Fiction:Cyrannian Cold War/To Catch a Senator



 Cyrannian Cold War - Part IV: Guardians of the New Republic 

 Part One: The Consular 

Cruising through hyperspace along the Republica Run, the starship Consular's hull, adorned in diplomatic red, shimmered against the blue void of hyperspace. Inside the vessel, Apollo sat cross-legged at his desk, looking over some paperwork in preparation for the upcoming special session of the Senate on dealing with a third wave of expansion into the Unknown Regions. Suppressing a yawn, the Senator rose from the desk and was about to activate some classical music, when suddenly, a flashing light on the desk indicated that someone was attempting to contact him. Reaching to activate the holocommunicator, Apollo straightened his creased suit and indicated for to stay as quiet as possible. In the centre of the circular holotable appeared a blue-hued image of President, who stood with a characteristically emotionless expression with his clawed hands clasped behind his back.


 * Valkistair: "Apollo, my friend, I hope I am not interrupting."

Apollo's expression betrayed his surprise. Of all the people in the Republic, he had not expected to be speaking to Valkistair. Gorf, who paid little mind to the situation, spent his time playing with a ball of yarn by throwing it up and down.


 * Apollo: "Not at all, Vos. President. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting your communication. I would have worn something nice."

Valkistair looked at him for a long moment before continuing.


 * Valkistair: "No matter, no matter. As it happens, you're exactly the person I need. The Empire is not our only concern, my friend. As you are no doubt aware, the worlds of the Eastern Borderland Alliance are threatening secession."

Valkistair's voice began to convey his clear disgust.


 * Valkistair: "They would threaten open rebellion and civil war."

Apollo scratched his chin.


 * Apollo: "I was aware that they had grievances, yes, but civil war? Rebellion? Surely they realise that they would be stronger within the Republic than outside it."

Valkistair huffed dismissively.


 * Valkistair: "Idealists and fools, logic is alien to them, as are the astropolitical realities of this galaxy. Their worlds are a patchwork, they have a league, but little to hold it together. Still,"

Valkistair sighed deeply.


 * Valkistair: "They control key shipping lanes and trade centres in the galactic east, resources and territories which would prove vital should war come with the Empire. If they leave, I fear the Republic may die."
 * Apollo: "These are Republic worlds and sectors, we're dealing with here, Vos. President. Negotiation is inarguably the greatest weapon that we have. We should be using it, allowing the Alliance to air their grievances to the wider Republic."

Valkistair considered it.


 * Valkistair: "It may surprise you to know that I agree with you, which is why I want to assign you as the Senate's mediator to the Eastern Borderland Alliance."

Apollo was about to say something, but stopped and began again.


 * Apollo: "With all due respect, Vos. President, I am a representative of the Core Worlds. Many of the planets of the Alliance were exploited in the past for everything they had. Honestly, I'm not sure they would appreciate some... hoity toity Capricaerónan trying to talk away their problems."
 * Valkistair: "No. You've faced more than the rest of the Senate has in their collective lifespans, Apollo. You're the person I want for this task."

Apollo sighed, glancing at Gorf as if he would say something helpful. The creature glanced back but replied merely with a shrug.


 * Apollo: "Very well, it would be my honour. Who knows, might even help my chances in 15 NE!"

Apollo knew that Valkistair would not appreciate the joke in reference to the upcoming Presidential Election, though suspected that the wily was attempting to deflect a political crisis to one of his potential rivals. Indeed, the President merely blinked, before continuing.


 * Valkistair: "Wonderful. Go to Rihanae, Senator Tanarr-Nuin is attempting to facilitate talks between the disparate factions of the . As an influential member of the Alliance, Tanarr-Nuin may be instrumental in winning their support, so he'd be a good place to start. In an ideal situation, you should try and get on the Alliance's good side, though between you and me, I'm entirely certain they don't have one. Good luck. Valkistair out."

Apollo ran his hands through his feathers with a loud "ugh", before turning to Gorf.


 * Apollo: "Never get into politics, Gorf."
 * Gorf: "Gorf would not. It sounds stupid."

Apollo nodded emphatically as he slumped into his chair, only to be roused almost immediately by the holocommunicator once again. Once again groaning loudly, he was surprised to see that it was from a smaller ship requesting permission to dock. A hologram of Doctor appeared, with the female  wearing the distinctive uniform of Republic Strategic Intelligence, an organisation he knew that she had recently joined as a consultant of sorts.

With a beaming smile, he outstretched his hands, pleasantly surprised to see his friend.


 * Apollo: "Dané! You just happen to be in this sector? Should we be picking out furniture or what?"

Dané rolled her eyes.


 * Dané: "Don't get ahead of yourself, Senator boy, I'm here on business. Are you going to let me dock or what?"

Trivia

 * Written by Cyrannian and OluapPlayer.