Alsakan Lowlands (Day 0, Morning)

[Jocasta Teraan]

Jocasta had just left the Teraan Estate, exhausted from speaking with her family. It always seemed like life was a balance sheet to them, debits and credits, stay in the black, more of the same drab. Those types of people never saw the lives behind the numbers, the sacrifice in red that kept their ledgers black.

She swiped through her datapad as she sat aboard the transport to the grounds of the Grand Spring Palace. The usual documents scrolled across the screen, troop reports, supply requisitions, and the like. She made sure to check for any late leave requests for the Festival of a Thousand Flowers. Technically, she shouldn't approve of any requests on such short notice, but there were some every year. Jocasta did her best to accommodate her troopers. She expected the best from her men and was willing to backdate a few requests to keep up morale.

It must've been three or four years since she took leave of her own accord. Her own CO had nearly gone into shock when she submitted for her own leave. After seeing her itinerary and thinking on recent events, realization came into his eyes and he wished her the best of luck.

There was one item of concern. A communique about one of her troopers that had left Alderaan, and not on the best of terms. Julio Ulgo. Jocasta tried her best to provide a safety net for any troopers cycling out of service, but she couldn't catch them all, and Julio was one of those that had slipped through. She made the mistake of assuming House Ulgo would be able to help him. Now that he was back on Alderaan, she would correct that mistake. Sitting back into her seat, Jocasta swiped through a few screens on her datapad and began typing, reaching out to anyone who could give more details about Julio's current whereabouts.

[Count Serenno]

Even as Jocasta's eyes were focused on something else, there was an odd sound near. Against the hum on the engines, she could pick up... rustle of paper, pages of a traditional book being turned. Should she look up she would see a man in graphite uniform, two rows of silver buttons, but otherwise unmarked, a dark green cape thrown over one shoulder as as not to deform it while seating, attentively reading something that had an illustration of Alderaan as seen from space on its cover. The man seemed aristocratic in pose, even while so engrossed, and a signet ring on his pinky seemed to be corroborating that, even as it didn't carry any symbol Jocasta would easily recognise from among the nobles of Alderaan, or even the Core. There was a weapon on him, a long sabre, safely sheathed, positively ancient from the looks of it, something from bygone eras that had a more obvious place in a museum rather than on a battlefield. The man himself wasn't that ancient, though judging from his grayed hair he was at least middle-aged.

[Jocasta Teraan]

As she hit send on her last message, Jocasta looked up to see an older, distinguished gentleman swiping... no, thumbing through a paper book. Studying him closer, a thought occurred to her, one worthy of confirmation.

Jocasta rose from her seat and approached the man, "Excuse my impertinence sir, but would you happen to be the Count of Serenno?" She stood with a straight back, chin high, and arms clasped behind her back as though reporting to her superiors. "I am Lieutenant Jocasta Teraan of the Alderaan Defense Forces. I have studied your battles and even drilled my troopers on some of your maneuvers. It is an honor sir."

[Count Serenno]

The main raised his gaze from the book, closed it on his finger holding it thus, and greeted the attention with a cultured smile from beneath his mustachios. He wouldn't sit where a noblewoman stood, so he rose as well and offered an old-fashioned bow. "I confess I didn't presume to be so recognisable, even as it is not exactly incognito how I am travelling. Irrespective of the surprise, it's an honour and a pleasure, Lieutenant Teraan."

He straightened the cape and pushed it to the back so it would flow more naturally. "And I wouldn't exactly own the accomplishments you mention. The most of what I did was to show my fellow noblemen and the people of Serenno how to claim what was being unjustly denied to them. The untold truth of 'my' manoeuvres is that they were as much mine as originating from purposeful ingenuity of the officers. Once you order a man to do your bidding, you'll always need to keep ordering them. Help him realise their purpose and nurture their resolve, and they can keep up the good work in an out of the battlefield regardless of errors of high command. Nor will they countermand you, for they see and prize how important they are in their own right. Is it what you've trained, Lieutenant Teraan, to delegate where the talent is?"

The man's baritone carried so much charisma that it wouldn't be difficult for Jocasta to assume that he needn't be doing much for people to answer to his intentions.

[Jocasta Teraan]

Jocasta motioned towards the Count's seat as she sat across from him. "I would not sell yourself short. While I may have taken a personal interest in the events and accomplishments of Serenno, there are many others across the Republic that have done the same." She straightened her jacket and smoothed out any creases from sitting. The man struck an imposing figure, he had an aura of noblesse oblige that was lacking in most of the nobles of Alderaan she had met.

"I must confess, until recently, our troopers lacked a certain urgency. They likely felt insulated from the rest of the galaxy, only engaging in the occasional killik extermination mission. But as they say, necessity makes the man and the recent battles have brought a greater sense of motivation and independence among the enlisted.
You could say our command directive has shifted. We have a greater need for flexibility and gumption now.
I would be grateful if you could take some time to address my troopers... But forgive me, there must be a reason you've come to Alderaan. Are you on your way to the Silver Spires to enjoy the festival?"
Jocasta stiffened a bit in embarrassment at having been so selfish in making her request without regards to the Count's plans.

[Count Serenno]

He observed her getting seated before making the move onto his seat himself, bringing the cape to the side in which position it wouldn't wrinkle. Nothing in his gaze indicated he considered her of any lesser nobility than himself; quite the contrary, despite their difference in stature, age and experience, he was showing respect to her rank, and he addressed her by it only because this was the one she had chosen to present herself with. To her suggestion, he nodded, finding no offence in her determination.

"Before I made myself to lead, I had been made to advise. To deny for fickle reasons the role I had once been thrust upon is hubris I shall not condone." He nodded. "I shall discuss with your fighting men and women whatever you find me worthy of contributing. But it is as you have said, out of lull they have already found their anvil, and now they see that not all metal they have carried is steel." His sword-hand straightened its fingers before relaxing.

Presently, he paused, pulling his finger out of the book and closing it neatly, laying his hand on the cover. Then he replied, after a moment of mildly questing eye contact. "I do indeed arrive for the festival, but more in service to my people than for the sake of personal enjoyment."

[Jocasta Teraan]

Jocasta shifted in her seat, a look of concern coming across her face. "And how can Alderaan be of service to the people of Serenno? Are you having trouble becoming a member state of the Republic? Is it that accursed treaty? Well, as a founding member, I'm sure we can make some arrangements in support of a planet that wrested itself free of Sith control."

She lowers her voice a few decibels and leans in towards Count Serenno. "Although, I must confide, one commander to another, the Alderaan Crown has its own troubles at their doorstep right now. I don't know how current your news is, and I doubt that," she says pointing at the paper book "is up to date."

[Count Serenno]

"Does history not repeat itself, first as a tragedy, then as a farce?" He remarked with gentle humour, though he assented to her point about how the book must have been removed from any actuality she meant.

"Serenno doesn't seek to join the Republic. It has never been a part of it. My people and peers would not understand paying the cost of winning their sovereignty back just to give it up to another foreign power." He made a pause to see how such a dictum disagreed with her worldview. Or whether it didn't. He chose to suggest nothing on the matter though. "We shall try to stand on our own legs. Hardship that comes with it may be necessary for maintaining the psychic muscle of the Serennians." He turned thoughtful for a moment, careful not to make it sound like a veiled critique. If anything, it was a more general reflection on human condition.

"It does not mean I cannot imagine an entente of noble worlds. I suppose it's time to shed light on whether it is more a vision, or a delusion."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"I see, I should have thought of your predicament from your point of view, as a people recently oppressed. I thank you for the lesson and will strive to carry it with me." Jocasta said with complete sincerity and humility.

While she had traveled abroad to various schools for her early education and later military training, Jocasta had been planetside for a number of years and had likely gotten into a rut with her thinking. The Defense Forces was something of an ideological echo chamber when it came to foreign affairs and matters of Republic security. Before she stood up from her seat, Jocasta couldn't think of a reason why someone wouldn't want to be part of the Republic, especially with the Sith threat.

"I have to respect what your people have accomplished and their desire to stand on their own feet. That being said, there is much the Republic has to offer, primarily military and economic support. My last words on the matter would be, remember that we are the Galactic Republic, not the Galactic Empire or the Jedi Empire."

Jocasta sat back in contemplation for a moment, "Whatever your decision, I can confidently say House Teraan will support your cause."

[Count Serenno]

"This is the kind of pledge I feel I must earn before I can accept it." He rose again to show his appreciation courteously. "Having your house as supporters of my planet is a very heartening prospect, and I want to thank you for the very thought." He observed her contemplation for a moment as he was seating back. "What I can pledge at this point is to keep my mind open for your arguments about the nature of the Republic and judge them on their merit. Your world is a fascinating place and I would be remiss letting my preconceptions hinder the understanding I can develop in my time here."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"I would say your actions have earned quite a bit of good will; however, let me clarify that it is the cause of your people, whom have absolutely earned the support of all who oppose the Empire, to which I pledge the support of House Teraan.

I believe Queen Solara would be best suited to espouse the merits of the Republic, sovereign to sovereign as it were. If for any reason, you have issue with finding and audience with the Queen, please let me know so I may try to assist in my limited capacity."

[Count Serenno]

"I shall of course act as a grateful conduit of this message, but you may want to consider visiting my world at some point then, to tell it to the Serennians in person." He smiled with a bit of good-natured amusement, certainly not belittling her pledge. "We try to be as welcoming to our friends as we're terrible to our enemies."

He tilted his head a bit, wondering about something. "I believe I should do some work on collecting bits and pieces from various conversations before I decide to trouble Her Highness, especially at a time of her preoccupation. Certainly little in the conversation we are having right now necessitates any urgency, as you are most excellent in communicating the best of intentions, Lady Teraan, both personally and of forces you represent. I hope some domestic troubles you've alluded to earlier are nothing serious."

[Jocasta Teraan]

Jocasta again lowers her voice from a conversational tone to a conspiratorial one, as someone speaking about a subject of embarrassment. "Ah yes, I wasn't sure from your reaction if you had already heard... it's something of an open secret here on Alderaan and who knows how much the galaxy at large even cares for our court drama.

You see, a few years ago, the Crown Prince Gaul Panteer was engaged to Yulastranza Ulgo, heir to House Ulgo; however, he broke off the engagement at the last moment. This enraged the head of House Ulgo, Duke Bouris Ulgo, who in turn extorted the Crown over the broken engagement and has threatened.... repercussions." Jocasta began to raise her voice and speak in a faster, more impassioned manner, "Which is just beyond disgraceful. He was a hero to the Alderaan Defense Forces, it was why the marriage was arranged in the first place. Now he threatens to turn his sword on the Crown if he doesn't get what he wants.

To make matters worse, House Thul, who was exiled around 50 years ago for trying to usurp the Crown, has returned from Imperial space... with an Imperial delegation! They have swindled their way into the good graces of the Queen by opposing House Ulgo.

This is all reaching a climax at the Festival, as it has been implied that one of the Panteer twins will be announced as the new heir apparent and their spouse chosen at the Festival."

Jocasta slumped back into her seat and let out a small exhalation.

[Count Serenno]

The Count nodded in understanding, seeming not to be overly scandalised by the revelations. A small smile had assisted his attention as he had listened to her.

"Cultural specificity notwithstanding, this is an expected convolution for a planet governed by nobility with competing claims to power who haven't yet agreed on a higher necessity. My own world used to be like this, and it probably will again, though hopefully not before I am gone. Each man and woman are their own to find the blend of honour that negotiates their personal integrity with a higher calling, and no parent, however enlightened, can ensure that their descendants will succeed on that path." He said with solemnity, as if he had an oracular power to look down the river of time and see such failings among his own descendants.

"As the matters stand, lady Teraan, there are certainly ways to restore Alderaan to a less turbulent path. Those would require some restraint and will to compromise on the part of all involved, as well as an honest broker who could speak truth to power. I would offer my services in this regard were my impartiality recognised and the mediation desired. However, I believe Her Highness may already have other settlements in mind which I would be remiss to interfere with."

[Jocasta Teraan]

"I believe your analysis is spot on. As they say, a compromise is only achieved when all parties are equally dissatisfied, and I doubt that will happen without some outside influence." Jocasta paused in a moment of internal debate as to whether she should confide more than she already had. She had a lofty purpose and would value any input from the Count.

"You have actually touched on my own purpose in travelling to the Festival. I plan to use my audience with the Queen to propose an alternative. Rather than fully committing to either House Ulgo or House Thul, I believe neither should be selected.
Both Houses are acting out of brazen self interest and both would retaliate if the other were chosen over them. That mentality should not be rewarded and should absolutely not be put in such a high position of power.
If carried out properly, this should leave both Houses dissatisfied with the outcome, but still held in check by the other and with House Panteer, the Crown, and the future of Alderaan secure." Jocasta paused again to study Count Serenno's countenance to see how he was talking this all in.

"Matters in the military are so much simpler than the machinations of the nobility. I had hoped to escape from its grasp when I enlisted, but here I am, on a transport to the Grand Spring Palace, trying to solve the troubles of my planet, while speaking with the ruler of another planet about those same troubles."

[Count Serenno]

"They are not so far apart, matters of the army and matters of the government. Your experience may serve you well as long as task your mind with finding the correspondence." He chuckled with some mirth.

He faced her with curious attentiveness just as she was studying him. "Your idea certainly holds promise. However, for the sake of clarity as to your purpose, please contemplate the following questions: If an outside stakeholder were to be paired with one of the Panteer heirs, what should be the profile of that outsider for Alderaan to be given the best prospects? Would it be more beneficial if such an outsider was paired with the heir that will inherit the throne, or the one that will not? Would it be better for the stability of Alderaan if the matters of domestic power remained hinging on the current tripod, or would it be better if the throne had more firm legs, with another house rising to comparable prominence not as an extension of interests of any of the three, but finding its own springboard?"

[Jocasta Teraan]

"I may have been unclear in my intentions. I believe an outsider may be necessary as a mediator, as you said, to offer an impartial and external perspective of the situation. However, I don't believe the Houses or the people of Alderaan would accept a complete outsider so close to the crown. Perhaps an adopted son or daughter of one of the houses, but the unfortunate truth is there are still large portions of the populace including, if not more heavily represented in, the nobility that is xenophobic.

While your suggestion of another House rising to power holds merit, I will have to differ in my opinion. In the best interest of the people of Alderaan, House Panteer must remain the ruling House. They have provided stability to Alderaan for ten generations now. The issue with either House Ulgo or House Thul marrying into House Panteer is again that they do it out of their own interests. When it comes time for their spouse to ascend to the throne, would it remain a Panteer Crown, or become an Ulgo or a Thul Crown? What Alderaan needs is a spouse for the future king or queen who will leave behind the trappings of their previous House and fully embrace the duties of House Panteer. Panteer is not just another noble house who happens to currently hold power, they must stand above all other noble houses and represent the interest of all people of Alderaan.

I do agree that they must reject the influences of House Ulgo and House Thul; however, not at the cost of their own authority. If House Panteer falters, if they show weakness, or if another power comes in to tip the scales away from the Crown, that will create a power vacuum and any interested party, whether a noble house or the Sith Empire, who has a delegation watching this all unfold, will rush in to fill the void. It will be the people of Alderaan who suffer."

[Count Serenno]

"Insurmountabilities have to be disproven only once." The Count said a bit cryptically, but acknowledged her argument. "I see you hold onto a very consistent set of ideas about the matter, lady Teraan. It is only expected, given how you hold the dream of a peaceful and prosperous Alderaan close to your heart. My concern about your argument is with those other top competitors, as you don't seem to have full confidence in their ability to abandon particularism. Is it that you'd rather see a rival to both Ulgo and Thul as a royal consort? But if so, how would it assuage the thirsts of not just one of them, but both? The powers scorned are the most prone to accepting unholy alliances." He mused without losing his composure.

[Jocasta Teraan]

"I don't presume they would abandon their interests, only that they will have no course of action if both are left in the stalemate they are currently engaged in.

As they are now, if either were to act brashly, their counterpart would have justification to begin open hostilities and to garner support from the other Houses against the provocateur. If the shift in balance is instead instigated by the Crown, then battle lines may well be drawn by those other Houses who were previously satisfied to wait and watch.

Unfortunately, this is all moot. We can speculate and debate to our hearts content, but in the end, it will be the Queen's decision. We can only do our best to guide her and the events at large into a direction that will be best for the people of Alderaan.

I greatly appreciate you delving into this topic with me. I believe, over the course of the Festival, we should meet again to discuss how events are unfolding and strategize. As you yourself alluded to earlier, it is best not to commit to a rigid plan. No plan survives first contact with the enemy. It is only when we allow those under our command and ourselves the latitude to adapt that we give ourselves the best chance at victory."

[Count Serenno]

"When we speak about nobility, who often acts on enlightened self-interest more than on sheer patriotism, I am unsure if over the long term mechanisms of firm constraint and deterrence offer the same sustainability as careful accommodation. On Serenno, I had to negotiate power-sharing with my fellow nobles in order to unite them against common foe, and only thanks to that did we succeed. I am an elected ruler, and much of the governing is done by my Council, particularly in absentia, like now."

He buckled up as they approached landing. "But this is just one perspective for your contemplation, lady Teraan. You know the local conditions far better than I do, of course. I have been fortunate to meet such an insightful conversationalist and a dignified noble like you on my way to the Palace. I look forward to future opportunities to meet you." His charisma made the statement beyond regular pleasantries, truly authentic.