WotH Chpt 12

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 12 ==
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===Investigating Rise in Piracy===
January 20, 3009/7948 CRC Eriadu System, Seswenna sector, Outer Rim Territories
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"Willhuff, there are Jedi here to see you," Gideon leaned down to speak into his brother's ear. "You might want to cut this session a bit short."
 
Willhuff didn't respond, merely nodded before turning to the rest of the council that he had been meeting with.
 
"I apologize," Willhuff said as he stood up. "I will have to leave this meeting a bit early, but I ask that you put together a list of the various topics that we were to go over, I will review them and respond accordingly when I have the time."
 
Governor Tarkin then left the room, his small cape of officer flowing behind him as his brother Gideon left with him.
 
"Bureaucrats?" Gideon asked with a slight smirk on his face as Willhuff sighed.
 
"Indeed," Willhuff replied. "And they all compete for funding as well, so they are incentivized to pursue my favor in every way. I understand why our family has used this method in the past to pursue efficiency, but I shall have to find a different method, the amount of posturing sickens me and makes getting things done a painful and slow process."
 
The two brothers walked until they reached a small suite that was set aside for visitors.
 
"The Jedi are just through here," Gideon murmured. "I've not met any of them before, so remain cautious."
 
With a nod, Willhuff signaled to Gideon for the door to be opened and he walked through.
 
"Greetings Jedi, I am Governor Tarkin, it is a pleasure to have you on Eriadu. To what do I owe the pleasure of such a meeting?"
"I am Jedi Master Faye," A beautiful woman said with a slight smile. "This is Master Yaddle," she gestured toward the small green creature. "And then we have someone who is no longer a Jedi Master, but has left the order to serve his home planet of Serenno; Count Dooku."
 
"An interesting group of people," Tarkin raised an eyebrow. "I assume there is a reason for so many masters to be in the Outer Rim for once."
 
"I go where the Force leads," Faye spoke as all of them sat down. "But Yaddle and Dooku are trying to see what the core problems of the Republic at large are currently."
 
"Then you have come to the right place," Gideon spoke up. "Our family has spent at least three generations trying to get the Republic to realize what a mistake the Ruusan Reformation was and how to prevent the rise of piracy as has happened over the last few hundred years."
 
"Really?" Dooku asked. "Please, tell me more about what you have done to try and curtail the pirate problem. Serenno had many problems with them that were only worsened by my brother allowing them free reign to gain more power."
 
"Well, for starters, we managed to establish the ORSF as a force that can pursue pirates beyond that of what a simple planetary defense force is able to, and recently, we have been experimenting with hiring both bounty hunters and mercenaries to ensure that those who are not willing to sign the treaty that allows the ORSF its ability to pursue pirates into those who compete with us in the Republic," Tarkin explained as he made a holographic map of the Galaxy appear above the table they were seated at. "Now, your homeworld of Serenno is separated from us being able to truly help by being on the other side of Hutt space from us, and so we would have to pursue other options to assist you. Especially considering the Republic is once again denying us the extra funds to truly deal with both the pirates and the likes of the Trade Federation, who are extorting raw materials from many worlds and selling the finished products back at severe markups."
 
"What must be done to solve this problem?" Dooku asked as he stroked his goatee. "And do you believe that there is a sudden malice behind the lack of assistance rendered?"
 
"Well, to expand on the issues that have become worse since the Ruusan Reformation-"
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===Talk about Sexy Ladies and upset wives===
March 15, 3009/7948 CRC, Beloria system, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories
"Hey Hull," Peterson caught my attention before I boarded the Messenger. "Got a few minutes?"
 
"Yeah," I replied. "What's up?"
"I think I want to retire and just maintain the local garrison and militia," the infantry CO said as he stood in front of me. "Rachel is glad that I'm home a lot more, but I feel like I should be a more stable father figure."
"That's perfectly understandable," I smiled. "Just take some time to think about it and discuss it with Rachel first. I'm fine with it provided you do that and get a good CO to take over," I glanced down at my watch. "Now, I've got to go and negotiate this contract so we can get paid for dealing with some of the pirates that are harassing the trade routes."
 
"Who are you going to be negotiating with?" Peterson raised an eyebrow.
 
"Trade Federation is offering a pretty hefty contract for these pirates," I shrugged. "Seems they've been causing problems, and we're the solution."
"Just make sure to get the salvage in writing," Peterson said with a grin.
 
"I always do," I smiled back. "I'll be back, Thomas, you and Jack just make sure we've got people on standby for some rapid response for when I get this done."
 
"What was it you said?" Peterson asked. "The fiercer the foe the sweeter the salvage!"
 
"That's it," I smirked. "Let's hope they're a pretty fierce foe then."
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"It's kinda nice out here," Jack confided to Thomas as they sat out on the man's back porch with mugs of beer in hand. "I haven't been shot at in months."
 
"It's certainly a different galaxy," Thomas chuckled. "I think Rachel was less than impressed with the 'Sexy blue alien' fetish being a reality here though."
 
"Erica is somewhat quiet on the subject," Sheppard grinned. "But I've been looking for a ring that I think will suit her. So I've been avoiding even talking about the sexy aliens."
 
"Drive flare," Peterson stood up from his seat as he looked at the sky. "We don't have any scheduled visits for the next day or so."
 
"This is Major Sheppard," the XO of the Marksman responded on his comm. <<"Major Peterson and I have visual, escort her down, but make sure she's far enough away from our ships that we can destroy the ship if necessary.">>
 
"Yes, we're on our way now," Sheppard responded to whatever it was that was said. "Standby for further orders."
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===A Unsettling Visitor===
"I'm Jedi Knight Elvijus Rowbroa," a brown-robed figure greeted the armored figures at the bottom of the ramp. "I'm here to evaluate your younglings for force sensitivity."
 
"You're here to do what now?" Sheppard asked. "This is a secure base, and I'm going to need to see some authorization. And you're crazy if you think that I'm going to allow you free reign of a military facility without an escort."
 
The self-identified Jedi Knight moved his robe to the side, flashing a lightsaber while the Mithril-clad infantry snapped their rifles up to aim at the brown-robed figure.
 
"Keep your hands where we can see them," Sheppard ordered. "If you make any move to reach for your weapon we will put you in the ground!"
 
The Jedi allowed his robe to cover the lightsaber again as he moved his hands up. "I do not seek conflict at this time."
 
"Stay on your ship until further notice," Sheppard stated. "We're going to contact the capital and verify that you're not some pirate seeking access."
 
"Thank you for your courtesy," the Knight bowed diplomatically. "I shall do as you have instructed."
 
The brown-robed figure climbed back into his starship and the ramp sealed itself behind him.
 
"You good, sir?" Mathis asked.
 
"Yeah," Sheppard exhaled. "Get on the horn with the capital, I want information on these Jedi and why they'd want to take a close look at our base of operations."
 
"Copy that, sir." Mathis responded. "I'll get on it, immediately."
 
"Hopefully they respond quickly, I don't want to start an interstellar incident while the Colonel isn't here," Sheppard muttered under his breath. "A war is the last thing this galaxy needs."
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Chapter 12