NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This RP is basically the aftermath of my civil war (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=452833), and reconstruction includes a bit more than simply building new shit to replace the old...I may split parts of it off but I haven't decided yet. If you're looking for a chance to blow shit up, you really should have TGed me for an invite into my earlier civil war RP; otherwise this thread is open...

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Jedi Master Jacob Whitfield, former Prime Minister of a now-shattered nation, gazed emptily at the bodies he had moved to the Parliament rotunda, bodies that lay upon pyres assembled from wood gutted from the very walls of the Parliament building, the bodies of the very first victims of the Sith Civil War. The bodies of the most recent Prime Minister, Michael Frazier, and the Members of the Forty-First Parliament, and their support staff, most of whom he had known personally. Now the war was ended, but an air of uncertainty still hung about as to what exactly would happen next.

With Master Whitfield were Taylor and Daniel Masaki, the former having participated with Whitfield in the Earth campaign of the war, the latter having been sent by CoreWorlds to, among other things, figure out and negotiate what diplomatic relations between whatever Evil Woody Thoughts government emerged and CoreWorlds should be like. Presumably, such relations would involve an alliance of some sort, but Whitfield didn't want to get too hasty, for he had little if any intention of actually negotiating with the Coredian government directly.

Also with Whitfield and the two Masaki Jedi was the newest member of the Masaki family, Taylor's newly adopted son, John Masaki Watsen (OOC: In EWT, adoptive names are seperated from the patronymic and become the middle name, instead of becoming merged with the last name), a five-year-old orphaned Force-sensitive, who had barely said anything since the war had ended some days ago. He seemed too shell-shocked from the horrors of the Dark Lord's gulags to even much notice the destruction within the Parliament Building, but such was only the outward appearance of a boy whom Taylor and Daniel had tried to pry words out of, a boy that, if not for the very occasional request for food or drink, could easily be mistaken as mute.

Whitfield had his own ideas as to who the Coredians would negotiate with, but now was not the time to share them. Not yet. The elderly Jedi Master and former politician simply looked at the crowd that had followed him, as well as the Masakis, here, a crowd of people that only days ago marched more than sixty kilometers to bury their relatives, a crowd that had lost a third of its number to the war, a crowd that still had little idea of just how many among them the war had killed. Except they knew that however many people had perished in the war, it was a damn big number.

Master Whitfield simply gave the crowd Teh Look. Though the countenances of those present barely registered anything, much like the blank stare emanating from young John's countenance, the mass of people knew just what meaning was behind Teh Look, almost as if the mass was a hive mind. Or something. Everyone in the crowd had sensed the Planetmind's intervention to end the final duel between Whitfield and the Dark Lord a week ago, and whatever this Planetmind was, it sure had been acting quite strange lately, for one whipping up huge storms on a scale not even seen during the disasterous climate changes on Earth, and for the other. However, it also seemed to be doing something else, something a bit more subtle...

The flash of the Planetmind that had somehow tipped the final duel to Whitfield also indicated to all Woodians were guardians of something most had not even known existed. Something vastly important. And it seemed to have a strange unifying effect upon them...

Whitfield left the crowd to pay their respects to the fallen Parliament for a while before giving said crowd Teh Look again. The crowd followed him, not a whisper to be heard, into the Parliament Chamber.

He did not intend to relive the war, and he certainly was not going to boast of defeating the Dark Lord, for if the Dark Lord had not defeated him on this very stage, there would not have been the civil war to begin with. Besides, Whitfield thought, now was the time to focus on the future, for rebuilding could only take place in the future, not the past, though the past held an important example of what, exactly, could be done...

...Far be it for a politician to humble itself, especially in a speech that was being broadcast live across Planet, and off to Earth, thanks to the two random cameramen in the crowd; yet that was exactly what Whitfield intended to do.

Whitfield stepped up to the shattered wooden podium, a podium broken during the first duel between Whitfield and Darth Ebolus, as members of the crowd seated themselves. No one said anything; the Masakis simply stood near to Whitfield. But Whitfield knew that the time was come for him to open his big politician's mouth for the first time in thirty years...

The former, or more like returning, politician's Force-enunciated voice filled the Parliament chamber. However, his first words left the crowd assembled in the chamber, much less the Masakis, wondering where the hell he was going with this...

"We have frequently printed the word Democracy, yet I cannot too often repeat that it is a word the real gist of which still sleeps, quite unawakened, not withstanding the resonance and the many angry tempests out of which its syllables have come, form pen or tounge. It is a great word, whose history, I suppose, remains unwritten, because that history has yet to be enacted."

A long pause, so the people assembled could contemplate why, after all that had happened, these were the first words out of Master Whitfield's mouth. After a good long thirty seconds or so, the politician continued. And despite his upcoming references to Jedi Masters, he did not disclose that he was now counted amongst them.

"These words came not from a Jedi Master, nor from a person incredibly famous in his time, but from a man humbled in his time, a man marginalized by the society in which he lived," Whitfield continued. "This man was persecuted in his time, fired from jobs, because his writings did not fit the norms of the time in which he lived. Yet, after the death, he became known as one of the greatest poets of his country--I speak of the nineteenth-century American poet Walt Whitman."

The people assembled were left to wonder, yet again, what the hell Whitfield was talking about. But the old politician was getting to that.

"You endured far more than Walt Whitman endured; you were openly slaughtered in the streets for gathering in groups of even two, yet never did you say 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint, you did not let the kindling of democracy burn out completely; you took your stand, and though you were persecuted, such persecutions are now recorded for the entire galaxy to see, and your response is not something that will soon be forgotten. Here you sit in the Parliament Chamber, people that previously wanted little to do with Parliament, until awoken by the fires of war, to restart the flame of democracy, to institute new Government."

Whitfield paused to send a quickie telepathic message to Taylor. Now, don't you get other ideas from my references to kindling and flames... Meanwhile, the crowd assembled wondered why a former Prime Minister was telling them to "institute new Government..." they weren't the former politicians...

They soon received their answer. "I do not say that the institution of a new government is easy, and most of you are probably wondering why I do not simply proceed to form a new government myself, given that my background lies in government," Whitfield continued, artfully understating his political experience, 'forgetting' that he was a former Prime Minister of this very nation. "Dictatorships are easy to form; all it takes is one person with guns; democracies are hard. Were I to form a new government, whatever my intention, inevitably it would be a dictatorship, for it would not be a government of the populace, rather the government of a single man. Therefore, I am but one person in this crowd, but one person in this nation, with the same single vote that each of you has. It is ultimately up to not the former politicians or the technocrats, but rather up to you, to figure out exactly what form this new government to take..."

The crowd remained silent, digesting what Whitfield had just said. Some of the people within had the feeling they would be here a good long while, not because of the length of Whitfield's speech, but because Whitfield was leaving it up to them to work out the details of a new government...

"However daunting the task of reconstruction may be, it has been done before. The national government has been decapacitated before, seventy-eight years ago during the Christofascist Wars, when terrorists detonated a nuclear weapon in the capital city. The nation did not cease to be; rather, its ideals lived on, its citizenry reinstated the destroyed government and reformed it. Realizing that outside help was needed, the survivors of the attack humbled themselves before the world, and asked for aid and foreign investment; the result was the fastest rate of economic growth ever recorded for Evil Woody Thoughts--even faster than the growth immediately after White Diamond was colonized."

"You did not fight this war alone, either. Know that others are willing to help in reconstruction; they need only know what to reconstruct. Some of those others are right here, and wish to speak to you. I yield the floor to Taylor Masaki, Jedi Knight and participant in the Earth campaign against the Dark Forces."

Whitfield left the podium. The crowd remained silent, still digesting his words.

He humbles himself before the people. I noted as I listened to the speech. Then -surprise, surprise- Taylor was blindsided by something he wasn't even expecting...

A speech in front of billions.

"Welcome to the world of politics, niisan." I whispered to him, supressing a grin.

"Uh, thanks, I think." Nervous and sporting a giant sweatdrop on the back of his head, Taylor nevertheless gathered courage and stepped out to the podium.

"Hello." Taylor said into the microphone. "I am Taylor Masaki, and yes, I did help out in the conflict. To be sure, I was not alone in doing so. I could not have done it without the assistance of Mr. Whitfield here, nor could I have done it without people such as Lieutenant Colonel Keith Allaire. Both suffered much to bring peace to you. They are the real heroes to you. Uh, I guess, that's all I have to say. Thank you."

"Not bad for a first time." I whispered as he stepped back.

"Thanks." He smiled nervously.

Master Whitfield smiled at Taylor's speech; while it lacked the polish of an experienced politician, it showed he had come a long ways during the war; before Taylor had seen the destruction at Eheayana, he couldn't have imagined him giving LTC Allaire credit for anything. While Whitfield had been comatose whilst Taylor participated in the search for war dead here, he had sensed the aura of death from the moment he returned to White Diamond system. Apparently, it had affected Taylor quite a bit, too.

Whitfield returned to the shattered and splintered podium, if only for a minute. "Thank you for your thoughts, Taylor Masaki. I now yield the floor to Master Daniel Masaki, Supreme Commander of the Coredian Armed Forces."

Experience taught me much, including how to make a speech. It still doesn't stop the initial jitters one gets when making a speech to people you know is going to scrunitize you for every word you make. Such is the path of a leader.

"Hello. As you know, I'm Daniel Masaki, leader of the people of Coreworlds." I said. "I come here in the hopes that I can do everything in my power to help you, the people of White Diamond, recover and restore the greatness you deserve. It is my belief that by working together, we all can achieve our goals and create a bright future for our future generations. A future, that thanks to Mr. Whitfield here, will be a reality. Thank you and may the Force be with you."

I stepped back for Whitfield.

"Thanks to me?" Whitfield replied to Daniel, in an unusual moment of candor as to what his true feelings were, for being a former politician and all. "As I said earlier, my voice only represents one vote amongst the many." Whitfield wasn't about to proclaim himself the leader of anything, for he had warned that if he did, regardless of his intentions, dictatorship was the inevitable result...therefore, he wanted to limit his own power as much as possible, an unusual impulse to be sure.

After a few seconds of silence, he added, "More than a thousand crowded in this chamber, one hundred seats with voting interfaces attached. It may be advisable for you to caucus amongst yourselves, to decide who will actually get to cast the votes in the decisions to come. You have an hour."

As the crowd turned its attention to the process of thinning itself out, caucusing to make itself a bit more manageable, Whitfield sent Daniel a little telepathic nudge. It may also be advisable for you to start coming up with specific proposals while we wait.

OOC: In order to prevent the upcoming…negotiations…from taking 100 posts, spanning a week or more, CoreWorlds and I have basically scripted this post over MSN. He has agreed to let me RP his characters in accordance with the script that we have agreed to. In this way, this section of the RP can be done in two days instead of a week or more…enjoy.

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"Well, you are the one who started things down the road to freeing your people. Don't deny that," Daniel replied to Whitfield’s refusal to take credit for much of anything.

However, Whitfield stood in the same building where the war had begun in the first place. The gaping hole in the ceiling acted as a testament to his original failure, an indictment. "I'm also the one that failed here, in this very building, where I stand now...a failure that allowed the war to start in the first place." It came out as a hushed whisper; a few towards the front of the chamber could tell by the look on Whitfield’s face that he was objecting to something, if they were paying attention, but they could not hear the words. However, most weren’t, as the chamber filled with vociferous discussions as the caucusing got underway.

"True enough. But in the end, you stopped him before he could finish his plans. That is victory enough."

Whitfield paused for a moment, mulling Master Daniel’s words. Insofar as he was concerned, it was a Pyrrhic victory, but had he failed the second time, the destruction would have soon magnified by orders of magnitude. It was a valid point that Master Daniel had…Master Whitfield gave him a quiet nod in acknowledgement before getting down to business. The nod was all that Daniel needed…

"I figure that an aid package would be beneficial to you." Daniel said. "Of course, I'll have to poke the Senate to do it, but would a hundred billion sound about right for starters?"

Whitfield simply nodded, as he motioned for Daniel, Taylor, and the five-year old that was pretty much stuck here to follow him over to one of the chairs of the Members of Parliament. The Masakis would soon find out why, as Whitfield started entering data into a keypad built into the chair, more specifically, the aid offer. “Yes, continue, I am entering this as a draft.” While Whitfield would have done this from the keypad built into the Prime Minister’s podium, the PM’s podium had been destroyed and splintered during the first duel; its keypad’s components lay scattered across the floor. Of course, the gathered crowd was too busy shouting at itself to even notice; such was the raucous art of caucusing. Such was…democracy.

"Great. Now..." What else...

Taylor chimed in for him. "Hey, what about trade agreements? The military could buy some of the stuff I used."

"Not a bad idea." Daniel mused. "The Navy's also been searching for new equipment. The Admirals wouldn't be happy if they don't get their hands on some Immortals, I think." Daniel smiled a bit at that.

Whitfield thought for a moment... "Those things are expensive, the last line-item appropriation to build one was a hundred eighty-three billion, if I recall..."

Daniel whistled. "Almost as expensive as our Elites."

Whitfield, ignoring the assembly’s background noise and upon hearing that Elites were more costly, was slightly surprised, given what had happened to the Fifth and Sixth Fleets during the war. "Probably only because they're our ship-of-the-line and produced in somewhat greater quantity."

"And quality." Taylor nodded.

"Hmm. We could cover some of the costs with a planetary shield generator, perhaps?" Daniel asked.

"Equvalent exchange, eh? Haven't used that philosophy in a while." Taylor said.

Whitfield sighed. "I really wish we actually had a military representative to participate in these things..." He paused. "Well, how many Immortals are you looking for?" Whitfield, having handled budgets as a politician, knew that even the leanest, most efficient government would burn through a hundred billion in a month or two running a place this big...much less actually being able to reconstruct anything.

"Pretty much enough to help rebuild our Fourth and Fifth fleets. New flags they need too." Daniel replied. "I'd say two to four would be nice."

"Make it five." Taylor suggested. "Nice number to have."

"And how much do these planetary shields cost?" Whitfield was trying to get an estimate of how even an exchange this would be, and if he could procure a bit of extra cash for the transitional government on the side…not to mention the sale of the ships would provide a release valve for military payroll costs in the upcoming lean years.

"Hmm. I recall they cost five hundred billion to set up." Daniel said.

"Hmm...five Immortals times production costs comes to $915 billion...we probably could use one for White Diamond, but that still leaves you with $415 billion. Might be enough to get through the next three months before we can actually start collecting taxes again, but it won't be easy, and that's just to run the government, no frills like schools or anything…And we haven't even begun to talk about production rights yet..."

"True enough." Daniel nodded. "The rest of the money can come out of the naval budget. We're downsizing a bit to prepare for upgrades."

"We do need to wholly recreate the Ministry of the Treasury, I'd imagine."

"And everything else." Taylor said in agreement.

Whitfield nodded. "Pretty much. At least we're trying to export something to you in return here. Would your navy be interested in buying production rights as well?"

Daniel nodded. "Yes. They always try to grab rights whenever possible. Makes it cheaper to build our own, as well as make modifications ourselves if needed."

"Hrrrmm...how much would your military be willing to pay for said rights?"

"Another trillion or two. Of course, that's going to be in installments."

"Yes, I wouldn't object to installments, as we need a steady stream of revenue almost as much as we need immediate cash...is it the 1 trillion or two? You are the Supreme Commander of your military, yes?" Whitfield needed this specificity not only to procure as much operating cash for the new government as possible—he knew that tax revenues would be nearly nonexistent until a proper postwar census was underway—but he also needed exact numbers to enter in the datapad. The people would want to know what they were voting on, especially as it was historically difficult enough to get a treaty ratified in Evil Woody Thoughts without unnecessary ambiguity.

"Two." Daniel said.

Now Whitfield had his number; it was time to figure out and document Daniel’s proposed installment plan. "Over how many installments, spread out over how much time?" Whitfield was happy to see that he was finding enough sources of cash to fund the setup of a new government, though he couldn't imagine that the admiralty, upon recovery from the Sith Lord's mindrapes, would be all that happy. In which case he would simply have to notify them of what, exactly, Coredia had done to earn the trust of those assembled.

"One hundred billion per month." Daniel said. "For two years."

Whitfield smiled. "Is the cost of purchasing the five ships included in those installments, or is that separate?" He had to make such things perfectly clear. Misinterpreted treaties were very bad things.

"They will be separate costs," Daniel replied. Good news for whoever got stuck having to propose a budget for whatever transitional government emerged…probably Whitfield himself.

Nevertheless, Whitfield wanted to make absolutely sure…"So that extra four months of payments is interest for the installments, then?"

“Yes.”

With that cleared up, Whitfield started entering the relevant monetary figures in the datapad: $100 billion in outright aid, a planetary shield for White Diamond plus $415 billion for the purchase of five Immortals, 24 monthly payments of $100 billion for production rights to said Immortals. "Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

"That's it for the Navy." Daniel said.

"Now for the Army." Taylor could not help but grin, mentally poking Daniel.

"Ah. Right. Army stuff." Daniel said, poking back with a mental smile. "I heard about these 'mechs you use from Taylor and I am pretty intrigued by them."

"Yes, the 'Mechs. I wish we had a military representative here, but all of our representatives seem to be either comatose or engaged in searches at the moment. But I still know a bit about that..." Whitfield paused while thinking of what exactly he knew existed. He didn’t have exact numbers on just how many ‘Mechs and what models Evil Woody Thoughts had, especially as the war had probably wreaked havoc with any old data he might have been able to recall. The only thing he could be absolutely sure of was the units he personally had seen on Earth…and he also knew that with all of the headshots between himself, Taylor, and Lieutenant Colonel Allaire (who was busy elsewhere), that there would be lots and lots of salvage available for the taking. "The same 'Mechs that Taylor and I used in the Earth campaign. One company's worth, twelve 'Mechs. Full rights to all battlefield salvage on Earth--should be a lot because Taylor, our commander, and I got in lots and lots of headshots. Schematics to White Diamond Mechworks." Another pause. "Certain upcoming Jedi candidates will be able to advise you on the salvage."

"Right. We could do that." Daniel said. "And production rights?"

Whitfield winked at Daniel. "I wouldn't have said 'schematics to White Diamond 'Mechworks' if there weren't production rights involved to the models produced there. Pretty much every 'Mech design actually built in Evil Woody Thoughts."

"In exchange...perhaps some of our more advanced turbolasers will do?" Daniel asked. "Composite-beam, too, which means you can sweep fighters out of the sky."

“Interesting,” Whitfield replied, wondering just what the opportunity cost in funding was for these advanced turbolasers, but also knowing that acquiring them might offset just a small part of the inevitable angst in the military from selling so much technology.

"I thought you'd like it." Daniel said.

Whitfield felt that there was still an unaddressed need: food aid on account of the drought and the harvest that would inevitably fail utterly, with the storm that had raged a day ago arriving far too late to save this autumn’s crop…not to mention that the Coredians were getting an entire technology base for ground combat out of the deal, whilst the Woodians would only get a single weapon design and a single shield system. Seeking to hint at this in a diplomatic manner, he added, "I'd like to remind you that you would not only be receiving the 'Mechs themselves, but also the schematics of the factory in which they are made...in other words, access to our most advanced industrial processes..."

"Yes. So we will have to include credits to the bargain."

Whitfield thought for a moment, about the drought, about the need to import food... "For this particular bargain, enough foodstuffs to feed the planet for about six months. Perhaps you've forgotten about the drought...I suppose the storm took your mind off of it."

"Ah. Yes. Somewhat. That can be arranged." Daniel said. Ansion Agriculturals isn't going to be happy about that, but we did have a surplus harvest this year...

Whitfield started entering the ground technology provisions into the datapad, adding them on to the deal to sell the Immortal Star Destroyers. "And now...I suppose that we need to discuss any diplomatic agreements that might be included, as this is the first time your government has really even noticed Evil Woody Thoughts, outside of my membership in the Order."

"Yes. As soon as we can do so, we should exchange embassies." Daniel said.

"I'd imagine you could open an embassy here fairly quickly. How quickly we could reciprocate is difficult to tell at this point." Whitfield knew that the new government would have its priorities: a census with which to assess taxes, rebuilding its capacity to collect revenues, rebuilding its other ministries, roughly in that order, with embassies being a peripheral concern at best.

"True. I suppose Taylor wouldn't mind being a liasion between your government and mine."

"Uh, liasion?" Taylor asked, a tiny bit surprised and not one to volunteer much for political duties.

"You're the only one of us that knows White diamond best."

"Point." Taylor acceded.

"It'll only be until a proper embassy exchange can be set up." Daniel promised.

Whitfield smiled and gave Taylor a wink. "And I didn't think you liked politics, Taylor."

"Not much." Taylor groused slightly. "As much as I hate to admit it, being a Jedi Knight does require some knowledge of politics and diplomacy."

"Hmm. You're going to need to learn to deal with people who don't automatically defer to you simply because you're a Jedi. You're dealing with a country where no treaty has ever been ratified by more than four votes."

Taylor was surprised at that. Wow, treaties are taken very seriously with White Diamond, and it would only get more serious from now on. "I see. I shall learn as much as I can about it."

"Yes, Taylor, you're going to have to learn tact quite quickly. Anyway…" Whitfield turned to Daniel again… "while our military will take some time to rebuild, would a mutual defense pact make sense from your end of things? We could benefit in the short term as we won't have much of a budget other than existing staffing needs for a few years, but after we're back on our feet, we would be in an excellent position to help you defend Coredia."

Daniel nodded. "That would be a good idea."

As Whitfield entered this into the datapad, he noticed that the hour he had given the assembly for caucusing was up. He looked at the ceiling before scrambling to finish entering the terms into the chamber’s central computer, so that all who voted would be able to see exactly what they were voting on. It was not a document with fancy perambulatory clauses and such, as it had been entered into the record largely as Daniel and Whitfield had been discussing the treaty; therefore it looked more like someone’s notes than a formal treaty. Nevertheless, it would do…the terms were clear enough; all it was missing was the flowery diplomatic language that Whitfield was accustomed to. And he wasn’t really in the mood for flowery diplomatic language…the war had left him in quite the dour mood.

*AN ACCORD BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF EVIL WOODY THOUGHTS AND COREWORLDS*

1. Recognizing that the Government of Evil Woody Thoughts lacks the means to assess and collect taxes of its own until proper census data can be compiled and recompiled, and until the officials purged in the recent Evil Woody Thoughts civil war can be replaced, CoreWorlds agrees to provide 100 billion credits in cash aid. CoreWorlds also agrees to purchase five Immortal-class Star Destroyers at 183 billion credits each; CoreWorlds shall receive a $500 billion credit in exchange for installing a high-grade planetary shield for White Diamond and the remaining $415 billion shall be paid in cash. Moreover, CoreWorlds agrees to purchase domestic production rights to the Immortal-class, for a total of two trillion credits, to be paid over twenty-four monthly installments of 100 billion credits each; the ‘extra’ four installments constituting interest.

2. Recognizing the ruinous effects of recent drought upon the nation of Evil Woody Thoughts, CoreWorlds agrees to provide six months of food aid on scale sufficient to feed the population of White Diamond. In exchange for such services, the Government of Evil Woody Thoughts agrees to furnish CoreWorlds with all ‘Mechs attached to the unit under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Keith Allaire during the Earth campaign, full and complete battlefield salvage rights in the Earth theater of war, schematics for the White Diamond ‘Mechworks, and full domestic production rights to all ‘Mech chassis and weapons produced there. Moreover, the Government of Evil Woody Thoughts agrees to furnish the necessary military advisers for CoreWorlds to provide the proper logistical support for its ‘Mech units, including battlefield salvage.

3. The Governments of CoreWorlds and Evil Woody Thoughts hereby agree to exchange embassies as soon as practicable, given the exigencies of rebuilding. More precise terms for the embassy exchange may be agreed upon by both parties via executive agreement once both parties are able to establish and support an embassy.

4. The Governments of CoreWorlds and Evil Woody Thoughts, recognizing common defensive interests, hereby agree to a mutual defense pact. An attack against one party shall be construed as an attack against the other. In the interests of discouraging unduly aggressive behaviors on the part of either party, this mutual defense pact shall be valid only for wars in which its signatories are not the aggressors. However, either signatory may request assistance from the other in wars not covered under this mutual defense pact.

After Whitfield finished entering the treaty, he looked to the assembly of people gathered. The chamber had quieted down noticeably in the last ten minutes, which probably meant the thousand or so people crammed into the Parliament chamber were come to some kind of decision. Not only that, but some random news crew that had gotten word of this assembly was now broadcasting it live planetwide, and the newsfeed was being forwarded to Earth to be rebroadcast there, and the Coredians were probably forwarding that to other places, such as Jurai. “Has this assembly come to a decision as to which hundred of its members shall vote?”

A middle-aged woman stood up, a high-school teacher who had somehow escaped the Dark Lord’s ‘loyalty tests.’ “This chamber has indeed reached a decision as to what its slate of electors shall be, but first, please allow me to announce that you are hereby elected acting Prime Minister until such time that full and proper national elections can be held.”

"That. my friend, is not a surprise." Daniel smiled.

“I suppose I've finally been called out of retirement...” Whitfield replied, before moving on to boring procedural details to record which people in the assembly were elected to actually serve on whatever acting Parliament was springing up. One quorum call later, debate on the matter began…

However, it didn’t start out as a debate. Instead, one of the resident political junkies (there were always four or five in an assembly of a hundred, not to mention the hundreds more now watching from the sidelines) stood up, and instead of asking a question, he said quite bluntly and clearly, “I move for a Division of the Question into its four separate articles.”

“Debate on the motion for a Division of the Question shall be limited to two pro speakers and two con speakers,” Whitfield replied. Though he had retired from politics thirty years ago, he still retained his vast experience in parliamentary maneuvering, but never had he seen this particular tactic used on a treaty. However…I suppose this is being used as a kind of negotiating tactic, to gain leverage, as the acting MPs never had the chance to appoint any official diplomatic representatives…

Of course, not every member of those assembled knew the more obscure points of parliamentary procedure. While most had some background in it because of school curricula, only those who participated in debate or regularly watched Parliament committee hearings (where this was most often used; seldom was it used on the floor) knew what it was. Therefore, Whitfield was not surprised when someone made a point of information regarding the rule, and Whitfield was forced to explain it.

“A Division of the Question is used to divide a draft resolution, article, or bill, in this case a treaty, into two or more clauses, each to be voted on separately after Closure of Debate.” Straightforward and concise enough…

No one wanted to actually debate this, so the motion went to a majority vote right away (and passed unanimously, which explained why no one wanted to debate it). For Taylor and his newly adopted son (who was stuck here), this procedure carried all of the action of watching paint dry. Daniel, however, was a bit more interested. Breaking up provisions and voting separately is something every Senate should do.

“The question is hereby divided into four separate articles. We now move on to debate…”

Of course, the Division of the Question somewhat limited the scope of the debate, for it meant that the treaty wouldn’t come down to an all-or-nothing vote. However, that was not to say that there wasn’t debate, as those who were paranoid of imperialism managed to strike out the provision for selling production rights and factory schematics for the ‘Mechs.

Well, can't have everything. Daniel sighed. A slight irritation appeared on Taylor's face as he really wanted the Army to have the new toys' production rights.

However, others got the idea to simply use that as a bargaining chip, and offered an amendment to the proposal’s second article to reinstate that provision and add a 300 billion credit cash payment to it, an amendment that barely passed the majority vote required.

Fair enough. The Army's going to gripe though. Taylor sighed.

Blah. The Project's going to be delayed again. Daniel thought.

As the debate continued, a couple of questions found their way over to Daniel. A factory worker stood to be recognized, and when Prime Minister Whitfield recognized him, he asked, "Would it be possible to obtain the names of those Coredians who died in this war? We wish to honor their sacrifices, the same as our own…"

The chamber instantly fell dead silent. The question sent a chill down Whitfield’s spine, as he remembered observing the slaughter of the Fifth and Sixth Fleets, being utterly helpless to stop it, as the battle had occurred outside of the range of planetary batteries. Not to mention those deaths he had sensed when the Dark Lord’s minions on Earth did not hesitate to use chemical weapons to slaughter civilians and Coredian troops alike en masse. Taylor grimaced as well, remembering the deaths in the Force of the soldiers who died under him. One never forgets such things. He remained silent, letting Daniel field the questions.

It's a touchy subject right now... Daniel sighed. As the CinC of the military he feels burdened when he has to send people to die, and this was no different. Finally he replied out loud. "We're still in the process of detailing our own dead." Daniel said solemnly. "But once they're complete, it may be possible unless the family does not wish it so."

The one who had proposed this, understanding the possible objection, replied, "In the event that families do not wish the names to be disclosed, would it be possible to receive your casualty numbers so we could observe their sacrifices under generic names?"

Daniel nodded. "That may be acceptable."

Whitfield sent Daniel the ever-quiet telepathic point of inquiry: May or is? We need to know whether or not to insert this into the treaty.

We're still not finished with the tallying, last I checked. Daniel replied. I say 'will' is more acceptable.

Whitfield spoke as he "borrowed" someone's keypad to enter it into the proposal, more specifically into the third article (regarding embassy exchanges), as he judged that most likely to pass, as the Prime Minister's keypad had been destroyed along with the podium. "We will wait for the Coredians to account for their own dead."

That question resolved, someone who fled a town that was completely wiped off the map by the Dark Lord's minions stands up. "You have forces deployed here to help us search for and identify the war dead, correct?"

"Yes I do." Daniel nodded.

"Would it be possible for those forces to remain here until a proper census can be tabulated? With the reports on the news, and the extermination of entire provinces, the old data is useless."

Daniel leaned back as he formulated an answer. "That can be arranged. We would need a temporary base, though."

Whitfield nodded. "That could be arranged. You'd probably need more than one, but I will talk to the military about it after this session." He quietly slipped it into Article 4, the mutual defense pact proposal, figuring that it would fit best there.

There was one more request of the Coredians to be had. A librarian stood up, and while he knew he was likely out of a job for a while, he was, of course, still interested in an exchange of historical records and such. After he was recognized, he asked of Daniel, “Would it be possible for us to exchange publicly available, nonclassified information and records concerning our respective nations?”

“As in inserting a history of Evil Woody Thoughts into the Jedi Archives, and vice versa into your library system?” Daniel clarified.

“Correct.”

“I have no objection to that,” Daniel replied, as Taylor cast a blank stare at him, bored out of his mind…for now. The latter didn’t really care; he just wanted to see the votes on the arms sales. Whitfield quietly slipped this provision into the third article.

There were no further questions, and no one stood to debate. The time for voting was come. “If there is no further debate, we shall vote on the four articles separately, beginning with the first and ending with the fourth,” Whitfield instructed. “Voting will remain open for ten minutes per article. Each of you has a keypad built into your chair with which to cast your vote. Two-thirds, or sixty-seven votes, are needed for each article to be ratified. Please vote now.”

Almost immediately, twenty NAY votes appeared on the voting board as the xenophobics that remained even after the war voted as a single bloc. The YEA votes did not appear so instantaneously. Daniel and Taylor felt tense as the first twenty votes nayed the provisions. If this kept going, it'll be back to the drawing board for sure... Taylor in particular looked stressed. Please vote for it. Please vote for it...

There were others who weren’t xenophobic but who still felt uncomfortable selling technology in such quantity to a nation who had taken no interest in Evil Woody Thoughts until its civil war. As a result, a few more straggling NAY votes appeared as those opposed considered their objections more carefully, but it took a bit longer. The YEA votes finally started to trickle in, but for seven scary minutes, the NAY vote count was in excess of thirty-three, meaning that half of the arms sales would be rejected right there.

But in the last minute, a few changed their votes, and the final tally was 69-31, allowing Daniel and Taylor to breathe a sigh of relief as Whitfield pronounced the first article ratified. However, the second article would be just as close…

Taylor and Daniel got to watch essentially the same process over again with the ground armament sales, with those sales looking like they would be rejected before a couple of last minute vote switches. If this was possible, the final outcome of this sale was even closer than the first, passing only by a single vote, 67-33. Daniel raised his eyebrows. That's pretty close.

The last two provisions, fortunately for the sanity of both Daniel and Taylor, weren’t as controversial, and finally broke the “no treaty has ever been ratified by more than four votes” history. The embassy exchange proposal, with its relevant attachments, passed by a far more comfortable 86-14, while the mutual defense pact passed by a lesser, though still comfortable, margin of 79-21, leaving Daniel and Taylor to reflect on what was ahead for getting their own Senate to ratify it…

I sighed in relief, but I knew it wasn't over yet. The Senate will have to ratify it as well, and they'll probably pull an all-nighter due to the content of the treaty. The greedy ones will not want to get a credit until they know just what they're getting in return. On the other hand, maybe evidence from the Immortals' attack on our fleet might change their minds. The Military Appropriations, Agriculture and Foreign Affairs committees will all be having a stake in this treaty, but certainly the scope of the rebuilding necessary will make them see the light. I predict a three-fifths to two-thirds majority as a result, but I'd have to watch the Holonet to be sure.

In the meantime, Tsunade was hard at work resurrecting the minds of the military brass with her assistants, a daunting task, but one most necessary for the survival of the nation and to relieve the load placed on the youngsters (She's a little over sixty, so a twentysomething will be a youngster to her). She used the same strategy as before, healing the neural pathways micrometer by micrometer while IV units trickled nutients and water through their bloodstreams to keep them alive. It will be a little while before they're freed at last, but freed at last they will be.

Master Whitfield breathed a sigh of relief, but he knew from paying attention to Coredian politics whenever he was on Jurai (what Jedi politician wouldn't?) that the proposed treaty faced just as much of an uncertain fate in the Coredian Senate as it had here. He hadn't been too impressed with a fairly significant bloc of its members, especially the greedy ones, and he sensed that he would probably have to lobby for the treaty on their end, too. At least the Coredian Senate had some reasonable members...

He turned to Daniel, whispering in his ear, "Master Daniel, why is it that I sense that my political experience is going to come in handy when dealing with your Senate?"

-----------------------------------------

The list of Tsunade's patients was long. Very long--as every military officer above the rank of captain had been mindraped, and even a few captains included, the total numbered more than a hundred...and that was just those who came off of the fleet. The fate of many ground-based military officers was still unknown; they would probably be permanent casualties.

But it was a start. Underneath Tsunade's healing hands lay a comatose three-star general, identifiable only by the namestrip on his battle dress uniform. MAKARYK.

Meanwhile, those very few whom Tsunade had already liberated from the Dark Lord's mindrape continued their searches for dead civilians, as the living resumed the sixty-kilometer funeral processions, on foot, to the Bitterwind Foothills, once again filling Highway Three with caskets made from whatever wood could be found...more hundreds of thousands of them.

Master Whitfield breathed a sigh of relief, but he knew from paying attention to Coredian politics whenever he was on Jurai (what Jedi politician wouldn't?) that the proposed treaty faced just as much of an uncertain fate in the Coredian Senate as it had here. He hadn't been too impressed with a fairly significant bloc of its members, especially the greedy ones, and he sensed that he would probably have to lobby for the treaty on their end, too. At least the Coredian Senate had some reasonable members...

He turned to Daniel, whispering in his ear, "Master Daniel, why is it that I sense that my political experience is going to come in handy when dealing with your Senate?"

I grinned. "I don't know. Maybe because you're a better person than many of them? By the way, I can log you in to a holoconference with them if you want. You could hear and even speak with them."

-----------------------------------------

The list of Tsunade's patients was long. Very long--as every military officer above the rank of captain had been mindraped, and even a few captains included, the total numbered more than a hundred...and that was just those who came off of the fleet. The fate of many ground-based military officers was still unknown; they would probably be permanent casualties.

But it was a start. Underneath Tsunade's healing hands lay a comatose three-star general, identifiable only by the namestrip on his battle dress uniform. MAKARYK.
It helped that Tsunade had her assistants and medic-Jedi with her to relieve the load of patients she had to work with, but she herself had a lot of people to go through. Still, General Makaryk will be a start. Tsunade noted that most of the officers mindraped seemed to be young for the jobs they wielded, meaining that they were probably military prodigies, excellent targets for the Dark Lord.

Meanwhile, those very few whom Tsunade had already liberated from the Dark Lord's mindrape continued their searches for dead civilians, as the living resumed the sixty-kilometer funeral processions, on foot, to the Bitterwind Foothills, once again filling Highway Three with caskets made from whatever wood could be found...more hundreds of thousands of them.
The Coredian Military did what they could to assist, either with helping to carry the bodies or with building coffins, or with other matters. It's not over yet, that's for sure...

I grinned. "I don't know. Maybe because you're a better person than many of them? By the way, I can log you in to a holoconference with them if you want. You could hear and even speak with them."

"Please. I sense that this will be quite necessary." The Prime Minister knew that he had his work cut out for him, recalling the days when he broke with his own party to push for an alliance with the Gaian Ascendancy--and cajoled half of his recalcitrant, obnoxious party into voting for the treaty anyways.

Those moments were his coming-of-age as a politician...the days immediately after his first trip to White Diamond, the days between the time he had discovered the Force and the time he had retired for Jedi training...and he would have to relive them, with some other nation's recalcitrant political party of greed...

OOC: I'm gonna hold off on doing the military stuff until after this little tidbit is taken care of...then I'm gonna do it all in one post, when the military learns what just happened while it was otherwise occupied.:D

OOC: CoreWorlds, will you be making that post at all today?

Meanwhile, on Earth...

Refugees from the artificially-induced volcanic blast zone, rended by the Dark Lord's deployment of his most destructive weapons available to him short of the superlasers (two modified Sovereign-class Super Star Destroyers) he had purchased but hadn't gotten around to using before his death, gathered near whatever TVs they could find. Amongst the empty streets of Port Woody, a city heavily damaged by the resulting earthquakes and tsunamis, streets now nearly free of debris thanks to the diligince of Godulan robotic construction ants, the survivors of the volcanic blast gathered around what little media could be had in the devastated city.

Inevitably, this meant gathering in huge clusters around the few news holoprojectors that the Acclamator II transports, now used by CoreWorlds to set up refugee camps for the displaced. Those from Port Woody itself would later return to their homes, or what was left of them, to salvage what they could. What mattered now was that there was new news from White Diamond.

Whitfield was awoken--and the refugees watched live as he tended to the slaughtered members of the Forty-First Parliament, giving the bodies of the war's first deaths, bodies that had been left to rot for a month, at last the respect and honor due them. They watched live as the hodgepodge assembly that apparently was the Forty-Second Parliament caucused, then elected Whitfield as Acting Prime Minister. Few were surprised. All knew of Whitfield's recent activities here. And they watched as the new Parliament, the convienience sample of citizens that it was, ratified a treaty that would give a new national government a little bit of desperately needed cash...yet the other signatory had yet to ratify it.

The time was come. The refugee camps quickly became hotbeads of political debate over how best to rebuild. Rebuild the areas completely destroyed, or leave them as a volcanic national war memorial? What should cities on the periphery of the destruction, such as Port Woody, look like after reconstruction? What should be the priorities of the new government, as it would not have enough money to do all that normal governments do? It was likely that school wouldn't resume this fall...

Perhaps most importantly: Who would represent the interests and concerns of the Earth Provinces in the debates on White Diamond to come?

The refugee camp became a much-larger-scale version of the caucusing that had been done in the Chamber of Parliament itself, as those on Earth began the long process of answering these questions...

SIC:

Hearing of the events in Evil Woody Thoughts, Robert MacIntyre decided to act and try and provide relief to the residents, and try to get them back on their feet. It was especially good to know that the Coredians were involved in rebuilding efforts already, perhaps they could provide guidance on what course of action to take next.

Also, there were other people in New Dornalia's Government with their own hopes. The Democratic Coalition, which was making so much noise in the Secretariat, would like to see New Dornalia acting peacefully in the turbulent world of Galactic politics; when MacIntyre consulted their leadership, they felt this was a good idea-after all, it was a change from the usual military option, and they were ready to work with this man. The People's Acolytes, led by that ever-powerful Sensei Junko Tadanobu, felt they could aid a potential anti-GE force. And, it was always good to have more friends who were Jedi.

With this in mind, MacIntyre wired a message to Acting Prime Minister Whitfield.

Open IC:

"Dear Acting Prime Minister Whitfield:

I understand your nation is going through a process of rebuilding. Judging from the HoloNet reports, the damage is staggering, and the situation dire. There is no skirting around that.

However, we also note that others have begun aiding your recovery. CoreWorlds, for example. Would it offend you if the Workers and Peasants of New Dornalia offered their hand of assistance as well, in helping you get back to normal?

Robert MacIntyre
Comrade Premier
Workers State of New Dornalia"

The Ant swarms bustled about even now, weeks after their initial introduction, clearing up debris and finishing off shattered buildings deemed too unstable to remain. The dizzying speed and diligence of their work put what would have taken decades to complete into the span of a single month.

The rest of the work, however, was somewhat delayed by ongoing debates by the local citizenship as to how to treat the devastated cities on the periphery of the destruction, and the volcanic hole that was all that remained of ground-zero. The Marines were somewhat confused about the argument, as their nature pointed them towards the idea that the best way to commemorate destruction was to build and thrive over the remains, while never forgetting the events that led to such devastation. Memorialize the victims, not the atrocity, was their view.

A hole in the middle of the largest concentration of former population was bad enough. Leaving the shattered cities on the periphery to rot in the name of keeping wounds fresh struck the Godulans as pure anathema.

Several Godulans caught wind of the issues going on at White Diamond, and a query went through the various command levels all the way to an individual named Sirzan Aktei, Grand Chancellor of Foreign Relations.

It was decided almost instantly that an envoy would be sent to White Diamond to offer any assistance required of the Woodian people. Word had already reached the Godulans of the travesty, and as was the case for any incidence of widespread death and destruction of innocents, a deep seated hatred of those who would even consider such heinous acts put the Godulan populace into the mind to do whatever was necessary to repair the damages dealt.

And so it was that a single Godulan Mako Star Destroyer materialized several AU away from White Diamond, transmitting volumes of diplomatic information as well as a request to land....

Unfortunately, the offers sent by New Dornalia and Godular encountered somewhat of a bottleneck, in light of the massive extent of the damage, especially the complete upheaval of governmental structure. While a Jedi Master highly experienced in running a government had just been elected acting Prime Minister, he did have his limitations, namely only being able to be in one place at a time...and currently, he was with the Masakis and the interim Parliament, isolated from the massive hyperpulse generators that received and quietly recorded the New Dornalian transmission. Unfortunately, it might be a few days before anyone noticed, as what government had managed to cobble itself together so far had no Ministry of State bureaucrats to actually monitor these types of things, for the Ministry of State was not yet recreated. Nor did the military immediately notice, as the military had its own problems, its top commanders currently undergoing medical treatment for having their minds ripped away from them and therefore comatose, its other personnel busy in searches for the dead, across the entire planet of White Diamond.

Suffice it to say, however, that once Master Whitfield did learn of this transmission, he would immediately inquire further, as he knew full well that Evil Woody Thoughts could use all the help it could get.

----------------------------

As far as the Godulan confusion as to Woodian customs on Earth went, the Godulans, it seemed, did not quite understand that Woodians lacked the compulsion to build over everything. The debate wasn't quite so much over whether to rebuild, but more about where, and what to rebuild. While the Godulans seemed to think that the best way to handle the situation was to thrive and rebuild over the remains, ground zero excepted, Woodian thought centered more on thriving and building around the remains, especially because to Woodians, memorializing the victims involved giving them proper burials. In the case of getting buried under sixty feet of ash at the epicenter of the destruction, such required preservation of the site. Which tended to physically preserve the destruction, thus requiring planning to build around it. The delay this caused, in turn, seemed to confuse the hell out of the Godulans.

Nevertheless, the Godulans would get to build, it was just a matter of what, and where. It took a few days, but eventually proposals started circulating for a "Earth Coast" along the periphery, with those islands surrounding ground zero slated to sprout up three-thousand foot skyscrapers, their outside appearance to resemble white marble, the coasts of those islands closest to ground zero and still populated to resemble something like an elongated verson of the legendary city of fantasy lore, Minas Tirith, fragmented only by the sea itself. Moreover, these buildings would have to be built according to even stricter building codes than were the old skyscrapers at the epicenter that were destroyed--earthquake codes that were already the strictest on Earth.

As the Godulan Marines shook their collective heads at the Woodians, wondering why they didn't just want to build over the entire eyesore of debris immediately, a single Mako materialized in White Diamond system...then started transmitting diplomatic information. There was one slight problem: No one in the fleet orbiting White Diamond, a fleet devastated by personnel losses to the mindrapes and to sepukku, knew what the Godulan IFF codes were. As such, the lieutenants that outranked pretty much everyone else stationed in orbit didn't really know what to do with the information, and simply had the unfamiliar ship wait on the fringes of the system, where they wouldn't have to worry too much about it doing nasty things like blowing up orbital batteries. No one knew who the Godulans were, but the lieutenants did forward what information they had to the same person who had ordered them to transfer the comatose admiralty planetside--one Lieutenant Colonel Keith Allaire. Fortunately, LTC Allaire did have an idea of who the Godulans were, as he had been on Earth when they had made their first aid deployments.

Unfortunately, he was busy at the moment conducting searches, and didn't have the chance to go through and respond to the transmission until he took a break for chow and noticed a pending transmission on his datapad. He quickly responded, telling the fleet to clear the Godulans to enter the system and land. He knew that Whitfield would want to chat with them.

It only took two and a half hours from the time the Mako entered White Diamond system to occur. Such was the chaos of a government that had its hands full and then some...

------------------------

OOC: Don't worry New Dornalia; I'll respond to your transmission as soon as there's someone ICly to actually read the thing and forward it to Whitfield. As I indicated, things are a bit crazy at the moment...:D

A time that comes for another chance just to talk. Such as the kind and of that which arrives upon the slivered light of a Fold Jump, as this time, only a single XGP starship arrives over Tesh`irara III.3/V5.

The sudden and quiet departure of before never explained, but then dimensional politics and such keeps normal worlds and realities at bay anyway. Tis the best.

That whence such only two arrive, the Excellency and his First Lady. Their names either well known or barely hinted at depending on viewpoint. The latter was such that brings the two to this world once more, while there's peace enough to conduct this interest task.

Tsui sits calmly in her slender jumpsuit, to Aleaic's fore, as he pilots his prefered 'hotrod', as such. The slinder silver and gray vessel aglow with normal angelic accounterment and Hikari blessing. He just softly calls over to her. "A channel please, with our personal codes. Lasercomm feed."

Silently set as tasked, she waits as Al calls out over comms. "Pardon the sudden return. To be simple, our interest is the Planetmind, before the Prime Minister or others this time. If wished otherwise, we can arrive for a short stint before we head to the northern pole to commune with the Planetmind.

Our objectives are little else, unless we find cause for more. Awaiting response." ..and he sits back and waits.

"Never talked to a planet itself before." Tsui quips lightly. Al chuckles, replying.. "Remember to ask for a favorite color." Tsui giggles back. "Anything else?"

"Plenty."

Personal codes meant very little, when the navy was far enough incapacitated and dehabilitated by the aftereffects of the war that no one knew them. Therefore, the Gaians were kept waiting in orbit, as were the Godulans, waiting for someone to get around to them amidst the chaos.

Fortunately for the Gaians, they arrived after the Mako Star Destroyer had, so their wait time was shorter, as the Lieutenant Colonel noticed a second little message on his datapad during his lunchbreak, indicating that someone had showed up with a Gaian IFF. Again. As they wanted to land this time, the young military officer, the most senior in the entire EWT military not mentally incapacitated by the war, instructed the poor lieutenants in marginal command of the orbiting fleet to clear them.

Ironically, the same Lieutenant Colonel who had communed with the Planetmind himself for a bit, the same who had been at the northern fringes of Planet only days ago, the same who, only having a vague idea of what Planet was capable of, but still having an idea, had requested relief of the drought. But the Gaians didn't know that. Yet.

"Please. I sense that this will be quite necessary." The Prime Minister knew that he had his work cut out for him, recalling the days when he broke with his own party to push for an alliance with the Gaian Ascendancy--and cajoled half of his recalcitrant, obnoxious party into voting for the treaty anyways.

Those moments were his coming-of-age as a politician...the days immediately after his first trip to White Diamond, the days between the time he had discovered the Force and the time he had retired for Jedi training...and he would have to relive them, with some other nation's recalcitrant political party of greed...
I led Whitfield to a portable holoprojector and had the techies set it up so that we could send and recieve from the Coredian Senate on Jurai. After a couple of false starts, we reieved a nice panorama of the Senate in debate, representing the colony, business and govermental interests of the nation. All told, it contains 300 senators. And it looks like it's an interesting debate today.

"Are you telling me, my dear Senator Kensuke, that you are unwilling to aid those in need?" It was clear that Senator Kinsley wasn't happy about a comment his colleague made.

"No, no. I'm just concerned about the price tag. It's worth over two trillion credts and we've done the budget a month ago." A very conservative senator named Kensuke answered with a smooth voice. "Surely we can afford to use the money for more productive means?"

Oh, like your pork barrel projects? A waste of time an money if I ever saw one! The young Senator (and I mean young, he's 19!) Kinsley from Yorkshire thought with a growl. It seems that he's the most vocal proponent of the treaty. "And saving lives is not productive? Rebuilding a devastated nation is not worthy of our money? You sir, are a greedy pig!"

Murmurs of applause and agreement sounded with a few dissentions. The Senate apprears split along generational lines. A large number of younger Senators favor the treaty, the middle-aged ones appear on the fence, waiting for arguments to sway them one way or another and the older ones, -the CEO and Governor appointees- prefer to keep the money in Coreworlds.

Then Chancellor Sandler, a personal family friend of the Masakis, noted a Senator wishing to speak. "The chair recognizes the Senator from Konoha."

Senator Hyuuga Neji (He's of Japanese stock, so names are reversed). Swathed in a formal kimono and sports white pupilless eyes (not a birth defect, it's a family trait), his words carry weight, being of noble blood. He's also a couple years older than me. "My dear senators, Chancellor. It appears we are once again in charge of a nation's future. It has touched my heart, as it has touched yours, I'm sure," He glanced at those he sees as dissentors. "to watch the March of Sorrow at White Diamond some days ago. Millions have lost their lives in this war, millions more remain uncertain of how to survive the aftermath. It is our duty and our honor as Coredians that we ensure that the people of Evil Woody Thoughts survive through the tough times to come! In short, I will support this treaty, and I hope we all do so as well!"

Applause rang out and a number of fence-sitters moved into the supporting camp.

"You wanted to interject something, you might want to do it now. There's still a good number unsure but it's getting smaller by the minute." I said to Prime Minister Whitfield. That Neji, not many Senators can do what he does...

As Whitfield watched the debate in the Senate, he took careful note of the objections, mainly over the costs of such a relief effort. As could be predicted. Moreover, he thought of his earlier days as Prime Minister, a position to which he found himself returned, recalling the days when similar cost objections had been raised to everything, including the launch of the space program that had brought the Woodians here in the first place. Everything, it seemed, except the military. Perhaps more importantly, Whitfield thought about what to say when his time came...

Then Daniel whispered in his ear, nudging him to speak. And Whitfield planned on speaking directly to the opposition.

"I wish to speak, Chancellor Sandler." Whitfield waited for the proper acknowlegement before continuing.

"I wish to thank the Senator from Konoha for his vociferous support in this matter," Whitfield began. "As you probably know, I am Master Jacob Whitfield, Prime Minister of Evil Woody Thoughts. The objections of a certain bloc of senators are not unanticipated, for I had to deal with similar methods of politics--" Whitfield glared at the opposition senators in the holovid while covering his thoughts of festering corruption and greed in the proper diplomatic decorum-- "...when I was Prime Minister before, thirty years ago. Senator Kensuke mentioned that your budget passed only a month ago. I wish to challenge the honorable Senator to rewrite this budget."

Whitfield paused for a second or so, for dramatic effect.

"I wish to challenge the honorable Senator Kensuke to rewrite the budget with only that $2.7 trillion. Those funds, such as they are, must be sufficient to conduct a new census and wholly reconstruct the Ministry of the Treasury, for the old census data was rendered useless by the destruction of the war. They must be sufficient to find and hire new civil servants for this undertaking. I wish to remind the Senator that at no point before this can tax revenue be assumed and projected in the budget, because the government at this point lacks the information necessary to assess and collect taxes."

"Moreover, the government at this time is saddled with the remnants of a military, a military that it cannot at this point afford to pay. That, too, must come out of that $2.7 trillion. While it will be possible to reduce military expenditures somewhat, I wish to remind the Senator that soldiers do not enjoy going without pay. The result, if it persists for long enough, could very well be another civil war."

Whitfield paused for a brief second before adding more.

"I further wish to add that the judiciary has been completely purged by the war. Therefore, that $2.7 trillion must also cover the recruitment of new judges, which will be difficult and tenuous at best because most of the best-qualified candidates are probably dead. So it is fair to assume that there will also be some expense in training them, and the government will likely have to pay what few judges remain overtime to train the new applicants in their assignment. Even if we manage to recruit well-qualified judges from abroad, they are still judges of a foreign law, and must be retrained accordingly."

"And all this is to say nothing about running hospitals. Or schools for that matter; I am nearly certain that the school year will be delayed at least a semester, if we have one this year at all. Which means millions of furloughed teachers. This is to say nothing about the millions upon millions of war orphans who will become wards of the state, who must be fed. This is to say nothing of even starting to rebuild the entire towns razed in the war...nay, the entire provinces that were put to the sword. Do I make myself clear, Senator?"

John Masaki Watsen fidgeted uneasily at the reference to the millions of war orphans, wondering just what their fate would be...

Wow. Taylor thought, impressed by Whitfield's speech, which caused a standing ovation. Steamrollered Kensuke! I've got to learn how to do that with words!

"I-I bow to your wisdom, Mr. Prime Minister." Senator Kensuke sighed in defeat, a visible bead of sweat rolling down his head.

"Now to vote!" The Chancellor called out.

To make a long story short, it was one of the fastest votes in Coredian history, a three-quarters majority in less than five minutes. The treaty was passed with flying colors and put on the books.

"Well, there you have it." I smiled. "Ratified by the Senate, passed into the books. You have nothing to worry about, Prime Minister."

Whitfield smiled back at Daniel. "I'm afraid you're the one with nothing to worry about, not me. My little challenge to Senator Kensuke? Guess who actually gets to do that." Whitfield pointed a finger at himself. "Me."

The old Jedi Master, who himself had gotten quite wealthy off of various invenstments during and after the space program, anticipated paying taxes early this year, and then some. He had to, as he was really the only one from whom the government could collect any significant source of revenue...for at this point, the government consisted of himself, a couple hundred people, and the military. The latter of which actually constituted an expense, not a net source of revenue. Even so, he only had about eight million credits in total net worth...barely a drop in the bucket relative to that $2.7 trillion, but maybe enough to plug a hole somewhere...

He led Taylor, Daniel, and young John downstairs, where the archives of past budgets were...budgets that had run about $40 trillion per annum in years past. Considering that $2 trillion of that $2.7 trillion was coming in installments over the next two years, Whifield had only about five percent of that amount to work with. "Yes, I'm going to have lots of fun coming up with this. And I haven't written up a national budget since, oh, about the time you were born. And for the most part, you only have to worry about military matters..."

I nodded. "True enough. But for some reason, my paperwork keeps growing every year..." Meaning that slowly but surely, I'm getting into chief executive work myself. Grandpa's leaving a legacy, that's for sure, and that includes running the entire nation, not just the military.

"Well, no time like the present to begin." I said.

"Are you bored?" Taylor asked lil' John.

Whitfield smiled back at Daniel. "One last question before I take my leave. Does Alex have you up to the six-hundred page, line-item appropriations bills yet? When he does, we can discuss further."

Meanwhile, John did not exactly have a response for Taylor forthcoming. Finally, he answered with a question. "Why?" he asked, quite simply, as if his entertainment did not matter. This five-year old was not behaving like one at all...

Whitfield smiled back at Daniel. "One last question before I take my leave. Does Alex have you up to the six-hundred page, line-item appropriations bills yet? When he does, we can discuss further."
"Uh, no." I'm beginning to dread that part of nation ruling...but someone had to do it.

Meanwhile, John did not exactly have a response for Taylor forthcoming. Finally, he answered with a question. "Why?" he asked, quite simply, as if his entertainment did not matter. This five-year old was not behaving like one at all...
Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Taylor thought, looking at the dour kid with too much on his mind. "Well, you know, I have a nephew and niece about your age. Maybe you'd like to meet them?"

"Uh, no." I'm beginning to dread that part of nation ruling...but someone had to do it.

"I figured as much." Whitfield gave Daniel a wry, all-knowing smile, knowing full well from experience what lie ahead for him. "That said, I should get going on this..."

He thought more about the budget. Even the aid the Coredians had committed would barely be enough to start a new government. He wondered if he could issue bonds to encourage foreign investment...the nation needed the cash infusion badly. It might even provide some of the greedy Coredian senators with a means to profit from the reconstruction, which might in turn shut them up when it came to objecting to any future help that might be required.

That last thought was not a pleasant one, but sadly, it was the way that coddled politicians from the upper crust of society often functioned.

Of course, whatever bonds the government issued needed to be backed up by something...Whitfield wondered if he could use the four unclaimed systems that were ceded to Evil Woody Thoughts by treaty with the Gaian Ascendancy thirty years ago, under his previous administration. It was definitely something worth considering...he wondered how soon Tsunade would be done treating the admiralty and the generals for their injuries. A Star Destroyer expedition to map these systems might be worthwhile, he thought; the government was stuck maintaining the equipment and poersonnel anyways. Even if this proved not to be feasible, he could do it in his X-wing instead...

Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Taylor thought, looking at the dour kid with too much on his mind. "Well, you know, I have a nephew and niece about your age. Maybe you'd like to meet them?"

John suddenly found himself overwhelmed by a bad feeling. Simply put, he knew he had been adopted into an elite family, a ruling family, a family that, after the war, he simply did not really trust. He had seen too many families ripped apart by those "in power;" even a five-year old understood that someone had made a power grab and killed a bunch of people in the process. Yet, here was another powerful family... Sure, Taylor hadn't done anything to him; nor had Daniel, but that didn't really say anything about the rest of the family...

"Not really," the kid said, somewhat meekly. He also sensed that he might not have a choice in the matter. Unfortunately.

"I figured as much." Whitfield gave Daniel a wry, all-knowing smile, knowing full well from experience what lie ahead for him. "That said, I should get going on this..."

He thought more about the budget. Even the aid the Coredians had committed would barely be enough to start a new government. He wondered if he could issue bonds to encourage foreign investment...the nation needed the cash infusion badly. It might even provide some of the greedy Coredian senators with a means to profit from the reconstruction, which might in turn shut them up when it came to objecting to any future help that might be required.

That last thought was not a pleasant one, but sadly, it was the way that coddled politicians from the upper crust of society often functioned.

Of course, whatever bonds the government issued needed to be backed up by something...Whitfield wondered if he could use the four unclaimed systems that were ceded to Evil Woody Thoughts by treaty with the Gaian Ascendancy thirty years ago, under his previous administration. It was definitely something worth considering...he wondered how soon Tsunade would be done treating the admiralty and the generals for their injuries. A Star Destroyer expedition to map these systems might be worthwhile, he thought; the government was stuck maintaining the equipment and poersonnel anyways. Even if this proved not to be feasible, he could do it in his X-wing instead...
As I left Whitfield to his work, I watched Taylor with John and remembered something. Operation Orphanage. Of course. The project my great-grandfather Tenchi created for orphans of all types. It would be a boon here.

John suddenly found himself overwhelmed by a bad feeling. Simply put, he knew he had been adopted into an elite family, a ruling family, a family that, after the war, he simply did not really trust. He had seen too many families ripped apart by those "in power;" even a five-year old understood that someone had made a power grab and killed a bunch of people in the process. Yet, here was another powerful family... Sure, Taylor hadn't done anything to him; nor had Daniel, but that didn't really say anything about the rest of the family...

"Not really," the kid said, somewhat meekly. He also sensed that he might not have a choice in the matter. Unfortunately.
Taylor noted the look on John's face. "We're not all bad. We may be the ruling family, but we're not nasty about it."

Taylor noted the look on John's face. "We're not all bad. We may be the ruling family, but we're not nasty about it."

I have no choice. John quickly ascertained the real meaning of Taylor's words, or at least what would be the "real" meaning to a five-year-old kid. He was gonna meet his relatives anyway, whether he wanted to or not.

He still had his suspicions, but said nothing.

----------------------------------

Whitfield vanished into the abyss to conduct budgetary shite in which Daniel had little if any interest, especially after the remark about line-item appropriations bills. Lots and lots of budgetary shite. Whitfield also wondered when Tsunade would be finished with at least some of the higher military brass. Whitfield needed someone a bit higher than a Lieutenant Colonel to command the military...while he certainly did not doubt the capacities of those whom he had freed to run the military day-to-day--Keith had certainly proven highly capable--he needed to discuss certain things with generals and admirals. Besides, those six twentysomething military officers, majors and lieutenant colonels, who were currently somehow holding the military together deserved a break...and a chance to be trained as Jedi.

Keith had most definitely earned it. The other five as well, for their coordination in the search effort, though Keith had had far more of a role during the war itself.

-----------------------

After a couple of days of such budgetary shite, he finally caught enough of a break to actually talk with Keith, who had himself finally had the chance to check the HPG queue an hour earlier. Both had been quite busy the last couple of days, but now they finally had the chance to meet again.

It was a short meeting indeed. Keith merely handed Whitfield a printout of the transmission from New Dornalia, without saying a word. He wore the look of one who had searched a million homes, found a million bodies, all without rest...which wasn't too far from the truth. No wonder he said nothing.

Dear Acting Prime Minister Whitfield:

I understand your nation is going through a process of rebuilding. Judging from the HoloNet reports, the damage is staggering, and the situation dire. There is no skirting around that.

However, we also note that others have begun aiding your recovery. CoreWorlds, for example. Would it offend you if the Workers and Peasants of New Dornalia offered their hand of assistance as well, in helping you get back to normal?

Robert MacIntyre
Comrade Premier
Workers State of New Dornalia

Whitfield read the message, then simply asked Keith for access to one of the military's hyperpulse generators. Keith simply led Whitfield to one, not saying a word. Whitfield wasted no time in typing up a reply:

Dear Comrade Premier MacIntyre,

Greetings from Prime Minister Whitfield. I apologize for the delay in a response, but events as of late have been too chaotic for us to monitor incoming transmissions full-time. The reports of devastation are, unfortunately, well-founded. As such, we would deeply appreciate any additional assistance you could provide, as we need it quite badly; please reference the speech I gave to the Coredian Senate a couple of days ago.

Note that if you send a delegation, it may encounter long waiting times as there is no one to immediately clear it for landing. Typical wait times range from one to four hours. We apologize for this, but such is life here.

Regards,

Jacob Whitfield
Acting Prime Minister
Evil Woody Thoughts

Whitfield sent the transmission as soon as he had it typed.

The Godulan Chancellor was used to bureaucracy even in peacetime conditions, so it was a calm and quiet wait for the response from their initial hailing. The response came, directing them to the capitol city spaceport, and the Mako made its way to the surface.

The single arrowhead-shaped matte-black vessel came to a hover over one of the larger landing pads, though never actually touched the ground. A strange rectangular portal materialized on the ground and a single figure stepped through.

At exactly seven feet tall and well built, Sirzan cut an imposing figure, though any intimidation in his stature was tempered by the serene air he seemed to put forth. He was clothed in a simple gray suit under a black floor-length vest bearing several identifying markers of a House Patriarch, an Archonal Prefect, and Chancellor of Foreign Affairs. His face was sharp and angular, with emerald green eyes that seemed to shift in their shading at regular intervals. Black hair and a sharp goatee completed the image he wanted to convey.

A few days later...

Tsunade has finally returned General Makaryk to the land of the living, while her two assistants' patients would need to wait a few more hours. "General? I am Tsunade, Medical Master of the Coredian Jedi Council. How do you do?"

----

Meanwhile. I killed some time by going ahead and meeting some of the incoming guests who arrived. I noted Godulan craft and the military up above gave me notice that a large craft from a nation known as Gaian Ascendancy, a nation I barely knew, was also in the area.

Well, things are going to be interesting after all... I thought as I moved to meet the first arrivee, the Godulan Chancellor.

A few days later...

Tsunade has finally returned General Makaryk to the land of the living, while her two assistants' patients would need to wait a few more hours. "General? I am Tsunade, Medical Master of the Coredian Jedi Council. How do you do?"

Lieutenant General Makaryk at least remembered his name, unlike those whom Tsunade had treated a couple of weeks ago, but that was not to say that he remembered much of anything outside of the military. Of course, it helped that unlike the younger officers, who had only been in the military for about eight years (first showing up at the WD Military Academy at the age of sixteen), he had been in for a couple of decades. Nevertheless, that still put him only in his mid-thirties, a much lower age for men of such high rank than Coredians were used to, Daniel excepted (but then, Daniel had family connections).

"Like a train crashed through my head and I'm still missing half of it. How about you?" came the blunt response, characteristic of the Woodian military.

Meanwhile. I killed some time by going ahead and meeting some of the incoming guests who arrived. I noted Godulan craft and the military up above gave me notice that a large craft from a nation known as Gaian Ascendancy, a nation I barely knew, was also in the area.

Well, things are going to be interesting after all... I thought as I moved to meet the first arrivee, the Godulan Chancellor.

Meanwhile, Whitfield sensed quite quickly upon the Chancellor's arrival that Daniel was suddenly busy welcoming guests, and figured he should join Daniel in that. Besides, it would divert his attentions from the budget for a couple of hours, not necessarily a bad thing. Therefore, not really knowing whom he was meeting (yet) but knowing it was somebody important, he left his paperwork. As Keith was still around and, it appeared, desperately needed a break from the ongoing searching and bagging, Whitfield invited him along as well.

But Keith wasn't particularly fond of politics, and he might not like the Godulan style of "diplomacy." Then again, he might appreciate good-old-fashioned Godulan candor. This was gonna be interesting...

Whitfield and LTC Allaire made their way to the spaceport to meet the Godulan dignitaries, the former finding his way there through Daniel's presence in the Force, which proved quite the convienent beacon; meanwhile Whitfield led the latter (still in his military uniform) to the spaceport.

When they arrived, the Godulan Chancellor would find the Masakis, as well as an elderly politician/Jedi Master, nearing his eighties, the Prime MInister himself. Also, the Chancellor would find some random Lieutenant Colonel in his mid-twenties, 6'2", which would probably be nothing to him, but quite heavily built. While the Godulan Chancellor might initially wonder whose shoe Keith got stuck to, the fact was that he had been the ranking Woodian commander during this whole mess...and until General Makaryk returned to duty, he pretty much represented the Woodian military.

Lieutenant General Makaryk at least remembered his name, unlike those whom Tsunade had treated a couple of weeks ago, but that was not to say that he remembered much of anything outside of the military. Of course, it helped that unlike the younger officers, who had only been in the military for about eight years (first showing up at the WD Military Academy at the age of sixteen), he had been in for a couple of decades. Nevertheless, that still put him only in his mid-thirties, a much lower age for men of such high rank than Coredians were used to, Daniel excepted (but then, Daniel had family connections).

"Like a train crashed through my head and I'm still missing half of it. How about you?" came the blunt response, characteristic of the Woodian military.
"I'm fine. How much can you remember?" Tsunade asked.


Meanwhile, Whitfield sensed quite quickly upon the Chancellor's arrival that Daniel was suddenly busy welcoming guests, and figured he should join Daniel in that. Besides, it would divert his attentions from the budget for a couple of hours, not necessarily a bad thing. Therefore, not really knowing whom he was meeting (yet) but knowing it was somebody important, he left his paperwork. As Keith was still around and, it appeared, desperately needed a break from the ongoing searching and bagging, Whitfield invited him along as well.

But Keith wasn't particularly fond of politics, and he might not like the Godulan style of "diplomacy." Then again, he might appreciate good-old-fashioned Godulan candor. This was gonna be interesting...

Whitfield and Keith made their way to the spaceport to meet the Godulan dignitaries, the former finding his way there and leading the latter through Daniel's presence in the Force, which proved quite the convienent beacon.
OOC: Waits for Godular to post.

"I'm fine. How much can you remember?" Tsunade asked.

General Makaryk thought for a moment. "Everything from the military. Absolutely nothing from before. Hell, the only reason why I can recall my name is because I memorized my dogtags, ma'am. About the only thing since my time in the military that I don't remember is what happened about the end of May, just a few months ago...and the last couple of weeks for that matter. You know why I suddenly blacked out, ma'am?"

Of course, late May corresponded to a couple of weeks before the coup that started the war...when the Dark Lord would have been finalizing his purges...but the Lieutenant General lacked the necessary information to arrive at this conclusion...

OOC: Waits for Godular to post.

OOC: Ditto.

"It was Ebolus, the Dark Lord who erased your memories..." To make a long story short, as she sipped juice, Tsunade began detailing the war as she knew it from the information she had.

"Tell me more," the General requested, "and would it be possible to get my paws on some of that juice, ma'am?"

"Well, General." She said as someone brought some juice for him and she concluded the story of the war from her side. "You might be interested in one of your people, a Lieutenant Colonel Keith Alliare. From what I know, he was instrumental in freeing the Earth territories from the grasp of the Sith Lord. You'll get the full story from him, I'm sure. That reminds me. As far as I can tell, you're one of the highest-ranking commanders we've gotten to so far." Tsunade said. "My assistants over there are treating two Vice Admirals that came in shortly after you. It won't be long before all three of you are back to good health."

OOC: zzzzz... *snort* wha..?

Sirzan nodded slightly at the arrival of the Coredian and Woodian leaders. Though he was not force sensitive, magnified vision enabled him to identify the people approaching him. He thought for a moment that it might have been more fitting to send Baron Skye or Xenith in his stead, but quickly pushed the thought away as the Woodians were already traumatized by local events.

Moving forward to meet them, his gait seemed extremely clipped, almost mechanical in the execution of his walk, and truth be told it was. As one of the first Godulans to undergo the full body cybermodification process, back before the Godulans even considered the idea of venturing into space, only thirty five of Sirzan's several hundred years of life took place within the confines of a human body, and the movements were more habit than anything else. His body had progressed much since then, and the only true way to tell that he was even remotely mechanical was to watch his movements and the actions he could perform.

"Greetings, Mister Masaki," Sirzan said as he drew close to the first of those coming to meet him, and continued to the others.

"Greetings and Salutations, Mister Whitfield. I come in the interest of establishing relations with you and your government and also doing whatever would be necessary to assist in this nation's time of loss. While we can only imagine the suffering of such atrocities, too long have we been forced to stand back and do nothing while millions were slaughtered in the name of spite, too many times. Our penance for our inability to act then is our staunch hatred of the very notion of genocide today. Rest assured we wish to provide every amount of assistance that can possibly be requested of us."

"Well, General." She said as someone brought some juice for him and she concluded the story of the war from her side. "You might be interested in one of your people, a Lieutenant Colonel Keith Alliare. From what I know, he was instrumental in freeing the Earth territories from the grasp of the Sith Lord. You'll get the full story from him, I'm sure. That reminds me. As far as I can tell, you're one of the highest-ranking commanders we've gotten to so far." Tsunade said. "My assistants over there are treating two Vice Admirals that came in shortly after you. It won't be long before all three of you are back to good health."

General Makaryk listened to the news that Tsunade had to deliver, sipping on his own glass of juice in the meantime. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" the General asked. While the admirals might not recognize the name right away, in the army, the word "Allaire" was quite well known...he, along with a couple of other officers (who happened to be represented amongst the others Tsunade had healed earlier on Jurai), was synonymous with incredibly efficient management in addition to crack shooting skills...on track to start racking up stars by the age of thirty, which would make him the youngest general in Woodian history. If he stayed in the military that long, that is.

"I gotta see him," the General added. "How much longer until the two admirals are released?" General Makaryk had the feeling that someone was gonna get promoted...if Tsunade was right about recent events, the General only needed to find a copy of the written promotion board exam to shove in the Lieutenant Colonel's face. His practical exam very well might have already occurred.

Sirzan nodded slightly at the arrival of the Coredian and Woodian leaders. Though he was not force sensitive, magnified vision enabled him to identify the people approaching him. He thought for a moment that it might have been more fitting to send Baron Skye or Xenith in his stead, but quickly pushed the thought away as the Woodians were already traumatized by local events.

Moving forward to meet them, his gait seemed extremely clipped, almost mechanical in the execution of his walk, and truth be told it was. As one of the first Godulans to undergo the full body cybermodification process, back before the Godulans even considered the idea of venturing into space, only thirty five of Sirzan's several hundred years of life took place within the confines of a human body, and the movements were more habit than anything else. His body had progressed much since then, and the only true way to tell that he was even remotely mechanical was to watch his movements and the actions he could perform.

"Greetings, Mister Masaki," Sirzan said as he drew close to the first of those coming to meet him, and continued to the others.

"Greetings and Salutations, Mister Whitfield. I come in the interest of establishing relations with you and your government and also doing whatever would be necessary to assist in this nation's time of loss. While we can only imagine the suffering of such atrocities, too long have we been forced to stand back and do nothing while millions were slaughtered in the name of spite, too many times. Our penance for our inability to act then is our staunch hatred of the very notion of genocide today. Rest assured we wish to provide every amount of assistance that can possibly be requested of us."

Whitfield overlooked the fact that Sirzan hadn't really introduced himself, and as a result, avoided referring to Sirzan by name. While he could have lifted that information off of Daniel's mind if Daniel didn't care to shield himself from it, Whitfield didn't want to do that very much. Perhaps he should have known, but he admitted to himself that he hadn't really had much reason to pay attention to Godulan affairs until the war...after all, Evil Woody Thoughts had barely had any relation to CoreWorlds until now, except for the fact that he was both a Woodian citizen and a member of the Jedi Order. Therefore, not really wanting to draw attention to this lack of knowledge, he simply said, "Greetings," bowing in the process, assuming absolutely nothing. He would wait for the Godulans to get a bit more detailed, for he could think of quite a few requests, not all of them involving construction. His earlier address to the Coredian Senate hinted at this. He wore a look on his face that any well-trained diplomat would recognize as saying "I need more information," but said nothing. He knew that Daniel knew this party quite a bit better, for the Coredians and Godulans had been allied for as long as he could remember.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Allaire ignored the fact that he had been ignored...he had figured this would happen. He simply saluted the Chancellor as he stepped onto the tarmac, then fell back, seemingly to disappear. But he was still there, waiting until military matters came up, when he might actually be needed.

Sirzan continued, taking note of Whitfield's expression and Allaire's retreat into the proverbial background.

"My name is Sirzan Aktei, Chancellor of Foreign Relations and Prefect of the Triad Consortium. You will have to pardon me if there was a seeming breach of protocol, as we place intention above identification. As a diplomat, I am nothing more than the voice of a people who wish to render assistance in another's time of need, be it in disaster relief funding, medical assistance, or aid with whatever reconstruction you would require. We have already sent assistance to your territories on Old Terra, though such efforts are still focused on clearing up the damages caused by the tectonic weapon, and detailed information is still somewhat hard to come by in that theatre."

"Thank you, Chancellor. I understand you have your priorities when it comes to introducing yourself versus the matters at hand, but it is always helpful to know the name of the person sitting across the proverbial table. I admit I haven't really met any Godulan diplomats before." Whitfield gave Sirzan a smile before continuing.

"The physical damage here is not so...concentrated...as it is on Earth. A couple of cities here were also hit by identical tectonic weapons, but they were far more spread out than on Earth, so the total damage to infrastructure is comparatively less. Other than that, destruction here is localized--with some towns completely razed to the ground and others left seemingly untouched." Whitfield boldened his voice a little bit before continuing, for the damage was still more severe than it appeared by looking at the remaining infrastructure. "However, that is not to say that White Diamond got off easy. Here, the problem is not so much entire provinces leveled, so much as it is depopulation. Even where the Dark Lord did not raze, he killed. A sixth of this city's population has already been found dead. A sixth of it is still missing. That adds up to thirty million people, in this city, alone," Whitfield said.

"The government here is completely gutted. No Ministry of the Treasury--we barely have enough resources to conduct a new census...and we need to do that more quickly than we can find and identify the dead, because until we tabulate a proper census, we lack the information to assess taxes," Whitfield continued. "If you by any chance are aware of the speech I made to the Coredian Senate a couple of days ago, that is what we face. And while the Coredians are bound to give us enough food aid to survive the aftereffects of the drought without mass starvation, their monetary commitments still leave a huge hole that I need to figure out...until the census can be completed. Which will likely take months."

What are peoples obsessions with Star Wars. I personally prefere a Film where the happenings are slightly possible. Black Hawk Down or The Body Guard over Star Wars anyday. :)

General Makaryk listened to the news that Tsunade had to deliver, sipping on his own glass of juice in the meantime. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" the General asked. While the admirals might not recognize the name right away, in the army, the word "Allaire" was quite well known...he, along with a couple of other officers (who happened to be represented amongst the others Tsunade had healed earlier on Jurai), was synonymous with incredibly efficient management in addition to crack shooting skills...on track to start racking up stars by the age of thirty, which would make him the youngest general in Woodian history. If he stayed in the military that long, that is.

"I gotta see him," the General added. "How much longer until the two admirals are released?" General Makaryk had the feeling that someone was gonna get promoted...if Tsunade was right about recent events, the General only needed to find a copy of the written promotion board exam to shove in the Lieutenant Colonel's face. His practical exam very well might have already occurred.
Tsunade glanced at the admirals. "Another hour or two. As for meeting Keith, we could arrange that. After your full strength returns."

----

Meanwhile, I hovered in the background, listening to the diplomacy being conducted. All was as I heard before, but it still chills me to heard just how many people lost their lives in this war. At least the Dark Lord didn't use superlasers...White Diamond is lucky in that regard.

What are peoples obsessions with Star Wars. I personally prefere a Film where the happenings are slightly possible. Black Hawk Down or The Body Guard over Star Wars anyday. :)

Out Of Character: Please, keep it to roleplay. I don't like my RPs getting spammed. Read the stickies at the top of the International Incidents forum, and please do not reply to this post.

Tsunade glanced at the admirals. "Another hour or two. As for meeting Keith, we could arrange that. After your full strength returns."

"Excellent," General Makaryk replied. He probably was in good enough condition to leave now, but he wanted to wait for the Admirals.

Meanwhile, I hovered in the background, listening to the diplomacy being conducted. All was as I heard before, but it still chills me to heard just how many people lost their lives in this war. At least the Dark Lord didn't use superlasers...White Diamond is lucky in that regard.

OOC: Waiting for Godular...

An hour later, the vice admirals were also revived. The assistants greeted them with a smile and offered them juice.

"Hello. How are you two doing?" Tsunade asked them as she wandered by.

"Thank you, Chancellor. I understand you have your priorities when it comes to introducing yourself versus the matters at hand, but it is always helpful to know the name of the person sitting across the proverbial table. I admit I haven't really met any Godulan diplomats before." Whitfield gave Sirzan a smile before continuing.

"Indeed," Sirzan replied, then smiled slightly in return, "I assure you that I do not bite."

"The physical damage here is not so...concentrated...as it is on Earth. A couple of cities here were also hit by identical tectonic weapons, but they were far more spread out than on Earth, so the total damage to infrastructure is comparatively less. Other than that, destruction here is localized--with some towns completely razed to the ground and others left seemingly untouched." Whitfield boldened his voice a little bit before continuing, for the damage was still more severe than it appeared by looking at the remaining infrastructure. "However, that is not to say that White Diamond got off easy. Here, the problem is not so much entire provinces leveled, so much as it is depopulation. Even where the Dark Lord did not raze, he killed. A sixth of this city's population has already been found dead. A sixth of it is still missing. That adds up to thirty million people, in this city, alone," Whitfield said.

Sirzan's smile faded as he listened intently to Whitfield's detailing of the human casualties. An air of stifled rage accompanied his comment, "It is good then that the Dark Lord was halted in his efforts, but it is unfortunate also that his end was so clean. Still, an ignominious end for a murderous power monger such as he strikes as... suitably poetic."

"The government here is completely gutted. No Ministry of the Treasury--we barely have enough resources to conduct a new census...and we need to do that more quickly than we can find and identify the dead, because until we tabulate a proper census, we lack the information to assess taxes," Whitfield continued. "If you by any chance are aware of the speech I made to the Coredian Senate a couple of days ago, that is what we face. And while the Coredians are bound to give us enough food aid to survive the aftereffects of the drought without mass starvation, their monetary commitments still leave a huge hole that I need to figure out...until the census can be completed. Which will likely take months."

"We are aware of the speech you provided to the Coredians. We found the portion about the war orphans particularly wrenching, and we treat a child's education as seriously as we treat the execution of a combat campaign. The school system must be restored as swiftly as possible, even if it means teaching children myself, though it strikes that the most important issue would be in the execution of the census, as any organizational function of government will be fundamentally impossible without it. What of the status of public transportation, or commerce in general?"

An hour later, the vice admirals were also revived. The assistants greeted them with a smile and offered them juice.

"Hello. How are you two doing?" Tsunade asked them as she wandered by.

Vice Admirals Riordan and Yzencski looked at each other, slightly dazed, reading the nametags on each others' uniforms, and took the juice. "Uh..." they took a couple of swigs...better than when we suddenly blacked out, I guess." In unison, as they had been linked via some hive mind.

They looked at each other again, blinking, now confused. They never spoke exactly in unison like that. It was a minor little side effect of the Dark Lord's own little mental operations...

"Um, scratch that," Admiral Riordan countermanded. "What on White Diamond is wrong with us, ma'am?"

Great, thought General Makaryk. I might be here for longer than I thought.

"Indeed," Sevren replied, then smiled slightly in return, "I assure you that I do not bite."

Sevren's smile faded as he listened intently to Whitfield's detailing of the human casualties. An air of stifled rage accompanied his comment, "It is good then that the Dark Lord was halted in his efforts, but it is unfortunate also that his end was so clean. Still, an ignominious end for a murderous power monger such as he strikes as... suitably poetic."

"We are aware of the speech you provided to the Coredians. We found the portion about the war orphans particularly wrenching, and we treat a child's education as seriously as we treat the execution of a combat campaign. The school system must be restored as swiftly as possible, even if it means teaching children myself, though it strikes that the most important issue would be in the execution of the census, as any organizational function of government will be fundamentally impossible without it. What of the status of public transportation, or commerce in general?"

Whitfield's response was uncharacteristically blunt, and bleak. "Well, Chancellor, we are only sure of having five percent of the incoming revenue over the next year that we would normally have. That means we can barely afford the logistics of the census. Beyond that, we'll probably have to sell off government land to pay the military until we can actually start collecting taxes again. Commerce is pretty much limited to the buying and selling of coffins at this point, as far as I know. The prewar public transportation infrastructure is still around, at least here it is, but we can't afford to run it. And schools..." Whitfield sighed... "I don't think we can afford to run those for at least another semester...even then, at far reduced capacity. Not to mention all the teachers that were killed..."

It pained Whitfield to say the last sentence. The Woodians valued education just as much as the Godulan Chancellor did. But there was simply no money to pay the teachers this year, and no way to raise the money, at least without massive amounts of foreign investment. It would take more than robotic construction ants to rebuild the government...it would take cash. And lots of it, which is why Whitfield's first priority had to be completing that census, so the government could start assessing taxes again.

And that much was obvious from the grim budgetary details that Whitfield had just disclosed. He would let those details speak for themselves...for now.

((OC- Boy, you guys are going faster than I expected here. =oo= ))

---

The Two Gaians, alone in their not so large craft, barely larger than a corvette, having to wait out the unexpected sluggishness of the current star traffic control system of this planet, was kept essentially busy with Tsui flirting with Aleaic for most of the wait.

That and stories about cattloe ranching when Aleaic was a child back on Earth.

When the acknowledgement finally came, Tsui was actually dissapointed. "Dang, I was enjoying this alone time."

Al just chuckles. "Now now, there are others today to meet. After the planetmind, or even during, we are supposed to meet with the Woodians and CoreWorlds types here and see where we can assist.

Aleaic then looked over at a nondescript storage panel in the floor, where a special cargo was stored, one that would help the Ascendancy keep tabs on the future evolution of the planetmind, and the citizens there. It was better stored away, les the contents peg the senses of every Force or Psy sensitive for an approximate ten light-year radii.

Tsui, guessing Al's thoughts via mindlink quips. "Mother Misaki still doesn't like putting them on outside worlds of the Sphere."

Al just leans forward towards Tsui's navigator cockpit seat. "No one objected to much to the ones on the Motherworld. As long we camoflauge them right." At that, Aleaic pilots the small craft down through the atmosphere with practiced ease.

Tsui just quips back through the rumbling of the atmosphere superheating outside the XGP vessel. "Yes 'Dal'."

Al just grumbles in tune with the hull plating.

In another ten minutes, they would arrive at the northern pole of White Diamond-EWT.

Whitfield's response was uncharacteristically blunt, and bleak. "Well, Chancellor, we are only sure of having five percent of the incoming revenue over the next year that we would normally have. That means we can barely afford the logistics of the census. Beyond that, we'll probably have to sell off government land to pay the military until we can actually start collecting taxes again. Commerce is pretty much limited to the buying and selling of coffins at this point, as far as I know. The prewar public transportation infrastructure is still around, at least here it is, but we can't afford to run it. And schools..." Whitfield sighed... "I don't think we can afford to run those for at least another semester...even then, at far reduced capacity. Not to mention all the teachers that were killed..."

It pained Whitfield to say the last sentence. The Woodians valued education just as much as the Godulan Chancellor did. But there was simply no money to pay the teachers this year, and no way to raise the money, at least without massive amounts of foreign investment. It would take more than robotic construction ants to rebuild the government...it would take cash. And lots of it, which is why Whitfield's first priority had to be completing that census, so the government could start assessing taxes again.

And that much was obvious from the grim budgetary details that Whitfield had just disclosed. He would let those details speak for themselves...for now.

"Worry not about their schooling. If necessary we would ask for the opportunity to take the burden upon ourselves, with the aid of what educational staff you might have to spare. In particular we would like to give these orphans a proper home in our boarding schools. They will be well looked after, I assure you.

"We are also prepared to facilitate the necessary funding and support to the military forces as well as whatever is necessary to properly maintain governmental function until the census is completed and you can get back on your feet. I do not exaggerate when I say that money is no object. Anything that is required will be provided. By loan or aid package, the funding will be made available."

((OC- Boy, you guys are going faster than I expected here. =oo= ))

---

The Two Gaians, alone in their not so large craft, barely larger than a corvette, having to wait out the unexpected sluggishness of the current star traffic control system of this planet, was kept essentially busy with Tsui flirting with Aleaic for most of the wait.

That and stories about cattloe ranching when Aleaic was a child back on Earth.

When the acknowledgement finally came, Tsui was actually dissapointed. "Dang, I was enjoying this alone time."

Al just chuckles. "Now now, there are others today to meet. After the planetmind, or even during, we are supposed to meet with the Woodians and CoreWorlds types here and see where we can assist.

Aleaic then looked over at a nondescript storage panel in the floor, where a special cargo was stored, one that would help the Ascendancy keep tabs on the future evolution of the planetmind, and the citizens there. It was better stored away, les the contents peg the senses of every Force or Psy sensitive for an approximate ten light-year radii.

Tsui, guessing Al's thoughts via mindlink quips. "Mother Misaki still doesn't like putting them on outside worlds of the Sphere."

Al just leans forward towards Tsui's navigator cockpit seat. "No one objected to much to the ones on the Motherworld. As long we camoflauge them right." At that, Aleaic pilots the small craft down through the atmosphere with practiced ease.

Tsui just quips back through the rumbling of the atmosphere superheating outside the XGP vessel. "Yes 'Dal'."

Al just grumbles in tune with the hull plating.

In another ten minutes, they would arrive at the northern pole of White Diamond-EWT.

Whitfield smiled, even as he negotiated with the Godulan Chancellor, as he sensed the arrival of an old friend that he had not seen in a long while. The Force was like that...

Meanwhile, the Gaian party landed on an isolated bit of tundra, right along the split--a blackened, hundred-foot cliff. The snow on the ground was also blackened from the ash heaved up by the volcanic eruption that the tectonic weapon had caused, about seventy kilometers to the south. However, the sky was cloudy, and for that matter producing a light snowfall, gradually covering up the grey, ashened pre-existing snowpack.

The Planetmind knew Aleiac was here. It also waited to hear whatever questions Aleaic might have. It had given him an idea (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10605977&postcount=625) of what he had missed out on the previous time he had come (as well as an idea of how exactly to respond), only to disappear a few hours later...

Thus, it waited on the Gaians.

"Worry not about their schooling. If necessary we would ask for the opportunity to take the burden upon ourselves, with the aid of what educational staff you might have to spare. In particular we would like to give these orphans a proper home in our boarding schools. They will be well looked after, I assure you.

"We are also prepared to facilitate the necessary funding and support to the military forces as well as whatever is necessary to properly maintain governmental function until the census is completed and you can get back on your feet. I do not exaggerate when I say that money is no object. Anything that is required will be provided. By loan or aid package, the funding will be made available."

Whitfield's earlier smile from a certain unrelated event gave way to a wry grin. "I suppose I'll have to re-run the budget numbers, then. I do hope you are aware of the full costs of completely and immediately restoring the education system, Chancellor, because we're talking...oh, about six times the cash that the Coredians have committed to run it for a year, cash that we obviously don't have at the moment. Or, about fifteen trillion credits per year until we're back on our feet. That was last year's appropriation to the Ministry of Education, anyway, if it gives you an idea... Of course, that assumes you intend to restore the operation of not only primary schools, but also secondary and higher education as well, immediately. May I ask just what parties need to ratify this?" Whitfield remembered well his experience with certain Coredian senators...and if the Godulans were really this serious...

Wow, if the Chancellor is serious, and isn't exceeding his authority, he's making the Coredians look like penny-pinchers in comparison, Whitfield thought to himself. He was quite surprised at the massive scale of the Godulan committment proffered so far...

But then again, the Coredians have already made their sacrifices in blood...

Sirzan grinned slightly in response to Whitfield's query. "Ours is a strange system to understand, so I suspect you would only seek to understand that all foreign matters of import are handled directly by Baron Skye, who saw fit to give me authority to offer as much as required.

"The only consideration that will be required from him at this point in time is in regards to the ratio of foreign aid to relief loans. While I suspect that this will put us into the first national debt we have held since the founding, I doubt anyone will complain as to the impetus. His input would also be necessitated should you seek to request any form of law-enforcement or medical assistance. It is recognized that the sheer level of damages incurred, and the devastation of the government on every level including databases, makes this situation far more complex than can be handled by a simple monetary solution. Cash is required, this is true, but also manpower."

Vice Admirals Riordan and Yzencski looked at each other, slightly dazed, reading the nametags on each others' uniforms, and took the juice. "Uh..." they took a couple of swigs...better than when we suddenly blacked out, I guess." In unison, as they had been linked via some hive mind.

They looked at each other again, blinking, now confused. They never spoke exactly in unison like that. It was a minor little side effect of the Dark Lord's own little mental operations...

"Um, scratch that," Admiral Riordan countermanded. "What on White Diamond is wrong with us, ma'am?"

Great, thought General Makaryk. I might be here for longer than I thought.
"Mind link. How strange." Tsunade frowned. "You remember Ebolus, perhaps? He did something to you two to cause this. I'm not sure how to further treatment without ruining your minds, I'm afraid."

"Mind link. How strange." Tsunade frowned. "You remember Ebolus, perhaps? He did something to you two to cause this. I'm not sure how to further treatment without ruining your minds, I'm afraid."

"Great," both of the generals moaned in unison. They looked at each other again, as neither one of them liked this.

Admiral Riordan asked another question that was on both of their minds. "Well, if there's nothing more than you can do, how soon do we get out of here?"

Sirzan grinned slightly in response to Whitfield's query. "Ours is a strange system to understand, so I suspect you would only seek to understand that all foreign matters of import are handled directly by Baron Skye, who saw fit to give me authority to offer as much as required.

"The only consideration that will be required from him at this point in time is in regards to the ratio of foreign aid to relief loans. While I suspect that this will put us into the first national debt we have held since the founding, I doubt anyone will complain as to the impetus. His input would also be necessitated should you seek to request any form of law-enforcement or medical assistance. It is recognized that the sheer level of damages incurred, and the devastation of the government on every level including databases, makes this situation far more complex than can be handled by a simple monetary solution. Cash is required, this is true, but also manpower."

Hmm...loans... Whitfield thought to himself, wondering if unused claims could be used as payment instead. Of course, these claims were all on uninhabited sentient planets, not unlike White Diamond, and Whitfield knew this from his own meditations with the Planetmind over the last couple of decades. He further knew that none of the Planetminds were particularly fond of ecological damage, and after going through dramatic climate change on Earth, that generally was not a problem with Evil Woody Thoughts, at least not until the recent deployment of tectonic warheads. Godular, however, represented an unknown, an unknown in terms of environment policy that had to be known before Whitfield could even entertain the thought of selling one of the claims.

"How strict are your environmental laws?" Whitfield asked the Chancellor after a couple of moments of thought, and awkward silence...it was a question that seemed to come out of absolutely nowhere.

Meanwhile, he received a bit of an elbowing from a certain military officer who, it seemed, had suddenly reappeared. Yes, hold on Keith, I know about the searches...

"And an unrelated question...are you willing to deploy units to help us in our searches for the dead? We have an entire planet to search, and that doesn't even include Earth..."

Sirzan did not miss a beat.

"Most of the planets that we settled were uninhabitable before our arrival. We prefer to make our homes on worlds dubbed unfit for settlement by less... dedicated powers. We prefer to focus on the practical benefits of a planet rather than how easy it is to set a colony ship down. In short, we terraform. A lot. We choose to design our ecologies from the ground up in order to work with them rather than around them."

In response to Whitfield's second question, Sirzan continued. "We can have Marines prepped and ready to go through residential areas house to house in order to properly catalogue the dead, though we can also deploy ant swarms for the same purpose...

"Is it possible for us to find a location more fitting for this visit? Much though I enjoy pioneering the concept of landing pad diplomacy I would prefer departing the tarmac as negotiations and question taking continue."

Whitfield chuckled a bit. "Landing pad diplomacy. I like it."

After giving a bit of thought as to where to go, Whitfield finally suggested, "Sure, I suppose we all could go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to further conduct these negotiations, if you don't mind seeing the antechamber blown out." The old Jedi gave the Chancellor a wry grin. "There was a bit of...collateral damage to the building in my final duel with the Dark Lord."

Daniel, and Taylor especially, would know exactly what he was talking about.

Hoping to pique the Chancellor's curiosity, he added, "Oh, yes, and about the environment question...we do hope you realize that sentient planets introduce a certain necessity for environmental sensitivity...I have my reasons for bringing this up. But I suppose we could talk about this later."

"Such might require further negotiations with the planet then. Please, I would like to see more of how this 'dark lord' met his end."

"Great," both of the generals moaned in unison. They looked at each other again, as neither one of them liked this.

Admiral Riordan asked another question that was on both of their minds. "Well, if there's nothing more than you can do, how soon do we get out of here?"
"Very well. But if you encounter any problems, come right back." Tsunade nodded.

---

Taylor, John and I continued to hover in the background as this is mostly a Godular and EWT affair. I myself wondered when the Gaians would arrive...

"Very well. But if you encounter any problems, come right back." Tsunade nodded.

"Thank you for your help, ma'am," the two Admirals replied in unison, looking at each other uneasily again as it just seemed to prove Tsunade right about the mindlink problem. They went to find General Makaryk and get the hell out of here.

Preferably by meeting up with Whitfield. They figured they might find him somewhere in the government district...he was a politician, after all...

-----------------------------------------------

"That will be arranged, Chancellor. Though I am afraid that you will have to negotiate using Master Daniel over here or myself as an interpreter of sorts, as the Planetmind communicates through telepathy." Whitfield motioned for the party, including all three Masakis present, bored and silent five-year-old kid included, as well as LTC Allaire, to follow. John Masaki Watsen was, though he failed to express it, even more intrigued than the Chancellor to visit the scene of the duel itself.

Some time later, the party arrived at the Prime Minister's mansion. Whitfield led them inside, into a once-great antechamber that now had blackened walls and a massive hole in both the floor and ceiling. Not to mention the dents in the drywall from Darth Ebolus and Whitfield Force-throwing each other. Of course, Whitfield had to explain the origin of the damage to the Godulan diplomat. Everyone else present, to one degree or another, had sensed the duel in real-time, and had at least a clue what had happened.

"For nearly an hour did I duel Darth Ebolus by lightsaber," Master Whitfield began, "but the duel stalemated, neither one of us able to gain an advantage. As both of us tried to break the other, the duel became a full-scale Force-war; the dents in the drywall are from us Force-throwing each other into the walls."

He paused. "This lasted maybe another ten minutes or so. Acting on a Jedi premonition from a few weeks earlier, I finally detonated a natural gas pipeline running under the building, hoping to end the duel in a kamikaze strike that would kill us both. Hence, the big hole in the floor, the charred walls, and the exit hole from all of the debris through the ceiling. The force from the explosion did not kill us; it merely gave him severe burns, paralyzed both of us to some extent, and threw both of us to opposite sides of the room."

Another pause. Whitfield, almost reflexively and certainly involuntarily, thumbed his lightsaber, but he did not activate it in the presence of the diplomat. "The Dark Lord attempted recovery by draining Force energy to heal himself straight from the Planetmind," the Jedi finally continued, "while I just barely managed to heal myself enough to stand. I had to drain the entire Dark Side off of this Planet to deprive him of his regeneration, before finally defeating him by Force-throwing him over a well-timed lightsaber ignition."

Whitfield smiled at Daniel. "My own personal variant of Tràkata. Perhaps you would be interested in a publicly open kai-kan at some point? Might help to heal the national psyche a little bit."

Tsunade sighed and took a break before moving on to the next patient.

----

I smiled. "That would be a neat idea. For your information, Chancellor, kai-kan is basically a reenactment of a major duel between Jedi and Sith, or any two prominent swordsmen. It's a good way of teaching history too."

Whitfield smiled, even as he negotiated with the Godulan Chancellor, as he sensed the arrival of an old friend that he had not seen in a long while. The Force was like that...

Meanwhile, the Gaian party landed on an isolated bit of tundra, right along the split--a blackened, hundred-foot cliff. The snow on the ground was also blackened from the ash heaved up by the volcanic eruption that the tectonic weapon had caused, about seventy kilometers to the south. However, the sky was cloudy, and for that matter producing a light snowfall, gradually covering up the grey, ashened pre-existing snowpack.

The Planetmind knew Aleiac was here. It also waited to hear whatever questions Aleaic might have. It had given him an idea (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10605977&postcount=625) of what he had missed out on the previous time he had come (as well as an idea of how exactly to respond), only to disappear a few hours later...

Thus, it waited on the Gaians.

The two landed at a vertical launch angle, droping down via a repulsorlift beam tube, like a couple of falling leaves. Dressed in semi-arctic versions of royal attire, with capes that were as much fashion, as they were practical. (Generating comfotable warmth fields from them.) The two arrive upon the less than serene looking landscape, the two taking a few moments to study the scenery itself, regardless of the planetmind's obvious presence in their minds.

Tsui keeps silent, not using needless words for this morbid scenery. Aleaic heads over to the chasim and looks around in the semi-quiet landscape, the sound of only the artic wind lightly breezing by, and the hiss of the XGP's engines in the background, now about three hundred meters away.

Aleaic then speaks out calmly. "Should I ask if the skin of this body needs a special ointment?" ...commenting on the crust of the planet, given the cracked state, as if it were human skin needing moisturizer, a semi-humored attempt to start the commune with Planetmind on a light note. Tsui sorta giggles geting this through their mindlink.

Aleaic saves the intracacies of dimensional politics and such, forgoing the 'why' of his sudden, previous absence. For now anyway.

"Do the Jedi not espouse peace and defense and service to others? It strikes that the wielders of the force seem to be a veritable bag of contradictions. As Kelvin told us, it is not the nature of the force itself, but the actions taken by the wielders. It seems odd that an entity devoted to avoidance of combat unless absolutely necessary, with occasional exceptions even then, should utilize a combat demonstration as an educational lesson.

"It is interesting that the sole difference between light and dark is in the actions of its users, but that it somehow translates into a fundamental difference in the energies utilized.

"I suspect that we would have a hard time understanding these issues were some of our number to begin exhibiting sensitivity..."

"Many have raised the same points as you, Chancellor." I said. "As I see it, the most important turning points in the history of the galaxy often come down to a single battle between two wielders of the Force. A kai-kan demonstrates as best the 'combatants' could, how the battle unfolded and things like that. It also teaches the lesson that sometimes the biggest events come down to a single action or choice that can make or break the duel, and therefore the galaxy at large. That's my view, anyway."

The two landed at a vertical launch angle, droping down via a repulsorlift beam tube, like a couple of falling leaves. Dressed in semi-arctic versions of royal attire, with capes that were as much fashion, as they were practical. (Generating comfotable warmth fields from them.) The two arrive upon the less than serene looking landscape, the two taking a few moments to study the scenery itself, regardless of the planetmind's obvious presence in their minds.

Tsui keeps silent, not using needless words for this morbid scenery. Aleaic heads over to the chasim and looks around in the semi-quiet landscape, the sound of only the artic wind lightly breezing by, and the hiss of the XGP's engines in the background, now about three hundred meters away.

Aleaic then speaks out calmly. "Should I ask if the skin of this body needs a special ointment?" ...commenting on the crust of the planet, given the cracked state, as if it were human skin needing moisturizer, a semi-humored attempt to start the commune with Planetmind on a light note. Tsui sorta giggles geting this through their mindlink.

Aleaic saves the intracacies of dimensional politics and such, forgoing the 'why' of his sudden, previous absence. For now anyway.

After a few seconds of Aleiac contemplating what exactly to ask, the Planetmind simply answered for him. The Planetmind's thoughts filled Aleaic's mind, as well as Tsui's, who just happened to be present.

Do not concern yourself with the faultline, Aleaic, for Master Whitfield's new apprentice was at the scene of one of these detonations, and will in time learn how to repair the side effects of them...

You are probably wondering how the Planetmind knows this, and even why it should care about its surface inhabitants. However, Whitfield discovered the Planetmind of Tesh`irara III in his meditations about five standard years after first arriving here. He has been in commune with us ever since. The Planetmind regards him as a symbiote.

The Planetmind left Aleiac and Tsui to contemplate the ramifications of that. Planetminds were not generally known for communing with humans; since their creation, most had regarded surface inhabitants as little more than ants, things to be ignored. However, this Planetmind was different...over the last three decades, since Whitfield had found it and started communing with it, it had begun to see humans more as humans see bacteria--some bacteria, such as those in a bacta tank, are quite beneficial, while others are quite harmful, even though the organisms seem insignificant in terms of size.

I smiled. "That would be a neat idea. For your information, Chancellor, kai-kan is basically a reenactment of a major duel between Jedi and Sith, or any two prominent swordsmen. It's a good way of teaching history too."

*Sirzan's question*

"Many have raised the same points as you, Chancellor." I said. "As I see it, the most important turning points in the history of the galaxy often come down to a single battle between two wielders of the Force. A kai-kan demonstrates as best the 'combatants' could, how the battle unfolded and things like that. It also teaches the lesson that sometimes the biggest events come down to a single action or choice that can make or break the duel, and therefore the galaxy at large. That's my view, anyway."

Whitfield smiled. Daniel had answered the question before he had even had a chance to open his mouth. "Have you additional questions, Chancellor?"

John listened to the conversation with interest, even as he ran his hands over the blackened drywall. However, he didn't say anything...

"Or perhaps it is a means to drive home the point not to trust perception. What is the phrase? 'Your eyes can decieve you'? Take your lightsaber for instance. When activated, the column of light contained by a force field is round. For all intents and purposes it should be a blunt weapon. But it is not. In fact, it is one of the sharpest weapons known. Form defies function... but... why? Why is it that those dedicated to preserving peace should have such a deadly means at their disposal?"

"Unfortunately, at times there is no other alternative," Master Whitfield replied, "as with this case. There are those, unfortunately, who lust for power, no matter what the cost...the Dark Lord was one of these. His lust for power consumed hundreds of millions of innocent lives and threatened billions more. There was no other way to stop him. Rest assured, however, that Jedi do not take the use of a lightsaber lightly. One of the most important aspects of our training consists of when and when not to use it."

The two royals shared the converse from Planetmind and guessed they should have known better. Tsui voices this to Aleaic as.. "I guess being presumptuous as teachers was also needless."

Aleaic just chuckles embarrassed. "Won't be the last time. In anycase." ..he then turns his voice fully towards the living terra. "And in any case, it's actually more of a suprise to us that more planets don't become fully aware of the beings that crawl upon them.

I stand appologetic, we should have known better. However we still worry nonetheless. We've already seen too many other worlds endure far worse than your own, Tesh`irara. Far too many destroyed across the cosmos.

It's as such this meeting comes at anoppritune time. Our sciences and technologies are allowing us for the first time, to construct entirely new worlds, to repair the damages of the Eternal War, as well as other natural and unnatural events.

But this oppritunity comes at a time we know come into contact with a fully aware planet for the first time. It begs to question if more will come to our own attention upon our own inhabited worlds.

A better understanding of this commune, would aid us greatly in better respecting the worlds we live upon, as well as understanding of the new souls we are beginning to construct in our planetary foundries. Call it covering all our bases, since we 'have' this oppritunity to understand the soul and mind of a world.

Understanding it's heart, would do many better justice, in our shared cosmos. It would also help us understand if there are more such souls amongst other stellar bodies. Stars, nebulae, galaxies, and even the living universe itself."

Aleaic then suddenly drops to his knees, almost pleading. "I kneel in bowed awe of what we could learn her from you, Lord of Tesh`irara."

Tsui quips. "It might be a Lady you know, this terra-soul." ..which makes Aleaic scritch his melon. "Good point love."

"But therein lies another contradiction. Knowing when to use such a power is dependent on the perceptions of the individual with that power. Is it right for an individual to have such authority? The necessity of Ebolus' removal is given. His actions were heinous and apparent enough to all to warrant the actions taken. But even in this case, the necessity of Ebolus to die for his crimes was agreed upon, recognized by more than you alone. Recognized with the people of this world who retained their sentience, and the sentience of the world itself. But the possession of a lightsaber by every Jedi implies immediacy, implies the notion that justice should be swift and exacting in every case. Why?"

The two royals shared the converse from Planetmind and guessed they should have known better. Tsui voices this to Aleaic as.. "I guess being presumptuous as teachers was also needless."

Aleaic just chuckles embarrassed. "Won't be the last time. In anycase." ..he then turns his voice fully towards the living terra. "And in any case, it's actually more of a suprise to us that more planets don't become fully aware of the beings that crawl upon them.

I stand appologetic, we should have known better. However we still worry nonetheless. We've already seen too many other worlds endure far worse than your own, Tesh`irara. Far too many destroyed across the cosmos.

It's as such this meeting comes at an oppritune time. Our sciences and technologies are allowing us for the first time, to construct entirely new worlds, to repair the damages of the Eternal War, as well as other natural and unnatural events.

But this oppritunity comes at a time we know come into contact with a fully aware planet for the first time. It begs to question if more will come to our own attention upon our own inhabited worlds.

A better understanding of this commune, would aid us greatly in better respecting the worlds we live upon, as well as understanding of the new souls we are beginning to construct in our planetary foundries. Call it covering all our bases, since we 'have' this oppritunity to understand the soul and mind of a world.

Understanding it's heart, would do many better justice, in our shared cosmos. It would also help us understand if there are more such souls amongst other stellar bodies. Stars, nebulae, galaxies, and even the living universe itself."

Aleaic then suddenly drops to his knees, almost pleading. "I kneel in bowed awe of what we could learn here from you, Lord of Tesh`irara."

Tsui quips. "It might be a Lady you know, this terra-soul." ..which makes Aleaic scritch his melon. "Good point love."

The Planetmind kept Aleaic waiting for a moment or so, whilst it deliberated on a response. While Aleaic scritched his melon, the Planetmind decided upon how to best approach this request...

Just because the other Planetminds do not interact with their inhabitants does not mean they are completely oblivious...all of the Planetminds sensed the Awakening. All likewise knew, and continue to know, of their inhabitants. But let me ask you something...have your people actually attempted to communicate with a Planetmind before? Or have you assumed too much about us Planetminds to make such an attempt?

We have been aware of the existence of your species ever since they settled upon our skins. As long as you did not bother us, or even inquire of us, the status quo was maintained. Of course, recent events have broken that, and now suddenly the Planetminds attract attention, after one of them rises up to address a grievance, a rising that you humans finally notice. Sure, the Ascendants told you about us, but did you ever act upon that knowledge?

Ask, and ye shall receive...

The Planetmind paused for a moment, at least it would seem so for Aleaic. But deep within the Planetmind, processes stirred, processes to modulate the resonance of the Planetmind itself, into something that Aleaic and Tsui would better understand.

For that matter, the Planetmind effectively converted itself into one bigass Hikari Tree Emulator.

And then, the visions began. The Planetmind blasted into Aleaic and Tsui's minds with a sense more powerful than they had ever experienced, possibly even known. Their human minds suddenly shot forward as a gauss rifle round, with the ability to sense the presence of other planetary-scale sentiences, across the universe, not only Planetminds, but also sentiences of stars, sentiences of moons, including those in the White Diamond-EWT system, White Diamond-Gaia system, and far, far more, all interconnected, almost as if the couple of million sentiences that the Ascendants had created billions of years ago were united in one vast neural network.

Then, abruptly, it stopped, the two Gaians afforded a brief, fleeting glimpse of the vast scale of the Planetmind 'network,' if it could really be called that, as the Planetmind realized that it was in danger of overloading the two humans' limited mental capacities to process information. Sure, this network of Planetminds had been talked about in meetings with Ascendants before, but this was the first time the Gaians had been able to see for themselves just how massive the scale of the whole thing was.

You have opened your eyes to the universe, but the sunlight of the universe is so bright that you must turn away to keep your eyes from getting burned out, the Planetmind explained. Whitfield has been in commune for two and a half of your standard decades, and he has barely begun to crawl when it comes to understanding the Planetminds. You have just cried for the first time; you have yet even to learn to crawl. To learn and absorb the information you seek with the limited capacities you have will take many, many of your generations of dedicated study, so great is the scale of that which you have requested to be taught.

Now that was something for Aleaic and Tsui to contemplate and chew on for a good, long while.

"But therein lies another contradiction. Knowing when to use such a power is dependent on the perceptions of the individual with that power. Is it right for an individual to have such authority? The necessity of Ebolus' removal is given. His actions were heinous and apparent enough to all to warrant the actions taken. But even in this case, the necessity of Ebolus to die for his crimes was agreed upon, recognized by more than you alone. Recognized with the people of this world who retained their sentience, and the sentience of the world itself. But the possession of a lightsaber by every Jedi implies immediacy, implies the notion that justice should be swift and exacting in every case. Why?"

Whitfield smiled. "The Will of the Force is greater than the will of the individual. As I'd imagine the Coredians have probably told you repeatedly, the Force binds everything in the universe together--the people of this world, the people on Earth, the inhabitants of the universe at large--yes, even the Planetmind. A well-trained Jedi makes such decisions not on his own authority, but rather makes such decisions when attuned to the Will of the Force, on its authority. The authority is greater than his as an individual." Whitfield paused for a moment. "The Force guides us all, even those of us who are not fully aware of it," he continued. "It allows you to discern, among other things, whether or not a person is truthful or lying, it allows you to read 'body language,' it allows you to do your job as a diplomat." Whitfield gave the Chancellor a knowing smile. "You use the Force more often than you think, even though a Jedi would not consider you sensitive enough to it to begin training."

Moreover, the words of Yoda were applicable here. "You will know when your mind is calm, at peace. Clear your mind of questions..."

"Which also brings up another contradiction, particularly on the Jedi side of the metaphorical aisle. Suppression of emotion and reliance on reason, yet also a particular usage of what would effectively amount to a form of instinct. The force binds all things, but it remains in accordance with the natural laws of the universe. It strikes that following this 'Will' is akin to flipping a coin and acting on the result. How can one be certain of this 'Will's' intentions, or sentience? Can one predict it? Can one negotiate with it?"

"Clear your mind of questions, and see for yourself, you shall..."

Whitfield, clearing his own mind of theoretical intellectual responses, sat on the floor, as if he was about to go into meditation himself.

"I would prefer not," Sirzan replied with a somewhat quizzical expression at Whitfield's present course of action. "Always anticipating, always calculating, always questioning, such things come naturally to us and such has always served us well, as similar can be attributed to those such as yourselves and the force that you use and serve. I do not wish to convey any notion that I question your capabilities or motives, simply that understanding is difficult for us when there are too many... inconsistencies within the conceptual infrastructure. Though I have other questions, that is rather simply not what I am here for.

"I am here to discuss the details of just what it is that we shall be doing and providing to assist you and yours at this most vulnerable of times."

Whitfield gave Sirzan a slight nod. "Then I will not proceed, if you do not wish it." With the nod came a wry grin on the Jedi's face. "Though you must understand that in addition to a Jedi Master, I am a career politician. I thrive on contradictions."

Whitfield paused for a moment, listening carefully, extending and amplifying his own senses. Especially hearing. A funny feeling had he.

"Excuse me for a moment, Chancellor. One of those tingly Jedi moments that you would rather not have."

The Jedi Master called upon the Force to amplify his hearing even more, and he heard voices of passersby outside.

"We've been in the government district for a half hour now. Where is he?"

"I dunno. Parliament?"

"We were just there fifteen minutes ago, you dolt. No trace of him."

"Well, where else would you find a Prime Minister?"

"His mansion? I don't know."

"His mansion? It has a big frickin' hole in it."

"So does Parliament. Didn't stop people from meeting there, apparently..."

At this point, Whitfield ventured outside, curious. He found three people in military uniforms, one army and two navy, looking confused and lost. He sensed some kind of residual mindlink in the two naval officers. "Were you looking for me?" he called out. Further using the Force to amplify his vision, Whitfield identified the three as Lt. Gen. Makaryk and Vice Admirals Riordan and Yazincski, from insignia and nameplates on their uniforms. The latter two appeared to be the ones with the residual mindlink, though it was a bit difficult to tell for sure without a deeper mind scan.

"Maybe," both of them replied, in unison. "Would you just happen to be Prime Minister Whitfield?"

"I am," he replied. "And who might you be?"

All three of them saluted and identified themselves, after which point Whitfield invited them into the meeting.

Whitfield introduced the three to Sirzan, even as General Makaryk kept glancing at Keith, eager to talk to him. "Well, it looks like we're in a better position to talk about the military matters now," he added.

"Indeed," Sirzan replied, turning to the newcomers. "Am I correct in the understanding that you three, along with mister Allaire here, are effectively 'it' with regards to military leadership at the present time?"

"That would be correct," the two Admirals replied in unison, staring at each other uneasily. They really, really wanted their mindlink gone...

Whitfield sensed this, but now wasn't the best time to bring it up. Maybe when he had some time away from Sirzan, he could try to get Tsunade over here. The war had left him with more experience in dealing with mindlinks than he cared to remember...

I noted the oddity of the two Admirals talking at once. It's almost like a twin link, but it's clear that they're not twins. What's up with them?

The two of them have a residual mindlink that apparently Tsunade was unable to remove via the Force, Whitfield replied to Daniel via telepathy. I found myself dealing with this quite a lot during the war. The Dark Lord most likely mindraped them both at the same time and place. When we get three or four hours free, I'm going to have to see about getting Master Tsunade over here, to see if removing the affected neurons as if they were a tumor would be feasible. Of course, I'm going to have to find out exactly where in the brain this mindlink is--and that is not an easy process...

Sirzan quirked an eyebrow at the admirals' synchronized response, and turned to Whitfield. "So it would seem that you would require the services of our Savants in addition to what we might be capable of offering to assist the military and operational portions of governmental function. I may not be a psion myself, but I have had enough exposure to recognize unwilling participants in a telepathic metaconcert."

I replied telepathically. I see. So there's more than just deaths involved. I cringe to imagine what we would discover of the Dark Lord's schemes next...

Sirzan quirked an eyebrow at the admirals' synchronized response, and turned to Whitfield. "So it would seem that you would require the services of our Savants in addition to what we might be capable of offering to assist the military and operational portions of governmental function. I may not be a psion myself, but I have had enough exposure to recognize unwilling participants in a telepathic metaconcert."

"Possibly. It depends on whether or not the mindlink can be traced, and if it can be removed via other methods that we Jedi are slightly more accustomed to," Whitfield replied. "I will have to consult Master Tsunade on this. I will also advise you that any psychic scan of their minds deep enough to trace the mindlink will take at least a couple of hours, so it might be better to defer it until after our meeting concludes. However, that decision is up to you."

The two admirals appeared somewhat embarrassed that Sirzan had openly brought up their mental "problems," but they were also relieved to see that those problems would be addressed, if a cure for them was even possible.

I replied telepathically. I see. So there's more than just deaths involved. I cringe to imagine what we would discover of the Dark Lord's schemes next...

Oh, you don't know the half of it, Daniel. You're going to have to ask Keith sometime...

"It will take time to bring in a Savant, as Baron Skye keeps those creatures under rather tight rein. If the same result can be achieved before they would be slated to arrive then I shall not push the issue. Though I would like to get on with the general proceedings, if the two unfortunate commanders here would not mind thinking alike for a little longer.

Sirzan turned back to the two admirals. "There is no need to feel any form of self-deprecation for your present condition. Would you seek to hide a combat related gunshot wound or a broken leg? The only difference between those and this is that your minds are wounded, not your bodies. You had no control over your present condition, such is the way of war and the Dark Lord's subversions. Be proud and pleased that your minds were strong enough and lucky enough to avoid being completely annihilated with his passing, and that you still have the capability to rework and rebuild this nation in order to prevent such an atrocity from happening again."

"If it will take time to bring a Savant, we probably should await the results of the mindscan first," Whitfield replied. Turning his head to address the admirals, he added, "The Godulan Chancellor is right, you know. This happened to just about everyone above the rank of captain."

"Myself included," the Lieutenant Colonel added.

The two admirals simply nodded.

"Now, in that case, the sooner we get back to negotiations, the sooner we will be able to deal with other issues," Whitfield continued. "Lieutenant Colonel Allaire, if you could please debrief the general, admirals, and Chancellor on the search."

"Yes, sir," he replied. "After the war ended, it became readily apparent that a house-to-house search was required to fully identify all of the Dark Lord's victims. Therefore, I sent orders to every military installation on the planet to conduct these searches...however, as we all know, the military itself was decapacitated by the war."

He took a breath, shuddering at the reports he had seen this morning. "As of six hours ago, the time that I received the last aggregated report, several major centers of population have not even started to be searched. The shortage of personnel is severe. Planetwide, approximately fifty-seven million bodies have been found so far, sixteen million in this city alone, where the concentration of military personnel is the greatest. However, our best estimates of the missing indicate that we still have between a hundred fifty and two hundred million people to find on this planet. I am less familiar with SAR ops on Earth, though they would have started earlier. Basically, we require more boots on the ground in the population centers that didn't have large concentrations of military personnel already near them--I can provide you with a written list in a few hours."

The newest Masaki kid, stuck here because of the obvious lack of proper daycare options, clung to Taylor's leg as tears started running down his face--however, he still did not say anything--he still remained quiet. Prying words out of him was a very tricky thing indeed. While Keith would have liked to have made alternate arrangements for him so he would have been shielded from this, he had had no other choice but to divulge this information in front of a five-year-old...

Keith's superiors simply nodded, absorbing the information, knowing they would have to read the reports themselves when they got a chance.

"Information gleaned from our own units on the ground in the Woodian territory on Earth is that our Ant swarms are doubling somewhat as search teams, rooting out and bringing whatever bodies were trapped in the carnage out for identification and burial... your citizens were rather stringent on that particular issue, and we understood their need for closure so we did not dare to deny them. The damage in that theatre is far more direct due to the tectonic bomb, and we fear that bodies will be washing up on shore for a long time to come.

"There is a very large volcanic hole where once many people made their lives, and a larger ring of devastation radiating outward from the blast. The people are split on how to rebuild, but we believe that you, Mister Whitfield will be listened to by all, so I would like you to... solve that particular issue so that we can finally begin the process of rebuilding in earnest."

"If it will take time to bring a Savant, we probably should await the results of the mindscan first," Whitfield replied. Turning his head to address the admirals, he added, "The Godulan Chancellor is right, you know. This happened to just about everyone above the rank of captain."

"Myself included," the Lieutenant Colonel added.

The two admirals simply nodded.

"Now, in that case, the sooner we get back to negotiations, the sooner we will be able to deal with other issues," Whitfield continued. "Lieutenant Colonel Allaire, if you could please debrief the general, admirals, and Chancellor on the search."

"Yes, sir," he replied. "After the war ended, it became readily apparent that a house-to-house search was required to fully identify all of the Dark Lord's victims. Therefore, I sent orders to every military installation on the planet to conduct these searches...however, as we all know, the military itself was decapacitated by the war."

He took a breath, shuddering at the reports he had seen this morning. "As of six hours ago, the time that I received the last aggregated report, several major centers of population have not even started to be searched. The shortage of personnel is severe. Planetwide, approximately fifty-seven million bodies have been found so far, sixteen million in this city alone, where the concentration of military personnel is the greatest. However, our best estimates of the missing indicate that we still have between a hundred fifty and two hundred million people to find on this planet. I am less familiar with SAR ops on Earth, though they would have started earlier. Basically, we require more boots on the ground in the population centers that didn't have large concentrations of military personnel already near them--I can provide you with a written list in a few hours."
A lot of people to search for. Many to bury, some perhaps half-decayed by the time they are found. Such is the cost that evil's reign leaves.

The newest Masaki kid, stuck here because of the obvious lack of proper daycare options, clung to Taylor's leg as tears started running down his face--however, he still did not say anything--he still remained quiet. Prying words out of him was a very tricky thing indeed. While Keith would have liked to have made alternate arrangements for him so he would have been shielded from this, he had had no other choice but to divulge this information in front of a five-year-old...

Keith's superiors simply nodded, absorbing the information, knowing they would have to read the reports themselves when they got a chance.
Taylor found himself unsure of what to do with a small crying child clinging to his leg. Nevertheless, what little he does know of childrearing comes to the fore as he picks up young John and allows the boy to cry on his shoulders, rocking back and forth to calm him. Slowly, and softly, he began humming a tune, a tune that our own mother sang a long, long time ago to comfort us. Despite himself, I think Taylor would be a good father for the child.

As Taylor tried to comfort his new adoptive son (with little success...a lullaby could hardly sooth the shock value of the estimates of hundreds of millions dead), Whitfield thought for a moment on how best to rebuild Earth. One thing was sure--he didn't want to do it by executive fiat. Much as the Godulans wanted specific direction, arbitrary decisions carried with them a connotation now that they certainly wouldn't have carried before the war.

Perhaps fortunately for the Godulan diplomat, John, though his face was by now covered in tears, scarcely made any noise at all--he was too quiet and shy to make much noise, after all. While it was impossible for a lullaby to compensate for the grim news that the Lieutenant Colonel bore, the kid nevertheless burrowed his head into Taylor's shoulders--he would cry himself to sleep soon. But it was not exactly going to be the comforting kind of nap, either.

Keith looked uneasily at the young one, for the child's tears painfully reminded him of having to search for those he had personally either beaten to death or sliced to death with his Dark-Lord-issued lightsaber, which still hung from his utility belt. He looked uneasily at it, then at the kid, then at the lightsaber again. Even General Makaryk and the admirals simply waited, staring at each other, each knowing that each of them had been doomed to carry out the Dark Lord's orders just a couple of weeks ago.

Whitfield knew full well that this child's background was nearly identical to his...same problem, different war...and Whitfield had been four years younger, only an infant, when he had had these problems...he, too, attempted to comfort the child, through telepathy, as he had done when young John was still in the gulag, uncertain if he was going to live through to the next day, afraid of being "discovered." Along with Taylor's efforts, it had a little, but not much effect, for an nap on Taylor's shoulder, and an uneasy one at best, was forthcoming.

He whispered to the Godulan diplomat, not wishing to disturb the kid, "You must understand that 'solving' that particular issue by executive fiat won't solve anything...the citizenry will be very suspicious of anything resembling autocracy for quite a while. Though I have heard that several rebuilding proposals are drifting around on Earth; perhaps I can consolidate them. But it will require consultation with a delegation from Earth, which, according to news reports from this morning, is in the process of being elected. We can address city planning in detail soon enough..."

"Now, we were somewhere around reopening schools when you wanted to get off the tarmac, yes? That is something I'm better positioned to answer at this time..."

The Planetmind kept Aleaic waiting for a moment or so, whilst it deliberated on a response. While Aleaic scritched his melon, the Planetmind decided upon how to best approach this request...

Just because the other Planetminds do not interact with their inhabitants does not mean they are completely oblivious...all of the Planetminds sensed the Awakening. All likewise knew, and continue to know, of their inhabitants. But let me ask you something...have your people actually attempted to communicate with a Planetmind before? Or have you assumed too much about us Planetminds to make such an attempt?

We have been aware of the existence of your species ever since they settled upon our skins. As long as you did not bother us, or even inquire of us, the status quo was maintained. Of course, recent events have broken that, and now suddenly the Planetminds attract attention, after one of them rises up to address a grievance, a rising that you humans finally notice. Sure, the Ascendants told you about us, but did you ever act upon that knowledge?

Ask, and ye shall receive...

The Planetmind paused for a moment, at least it would seem so for Aleaic. But deep within the Planetmind, processes stirred, processes to modulate the resonance of the Planetmind itself, into something that Aleaic and Tsui would better understand.

For that matter, the Planetmind effectively converted itself into one bigass Hikari Tree Emulator.

And then, the visions began. The Planetmind blasted into Aleaic and Tsui's minds with a sense more powerful than they had ever experienced, possibly even known. Their human minds suddenly shot forward as a gauss rifle round, with the ability to sense the presence of other planetary-scale sentiences, across the universe, not only Planetminds, but also sentiences of stars, sentiences of moons, including those in the White Diamond-EWT system, White Diamond-Gaia system, and far, far more, all interconnected, almost as if the couple of million sentiences that the Ascendants had created billions of years ago were united in one vast neural network.

Then, abruptly, it stopped, the two Gaians afforded a brief, fleeting glimpse of the vast scale of the Planetmind 'network,' if it could really be called that, as the Planetmind realized that it was in danger of overloading the two humans' limited mental capacities to process information. Sure, this network of Planetminds had been talked about in meetings with Ascendants before, but this was the first time the Gaians had been able to see for themselves just how massive the scale of the whole thing was.

You have opened your eyes to the universe, but the sunlight of the universe is so bright that you must turn away to keep your eyes from getting burned out, the Planetmind explained. Whitfield has been in commune for two and a half of your standard decades, and he has barely begun to crawl when it comes to understanding the Planetminds. You have just cried for the first time; you have yet even to learn to crawl. To learn and absorb the information you seek with the limited capacities you have will take many, many of your generations of dedicated study, so great is the scale of that which you have requested to be taught.

Now that was something for Aleaic and Tsui to contemplate and chew on for a good, long while.

--

When you're a civilization that is progressing on the course of evolution beyond normal boundries, times like this comes as a humbling experience. Being exposed to the celestial realms for the first time, as well as being quasi-ascended was one of those times.

The test of the Ascendants at the Dysan Sphere being another.

Being introduced to an apparent entire network of living terra-souls on a scale where, bluntly put, not looked for prior. Sure, one can 'say' they believe planets are in their own fashion, living beings, until reality presents a different veil to pull clear.

By the time the inital link 'download' was complete, the two were laying flat on the cold, ashen dusted snow, their minds clearing up from being jolted so unexpectedly. (As of a mind can prepare for such an experience for the first time anyway.)

The two were laying, unknowingly grasping adjoining hands, as they cleared their minds somewhat.

The Planetmind however didn't count on the Hikari Link taking note as well. Linking so suddenly to two of the core minds of an entire living network of Trees and User minds, made the experience lash into the network just as strikingly. For a few moments, the entire network was paralyzed from the marvelous event.

This was the stuff the Trees had joined with their Partners for in the first place. It was also what the Ascendancy existed for. To learn to know better when they should have anyway.

The question was what would communing with the universes be like?

Unknowing to the planetmind however, these were not two normal 'mortal minds' it was communing with. A Representia Power of the Guardianship and a quasi-deity type goddess, both of a quasi ascended realm who's citizens were looking forward to living into the tens of thousands of years now, were not the type to be so weak of minded.

About a minute after the event ends, the two sit up, breathing calmly.

"I love my job." Aleaic blurts out, holding his head, his eyes feeling like there's 'light' behind them. Tsunami giggles. "Remind me to bless the ground I walk on a bit more." Both were giggling a bit like youngsters, knowing better that's what they were anyway in comparison with this planet's ancient soul.

Aleaic however makes a quick reply to the terra-soul with.. "You give a challenge to us then, to surpass an expectation of limitation.

Now I know why the Ascendants 'never' told us to look actively upon planets as living. No parent can teach the kinseth everything, and expect it to have the intended effect.

Sometimes the effect must be learned on one's own. *head throb* ..ow."

Tsunami then echoes out in simult to the planet, despite calling out to open air. "You might be suprised how quick we'll catch on to the vast 'network' you have shown us.

We can't know of everything, but we endeavor to learn. That's one of our diamond core tenants, in leu of war or other mortal concerns. We 'want' to learn more of what you have shown a mere fraction of. So we'll know where to look better of, from now on."

Aleaic then stands and helps Tsunami up. "Looks like we will need to understand our own partner worlds better from now on. Not like we're going anywhere for a long time."

Tsunami then takes a moment to bow, intended for the terra-soul. "Forgive us for disturbing you. We take leave of you directly for now."

Aleaic then imparts to Tsui. "Shall we go see the others now? Don't want to keep them waiting either."

At that, this short visit ends, not wanting to push the planetmind very much at present. Not too long after, the XGP vessel lifts off, heading towards the capital city of the White Diamond-EWT. Messages are sent out in advance of the arrival.

Inquisitive children... If any expression could be "read" on the Planetmind, it would have been not unlike a mother watching her children get their first building blocks, or say their first word. And it was thus that the Planetmind bid the two Treeheads adieu for the time being, now that it had piqued their curiosity...

Meanwhile, there was no one to read or process any messages the Gaians sent, advising Evil Woody Thoughts of their imminient arrival. However, they did not need to. Whitfield could sense Aleaic and Tsui easily enough, as they radiated quite the psionic signature...and quite the giddy one, for that matter. Nor did it take long for him to figure out where they were going as he tracked their presences across orbit...their flightpath would terminate somewhere around where Whitfield stood.

Before the Chancellor had responded to his whispers, he added, "The Gaians are coming." Every native-born Woodian in the room suddenly fell silent, before Whitfield added for the benefit of the foreigners, "The Gaians, who ceded their claim to this system and four similar others, thirty years ago..."

OOC: GA, you can RP landing in a spaceport somewhere in Great Woody City on your own, as you won't be receiving any landing directions. Things are slightly too chaotic for that. Once you land, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to figure out where Whitfield and Friends are...just look for the biggest concentration of Force-signatures you can find in the city, that doesn't emanate from the ground (the latter would be the Planetmind).

"So long as the process is sped..." Sirzan said, then turned to Taylor, his voice lowering in volume. "Mister Masaki. Please remove the child's presence from this area. Enough of his childhood has been shattered already by the death of his parents, and this discussion of death tolls and body counts can only hurt the child. Hardship may build character but there are limits."

Sirzan turned back to Whitfield, his voice shifting only slightly back to its former volume. "It is of paramount importance that the children be returned to at least some sense of normalcy after all that has happened. They need something to take their minds off of this whole affair, not forget, simply occupy. The worst thing for these children now is to be exposed to such pain and sorrow with nothing else to understand. Such would have lasting effects far beyond what they experience now.

"The same must be done for the adults. They must have something to do, if only to give them something to think about other than what they have suffered. Failure to do so... how many suicides would you be prepared for? The casualties will not stop occurring because the situation if over.

"We will fund the schools. We care not of the cost. We will take the orphans. We care not of the cost. We will assist with the census. We care not of the cost. The only portion where this cost will be considered with respect to percentages of foreign aid and relief loans is the Education amount. For this latter consideration you implied what sounded to me like a... secondary form of repayment?"

Well, it looks like you get to find something else to do, Whitfield told Taylor via telepathy. The kid, only half-asleep, heard Sirzan's comment, and burrowed his head into Taylor's shoulder even more, now seeing himself as a source of trouble in addition to what he had originally cried about.

While Taylor had to figure out how to deal with the kid, Whitfield carefully considered Sirzan's words, words about giving the populace something to do. Of course, it wasn't like they already had a government to rebuild, cities to rebuild, or anything like that...but the diplomat was right in that those activities would only serve to remind people of the war and devastation, and they needed something else.

A diversion. Whitfield smiled as a Bright Idea flashed across his mind, if only it could be pulled off with the condition of the nation as it was. He was unsure, and he would have to rerun the budget numbers without stressing over the schools and orphanages. Nevertheless, his thought meshed well with his other ideas for "alternative repayment methods."

The Prime Minister spoke with a twinkle in his eyes, a twinkle that the Gaians would instantly recognize from the heady days of the colonization of this planet, three decades ago, if only they were here. They weren't yet. "Hmm...as for your suggested diversion, and reference to that replied repayment, I have a crazy idea that just might work." He had the tone of one Han Solo in his voice, something that was quite unusual for him.

"Thirty years ago, when we received title to this planet, we also received title to four similar star systems, all with at least one class-M planet, but we have not yet excercised these claims," Whitfield continued. A smile crossed his face. "I will have to look at the budget again, with education and large chunks of social welfare line-items removed on account of the Godulan assistance to see if this could actually be done, it is my belief that restarting our old space program would give the citizenry something other than war to think about."

Keith's ears perked up. He had been born after the space program had started to wind down, but it was the stuff of legend...the exodus from Earth, as Evil Woody Thoughts' holdings there changed from subtropical to boreal climate change in the face of massive ecological stress brought on by other nations who cared less for the environment than Evil Woody Thoughts had.

"One of these systems might be ceded to Godular, but there is one complication. All four of these systems have one, or more, Planetminds within them, and, as I said earlier, sentient planets introduce certain environmental sensitivities that are not present in most other systems. However, a single one of these planets had proven to provide more than adequate resources for us to prosper before the war. Still, as Sirzan said earlier, the involved Planetminds will have to be negotiated with--telepathically. Chancellor, you may wish to bring some of your telepathic officials for this purpose, or you may wish to negotiate through one Daniel Masaki, if he is willing. I do not foresee the Planetminds rejecting the idea if the environment is well taken care of, as the one here on White Diamond is the first to pay any real attention to the actions of its surface inhabitants, but the other Planetminds are by now aware of the Dark Lord's environmental policies, or lack thereof, and are likely to reject heavy polluters. But we have found ways to extract productive resources from White Diamond without leaving an excessive footprint on the environment..."

He paused. "As for the other three, settling one or more of them would provide a nice little morale boost for the populace. I know this from experience, as I was the Prime Minister who managed to get the first space settlement program launched; it was completed under the next two administrations. I just need to investigate how long it would be before we could afford such an endeavor...at the very least, it would give the populace something to aspire to."

Taylor nodded to Whitfield and the Chancellor moved off with the boy. If he could help it, he would keep John from hearing any more bad news.

Meanwhile, I heard Whitfield's Brand New Idea and almost smiled. I said to my self, Perhaps the people of EWT would finally have something to do other than look for survivors. Hope is eternal, they say, and to give hope is to give life.

I felt concerned about my little nephew. The kid has seen and heard far too much, and it would take much time to heal...

Then I heard words about negotiating with the Planetminds. "It would be a pleasure to help you negotiate with the Planetminds, Chancellor."

Drifting down the hemisphere from the northern pole, the two royals discover how disoriented the planet is, if by just the sight of some of the cities along the way, the landscape no less traumatic to the eye.

It might seem all sappy and such, but the two, riding emotional waves from the previous mindlink (despite themselves quite honestly,) took the sights with decent sadness.

"How horrible." Tsunami comments at one point, feeling for all the souls having to suffer under the current conditions at present.

Aleaic pilots towards the capital, taking initiative due to lack of navigational signals, (or much of any signals at all apparently,) replying in a solid voice. "We'll see what we can contribute after we arrive.

Not sure how much they will want, knowing these Woodians."

Tsunami just reserves more comment, and helps in locating a suitable landing site, finding one as they reach the city, about a kilometer from the capital centre.

Their arrival is punctuated by not loud thrusters, but calm, quiet repulsorlift projectors that act as thrusters, giving a stable landing. The two soon exit the vessel once more, in more base royal cloth.

They're not sure who will meet them, if anyone. Aleaic however helps in this by mentally projecting a warm 'smile' across the Force.

Aleaic and Tsui were met by a simple telepathic message, that of Whitfield. Come, Excellencies...Lord Aleaic, I've not seen you in a long time. The voice smiled. I apologize for not being able to meet you, but I invite you to come nevertheless. I am currently discussing the war with other parties. I am sure they will not mind your arrival...

After a couple of days of such budgetary shite, he finally caught enough of a break to actually talk with Keith, who had himself finally had the chance to check the HPG queue an hour earlier. Both had been quite busy the last couple of days, but now they finally had the chance to meet again.

It was a short meeting indeed. Keith merely handed Whitfield a printout of the transmission from New Dornalia, without saying a word. He wore the look of one who had searched a million homes, found a million bodies, all without rest...which wasn't too far from the truth. No wonder he said nothing.


Dear Acting Prime Minister Whitfield:

I understand your nation is going through a process of rebuilding. Judging from the HoloNet reports, the damage is staggering, and the situation dire. There is no skirting around that.

However, we also note that others have begun aiding your recovery. CoreWorlds, for example. Would it offend you if the Workers and Peasants of New Dornalia offered their hand of assistance as well, in helping you get back to normal?

Robert MacIntyre
Comrade Premier
Workers State of New Dornalia Quote:



Whitfield read the message, then simply asked Keith for access to one of the military's hyperpulse generators. Keith simply led Whitfield to one, not saying a word. Whitfield wasted no time in typing up a reply:


Quote:
Dear Comrade Premier MacIntyre,

Greetings from Prime Minister Whitfield. I apologize for the delay in a response, but events as of late have been too chaotic for us to monitor incoming transmissions full-time. The reports of devastation are, unfortunately, well-founded. As such, we would deeply appreciate any additional assistance you could provide, as we need it quite badly; please reference the speech I gave to the Coredian Senate a couple of days ago.

Note that if you send a delegation, it may encounter long waiting times as there is no one to immediately clear it for landing. Typical wait times range from one to four hours. We apologize for this, but such is life here.

Regards,

Jacob Whitfield
Acting Prime Minister
Evil Woody Thoughts


Whitfield sent the transmission as soon as he had it typed.

Los Angeles-

MacIntyre reviewed the reply. "About time..." he thought. Well, at least they had good reason. If it took them that long to reply, the situation truly was bad.

He then asked that a delegation be sent. Carla Baileygates, Commissar of Foreign Affairs, was back home from a meeting with the Taledonians. Now, MacIntyre called her up, and before long, sent her with another briefcase full of papers to Evil Woody Thoughts.

Her shuttle entered hyperspace, and then emerged near EWT space, broadcasting this message:

"EWT Command, this is Carla Baileygates, Commissar of Foreign Affairs for the Workers State of New Dornalia. I have come here to represent the Workers State in any negotiations that are occuring to discuss Reconstruction. The Premier of my nation has spoken previously to your Prime Minister and he knows of New Dornalia's offer to help."

"~ Will do.. ~" Aleaic replies back, before taking Tsunami in hand, and they both start to head towards the appropriate chambers, the two following their senses to the correct place.

The current scenery up close is not lost on either of them as they approach.

"I would very much like to speak with one of these 'planet minds', be it through interpreters or not. The Godulans have been searching for a new world to populate, as the four we presently control are becoming somewhat crowded, though in the case of the fourth it is simply due to our coexistence with an indigenous sentient species. Though such is not standard Godulan colonization protocol, such a world may well prove enticing."

Taylor nodded to Whitfield and the Chancellor moved off with the boy. If he could help it, he would keep John from hearing any more bad news.

Meanwhile, I heard Whitfield's Brand New Idea and almost smiled. I said to my self, Perhaps the people of EWT would finally have something to do other than look for survivors. Hope is eternal, they say, and to give hope is to give life.

I felt concerned about my little nephew. The kid has seen and heard far too much, and it would take much time to heal...

Unfortunately, shielding the young one from the devastation of the war would not prove easy. John and Taylor had not been outside more than five minutes when another funeral procession passed by. All there was, it seemed was Death, and while inside of the Prime Minister's mansion, or what was left of it, there had been discussions of death counts to disturb the little one's mind, outside, there were funerals, and more funerals. Apparently, Sirzan, in making his suggestion that John be removed from the proceedings, hadn't considered the question: What would be worse for the child, being present for discussion of Death, or witnessing more Death in person? It was not an easy choice, and even Whitfield had neglected to point this out.

Now, John, in addition to hearing of hundreds of millions dead, in addition to feeling responsible for interrupting some important meeting and embarrassing his father, had to see even more of this, as if he hadn't seen enough already in the gulags. The five-year-old clung even more tightly to Taylor as he cried so much that he literally ran out of tears.

Los Angeles-

MacIntyre reviewed the reply. "About time..." he thought. Well, at least they had good reason. If it took them that long to reply, the situation truly was bad.

He then asked that a delegation be sent. Carla Baileygates, Commissar of Foreign Affairs, was back home from a meeting with the Taledonians. Now, MacIntyre called her up, and before long, sent her with another briefcase full of papers to Evil Woody Thoughts.

Her shuttle entered hyperspace, and then emerged near EWT space, broadcasting this message:

"EWT Command, this is Carla Baileygates, Commissar of Foreign Affairs for the Workers State of New Dornalia. I have come here to represent the Workers State in any negotiations that are occuring to discuss Reconstruction. The Premier of my nation has spoken previously to your Prime Minister and he knows of New Dornalia's offer to help."

Lt. Colonel Allaire received a blinking light on his commlink/datapad combo, and quietly and discreetly slipped it in Master Whitfield's hand.

"Excuse me for a moment, Chancellor; things are quite chaotic lately," the Prime Minister said as he converted the broadcast into a plain text message. He sent a text reply granting Carla Baileygates permission to land with any security detail she may have brought with her, but also advising that, unfortunately, there would be no one to meet her due to the rather nasty aftereffects of the war, offering deepest apologies, and directing her to the Prime Minister's mansion, with directions and coordinates enclosed.

(OOC: Responding to Gaian Ascendancy, Godular, and part of CoreWorlds' posts all at once here. All quoted for reference.)

"~ Will do.. ~" Aleaic replies back, before taking Tsunami in hand, and they both start to head towards the appropriate chambers, the two following their senses to the correct place.

The current scenery up close is not lost on either of them as they approach.

"I would very much like to speak with one of these 'planet minds', be it through interpreters or not. The Godulans have been searching for a new world to populate, as the four we presently control are becoming somewhat crowded, though in the case of the fourth it is simply due to our coexistence with an indigenous sentient species. Though such is not standard Godulan colonization protocol, such a world may well prove enticing."

Then I heard words about negotiating with the Planetminds. "It would be a pleasure to help you negotiate with the Planetminds, Chancellor."

It was approximately at this point that Lord Aleiac and Lady Tsui arrived at the Prime Minister's mansion, and just in time, too, as Whitfield was about to initiate the necessary contact with the involved Planetminds. There wasn't necessarily anything wrong with them showing up after this contact was made, per se, but suffice it to say that had they showed up five minutes later, the other parties would have been very busy indeed.

As it was, the timing of the Gaians was very close to perfect. Finally, something had gone right.

Whitfield immediately greeted them. "Hail Lord Aleaic Kerensky and Lady Tsunami of the Gaian Ascendancy...it's been quite a while since I have seen you last." Then he began the introductions... "I would like you to meet Master Daniel Masaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Republic of CoreWorlds, and Sirzan, Chancellor of Foreign Affairs of the Triad Consortium of Godular. Daniel and Sirzan, meet Lord Aleaic Kerensky and Lady Tsunami of the Gaian Ascendancy...you arrived just in time, as we were just about to busy ourselves with negotiating with the Planetmind of one of the other planets you ceded to us three decades ago."

Whitfield gave the Gaians a knowing grin.

Lt. Colonel Allaire received a blinking light on his commlink/datapad combo, and quietly and discreetly slipped it in Master Whitfield's hand.

"Excuse me for a moment, Chancellor; things are quite chaotic lately," the Prime Minister said as he converted the broadcast into a plain text message. He sent a text reply granting Carla Baileygates permission to land with any security detail she may have brought with her, but also advising that, unfortunately, there would be no one to meet her due to the rather nasty aftereffects of the war, offering deepest apologies, and directing her to the Prime Minister's mansion, with directions and coordinates enclosed.


Carla then got the message, and then said, shaking her head in disbelief: "Wow. This situation is really messed up." If they couldn't even send somebody, then they needed what the Workers State could offer-pronto.

She landed as close to the PM's mansion as possible, and then proceeded with her bodyguard to the mansion. Also, she took her railpistol with her-if the chaos around her was as bad as she thought....

Sirzan quirked an eyebrow at the not-so-subtle byplay between Whitfield and the Gaian representatives. "Charmed, I am sure," he said, extending a hand towards the Gaians, "So it would seem that you were the ones that first came into contact with these 'Planet Minds'?"

OOC: Will wait for Gaian Ascendancy to post before responding to Godular.

----------------------------------------

Carla then got the message, and then said, shaking her head in disbelief: "Wow. This situation is really messed up." If they couldn't even send somebody, then they needed what the Workers State could offer-pronto.

She landed as close to the PM's mansion as possible, and then proceeded with her bodyguard to the mansion. Also, she took her railpistol with her-if the chaos around her was as bad as she thought....

It was not as bad as she thought, at least as far as personal safety was concerned.

Things almost looked...normal. She managed to land very close to the Prime Minister's mansion, only a few blocks away, on an empty helipad in the government district, an area four kilometers square, surrounded by white and beige skyscrapers that reached a full two kilometers in the air. Yet no building in the district itself was taller than about a hundred fifty meters--it made for quite a contrast...

Things looked almost normal, that is, except for three things:

There was grafitti everywhere, spray-painted on every building in sight. However, it was not the kind of grafitti that rogue gangs spray-paint to mark their territory--it marked something far more solemn. On every building there was an X, as if it had been condemned; above the X was a date within the last ten days, to the left of the X, the name of a platoon-level unit and sometimes personally identifiable information with an army rank abbreviation attached, to the right, a number that usually, but not always, read zero, and below the X, a number that usually read at least a hundred.

Moreover, no one said a word. The populace was too preoccupied to threaten Carla's personal safety; her weapon, she did not need it. No one even cast a glance in her direction; no one noticed her. And the streets were filled with coffins and funeral processions. Only funeral processions; they all seemed to be going south for some reason. If Carla had watched the Holonet feed from CoreWorlds in the last week, she would know that these were sixty-kilometer-long processions; this was the beginning of a route that terminated at the foot of the Bitterwind Mountains to the southeast. If she hadn't watched the Holonet, she would only be left to guess...but one thing that slowly became apparent: The two numbers to the right and the bottom of the X's spray-painted on every building indicated the number of bodies found inside.

When she reached the Prime Minister's mansion, she found it heavily damaged, for Master Whitfield had managed to ignite a natural gas line running underneath it, after all. While the Parliament Chamber was out of her view, it also had a hole in the ceiling. Carla was left to approach the building, following the instructions given to her, as no one met her outside...

Nevertheless, Master Whitfield was waiting for her inside, though by now, aid negotiations would be five-way talks between Evil Woody Thoughts, CoreWorlds (a nation who had already made its pledges), Godular, the Gaian Ascendancy, and New Dornalia. Perhaps the first encouraging sign all day...

When she arrived, and entered the building, finally was she greeted. "Greetings, would you be Commissar Carla Baileygates? I apologize for your inconvienence; I am Prime Minister Jacob Whitfield..."

And then the five-party introductions began...

When she arrived, and entered the building, finally was she greeted. "Greetings, would you be Commissar Carla Baileygates? I apologize for your inconvienence; I am Prime Minister Jacob Whitfield..."

And then the five-party introductions began...

Carla then said, extending her hand to Whitfield and visibly shaken by what she had seen outside, "I am indeed Commissar Baileygates. And if what I saw outside is the case everywhere, then we have much to discuss. The New Dornalian HoloNet feeds didn't lie...."

She then extended her hand to the Godulans and Gaians, and said, "Hello to both of you....especially Lord Aleaic Kerensky and Lady Tsunami. It has been a while."

((OC- Back from the weekend. Nuff said..))

--

For the Gaian's part, after entering the mansion and being greeted to the others succinctly by the Prime Minister, they shook the offered hands, Sirzan and Carla's hands first offered, along with others quickly after.

Aleaic commented to Sirzan with.. "Actually we're here, because this is our first actual commune with active terra-souls. If not for the events on this world, we would still not be actively looking, considering we were busy with 'other' things." ..leaving out details of the Eternal War and such beyond keen crud.

Tsunami went over and hugged Whitfield as one does for an old friend. She comments to him. "You're just as dramatic as we are now. you know."

Aleaic then rounds to a non-obtrusive spot in the chamber and offers. "Forgive if this seems off key, but we came primarily to speak with the planetmind of this world, and discovered a startling truth we are going to need a while of our own to mesh through."

Tsunami rounds the chamber to stand by Aleaic commenting. "We did also bering something, if you'll allow us a trifle leeway."

The two wait for other responses before continuing. A touch of the ascendant had come to the meeting.

Whitfield gave Aleaic a knowing grin, as old friends do. While the military brass present were somewhat put off by the informality (public hugging at a diplomatic function, after all...did go somewhat against military tradition), they nevertheless understood that Aleaic, Tsui, and Whitfield were indeed old friends that had not seen each other in a while. Whitfield, subtly nodding to Daniel, asked, "Hmm...the Planetmind showed you something, didn't it? I figured that the Awakening would attract your attention, as it, along with its ancillary effects, managed to attract Master Daniel Masaki over here from another galaxy."

"That said, the Ascendants are probably wondering what in the universe I've done to their creation," he added, with the same tone of voice that a child would use when telling a friend he suspects he's in big trouble. "You wouldn't happen to have a Hikari Tree Seed or three with you to, er, help fix that, would you?"

Yes, the three of them were old friends...and they could sure act the part.



Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Keith Allaire introduced himself to the New Dornalian Commissar, as the general and two admirals present deferred to him to tell her just how bad things were. After all, his three superiors had been comatose for most of the war's aftermath so far, and he had been running the military himself until a few hours ago. Whitfield had his hands full, dealing with representatives of four different nations at once...

"Yes, it's pretty bad. We don't have the personnel to receive diplomats because everyone is busy searching for the dead. Some of the larger condo complexes had sixty, seventy, eighty thousand dead in a single building. I've ordered all remaining military units on this planet to conduct these searches in the area around which they are stationed...but not every town has a military installation nearby. Quite a few towns don't even exist anymore. The search will probably take months to complete."

Sirzan simply quirked an eyebrow at the present proceedings, deciding not to comment on something that at the present time he had absolutely no clue about whatsoever. Let those with more specialized minds handle whatever work this was supposed to be...

Unfortunately, shielding the young one from the devastation of the war would not prove easy. John and Taylor had not been outside more than five minutes when another funeral procession passed by. All there was, it seemed was Death, and while inside of the Prime Minister's mansion, or what was left of it, there had been discussions of death counts to disturb the little one's mind, outside, there were funerals, and more funerals. Apparently, Sirzan, in making his suggestion that John be removed from the proceedings, hadn't considered the question: What would be worse for the child, being present for discussion of Death, or witnessing more Death in person? It was not an easy choice, and even Whitfield had neglected to point this out.

Now, John, in addition to hearing of hundreds of millions dead, in addition to feeling responsible for interrupting some important meeting and embarrassing his father, had to see even more of this, as if he hadn't seen enough already in the gulags. The five-year-old clung even more tightly to Taylor as he cried so much that he literally ran out of tears.
Great. This is no place for a kid. Taylor sighed, watching the funeral proceedings. He would have no choice but to head to the military base the Coredian Armed Forces set up near Great Woody City. There, it would be safe. And to decrease travel time, Taylor concentrated on where he needed to go and then...

*Pop*

A slight rush of wind and dust was all that's left of Taylor as he teleported himself and his son to the base. Upon arrival, lower ranked troops saluted and ushered Taylor to a private room with a bed and a cot. Taylor set John down on the bed. He then asked the boy. "Do you want something now?"

It was approximately at this point that Lord Aleiac and Lady Tsui arrived at the Prime Minister's mansion, and just in time, too, as Whitfield was about to initiate the necessary contact with the involved Planetminds. There wasn't necessarily anything wrong with them showing up after this contact was made, per se, but suffice it to say that had they showed up five minutes later, the other parties would have been very busy indeed.

As it was, the timing of the Gaians was very close to perfect. Finally, something had gone right.

Whitfield immediately greeted them. "Hail Lord Aleaic Kerensky and Lady Tsunami of the Gaian Ascendancy...it's been quite a while since I have seen you last." Then he began the introductions... "I would like you to meet Master Daniel Masaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Republic of CoreWorlds, and Sirzan, Chancellor of Foreign Affairs of the Triad Consortium of Godular. Daniel and Sirzan, meet Lord Aleaic Kerensky and Lady Tsunami of the Gaian Ascendancy...you arrived just in time, as we were just about to busy ourselves with negotiating with the Planetmind of one of the other planets you ceded to us three decades ago."

Whitfield gave the Gaians a knowing grin.
"Charmed." I said to the Lord and Lady with a smile. "Call me Daniel, will ya?"

This was becoming an interesting party...

Great. This is no place for a kid. Taylor sighed, watching the funeral proceedings. He would have no choice but to head to the military base the Coredian Armed Forces set up near Great Woody City. There, it would be safe. And to decrease travel time, Taylor concentrated on where he needed to go and then...

*Pop*

A slight rush of wind and dust was all that's left of Taylor as he teleported himself and his son to the base. Upon arrival, lower ranked troops saluted and ushered Taylor to a private room with a bed and a cot. Taylor set John down on the bed. He then asked the boy. "Do you want something now?"

It was about time Taylor's son actually said something.

"How did you do that?" John wore a confused look on his face...though confusion was probably better than crying.

"Well, I used a little thing called Teleport." Taylor smiled at his son. "It's a nifty little power that lets me get from here to there really fast."

John was now curious. Finally, Taylor had pried his mouth open. "Can I learn it?"

"One day, kid. One day." Taylor promised. "Want me to show you another trick or two?"

"Please." By now the tears on John's face were dried up, definitely a good sign, at least until he went outside again. While Taylor had managed to *finally* divert his attention from the suffering of John's countrymen (what five-year-old kid wouldn't get curious after being teleported?), he could not shield young John from the effects of the war forever...

However, now at least, Taylor Masaki could have a few moments of fun with his new son.

"Heh. Sure." Taylor held out a hand, and reddish energy began swirling on his palm. Soon enough, a fireball flared to life, merrily crackling away like it's been there for hours. A second fireball appeared on taylor's other hand and then he began to juggle them, hopefully diverting John's attention...

"Cool." What kid needed toys when being entertained by a pyrokinetic Jedi Knight? John's eyes grew big, and Taylor could only hope that he wasn't giving the kid too many ideas for the future...

"Got any other tricks?" the boy asked, sitting down on the cot.

"Hmm." Focusing his fireballs, Taylor turned them into strings of fire, than formed the strings into an image of a small but dangerous fiery dragon with orange eyes. It began flying around above their heads. "Dragon Fire technique. You'll learn that one day, too."

"Hmm." Focusing his fireballs, Taylor turned them into strings of fire, than formed the strings into an image of a small but dangerous fiery dragon with orange eyes. It began flying around above their heads. "Dragon Fire technique. You'll learn that one day, too."

"So when do I start learning this stuff?" the kid asked.

For the Gaian's part, after entering the mansion and being greeted to the others succinctly by the Prime Minister, they shook the offered hands, Sirzan and Carla's hands first offered, along with others quickly after.

Aleaic commented to Sirzan with.. "Actually we're here, because this is our first actual commune with active terra-souls. If not for the events on this world, we would still not be actively looking, considering we were busy with 'other' things." ..leaving out details of the Eternal War and such beyond keen crud.

Tsunami went over and hugged Whitfield as one does for an old friend. She comments to him. "You're just as dramatic as we are now. you know."

Aleaic then rounds to a non-obtrusive spot in the chamber and offers. "Forgive if this seems off key, but we came primarily to speak with the planetmind of this world, and discovered a startling truth we are going to need a while of our own to mesh through."

Tsunami rounds the chamber to stand by Aleaic commenting. "We did also bering something, if you'll allow us a trifle leeway."

The two wait for other responses before continuing. A touch of the ascendant had come to the meeting.

After everyone settled down from the arrival of the Gaians, Master Whitfield asked, "Well, let's get down to business, shall we? Chancellor Sirzan, it was you, if I recall, who suggested negotiating with the Planetmind regarding Godulan environmental policies. So, let's do it...and I'm sure the Gaians would be interested observers." Whitfield knew too much.

"You ready for your little part in this, Daniel?"

"So when do I start learning this stuff?" the kid asked.
"Well, you're not old enough yet. You'll need to learn the basics first and that takes a few years." Taylor explained.

After everyone settled down from the arrival of the Gaians, Master Whitfield asked, "Well, let's get down to business, shall we? Chancellor Sirzan, it was you, if I recall, who suggested negotiating with the Planetmind regarding Godulan environmental policies. So, let's do it...and I'm sure the Gaians would be interested observers." Whitfield knew too much.

"You ready for your little part in this, Daniel?"
I nodded. "Ready as ever."

"Well, you're not old enough yet. You'll need to learn the basics first and that takes a few years." Taylor explained.

The boy nodded. He had a feeling he was going to be hearing this a lot. He just hoped that his new family didn't rub it in. He didn't exactly have good feelings about that, either...

I nodded. "Ready as ever."

"Very well, then." The old Jedi Master nodded, and telepathically 'pinged' the Planetmind.

Yes, Master Whitfield?

Could you please bring up the local sector map?

Yes.

The Planetmind filled Whitfield's mind with the same vision of twenty or so of the closest Planetminds that it had shown Daniel recently, extending and amplifying Whitfield's Force senses to reach for a couple thousand lightyears. While the Planetmind was not showing Whitfield everything at once, as it had with the Gaians, Whitfield had not made such a request at the moment...but he had in the past had the same overwhelming vision that Aleaic and Tsui had had earlier in the day.

Whitfield selected one of the closer Planetminds, one that resided in one of the systems for which Evil Woody Thoughts had an unexercised claim. I wish to speak with the Planetmind of Tesh`eyea V. II.

Very well, Master Whitfield.

Yes, Master Whitfield, what brings you here? The Jedi Master now found himself in a conversation with two Planetminds, with White Diamond's effectively moderating and acting as a relay.

I know of someone else, who wishes to speak to the Planetmind of Tesh`eyea. Would the Planetmind of Tesh`irara please invite one Daniel Masaki to this session?

Planet probed for the presence of Daniel, a probe that he would sense as a prick on his mind, as if another Jedi was searching for him telepathically. A few seconds later, the presence of Tesh`eyea's Planetmind completely filled his thoughts. An experience similar to the first time he had dealt with the Planetmind immediately below his feet, but this time, he was talking with an entity three hundred seventy light-years away...

Yes, Daniel? Why is it you wish to address the Planetmind of a system you have never known?

The boy nodded. He had a feeling he was going to be hearing this a lot. He just hoped that his new family didn't rub it in. He didn't exactly have good feelings about that, either...
"Well, I'm going to look for something to eat. Wanna come or what?" Taylor asked.

"Very well, then." The old Jedi Master nodded, and telepathically 'pinged' the Planetmind.

Yes, Master Whitfield?

Could you please bring up the local sector map?

Yes.

The Planetmind filled Whitfield's mind with the same vision of twenty or so of the closest Planetminds that it had shown Daniel recently, extending and amplifying Whitfield's Force senses to reach for a couple thousand lightyears. While the Planetmind was not showing Whitfield everything at once, as it had with the Gaians, Whitfield had not made such a request at the moment...but he had in the past had the same overwhelming vision that Aleaic and Tsui had had earlier in the day.

Whitfield selected one of the closer Planetminds, one that resided in one of the systems for which Evil Woody Thoughts had an unexercised claim. I wish to speak with the Planetmind of Tesh`eyea V. II.

Very well, Master Whitfield.

Yes, Master Whitfield, what brings you here? The Jedi Master now found himself in a conversation with two Planetminds, with White Diamond's effectively moderating and acting as a relay.

I know of someone else, who wishes to speak to the Planetmind of Tesh`eyea. Would the Planetmind of Tesh`irara please invite one Daniel Masaki to this session?

Planet probed for the presence of Daniel, a probe that he would sense as a prick on his mind, as if another Jedi was searching for him telepathically. A few seconds later, the presence of Tesh`eyea's Planetmind completely filled his thoughts. An experience similar to the first time he had dealt with the Planetmind immediately below his feet, but this time, he was talking with an entity three hundred seventy light-years away...

Yes, Daniel? Why is it you wish to address the Planetmind of a system you have never known?
I do this to assist in a negotiation with a nation who wishes to settle on your surface. I answered. Our allies, the Triad Consortium of Godular.

"Well, I'm going to look for something to eat. Wanna come or what?" Taylor asked.

John, sitting on the cot, decided he was tired instead. "I want to nap," he replied. He wasn't too interested in food at the moment.

I do this to assist in a negotiation with a nation who wishes to settle on your surface. I answered. Our allies, the Triad Consortium of Godular.

The Triad Consortium of Godular...unknown to the Planetmind this entity is. How are we to verify that they will not interfere with the processes of the Planetmind or with the planetary climate?

John, sitting on the cot, decided he was tired instead. "I want to nap," he replied. He wasn't too interested in food at the moment.
"All right. I'll be right back, ok?" Taylor inquired.

The Triad Consortium of Godular...unknown to the Planetmind this entity is. How are we to verify that they will not interfere with the processes of the Planetmind or with the planetary climate?
That is the question we are to answer today. I replied. "Chancellor? The Planetmind just asked a question. How will you ensure that you will not interfere with the processes of the Planetmind or it's climate?"

Whitfield gave Aleaic a knowing grin, as old friends do. While the military brass present were somewhat put off by the informality (public hugging at a diplomatic function, after all...did go somewhat against military tradition), they nevertheless understood that Aleaic, Tsui, and Whitfield were indeed old friends that had not seen each other in a while. Whitfield, subtly nodding to Daniel, asked, "Hmm...the Planetmind showed you something, didn't it? I figured that the Awakening would attract your attention, as it, along with its ancillary effects, managed to attract Master Daniel Masaki over here from another galaxy."

"That said, the Ascendants are probably wondering what in the universe I've done to their creation," he added, with the same tone of voice that a child would use when telling a friend he suspects he's in big trouble. "You wouldn't happen to have a Hikari Tree Seed or three with you to, er, help fix that, would you?"

Yes, the three of them were old friends...and they could sure act the part.

--

Before the event began for the others, Tsunami commented.. "Well it takes something rather unusual to garner our attentions these days, what with dealing with transdimensional beings and cross dimensional parameters.

A terra-soul awakening was something the Ascendants did not prepare us for, I suspect for the suprise reasons you are all about to experience here."

Aleaic meanwhile was answering Whitfield's other query about Seeds, by (after nodding amicably to Master Daniel,) commanding a holo-control orb of solid light, surrounded by holo-buttons, pressing a few with his sngle right hand to order the XGP's teleporter unit to transport the special cargo that was within that deck plating in the command section.

As the commune with the terra-souls of a second world begins, and Tsunami focuses in mentally. (The link was now all but permanent by the way, Hikari links like making new links with 'anything' amicable.) Aleaic notes a gleaming silver-emerald box appear at his feet.

They both then note the proceedings before interrupting any further.

"Yes, it's pretty bad. We don't have the personnel to receive diplomats because everyone is busy searching for the dead. Some of the larger condo complexes had sixty, seventy, eighty thousand dead in a single building. I've ordered all remaining military units on this planet to conduct these searches in the area around which they are stationed...but not every town has a military installation nearby. Quite a few towns don't even exist anymore. The search will probably take months to complete."

Carla then said, shaking her head, "Such a waste. We can send personnel to assist you in searching for the dead, if the task is so enormous."

"Such would depend on the actions of the planetmind. We work very hard to create a symbiotic relationship between ourselves and the planets we settle, to the point that we maintain the capacity to create entire ecologies on our own if such is necessary. Dewi, third of our primary worlds, was such a case.

"Though we do not try to overwhelm existing environments on the planets we populate, we see here an opportunity to reach an accord that may prove beneficial to both of us."

I repeated the Chancellor's words to the planetmind and waited for a reply.

--

Before the event began for the others, Tsunami commented.. "Well it takes something rather unusual to garner our attentions these days, what with dealing with transdimensional beings and cross dimensional parameters.

A terra-soul awakening was something the Ascendants did not prepare us for, I suspect for the suprise reasons you are all about to experience here."

Aleaic meanwhile was answering Whitfield's other query about Seeds, by (after nodding amicably to Master Daniel,) commanding a holo-control orb of solid light, surrounded by holo-buttons, pressing a few with his sngle right hand to order the XGP's teleporter unit to transport the special cargo that was within that deck plating in the command section.

As the commune with the terra-souls of a second world begins, and Tsunami focuses in mentally. (The link was now all but permanent by the way, Hikari links like making new links with 'anything' amicable.) Aleaic notes a gleaming silver-emerald box appear at his feet.

They both then note the proceedings before interrupting any further.

Hmm. Probably a good thing we're finding other allies that actually stay in this dimension, Whitfield replied telepathically, with a bit of a wry smile behind the thought. Now was a bad time to break off the meditation, so he preferred to communicate via telepathy whenever possible. And just out of curiosity, would the requested seeds be in that box? I admit I am more attuned to the Force than I am to Hikari Trees at the moment...

I repeated the Chancellor's words to the planetmind and waited for a reply.

The Planetmind took a few seconds to contemplate the ramifications of the Chancellor's words. Especially the part about "creating entire ecologies on our own if such is necessary."

You do realize that the Ascendants created the present ecology on this planet for a reason, yes? Interfering with said ecology can lead to...unpredictable and undesired effects. Who are mortals to propose to alter the ecology of a creation of the Ascended? The present ecology will support a large population of mortals on its own without problems.

Carla then said, shaking her head, "Such a waste. We can send personnel to assist you in searching for the dead, if the task is so enormous."

By now, there were two separate conversations going on...while most everybody else was distracted and occupied by the negotiations with the planet sentience, Lt. Col. Allaire spoke with Carla, as his three military superiors, having just had their brains reconstructed, watched. General Makaryk and the two admirals found themselves somewhat unnerved that they knew so little about what was going on and had to defer to a subordinate, but they knew it was a side effect of the war that could not be helped. It was that devastating.

"We would very much appreciate personnel to search the areas that don't happen to be close to military installations of our own, ma'am," the Lieutenant Colonel replied.

--------------

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, at the Coredian temporary military headquarters...

"All right. I'll be right back, ok?" Taylor inquired.


"OK," the boy said, as he stretched out on the cot and slowly drifted to sleep...it was, however, an uneasy sleep, as his mind was no longer occupied by Taylor's Force tricks...

OOC: Let's leave this arc alone for a little bit...it has ended up spamming the thread:D

The Planetmind took a few seconds to contemplate the ramifications of the Chancellor's words. Especially the part about "creating entire ecologies on our own if such is necessary."

You do realize that the Ascendants created the present ecology on this planet for a reason, yes? Interfering with said ecology can lead to...unpredictable and undesired effects. Who are mortals to propose to alter the ecology of a creation of the Ascended? The present ecology will support a large population of mortals on its own without problems.
I heard the message and relayed it back to the Chancellor, wondering what his reaction will be.

((OC- WHAT!? Now you want me to wait? =oO= =^^= ))

--

Aleaic only replies back to Whitfield 'cutely' with.. "~ Oh? The possibly you'll want to take our place when the Eternal War reignights in a century here.

We can use the break. ~"

Tsunami nudges Aleaic over mindlink (and then with her elbow anyway..,) as she picks up the gleaming case. She puts it on a nearby table away from the others for the moment. "~ Ten of them, but more on that after this meeting please.

We want to listen to the terra-souls speak. ~"

"Even you are mortal. Your lifespan may be greater by many eons, but eventually even you will fade. But when you get down to the heart of the matter, you are but a construct of a civilization that has long since forsaken the material realm. I have, despite my somewhat crippling lack of telepathic faculties, met many who would consider them 'ascended' or 'ascendant' or some other self-righteous designation to make themselves feel superior. One thing is readily apparent in all such cases:

"They are still bound by rules, as am I, and as are you. No matter how high and mighty a civilization might get, it must still abide by a cosmic balance, and in that vein I wish to postulate in response to your question another question. Who are you to consider yourself innately superior? Who are you to assume that the creation of these ascendants is any greater than what we have wrought? We have brought life to dead worlds and made them as a paradise in aesthetic and practicality. Who are you to denegrate our work?"

"Even you are mortal. Your lifespan may be greater by many eons, but eventually even you will fade. But when you get down to the heart of the matter, you are but a construct of a civilization that has long since forsaken the material realm. I have, despite my somewhat crippling lack of telepathic faculties, met many who would consider them 'ascended' or 'ascendant' or some other self-righteous designation to make themselves feel superior. One thing is readily apparent in all such cases:

"They are still bound by rules, as am I, and as are you. No matter how high and mighty a civilization might get, it must still abide by a cosmic balance, and in that vein I wish to postulate in response to your question another question. Who are you to consider yourself innately superior? Who are you to assume that the creation of these ascendants is any greater than what we have wrought? We have brought life to dead worlds and made them as a paradise in aesthetic and practicality. Who are you to denegrate our work?"
I frowned slightly as I relayed the Chancellor's words to the Planetmind. Private thoughts: I don't think the Planetmind's going to like that statement...

The Gaians heard this too and gave the merit weight of said argument. Aleaic however comments.. "Strange the Ascendants seemed justified as such, when they moved our entire homeworld some eighty years ago and tested us for fitness to even 'be' on their constructed worlds at all.

But, it could be just me. They only have a few eons on the rest of us here."

Tsunami just replies. "They have a right to question. We have plied our worlds just as much as anyone in our advancements of the Sphere. All those deep mining centers and gas giant mining stations probably would be like a gnat boring into our skin, after all.

Course, the Ascendants 'made' the worlds from scratch we are conversing over over a billion years ago, that we as the successors sceeded only just recently, in the cosmic eye and soul.

Just a thought."

Aleaic finishes in tune.. "Well, at least they are on our side. Even if they don't tell us everything at once."

"We have moved worlds ourselves. Gas giant and terrestrial have we transferred from one system from the other. We can create matter from energy and have a sufficient energy source to provide us a bounty of resources and relegate mining operations to but a distant memory. Do I lord it over you? Do I come here saying I rule all by virtue of my presence alone? No. We do not make any insinuations of superiority in comparison to others. We understand and recognize a fundamental rule when one looks at the universe, and indeed the multiverse itself.

"Nobody is special. Not even you."

I ask you, are you even capable of creation on such a scale that the Ascendants have done?

There was just a hint of indignation in that question...but what came next couldn't be a good sign.

Does the Consortium not realize that the Dark Lord, among other things, attempted to force his own vision of ecology onto a sentient planet? Does the Consortium not realize how that attempt ended? Does the Consortium not realize that attempting to force its own ecological changes onto a sentient planet is basically doing the same thing that the Dark Lord did? Why, then, should the Planetmind consent to being settled by the Consortium?

"We have moved worlds ourselves. Gas giant and terrestrial have we transferred from one system from the other. We can create matter from energy and have a sufficient energy source to provide us a bounty of resources and relegate mining operations to but a distant memory. Do I lord it over you? Do I come here saying I rule all by virtue of my presence alone? No. We do not make any insinuations of superiority in comparison to others. We understand and recognize a fundamental rule when one looks at the universe, and indeed the multiverse itself.

"Nobody is special. Not even you."
I relayed these words to the Planetmind as well. Then I relayed the Planetmind's reply to the Chancellor.

OOC: I'm off now. See ya. EWT has my permission to continue relaying stuff through Daniel.

Aleaic looked at the Godular representative with disdain. "I counter that last and say ALL beings are special, no matter who or what they are.

Dare we forget the final power is at the disposal of the universes themselves and whatever designes they had at the beginning of all things? Let's remind ourselves we are here, including the Ascendants and lower ascended realms are the true children, in comparison to the greatest of powers we have little keen of understanding, even of our own accords of greater designs encumbent in the coming longterm future.

So shall we get to the matter at hand, and agree we are all equally meek, 'and' special for even existing at all in the first place?"

Aleaic shakes his head. "No one is special. Give me a break."

"And in response I ask you whether you honestly think that the scale of construction they have performed is unique. In a realm of infinite probability across infinite universes, there is always someone who can, did, or will manage better. We do not delude ourselves into believing ourselves anything other than but a small player in a cosmos even more incomprehensibly vast than you could percieve. It is a warped form of humility, I will admit, but it is humility nonetheless."

Sirzan stretched his arms out to the sky.

"It truly is a magnificent world, yes. That much is given. And it is a feat indeed to imbue a planet with sentience. But what is sentience? The capacity to think or the capacity to learn? To feel? To... compromise? To... adapt? Your creators had to abide by rules, and abide they did, and this world is beautiful both because of and despite these rules.

"But just because one interpretation of the rules just happens to work, does not make it perfect, nor does it make that interpretation the only one viable. We do not propose replacement. We do not propose subversion. We propose synthesis. We propose gestalt. We wish for the balance, and we strive for efficiency. We propose not rivalry but cooperation. We consider every world a learning experience. We consider every day a learning experience. And I would be saddened, oh Planet, if you do not feel the same."

Aleaic looked at the Godular representative with disdain. "I counter that last and say ALL beings are special, no matter who or what they are.

Dare we forget the final power is at the disposal of the universes themselves and whatever designes they had at the beginning of all things? Let's remind ourselves we are here, including the Ascendants and lower ascended realms are the true children, in comparison to the greatest of powers we have little keen of understanding, even of our own accords of greater designs encumbent in the coming longterm future.

So shall we get to the matter at hand, and agree we are all equally meek, 'and' special for even existing at all in the first place?"

Aleaic shakes his head. "No one is special. Give me a break."

Sirzan grinned slightly,

"'You are unique. Just like everybody else.' I forget who coined that particular phrase but it does hold some truth. As I have said to mister Whitfield, I am but the voice of a nation that wishes to help another in its time of need and vulnerability. I am but a human mind in a bio-mechanical body. Indeed, there is some accomplishment in the feat of continued existence. As is scribed upon many a Godulan monument, 'We remain, we persist, we survive, we exist.' Such is true. But so too is the fact that many others have completed the exact same process. This is but one step of many, but I would prefer to save my celebration until I reach my destination."

Sirzan grinned slightly,

"'You are unique. Just like everybody else.' I forget who coined that particular phrase but it does hold some truth. As I have said to mister Whitfield, I am but the voice of a nation that wishes to help another in its time of need and vulnerability. I am but a human mind in a bio-mechanical body. Indeed, there is some accomplishment in the feat of continued existence. As is scribed upon many a Godulan monument, 'We remain, we persist, we survive, we exist.' Such is true. But so too is the fact that many others have completed the exact same process. This is but one step of many, but I would prefer to save my celebration until I reach my destination."

Aleaic blinks. "Pardon then for the query, but how is it you became entwined in your current form? Poor form of me to presume our technologies could allow you a new host body of your own or such, but I profess our capability since we are both here of a giving sort and fashion."

He hated to deprive focus from the terra-soul discussion at hand, but Aleaic took these moments as they came anyway. Tsunami meanwhile kept focus on the terra-souls in commune instead.

OOC: I missed this one when typing up my most recent post...and oh, my, the stuff that happens when I'm gone for an hour...I should also mention that CoreWorlds has also given me permission to roleplay "relay posts" so long as I don't do anything especially drastic with Daniel.

"We have moved worlds ourselves. Gas giant and terrestrial have we transferred from one system from the other. We can create matter from energy and have a sufficient energy source to provide us a bounty of resources and relegate mining operations to but a distant memory. Do I lord it over you? Do I come here saying I rule all by virtue of my presence alone? No. We do not make any insinuations of superiority in comparison to others. We understand and recognize a fundamental rule when one looks at the universe, and indeed the multiverse itself.

"Nobody is special. Not even you."

I relayed this to the Planetmind in question, mentally noting that things were going downhill. When the two Gaian representatives intervened in the argument between Sirzan and the Planetmind, I knew things weren't working out too well, and I was in the middle of it all...

Planet paused before responding, long enough actually for Sirzan to address Planet in response to the Gaians. Nevertheless, I still informed the Planetmind of Sirzan's addendum. I wondered why, exactly, I had volunteered for this...

"And in response I ask you whether you honestly think that the scale of construction they have performed is unique. In a realm of infinite probability across infinite universes, there is always someone who can, did, or will manage better. We do not delude ourselves into believing ourselves anything other than but a small player in a cosmos even more incomprehensibly vast than you could percieve. It is a warped form of humility, I will admit, but it is humility nonetheless."

Sirzan stretched his arms out to the sky.

"It truly is a magnificent world, yes. That much is given. And it is a feat indeed to imbue a planet with sentience. But what is sentience? The capacity to think or the capacity to learn? To feel? To... compromise? To... adapt? Your creators had to abide by rules, and abide they did, and this world is beautiful both because of and despite these rules.

"But just because one interpretation of the rules just happens to work, does not make it perfect, nor does it make that interpretation the only one viable. We do not propose replacement. We do not propose subversion. We propose synthesis. We propose gestalt. We wish for the balance, and we strive for efficiency. We propose not rivalry but cooperation. We consider every world a learning experience. We consider every day a learning experience. And I would be saddened, oh Planet, if you do not feel the same."

Whitfield remained quiet, as he did not wish to intervene in a matter in which he perceived a bit of a conflict of interest...he had been the one to propose this whole thing in the first place, and he didn't want to "represent" both sides.

Finally, the response came. You ask whether the scale of construction is unique. It is not. There are far, far, far more sentient planets, stars, moons, even nebulae, neutron stars, et cetera, than what you know. Ask the Gaians, as they have recently had this revealed to them.

Moreover, those planets that you have seen and mapped are but a tiny fraction of the sentient worlds that the Ascendants have created...

As to the question of whether we learn and adapt, the answer is yes. Mister Whitfield has taught us a great deal of the history of humans on Terra, as humans did not settle on our soils until a few generations ago, out of a billion years of our existence. We have indeed adapted to the dangers this presents by awakening, by paying attention to the deeds of surface inhabitants, that for a billion years, we would have been content to ignore. As far as your invocation of the desire to be efficient as possible...you humans have been known to use the word "efficiency" to justify quite a few horrors in the past...

I relayed the Planetmind's response to Chancellor Sirzan...

By now, there were two separate conversations going on...while most everybody else was distracted and occupied by the negotiations with the planet sentience, Lt. Col. Allaire spoke with Carla, as his three military superiors, having just had their brains reconstructed, watched. General Makaryk and the two admirals found themselves somewhat unnerved that they knew so little about what was going on and had to defer to a subordinate, but they knew it was a side effect of the war that could not be helped. It was that devastating.

"We would very much appreciate personnel to search the areas that don't happen to be close to military installations of our own, ma'am," the Lieutenant Colonel replied.

Carla nodded and said, "Very well...I can have Army medical personnel and Red Cross teams scour the area for dead...right about now, actually, hold on."

She then opened up her PDA, and then made a call to Los Angeles, saying, "Yeah, Jack (OOC: Cortes, Commissar of National Defense). I need an emergency deployment to Evil Woody Thoughts. Medical personnel. Yeah. What do you mean he's in Session? Tell Bobby (OOC: Robert MacIntyre) that I need to follow up on his promise. Okay?"

After several minutes, "Bobby" picked up, and after a brief chat, Carla hung up and said to the Lt. Col. "The Medical personnel are on their way. Thank God for executive privelege."

-------------

EWT Space-

Several vessels, mainly converted Mao Zedong III vessels and civilian liners filled with forensic teams, supplies, and medical personnel, arrived at the EWT border. Displaying a white color scheme and a Red Cross, they identified themselves as medical vessels, here to perform relief operations....

"Pardon then for the query, but how is it you became entwined in your current form? Poor form of me to presume our technologies could allow you a new host body of your own or such, but I profess our capability since we are both here of a giving sort and fashion."

Sirzan strode lightly over to Aleaic with a jovial expression. "Such is not necessary as such is already present. Our mechanical expertise has progressed far enough that we have come full circle into the capability of creating bodies that are at once human and not human. Biological and mechanical as one."

He reached out with one hand and showed Aleaic his fingernails. "To all outward appearances I am human... you can even feel for a heartbeat if you wish... save for the fact that I can control certain aspects such as fingernail growth and consistency..." Sirzan's fingernails extended slightly and began to take on a metallic sheen, then reverted back to their original length and color, "Hair length and color, eye color, skin tone. Many things does my body allow. Should the whim strike, I am even capable of propagation. Since my transfer to this new body four centuries ago, I have sired thirty-two children, all healthy, strong, and capable."

"I underwent the transfer of my own choice and free will. I am stronger, faster, and hardier than humans, and even some body tanks, though for the most part my only concern lies in the personal shielding and endoskeletal armor. I am a diplomat, but neither do I enter into potentially hostile situations without defense. If someone attempts to shoot me down, I have every intent to survive the encounter."

He then turned to respond to the planets response as spoken through Daniel.

"We know all about the concepts of infinity. We know that we have direct knowledge of only a small part of this universe, and that there is far more out there. In *not* knowing, however, comes knowing. As I said, there exist infinitudes of infinitudes containing universes and worlds beyond even your undoubtedly voluminous comprehension.

"I will not deny that humanity is responsible for a great many horrors in the name of 'efficiency'. 'The Final Solution' was 'Efficient'. The Atomic Bomb was 'Efficient'. Such is understood. We learned at an early time in our history that sometimes working to prevent such carnage is impossible due to the follies of man and the near-sighted hatred of their brethren. Should you seek to explore the minds of the more youthful Godulans, you will note that we no longer hold so much in common with the race of our origin. We do not wish for their folly. We do not wish for their burden. We have... shed that mantle. However, it is noted that a generalization such as that points towards the flaws of your creators. The ascendants are not perfect. As I said they must follow rules just as we all must.

"What we seek now is the efficiency of the Balance. Mind and Body. Organic and Inorganic. Time and Space. Order and Disorder. One cannot exist without the other. The Balance is paramount.

"I made no allusion to an attempt to force the planet into anything. We would seek communion. We would seek to learn from you, and we would seek in return for you to offer us the same respect and courtesy. There are things that we can learn from each other, and things that we can teach each other. Why should such wishes engender such a mentality of resistance? Why should our desire to establish improved efficiency in natural processes, as you yourself are programmed to do, cause such tension and distrust?

"The actions of one do not make the actions of all. As humans are one race, so too are they a race of individuals. It is folly to consider them as one. The actions of this Darth Ebolus were heinous, and he needed to suffer for his crimes. However, simply because he sought to bend this planet to his will does not mean that any who seek to do improve the environment around them are automatically of the same ilk.

Sirzan knealt down and grasped at a small pile of dust at his feet, loosing it to fly away in a small breeze.

"This is a two-way matter in my eyes. You seek to determine whether we are 'fit' to populate one of your brethren. We did not ask for this interview, but we do see this as a chance for us to learn and teach, to understand, not to dominate. We seek to determine whether you and your ilk would derive some benefit from our presence. We wish to understand whether you... are fit for us. Balance in all things. Even negotiations. We can learn from you, you can learn from us."

((OC- The Kingdom Hearts 2 experience ended at about 0930 MST USA. Orginazation XIII is dead, Sephiroth is driven off and Xeoheart is now even more of a nobody than he was before.

And then I beat him up a second time, to enjoy the ending a second time. (Nice to know what one is doing, knowing better. =^^= )

I await KH3 within the next few years. I suspect it aint over. And now to nominal rping again... ))

--

Aleaic nodded to Sirzan, and then pulled his right arm bare and full, showing the prosthetic arm (and unseen right part of his chest and back..) from his ancient injury over seventy-five years past. His arm is 'just' as advanced and normal looking as Sirzan's, save for glowing blue bus lines where internal power feeds through from unseen angelic make power nodes, bypass feed from normal human biorythims.

"We indeed share more than you or I knew. Our versions of such technology would be the Angel God and Steel Angel programs, with the help of our long befriended angelic allies."

Aleaic pulls his sleeve back down and fastens it. "And I have only three so far, one for each of my wives. For the most part, genetic cloning, natural freebirth and angelic infusion go hand in hand, as well as in balance with each other."

Tsunami meanwhile kept listening in to the terra-souls, while Aleaic then added. "I'm still proud of our Genetic Refabrication programs, which we can utilize here, brining the dead back from an unjust death. Such as happened too much here. That is, if the Woodian Jedi and others will allow such, throwing our aid into the now New Dornalian effort of recovery.

That and other forms of our version of help. Much of which can be present in only a few short hours, with advance warning begun here."

Aleaic then offers to engender the argument further with..... "And with such, I can have a living Ascendant amongst us, and the questions can be handled by 'them'. Also with host blessing." ..the Lord Excellency notes over to Whitfield to answer in turn.

OOC: I have GOT to play that game!

IC:
Before resurrection, I like most Jedi would have frowned on what the Gaians just proposed. But five years of being a Force Ghost then resurrected by the Godulan God of Time gave me a slightly different perspective. Now I prefer case-by-case. Still, I waited for the next batches of 'translations' for lack of a better word.

The Planetmind simply listened to the Gaian end of the conversation, as it ruminated upon Sirzan's words, deciding what exactly to do. When a mind is a billion years old, it tends not to always be in a rush to answer the questions of those whose age numbers in the mere centuries.

But it did like the idea of bringing in a live Ascendant to the conversation, as it sensed that this Godulan diplomat lacked the proper...perspective on things, and his lack of direct telepathic abilities prevented the Planetmind from directly imparting this perspective. Perhaps an Ascendant would be better for such things...mortals usually understood what they could physically see better than some newly-discovered sentient abstraction three hundred fifty light-years away, after all...

Therefore, the Planetmind replied not to Daniel, but to Aleaic (though Daniel would still be able to "hear" the Planet): It is painfully obvious that the Consortium lacks the proper perspective, and as the Consortium diplomat lacks telepathic abilities, it is needlessly difficult to impart such perspective. The Planetmind believes that the introduction of one of the Ascendants would be a good idea. A physical presence familiar with the workings of Planetminds will be better equipped to impart such perspective.

It then fell silent.

"As for the aid..." Whitfield looked at both Aleaic and the New Dornalian Commissar... "I will admit that we could use it."***

Meanwhile, Admiral Riordan, who had listened to the conversation between his subordinate and Carla, knew that the medical ships were coming, so he gave the orbiting fleet advance orders to clear them.

As it turned out, this foresight managed to cut down their wait for landing clearance to twenty minutes.

***OOC: Gaian Ascendancy, I told you via TG to tone down the aid. No "pwn economy" bit includes NO MASS RESSURECTIONS. Instaressurrecting half a billion people ain't gonna fly. Much as I enjoy RPing sentient planets and such, there ARE limits.

"As for the aid..." Whitfield looked at both Aleaic and the New Dornalian Commissar... "I will admit that we could use it."

Meanwhile, Admiral Riordan, who had listened to the conversation between his subordinate and Carla, knew that the medical ships were coming, so he gave the orbiting fleet advance orders to clear them.

As it turned out, this foresight managed to cut down their wait for landing clearance to twenty minutes.

The ND medical teams waited twenty minutes, then began landing in Haywood and Goldman dropships on the surface, in the remote areas where they were needed most, mainly the remote regions where Woodian soldiers couldn't go. Finding relatively safe areas, they then had the rest of their teams beamed down onto the surface to follow their comrades.

The medical teams went to work, setting up hospitals and morgues in prefab structures onboard, old buildings, and even tents. Teams of personnel moved out and began to comb the surrounding cities and countryside; they began to try and contact the Woodians nearby, looking for some kind of assistance in their search for the dead.

((OC- Yes CW, you SHALT get thy game and play it. The game may seem straight forward, disney influenced with FF themery, and even cheesy at times, but it's hard to find a game that does it all as appropriately done as this game has done.

And the game gets seriously hard at times even with all maxed out stats and uber weapons. The last portion of the final battle the first time around, I nearly blew it because of a mistimed attempt to use an Elixir right at a critical reaction command moment.

The second time around I didn't mess up at all. =^^=

The sword fights at points throughout the game were incredible scenery wise as well. Also try to get the larger limited edition strategy guide with it, since it has the Jimmy's Journal book version. Pretty cool all around. =^^= ))

---

Tsunami looks over at Aleaic after the terra-soul speaks and quips to Aleaic with a light chide. "Do you like to pull the attention of everything around you bub?"

Aleaic sighs. "And who was it that chased me down when I Exiled myself. I didn't 'want' to come back for the job at that time ya know."

Tsui just gets up and raspberries Al. "And I'm suprised you didn't come back with 'another' wife after this last amnesia bit, dear." ..she blandly teases him with. Aleaic just blushes, knowing better the amnesia wasn't his fault anyway.

Al just coughs and recovers dignity to respond to the various situations at present. "Whelp.. let's not delay things here." ..he then connects via the Hikari Network within his mental capabilites, and relays the appropriate orders for the following he deems useful.

~ 1 Ascendant Nac`dfa Light Crusier. It would also bring a high ranking Avian Lord, one that was familiar with the very planets being discussed.

Through Hikari, the Triad-Tree, which could be discerned through by other force and psy sensitives, Aleaic and Tsunami were informed by Ladies Yurika and Seto in short order that the Ascendant would arrive in a few minutes...

They also got the gist about the mission Funaho, Misaki, Yosho and Jennifer would be attending in Coredian space, that Chuunin thing. Aleaic reacts with a few eye blinks and then looks over at Daniel. "Well, looks like were going to be in contact alot more for the time being that I expected.

Feels like sorta the days when all we thought about was the Abh." ..he finishes with a chuckle.

OOC: I'm busy right now, but GA, reread my post as I changed my mind BIGTIME regarding the ressurections. I'll reply when I get the chance.

"You know, Mister Whitfield. I have the distinct impression that our lack of... 'reverence' has not gone over well. Did I mention that we had every intention to be as lenient as possible in the repayment plan? We were not of the intention to place any unnecessary financial burden upon you and yours, as such would not be fitting of us to do so. I suspect that we would be better off working on our colony worlds from scratch as we always have. We Godulans dislike... micro-management."

They also got the gist about the mission Funaho, Misaki, Yosho and Jennifer would be attending in Coredian space, that Chuunin thing. Aleaic reacts with a few eye blinks and then looks over at Daniel. "Well, looks like were going to be in contact alot more for the time being that I expected.
"A good thing, I'm sure." I answered back. OOC: I view the Exams as a few months past this RP. Fluid time ftw.

"You know, Mister Whitfield. I have the distinct impression that our lack of... 'reverence' has not gone over well. Did I mention that we had every intention to be as lenient as possible in the repayment plan? We were not of the intention to place any unnecessary financial burden upon you and yours, as such would not be fitting of us to do so. I suspect that we would be better off working on our colony worlds from scratch as we always have. We Godulans dislike... micro-management."

"Hmm. I failed to forsee this." Whitfield sighed. Land was the one thing that Evil Woody Thoughts now had in abundance to repay these kinds of things. And now, said land was more or less worthless to the Godulans. All this because they want to turn a sentient planet into a cyborg... He hadn't really liked the idea of modifying a sentient planet either, but he had kept quiet. The insistence of the Godulans on re-engineering everything, and the resulting failure to reach an agreement with the Planetmind, had left him in a dour mood. Moreover, to him, the words "repayment plan" smacked of war indemnities; he had hoped to be able to find methods of repayment that did not involve trillions of credits...nevertheless, what had to be done had to be done. "I request to speak with someone who could give me a better idea of just what exactly your proposed terms would be."

OOC: ND, will get to you later.

Sirzan suspected that there was confusion as to the perception of Godulan terraforming. For some strange reason, anyone who heard anything about a Godulan wanting to change even the smallest thing brought forth words such as 'Borg!' and other annoyingly simplistic labels. No matter how hard he tried to allay their concerns, even the Planetmind proved susceptible. More evidence of the flaws present even in these 'Ascendants.'

So the terraforming process requires swarms of mechanized scarabs dedicated to atmosphere scrubbing and toxin removal. So most Godulans reside in super-complex mechanical bodies (Sirzan smirked slightly at this thought. The Gaian representative's display of his 'angelically powered' arm made him wonder how the man would react to seeing the insectoid perfection of a Kython infantry). Such things did not inherently make his ilk into the kind who adored the scent of exhaust fumes and oil. Sirzan had only expressed a wish to learn from and teach the Planetmind, yet all of those involved (even the Coredians it seemed, which came as something of a surprise) immediately considered it some form of alteration to the planetmind's very essence. Heavens forbid the Godulans should try to tell one of these planetminds that something here or there could be improved and how!

Such high-and-mighty outlooks irked him to no end.

Still, the Woodians could be forgiven their slight paranoia, and even the planetmind itself to some extent, much though he hated to admit it. He hoped they would eventually come to understand that not all Godulan fantasies of utopia involved clockwork and power relays. Trying to beat such a thing into their head now likely would not go over well, however.

As it stood, Sirzan was surprised that Whitfield was so tenuous in his reaction to the possibility of repaying the loan portion of Godulan assistance. In his experience, national governments preferred such arrangements, as it kept at bay the sense that a favor was owed that the Godulans might choose to call on. Were he of a mind to do so he would have made the entire aid package a foreign aid bundle, but such a thing had not been discussed with Skye. Such a thing had not been deemed necessary.

To offer an entire planet in repayment though? The offer had startled him greatly, as much as it did the Psions in the orbiting Mako. He dared not bring them down now for fear that the Planetmind might deem it necessary to 'show' the poor fellow its 'perspective'.

My perspective is broad enough, thank you very damn much. 'Oh look! There's stars out there you haven't seen!' Well duh. That's the thing about space and the superspace. The only comprehensible gauge to the sheer vastness of it all is that its incomprehensible. Look up, you don't see a wall. You see stars. Lots and lots of bloody stars, and those are just the visible ones! I don't need to see them all to know they're out there. Maybe I should have one of the guys bring Binky the Thinking Planet some Death Confetti. Spend two hundred years out in the freaky region of superspace you see crap that would blow these hicks' minds, even those two puppets over there. Angelic power? What. The. Hell. I could have brought out my cellphone and shown him a battery with the exact same energy. Blasted transcendent types. Oooh lookit me! I'm not tied to the mortal realm! Yer tied to SOMETHING ya bloody fraud. Not nearly so high on the ladder as you think, believe you me.

The cartographic information might prove useful though. But Sirzan decided against it, knowing too much created too much to worry about. Knowledge is power, but with power comes responsibility, though not many stop to think about THAT little quid pro quo.

Despite this inner turmoil, Sirzan betrayed not an ounce of outward frustration to those around him, though Daniel and Whitfield would most likely spot it anyway. He hoped they didn't read it wrong. He did not wish them to think that he was angry about anything.

At Whitfield's request, Sirzan immediately replied.

"Certainly. Allow me to set the beacon and he shall arrive shortly... though I would ask that the Planetmind try not to query him too much."

Sirzan brought out a small circular pod and laid it upon the ground. After pressing a small button, he stepped away from the device, which had started beeping slightly.

After a few seconds, a small patch of dust near the beacon exploded in a small poof of activity before settling back down... not on the ground though, but on what appeared to be a pair of invisible shoes.

"The psions told me something odd was taking place on the surface of this world," a voice commented from the position of the strangely displaced dust. "Though I can see at this point that you are unharmed, Sirzan. I assume that your summoning me entails questions regarding the 'repayment' aspect of our aid package?"

"Yes sir."

"Ah well." The dust cloud poofed again, as though something had moved away from it, and tracks in the dust formed step by step until they stopped before Whitfield. "Prime Minister Whitfield, I take it? I am Baron Aeraeon Skye. Leader of the Triad Consortium of Godular. I hope you do not mind me using an Avatar rather than some form of long-range comms device."

The air in front of Whitfield shifted slightly, as though whatever the invisible form was had just made a curt nod of respect in his direction.

OOC: The WD Planetmind only acted as a telepathic relay station so Whitfield and Daniel could initiate contact with the Tesh`eyea Planetmind...the quarrel that Sirzan has would be with the latter, not the former. WD wouldn't care if the Psions came down to the surface...it could communicate with them easily enough while they orbited if it felt so inclined.

------------------------------------------------

Whitfield sensed Sirzan's frustration all right, in spite of Sirzan's efforts to hide it. Jedi tended to be good at these things, especially Jedi Masters who also happened to be politicians.

"Your terraforming nanites." Whitfield spoke quietly, as if extracting a memory frayed at its edges...he had read about them, as the Evil Woody Thoughts government had once placed an order for three swarms of them...but had never gotten around to using them. "If those were to be the extent of your modifications, the Planetmind probably would have consented, as for a class-M Ascendant-created planet, their effect would be minor, and they certainly wouldn't have affected the planet-sentience itself. But...Tesh`eyea did not know this..." He spoke as if it was an afterthought, as if he was a historian cataloging the failure of a diplomatic negotiation, not really as a diplomat himself.

Omission of relevant information had a nasty little tendency to kill diplomacy, especially when the parties involved did not know each other and had little particular reason to trust each other...

...of course, part of the blame fell upon Whitfield for not pointing this out when it might have made a difference. Even Jedi Masters weren't perfect.

Then the Avatar of Baron Skye appeared. "Yes, that is correct. And no, I do not mind. A pleasure to meet you, Baron Aeraeon Skye. Now, I do believe that we are both here to discuss the subject of repayment options?"

The ND medical teams waited twenty minutes, then began landing in Haywood and Goldman dropships on the surface, in the remote areas where they were needed most, mainly the remote regions where Woodian soldiers couldn't go. Finding relatively safe areas, they then had the rest of their teams beamed down onto the surface to follow their comrades.

The medical teams went to work, setting up hospitals and morgues in prefab structures onboard, old buildings, and even tents. Teams of personnel moved out and began to comb the surrounding cities and countryside; they began to try and contact the Woodians nearby, looking for some kind of assistance in their search for the dead.

The destruction of the countryside was either total or did not occur at all, depending on where one happened to be standing.

Some towns far away from military installations were perfectly intact, not a war casualty to be found, just a bunch of citizens talking about news of utter destruction elsewhere. But such fortune was not universal.

Other towns were merely smoking craters, hit by chemical-weapon airstrikes. And where airstrikes did occur, there were no survivors to be found at all, just lots of charred bodies. Those who had survived the initial attacks had long since died, either of their injuries, or of dehydration. The Dark Lord had taken great care to ensure that those places he had ordered wiped off the map were, quite literally, wiped off the map...

In places so affected, there were no funerals, there was no mourning, no rememberance. There was no one to attend the funerals, no one to mourn, no one to remember. Until the New Dornalian soldiers had arrived.

OOC: Tomorrow I leave for Phoenix for the summer, where my internet access will consist of public libraries until I can get a wi-fi card. It may be some time before I can afford one. Nevertheless, I will continue to post here as often as I can.

CoreWorlds and Gaian Ascendancy, the circle of inactivity is now complete.:D :D :D

The destruction of the countryside was either total or did not occur at all, depending on where one happened to be standing.

Some towns far away from military installations were perfectly intact, not a war casualty to be found, just a bunch of citizens talking about news of utter destruction elsewhere. But such fortune was not universal.

Other towns were merely smoking craters, hit by chemical-weapon airstrikes. And where airstrikes did occur, there were no survivors to be found at all, just lots of charred bodies. Those who had survived the initial attacks had long since died, either of their injuries, or of dehydration. The Dark Lord had taken great care to ensure that those places he had ordered wiped off the map were, quite literally, wiped off the map...

In places so affected, there were no funerals, there was no mourning, no rememberance. There was no one to attend the funerals, no one to mourn, no one to remember. Until the New Dornalian soldiers had arrived.

OOC: Tomorrow I leave for Phoenix for the summer, where my internet access will consist of public libraries until I can get a wi-fi card. It may be some time before I can afford one. Nevertheless, I will continue to post here as often as I can.

CoreWorlds and Gaian Ascendancy, the circle of inactivity is now complete.:D :D :D

For the majority of the medical teams, the sight was enough to make one vomit. Such death and horror....it was one thing to see it on HoloNet, quite another to see it in person.

The New Dornalians, after the initial shock, had to go to work. Grimly, they began cleaning up, retrieving the bodies and taking them to the temporary morgues for identification (well, for those bodies that could be Identified) and for preparation for burial after the autopsy teams were done sorting out the mess.

The amount of bodies in some areas overflowed the facilities, and grief counselors, chaplains, and People's Acolytes had to be called in to try and provide some perspective-a few of the medical crews nearly broke down at the sights and the awful smell.

There would be funerals aplenty. The New Dornalians feared they would be the sole mourners though....

For the Gaian's part, they remained aloof, letting the others have their converse, not feeling they would garner much from further discussion at present, rather waiting out the arrival of the Avian Lord incumbent.

Of 'that' part, the single light cruiser arrives in orbit of White Diamond-EWT almost at the same spot the GXP arrived. It's arrival gives insight into Ascendant architecture to the observant, as the gleaming glass and marble hewn vessel, shaped into a simple oblong oval shape with line and bulby nodes all about it. The glassy-crystallic vessel gleams with glowing blue and gree lines all about it.

The vessel act as much a huge forested aviary inside, as it does a powerful ship of war and exploration.

Tsui and Al are semi startled out of a light waiting doze when their comm units activate at the same time with, from a deep, elder like voice of..

":: ~ Our arrival is anticipated master? ~ ::"

Aleaic recovers and responds back into his wrist comm. "At your convience and location at present."

A few moments later, a teleport beam appears away from everyone in the chamber as a large, 10 meter tall/large Ascendant arrives, all primp in gray/white like shinto robe like garb over his green/yellow and white feathers. A large griffon like effidece to witness for the uninitiated.

((OC- If anyone remembers the game DIG, just think of those alien griffon beings in it and you get the idea. =^^= ))

The air around Baron Skye's avatar shifted slightly, as if to look upon the form of the 'Ascendant', before turning back to Whitfield to answer the prime minister's query. Sirzan himself raised an eyebrow slightly at the newcomer and scanned the creature from top to bottom, snapping his fingers slightly as if attempting to remember a name that drifted at the edges of recall.

"Indeed. The basic package discussed by Chancellor Sirzan and I involved a 25 and 75 distribution, foreign aid and recovery loans respectively, though I suspect your primary interest is with respect to exactly how we wish to be paid... back..."

"I remember these things from the database sir, but I can't quite place them--"

"They are Cocytans, Sirzan," Skye's avatar said with a slight sigh. "Advanced enough, particularly in energy manipulation, but in many cases their transit into incorporeality is wholly inadvertent... and irreversible."

"Ah, so..."

"About in line with our M'Lekk'Torr friends. If I do recall, the Cocytans were also heavily focused on philosophy. The Archetype information states that for the most part they keep forgetting to learn psionics before turning themselves into beings of pure thought."

"Ah."

OOC: I read the book. Alan Dean Foster for the win.

OOC: I haven't read the book, public libraries for the win. And where is CW?

--------------------------

The Prime Minister simply nodded to the avatar of Baron Skye. He would have much rather used one of the "excess" planets to pay off the loans immediately, but the Godulans had managed to piss off the relevant Planetmind too much...

...But then again, the Godulans were unfamiliar to the Planetmind, and had proposed to modify the planet, which, after what had just happened, understandably made the Planetmind nervous.

"Hmm. I still prefer noncash loan repayments, if that is at all possible. This is why I proposed the land deal, but apparently the relevent planet-sentience doesn't like that idea...however, I noticed that the scope of the proposed modifications was never clearly stated. I sense that if the Planetmind knew that the proposed modifications would affect the surface climate and the planetary 'skin' only, and not the sentience within, it might have a more permissible attitude about the whole thing. Perhaps we can try that little process again in ten years or so, and if that doesn't work out, we begin repayment on a schedule to be negotiated at this time?"

When the Ascendant arrived, Whitfield hoped it wasn't already too late to try to salvage the negotiations with the Planetmind. But it probably already was...nevertheless, he bowed, saying only, "Yes, your arrival was indeed anticipated, unfortunately."

For the majority of the medical teams, the sight was enough to make one vomit. Such death and horror....it was one thing to see it on HoloNet, quite another to see it in person.

The New Dornalians, after the initial shock, had to go to work. Grimly, they began cleaning up, retrieving the bodies and taking them to the temporary morgues for identification (well, for those bodies that could be Identified) and for preparation for burial after the autopsy teams were done sorting out the mess.

The amount of bodies in some areas overflowed the facilities, and grief counselors, chaplains, and People's Acolytes had to be called in to try and provide some perspective-a few of the medical crews nearly broke down at the sights and the awful smell.

There would be funerals aplenty. The New Dornalians feared they would be the sole mourners though....

The Dornalians were the sole mourners only in the most remote of cases...

In most cases, what few survivors remained stayed to collect information on the deceased. In cases where identification was impossible by traditional methods, the survivors requested that the Dornalians take and preserve tissue samples before burial, for purposes of utilizing alternative identification methods.

Of course, this was where there were survivors...

Nevertheless, the Dornalian horror stories eventually made their way to survivors in nearby towns, who had one simple request: preservation of tissue samples, for alternative methods of ID...they hoped to compile as complete a list as possible of those who had died.

Many, many funerals had only Dornalians present, millions scattered across the planet. But such things the Woodians did not easily forget...

...which was why they needed to compile that data.

The Dornalians were the sole mourners only in the most remote of cases...

In most cases, what few survivors remained stayed to collect information on the deceased. In cases where identification was impossible by traditional methods, the survivors requested that the Dornalians take and preserve tissue samples before burial, for purposes of utilizing alternative identification methods.

Of course, this was where there were survivors...

Nevertheless, the Dornalian horror stories eventually made their way to survivors in nearby towns, who had one simple request: preservation of tissue samples, for alternative methods of ID...they hoped to compile as complete a list as possible of those who had died.

Many, many funerals had only Dornalians present, millions scattered across the planet. But such things the Woodians did not easily forget...

...which was why they needed to compile that data.

The New Dornalians obliged, they began collecting DNA and tissue samples at every new autopsy and from those already in the morgues to provide some method of ID the Woodians could use. It was necessary, to provide closure to the Woodians, and to those New Dornalians who had been stricken by the situation.

More funerals, more dead. And only New Dornalians to mourn. It was as if they had stumbled into Hell.

Still, they carried on....

OOC: Waiting for more posts from more people before replying. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to the library more often, as I've been busy doing summer job searching and I think I've found one.:)

OOC: CoreWorlds, where are you? I've been waiting on ya since the school year ended, it seems...

Skye's avatar shifted slightly as if shaking its head. "One of the things our people have prospered from is developing formerly unhospitable worlds and making them fit for life. We are not comfortable being forced to accomodate the whims of others, particularly when it comes down to settling another world.

"As it happens, we have recently clinched a deal with others for several entire systems. We will have trouble even lightly populating these systems, so a new world would exacerbate the situation heavily.

"With respect to payment options, we found that for some reason many of those to whom we offer help feel that us simply giving assistance reeks of buying favors, so we have been under the practice of dividing what aid we offer into two sections, 'aid' and 'investment'. We will pay for whatever is necessary, but we will be requiring that a portion of the money be repaid, though we have no qualms as to timeline and no interest is charged. This is not to bind you into any kind of agreement but to keep you from thinking that one day down the road we will be knocking on the door asking you to disappear somebody."

OOC: I'm not sure what to type next, that's all.

Skye's avatar shifted slightly as if shaking its head. "One of the things our people have prospered from is developing formerly unhospitable worlds and making them fit for life. We are not comfortable being forced to accomodate the whims of others, particularly when it comes down to settling another world.

"As it happens, we have recently clinched a deal with others for several entire systems. We will have trouble even lightly populating these systems, so a new world would exacerbate the situation heavily.

"With respect to payment options, we found that for some reason many of those to whom we offer help feel that us simply giving assistance reeks of buying favors, so we have been under the practice of dividing what aid we offer into two sections, 'aid' and 'investment'. We will pay for whatever is necessary, but we will be requiring that a portion of the money be repaid, though we have no qualms as to timeline and no interest is charged. This is not to bind you into any kind of agreement but to keep you from thinking that one day down the road we will be knocking on the door asking you to disappear somebody."

"Hmm...I see," Whitfield replied, stroking his chin. "From our side of things, there are those who would see such 'investment' as little more than an indemnity; therefore, I was hoping to sidestep this little problem by finding ways to repay that did not involve loan schedules. However, your forebearance of interest will help ameliorate this problem...a lot."

Whitfield paused for a few seconds, thinking of where to go next. "I mentioned earlier that our prewar education budget alone was sixteen trillion credits per annum," he said. "Our other pressing need is to maintain what is left of our healthcare system, which before the war, was funded at six trillion credits per annum...the rest of the government can operate from the revenue from our recent arms sales at least until the Ministry of the Treasury is reconstituted and is able to raise tax monies again. The amount financed per annum would decline from one year to another, as increasing tax revenues gradually replace loan funds, but how quickly..." Whitfield paused again, as if trying to forsee the future... "...difficult for even a Jedi Master to forsee." Another pause. "Though if history is any guide, we will probably be self-sufficient again within twenty years. When our economy recovers to a semblance of our prewar status, we will be able to begin repayment. The precise amount to be repaid will need to be specified as the funds are dispersed, so that repayment schedules can be negotiated after the crisis is abated."

"And as for investment, let's just say that you will probably end up with a few new business references and lots of oppurtunities once the private sector recovers." A smile crossed the old politician's face.

OOC: New Dornalia, I'll post for you when I get a chance to return to the library; my session time is running a bit low. CoreWorlds, I would have thought that you would have had some reaction to the Ascendants, but meh...:D

"A voluminous sum indeed," Skye commented. "Luckily, our coffers in which we have been storing our surplus governmental monies has been needing some application. We should be able to accomodate for the first year for certain, but we will be lessening out support as you become more self-sufficient. The assistance presently being provided by us and the others should speed the process significantly, so I do not expect any strain to be generated by such a thing."

"Fiscal strain, perhaps not," Whitfield replied to Skye, mindful of proper budgetary procedures for receiving foreign monies and budgeting them (another headache that Daniel Masaki would get to deal with, in due time). "However, the year-to-year nature of the loan disbursement means that the legislature will have to approve the year's loan in every annual budget until we can support ourselves without borrowing money from abroad. If we knew how much we would need every year until our tax revenues became enough to sustain ourselves again, a schedule of disbursements could be ratified once, but unfortunately, we won't have much of an idea of our future tax revenues until the Ministry of the Treasury is reconstituted and we're able to conduct a postwar census, and those two things we will do with the arms sales proceeds." Whitfield nodded to Daniel before turning back to Baron Skye's avatar.

"However, we could agree to an expedited procedure to arrive at these numbers year-to-year and have the Parliament ratify them, rather than having a full-blown diplomatic conference every year," the elderly politician added. Even though the current Parliament consisted of walk-ins off the street, Whitfield still felt it important to include the body in his government, mindful that while a strong, unitary executive might be able to accomplish reconstruction a little faster, such centralized power carried with it substantial risk of leading down a path the Jedi did not wish to take. Moreover, he was still mindful of the legalities from the days when he served in the Parliament before becoming a Jedi...

"The good news is that we can sign and ratify a treaty where disbursements in future years are simply left blank, and determined at a later date," he added. "It would require a two-thirds vote to ratify the general process for determining the amount of disbursement every year, but the annual appropriation would only require a majority vote of the Parliament. We only need to agree on a process for determining these year-to-year loan disbursements..."

Mindful of Daniel's presence (and his near-absence at the same time, at least mentally), Whitfield slipped him a telepathic question, while still looking at Skye's avatar. Has your father gotten to this little part of being a politician yet, or do you use your diplomacy skills for more...exciting...things?

My father? He was a full-blown Emperor of the Coreworlds, but even he had to get Senate approval for budgets and such. I replied with a smile, reminiscing about the Good Old Days. This would be something he'd do, of course.

Whitfield smiled back at Daniel. Yes, I knew that, and I know full well that any head of state would have to deal with these sorts of things...that wasn't quite what I meant. How far has he gone in teaching you these forms of statecraft?

The elder politician paused for a moment...rarely did he miscommunicate like this. Perhaps the war had taken a lasting toll on him...

I frowned. Not much, actually. I was sixteen when Palpatine killed him. I pretty much learned statecraft on my own to this day, and I'm still learning. The High Council helps, but I'm still in a high executive position at a rather early age, so it's tough.

I frowned. Not much, actually. I was sixteen when Palpatine killed him. I pretty much learned statecraft on my own to this day, and I'm still learning. The High Council helps, but I'm still in a high executive position at a rather early age, so it's tough.

Hmmm...found someone you have, yes? Were it not for the fact that we both represent two separate governments, help you I could, but...conflicts there are...

However, after I transfer power to whomever is elected to succeed me, mentor you I could, should you wish for it...

OOC: Godular?

Skye's avatar shifted slightly again. "Simply tell us how much is required. How you arrive at the figure is your call."

Hmmm...found someone you have, yes? Were it not for the fact that we both represent two separate governments, help you I could, but...conflicts there are...

However, after I transfer power to whomever is elected to succeed me, mentor you I could, should you wish for it...

OOC: Godular?
I smiled mentally. Yes, Master Yoda, I would like that.

Skye's avatar shifted slightly again. "Simply tell us how much is required. How you arrive at the figure is your call."

"Very well," Whitfield replied, sensing that Skye did not share the same concern for procedure that had been imbued in him from his days as an MP. "I will do some number-crunching and bill-writing tonight, and have this up for vote by tomorrow evening." As it seemed that his services were needed absolutely everywhere, he added, "Barring unforeseen complications. Things have been a bit...hectic...around here as late."

I smiled mentally. Yes, Master Yoda, I would like that.

Master Whitfield smiled back at Daniel, at least unitil his mind, free of the distraction of diplomatic negotiations, noticed something wrong.

The two Admirals. They're mindlinked. Now that Whitfield had dealt with the immediate diplomatic needs, now was probably a relatively good time to deal with this...

He turned to Vice Admirals Riordan and Yazincski, telling them, "I apologize for my inability to get to you earlier...it appears that the Dark Lord left you with a permanent mindlink that you would rather not have. Let me find Master Tsunade for you. If I can find out exactly where in your brain it is, we might still be able to help you."

The two admirals simply nodded in unison.

The Master then searched the Force for Master Tsunade, knowing that addressing the problem would require consultation with her. It didn't take the Jedi Master very long to find her, either. Master Tsunade, would it be possible to have a little consultation with you regarding certain patients of yours? I sense that they had a bit of a complication...

OOC: Umm...CoreWorlds? (I'll probably be on the Internet Monday night)

Of course. I just finished the latest patient. Tsunade replied.

OK...why don't you visit us over here then? Whitfield used the Force to signal Tsunade as if he was a beacon, just in case Tsunade hadn't bothered to try to sense his location yet. I think I have an idea...

Tsunade washed her hands and made sure her assistants could keep up the work she's doing. Then she formed a seal with her right index fingers, and 'flickered' from the hospital to Whitfield's location. That is a technique known as Body Flicker, basically a teleport.

"Faster than walking or taking a car." Tsunade commented with a smile.

Meanwhile, I approached Skye's Avatar. "Baron, might I speak with you alone? I have a proposition that you might be interested in."

Skye's Avatar, still somewhat bemused with the situation in general, including the Cocytans who had recently arrived and seemed to be kicking the dirt in boredom, turned to Daniel's query and shifted slightly, giving the impression of a curt nod.

"You are welcome to make your voice known to us as always. We will always listen."

Here goes. "Some of my military brass have expressed interest in your Tachyon Torpedoes." They love them and they want them.

"i'm wondering if I could help them...acquire some of that technology." Preferably before Xmas.

Skye's voice shifted from placating to dead-serious instantaneously.

"We have only recently begun research on Singularity torpedos. Despite our exceptional grasp of dimensional and gravitonic technologies, Coredian singularity weapons are far superior to our own. An act of barter is proposed, Godulan Tachyon Torpedo technology for Coredian Singularity technology."

Skye's voice shifted from placating to dead-serious instantaneously.

"We have only recently begun research on Singularity torpedos. Despite our exceptional grasp of dimensional and gravitonic technologies, Coredian singularity weapons are far superior to our own. An act of barter is proposed, Godulan Tachyon Torpedo technology for Coredian Singularity technology."
I allowed myself a smile. "An equivalent exchange, as our alchemists are so fond of saying. We have a deal."

Whoa. That's a record. I thought.

"Indeed, an accord is reached."

Sorry for not posting earlier; I was on the internet a couple days ago but Jolt ate my post and I didn't have enough time left on the library computer session to retype it. Oh, and CW, you'll be interested to know that I've been doing some reading...and getting some ideas.:D

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Master Whitfield left Daniel to chat with the avatar of Baron Skye whilst he summoned Master Tsunade, figuring that they had gone off on their own little tangent, and also figuring that if Daniel was interested at all in what he was about to attempt, he would show that interest in due time. Nor was he surprised that Tsunade had used some form of teleportation to arrive so quickly; he knew full well it could be done through the Force, but he had never taken the time to study it himself.

The elderly Master had been left with a bit more telepathic experience than he would have preferred, most recently due to the series of proxy-Force wars he had had to fight during the civil war, using the minds of those enslaved to the Dark Side as a conduit to reach their Sith slave driver, and indeed, free them. Moreover, as a former politician (now coming out of retirement, it seemed), he had spent nearly as much time developing his telepathic abilities as he had his thermokinetic abilities. Which was why he was about to propose what would be, in all likelihood, one of the most detailed mindscans ever performed by a Jedi.

He gestured towards the two mindlinked admirals present, who had occupied themselves by getting themselves debriefed by one Lt. Colonel Allaire. "Vice Admirals Riordan and Yazincski, you wish to have your mindlink severed, correct?"

"Aff," they replied in perfect unison, using military jargon that was short for "affirmative."

"Yet if the mindlink is severed through the Force, it will have severe repurcussions, leaving permanent brain damage. But I have an idea. Most of your brain is now healthy; the mindlink only affects a tiny percentage of your neurons, almost as if it was a two-lane road linking two large cities. Albeit a fragmented road. This I can sense right now. However, were I to perform a neuron-by-neuron mindscan, I might be able to determine exactly where in your brains the affected neurons are, so they can be removed, as if they were a tumor. But such a scan would also reveal every memory you have ever had in your life that you retained past the Dark Lord, and as such, I must ask your consent for such a scan..."

Whitfield needed to go no further. So desperate were the two to dispose of the last vestiges of their mental slavery to the late Darth Ebolus that they cut the elderly Jedi Master right there, in perfect unison, with one simple word. "Aff."

Whitfield turned to Tsunade. "Do you believe this to be medically feasible?"

"You do realize how many neurons are there in the brain." Tsunade said. "It's feasable, but not a quick measure."

"I am well aware of that, but it is the only way to make sure that we identify every tainted cell for removal," Whitfield replied. "It will take at least an hour, and probably much longer, and I will have to set up a mindlink with you so that you may see the results directly. After all, I'm not properly trained for neurosurgery..."

At the last comment, Whitfield flashed Master Tsunade a grin. By now, this conversation had caught the attention of not only the two affected admirals, but also Keith, who had just briefed them on what had happened while they were comatose. He wondered if such procedures might be able to help him...

I whipped out a comlink and sent word to the Military Command on Jurai to order the Singularity torpedoe specs and a missile to be sent to Godular. The entire transfer shouldn't take more than a few hours, barring unforseen circumstances.

-----

"Very well. Shall we begin?" Tsunade asked.

I whipped out a comlink and sent word to the Military Command on Jurai to order the Singularity torpedoe specs and a missile to be sent to Godular. The entire transfer shouldn't take more than a few hours, barring unforseen circumstances.

-----

"Very well. Shall we begin?" Tsunade asked.

“Yes,” Whitfield replied. “We shall.” Tsunade suddenly found Whitfield’s thoughts drifting throughout her own mind, as if his thoughts were her own, a consequence of Whitfield’s use of the Force to open a mindlink with her. While Jedi seldom read each others thoughts in such manner, as such leaves their minds relatively vulnerable, in this case, it was borne out of necessity. Tsunade would need to read every last detail of what went through Whitfield’s brain if the upcoming scan was to help her treat the two admirals at all.

The elder Jedi then sat down and closed his eyes, preparing himself for the hours of intense concentration that were to come. He sent calming thoughts to Admirals Riordan and Yaczinski, as he also required their cooperation to conduct the scan with any efficiency. While they lacked Force-sensitivity and an ability to repel a Jedi Master’s mental probe, any resistance on their part would be just enough to degrade the information derived from the scan, which, in turn, would leave Tsunade to confuse one neuron for another, with several blank spots, and an incomplete idea of what, exactly, needed to be removed.

Such was the delicacy of the scan, and the precision required.

Whitfield took a deep breath, then held it for what seemed like forever, as he picked his first neuron in Admiral Riordan’s brain, and scanned it, wielding the normally blunt instrument of a Jedi mind probe with a precision that matched Tsunade. He used the Force to generate a kind of psionic ping on the neuron; it bounced across the closest synapses but did not register on Admiral Yaczinski’s mind at all.

The latter was what he sought, for it indicated a leftover remnant of the fell mindlink between the two, borne out of dark times.

He performed the same test on another neuron. Then another. And another. Soon he was testing hundreds, then thousands, of the cells per second. Before too long, he came across a dead cluster of the long, spindly cells, a mass of about three hundred or so neurons that died, the Jedi Master discerned, of the trauma from the initial mindrape. Another five minutes, and he found another such cluster of dead brain tissue…

About half an hour into the scan, and many millions of neurons later, the old Jedi found the first trace of what he was looking for. His tiny psionic signal shot from Admiral Riordan’s mind to Admiral Yaczinski’s, and the latter, not quite expecting this, jumped. “You say something, Admiral Riordan?”

“Neg.”

Master Whitfield interrupted his search. “Admiral Yaczinski, that indicates that I have found the first trace of the mindlink that I am looking for. Calm down, as such outbursts make the scan considerably more difficult. I am nowhere near finished, and it will likely take several more hours. The remnants of the link appear quite fragmented.”

“Yes, Master.” The admiral forced himself to calm down, and then the Jedi resumed his search…

OOC: Um, CoreWorlds? I've been on the internet twice since I've posted last, but to no avail...I'll try again Monday or Tuesday...could you please post?

Now it was Tsunade's turn. Seeing the neurons that connected the two Admirals together, she carefully 'snipped' the connection. One down, however many more to go...

After the little interruption was over, Whitfield continued the task set before him, sitting down on the floor as he sent more psionic signals to Admiral Riordan's brain, looking for anything that jumped across to Admiral Yaczinski's mind. One neuron, then another, then another...

Shadows grew long, and the great room that all were in grew darker as daylight faded away. He found a tiny fragment of the fell mindlink here and there, but such fragments were never more than about five hundred cells, and he did not find them more often than about once every forty-five minutes.

The other Woodian military officers sat and waited patiently, wondering if these kinds of tactics could help them. For his part, LTC Allaire watched with interest, barely moving at all, not wanting to distract the Jedi Masters at work..

(OOC: Where are Daniel and Sirzan? I'd think they would have either left out of extreme boredom by now, or they'd be watching with extreme interest.)

My guess would be conducting a liberal campaign of small talk. Likely explaining to each other the various precautions when using the weapons technologies they rather swiftly agreed to exchange.

OOC: And I think I was supposed to get a response too...

OOC: I'm back!:D

New Dornalia, sorry for not really posting that much. You can assume that the military officials (esp. Col. Allaire, who was in the thick of everything) were briefing you on the searches and the best places for the Dornalians to conduct their SAR operations from while Whitfield was dealing with CoreWorlds and the whole Godular/Planetmind dispute. Truth be told, your most recent IC post here seemed to me like it could stand alone for a little while, and while I was gone for the summer and only had an hour of internet at a time at a library, I simply didn't have time to reply adequately to a post like that. (I did try but got writer's block.) I apologize for not notifying you earlier of such obstruction.

The current mindscan requires Whitfield's full attention. CW, please post at earliest convienence. New Dornalia, Whitfield will answer your diplomat's questions after the mindscan is complete.

As for the longer-term plan for this thread, it has been disturbed somewhat by the revelation upon my return that Unified Sith beseiged Jurai. Events to date in this thread are assumed to occur roughly six months before such siege per previous contact with CoreWorlds regarding his unrelated Chuunin Exams thread. For a window into what I'm going to be doing six NS months from now, you can click here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=480441&page=29) (please scroll down a bit).

After the little interruption was over, Whitfield continued the task set before him, sitting down on the floor as he sent more psionic signals to Admiral Riordan's brain, looking for anything that jumped across to Admiral Yaczinski's mind. One neuron, then another, then another...

Shadows grew long, and the great room that all were in grew darker as daylight faded away. He found a tiny fragment of the fell mindlink here and there, but such fragments were never more than about five hundred cells, and he did not find them more often than about once every forty-five minutes.

The other Woodian military officers sat and waited patiently, wondering if these kinds of tactics could help them. For his part, LTC Allaire watched with interest, barely moving at all, not wanting to distract the Jedi Masters at work..

(OOC: Where are Daniel and Sirzan? I'd think they would have either left out of extreme boredom by now, or they'd be watching with extreme interest.)
As Whitfield found the links, so did Tsunade snip them apart. She vaguely understood that time was passing and the day is wearing on, but time has little meaning when one is deep in the Force cleansing out the detritus from a Dark Lord of the Sith.

As Whitfield found the links, so did Tsunade snip them apart. She vaguely understood that time was passing and the day is wearing on, but time has little meaning when one is deep in the Force cleansing out the detritus from a Dark Lord of the Sith.

As the sun set over the horizon, Whitfield continued his deep concentration. As Lt. Col. Allaire continued to occupy Carla, the New Dornalian representative here, with more and more detailed briefings to pass the time, the sun set and Keith found himself extracting a flashlight from somewhere in his uniform and shining it up at the ceiling, where the light could reflect off the walls and actually be enough to see the entire great room by. He also told her of his dreadful experience, hoping to impress upon her that Whitfield had a good reason for treating the two mindlinked military officials immediately, and hoping to encourage her patience.

Finally, around eight at night local time, Whitfield opened his eyes. A good sign, to say the least.

"Admirals Riordan and Yaczinski, how do you feel?"

The two did not look at each other uneasily; instead Admiral Riordan likened the experience to a computer shutting off and restarting several times to clear a malignant program from its cache, while Admiral Yaczinski simply let his facial expression do the talking until he finally said, "I feel better than I've felt anytime in the last two months to be perfectly honest."

The lack of a synchronized response was all the evidence Master Whitfield needed to confirm successful treatment. That over, he realized that as New Dornalia so far had committed itself to providing the manpower for a lot of the searches that still needed to be done in remote areas...as a result, their representative was still being briefed while he had started this whole operation. Now...it was three or four hours later. A slight problem.

The Prime Minister could now devote his full attention to the New Dornalian representative, however...

OOC: ND, the cue that you've long been waiting for...:D

OOC: ND, the cue that you've long been waiting for...:D

OOC: Crap. It's been so long, that i can't even remember what the heck we were going to discuss. What was she going to talk to you about?

/brain fart

OOC: Crap. It's been so long, that i can't even remember what the heck we were going to discuss. What was she going to talk to you about?

/brain fart

OOC: Reconstruction aid, presumably. Though your people have been so busy conducting searches to find and identify all of the dead (which is why my military officers were keeping you busy with briefings) that committing to said deployments formally would work too.

Since the Prime Minister could devote time to Carla, she said, "Ah yes...my business with you."

She then said, "We would like to formally commit aid to the Woodian nation. This would include everything from formalizing the present search effort, to replicators, food, hard currency, and technology that you may need."

"A pleasure to meet you," the Prime Minister replied. "With what the Coredians and Godulans have already committed to, I do believe that you listed what you are willing to do to help us in the exact priority that we need such help. It is funny how such things work out, isn't it? Now, we probably should discuss the extent of such commitments..."

Whitfield hoped Carla would start proffering numbers, because he hated to make specific requests for specific amounts of money and such...

"A pleasure to meet you," the Prime Minister replied. "With what the Coredians and Godulans have already committed to, I do believe that you listed what you are willing to do to help us in the exact priority that we need such help. It is funny how such things work out, isn't it? Now, we probably should discuss the extent of such commitments..."

Whitfield hoped Carla would start proffering numbers, because he hated to make specific requests for specific amounts of money and such...

Carla said then, "At least USD$50,000,000,000 in hard currency would be sent to you. We would also send 10,000,000 tons of industrial replicator equipment, computers, and medical equipment for use, along with plans and licenses to enable you to make more of these items--though assuredly, we will be able to make continuous shipments of goods. I do not have exact numbers for food, but we do have enough, assuredly, to provide basic sustenance for desperately needed areas."

Whitfield thought for a few seconds, somewhat taken aback. Fifty trillion. That's half of what the prewar GDP was. That's also enough to run the government for three or four years comfortably if waste is kept to a minimum and the money is saved, when factoring in all the other contributions...

We're going to have a severe underpopulation problem though. Not like my previous tenure as Prime Minister, where we had the opposite problem and were looking for a place to expand into. Maybe a small part of that could go to stipends for people who have children or immigrants.

"Fifty trillion? That alone will accelerate our recovery by years. We'll actually be able to pay our doctors for all of the work they are doing treating war survivors and identifying the dead, much less running the government for about three years before the reconstitution of the Ministry of the Treasury is figured in."

Another pause, while the Prime Minister weighed the implications of so much raw equipment, combined with the underpopulation problems. "Ten million tons of industrial and medical equipment...we'll need someone to operate that as we will be facing a severe underpopulation problem for at least the next decade, if not two. While immigration policies and such can be modified to encourage people to come, and the tax code modified to encourage people to have children, those are solutions which will take a long time to work. In the meantime, let's just say that any citizen of New Dornalia who cannot find a job will almost certainly find one here in short order. And I imagine most of the replicators would be producing other replicators as I foresee manufacturing becoming much more automated. The good news: The eight Immortal Star Destroyers that we have in orbit have four-hundred-fifty meter docking bays, that can handle a lot of cargo. We will at least be able to assist you in delivering all of those items. As for foodstuffs, CoreWorlds has already committed by treaty to keep our people from starving; you will probably want to coordinate food aid with them as much as with us so our people end up eating a more nutritious diet than simply five pounds of bread every day, if that is possible."

Whitfield thought for a few seconds, somewhat taken aback. Fifty trillion. That's half of what the prewar GDP was. That's also enough to run the government for three or four years comfortably if waste is kept to a minimum and the money is saved, when factoring in all the other contributions...

We're going to have a severe underpopulation problem though. Not like my previous tenure as Prime Minister, where we had the opposite problem and were looking for a place to expand into. Maybe a small part of that could go to stipends for people who have children or immigrants.

"Fifty trillion? That alone will accelerate our recovery by years. We'll actually be able to pay our doctors for all of the work they are doing treating war survivors and identifying the dead, much less running the government for about three years before the reconstitution of the Ministry of the Treasury is figured in."

Another pause, while the Prime Minister weighed the implications of so much raw equipment, combined with the underpopulation problems. "Ten million tons of industrial and medical equipment...we'll need someone to operate that as we will be facing a severe underpopulation problem for at least the next decade, if not two. While immigration policies and such can be modified to encourage people to come, and the tax code modified to encourage people to have children, those are solutions which will take a long time to work. In the meantime, let's just say that any citizen of New Dornalia who cannot find a job will almost certainly find one here in short order. And I imagine most of the replicators would be producing other replicators as I foresee manufacturing becoming much more automated. The good news: The eight Immortal Star Destroyers that we have in orbit have four-hundred-fifty meter docking bays, that can handle a lot of cargo. We will at least be able to assist you in delivering all of those items. As for foodstuffs, CoreWorlds has already committed by treaty to keep our people from starving; you will probably want to coordinate food aid with them as much as with us so our people end up eating a more nutritious diet than simply five pounds of bread every day, if that is possible."


Carla looked at the terms, and thought, "They'll work. We can create an expedited work visa program for guest workers who wish to come to your nation, besides, it may be a way to get some people at home to work. Plus, those who wish to stay can."

She then said, "As for the replicators making other replicators, that is fine; I think that will help get your economy up and running in the short term until your population bounces back."

She was surprised at the comment by Whitfield--did they just help them out a lot? If so, it would mean a public relations coup, and some assurance this was worth it.

OOC: My NS stats were roughly half of what they are now when I started the war (yes it took that long to RP;) ) and my population obviously didn't double during the war. So 50 trillion is a lot more to my nation than what it would look like it would be if you looked me up on thirdgeek or nstracker.

Also, given the looong time that this thread lay dormant in the summer, causing you to ask for a little reminder when it resumed, it's probably a good idea to reread the OP for a refresher on the current "structure" of the 42nd Parliament.

----------------------------------------

Carla's surprise at Whitfield's earlier comments radiated from her through the Force as a light bulb radiates light. As he was not only a politician but also a Jedi Master, he was quite attuned to such things. And for Prime Minister Whitfield, it was about a whole hell of a lot more than PR. (And he, having been a career politician before joining the ranks of the Jedi, knew all about PR.)

"I do hope that you were able to see the assembly of the Forty-Second Parliament on the Holonet before coming here, the caucusing for the new Parliament, for lack of any other election method, taking place whilst the members of the preceding Parliament lie in state in the rotunda, their bodies found and exhumed not long before..."

Whitfield paused for a moment. "Ultimately, this will, of course, have to be ratified by the Parliament, but it is not a Parliament that you are accustomed to dealing with. It is a Parliament made up of factory workers, of widows and widower, of schoolteachers and scientists. If you are looking for a public relations coup, I am sure that all you need to do is rebroadcast the news feed of some random person with a camcorder, who is in turn feeding it to the White Diamond media, live to your citizens. But it is so much more than that."

"They will, however, need a document to vote on. Legislatures, no matter who comprises them, tend to be funny that way. It need not be overly complicated, and in fact, given the circumstances I would actively discourage excessive legalese, but we probably should start writing all of this down somewhere..."

OOC: My NS stats were roughly half of what they are now when I started the war (yes it took that long to RP;) ) and my population obviously didn't double during the war. So 50 trillion is a lot more to my nation than what it would look like it would be if you looked me up on thirdgeek or nstracker.

Also, given the looong time that this thread lay dormant in the summer, causing you to ask for a little reminder when it resumed, it's probably a good idea to reread the OP for a refresher on the current "structure" of the 42nd Parliament.


OOC: Technically, the number is 50 billion USD. Still no small change, but less than estimated. Unless you'd be willing to accept installment payments.

OOC: Technically, the number is 50 billion USD. Still no small change, but less than estimated. Unless you'd be willing to accept installment payments.

OOC: The exchange rate was also a bit more favorable for this kind of transaction then...and besides my RPed economy is in the crapper right now and my strong currency is gonna collapse the moment the stock market opens again.

It doesn't make much sense to RP a currency that strong in face of the disaster that just happened. Indeed, your commitment would have some stabilizing effect, preventing it from falling to the point where 50 credits=1 USD

Given the circumstances, RP takes precedent over what thirdgeek says.

So from an RP perspective, getting the money in USD is actually favorable.:D

OOC: The exchange rate was also a bit more favorable for this kind of transaction then...and besides my RPed economy is in the crapper right now and my strong currency is gonna collapse the moment the stock market opens again.

It doesn't make much sense to RP a currency that strong in face of the disaster that just happened. Indeed, your commitment would have some stabilizing effect, preventing it from falling to the point where 50 credits=1 USD

Given the circumstances, RP takes precedent over what thirdgeek says.

So from an RP perspective, getting the money in USD is actually favorable.:D

OOC: Not only that, but it is hard currency, like Gold, Silver, Gold-pressed latinum, Platinum, whatever the Star Wars equivalent is. So it makes things stable really fast.

OOC: Not only that, but it is hard currency, like Gold, Silver, Gold-pressed latinum, Platinum, whatever the Star Wars equivalent is. So it makes things stable really fast.

OOC: Agreed, now could we please get an IC response?

Carla's surprise at Whitfield's earlier comments radiated from her through the Force as a light bulb radiates light. As he was not only a politician but also a Jedi Master, he was quite attuned to such things. And for Prime Minister Whitfield, it was about a whole hell of a lot more than PR. (And he, having been a career politician before joining the ranks of the Jedi, knew all about PR.)

"I do hope that you were able to see the assembly of the Forty-Second Parliament on the Holonet before coming here, the caucusing for the new Parliament, for lack of any other election method, taking place whilst the members of the preceding Parliament lie in state in the rotunda, their bodies found and exhumed not long before..."

Whitfield paused for a moment. "Ultimately, this will, of course, have to be ratified by the Parliament, but it is not a Parliament that you are accustomed to dealing with. It is a Parliament made up of factory workers, of widows and widower, of schooteachers and scientists. If you are looking for a public relations coup, I am sure that all you need to do is rebroadcast the news feed of some random person with a camcorder, who is in turn feeding it to the White Diamond media, live to your citizens. But it is so much more than that."

"They will, however, need a document to vote on. Legislatures, no matter who comprises them, tend to be funny that way. It need not be overly complicated, and in fact, given the circumstances I would actively discourage excessive legalese, but we probably should start writing all of this down somewhere..."

Carla nodded, and said, "I am in agreement as well, let's get this into writing before it is too late."

She then said, "As for your Parliament, it seems indeed to be a People's Parliament. I look forward to witnessing how it develops."

Finally, she then thought, so Whitfield could get it, "And I'm not just here for PR, there is some altruism involved, you know. The PR is a big and much appreciated bonus. Still..."

Carla nodded, and said, "I am in agreement as well, let's get this into writing before it is too late."

She then said, "As for your Parliament, it seems indeed to be a People's Parliament. I look forward to witnessing how it develops."

Finally, she then thought, so Whitfield could get it, "And I'm not just here for PR, there is some altruism involved, you know. The PR is a big and much appreciated bonus. Still..."

Master Whitfield 'borrowed' a datapad from one of the military commanders present and started entering an outline of what Carla had committed to. Even as he started, he told Carla, "You know, when I was the Prime Minister thirty years ago, the government swirled in controversy as to whether or not to reach beyond Terra. So I am no stranger to the importance of PR, and I sense that the administration that you work under could probably use the boost. That said, I must confess that I have never seen aid on this scale at all, but rest assured we know how to put it to good use..."

[OOC: I just want to get to the Parliament so I can advance this RP a bit, especially in light of what's going on in CW's Exams RP six months later.]

Master Whitfield 'borrowed' a datapad from one of the military commanders present and started entering an outline of what Carla had committed to. Even as he started, he told Carla, "You know, when I was the Prime Minister thirty years ago, the government swirled in controversy as to whether or not to reach beyond Terra. So I am no stranger to the importance of PR, and I sense that the administration that you work under could probably use the boost. That said, I must confess that I have never seen aid on this scale at all, but rest assured we know how to put it to good use..."

[OOC: I just want to get to the Parliament so I can advance this RP a bit, especially in light of what's going on in CW's Exams RP six months later.]

Carla nodded and said smiling, leaning on a nearby wall with her hand, "No worries. I trust you to get that aid to where it needs to go. Once I see the document, I can send it to my superiors and Congress for approval."