2007-11-09 - A Quaint Meeting at a Train Station

This crescent shaped balcony stands open to the air, on a level with all but the heighest towers in the City Proper. All of Coruscant is spread out before you just below your feet-- all save the Palace in whose shadow this facility has been built. Rising like artificial mountains to the east and west the massive foundations of the Towers are on a level with you here-- the peaks of the structures themselves can hardly been at this angle, more than a kilometer overhead. Several kilometers to the south, a many towered building of clean white construction stands head and shoulders over the rest of the City, though its pinnacles barely surmount the base of the Palace's massive foundations.
The overhead rails of the trains all ascend to enter this Station and descend on their way out, entering the dense forest of sentient construction that is Coruscant before branching out in several directions. There are always several trains present: passengers board and debark from a number of raised platforms spaced across the width of the station. 
It is a less than beautiful day, here on Coruscant... but it is hard for a day to be truly ugly on a planet that seems made out of spun glass, silver and gold. The rain pours down from overhead and here, between the great foundations of the Tower of the Palace, a pair of waterfalls has appeared in the vast storm channels that run down the sides of the Towers. These waterfalls thunder and rumble as massive amounts of water tumble down the sides of the Palace, only to be lost in a darkling mist deep below.
All around, warm yellow lights wink and twinkle from windows of the city, despite the daylight-- for said daylight is meager, indeed. But despite the weather, one intrepid politician is braving the streets of Coruscant. Bail Organa stands in the center of the Train Station, a silver protocol droid standing just behind him with a glow-handled umbrella. The Senator raises a pair of digital monoculars to his eyes, and peers off to the north, appriasingly. To his side, a pale faced Coruscant beauracrat watches the Senator disinterestedly. One of the fellow's assistants hold and umbrells for the purple-robed figure, while the senior checks some figures on his datapad.
"How much for that round one in the center?" Bail asks, musingly.
The senior beauracrat checks some figures, "That would be five thousand, my Lord."
Bail nods abestly, and adjusts the sights on his monoculars.
Senator Antilles of Corellia braves the rain as well. Striding up the walkway from the Palace, the Corellian walks alone, without being or droid to carry any kind of cover for Antilles. Coming up into the train station, Antilles spies Organa and the bureaucrat. Adjusting his direction, Antilles makes a spot in the station a discreet distance away from the Alderaanian.
Braving the elements is something Nash Dragen does /not/ truck with, and even though his guards form a wall of umbrellas over him, the Viceroy of Ord Mantell is in quite a foul mood. For the moment, he doesn't even bother to notice anyone in his surroundings, trudging forward.
Bail Organa murmurs something inaudible, musing thoughtfully to himself. He turns his monoculars towards the west, and presses a few buttons to focus them.
"The rain is causing interferance with the digital zoom," he mutters to the droid behind him. The droid pops its gleaming head.
"Yes, Your Majesty," it says in a politely metallic voice.
Bail purses his lips and leans forward. "What about that tall one, to the west?"
The senior official in his purple robe looks down, pressing a couple of buttons on his datapad, "Six thousand, my Lord."
Antilles watches Organa and the official out of the corner of his eye. As the King zooms in on different things, the Corellian follows the line of sight and squints. Mostly to himself: "what the devil is he looking at?"
For his part Danen has walked these streets in all weather and times, and thus he doesn't seem to mind that it's raining, he does however seem to have some issue with one of the Guardsmen under his command, he's not long been in command, but he's fast got a reputation amongst his men. "I don't care what excuse you have, he was put under your command, I expect you to make sure the rookies are doing their jobs, if they don't it's your responsiblity, I happen to know that he didn't report at least one man on Palace grounds without clearance, and since he was under your command, I see it the same as if /you/ hadn't done so. Do I make myself understood?" His tone makes it obvious that if he isn't understood there will be serious problems. "There are Senators at the station, have your men run patrols. Also make sure that their are guards posted at all stations along the line." With that he turns walking off apparently with little direction.
The junior official of the Coruscant bearaucracy hands the umbrella that he holds over the senior official from one hand to the other. He looks over his shoulder at the Viceroy of Corellia and says, "Lord Organa is considering property for rent on the Royal Parade."
The senior official turns his deadpan frown to the junior official, who promptly shuts his trap. The senior official turns to the Viceroy, "The Lord Organa's business is his own, my Lord Antilles."
At the name 'Antilles' the King of Alderaan lowers his monoculars, and passes them to the droid behind him. He rubs his chin and folds his arms, musing, "I'm looking for an office for the Whites, my dear Senator."
He turns to the senior official, "And that tall one to the west-- it's available?"
The official nods drolly, "Indeed. We have leases available for six months, one year, five years, ten years, or the indefinite 'limited-purchase'--"
Bail turns to glance at Antilles, "I'll take it indefinitely."
Nash finally notices the Viceroy and King, pausing a moment from complaining about the intolerable weather. He stops between both men, happy to for now observe the situation, planning out the best way to enter the fray.
As the men continue their conversation Danen takes up a place that many would know to be his usual place just far enough from the Senators to keep from being intrusive, but close enough to be able to get to them if he should need to.
Antilles frowns at the senior bureaucrat. "Mind your tone, I never insisted His Majesty's business was otherwise." Stepping a bit close to Senator Organa, Antilles asks in a neutral voice. "The Whites?"
"Yes, the Whites," Bail says simply. He folds his arms, considering the building without the monoculars, now. "I gave a speech about it on Alderaan. It was broadcast on GNN. I assume one of your aides summarizes the news, weeding out the bantha fodder from the information you need to know, my Lord Antilles? I know that I have such people working for me."
The senior official does not seem concerned with Ksar's frustration with his tone. He seems, in fact, professionally disinterested. Taking a cue from the senior man, the junion fellow tries to make his deadpan. It is something of a failure, but the young man is on his way.
"A contract for the rent of Coruscant Property A000-578-43290-Delta-CC056, informally known as 'the Old Royal Museum', from the present date until such time as the government of Coruscant should choose to purchase back said property or until my Lord Organa wishes to cancel said contract, but not before a span of at least ten years have--" the official begins, pressing several buttons on his datapad.
"Yes, yes," Bail interrupts, and he snatches the pad away, glancing at it briefly, "Everything seems to be in order. He presses his thumb into the datapad, and it chirps. He hands the device back to the man, who bows formally.
Antilles turns back to look across the city at whatever Organa has chosen. "Aides ... yes of course Your Majesty. I'm looking forward to their brief when I return to my office." The Corellian squints again as he looks off into the distance.
"It's a foundation that I recently opened, a coalition of Senators, Planetary Leaders and concerned citizens for the preservation of what the Republic stands for," Bail says simply. He grins broadly at Senator Antilles, "Want to join?"
The droid behind him says, "Oh, my. I find the probability that Senator Antilles will join your coalition approximately five thousand three hundred sixty--"
"Never tell me the odds," Bail interrupts his protocol droid with a wink.
Antilles laughs at the droid's computation. "What do you think the Republic stands for your Majesty? Perhaps we could find /some/ common ground." Senator Antilles turns from his inspection of the skyline to look at the Alderaanian.
Nash Dragen smiles, choosing this moment to interject. "The Republic means whatever the people and elected representatives choose for it to mean, if you ask me." which nobody did. "Which is the beauty and danger of a Republican form of government in itself."
"Well," the King says, pausing for a moment-- and then Nash puts in his two cents and he smiles at the man, "I believe it's more than that. I believe that the Republic is an ideal a thousand generations old, and that the heart of that ideal is the Jedi Knights. You're right, Lord Dragen. It is both beautiful and dangerous. Thus the Whites. If we learn to act as one body, forgetting for a moment the prejudices and desires of our own planets, or of any privledged elite-- if we dedicate ourselves to the protection of sentient rights and prosperity, and good sense... then, and only then will the Republic be the Republic. Otherwise, it will simply be a tired relic. And I don't want to see that."
Stepping forward Danen frowns slightly "Sirs, if I may give an opinion?" Apparently Danen feels comfortable making this request, possibly a sign that his attitude has changed somewhat over the last few weeks, but still he waits to on permission before saying anything.
Senator Antilles shakes his head at Organa before glancing at Dragen. Back to Organa: "Your Majesty, please. I'm not a mob. Your rhetoric is meaningless to me. What do the Whites stand for in the Senate?"
"Guardsman Danen, you have something to say?"
Bail Organa nods his head, inclining it towards the Guardsman, but not before putting in his reply to Ksar, "If my 'rhetoric' as you call it, is so meaningless, then you will see what we stand for in the Senate by our votes."
There's a slight nod from Danen as he steps forward. "What Senator Organa speaks of, is if I'm not being too bold what you should be aiming to make the Senate. As I'm sure you're no doubt aware, my job allows me to know much that happens within the Senate, and I find that too many Senators, and citizens of the Republic for that matter. See their worlds as their priorities, I can't help but feel this defeats the purpose of the Republic. We are one entity, that should mean more than which member world you originate from."
Bail Organa nods, smiling broadly. He taps his cane twice on the floor of the Train Station, "Hear hear."
Nash Dragen frowns. "Quite odd to have such an opinion as a Guardsman, I think." he says, with noted disapproval. "The Republic is an institution of peace and justice, yes, but it can ignore its friends. Look at how long the Ord Mantell sovreignity issue has been going on, for example."
Antilles shakes his head again, disappointment evident on his face. "Fine words Guardsman Danen. But what does that mean? What are the priorities of Senators coming together to act with common cause? Say I were to agree to join Senator Organa's faction, all well and good. But then what? What do the Whites stand for?"
"Come now, my good Lord Dragen," Bail says, and he holds out his hand to the man, as though welcoming him into the conversation, "The Guardsman is stating that we must make this a reality in the Senate. If the rights of member worlds are to be made subsidiary to the rights and protection of free sentients, then Ord Mantell should be allowed a vote-- and more than that, the Republic Aide money that has been promised by the Senate must be procured, and used to make Ord Mantell a safer place to live. That is what the Whites stand for. Peace, and freedom for every sentient."
Nash Dragen nods. "Yes, I agree. But it is sad your..coalition is even necessary. The _Senate_ should be doing these things on its own, but I fear corruption is beginning to take it's toll ont he august body."
"The unification of the Republic, The strengthening of the Senate, and the Republics interests." Danen sighs slightly with a shake of his head. "I'm no politican, but I do feel that Ord Mantell is either a member of the Republic, or it is not, if it, well it should have all the rights and privilages of /any/ member world, as well as the same responsilities. If it is not, then it should not be kept from following its own path." He turs to study Ksar. "I believe that we need focus on making the Republic stronger, what those institutions created and managed by the Republic need to be effectively used to better do their task through the entire Republic, further I believe that the member worlds of the Republic should be expected to freely share their resources with their fellow members, for the good of the Republic as a whole."
Senator Antilles nods at Guardsman Danan, impressed with the man's articulation of specific policies. "Thank you Guardsman."
"I agree that the Senate should be doing these things," the King of Alderaan replies, "Unfortunately, we have quite a few inexperienced Senators here on Coruscant of late. My hope is that, with experience, they will see what the Republic is, and ought to stand for. But the Whites will act, within the confines of Republic Law, to make that vision a reality until such time as the Senate is revitalized. And, Lord Dragen, you need not be a Senator to join the Whites. As a planetary executive, I would offer you a position as Councilman in this coalition."
Nash Dragen raises an eyebrow, and smiles, thinly. "Why, Guardsman Danan, you nearly sound like a Senator yourself!" he declares, chuckling. "A pity you are only a guardsman, to be sure." he says, dryly. "But I couldn't agree with you more, but the Republic will surely accept Ord Mantell, or there is no hope left for justice within it, if you ask me." which no one is.
Nodding slightly Danen takes a half step back. "Thank you for accepting my opinions Sirs, I hope I didn't overstep my bounds Sirs." With that he returns once more to watching the crowd and his men patrolling the station.
Antilles nods at the Guardsman. "It is refreshing to hear someone with clear opinions on matters." The Corellian Senator takes a look at the holo train schedule. "Your Majesty, I look forward to learning more about your ... coalition. Thank you for speaking of it."
Nash Dragen nods. "I will consider your offer with due consideration. I am inclined for it, but I must focus for the moment on the problems of my own planet before I can focus on the problems of the Galaxy.
Bail Organa inclines his head towards Dragen, "Indeed. In the mean time, the Whites will be focused on the problems of your planet, for they are indemic of the problems of the Galaxy." Then Bail turns over, looking with some surprise at Ksar, "Oh. I am sorry, Senator. Sometimes my mind tunes out the dull droning of useless details. I have always thought that a noble idea was worth ten carefully worded statements about the vageries of Republic Law. Indeed, I thought you had left. You were recording, weren't you, C3-DA?"
The droid behind King Organa looks up with some alarm, "I _am_ dreadfully, sorry, Your Majesty, but most of it is recorded in my buffer. Perhaps we could ask the Senator to repeat--"
"That won't be neccessary," Bail says. He motions for the Droid to follow him, and heads off to the north.
Antilles' train arrives. Before stepping aboard, he turns his gaze towards the departing King. "Noble ideas are just ... ideas, Your Majesty." The Corellian steps into the train and the doors close behind him.
The King of Alderaan doesn't turn to face the departing Viceroy, but he does murmur, "Until we make them noble realities."
"What's that, Your Majesty?" the droid behind him asks.
"Nothing," Bail says. He continues on down the stairs to the north.
Category:November 2007 RP Logs