Paradise - Koren and Commander Je'and
Jason had handed over his blaster with no issue and followed the droids to wherever Koren was at that time. Or, more accurately, where he had decided to meet with the Supreme Commander. As they walked, he looked at the ship, comparing what he remembered of the Providence Class ships he’d boarded after taking formal command of the 237th to what he saw here and, well, he was impressed. If it wasn’t for the very obvious appearance on the outside, you’d never know it was one on the inside. Clubs, bars, private rooms, the works, had gone into transforming this ship from a droid run military ship to a organic friendly and partially manned luxury ship.
With that said, he couldn’t say he was surprised when he arrived in a room that was, decisively, still a reflection of the former military position of the ship that it once was. After the introduction, and a rather gruff one at that, Jason, opted to stay standing, at least for the time being.
“I know who you are, Koren, but since you introduced yourself, I will do the same. I am Supreme Commander Jason Je’and of the Galactic Republic Remnant. We decided to clean up the Imperial traitors infesting Hutt Space and I thought it would be fair to see where you stood on the matter.”Koren let out a hot breath of air, a ‘huh’. “It’s rare that there’s a player in this region of space that I
don’t know about. I didn’t realise there was a
Galactic Republic-” Koren practically spat the words out “-Remnant. Entering the game a little late aren’t you? The Rebel Alliance has already beaten the Empire to a bloody pulp and formed the New Republic, shouldn’t you be running along and joining them?
He sighed. “In terms of the Imperials? Worse than the Galactic Republic was, even more corrupt and oppressive. It’s worse now that the Emperors died and they’re all trying for their own slice of heaven. Not all of them are too bad, there’s always the Star Card in the deck. Anyway, are you here to make a deal or to just talk? I hate to be rude however I am a busy man.” He didn’t truly hate to be rude, this man at this current point was just wasting his time, and there was nothing Koren hated more especially while he was still in pain. This
Supreme Commander really had to get to the point.
Jason chuckled as Koren spoke, but noticed the venom in the speaking of the Republic. It was expected, given he was a former Separatist, but not without a grating effect. When asked for a point, the Supreme Commander nodded.
”Unfortunately, raising an army of both Clones and enlisted soldiers and ensuring they’re all armed and properly trained is time consuming, not to mention where our base is, well, allow me to simply say it’s a long trip.” Falling silent a moment, the man reached into a pouch and produced a single flash drive before throwing it on the table between them.
”So to keep this short as per your request, I give you the files my slivers pulled from Moff Aran Mortifus’s servers. Had detailed plans on how best to deal with most every faction in Hutt space, from his fellow Moffs to a number of Hutts and ending with you. I haven’t read any of the specifics, but I imagine it wouldn’t have been pleasant at the end of the day. My only request, Koren, is that should my enlisted men and women choose to come here for rest and relaxation, they not be made targets of by you or anyone else. Deal?”Koren took the data chit and pocketed it. “Moff Mortifus was a fool, though the information will prove useful in locating weaknesses he identified in other Imperials and at bolstering my own security.” Of course this wouldn’t be the only copy, while Jason said he hadn’t read it yet, Koren doubted that it would be long before he had taken the time to go ahead and read it after they were finished here. A plan to take down several factions was essentially a cheat sheet of information of who was who and who had what. While the plans may not have been brilliant and the information not complete, it was certainly better than flying in blind.
“In terms of R&R. Paradise is a neutral zone to all factions, so long as your men and women adhere to the rules of
Paradise they may visit, and stay here. So long as the credits are good, everyone on this vessel is also under my protection so they will not be attacked without major consequences. Your people need to understand that while we have citizens from all over Hutt Space and beyond enjoying a safe haven here, there are also a vast quantity of Imperials, Hutt, Blacksun and other organisations that make use of this vessel. I’m curious however, why you felt the need to specifically ask? The rules are the rules, my personal prejudices against the failure of the Republic doesn’t get a seat at the table.”
”To be frank, because I don’t trust some of your patrons. We’re both Clone Wars veterans, Koren, we both know how many, Republic and Separatist alike, twisted and manipulated rules to their favor during the war and everyone knows that Hutt Space is full of manipulators. In any case, I trust your word, as strange as that sounds. I only have one question left, though whether you answer it is entirely up to you. How much of the Republic’s history, before it became the demilitarized failure it was, do you know?”Koren chuckled. “Just two old Veterans huh? Though one of us at least got out of the game of war.” He moved and took a seat, the pain was becoming a little too much to simply grit his teeth through. “The issue with trying to manipulate is you need a way to try and manipulate, I for example couldn’t manipulate you unless I found out your homebase. People don’t try and manipulate me is because I have so many agents across Hutt Space and I know too much about everyone, if someone was to try and get dirt on me they wouldn’t last very long. In terms of Republic History, just what I learned when I was a boy, however the ships database has extensive records on Republic history, it specifically highlights the bad things but then it is a Separatist vessel, why?”
”I wished to ask if you thought much of the debacle that happened before the Clone Wars, including the Republic itself, could have been avoided without the demilitarization. The military was a powerful uniting force in it’s day.”“A powerful uniting force, is pretty much what the Empire used and you can see how well that worked out. A powerful military before the Separatist Crisis essentially would have led to a Rebellion rather than the Separatist Movement and the founding of the Confederacy, or all out war even earlier. The problems with the Republic were not with the lack of a large standing military but instead of the broken bureaucracy.”
”And what government doesn’t have it’s issues? I’ve yet to find one in all my studies that doesn’t have it’s problems. Regardless, the Empire’s greatest failing was in taking away the power of its member worlds and alienating the non-human races through its Xenophobia, nevermind the use of slave labor.”“Truth, the Confederate Parliament's biggest issue was the amount of power the Trade Guilds had, simply due to the fact that they were where the Separatist Alliance initially got it’s droid army. Anyway, what is it exactly you are looking for, as not to be rude but I do have several clients and employees waiting?”
”My point is, that everything has a chance to do things right, as does everyone. Give it some thought before saying the Republic was a complete failure.”Koren shrugged. “The Sith led Confederacy had it’s chance, the Republic had it’s chance. If you feel you can bring it back better, you are welcome to try. Will it be accepted? I don’t know, but don’t forget the New Republic exists now as well.” Koren stood up again. “Feel free to stop by again, there’s an alert coming that we’re getting ready to reposition.”
Jason turned and nodded to Koren.
“Perhaps next time we meet, it will be before a drink, rather than to discuss the state of the galaxy. Until then, Koren.” Leaving the former Separatist behind, Jason headed for the hangar he landed in and retrieved his blaster before climbing into his Z95 and heading back into hyperspace.
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