STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Learner

"What will we be doing once we land?" Rianna asks Myraline.

"I expect we will be greeted," Myraline says, pulling a thicker cloak around her shoulders for the cold. "The Senate notified the Beseedran Ruling Council of our impending arrival. It would be negative to not greet foreign emissaries."

Indeed, when Quinn lowers the ramp and Palpatine steps out with the two of you behind him, you see that you are being welcomed by a thin man, dressed appropriately for snowy weather.

"Welcome to Beseedra, Senator Palpatine," the man says. "I am a representative of the Council. I have been asked to escort you to their chambers."

"Splendid," Palpatine says, pleasantly. "Good to see that we are welcome."

"Of course, Senator." The representative eyes you, Rianna. "I see you have brought, erm... guests, Senator?"

Rianna will simply stare back at him while pulling the hood of her cloak up against the cold. She'll leave the speaking to Myraline as much as possible.

"I am Myraline Kiros, Jedi Knight," Myraline says. "Is our presence unexpected?"

"Not unexpected, Master Jedi, unwanted," Palpatine says. "I suspect the Council is displeased with the Jedi taking interest in their affairs."

The representative grimaces. "W-we should go into the city. For the sake of our health."

"Of course!" Palpatine says. "Lead the way, my boy." He smiles as the nervous representative quickly guides you into one of the nearby covered streets.

The streets are sparsely used for traffic, but many people walk along them. Thermal vents lining the streets allow heat to escape from below, but the synthetic materials stretched over the road like a massive tent seem to catch the heat and make it comfortable to walk along without wearing thick clothing. Many still do, of course...

...especially as you notice a gaping hole in the tent above you, Rianna.

"Why is there such a large hole in the coverings? Wouldn't that warrant quick repairs, on such a cold planet like this?" Rianna asks, looking up before glancing around the rest of her surroundings.

The representative shakes his head, sadly.

"The Council will want to discuss that with you..."

Eventually you arrive at what appears to be an elevator that lowers down into the street, just before a small, disc-like building labeled 'Council Chambers.'

"We aren't going into the Chambers?" Myraline asks, as the rep gestures to the elevator.

"That building is empty," the rep explains. "It is more a marker than anything!"

"The actual Chambers are underground?" Rianna asks.

"Much of the city is underground," the representative explains. "Geothermal energy beneath the surface has been harnessed to give us warmth and power. That is what these vents are giving out. Volcanic heat!"

Rianna will simply shrug and head towards the elevator, then.

Does she sense anything that seems strange or off, btw?

No, not particularly. The representative seems nervous, but it seems to be his character more than something bothering him.

Onwards to the Chambers, then, I suppose? Unless Myraline or Palpatine have any sort of objections or anything, of course...

The four of you pile into the lift (Quinn having stayed with the ship) and it descends rapidly into the crust of Beseedra...

...which is quite disappointing. You were expecting something cool like cut-away sections of rock to detail the different layers of Beseedra's ice-laced, black-stone crust! Instead you get a metal tube with holographic displays requiring the representative to enter his passcodes and register his guests. Yawn.

When the lift finally arrives- after a brief pause when the rep accidentally entered the wrong code- it deposits you within the gates of the House of the Beseedran Councillors. Beyond the gates you can see a twinkling metropolis within an immense cavern. Think of Zion, but make the caverns completely smooth from advanced drilling procedures and update the technology to Star Wars level (and make it all curvy and smooth in design).

"This way, please," the representative says, gesturing to the Council building.

As boring as the ride down on the elevator was, Rianna is certainly impressed by the underground city.

She will follow the others to the Council building, while looking around her - it's a safe bet she's never seen anything like this before.

Indeed, you have not. The majority of Myraline's diplomatic missions have been in the deeper Galaxy, whereas Beseedra is out on the fringes of Republic space.

The reception area for the House is simplistic, a smooth tile floor composed of black stone, a reception desk beside an enormous circular metal door, and doors to the side of the tall room that must lead off to other offices.

"Guests to see to the Council," the representative tells the droid behind the reception desk.

The droid- humanoid in shape, decidely female, with a 50's hairstyle made of tin- looks you three over. "Weapons, please."

"What?" Rianna asks, looking over at Myraline. She very much does not want to give over her lightsaber.

"Weapons, please," the robot repeats.

Palpatine fishes a silvery blaster out of his robes and hands it to the representative, who hands it to the droid. The droid opens her chest cavity and stores the blaster in it.

Myraline hands over her lightsaber and does the same. "Rianna, your lightsaber," Myraline says, firmly.

Rianna silently unclips her lightsaber and hands it over, clearly displeased about having to do so. She greatly dislikes not having it with her...

Satisfied, the droid locks its chest cavity and presses a button on the desk. The thick door rolls to the side, revealing the Council Chambers beyond.

"Proceed," the droid says. "Thank you."

Rianna will enter the Chambers along with the others, still staying silent. She feels that making Jedi hand over their lightsabers along with other weapons is almost an insult.

The Council Chambers are in a circular room, with the members of the leadership behind tall podiums. You are getting the vibe that gunmetal gray is a popular color on Beseedra, as the walls and podiums are all primarily that one shade.

Behind each podium, looking down at their audience, is a Beseedran Councillor. Each Councillor holds a different office position; Councillor of Law, Councillor of Foreign Trade, etcetera. Many of them work closely on issues.

Members of the advisory staff seem to be milling around the walls of the round room, sending messages up to the Councillors or communicating discretely for them.

The grandest podium, also gunmetal gray but covered in intricate curving designs (something like a cross between circuitry and noodles), belongs to the Chairman of the Council. Portrayed by Gary Cole and wearing a smart suit (gunmetal gray), Chairman Kavell climbs up to his podium just as you arrive.

"Chairman, I present Senator Palpatine of Naboo," the representative says, gesturing (always gesturing) to the gray-haired, smiling Senator. "And his escorts, the Jedi... eh..."

"Myraline Kiros," Myraline introduces herself. "And my apprentice, Rianna Xi."

Chairman Kavell raises an eyebrow toward the three of you.

"What seems to be the problem here, Senator Palpatine?" Kavell says.

"You know very well, Chairman Kavell," Palpatine states. "There has been a drastic increase in military capacity for Beseedra over the past six months. King Veruna is concerned."

"You talk as if King Veruna has reason to fear war with our world," Chairman Kavell responds. "I have heard of Veruna's scandalous abuse of his high title, but he has not done anything to anger our Council. Not yet, at least."

Palpatine drops his pleasant smile, crinkling his brow.