Chapter 37: The Summit

"Members of the Jedi Order, Fellow delegates of the Affon system, members of the diplomatic corps, and honored guests."

Senator Albin Ross smiled.

"I welcome you one and all to the Ammoud system, and to Camp Nest, on this glorious day, the first day…on the path…to peace!"

The chamber filled with polite applause, the applause of seasoned politicians. Beings that knew that what the Senator said would not be as easy as he had hoped, at least…the wise ones did.

Jas joined in, but in his heart remained skeptical. What he was sensing in that moment did little to put him at ease.

The people here masked it well, but their own ambitions were on display, peace for them was important, but not for the welfare of the people of Bantoon.

No, most of the people that had gathered here had their own agendas.

Whether these agendas would serve Vess or hinder her remained to be seen.

Whatever happened they all needed to remain on guard.

What was coming would not be easy.

He glanced over the seat beside him. Vess, now clad in a beautiful blue gown, with her silver circlet atop her head, appeared both calm and collective, through the Force, he knew she was anything but…

She glanced over at him, giving him a nervous smile.

"It is okay," she said touching his hand, "We got this."

She looked across the room, at her aunt's delegation, the Queen's delegation.

Her eyes narrowed.

"I've taken care of everything,"

Jas nodded in response, but he was not sure how she could be so confident.

He KNEW people.

Those in power didn't surrender it so easily.

Vess knew it too, she was not naïve, but still…still…

He still wasn't sure.

We knew that this was not going to be easy. Negotiation of this nature never were, not when there was so much riding on the outcome.

He might have been more comfortable had this meeting taken place on Coruscant or Alderaan, but that was not to be. Master Trace had assured him that Camp Nest would serve, it was important enough that neither side felt slighted, and at the same time isolated enough that neither side could try anything…extreme.

Jas frowned slightly.

She had been right about the last part at least.

You didn't get more isolated than Camp Nest.

Originally conceived as a resort for the wealthy and powerful, Camp Nest was on the far western edge of the bird's eye nebula in the Ammoud system. For centuries three planetary cultures had gazed up at the nebula in awe. From the ground of any of their worlds the massive cloud looked like a giant raptor's head, with a long beak opening up to seemingly devour a sea of stars.

Many stories and songs had been written about the nebula, and when the worlds that revered it joined the Republic, they had longed to see it up close, to look into the heart of very phenomenon that had inspire so many.

For almost two centuries, hyperspace explorers had searched for a way to enter the system, to blaze a trail into the heart of the nebula, then three decades ago, a chance miscalculation by one of those explores struck gold, a clear path through the gravitational interference. The explorer had been well paid for his route, and businessmen on the worlds that revered the nebula had gotten to work, to build a place where artists and the wealthy could be closer to what had inspired their people since the dawn of their worlds. A large asteroid was brought to the system, originally simply another mining operation, the tunneled-out rock was the perfect place to build their new resort. Crews went to work quickly, in less than a year they had wanted the place ready, the businesses were most eager to see a return on their investment.

Then, of course, it had all fallen apart.

The asteroid's shell protected the resort from the hardest radiation put out by the nebula, but the same could not be said for the ships making the journey. Then, there was the nebula itself, the Bird's Eye was far from stable. Gravitational surges and radiation blooms within the cloud made space around the cloud more than dangerous. Pleasure ships and nonmilitary craft did not have the armor or shields to keep out the worst of the radiation, and the military ships that DID last could only do so for short periods of time. Radiation leached shields while gravity twisted armor and slagged electronics.

It didn't take long for the investors in the resort realized their error.

That might have been the end of it right there, the asteroid would likely have been abandoned, and counted as a loss on a spreadsheet, but several ambitious senators had seen the dangers of the Ammoud system and saw an opportunity.

They had petitioned the Republic to purchase the asteroid, to be used as a…neutral site for more serious negotiations, a place where openly hostile creatures could meet and iron out their differences. The nebula not only protecting the station, but ensuring that any treachery by the parties involved was almost impossible, no attack force would survive long enough in the system to harm the asteroid. And those that stayed and tried would not be any shape to defend themselves when Republic reinforcements arrived, their ships would be in such a state that they would be easy prey for newly arrived attack vessels.

As for the Asteroid itself, it had nearly been completed by its big business investors, the main hall in which they now rivalled those in the Senate building back on Coruscant the private staterooms as luxurious as those found at 500 República.

Thus, Camp Nest had been born, and for years now had been the perfect place for private, yet high profile negotiations. At least two major border conflicts had been dealt with peacefully here, and now Vessaria had come to meet with her aunt and uncle.

It would be here, now, that the succession problem on Bantoon would be settled.

It was here that Vessaria would regain her crown, or so…she hoped.

Jas…remained skeptical.

He had known nothing of this place when they began their journey. It had been Vess herself that had informed him of where they were going. To ensure her safety, his lover had contacted Coop again, asked if he would be willing to ferry her and their party to meeting. Though not a military vessel. The Coop's Folly's shields and armor was one of the few ships that Coop controlled that could handle the approach to Camp Nest.

The Republic had offered the use of one of their cruisers, but Vess had refused, after what had happened to the Righteous over the skies of Alderaan, Vess preferred not to trust Republic transport, not that Jas blamed her.

The journey had gone off without incident, Coop had converted the cargo bay into living quarters for the nobles. Using a series of collapsible habitats, he had created accommodations for the matriarchs and their staff. As comfortable as they could manage on a ship like the Folly.

Vess and Val had stayed with them, while Jas had taken crew quarters. It felt strange being away from his lover when they were so close, but it was smarter. They had yet to formally announce their relationship to the matriarchs, and Vess wanted no dissention this close to their final meeting.

The night before their arrival in the Ammoud system, Vess had called the whole crew together for a toast. She had insisted that everyone aboard the Folly should be there. Saying the toast was a form of blessing, a Bantoon tradition. They had all drank from the same bottle that night, Val having chosen a drink that even the nonhuman members of the crew could enjoy.

She had been insistent on that part, that everyone attend, and share in the ceremony.

Once it was done, Vess had seemed more relaxed, more confident.

Jas could not say why.

Both Vessaria and Val seemed to think the matter was settled, that Vess would regain her crown after these negotiations.

Jas wasn't so sure. High General Lyron had come too far to just give up now. Jas expected some form of treachery from the man.

Vess had tried to assure him that he need not worry. She was ready for her uncle this time. Yet, Jas remained unconvinced. Even more so since the start of the opening ceremonies.

It was not that he doubted Vess' cause, but when he looked across the main meeting hall it was hard not be…pessimistic.

Vessaria's side consisted of herself, Jas, the four matriarchs, and Brother Oswell. Val and her sworn protectors were there, as well, but even they looked outmatched.

Trace Sei'lya and V'Lek were here for the Jedi order, they stood close to Senator Ross. They were supposed to be impartial, and support the rule of law, but again, he could not be sure how much help they could be in keeping things fair for both parties.

On the opposite side sat Queen Adira II's negotiators an entourage. Eight matriarchs and their protectors, along with their spouses and their bodyguards. Among them sat the Lady Janyss, the director of the Sworn Protector program.

Jas remembered the woman from their brief encounter on Alderaan. As the head of the program, the sworn protectors looked at the old Bann with almost as much reverence as they did for the sworn masters and mistresses.

Jas didn't like the fact that she was sitting among the royal delegation, and he really didn't like that most of the matriarchs and their spouses all wore mining guild pins or sashes.

It was clear which side the guild came down on during these talks, not that he should have been surprised, the mining guild had supported Adira and her High General from the very beginning.

He glanced up at the balcony above them, again, seeing few friends. The honored guests that the senator had referred to were mostly wealthy beings from throughout the Republic, beings who had a stake in things staying as they were.

Among them, sat his twin brother, Sy Dar Bynn had accompanied the Jedi, but given what had happened on Alderaan, was not officially part of the Jedi negotiation team.

Miri was here somewhere too, Jas knew, she had come with them aboard the Folly, but disappeared shortly before the opening ceremony.

Her absence didn't surprise him, not given her history with Republic higher ups.

Two people who were conspicuous by their absence was Vess' aunt and uncle. Neither Queen Adira II or her husband High General Lyron entered along with their entourage.

That fact had not been lost on Vess, and it made her uneasy. Vess had said several times over the past few weeks that she would not negotiate with sycophants.

If her aunt wanted this matter settled, both she, and her husband, needed to meet with her face to face.

Vess would accept no other outcome.

IOI

As the opening ceremony ended, the two delegations filed into a hall off the main one, here trays of food, and drink had been set up, giving the two groups a chance to mingle.

Jas walked with Vess on his arm, Val trailing a respectful distance behind.

Again, Vess glanced around the room, a slight frown on her face.

"They are not here," she said under her breath.

Jas nodded.

He didn't need to ask who she meant.

Adira's staff and negotiators were here, but there was no sign of the queen and her husband.

So far, they remained absent.

That seemed to bother Vess more and more, and Jas didn't blame her.

How could they negotiate if the queen wasn't there? Yet, maybe that was the whole point.

He reached out with the Force, trying to sense danger, treachery on the part of Adira and her husband, he sensed no mortal danger, only the sense of menace that came with any life-or-death meeting.

Adira and Lyron knew how important this negotiation was. If they tried to snub the Republic…

Yet, if this was some kind of trap, or treachery, why could Jas not sense it? He sensed nothing more dangerous than the intent of the people here.

He remained unsure.

"Not a bad start, pal."

Jas turned to see Coop approaching, his clan brother had elected to stay after the Folly had moved off to a safe distance.

He smiled at Jas and Vess.

"Well, you two certainly look nice."

Jas shrugged.

Matriarch Tobbi had managed to find some Bantoon dress robes for him. The blue fabric with silver piping complimented Vessaria's gown well.

"The same goes for you captain," the girl replied, Coop had chosen a black suit for this mission, having shaved and pulled his hair back in a ponytail, Gabe Cooper might have been any other businessman attending these talks.

Jas' eyes fell on his clan brother's companion, a very familiar looking Zeltron male.

"Everything seems fine, Captain," Kyp Tobyn reported, glancing up from a small datapad.

"I'm detecting no signals except for those used for standard communications."

Jas looked at Coop.

"You had Mister Tobyn slice the comm systems."

"Yeah," Coop nodded, he looked at Vess.

"I noticed your aunt and uncle aren't here, kid. Thought it might be wise to see if security had an update on that. I'm not really in the mood for any surprises on this trip."

Vess nodded in agreement.

She turned to the young slicer.

"I would like any updates if you receive them," she requested, "Given past events…"

Tobin nodded.

"Captain Cooper has already cleared that," he promised, "I hear anything, you will be among the first to know. I…

The young man looked up as Val slid closer to them. He looked down, blushing slightly.

"Oh…um…he…hello, Chief Valenthyne."

"Hey there, Slick," she replied, "Seems like you have settled in nicely in Cooper's service."

The Zeltron nodded.

Definitely beats the freelance work I used to do."

He finally met her eyes.

"And you, no ill effects from our captivity?"

"None, thanks to you," she answered.

She gave him a warm smile.

"Had you not stalled those cultist murglaks. Who knows what they might have done to me, what they may have turned me into. You saved my life, and my mind."

She bowed her head slightly.

"I'm in your debt."

The boy shrugged his pink skin darkening.

"I just thought you might be able to help me, help us both. You owe me nothing."

"I disagree," Vess said, "Val is not just my protector. I care for her, had anything happened…"

Vess shook her head.

"I am grateful, we all are."

The boy nodded shyly, and looked away.

Jas' brow furrowed.

Interesting.

He knew a bit about the Zeltron culture, and what they were known for. They were considered one of the most hedonistic people in the known galaxy. The pheromones they gave off effecting most known species, making them peaceful and compliant.

…or aroused…given the mood of the Zeltron in question.

Given how the boy was reacting, he should have been feeling drawn to the boy, his pheromones reenforcing a sense of comradery.

Jas felt nothing.

He lightly touched the minds of both Val and Vess. Given their intimate history together such a link was easy. Vess was grateful to the boy, as she said, but he sensed no attraction. Which was good.

Val…however…

Jas looked down at his boots.

A sense of protectiveness came over him.

He didn't like the thought that the boy might be trying to influence her, he didn't sense anything, but…

He didn't like the way she was looking at him, and…he didn't like the idea that he might be using his Zeltron pheromones on her. He would need to speak with Coop about the boy. He was trouble. He…

Don't be jealous.

The thought stopped him in his tracks.

What?

Jealous?

He wasn't jealous, was he?

Despite his relationship with Vess, he still felt…protective of Val. Given that Vess had given him permission to offer her comfort as his first companion…

No, him, jealous? It was impossible!

I told her that if she found someone she wanted to be with, I would step back. Her happiness is what I care about. Still, she could do so much better than the slicer, the man that nearly got her and Vess killed back on Alderaan, he…

Stop it.

He coughed into his hand. Hoping that Val would not pick up what he was feeling through their Force bond.

It was shocking, but he could not deny it.

He…he was…a tad bit jealous.

He looked around, glad not to see his brother in that moment.

Sy would have loved this, sensing his turmoil, and would have not have wasted the opportunity to give his brother a good finger wagging.

This is why you should abandon this foolish adventure, Jas. Attachment…it is not the Jedi way. Jealousy is just the shadow of greed. It will lead you to the dark side.

Yeah, Jas thought with a shake of his head. A year and a half ago he might have actually believed that, broken off his relationship with Vess and Val, and ran back to the Jedi temple with his tail between his legs.

That was not who he was anymore.

He had looked into the abyss back on Taris. Had stumbled and skidded very close to the dark side. If not for Miri's friendship, and Vess's acceptance, and love, he might have gone even deeper into that pit.

He might have truly fallen.

He accepted that, and…he had done his best to move on.

Yes, he felt jealous, but that didn't mean he would let it control him. Greed could lead to rage and hate, but seeing through that door didn't mean he had to step through it.

In spite of the darker emotions he felt, he was serene, or trying to be, at least.

The realization surprised him.

He was not the staunchest believer in the Jedi code, but…had trusted in it.

He found himself thinking of Mother Nuna. The Mandalorian clan head had believed that to defeat something, to avoid trouble, you needed to know something about it.

Understanding something was the first step in defeating it.

Mother Nuna had meant battle, but could her argument be applied to the emotions of a Jedi as well?

It was a curious thought.

How could a Jedi be compassionate without understanding passion? It was not about giving into passion, but accepting it, maintaining control, and doing your duty It was about doing what was right, with a sense of how it would affect those that did live with emotion.

As a boy he had helped after a major transport accident on Coruscant. More than three hundred had been killed. He remembered walking among the victims, and the families of those that had been lost.

The Jedi Master he had walked with had used his power to heal the injured and offering words of comfort, but, now that Jas thought about it.

Had anything about that been comforting.

The master had told the victims families that death was a part of life. Which was true, and they should take solace in the fact that their loved ones were at peace within the Force, and that they were beyond pain.

As a child, Jas had been comforted by that, but he remembered the anger in the eyes of some of the victims. The sense that the Jedi had not understood. He had mentioned it to the master later, but he had dismissed it.

Those outside the Force cannot understand, all we can do is hope they find that understanding one day.

Looking back, Jas realized something.

Understanding was a two-way street.

The victims were not the only ones who had missed the point.

He found himself thinking of all the younglings back in the temple, those future Jedi being taught to avoid all attachments, to trust in the Force and not put themselves in a situation where they would not be tempted.

That is not right.

His close calls with the dark side had come because he had hidden from his emotions. He had had no defense.

Only in coming through those experiences had he found balance.

Yes, he had heard the call of the dark several times in his life, but he had always had those around him to pull him back. He had drawn strength from those connections, and through those brushes with darkness, he had gained…experience? Wisdom?

He wasn't sure what to call it.

The council would likely call such thoughts heresy, but still…still…

…maybe.

He would speak to Master Vey when this summit was over, maybe even Master Trace. He wanted to see what they thought of his conclusion. He…

"Oh, Jas?"

He blinked and looked down.

Vess was smiling at him.

"I was talking to you?"

He blushed and chuckled.

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly.

"What did I miss?"

"You okay, Hotshot?" Val asked.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Just…coming to understand something."

He looked down at Vess again, her expression looking more worried.

"Still no sign of Aunt Adira."

Vess cursed under her breath, a flare of anger boiling within her.

"This doesn't work if they are not here. They…"

"Fear not, my lady."

A cool cultured voice drew their attention, a single man made his way through the crowd, drink in hand.

"The High General will be here, shortly, his wife at his side."

Jas nodded, recognizing him from the holo transmission from Bantoon.

Vess offered a nod of greeting.

"Baron Hudlo," she said.

"This is a surprise."

The old man smiled, the polished smile of a career trader or politician.

"A pleasant one, I hope," he responded.

"I suppose that depends on why you are here," Vess answered, "I saw Lady Janyss sitting with my aunt's entourage."

"Janyss is where she is supposed to be," the baron replied, "The sworn protector program is a sign of stability on our world, it would be unwise for her to stand against the throne."

"Yet, you are here," she reminded him, "Isn't that a risk?"

"I prefer to keep my options open, my lady, and besides you have more friends than you know. Friends that will reveal themselves when they are sure you are going to regain your birthright."

Vess crossed her arms.

"I see. So you are keeping one foot in both camps, for the sake of Bantoon, of course."

"Of course," the baron said offering her a slight bow.

"Just so."

He turned to the rest of their party his eyes hidden behind the small round lenses that he had worn during their holo transmissions.

He stepped back and offered an elegant bow.

"Greetings to you all, I am Baron Jark Hudlo. Entrepreneur, and friend to the people of Bantoon."

Jas regarded the man carefully. A holo image was one thing, seeing the man in person was something else.

The man's clothing, manner, and speech spoke of wealth and privilege, but that was not all there was.

Despite his advanced age, the man's movements were fluid, what one might expect of someone thirty of forty years younger. The broken nose, that had never been set properly, added a sense of the roguish, but again, that was just part of his act.

He didn't move like a trader, or a politician.

He moved…like a predator.

Jas had spent his life around fighters. Jedi, Mandalorians, underworld enforcers, and he recognized danger when he saw it.

The Baron moved with the grace of a manka cat on the prowl. His tread hinted at an understanding of combat. Ho

Jas remembered what had been said during their first meeting, the Baron had admitted to dabbling in smuggling in his youth. He could have worked as an enforcer, but that didn't seem to fit the image the man projected now.

A pirate then?

It was possible.

There were dozens of pirate gangs prowling the outer rims, some very wealthy from preying on resource rich settlements outside the core.

Their leaders tended to put up a front of elegance, refinery, and nobility, but that didn't hide the fact that they were ruthless fighters and not above taking lives.

Could that be Hudlo's origin?

Jas reached out with the Force, trying to get a sense of the man, what is true intentions might be.

He sensed ambition, but that was unsurprising, why wouldn't a businessman have ambition.

Whatever he was before, what he was now…

…Jas wasn't sure.

An ally to their cause, maybe…

…but not one he was sure they could trust.

Vess watched the man carefully, still effected by her aunt and Uncle not being here.

"You said my aunt and uncle are on their way here now?"

"That is correct, Your Grace."

"How?"

Hudlo chuckled.

"Their sworn protectors are with them, as you would expect. They send reports to me and Lady Janyss, as all of the sworn protectors do from time to time."

Vess' brow furrowed. She looked at Val.

"Is this true."

"It is true, my queen," she replied without hesitation."

"Some of the protectors report more than others," the baron added, "Chief Valenthyne has offered no reports these last few years. Disappointing, but not surprising, given her state of exile."

"I did my duty, Lord Baron," Val said snapping to attention.

"Of course, protector. I would not expect anything less. You are a true product of the system, and the system always wins.

"The system always wins," Val parroted, her voice a flat monotone, the way it always was when discussing her training.

"Indeed," the baron said, "Just so."

The old man smiled widely, pleased with himself.

Again Jas felt a sense of anger.

He didn't know what the sworn protector program truly was, but he had seen how it turned Val and her fellows into nothing more than human droids.

He didn't like the fact that the old man could just smile, and be so…cavalier about it.

Living beings were not droids.

They should not have been able to be programmed like that.

"My uncle is planning something, isn't he?" Vess asked.

"You do not need the Force to know that, Your Grace."

"Your agents wouldn't happen to know what that plan is, would they?"

Jas asked him.

Before the Baron could respond. The loud speaker in the hall went off, the booming voice of the Senator Ross filled the chamber.

"Presenting Her Grace, Adira Istillo, Second of her name. Voice of the people, Shield of the Matriarchy, and Queen of Bantoon, and her Husband High General Lyron of House Dustyn, Sword of the People, Defender of all Bantoon."

The crowded room began to part before the doors, which hissed open, admitting two sworn protectors in elaborate looking ceremonial armor.

Jas looked at Vess, he could feel the tension in her hand, she held his hand so tight, that he could feel her heartbeat through his hand.

Baron Hudlo shook his head.

"Whatever the High General's plan, I suspect that we will be finding out quite soon."

Vess' eyes narrowed, again Jas felt a surge of anger in his lover, anger and cold hate.

"Yes," she hissed.

"We will."

"I trust you have a plan, Your Grace," Hudlo said.

"Don't worry," she promised.

"I do."