[21 BBY]
[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
"Hey Yulan, any difficulties I need to be aware of? Landing went well I hope..." I asked Yulan as he came into view as I organised the seating arrangements for my meeting with various personages I'd need to keep my Sector Army function effectively "...sorry I couldn't meet you down there, but as you can time has been short and making it fancy is harder than I thought"
Yulan saluted, then gave an amused snort "Rank gone to your head already Boss? Quite, well...bit on the expensive side this setup here is looking? As to the ship, all's well, and docking went well, outside issues like the outer doors were as slow as you thought and warned they'd be. We're unloading supplies as we speak"
I sighed, looking around the luxurious layout of tables, bars, and other things that could be seen as somewhat out of place on a warship. Or for a General in the Grand Army of the Republic to be investing time in seating arrangements as if it was a wedding either, but it was just as vital as battle plans in its own way. Yulan had renamed the original Stormcrow to the Darksails, which was also his new surname in a mimicking of my own Stormcrow becoming my name as well as ship. It was still a bit weird having a ship docked within a ship, but that was the way the galaxy was, and we needed those expensive supplies for our merry little conference.
"Oh, if only. No, got to wine and dine the rich folk and planetary leaders so we can get those fine fellows all lined up to support our efforts" I answered gesturing around the bustling 'conference' room as it was lavishly decorated in the popular style of the Greater Javin region by troopers "Also, it's the most secure area I manage any such meetings, between screening entry and ensuring general security on the events. It's why we need you here, Braika's running security, and I left the ship under Gardan's command by and large so I can organise this thing"
In part it was a show of power, and confidence, by hosting such a lavish gala style event aboard the flagship of our Sector Army with side meeting rooms being prepared for private meetings during the discussions. Getting support was a complicated thing; ranging from gentle persuasion to veiled threats depending on the person you were dealing with. Our support from the various sectors around Koradin was fairly strong, without much effort, but the beating heart of my Sector Army's operational was the Greater Javin Region with Javin, Gerrenthum, and Bespin being vital for differing reasons.
Hoth too, but that was unknown to anyone else, but Bespin's supply of Tibana gas was a vital resource, while Gerenthum was a rare industrial giant out this far, and Javin commanded the various sensor and monitoring along so many routes. As the local sector, and greater region, Javin would be our primary system headquarters' despite a population of a billion and a half versus Gerrenthum's over five, in part due to its extensive sensor nets on the hyperlanes. The other reason was the large system's self-defence fleets in both systems, but Javin being first along the hyperlane and the easiest to deploy rapidly from, or retreat back behind.
"My job?"
"Well Yulan you're my aide-de-camp in this venture, also part party planner I suppose, so here's the outline..." I replied handing over a data-pad with the necessary details on planned events. Security was incredibly tight on this thing, even down to the four 'dancers' organised as entertainment for the...less conservative...elements of the 'feast' being troopers. In two cases corporate lawyers, one a former PDF member, and the fourth a former bounty hunter, so they all had understanding of what to watch out for "...humans and mugaari mostly, but a few others mixed in. Along with a few guests...who invited themselves let us say"
Yulan frowned, glancing at me after skimming through the data "Jedi?"
"Yup, the Jedi, even if one or two are friends who are sticking their noses where they don't belong" I muttered with a shake of my head. For now it was Anakin, with Kenobi and the Togruta Teen Angst, but it seemed my former Master was on the way as well, so it seemed I'd annoyed someone, somewhere, at some time to get this nonsense now. Apparently Team Mobile Disaster was merely passing through, having been in Musafar for some reason that still mild concerned me due to not knowing, on their way to form up a Mobile Fleet after refitting in Gerenthum's and Eriadu's shipyards.
'Bunch of lies of course...' I thought as I briefed Yulan on the situation at hand and the importance of what we were doing here with the good and bad sentients invited '...since they're sticking their nose into Yanthis's business right now, and I'd suspect unto Eriadu to do likewise...'
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[21 BBY]
[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Republic 19th Sector Army, In Orbit Javin, Javin Sector, Outer Rim Territories]
It was boring, and her formal robes were annoying, Ahsoka found as she followed Skyguy and Master Kenobi amidst the crowd of snobbish rich people dressed in all their silly fanciness. After coming from weeks of seeing and feeling suffering, and what the Clones endured on the battlefield, it was a bit jarring to see such luxury and smugness gathered together like this. It was hard not to glare at some of them, they weren't any better than some of the criminals they hunted down as best she could tell; but she kept her face blank as Obi-wan told her to do.
She didn't thing this felt like much of a warship, or like a warship should be at all; more like they'd been dropped unto a luxury cruise liner instead. Not...that she wasn't looking forward to a nice meal of course, not after weeks of GAR rations, but it just seemed a bit...off...to her mind. It just didn't seem right to her that people, like here, should be sitting around talking about how they were going to profit off the war and destruction. Nor did she like the occasional disdainful look or feeling directed her way be a handful of those they passed as by a few of the tables filled with fat or fake beautiful snobs.
'Hmph, even Helmet-head is all dressed up and helmetless even' she thought as they approached the large table at the head of the room with two great banners with the Republic's sigil and flag emblazoned on it flanking another banner with the mercenary band's one. Skyguy's 'friend' who'd failed out at being a Jedi, and yet somehow had managed to become a General like Obi-wan and Anakin despite that. He was still nicer thought than that mean, glaring, grump Yana-something who'd demanded they leave almost the moment they'd arrived on his ship. General Stormcrow at least had given them, luxury hotel-like, rooms to clean up and get dressed in despite not greeting them till now.
"Hey Daron..." her Master greeted the green-skinned man dressed in a slightly bulkier, definitely fancier, version of a Republic General's uniform "...congrats on the promotion I guess? It got you a nifty new uniform looks like, or that just for all the rich people?"
"Greetings Anakin, General Kenobi, Commander Tano..." currently helmet-less Helmet-head/Stormcrow replied with a smile while holding a wine glass in his hand and nodding his head to each of them. Skyguy got a handshake with the free hand as well though "...sorry I couldn't meet you earlier when your shuttle came over, things been a bit hectic getting this show on the hyperlane"
"Ah, yes, quite the occasion to host upon your new warship..." Obi-wan offered accepting a glass of something offered by a serving-girl, a twi'lek, who appeared as by the will of the Force; giving another to Skyguy, and then a different drink to Ahsoka. She sniffed it and glared at both him and Skyguy after being handed fancy fruit juice "...and somewhat different that what one would expect with matters as they are"
Skyguy grinned, offering his own input after tasting his fancy-swanky wine "Yeah, not really your favourite sort of thing Daron"
General Stormy...yeah, she'd stick with that since he'd no helmet...gave a sigh and made a faintly irritated face for a moment "Situation as is requires such action I think you'll find. Else I'd be quite happily meditating or doing something useful like overseeing the combat drills going on right now...but needs must I'm sad to say. Not unless either of you can conjure up a steady supply of starships and materiel for me. Things are a bit of a mess thanks to that debacle at Kuat, and us still being cut off from the rest of the Republic so...negotiations and playing all nice with disagreeable sorts. I'm sure all of you will have to deal with it too"
"Ah, yes, I have warned Anakin on that matter..." Obi-wan admitted as Ahsoka grinned remembering her Master's sulking, or thinking on the matter as he called it, about Master Kenobi's lecturing him about the matter and lack of immediately available ship reserves to replace losses. Skyguy's Force signature indicated his grumbling, though that was super obvious as he huffed, looked at his wine, and interrupted Obi-wan.
"These things happen in war Master! And we have support from Naboo"
General Stormy gave a faint snort and looked like he was about to roll his eyes "Ah, Naboo, with its long held military tradition and military-industrial complex. Don't be thinking they'll be replacing capital ship losses Anakin, and I say that as someone whose force by stuff from them"
She blinked "What do you buy from Naboo?"
"Hmm?" General Stormy murmured glancing at her "...oh, gungan-riot shields mostly, and some larger mobile shield-tech they use, good stuff to use in the field without too much weight to carry. Don't really deal with the humans on planet much honestly, won't sell their starfighters and they're buying rather than selling military equipment...so, don't be expecting much there in my opinion"
'From the Gungans?' she thought as Anakin gave a odd look and voiced Ahsoka's thoughts "The Gungans?"
"Oh, yeah, thanks to Senator Jar-Jar Binks actually. Quite the canny negotiator actually"
Ahsoka gave a confused glance as Skyguy and Obi-wan just stared at the calmly drinking General Stormy in silence before the green-skinned sentient continued "Hmm? Oh, don't let that idiot exterior fool you, he's a wily one let me tell you. Sure he has that whole bumbling idiot exterior to fool you, because honestly, he's at the upper levels of the Senate..."
"Jar-Jar Binks?" Obi-wan voiced in an odd tone...
General Stormy nodded, sipping his drink "Oh, yeah, like in fairness have you noticed how high he's risen politically and economically despite coming out of the middle of nowhere..."
"Jar...Jar?" Obi-wan started to ask before his and Skyguy's communicators seemed to buzz, and Master Kenobi gestured at her to stay here before motioning at Skyguy "Apologies, myself and Anakin should be but a moment General"
Ahsoka glared faintly as both moved away to a more private spot, then glanced at General Stormy "Isn't Jar Jar sort of...I don't know..."
"A clumsy idiot? Oh yeah, totally. Either that or a secret genius and drunken master, or unintentional Force user maybe..." General Stormy replied with a grin motioning with his glass in the direction Skyguy and Obi-wan had gone "...I'm just messing with them, though I did organise the deal with him so I'm not lying either"
Ahsoka frowned "So...you're telling the truth?"
General Stormy gave an amused smile "From a certain point of view. Just play along , it's fun, and if we can pull it off I'll tell you about embarrassing Anakin tales..."
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