Coup de Drink (D8, LE)

[Jocasta Teraan]

“Over inflated?” an older man said, “Bouris Ulgo is many things, but he earned respect for his combat prowess. I have no great love for him, but I will be damned if I hear someone disparage a man that has given everything for Alderaan even if he failed in his final moments, failed us all, but don’t disrespect him as if he is some young punk trying to prove himself.”

He grunted and said, “And we don’t cut off heads frivolously, Lt. as a member of the ADF you should know that, and if you continue with such manners I will have your commander’s name and have you back in remedial training on proper officer decorum.”

“Master Jedi,” he finished with towards Layne with modest respect.

Jocasta looks up from her nachos, curious if this man was speaking of failure on Bouris's part in terms of starting an insurrection or in his lack of success. "I promised my new friend that I wouldn't get political, so I won't address the matter of paying respect to a traitor," she says, emphasizing the word, "but under the military code of justice, the punishment for treason is death. And you disrespect Bouris if you think he created a warzone and entered into it as a combatant without preparing for the possibility of death. I only know his reputation, but I would dare to say he would have preferred death in battle to his current fate as an abject failure."

[Layne Hoshin]

She also had no idea who the old man was. Presumably *he* knew who *she* was though; given he *had* chastized his son about the fake video that involved him and Layne.

"He certainly was capable," she said with a nod, "Maybe even honorable from a certain point of view, even if he was wrong to do what he did. I don't know how much of it was him being deceived by others into thinking he was saving Alderaan, versus how much of it came from himself and greed. But that is for the courts to decide, as is his fate. We don't execute people in the field. Besides, even if we went that way, it would not do Alderaan any good if I of all people was the one to take his head."

[Dapper Dog]

Jocasta looks up from her nachos, curious if this man was speaking of failure on Bouris's part in terms of starting an insurrection or in his lack of success. "I promised my new friend that I wouldn't get political, so I won't address the matter of paying respect to a traitor," she says, emphasizing the word, "but under the military code of justice, the punishment for treason is death. And you disrespect Bouris if you think he created a warzone and entered into it as a combatant without preparing for the possibility of death. I only know his reputation, but I would dare to say he would have preferred death in battle to his current fate as an abject failure."

“Ahem Lt., as the one who wrote the military code revised just last year with my stamp of approval, it says no such thing. Now, you have five seconds to come to attention and explain to me why you feel the need to spill your nonsense and dishonor that uniform that I served in for forty years. And do be quick about it,” he said sternly.

Duke Rhys Organa was not in a forgiving mood after that.

[Delmi Koor]

Looks, walks, talks like an old Niall… You stepped in it Jocasta…

Delmi sat quietly and continued imbibing undeterred except for eyes turning to look at the interaction out of the corner of her eyes.

[Jocasta Teraan]

“Ahem Lt., as the one who wrote the military code revised just last year with my stamp of approval, it says no such thing. Now, you have five seconds to come to attention and explain to me why you feel the need to spill your nonsense and dishonor that uniform that I served in for forty years. And do be quick about it,” he said sternly.

Duke Rhys Organa was not in a forgiving mood after that.

"I didn't kneel to the tyrant wannabe after he gutted a Jedi and threw that man through a wall," she gestures towards Omandri, "and I won't stand to attention for a man who hasn't identified himself just because he says to, especially not when that man seems to be trying to defend said tyrant wannabe."

[Dapper Dog]

“Well Lt. since you seem to have chosen this hill to die on, I shall educate you. I am Duke Rhys Organa, Member of the Queen’s Council, Alderaan Secretary of Military Affairs, given forty-two years of service to the ADF, and nearly fifteen more in the Galactic Senate, so when I call you to attention I expect Attention!” he commanded.

Several off-duty soldiers snap to, just in case.

“Now, I have more reasons than you do to dislike Bouris Ulgo for any number of faults but I will not sit here and let some pup who wasn’t even squirted out of their father when he was taking shrapnel for me during the Arkanian Offensive. I have seen Bouris Ulgo charge enemy lines that no man should have survived, carry soldiers’ others left for dead and risk his life for our nation more times than you have years. But I will see that he is held accountable for every action he has taken in this insurrection because we are a just nation of laws!”

He continued, “Now, we are better than this! I will not sit here and listen to soldiers disparage a fellow Alderaanian in defeat. That is how we end up in that Throne room today, it begins with snide remarks like that! We didn’t get there because we had true respect for each other we got there due to petty infighting, derision, division, and mockery! You wear that uniform and are a commissioned officer and you must be above reproach at ALL times. If you decide to piss, Lt. Jocasta Teraan, it had best be above regulations! Because we have charged you with the most sacred honor of defending that which every Alderaanian holds dear, democracy, justice, and liberty.”

Rhys finished, “Now, you have two choices Lt. you can salvage your career and return to your quarters and rethink your poor life choices or you can retort with sass and I can have your bars and see to it, you never wear that uniform ever again. Because I will be damned if I have a sniveling snake like you tarnish what brave sentients have died for with your poor conduct.”

OOC: I had to roll.

Duke Organa Leadership + Destiny + Commander + Council Person: 4eP+1eA+3eB+3eD 4 successes

[Delmi Koor]

Delmi took another swig from her drink.

At least she didn’t pick the wrong fork to eat her nachos… Right Xero?

[Jocasta Teraan]

snip

Jocasta stood up slowly but respectfully to attention while she listened.

Allowing the Duke to to finish his say, she responded, "With all due respect sir, while I appreciate that Bouris Ulgo will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, perhaps he should have been dealt with six years ago when he first threatened the Crown, before I and the others you see around you had to deal with him. I find it very interesting that House Thul coveted the crown and was exiled for some fifty odd years. But Bouris Ulgo does the same and the everyone sat idly by and allowed him the time and opportunity to plan and plot this whole endeavor.

I will admit, I too used to revere him as a hero. I was a little girl during the first invasion, I couldn't wait for the time when I could enlist in the ADF and do my part for Alderaan. I would look at House Ulgo and see all the amazing things Bouris Ulgo and others were doing and I couldn't help but regret not being born an Ulgo. I modeled as much of my early career with the ADF after Bouris as I could. But that ended six years ago when he turned his sword on the Crown, when he put his own interests above his duty.

You speak about disparaging a fellow Alderaanian in defeat as though he fell defending Alderaan. I am only speaking truthfully about a traitor. It's easy to come in after all the dirty work has been done and point fingers, blame others, and take the high road, but what accountability do you claim, what could you have done to prevent this?

I didn't abandon my principles and cower to save my life and I won't do it now. You can call me all the names you can imagine, try to shock me with your vulgarities, and complain about my conduct all you want, but I was one of those standing in that throne room against him."

[Dapper Dog]

The Duke listened and said at the end sternly, "Consider your tenure in the ADF at an end. You will not serve in our Queen's military."

[Jocasta Teraan]

The Duke listened and said at the end sternly, "Consider your tenure in the ADF at an end."

"I supposed I can look forward to my day in court, or do those courtesies cover treason but not impoliteness?"

[Dapper Dog]

He did not deign to answer her, the order was given the deed was done. He finished his drink and departed allowing the other soldiers to stand at ease.

OOC: Jocasta is a civilian by Day 9, she'll get a thanks for her service letter.

[Nudimsu]

Nudimsu watched the whole thing, continuing to eat and drink the whole time they spoke. Soon after the duke left, he turned over to the soon-to-be former Lt and stared at her. "Do you feel better now that those feelings are out of your system? Was what happened here worth the sacrifice of your career, your livelihood, the risk you've brought to those currently under your command, and your own potential within your planet's armed forces?"

There was no snark in his voice, nor cynicism. Just a look of curiosity from his eyes directly at her "You gave up everything you worked for your entire life for you own convictions. Did you take a moment to consider any of that, even after the warning? Even after the success of your actions today?"

[Breela Po]

“Over inflated?” an older man said, “Bouris Ulgo is many things, but he earned respect for his combat prowess. I have no great love for him, but I will be damned if I hear someone disparage a man that has given everything for Alderaan even if he failed in his final moments, failed us all, but don’t disrespect him as if he is some young punk trying to prove himself.”

He grunted and said, “And we don’t cut off heads frivolously, Lt. as a member of the ADF you should know that, and if you continue with such manners I will have your commander’s name and have you back in remedial training on proper officer decorum.”

Breela smiled, "Forgive me that was indelicate." Breela highly disagreed but it was not in her nature to allow an off the cuff comment to dampen the mood of revelers. "He is right though, it goes against our creed to harm. It's enough that we restore balance to the situation and-"

After that she would probably not get a word in edge wise.

Nudimsu watched the whole thing, continuing to eat and drink the whole time they spoke. Soon after the duke left, he turned over to the soon-to-be former Lt and stared at her. "Do you feel better now that those feelings are out of your system? Was what happened here worth the sacrifice of your career, your livelihood, and the potential within your planet's armed forces?"

There was no snark in his voice, nor cynicism. Just a look of curiosity at her. "You gave up everything for you own convictions. Did you take a moment to consider any of that, even after the warning? Even after the success of your actions today?"

Breela's ohhh so tired expression had returned watching the over-inflated senator depart. "I can empathize with his point of view. He's a man that likely holds, has held, or will soon hold the planet on his shoulders. Lots of stress, lots of bitterness." Then she turns to the former Lt, "But at the same time there's plenty of money to be made as a bounty hunter, or a mercenary. As one who's been in your shoes Lt, you have my condolences and my council if you desire it."

Circling back to Nudie, "When you break it down though the only difference between her and him at that point was location on the food chain. They both threw away something precious. The Lt is a hero that deserves a two rank promotion. Her place in the Alderaanian military will be sorely missed because of another man's ego. It's a shame he didn't take her aside and address the issue after the alcohol and revelry had died down."

[Nudimsu]

"Breela." He looks to her and shakes his head.. "I did not ask for your justification for her actions; I asked for her own. I do so without condoning or condemning what either side has done this evening."

His mind flashed to a moment more than 10 years ago before quelling it down. "I wish to know if she truly understands what she has done this evening."

[Jocasta Teraan]

Snip

Jocasta sat back down in her seat, waiting for regret or doubt to set in, but neither came.

She looked up as Nudimsu spoke to her and replied, "It wasn't a matter of saying those things to feel better, it was a matter of what needed to be said. As to whether it was worth sacrificing my career to have said those words... I have to ask instead if my career is worth not being able to say those words?"

She ordered another round from the server droid. "I think giving up on convictions is what led us to today. Outside influences aside, the vulnerabilities they exploited were there because too many were complacent, too many played good little soldiers and followed their leaders without questioning those leaders' motives, and too many were too busy being respectful to see the signs."

While she did not feel regret or doubt, there was an emptiness. So much of her identity was tied up with being a trooper, but moreso to defending Alderaan.

[Jocasta Teraan]

Snip

Turning to Breela, Jocasta answers, "I appreciate your concern and your wisdom greatly Knight Po. If all else fails, House Teraan is a well established House and I'm sure I can pitch in to bolster our House Guard, or maybe I'll take up my father's offer to serve in the House of Lords. Although I thought it would be many, many... many years before I turned to civil service.

[Nudimsu]

With that, Nudimsu stands up from the table and continues to look at her unphased.

"You will suffer for today. Maybe you will come to regret your choices; maybe more than just once. I cannot tell you for sure. However, for whatever the sentiment is worth, I wish you good luck and I hope you make it worth the sacrifice."

He reached extended his arm out and opened his hand slowly, reaching out to meet her own.

[Breela Po]

"Breela." He looks to her and shakes his head.. "I did not ask for your justification for her actions; I asked for her own. I do so without condoning or condemning what either side has done this evening."

"I appreciate your concern and your wisdom greatly Knight Po. If all else fails, House Teraan is a well established House and I'm sure I can pitch in to bolster our House Guard, or maybe I'll take up my father's offer to serve in the House of Lords. Although I thought it would be many, many... many years before I turned to civil service.

"I said that for me as much as for her, Nudimsu." She smiles warmly, "You could always go above his head Lt." She yawns, "I may or may not have a gym to go back to, now that my words have been taken out of context. But if you need council look me up there. I'll be on Alderaan for two more days. May the force be with you." That fiery side of hers might suite a life in civil service. She thought.

[Jocasta Teraan]

Jocasta stood up to match him. "Thank you for your sincerity Mr. Nudimsu, and I too wish you luck in your endeavors."

She took his hand and shook it while offering a polite bow.

Looking to Breela she bows similarly and responds, "May the Force be with us all."

Jocasta received her fresh glass of ale from the server droid and sat back down to eat and drink... when she realized the entire platter of nachos had been meticulously cleared, even the side containers with all those sauces. "I guess he got past the visuals." She muttered to herself before downing the ale, standing up, and beginning the short journey back to her room.

/Exit

[Breela Po]

/Exit

"I'm going to go as well. This whole thing was my fault so it seems right and proper." She bows to Nudimsu. "If I don't see you tomorrow I hope our paths cross again under better circumstances." She turns to Omandri, "If you want to talk some more let me know. I've no plans this evening."

She'll bow to Layne (and Tyche?) then make her exit.

/leaves