(We are not amused! 😛 )
"Commissar Esgabath," the Duchess says, though without much warmth, "one might say that I have too much free time. The whole Galaxy is watching Lanzar, and I wanted a front row seat. And so, here I am."
She deigns to allow the Commissar to kiss her hand, but only briefly. He is not unhandsome, but Sasha feels that they have met under less-than-perfect circumstances.
"On what business for the Empire do you return to us?"
"Well, my fair Duchess, as you surely know Emperor ordered me to help in sorting this mess on Lanzar. We have only began to uncover the truth about Drakkon and Osokans. Those people are trully vicious barbarians who cannot understand their place in lawful and ordered galaxy."- Commisar continues to be gallant, though seems a bit sad that Duchess doesn`t share his attitude.
"Which brings me back to my point, Duchess. I am worried about your safety among those savages, and as a person of noble blood myself, I feel responsible for assuring it. I am afraid that this is not some kind of "play" you can safely watch or game you may play with your friends on Naboo. This is currently a very dangerous place for young Lady to be, and I hope that you are going to leave soon with Senatorial Mission. If not, return with me to the Fleet as my honored quest, and I shall personally quarantee your safe return to your home and family. This way you can study the situation from diffrent point of view. It is sad, but I fear that you may be misjudging my intentions." -Commisar gives a very graceful bow.
The Duchess raises an eyebrow while removing a small fan from her robes and fanning herself in the hot Lanzar climate.
"The Osokans are not vicious barbarians; the Senate has started them down the path of democracy and intelligence, which the Guildmaster hopes will succeed with all the blessings of the Emperor.
"There's not really anything to uncover, I feel. The Guildmaster knew nothing of the egg-smuggling; his reaction was of utter surprise when you announced your blockade of the planet.
"And I feel that I shall be leaving soon, yes. I am not worried for my safety, but things seem to be less interesting here.
"But tell me, you are of noble birth? I would not have guessed. Your uniform hides it well."
Esgabath seems to be quite amused for a moment, especially when Duchess starts to fan herself. But then his expression becomes more sincere, even a bit worried.
"I mean no disrespect Duchess, but you are an innocent and gentle person, and you may be blind to the wickedness and deceitfullness that some people are capable of. Drakkon is a ruthless dictator who seems to have quite a firm grasp on the events on Lanzar... I find it unlikely that he wouldn`t be aware of such complex and dangerous dealings... certainly the Guilds had to be part of it. We must make sure that Lanzar will never again threaten the peace in galaxy, and I am afraid that Andran didn`t push Drakkon enough.
And concerning my origins.... Esgabath family has ancient traditions, and I haven`t completely abandomed it." -Esgabath pulls a pendant with family sigil from inside his collar, and points to his elegant beard, which is in traditional style from Tasker`s Crown.
"My father has , just like a long line of his ancestors before, beared the title of Castellan of Erengard, Charnellian world subject to Antonon. But I was banished by my family, which is actually quite a sad story. My elder brother ruined my life with false accusations, all because I loved the woman he wanted to marry. But I found new purpose for my life in serving the New Order, helping to fullfill Emperor`s vision of safe and peaceful Galaxy."
The Duchess chuckles a little.
"What, do you think I am so rich that I cannot see a person's character? I'm not uneducated, you konw. In any case, I am quite satisfied by what I saw in the Senatorial mission. Drakkon may have been a dictator, but Matadan was no better, it seems. Maybe worse. Drakkon is at least willing to push for a democratic government on Lanzar. I am confident he will be reelected, without any rigging, as was the situation with Matadan..."
She pauses and observes Esgabath's pendant.
"Ah, Tasker's Crown! Naboo does not quite have kind relations with Charnel or Erengard or Antonon, but then again, we're quite a different people all together. Tasker's Crown is all bravery and military might; Naboo is noble and peaceful. Still, Queen Kylantha keeps relations open."
"Certainly I do not doubt your intelligence, Duchess.....I just pointed that you may a bit optimistic about the situation, since your peaceful and civilized people are so diffrent from Osokans." -Commisar seems worried by the thought of insulting Sasha.
"Please, let me apologize if I insulted your honor, Duchess. I am sure you can take a good care of yourself. I have forgotten that you have much more modern views on Naboo than my people. Among the Boyar woman tend to keep away from the matters of warfare and politics, and they are supposed to look for their father or husband for protection.... but I have rejected some of the ways of my ancestors, they held too much to the past.
So I understand that Senate Misssion leaves quite soon, and both you and Senator Galahad, who perhaps is your friend, shall leave with them?"
"The only insulting thing is the blockade, Herr Commissar," the Duchess says, with a slight grin.
"And it sounds like the nobility have cast you out on Erengard. I seem to remember hearing that the Boyar casting out a terrorist from their nobility on Charnel, before the Clone Wars. That was before my time, of course."
She pauses to drink a bit of cooled water from a small silver flask.
"I have met Senator Klinge-Faust, yes. I do not know his schedule, but I do not know my own. I do want to see some of the results of the Senatorial mission on this world, if I can. I may remain a day or so after the Senators have left."
She places the flask to her lips again and takes another drink.
"And what of yourself? I suppose you'll stay here another month. Overseeing the practice maneuvers at all? I hear the Senators were very displeased with that."
"Well, I can only assure you that those accusations are false... sadly I was denied the right to properly defend myself." -Commisar grins slightly as well.
"But it is sad that you believe this blockade to be an insult. It was certainly a lawful act, and you surely wouldn`t like those eggs to be smuggled across the galaxy." -Commisar raises an eyebrow, and his attitude seems to change a bit, there may now be a small and subtle element of contempt in it, though his behaviour is still largely courteusous.
"It seems that there is quite a long investigation ahead of us, and i fear further evidence may be even more inscriminating against Drakkon. And those training exercises are lawful as well, Lanzar is an Imperial World after all and should be happy to host our mighty forces. Just as I am sure that Naboo would be.
But I would strongly advocate against staying more on this planet. There are Rebel Terrorists present, who are suspected of sabotaging our troops among other things..... can you believe that they have provoked a Sauropod to attack our camp..... But you haven`t seen a Sauropod, have you Duchess? Believe me, those things are huge." -Commisar looks for a surprised reaction from Sasha. He closes a little(but not enough to be rude) , and his voice gradually becomes more silent.
"I am sure you would be terrified to be around such terrorists as you are law-abiding Imperial Citizen and have nothing but contempt for this criminal, terrorist scum. Those are trully DANGEROUS people and it would be terrible if ANYTHING happened to you. I would certainly never be able to forgive myself that I allowed it to happen."
OOC: Commisar is not that old, he looks to be around 30 years old, perhaps slightly more. So his exile likely happened some time after Clone Wars.
"I wasn't speaking of you, Commissar. I believe the man's name was Kuylen...I could be wrong."
She sips from her flask again, still fanning herself lightly.
"Oh, of course it's all lawful and I wouldn't protest, but you know...I am from Naboo. We don't like blockades." She smiles slightly at her joke. "And while Naboo is a proud Imperial world, I do not think Queen Kylantha would support military manuevers on our world. The people would be outraged; the scars left by the Trade Federation and the Clone Wars are still fresh in the minds of many. Further marring of the countryside would be dire."
When the Commissar begins to speak of Rebels, the Duchess is genuinely surprised. "The Rebellion is here? Oh, that is indeed dreadful news. I am terribly sorry about your soldiers, though I am not familiar with what a Sauropod is...it sounds just horrid!"
She pauses.
"Though, it must be said...I am not afraid of the Rebellion. They would not dare to harm me. My Captain is more than capable of protecting me from any threat, and Senator Klinge-Faust has lent me the use of his personal bodyguard as well. And, between you and me, I'm not a bad shot myself." She chuckles slightly, then seems thoughful, then somewhat excited.
"You know, maybe I could help you uncover these Rebels!"
"Good...., I am glad that I can use your help..... have you seen anyone suspicious around Andran or Drakkon?". -Commisar seems to be thinking about something...
"Or actually, if you could do something for me..... please find Senator Ardonel and tell her that I would like for her to go with it. She will understand what you mean. It would help my mission. Senator Ardonel was finding evidence about those Rebels for me for some time. I am sure they wouldn`t suspect her, she puts anti-Imperial facade".
"Of course, though I will be mostly talking with Senators, and I am afraid that some of it may require a bit of privacy. I have spoken to them all before anyway.
What do you think of the current state of our Empire, Duchess?" -Commisar extends his hand to Sasha as they advance through the stairs, still acting with a bit of gallantry.
"I'm sure it will still be very exciting!" Sasha says, putting her arm through his and walking beside him. "And the state of the Empire...well, there's a lot of cracks, but they can be fixed. Some will take the might of the military, some will need to be smoothed with words. I prefer words to swords."
"Ah, but notice they have only been troubling the Galaxy since the Republic and the Empire took interest in their planet. The raptor eggs are the only situation that I can recall that their planet has been the subject of Galaxy-threatening issues. All other issues...well, they only pertain to Lanzar itself."
"Of course, but...." -Commisar interrupts as he sees his Aide aproaching. He speaks few words with her quietly.
"Excuse me Duchess, but i have busy schedule, and there are some private meetings ahead. Could you please speak with my Aide, Lieutenant Sareitha here about your issues? I am sure you will be delighted to know each other."
OOC: My Aide looks almost exactly like number Six from new Battlestar.