Chapter 5
'So the Republic mission into Chiss space came at a pivotal point in galactic history, both because of events in the core worlds and elsewhere. Had the timing of events been slightly different, it is very likely that our history would have been very different indeed. As it was, the mission laid the foundation of the current astropolitical situation in what was then known as the Unknown Regions. It strove to give the Republic at least a modicum of security in that all they wanted some sort of agreement with the Chiss, but oddly enough the impact events had would not become apparent for decade.
Professor Tycho Deran, lecturing on Galactic History at the University of Alderaan, 163 AJE
The Capital of the Chiss Ascendancy stretched for miles under surface of the planet, and given that the entire world was covered in ice and glaciers almost as blue as the inhabitants it would have amazed any off-world onlooker that the Chiss had managed to create the society that they lived in. Sev'eere'nuruodo, formerly Aristocra of her house and the Chiss equivalent to the Galactic Empire's Minister of Diplomatic Affairs, loved the city and loved her species. What she hated however was said Galactic Empire. Not only because she hated having fallen for Palpatine's manipulations, but also because it had made her act in a way that she found deplorable and dishonourable on a personal level. Her successor to all her posts was her younger brother, Mritthi'nasa'nuruodo, more of a General than a diplomat at heart, so in spite of having no official position any more, she was considered one of his closest advisers to the point that some considered her the true leader of her family.
Why he had called her in near the end of the day cycle however was a matter that was something...
"The probe was recovered by one of our patrols four days ago, and they have communicated the contents to us. It contained only an ordinary, other than the Republic sigil entirely unremarkable one-shot holoprojector. When they examined it, it played a message."
"Do you have it?" she asked.
"Of course." her brother grinned and pulled out a small device. "We transferred it to one of our projectors."
The holographic image that appeared when her brother pressed the button. It showed the person that was rated as on the top of that list, together with her husband. Vereen noted her expanded mid-section. Interesting.
"Greetings from the Galactic Republic. I am Senator-in-exile Padmé Skywalker and I represent the Republic Executive Council. As you are undoubtedly aware, the Republic has sought refuge from the Galactic Empire in the Unknown Regions. We have no intention to encroach on any territories claimed by the Chiss Ascendancy, and now seek to enter into an agreement of non-intervention and non-aggression with your government."
The holographic woman paused.
"We have not sought you out before because of our own ignorance and position and would gladly rectify that error now. If you wish to answer to this message, then please respond via hyper-pulse along the same vector this drone approached your space, and if you so desire, I will personally meet with you."
The message ended.
"That was certainly interesting." Inasan said after a while.
"In what way?" his sister asked, as much to test his skills as out of any interest.
"For one, she and Skywalker aren't having some sort of salacious affair, however much the Empire wants some circles to think that. From what our file on her says she's not the type to adopt the name without cause and without having some sort of claim to it. For two, this isn't the sort of gun-running, mind-raping and generally blowing up public transport sort of group that a lot of the Rebels are."
"What makes you say that? Plenty of groups claim to be a continuation of the Republic."
"True, but her group set that precedent."
The Ascendancy had only limited information on the exact nature and structure of the Rebel networks in the core, but it was well known among everyone with an interest in such things that the group the Jedi belonged to or likely led, had been the first to claim direct descent from the Republic.
"And, dear Sister," Inasan continued, "they see themselves as a direct continuation of the Republic, not recognizing the Empire as a legitimate government. It's a political fiction of course, given the facts out in the field, but it does give them the sort of legitimacy that some seditious elements will need, and practising actual diplomacy by all the rules the core worlds hold so dear... or rather, held so dear during the Old Republic adds to that, both in their own eyes and in those of everyone else they may have to deal with."
"But how does that tell you that they are to be taken at their word, that they are honest? Doesn't this just assume that we recognize their status as a state, even if only one in exile?"
"Aside from a gut feeling? Well, Senator Ami... Skywalker has, or rather, had a reputation that she could be taken at her word, and the Jedi like to believe that they are the same. How true that is... well, Sister dear, you are the one with the most experience, but they certainly aren't the sort of back-stabbing cheats as the Seperatists were or as the Hutts are. True, if pressed they will consider their own interests first, but it's a long shot from having to keep a hand on your blaster and the other on your wallet when you deal with the slugs."
He grinned. "Speaking of which, it's in their own best interest to be brutally honest in any potential dealings with us. Consider, even the best-case estimate is that they have that one Star Destroyer and a few odds and ends they managed to scrape together. Supposed they cheat us in some fashion, and we decide to send the fleet instead of just telling the Empire where they are? They have to know that either way they'd be crushed like a small insect. And look at it from their perspective, they know where we our borders are, roughly, and want to cover their backs. They have no interest in any sort of conflict with us, nor would they want to seriously expand if they could. Their focus is on the core."
"Very well considered, brother." Vereen said with a nod. "There's something else to consider."
"What?"
She chuckled. "Men. Haven't you seen that she's at least four or five months pregnant? Going by the timestamp the message was recorded a core-standard week ago. Suppose you had been lucky and born as a female, would you risk your unborn child that way unless you were completely certain that you could get back out?"
"Especially if it's true that she has at least another already."
Nothing more was said as each of the siblings considered the possible implications.
"We're neutral." Vereen said after a while. "So why should we entertain either offer?"
"I..." he was trying to find a way to say what he had to without getting slugged for his effort. "I know that you're not fond of the Empire."
She snorted. "That's an understatement."
"What I mean is that you have to remember that not only would reaching an agreement with one of them preclude us from one with the other but also what the Empire can potentially bring to the negotiations... the Far Outsiders..."
"Can be dealt with by us without Imperial help!"
"Are you certain? This is not something we have dealt with before. Their... base alone..."
"Still doesn't change the basic issue!" Vereen exclaimed and slammed her fist against a nearby wall.
"So what would this so-called Republic offer us? Not to be sneezed at by that same insect?"
"Haven't you been listening to me? If, and only if, we were to reach an agreement with the Republic it would be in their own best interests if we were as strong as we can be. Can you say the same thing about the Empire? Suppose we concluded a full Alliance with them or even only allowed them to station forces in or near our space, what's to stop them to decide at some point that the agreement has outlived it's usefulness, without telling us first?"
"And on the other hand even the most selfish self-interest would make them keep to letter and spirit of anything we agree with them."
"Exactly!" Vereen exclaimed again. She stepped up to him, and he retreated, raising both his hands in mock surrender.
"You know that this isn't my choice. If it was me, then neither would be getting a hearing. We have too many issues of our own to be drawn into a core conflict."
"You know that, I know that and because we do, our family knows that. But what about the other Ruling Families? What about the cabinet? In the end we are two among many."
"True..."
"So what are you going to recommend?"
"I don't know. The meeting isn't for another two days, so we have some time to decide."
Vereen understood that both of them considered the matter closed for the moment and instead she took up the other matter they had met to talk about.
"Well, he's having enough friends still, especially because the Galactic Civil War looks like it's going to spread into the Unknown Regions."
"Exile is exile." her brother declared. "He is not going to be taken off that planet unless I can help it."
"But you know that there are rumours that he met with Palpatine at some point. The Imperials might demand his release as a condition."
"If that happens, I'll go shoot him myself."
"Watch out though. For some of his... fans he is a hair's width away from a religious figure."
tbc
Chiss naming conventions are very confusing. To keep me from tearing my own hair out, I will use their core names in the non-speech parts of the text, among themselves they will use their full ones or abbreviations.
And yes, the next chapter will bring us to the main characters. We are reaching a point where things are starting to stretch out, but Episode V will have a lot more of that, given the things I have to set up and prepare the ground for...
Also, I think I have finally settled on what the Council would call itself. Consider this the final version.
Shorter than usual, sorry.