[Day 5 - MM] Root Stew Anyone?

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

It seemed that would be what they have to work with.

"So... to assemble the pieces we do have. Thank you for the summary, Lady Alysele, it helps put things in perspective." A nod of appriciation to her fellow Alderaanian.

"Anti-Republic and anti-crown protests have been happening frequently and turned violent two days ago. The protests have been led by Tuvi, a student at the academy in Ulgo territories who is now dead under somewhat questionable circumstances, though no foul play has been uncovered yet directly," a nod to Breela. "Tuvi was the peaceful presence of the protests. The nature of the protests largely went by trying to push for Duke Bouris Ulgo as a saviour of Alderaan who would throw down the corrupt Panteers. This is due to the presence of the Thul by Panteers side, but we'll get to that. Julio who left House Ulgo on poor terms is the other factor of these protests, who have been pushing the disatisfied group towards violence and rioting, which escalated into an attack on Prince Joran two days ago. The attackers are in custody of Organa security forces, but Julio still remains at large. Speaking with the arrested rioters, Knight Carrack and I learned that Julio had been pushing them on, saying that he was planning on something big and that he would get weapons for them. I've been in conversation with Organa Security Forces and Major Niall Organa to arrange a possible trap for Julio, if he will take the bait of meeting with one of the arrested rioters, though I think our chances are slim that he will show for such a meeting."

That was that out of the way.

"House Thul as we all know returned to Alderaan with the backing of the Sith Empire. Given that and their Duke-Consort being a former Sith does paint a rather bad image for them, one that these protestors have been using to their full advantage. It also makes it easy to manipulate a conflict between House Ulgo and House Thul, as those behind the scenes simply need to continue to paint Thul in a bad light to cause a reactionary response from Ulgo. Hence why I have a sense of scepticism of the footage, Breela," Kat explained. "Thul has also been under house arrest all of yesterday and today still, due to information that was given to the royal family that must've incriminated House Thul. What that information was I don't know, but I do know that it came from the white-haired man with the tattoo, Bryson Rist, and was given to the royal family by a third party. Probably to make the information seem more credible than if it had come directly from House Rist. And as we have now more lead that Bryson Rist is working for this shadowy organization, it certainly does not make that information credible."

She gave a nod to Zayne. "It is possible these people behind the scenes fabricated the intel given to Baroness Ulgo... it is possible she is also working with them, but that would only be speculation at this point with no proof or real suspicion. As for the Blackguard... no, I do not think they are our enemy. Knight Carrack has met with them more than I, and while there is still more we're uncovering about their history with the assistance of professor Kellen Rist, I do not think they are an enemy of us or Alderaan." Kat thought for a moment. "Most likely, the falsified intel of Vidara Rist's death was to throw us into disarray early on, leaving their operatives a window of opportunity where they could work knowing we would be busy with the accusations. Or possibly they were also hoping to remove one of ours by throwing an entire noble house at a Jedi, or the Jedi Order."

And then they had Layne's account of Delaya and the events there, so it was starting to come together now.

[Baesal Zyn]

''More or less what I understand of the situation. I don't think Tuvi was the peaceful voice but rather a media savvy leader. If Bryson is the source of the Duchess's imprisonment then we need to clear her name as soon as possible...anyone knows where she is and what she is accused of?''

[Dapper Dog]

"So what is our pan of action?" Lunda replied.

[Baesal Zyn]

''My guess? Due to the aristocratic nature of Alderaan's political system and the current actors in play we might need to keep some of our efforts to pacify the House's heads...or give them the true target for their ire. I talked to Duke Ulgo yesterday and he seemed...ehrm...as receptive as possible to the idea of showing good will towards the crown and appearing in person to support the festival.''

She looked at her repaired blade

''Duchess Thul will need to be freed and the charges against her lifted. The Star Cabal already have members in high places in the houses and we cannot let 'accidents' happen to the duchess while in the crown's captivity. Byron and Black Kat likely have what we need but Byron will be hard to get so Black Kat is our likely immediate target. We will need her computers and check if there are traces of anything.''

[Layne Hoshin]

"Wait, how do you know this information that must've incriminated Thul came from Bryson Rist and was then delivered through a third party?"

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"Wait, how do you know this information that must've incriminated Thul came from Bryson Rist and was then delivered through a third party?"

"I know the person who delivered it, who told me who it was from, and that it needed to be given to the royal family. They were told it was something of importance that was going to uncover a danger to the royal family," Kat explained. "I've known this person for a long time and I trust them not to be part of this conspiracy, apart from having been made the messenger."

[Baesal Zyn]

Baesal just shook her head

[Zayne Rist]

"Hum, I think we have too many different points of view and too many different agendas to think clearing or analytically now. Which is what whoever we are up against wants it right now. I have been here since Jedi led by Satele Shan and Republic special forces were sent to defend Alderaan. So that color my judgment right now. It seems like we have supposition and Force visions for the most part. If we keep going down the current path we are on separately, we will never figure out who is behind this. We need one plan, and stop squabbling with each other or running off on solo." He said calming.

[Breela Po]

Breela was getting a headache. "The idea with Major Organa is an excellent plan. I'm at your disposal if needed." She continued responding to Kat's argument, "However I don't entirely agree with your assessment. What Zayne said earlier holds true. There are more forces at work in the galaxy than the Jedi, Sith, and the militantly unaffiliated. The houses each have their own agendas, and house members aren't always in agreement. Any number of them can, and are more than willing, to employ the Jedi, the Sith, or this shadow organization to achieve their ends. Don't forget that when you're speculating who's ramping up friction to achieve a civil war."

"Hum, I think we have too many different points of view and too many different agendas to think clearing or analytically now. Which is what whoever we are up against wants it right now. I have been here since Jedi led by Satele Shan and Republic special forces were sent to defend Alderaan. So that color my judgment right now. It seems like we have supposition and Force visions for the most part. If we keep going down the current path we are on separately, we will never figure out who is behind this. We need one plan, and stop squabbling with each other or running off on solo." He said calming.

"Agreed." Finally a voice of reason! "And to that end I suggest we pull one from Shan's playbook. Pick a side." She never thought she'd say that one but this organization, this conspiracy changes things. "There's going to be a winner and a whole host of sore losers regardless, so pick the side that sides most favorably with the Jedi. As to which side that truly is, let's find out together."

[Baesal Zyn]

''No'' the knight said firmly, putting her blade away ''We are not here to play Kingmaker but as a support for the people. Knight Rist, Breela, I do not know if you have been paying attention thus far but we clearly have more then suppositions and know who is behind this. We have clear targets to investigate and lies to expose...it won't be easy but doing what Just thing is never the easy path.''

''I have no love for petty politics and the aristocracy but picking a side would only make thing worse. We would then become the clear adversaries of several political factions instead of impartial arbiters with access to most places: This would play right into the hand of the Star Cabal and impede our capacity to act''

[Alysele Organa]

Aly let out a sigh. What a fucking headache.

"I know of a holonet cafe Blackkat used to hang out while she was with Tuvi. We can possibly ask around there." She frowned.

"If we want the house arrest lifted, it needs to happen through legal and diplomatic means. If we strongarm via the Order, then we are going to encounter resistance from the crown."

She let out a loud groan. "Our best bet here is to establish peace on Alderaan." She turned to Baesal. "What did you discuss exactly with Baron Ulgo?" She glanced to Kat, the resident Ulgo among them.

[Breela Po]

''I have no love for petty politics and the aristocracy but picking a side would only make thing worse. We would then become the clear adversaries of several political factions instead of impartial arbiters with access to most places: This would play right into the hand of the Star Cabal and impede or capacity to act''

"Play the game Baesal," Breela looked intently at her. Or the game will play you. Was Breela's implication. "I have been paying attention." To all of it. "If we proceed as expected we won't be viewed as a threat." Then someone will give us an opening. Breela had no way of knowing whether her meaning would be understood. Either way she had to try. Divided they had been played, it was more than likely that they had been played against each other. Now if they came together with a bold new strategy. "Let's try something else."

OOC: I'm going out on a limb for roleplay purposes but the translation is: "Yeah I've been suggesting that policy since day 1, let's do something they don't expect and see how they react. Since there's a chance we're being monitored." Play along at your own discretion.

[Zayne Rist]

"Right now, all I am listening is you and Kat sniping at each other, like little children." He said at Baesal. "I think I may be better off working with House Rist. They are working as a team of adults."

[Tethys Carrack]

Tethys sets her bowl of root stew down on a nearby rock with a distinct clink.

"Jedi Knights." She looks around at the others. "And Ms. Po," she adds as an afterthought. "There is no emotion, there is peace. We've all been placed in a frustrating situation, but there's no need to turn that frustration on each other."

Tethys's brows knit, a vertical line appearing between them as the corners of her lips flatten downward. "Breela, you've been out of the Order for more years than in it, so you may not remember this. If you really want to be counted among us again now, though, it's important: the Jedi Order does not, it can't take sides lightly in intra-planetary political schemes. We're here to maintain balance in the Force and peace among people. We can’t sacrifice that larger purpose for some bit of advantage over the adversaries of the moment, not even temporarily.”

And," her cool gaze settles on Zayne for a moment, "Jedi have to be Jedi. We absolutely can't act as members of House Rist, or Ulgo, or Organa, or any of the others. I understand that must be hard, but it has to be that way."

"We came together to share intelligence, not solve Alderaan's problems in one morning. Especially since the people of Alderaan must have a hand in anything that happens. It sounds like there's still more information about the situation to share, is that right? What does Baron Ulgo know about all this, and what did you say to him, Baes?"

"Our best bet here is to establish peace on Alderaan." She turned to Baesal. "What did you discuss exactly with Baron Ulgo?" She glanced to Kat, the resident Ulgo among them.

[Baesal Zyn]

Aly let out a sigh. What a fucking headache.

"I know of a holonet cafe Blackkat used to hang out while she was with Tuvi. We can possibly ask around there." She frowned.

"If we want the house arrest lifted, it needs to happen through legal and diplomatic means. If we strongarm via the Order, then we are going to encounter resistance from the crown."

She let out a loud groan. "Our best bet here is to establish peace on Alderaan." She turned to Baesal. "What did you discuss exactly with Baron Ulgo?" She glanced to Kat, the resident Ulgo among them.

She nodded in understanding ''That would certainly be a useful starting point if we go to look for her and as for the Duchess I also agree. We need to clear her name and remain above board on this''

She paused

''As for Duke Ulgo we mostly talked about the current situation. I made him aware of the terrorist cell working on Alderaan and their effort to steer the house leaders into conflict and highlited the fact that it would only help the Empire by stopping us benefitting from the peace to rebuild ourelves. Also since is animosity for the Thul is in good part inherited from his animosity with the Empire I made an effort point out that Thul are nothing to the Empire beyond a tool they can use and that the same might be true in reverse. I know ambitious people and I don't believe duchess Ziandra would put her our House in peril by bending the knee to imperial whims...she will use them but cut the ties if it becomes too costly. If the Duke wished to see imperial presence gone then he should make honest peace with the crown so that they do not have to rely too heavily on the Thuls thus forcing them to reconsider their ties to the Empire.''

"Play the game Baesal," Breela looked intently at her. Or the game will play you. Was Breela's implication. "I have been paying attention." To all of it. "If we proceed as expected we won't be viewed as a threat." Then someone will give us an opening. Breela had no way of knowing whether her meaning would be understood. Either way she had to try. Divided they had been played, it was more than likely that they had been played against each other. Now if they came together with a bold new strategy. "Let's try something else."

OOC: I'm going out on a limb for roleplay purposes but the translation is: "Yeah I've been suggesting that policy since day 1, let's do something they don't expect and see how they react. Since there's a chance we're being monitored." Play along at your own discretion.

''Are you suggesting disinformation? Could you be more explicit...this is a good moment to be if you are weary of espionage once we return.''

"Right now, all I am listening is you and Kat sniping at each other, like little children." He said at Baesal. "I think I may be better off working with House Rist. They are working as a team of adults."

''You might be listening but might be hearing only what you wish to. Think on this: you accuse us of childish bickering and then directly go to taking your ball and going home? I am not sure what bothers me the most...that you honestly are suggesting this or the obvious conflict of interest you seem to lean into.''

She reached for a bowl as well

''We are all different people with different upbringings: It is normal that some disagreement or irritations happens but what counts is how we deal with that. Furthermore we have a plan to design and it is perfectly normal that there is back in forth so that all perspectives are taken into account and that further disagreement will come from it. Make use of patience Knight Zayne.''

[Breela Po]

Tethys sets her bowl of root stew down on a nearby rock with a distinct clink.

"Jedi Knights." She looks around at the others. "And Ms. Po," she adds as an afterthought. "There is no emotion, there is peace. We've all been placed in a frustrating situation, but there's no need to turn that frustration on each other."

Tethys's brows knit, a vertical line appearing between them as the corners of her lips flatten downward. "Breela, you've been out of the Order for more years than in it, so you may not remember this. If you really want to be counted among us again now, though, it's important: the Jedi Order does not, it can't take sides lightly in intra-planetary political schemes. We're here to maintain balance in the Force and peace among people. We can’t sacrifice that larger purpose for some bit of advantage over the adversaries of the moment, not even temporarily.”

Breela does some quick math in her head. "No... I spent more years in the order. And even inactive I retain my position as Knight." She responds calmly.
"Behind Chaos, I propose Harmony." She says one last time trying to clue everyone in that she's been talking in code. "And if it makes you feel better I'll happily call up the masters and inform them of my desire to go back on active duty."

OOC: Cypher built, her proposal the entire time was never to pick sides. It was to encode their continued correspondence.

[Dapper Dog]

"Right now, all I am listening is you and Kat sniping at each other, like little children." He said at Baesal. "I think I may be better off working with House Rist. They are working as a team of adults."

Her gaze was now fixed on Zayne.

[Breela Po]

''Are you suggesting disinformation? Could you be more explicit...this is a good moment to be if you are weary of espionage once we return.''

She sighed, "I was under the impression we were wary of espionage here. I haven't tried my hand at counterespionage in eight years - that was my futile effort at it. Clearly it went off about as well as can be expected." She shrugged then turned to Zayne. "The order is a family, and like all families it's dysfunctional at times." Last she turned to the assembly coolly, "Now... let me say this to you all so that we can get over these misconceptions. I have been with the order a total of 30 of my 41 years. The ten years I was in exile I never once stopped thinking and acting like a Jedi. And finally in the last five years, I've been voluntarily inactive as I work through the grief of losing my children and my husband on Coruscant."

[Dapper Dog]

Thy thought of her son briefly and then sat and meditated, this was typical Jedi discussion. She could only imagine the High Council meetings.

[Layne Hoshin]

There had been a moment or two when Layne had considered speaking up; but thankfully she hadn't. It could only have made things worse. But then things just... kept... staying agitated. At least Thy seemed to have the right idea. Maybe, that was something they should all just do. Sit there, quietly, let the Force flow through them. Let it show them the way. Visions shared through the Force could not be listened in on by spies, at least. At least, she didn't think so.

So she sat there, quietly, eyes closed. Opening herself up the Force...

...but felt only the Dark Side's influence from all this bickering.

Tuning into the Force I guess: 2eF 2 Dark Side