Coruscant- Old Alliances (All Jedi)

((Are you guys busy or have you forgotten about me ))

((Waiting on others to reply.))

”I think history will show that the annihilation of the jedI is nothing to be worried about.”

A voice quickly called out, responding almost immediately to Jacen as an older man entered the room.

”I don’t believe we have met.”

Dakar added as he strode quickly across the room, closing the distance with surprising speed. A grey, business like suit clothed him, with a high collar with a dark blue trim.

”My name is Dakar Constantine. I am the CEO of the Arc Corporation.”

"I couldn't agree more, but probably for different reasons." Jacen said in response to the 'business man' that had identified himself as Dakar. At last he was getting somewhere though, the three Jedi that had initially entered had no help at all but now this new arrival who he actually knew the name of. Though he didn't recall ever meeting him directly. "Do you really think attacking the Sith directly would be a wise idea Jedi? They will always rise from the shadows, normally more powerful than last time. My plan is merely to prevent them from having influence over the Galaxy..."

OOC: I’m going to go ahead and keep posting. Thaed and Clint haven’t posted in a while, and it takes so long for the order to come full circle especially with the different time zones.

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“Oh, I think our reasons might not be that far apart. But as it goes for the jedi, so does it the sith.”

Dakar quickly responded, his tone confident and commanding as he took a seat directly across from Jacen.

“You must understand that the core of the Jedi’s principle’s are in the best interests of the people. Whether they follow these is another story. But I tell you this… the jedi are here for the good of the galaxy. Now please bare with me, as I would expect you to disagree.”

Dakar paused, gathering his words.

“I am not a jedi. I am not a philosopher. I do not feel the force surging through my veins… I am a business man from Corellia. But I believe the jedi have done great things for this galaxy. However, do not look to them for acknowledgment. They have been burned at the stake far to many times. They know the sting of betrayal and deceit. So understand now… they will not accept you as master and commander as you stand... And neither will I. It is not enough that you liberate Coruscant, or even drive all evil from the galaxy. You must sacrifice that which you hold dear.”

He paused again, letting his words sink in for a moment. There was no reason that Jacen would not make a strong candidate for a figure head position. But it seemed as though Jacen was looking for something more then a figure head. Something closer to an absolute monarch then a republic or democracy.

“I suggest, that we establish Jacen as a leader of this galaxy. But only after his empire has effectively disbanded and destroyed a vast portion of its forces, along with its facilities. It would also relinquish absolute control of a large portion of its territory's. Once that has been completed, a government could be established. However, I will not accept this government if it places sole control within Jacen’s hands. We would establish a federal government, that would form a coalition between planets, but leave greater power to the planetary governments. The fderal government’s strength would be marginal at best. Its presence would be more economic and defense related.”

His words were spoken more as a suggestion to the entire room then to simply Jacen.

“And finally… the jedi must remain separate from this government. They will not become politicians, or soldiers. They will not be bound by our command. They would be advisors, who would in there self be given a planet by which they could govern themselves, and protect the galaxy. And if by some miracle we agree… Then I will acknowledge you, as our leader in these dark times.”

His last sentence quickly lost his all encompassing tone, as his eyes quickly focused in on Jacen. Most he felt would agree with his proposal... except for Jacen. And so would begin negations.

"You're asking me to somehow remove vast numbers of troops that were born simply to fight in wars, they don't know how to do anything else... Then you want me to remove production facilities, effectively putting millions, billions even, of people out of their jobs... At last, but certainly not least important, you're asking me to weaken the only military force that can truly prevent the Sith's armies from controlling this Galaxy." Jacen stated, there was absolutely no way he'd weaken the Wayland Empire on purpose- and not because it was his Empire but simply because he wasn't stupid. "Everything that doesn't involve weakening the Wayland Empire I can easily agree to. I don't desire to rule the Galaxy or even this Empire, I have simply been doing what the rest of you have proven to be incapable of."

"Do what you want. I'm not here to dictate the Jedi, but I'd prefer it if you left the Sith alone until some form of stability can be brought to the Galaxy." Jacen stated.

(Sorry for the absence, been busy lately)

He hesitantly followed the conversation, listening to what each member of the meeting had to say. Jacen seemed to be coming to his senses, or at least appeared to be. The other Jedi whom had entered recently talked about immediate attack on the Sith. The sound of that appealed to him, being the idea he had in his head from the start of this whole thing. But talk was doing little at this point and he'd throw his cards out on the table if only to further the conversation about the Jedi advance.

He cleared his throat, a raspy grunt would announce to his peers he was about to speak and hopefully grab their attention.

"The Sith are growing, not only in numbers but in power. The same cannot be said for the Jedi at this point, and I'd like to think that this man has it right. A full frontal attack on the Sith would halt progress for our counterparts in all aspects of advancement. However, this attack would require cooperation and coordination, something the Jedi have lacked in recent years. This would only be carried out with some type of lead, which means the council would have to be restored."

Dakar opened his mouth to speak, before both Mark and Roy spoke up. He grumbled silently under his breath, but let it go. They didn’t know he was about to speak, but there suggestions were bothering him. As there words faded, he quickly jumped in to return to what he and Redack had began to discuss.

”Aside from perhaps these two, I would expect the jedI to agree with me on one key issue. We will not invest complete authority over our military, and our lives in a single being. We would simply be trading one ruler for another. And if you truly wish to help the galaxy, then you must sacrifice your power, but your not trying to help the galaxy are you…”

Dakar paused

[b]”What is it that you want?”

"Its a shame really... That the Galaxy never understood me when I was Redack, and that the Galaxy still doesn't understand me now that I've cast aside that shadow." Jacen said in what could have been described as a disappointed tone. Though at least this Dakar wasn't stupid, Jacen had become so accustomed to having idiots around him that it felt enlightening to have someone like Dakar here. "What does any being want? Power... Even you want it... The difference is, I don't see controlling the Galaxy as a source of power... Not any more anyway."

Dakar leaned back in his chair, listening intently as he relaxed back within his chair. Jacen was truly a master of words, and Dakar knew it. A weathered businessman who had seen it all was not forcing himself to watch his words, and dissect, Jacen's.

”Then why do you want the Wayland Empire to act as the governing body of the galaxy? And where do you seek to gain this power?”

Dakar questioned inquisitively. Obviously Dakar and Jacen would need to get to know each other a little better before any progress was made.

"Because, putting it in its simplest form, there is no other Government to govern this Galaxy. The Sith destroyed the Republic when they took over... Of course as I've said, I'm willing to allow a sort of 'council' to exist under me until the Galaxy is stable... Then I'm willing to let politicians control the Galaxy." Jacen stated. It was the entire truth, but quite often if he said something then it was the truth. The problem most people had wasn't they saw only lies and truths, they couldn't understand that some truths were entirely true with just a few facts missing. A fact Jacen liked to manipulate- both when he was Redack and even now after his 'redemption'. He suddenly realised though that he'd been ignoring the Jedi in favour of talking to this man. And he needed to avoid answering a certain question. "This is why I want the Jedi. If you can't help me fight the Sith then I would at least like you to ensure I don't cross the line between acceptable actions and evil. You could act as the Jedi once did to the Republic... Mere advisers..."

"I am not an adviser, nor am I a politician. I am a protector of the inhabitants of this galaxy, far and wide. You may question some of the decisions made by our council in light of past events, and I am willing to accept that critique as even I have questioned the decisions of our Order in the past. I don't believe that we rejected your proposition, nor have we accepted it to this point. I can assure you, however, of two things. First, I sure as hell am not standing idly by while our Order and the beings we are responsible for continue to be slaughtered mindlessly. Secondly, the Order does not act on the will of someone such as yourself. An alliance is not out of the question, but it is something that should be considered and discussed amongst the members left to serve the Jedi."

He paused for a brief second to contemplate what exactly an alliance with this man would entail, and what it would mean for his fellow Jedi.

"That is why I come before this board here and now and present a proposal. We stand and fight the Sith from this very day on so that before this war is over the innocents of this Galaxy all know that it is safe for them to walk their planet without fear of the Sith or the evil they spread."

"If we are to make this decision, however, we must reform the council. Not by vote over time, but here and now, while the majority of our kind are here to hear it. Whether permanent or not, we need some type of structured leadership in place if we are to coordinate and deal with this war."

(Sorry for throwing all this out there, but this has dragged on for waaay too long."

Dakar raised a brow as Redack replied with a simple, and juvenile response to why the Wayland Empire should take control, that was the truth yes… but not the whole truth. And of course, his complete circumvention of why he wanted power. But what was even more intriguing to him was the fact that this rather young jedi seemed to miss it completely. That these jedi around him seemed content to turn a blind eye to fix this immediate crisis. It seemed as though it played almost directly into Jacen’s own personal agenda… one that Dakar was becoming more and more worried of.

”Excuse me young jedi…”

Dakar quickly spouted, a hint of shock and disappointment in his tone.

”You would put the responsibility of the entire galaxy in the hand of the few individuals in this room?”

Dakar struggled as he tried to refrain from insulting the jedi. Bad relations was not something the jedI needed. But Dakar could sense a feeling of tension that could quickly grow if left unchecked.

”I warn all of you. Do not invest unchecked authority to this man. You know not what danger you place the galaxy in.”

His voice now was concerned, almost begging the jedi to listen before slowly turning back to Jacen.

”…What will you do with power once you obtain it Jacen?”

Now focused and as direct as possible. He even raised his voice slightly, as to make sure all would hear, and wait for Jacen’s response.

Dakar let out a long, disappointed sigh as Mark gave his comforting response. To Dakar though, it felt like needles pressing against his skin. It was a apparent that his view was not going to be accepted. He could not represent the jedi, while Mark and Roy were obliged to act as such.

”Well then… I’ve voiced my opinion.” Dakar rose from his seat, fixing his collar as he tried to keep the sorrow of defeat from showing. “If you will excuse me. I must prepare”

Dakar gave a humble bow to both Roy and Mark, and nod of acknowledgment to Jacen before turning for the door. He walked briskly to the door, stopping briefly to cast a thoughtful stare back at the two jedi, before disappearing behind the door. From there his pace would be quick, leading him to his private craft. He was heading to Corellia. His hopes now hung in Corric, and Terand.

She watched as the man had left, and she remained silent for the most part throughout this meeting. Not feeling it necessary to merely repeat someone else's point. Instead she gathered what information she could on the people's intentions and such. She didn't trust the man who called this meeting nor did she agree with the two Jedi who appeared to be representing the Jedi the most here. They were looking for a battle a bit too much in her opinion. She also didn't agree with the Jedi basically working for this Wayland Empire. Since they'd likely be used just as a military force and would forget the oath they had originally taken. To act as Guardians of the people, not the military of the Wayland Empire.

However she knew she had heard enough in this meeting to make her decision. If the Jedi went ahead with the attack on the Sith she would have no part in it. If they allied with the Wayland she would cut her ties to them completely. She couldn't call herself something she didn't agree with. Standing she then spoke:

"I think I've heard enough. I can't support the Jedi taking the attack to the Sith, nor can I support an alliance with this man. So I bid my farewell."

Bowing her head lightly she turned and made her way out, taking the Jedi Katana she previously had resting beside her chair along with her. She would search Terand out and tell him of the events that occurred in the meeting. Perhaps he would have a suggestion on where to go from there.

He watched quizzically as the two previous occupants left the room. Their points were heard loud and clear. He knew not to trust the Wayland Empire, but he also knew that standing idly by while the fate of millions hung in the balance was unacceptable. As the door shut he motioned back to Mark. It seemed that the three remaining in the room would be deciding on the fate of the proposition at this point.

In a flat, monotone voice he announced to Mark, "I stand by my previous statement. We have stood by far too long watching from the sidelines. I cannot possibly exterminate the Sith and the evil plagues they spread across the galaxy, but that won't stop me from trying. So figure out your next course of action so I know just how big a task I have at hand."

Jacen sighed. It seemed the Jedi were just as stupid as he'd initially thought. Which made him wonder, why bother? Why bother trying to save the Galaxy when the Galaxy will never accept you? Of course, if he didn't bother then he knew what might happen. The Galaxy would surely fall to the Sith while the Jedi sit by and watch eating their popcorn as if this were some kind of film to enjoy. Though that Dakar man had proved interesting, perhaps worth of further investigation... And maybe something could be salvaged from this meeting if the remaining Jedi could just agree on something.

"Did any of them actually listen to me I wonder?" Jacen asked. He referred to how everyone that had left had apparently not been listening to him when he'd said he didn't care if he had full control and that he'd changed his mind about using the Jedi to attack the Sith... "My offer still stands. If the Jedi are willing to become advisers then I am willing to help you in any way I can..."