and there'd be nothing left. Well nothing anyone could really recognize, "wait..." she glanced at her counterpart, "maybe we have been ...........a little.....hasty?" She suggested cautiously.

Ish noted Amy changing her stance and becoming conciliatory. Perhaps that was the correct thing to do. He turned and sat down again and took some calming breaths. "Senator - though the Emperor's actions question whether any of us still have that rank - you make some good points. I'm still not going to turn myself over to a kangaroo court. Where do we go from here?"


TAG @Sinrebirth and all.