2008-01-04 - Ex Ante or Ex Post Facto?

With broad, floor to cieling windows looking west out over Coruscant, this office has one of the finest views on the glittering capital. The thick, glowing approach lanes of aircare and starship traffic to the west tower of the Palace coil and undulate through the glittering blue Coruscant skies over a sea of silver downs and gleaming gold domes. Day and night, Coruscant is one of the most beautiful cities in the Republic: a city of dancing lights.
The office itself has been set with a thick, plush crimson carpet trimmed with gold durasteel. The walls are of silver durasteel, with massive pillars running from floor to ceiling.
The little silver plaque on the desk reads Eluriel Celebrian Perse in an elegant engraved script. The Senator's office is as simple as her daily attire. No gilded frames or fancy artifacts lay against the wall. The desk is made of a deep red wood and has little clutter. Its red curves swoop down into the thick carpet. A simple chair made of the same red wood and covered with a white cushion looms behind the desk. A similar seat has been placed in a corner. It sits on small silver wheels so that it can be readily rolled up to the desk.
A small leather sofa sits against one wall for guests. Its sweet smell and soft cover prove its newness. It has simple burgundy pillows bolstering each end. Above the leather love seat hangs a law degree from Coruscant and with Eluriel's name signed at the bottom in a small precise hand. The opposite wall is nearly full book case with everything from Corellian poetry to the Sienar's zoology and many law books. It looms imposingly as the largest piece of the red wood furniture.
The most striking feature of this room is the large window taking up nearly the entire wall behind the desk. It shows the striking cityscape of Coruscant. The gardens of the palace are very visible as well as the distant mansions of the residential district and the silver spires of the marketplace and skyport each building's light glistening like tiny jewels in the Republic's crown. In truth this alone adorns the room in more splendor than any worldly possessions.
Antilles knocks politely outside the office. Eluriel's voice admits from him from inside the office. Coming into the office, Ksar smiles at the Chancellor, who is sitting behind her desk, going over date or figures or something to effect. The Corellian comes to stand in front of Eluriel's desk, not distracting the most important woman in the Republic until she's ready for him.
Eluriel puts aside her work and looks up at the Senator watching him with her bright blue eyes. "So, Senator Antilles, is this about the note I recieved from you?" Her voice is gentle but resonates in the small office.
Antilles bows formally and then replies. "Yes it is, Lady Chancellor. Perhaps you know, I have been appointed head of Naval Intelligence by Senator Tarkin. Because of the nature of those duties, I have decided it would be wise to seek formal amnesty for any ilicit actions my subordinates and I may commit. I believe such actions may be necessary by my subordinates and myself to effectively gather the intelligence and other related activities carried out by the Agency."
The Chancellor studies Antilles, giving him her full attention now. "Yes, I had heard." She muses a moment to herself, rolling the answer around in her mouth before speaking. "I am aware that sometimes you must make these kinds of sacrifices in the line of work you are in, unlike others, I am at least open to it. But, I am curious. Do you have any idea what kind of acts I shall be needing to pardon?"
Antilles looks at the Chancellor with a professional intensity. "Of course Lady Chancellor. I cannot say with any certainty, but perhaps we will have to have to do business with the Hutts, enemies of the Republic as you know. That may involve running spice, within the Republic. As distasteful as it sounds, I feel it is necessary for Intelligence to be able to post bounties. I think those examples give you an idea of the leeway I'm looking for. The simple fact is, the Republic's main enemies are criminals and rogues who operate mostly outside of Republic law."
"I'm not sure, Senator, if you have hear my views on the Rim and its activities but they are rather unorthadox, I am afraid." Eluriel shifts her chair slightly so she can see through her large window to Coruscant before looking back at Antilles. "You have my blessing, then."
"Of course I do expect regular updates or I may have to renig on that," adds the Chancellor.
Antilles nods. "Of course, Lady Chancellor. Thank you for your time. I know how precious it is."
"Before you go, Antilles," Eluriel says, suddenly pinpointing him in her gaze which had been distracted by the window once more. "I think that something much worse than Rim scum exists out there and threatens us. When you are out there be on the look out for possible allies. I do not think that slave or spice trading should be allowed in the Republic but because another planet's traditions are different does not mean we should shun them... in great trouble it would be better to have them as friend than foe."
Ksar looks at Eluriel with growing esteem. "Lady Chancellor, I will perform my duties remembering your words and their spirit. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Not at the moment, Senator, thank you for coming to me with this issue personally." Eluriel give him one of her brighter more relaxed smiles. "I am glad there is no bad blood between us over Corellia. You did have me worried the other evening."
"Between us, Lady Chancellor? Not at all. I will see you again soon. Until then, I wish you well." Antilles bows to the Chancellor and turns to depart.
Eluriel nods her head at this and turns back to her work.
Category:January 2008 RP Logs