Log:Resistance: The Young Queen Speaks

The Young Queen Speaks

OOC Date: January 24, 2018
Location: Naboo
Participants: Poe Dameron, Ambrosia Greystorm, David Ironside, Devii, Triz Dermout, Karas Darkwing, Kath Hounds, The Resistance

The Resistance is on the run and needs a place to hide - fast. Naboo, cradle of art and peace, once was a place where the Rebellion was fostered, but in the wake of the Hosnian cataclysm, will this delegation find the same welcome from the planet's young queen?

Bridge - CRV Sacrifice

The bridge of the 'Corellian Phantom' is a hive of activity, life and energy. The front of the room is dominated by a rectangular viewport that spans much of the length of the bridge, showing what currently goes on outside and in front of the ship. At the front, and near the viewport, is mostly clear, while to the sides various crewmembers man thier stations and report from engineering, communications, sensors and other positions - keeping the command staff appraised of the goings on, on and around the ship. A circular holo-emitter often used for briefings and navigation commands the center of the bridge, while the captain's own position isn't far behind.

It almost seems silly, loading a few personnel onto a CR-90 and congregating in the Bridge to enjoy the ride, but with such reduced numbers, dividing a handful among the various decks of the ship seems....stupid.

BG Greystorm sits in front of the communication station, dressed in a different caliber attire than her usual armed-to-the-teeth. Dark blue slacks loosely flow over her legs, which are capped in little flats. A cream-colored blouse buttons over her left shoulder with jade buttons, then crisply fits over her frame, flaring out from hip. Her hair has been washed (stunning!) and is done up all fancy-like. Something other than the switch to her cochlear implants adorn her ears. Dangly shiny things. My god. She looks like a woman. Not quite her fanciest getup worn to this moon, but it'll do.

When they near the exit from hyperspace, she eyes the sensors across the way warily. "So. Hang back once we exit. Get a read on what you can from here, then we'll send out the X-wing, yeah? I want a meticulous scan before we set foot on that planet."

There is a bit of a deep breath coming from behind Ambrosia "It's going to be nice to fly an X-wing again." Poe crosses his arms and says "Hopefully we're not going to run into any sort of resistance on this mission. I can't imagine Naboo would be on the radar of the First order." BB-8 scolds him a bit from near his shin "Yeah yeah I know, don't jinx it." Poe is also dressed in less formal attire. He has a flightsuit unzipped halfway revealing civilian clothes underneath in case he gets the chance to set foot on the planet. "Whadya think the reception is going to be like down there?"

From the bridge of the corvette, David's eyes widen as he takes the craft out of hyperspace. Suddenly the viewport is met by a lush green planet, and Dave recognizes it immediately. Home. Or at least, it used to be. Now, he's dressed in his former uniform, a light blue shirt covered partly with a brown leather jerkin. No officer's hat though, he'd been in the service of the Senator. Over his shoulder he addresses Poe's question. "The people valued the Senate. The Senator. They'll be happy to fight, though I'm not sure how many will be able to. There's no real military culture though, but we might get a base out of it." He turns back. We'll see. Nothing's guaranteed these days, anyway. "Scan picking up anything?"

Karas is sitting at one of communications console, but there is already someone on comms. He looks up as they arrive, he yawns a little as it looks like Poe is heading out. He laughs, "Oh yeah, here is that fifty credits I owe you." he says as he hands over the credits to the pilot. "Still can't believe you got that Y-Wing moving like you did." he says. He looks out the viewport, "I've never been to Naboo." he says openly, "So hopefully we can find something here to use for us as a base."

"You tell me, Captain," Ambrosia, cranking up the volume to listen to any ship-ship chatter that might be caught by trolling through frequencies. "Dameron, Darkwing...which one of you hopping in to do a fly-about?"

Poe grins widely as he walks over to Karas and collects from Karas "Thanks Darkwing. I'll be honest I wasn't positive I could get it done either." he pockets the credits and then on his way to the door he looks to Ambrosia "That would be me General." he zips up his flightsuit and picks up his flight helmet from a nearby surface "I'll be out there soon. I'll give a sitrep soon. C'mon buddy." bb-8 whistles an affirmative and rolls along in front of Poe.

David's R2 unit starts beeping, scan results being processed as they come in. The signature multipurpose tool spinning in a slot on the bridge, the readouts appear on a display. "No hostiles.. no ships on the public spaceport apart from shuttles going to and fro." Seems almost too good to be true after all the setbacks the group has had to deal with.. "Doesn't seem like there's going to be any trouble, General. Nobody's expecting us except those of them in the know."

Shaking his head, "Let the Captain go." he says as he pays Poe. He laughs, "Well I do like ion cannons, wish I could equip them on my X-Wing." he grins about the idea. He looks around at the rest of the others, "So whats going to happen after we get a positive sitrep? Do we have locations that have already been scouted or thats what we are doing?" he asks.

"Good," Greystorm nods and stands from her chair. "We'll give Dameron a few to confirm from above, then we're going out. I've sent a message ahead for her royal 'highness' regarding our intentions here. If she fancies a reply, swell. In the meantime...let's see how the townspeople are faring. It'd be wise to check in on store prices, pay a visit to the local watering hole....you get the idea."

From the hangar of the corvette an x-wing shoots away. <<Alright Sacrifice give me a few minutes to do a quick survey. So far things are looking good.>> the x-wing rockets across the planet all the while the pilot reads the sensors and searches for anything out of place. After a few minutes the pilot reports back in <<Sacrifice it's looking like there is no enemy activity in the system. I'll meet you planet side.>>

Nothing on the scopes, nothing problematic. Certainly no hostiles. Just...Naboo. In all its absolutely mind-numbingly boring glory.

Hard to believe there was a war fought here.

[David Ironside] "See, we're all good here." <<C'mon back up, Poe. It'll look much nicer when we all walk off the corvette together.>> He turns towards the general. "Just as I said. A peaceful planet with.. admittedly.. not much to offer in terms of military." Alright.. hit some buttons here, engage engine like so.. and there goes the corvette, no rush, to the spaceport.

[Karas Darkwing] Karas moves from where he was sitting to watch out the viewport, he is still listening to Amber as she speaks to them about what they are gong to be doing once they hit planet side. Giving a nod of his head, "Alright, should be good, I can take a speeder bike out and check out some areas too if you want." he suggests. As Poe is being called back and the Sacrifice moving to pick up Poe, Karas leans against the hull.

Poe calls out to the ship <<Ten four Sacrifice. I will return momentarily.>> The x-wing locks it's s-foils into cruise position and glides into the bay of the corvette landing with a light thud.

[Ambrosia Greystorm] <<Copy that,>> Greystorm leans over to the comm and waits. Once Poe's on board and they've landed, Ambrosia picks a lengthy, smartly tailored jacket off the back of her chair and shrugs into it. "Let's go get some fresh air, boys. I'd say we've earned it." Offering Dave and Karas a wan smile, she strides off the bridge to meet their fourth party down below for a little exploration.

Stripped of his flight suit Poe looks rather good in civilian clothes. He's not even in dressed down civilian clothes.. he wears a relatively well tailored brown suit jacket with darker brown pants. The shirt under the jacket is a clean white and is only slightly rumpled from being worn under a flight suit. "You're home is pretty nice David" He says eith a warm smile." (repose for Karas)

"Yeah, it's nice to be back. I missed fresh air." David replies, looking around at the gentle, carefree hustle and bustle around the spaceport. "You ever been here, Captain?" He looks up at the cliffs, watching the waterfalls. David is clearly pleased to be back home, and it shows. "So, Theed's up there, you can just see the Royal Hangar from this angle. Are we being picked up or taking a shuttle?"

Karas exit off the ship, he has his hands in his pockets, he's wearing long cargo shorts, a black rough looking jacket, his utility belt with his blaster hang on his hips. He looks around, "This is going to be fun, and it may be pretty cool being here." He looks to David, "Well you have to show us around man!"

"I've arranged for a ride into Theed," Ambrosia checks her chronometer while walking a few steps away from the ship and runs a hand over the intricate braid job to pat nonexistant issues into place. "For Mrs Greystorm, of Greystorm Shipping CO..." a wink.

"OHhhh... we're of Greystorm shipping CO." he looks around at the rest of the men gathered there and says "I think we're the CO guys." he smiles and says "Just so we're clear here what are our titles in your shipping company Ma'am." he grins making a point to address her without her Military moniker.

"Greystorm Shipping Co." David repeats as well. "So we're looking for a shuttle driver holding a sign with your name on it, then." David leans against a stone wall, observing the spaceport's 'Arrivals' section. "I don't see it.. am I looking for something real fancy or something nondescript and low profile?" He points at a random shuttle in the distance. "Like that?"

As if summoned by said wink, a landspeeder approaches from the far side of the spaceport tarmac; long and blue, elegant of form and decorated with silver trim, the vehicle trundles to a stop not far from where the log of you stand. It's close-topped, of course, but the entire roof hinges open from the front to reveal padded red fabric cusions, embroidered like something that should belong in an ancient coach.

"Hello!" A man in a black driver's uniform steps out of the speeder, waving at the ot of you. "Is Mistress Greystorm here?"

Karas grins a bit, "I like it." he laughs. Thought when the land speeder arrives, he quirks a brow as the pilot starts to park, "Well lets see what happens."

"Eli Dunwil," Amber points to Poe, "Joel Warbur," to David, "and Alec Parren," to Karas. "Just picked'em on the ride here." She clears her throat and straightens her collar. "Dermout'll be meeting us in town. Gentleman..." her eyes narrow on the approaching speeder, then a slow smile paints crookedly across her face. "Hope you find there's enough knee room." One hand lifts to the driver when he emerges and she puts her game face on with a clipped stride forward.

"She is here, and satisfied with your punctuality," she informs the man and withdraws a 'fifty' cred from her jacket pocket to press into his palm. "I'm afraid my personal car's had a bit of a bad morning and won't be ferrying us for awhile. To the city center, if you don't mind. We'll enjoy the fresh air from there."

"Thank you, mistress," the driver says, beaming brightly at her. "Please, this way." He helps the lady in if she doesn't stab him, and once that's done looks about for luggage - but finding none, jogs to the driver's seat and settles in as the canopy hinges down over you.

The drive toward the city center is smooth, the speeder a high-quality model made on planet - fifty years or so after the Clone Wars, the people of Naboo are still making space Benzes like nothing ever happened.

"So you folks are here in an interesting time," the driver says, sounding a bit over-cheery considering what's gone down in the galaxy of late. "But you'll still have some time to enjoy yourselves, no worries. We're far away from all of that mess. Well, for the most part."

The speeder passes a small knot of people - young ones, from the look at it - holding signs and calling out after the speeder as it goes. Protestors, looks like, of some sort. Huh.

Dave, or 'Joel', grins at the Captain. He quickly finds a seat in the back of the speeder where he can observe both the view and the people he's traveling with. "Shouldn't be a wild ride, we're just going up -there-.." he points again at the Royal Hangar, more of it visible from the elevated position of the speeder. Noticing the protestors, he asks of the driver, "What are those people protesting, if I may?"

Karas blinks, 'Alec Parren.' he shrugs and nods his head, "Alright boss lady." he smirks. He rubs the back of his head a little bit and he looks to the others to see their reactions, "Oh yeah, Eli can vomit just walking." he laughs as he shakes his head. He gets into the speeder and sits down, he doesn't mind knees he just sits and let the driver do his job. As Joel points out where they will be going, he nods his head, "Well lets make sure things go smoothly, but than again we don't want to be fired, do we?" he asks.

"I'm not sure I'd call it 'interesting' so much as worrisome," Amber remarks with a semi dour expression. Facing the rear of the speeder as they zoom along, she gives Poe a /look/ like 'dont u dare puke in here'. "However...fear does up the demand for certain products and /that/ increases our profits. If a blockade were to narrow Naboo's shipping lanes, well, that'd have a sorer outcome, I imagine. So let's hope it doesn't come to that." Because money. Her lifts just a touch and she narrows her eyes on the shrinking forms of those sign-waving youths.

Poe acts like he is going to 'puke' out the side of the car making a bit of a gagging noise but really taking the moment to get an unadulterated gander at the group of youths standing around "Oh I'm sorry about that I don't mean to gag." he watches the driver tryting to get his take on the drivers opinion of the protesters and his view on the matter as well.

"Oh, don't worry about that," calls the driver, waving his hand as he holds the wheel with his others. "Just some kids being stupid." And just the vomitous danger looms large and near, he pulls the speeder to a stop. "All right," he calls, touching a control and causing the canopy to hinge open once more and fill its interior with the light of the sun and the sound of the city, a chorus that can come only from the bustling heart of ancient places such as Theed. "I'm on call if you need me, Mistress Greystorm. I hope that you and your guests enjoy yourselves!"

David exits the vehicle first, offering a passing "Protests are always better than silent consent, sir." He stands next to the small ramp as he takes the opportunity to survey the area as his companions disembark themselves, followed by the astromech droid they brought with them.

Karas climbs out as well, and he worries that maybe Eli is putting on too good of a show of gagging, "Don't aim my way." he tells Eli. Listening about the protests, "As long as they do it right and the message is received hopefully things will be good." he says. "Hope is a powerful thing indeed." he looks around, just making sure that everything is alright and no one is trying to watch and eye them.

"I have your card," Ambrosia promises to the driver before unfolding herself and dismounting from the craft. She backs up from the speeder and gives a little nod of her head to a nearby cafe like that's meant to be their destination. She starts walking. "Okay. Joel, this is your town. Make note of anything /more/ out of the ordinary. Also, see if you don't have better luck hailing somebody in Palace security detail to get us an 'in'. Somebody talk to those kids back there and see what all the fuss is about. Might be they've got good material. I'm gonna be a lurker in some of these fine establishments and listen to the gossip. Everybody get your comms on. We'll regroup here in a few hours before moving on."

There are a lot of people crammed into the square; Theed is an ancient city, and there are a great many who walk its streets despite the galactic situation. Indeed, it seems as if nothing had happened - the general feel is more that of a festival, which is both cheering and disturbing all at once.

To the south, near the lip of the square, the youths are approaching with their holographic signs, blaring messages like 'HEED THE ORDER' and 'SINS OF THE REPUBLIC REAP THEIR REWARDS' and 'MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR FELLOW MAN'.

As the speeder drifts off, you find yourselves surrounded by people, but if there are unfriendly faces nearby they are masked with smiles.

And so the group splits up, following some ancient infantry logic that only Ambrosia can seem to comprehend. Thus does David and Karas go one way, whilst she and Poe go the other.

There's a place right outside the palace called the White Lance - like everything else out there, it's yet another watering hole that was first built when the world was young or whatnot. The Royal Guard go there often, when they're not doing the odd job of guarding a democratically-elected monarch, and it's there that David and Kara are headed. Made of white stone, the place looks more like a courthouse than an alehall, but there it is...

And so the group splits up, following some ancient infantry logic that only Ambrosia can seem to comprehend. Thus does David and Karas go one way, whilst she and Poe go the other.

There's a place right outside the palace called the White Lance - like everything else out there, it's yet another watering hole that was first built when the world was young or whatnot. The Royal Guard go there often, when they're not doing the odd job of guarding a democratically-elected monarch, and it's there that David and Kara are headed. Made of white stone, the place looks more like a courthouse than an alehall, but there it is...

"Alright Alec. I'll see if I can make contact with someone here." Dave addresses Karas by his cover. "You wait outside, get on comms if you see something suspicious, anything at all. See if you can find out what those kids were yelling about." Dave rights the leather jerkin he'd worn just to blend in among the guard, having brought it as a keepsake when he left. He walks casually into the White Lance and takes a seat at the bar. Fortunately, the tender recognizes him and pours him the usual. David quietly drinks it at the bar, waiting for anyone at all to recognize him. It's a weird feeling, tensely enjoying a cold one.

It doesn't take long for someone to recognize David. The inside of the place is as fairytale as the outside, all polished wood bar and barrels of drink and long, benchlike tables upon which guards and other court retainers sit about talking and enjoying a pint. David, even in his jerkin, stands out - and soon a loud and angry voice rings out behind him.

"Ironside," bellows a man, loud enough to be heard outside. "What...in all /kriff/...are YOU doing here? How DARE you show your face in this place!"

Uh-oh.

Karas nods his head, "Sure Joel." he says as they make it near the Palace. He looks around and as he looks around, he sees the kids and the signs that they were using, he has a earpiece comm which would make it easier to speak with the team. He stretches out, he already seen the signs which feels like a bad omen, thinking the sign about the Order is about the First Order. Still he looks at his chrono and leans back agains the wall. "Well this is going to be fun." he chuckles. He begins looking around as David moves on, his eyes scans the crowd, but when a man stops and starts speaking rather loudly about David, "Hey man, you don't need to yell if you want to talk to someone go inside." he says to him. Karas makes sure his comm is on so that David can hear. "Ironside, what a crap name." letting David know it's about him, his cover may be blown. If the man goes into the bar, Karas will delay than follow in but only after he makes sure the man isn't followed by others.

David doesn't even turn around. "Would you have preferred it if I'd died with the Senator? With the boys? With all of the Hosnian System?" David slowly turns around "With the -Republic-?" He takes another sip, slowly lowering the mug from his face to see who'd yelled at him. The fact that he'd been going around town as Joel doesn't matter anymore, he'd never intended to be undercover himself.

A man as wide as a wall towers over David from behind, dressed in the uniform of a Royal Guard for real - complete with hat, guns, and everything else. He glowers down at David there, ham-sized hands clutched into fists, but seconds away from great violence. This is Katha Tarr, Guardsman, David's old friend. Or, apparently, was.

"/Yes/," he hisses. "Yes! I wish you'd had /died/. You don't belong here, you deserting sack of shavit. Get out!"

Karas does come inside, though as he does he tries to keep quiet and out of the way but he bumbles into a table, "Kriffing hell." he says trying to play it off, "Sorry I wasn't looking where I was going." he frowns. He walks up towards the bar, the patrons he runs into, he calls out to the bartender that he will pay for their drinks and he orders an Corellian Ale. "Sorry again, I didn't mean it." he says and he looks to the guardsmen, "Whoa you're a big dude!" he exclaims.

David does not, in fact, get out. He doesn't even get out of his seat. "Who told you I deserted? You think I wouldn't have been made the second I strolled into the city? You made me the moment I sat down, I'm sure. Why would I risk it if I'd actually deserted?" With one hand, he motions for the bartender to pour a drink for the angry guardsman. "Wait, who told you I'd deserted in the first place?"

"What, you're going to bring your little friend in here? I will /kill you both and eat your hearts and now what cowards taste like./" Sweet buttered Obi Wan, this man has gotten intense in the past few years! Katha Tarr cracks his knuckles and puffs out his chest, looking as if he might be ready to do just that. And then...

"Man, I'm just kriffing with you, you idiot." The hand that comes out is open, and suddenly the wall of a man is laughing. "You should have seen your face!"

Karas was playing his part, even when the big guardsman said he would eat their hearts, "You know thats pretty nasty right?" he asks. He takes his drink and takes a swig, he loves the Corellian stuff. He keep standing until hs sees things are alright, he smirks. Shaking his head, he finishes his drink and pays. Karas waits a few more moments to make sure Daivd is alright than he heads back outside.

A huge grin appears on David's face. He figured something was up but played along just in case. David offers the second mug to his old friend. "So tell me, what's been going on in my hometown, Katha?" When the men share a drink, the dead silence that came over the room disappears immediately, giving way to the familiar noises a bar ought to make.

The big man grabs David and lifts him off the stool, crushing David in his massive arms - the bro-hug of bro-hugs, and no mistake. Once he manages to dislocate a couple of ribs, he deposits David back onto his seat before filling up all local airspace by sitting on the stool next to him.

"Oh, you know," he says, taking up the drink that David had waved over. "Everyone's scared shitless. A whole star system destroyed, and now these Imperial wannabes come into the Core, and everyone just gives up? Well, I mean we're not /that/ far away from the Core, and we're smack on a hyperland, right? Lot of people around here are bracing for them to show up and just...I don't know, turbolaser everyone. Who knows? Maybe take us all out, too."

After finishing his drink and seeing the Bro-hug of all Bro hugs, Karas laughs, "Ok you two have fun." he walks out. He apologizes to the table he bumped into with the patrons, "I paid for a new round of drinks for you guys." he says as he leaves. He moves off to his left and leans against the building as if he's bored and doesn't have a lot to do. Meanwhile, he scans the aere as the festival is going on, seeing as they are in a different district, he hopes to see if there are any more of the protesters. Maybe he can find out more of whats going on, he knows what the FO has done first hand, maybe he can see what the locals think of things.

"So people here aren't fans, they'd fight?" David asks of his friend, now serious. Taking a pull of his mug, he continues. "You know of any vocal minorities supporting the Order? I saw some protestors waving signs around the spaceport, what are they about?"

Tarr just grunts. "Oh, those kids," he mutters. "Anti-royalists. They say the Queen is what brought this down on the galaxy, or at least Naboo. Say that the Queen will just bend the knee to the Order the moment they show up. Nothing violent or anything, just...a lot of noise."

A lot of noise is what's coming up the street, as Karas watches - the small group of youths have turned into...a bit of a mob, actually! They are chanting something as they march up the road, waving their signs and being somewhat disconcertingly angry. Oh good!

Hearing the loud commotion coming from down the street, his brow quirks up as he looks and gets a better look at the signs that the youths are carrying. Well instead of him going down there, he will wait for them to come up. He didn't care that they were protesting, but if anything pops off, his blaster has a stun setting on it, still that may cause more commotion and problems for security. Still he's young himself in his early twenties, <<Remember those teens from the spaceport, they are on their way up the street and they've grown in number.>> he comms to David, << I will keep a look out. >> Reaching into his jacket, he pulls out a bag of chips and begins eating as he glances around himself to see if there are others are here or not.

Tarr gives David an incredulous look. "Dangerous? Pffft. They're just kids, Ironside, what would they do? The Guards aren't weak. And as for the Queen...well. Her Majesty would never /kneel/. But I figure she'd do what she had to in order to keep us safe, yeah? Like Amidala before us, may the Force bless her."

Meanwhile, the mob is definitely on the approach, chanting a loud refrain. "No to the Palace! No to the monarchy! No to the Order! The Queen will kill us all!"

Karas eats another chip, still he seems to be relaxed and with a bored expression on his face. He looks at the mob as they get closer, they are just kids. He smirks to himself and he looks up into the blue skies which is a very welcome relief compared to the murkiness of Nar, though they can't just pick the first place they come to, still as the mob approaches, he hears the chanting, it doesn't make sense, sounds as if they want anarchy to reign. Thats what it sounds like to him, he waits until they get closer so that he can speak with a few of the youths, he does look like an out of towner. But there is nothing on him that would flag him as Resistance or anything.

"Listen," Dave starts as he leans in closer, making sure nobody can hear him unless they're -really- trying. And nobody is apart from Tarr. "I'm here with some people who want to help. I don't need to say who, you know. I know you know, because we came from the same academy and that means you're not stupid. I need you to give us a meeting with the Queen. Tomorrow." He grins. "I'll owe you." David finishes his drink and would, after Tarr's answer, shake the man's hand, maybe avoid a huge bro-hug this time and regroup outside with Karas.

"Sure, man," says Tarr, looking at the door - the soft swell of the chanting begins to reach even the interior of the alehall; he and the other guards begin to get their gear together as David leaves, in order to come out and see what's up. As David steps out to join Karas, and down the road the mob has become almost a tromping, goose-stepping parade formation...until they see the two of you.

Then they break into a run.

"So.. they were children, but they're running now." Running children are likely a parent's worst nightmare. They're running towards the two undercover Resistance pilots. That's a non-parent's worst nightmare. Dave nudges Karas and gets ready for whatever might come next. He brings his comm up to call back to the spaceport. "Reprisal, this is Ironside. We have a situation here. Seems fairly harmless but you might want to send someone over just in case."

Devii was sprawled out on the deck of a faraming skif as it slowly lumbered into the city. She looked board, her orange eyes instead watching the louds wisk by in the bright and clear Naboo sky. Such beauty, such wonder. Then Dave was calling them over comms. She sits up with a start, fumbling with the comm. "Ah... This is Reprisal... we're about Two Minutes out... took the scenic route. Some nice mountains to the south."

They're young, but they're not /children/ - they're young people in their late teens and early twenties, mostly, everyday youth and rich ones, budding artists and politicians and poets. That's what they crank out here most of the time, after all, on Naboo. But in the grand tradition of youths and students, they /are/ protesting, and soon they arrive in front of the White Lance and the gates of the palace, bellowing their chant as regularly as a particularly angry and politically active clock.

"No to the Palace! No to the monarchy! No to the Order! The Queen will kill us all!"

They form a sea of signs and shouting faces, fists risen in collective power, shouting as if that alone could tear down the walls. There must be a hundred, two hundred people in that group, males and females of multiple species. Shouting at the halls of power.

If galactic peace weren't basically DOA right now, it might be inspiring. At the moment, however, it's a big damned obstacle to your collective goal.

"Stay put, watch my back." David says to Karas as he walks towards the mob. Unable to pick out a single 'leader' of sorts, he just approaches one of the protestors. "Why are you guys protesting? I get -that- you're protesting, we're not a military people at all. But do you have such little faith in the monarchy that you'd rather immediately submit to the First Order?" David, at his size, crosses his arms trying to look intimidating to the youths. He'd been one of them before, himself.

Triz only raises a single brow, a smirk resting on her features as she eyes the 'kids'. She leans against the short wall that is nearby, arms crossed over her chest. "Well, we could just," a pause "/stroll/ through them. I wonder what they would do if we actually showed some purpose in our strides and didn't stop?" She half mutters, though any near by her would probably hear her words.

They wanted to avoid any real obsticals so the farmer took the best way he could into the city and towards the Palace proper. Though there was likely a point she'd have to stop and get out, footing it to where her comrades were. Devii left her rifle back on the ship but she had her DL-54 strapped to her thigh, her overcoat covering it as best as she could. She makes her way towards her compatriots, the Mirialan eyeing the protesters curiously with her amber gaze.

"The Monarchy is our enemy," one girl shouts at David, a sign clutched in her hand. "The people vote for a strong leader, not a child! She's no older than my little sister!"

"And she'll only sit and let the Order roll over us! The Monarchy only cares about peace, and nobody cares about the cost!"

More of this, the voices flooding over one another into an angry morass - these people are looking to the future, not the moment, and what they see obviously terrifies them. Might not be a 'mindless' mob, after all.

"So you'd want a strong leader. That's fair." David offers, undeterred by the mob. "But you -clearly- don't want a leader who's prone to blowing up planets and killing dissenting voices, right? Dissent is good, I think." He smiles. "Had the Republic still been around, would you support it or the First Order?" He glances at the newly arrived Triz, giving her a quick nod to show her he's seen her.

"It doesn't matter! The Republic is dead!" This from a young man in courtly wear, perhaps even a child of one of the courtiers in the very palace. "The Republic is dead, and the Senate - and people like the Queen - killed it!

There's a lot of anger starting to bubble, here. The doors of the alehouse open, and so the Guard begins to file out, law and order here at last.

A nod in response to David and a wink to Devii as Triz thinks. She is not one to suffer fools lightly so she pushes off the wall, gives a jerk of her head for Devii to follow, and begins to make her way to the crowd and a purpose in her stride and the swing of her arms at her side. As she nears the rear of the group she just says "Excuse me, excuse me" with a bit of that iron that she can draw from inside her self as she does push her way through, gently but with that same determination that she won't be stopped. As the ones gather around David, she has picked one of the thinner sections to make her way through. Her eyes remain fixed on the objective, down the road and past the protesters.

Devii can't fault Triz for wanting to go right for the source. What the protesters were saying, well that concerned her a bit. As a former government employee she knew the inside as well as the out. She know the bureaucracy and power governments wield and no matter her personal opinions on what made a government good or bad, she knew it was darn well better than the first order. Yet, coming from a Noble family on Mirial, she knew exactly how a wrong decision could effect these people in that type of system. She follows Triz, trying to watch her six at least and free of any protesters in any free pocket her headway makes.

"You can say that.. but the Senator from Naboo has always believed General Organa's speeches about the First Order." David frowns. "Believe what you want, but any indecision made was not the fault of anyone on this planet at this time. It was the Senate as a whole. Now I'll ask again. Would you rather be ruled by a tyrant or a pacifist?"

The crowd reacts as the Guard comes out, going from furious and pleading to a dull roar. Having taken up riot shields from inside somewhere - apparently the alehouse must have an armory - the Guardsmen form a line across the street, bracing up to protect the palace gates from the seething crowd of young people. This is a riot in the making, however, and that's not good. Not good at all.

But this changes when a giant of a man emerges from the White Lance, easily six-ten if not seven feet directly. Built like a bull, or perhaps a caricature of one. He has no weapons, no shields, nothing. Just him, his dark skin like carved wood as he emerges. He stands on the steps of the alehall, looking across the crowd. Draws a deeep breath, and he bellows out:

"I am scared as hell!"

The deep bass of Guardsman Tarr, David's friend and contact, rings out across the crowd. All at once, they quiet, utterly shocked.

He goes on. "I am scared as hell! They wiped out a whole star system, the Order! They have Star Destroyers bigger than half the old Imperial fleet out there! There's no fleet out there to help, nothing that the Republic has any control over - why wouldn't I be terrified?" He gestures out to the crowd, eyes widening. "Why wouldn't /you/? It's obvious! It's natural!"

That's a hell of a way to get things started.

Triz continues to the front of the crowd, using her years long skills of tactics to get through the thinner parts, to use her voice to get other's to move and a friendly jab here or there in the kidney on others. As the Guardsman speaks and the crowd goes silent this only urges her onwards now that the mass has seemed to be frozen in place. As she nears the line of Guardsman with the riot gear she holds out her hands and leans towards one of the men "Hi, I am Triz Dermout," hoping that the man would recognize the name Dermout as her father is one of the major stockholders in CEC. To help in this she turns ever so slightly so that the CDF patch on her jacket is plainly visible as well as her own glance down at it. "That is Captain Triz Dermout. I would take it as a great kindness if you were to let me through so that I may talk to someone of State about some mutual aid that," she points up at Guardsman Tarr "he is talking about. I think we may just be of aid." She motions Devii to come closer to where she stands and then flashes the biggest smile, a self assured smile, to the man. "The sooner the better really." Her tone at the last is one perfected from years being in command.

Devii, right behind Triz, leans to the side and smiles wide showing off pearly white teeth against her black glossy lips. "Haayyyy..." She says nervously, stepping out from behind Triz, letting her serniors do all the talking for hte time being. She's speak up if she had something to add.

Now the crowd isn't sure what to think of this giant of a man, in a Guard's uniform, who admits openly not only the validity of their own fears but his own fears as well. "Now you have to ask yourselves," bellows Guardsman Tarr, "Who it is that's really responsible for these fears. The Monarchy? The Queen? Well, perhaps I am biased, but I can't imagine a young girl - and yes! The Queen is a young girl, even with all her political acumen - would hunger to foment the fears of so many people, especially the ones who voted her into the Palace. So who is it? Is it you? Is it me? No. It is the Order! /They/ are the ones who burned the heart out of the Republic! The Republic barely had a fleet! Is it the fault of the Queen that the Republic long ago sought disarmament? No! She wasn't even born. If you want to blame someone, blame the Order for maiming the Republic, and the founders of the New Republic for in their desire for peace made instead government too weak to survive a sucker punch."

He keeps on, and as he speaks, the mob begins to soften, then to murmur, and then cheer - and within five minutes he has dispersed them with words alone. Amazing, truly, but David perhaps might not at all be surprised. After all, he knows this man. He knows his power.

A few hours later, Guardsman Tarr is well-informed of your identites and your mission. Unsurprised, really, especially not surprised at all with David. He promises to speak with the Captain of the Guard, and through him, the Queen - and, late that night, where you stay in a hotel that the Guardsman has directed you to, the summons comes.

Ushered in quietly, draped in cloaks and through a servant's entrance, you eventually find yourself within the inner chambers of the palace; seated on a great fan-backed throne, in robes of soft blue and shimmering cream silk, the august - and indeed youthful - form of Ailana Pareja, perfect and elegant despite her tender years. Not only that, but sitting on the throne, braced by guards and wizened ministers, she looks...formidable. The face is young, but in her dark eyes is a bird-bright intelligence and piercing gaze that sweeps across the lot of you, as powerful as a starship's sensors.

No ceremony, no announcements. She speaks, in a polished, poised accent, low and constructed. The voice of tradition, dating back a thousand years.

"Which among you is in command?"

As they are taken inside, Triz has turned over her pistol to one of the guards and tells him "I'll be back for that," she assures him before moving onwards. She's seen rich but this is beyond that. But years of looking and not gawking kicks in Triz follows their escort with shoulders squared and head held high and firm. Inside the throne room and when addressed she takes a step forward and bows, slightly but still a bow, "Your Highness. I am. Captain Triz Dermout," she introduces her self before holding out a hand to each of her fellows. "Allow me to introduce you to Flight Officer Karas Darkwing, Flight Officer David Ironside and Private Devii."

Devii walks in looking around the Palace Throne Room. This was as nice as the one on Mirial! Her amber gaze finds the Queen and despite the bow keeps eye contact with the young Soverign. She bows a bit deeper when Triz introduces her. Looks like she knows what to do!

Having surrendered his blaster, David quietly greets the familiar faces of the guards they pass in the palace. He'd known they would take their weapons, of course, and for familiarity's sake he's dressed in the uniform of a Royal Starfighter Pilot. Only bits and pieces of that uniform show under the cloak he'd been given. That's a slight setback. When they reach the throne room, he doesn't bow, but instead gives her a traditional salute, as is customary of the guard.

Following behind the others, when ask to relinquish his weapons, he does. "Same here, I like that blaster." he says to security. Smirking a bit he follows up the stairs and into the throne room, he blinks a few times as he sees the place, he's never been in a throne room like this ever and honestly it was pretty cool. As Triz introduces them, he steps forward, "Hello your highness." he says.

Considering Triz for a moment, Queen Ailana finally nods. She wears no headpiece or great ornaments to mask her river of long dark hair, simply a long ribbon of blue silk that runs over one shoulder, weighted by an abstract golden charm. It dances slightly as she looks at the Corellian pilot, as if scrying out some secret of her being, and finally speaks.

"We were most surprised to hear that envoys of the Resistance came to Naboo without informing the Throne before arrival," the young prodigy queen says in that low, deliberate voice. "We understand the need for security, especially in times as these, but We wonder why a message was not sent. No doubt you can explain to Us, Lieutenant."

Triz, while listening to every word, continues to hold her head high. "Your Highness," Triz begins "I could come up with many many excuses. Some that might even ring true. But, honestly, that is just not my style. I am more of the type to answer directly and not diplomatically." She lets that sink in for a moment before continuing. "We were not sure how we would be received, Your Highness. Not every where are we welcomed and not everywhere are we looked at being more trouble than our worth. Some places would rather see our heads removed than greeted as friend. It was based on these reasons we felt that it best to get a lay of the space," she says using terms that come naturally to her "before we made our selves known. If this has offended Your Highness and is an insult to the great people of Naboo then I take full responsibility for such an oversight." All the time she has spoken her hands have been clasped lightly infront of her. As she finishes she nods slightly. "I can also only beg for your forgiveness is this be so."

Having been relegated to not the commanding officer, David stands back, not speaking as Triz explains their presence. Truth is, he'd been able to move around freely, even in the guardsman's bar. It's fine, though. David never was one for diplomatic conversation. Probably why he got into security.

Devii takes a look around as Triz makes her appeal to the Queen. No problems with the speech thus far. The detective in her kicks in, casing the joint and staff as it were. During undercover operations she'd do her best to identify the particular players. In this case, the ministers. Those close to the Queen and who may or may not have the most influence. Likely she wouldn't use this information herself but, at what ever point it was necessary she'd share it with Captain Dermout. She glances to Karas a moment, raising an eyebrow at his interduction. Flashy.

Karas looks up to the Queen watching her, than her guards, he quirks a brow up as she seems annoyed about the situation of thier arrival. He doesn't speak up, his Captain is doing just fine and for now there is no need from the monkey gallery at the moment, himself really, so he stays quiet. He walks over to where Devii and David are.

The young queen quirks her brows at Triz's words. "Stay, Captain," she says. "There is no need to abase yourself yet - however." Queen Ailana cants her head only slightly, looking at Triz as if she were the most interesting thing in the world - and at the same time, the very least. "We are unsure as to why you are here. The Resistance, We have heard, is fighting the First Order on the other side of the galaxy - and losing. Why does its commanders dispatch you here, to our little world? We are not warriors, after all. Naboo is a place of peace."

Triz offers a hint of a smile "As you wish, Your Highness," she replies. She stands tall as she is taken in by the Queen. The comment about loosing does strike home and a flash of sorrow flashes over her features before she gets them back under control and replaced by the slight smile. "I wish the news of our losses were untrue, Your Highness. But, alas, they are true. While we have had successes, some very great such as the destruction of the Starkiller base, we have sustained great losses. Our bases have been found by the First Order, we have been on the run and sometimes even running has failed. Many good friends, many good people of all races have been lost and their loss is a stab in my heart." She does let her sorrow show at that, she couldn't keep that hidden.

A deep breath restores Triz's composure before she continues "Your Highness, our current base on Nar Shaddaa is getting tenuous at best. Before we are found we are looking for a place to move to. Before even our small band is wiped out as well. That," she levels her eyes, meeting the Queen's straight on "is why we are here. We need somewhere to rest, to lick our wounds, to get ready to take the fight onwards. Even if temporary, we can not stay on the moon of Nar Shaddaa." Letting that sink in Triz's voice grows soft but there is steel in the strength of them "Time is not on our side, Your Highness."

Devii gives a glance to Triz as she speaks and also continues to look over the Ministers. Though, as Karas moves over to her, orange eyes fix upon him and she nods in recognition before looking back once more to the Queen. So far so good. Though she was nervious for the responce.

David listens to Triz and the Queen, nodding occasionally as something is said he agrees with, but unsure whether he should speak up. Triz seems to do pretty well on her own. Dave made the connect and here we are. Cracked rib or not.

Karas smiles to Devii, but than he looks back toward Trizz and the Queen. Listening as the Queen states the obvious about the Resistance. IT's Triz who gives a better picture of the reality of things right now, his fists clench slightly as they have had a lot of losses, some more personal than others, but as he looks to Triz, he composes himself. Karas looks to the Queen wondering if she would allow them to come here, he wants to be hopeful but he isn't sure.

"We are most sorrowful for your losses," the Queen replies after a long silence, looking over each of your faces yet again. "And we sympathize for you and your people." Another pause. "However."

Queen Ailana draws a deep breath, but does not waver in tone, in posture, or in conviction. "Naboo is a planet of peace. As Queen, it is Our duty to ensure that nothing occurs that would bring violence and destruction to the people. Do you not see, Captain, how allowing your people to stay here would do that? Perhaps not at first, but as the Order's power spreads through the Core, it would be just a matter of time before warships appeared over our skies and violence brought down upon us. That has not happened since before the Clone Wars, when Our predecessor, august Amidala, sat in this throne. We will not be the Queen that sees it befall this world again.

She shakes her head slightly. "We are sorry, Captain," says the young Queen of Naboo. "If you hope that We will allow your organization to base itself on this planet, you court nothing but disappointment."

Now David does step forward dropping the cloak he'd been disguised under. "My queen," he begins with a bow. And a look to Triz. "I apologize for the interruption, but the First Order has already brought violence to the Naboo by way of the destruction of the Hosnian system and the Republic. I may have only worked under your predecessor, but under Senator Berenko I heard enough of General Organa's speeches to know that the First Order is coming whether there's a Resistance presence here or not." He looks dead serious as he continues. "The First Order doesn't care about military presence. They took Coruscant without firing a shot. They'll take Naboo the same way. If we were to be allowed a base here.. somewhere remote, perhaps, the Resistance would be able to fight. The people would know what the Naboo stand for in the future. They'd, and I must apologize for paraphrasing, be the spark that lights the fire under the Republic's ass. If the destruction of a system can't make that clear, I honestly don't know what could." He steps back in line after he's done speaking.

Triz keeps the emotions in check, at least outwards they do not show. Inwards though... "Your Highness, I do see and I understand your position," she says still soft of voice and filled with understanding. "I understand exactly what you are saying and hoping for. I respect your words even though I think they are misguided. Your Highness, I promise you that no matter if you allow us to find a temporary home here or not those First Order war ships /will/ appear over Naboo. Make no mistake there, Your Highness. They are not statisfied till /every/ world, including Naboo, is under their control and domination. This also includes the peaceful world of Naboo and it's people."

Triz's eyes drop for a moment before rising "I respect your edict, Your Highness. I truly do. But," another deep breath "I am begging you, Your Highness. We will not conduct operations in the space that would bring the First Order here any quicker than their plans already outline the taking of Naboo. Of that you have my word."

Devii may be out of place when she says this but, it was worth a shot. "Your Highness, Devii Keva. Sister to Calii Keva the senator from Coruscant and Lady of the Mirial Court. I beg forgiveness if I'm out of place. My sister visited here many times in her travels of Diplomacy as a Republic senator and I feel you must have known her to some degree..." She bites her bottom lip slightly as she proceeds, stepping forward and putting her hands behind her back respectfully and bowing. "She died for her convictions, serving the Republic and its people when Hosnian Prime was destroyed. What Captain Dermout says is true. They may not come for you now, but they will soon... and what could you do? I do not say this to insult the guard or the queen yourself as they are fine warriors. Your star-pilots are of legend. However, sheer numbers are against us all unless we work together. Peaceful you may be but what of those who seek not to be? I beg you to consider, what would my sister say to you on this matter?" She gives Triz a look with her Amber gaze, that of apology as she steps back.

Karas has kept his mouth shut this whole time and upon hearing the Queens edict one may say, he grits his teeth and he steps forward to stand with David and Triz. First hearing David's words and than Triz, he would give it a moment so that the Queen had a moment to let what they are saying sink in, he understands that fear can make even the most level headed person reconsider things. Than Devii speaks up, he doesn't look to her but his words are heard. "Your Highness Flight Officer 2nd Karas Darkwing." he introduces himself. "Everyone here has expressed to you that the First Order doesn't care if your a planet of peace, if they want your compliance they will take it." he says brutally honest. He sighs, "Right now we you have been told the facts, we need help from anyone willing to see the end of the First Order and help bring peace to not just Naboo, but to everyone. Hell maybe the New Republic will see that what we were telling them is true and start moving to also help, but for now we've come to you." he says.

The young queen rises to her feet. If the words of Devii, David and Karas have reached her ears - or if they even exist as people now - the slender girl gives no sign. "Captain," she replies, her voice crisp, solid as the stones from which the palace is made. "Do not think that Our answer is made without compassion for your cause, or out of a lack of understanding of its importance. However, we have been elected to protect the people of /Naboo/, not the people of the Republic, not the people of the galaxy. We take this oath most seriously. If it meant the death of your group, We would still make this decision. If it meant the death of the Republic, the same. Over thousands of years of history, the Republic has died and risen again several times; if it is fated to do so yet again, then so be it. We cannot, and will not, doom Our people to a /certain/ death when what you bring is mere possibility. The Resistance's champions are either dead, or have vanished. Where is Luke Skywalker? Where is General Organa? Both of them gone, nowhere to be found. Where is the comfort, the confidence meant to be instilled by them in your cause?"

The Queen shakes her head. "Our people are frightened, Captain. They need stability, more than ever. Reassurance. We shall not lie to them. If you require supplies, you may purchase them, and then you will leave. We wish you the best of fortune, but as of now, We cannot offer you any more than that."

This said, the Queen turns, and in trail of blue silk leaves the throne room, followed by her handmaidens.

So that appears to be that.

Triz keeps the same fixed features as the Queen speaks. Before she leaves Triz bows "I thank you for your time and your kindness, Your Highness." She says letting the Queen leave before she turns and looks at the others. "We tried," is all she says before heading out the way they were shown in. Not waiting at all for any escort, forcing any that may do so to hurry to catch up.

Shaking this head, as that feeling in his gut tells him this isn't going to work and well he is right. Karas turns and follows suit, he follows the others as they leave.

David gives Tarr a look, approaching him rather than following Triz. Gesturing for him to follow, David whispers to him, "If you were to know -anyone- at all who'd want to join the fight.. anyone.. please spread the word. It's our last hope. Try and change her mind. I didn't want to say this but we both know she's a child. She talks about doom and certain death but what has she -really- seen? Peace. That's what." David seems angry at the Queen's decision. "Organa's off on a similar mission. We all have our contacts in the galaxy, I'd hoped Naboo was mine." He clears his throat. "We'll be here for some time yet. The corvette at the spaceport. Anything you can spare. We're going to need it." Dave pulls his former brother in arms close to return the hug he received before, then turns to leave with his companions.

Tarr walks the lot of you out, but shakes his head as he follows you out. "She's right, to a point," says Tarr. "But in the end, this isn't a question of what we /want/ to happen but what we can /do/." He stops at the doors to the throne room, laying a broad hand on David's shoulder after returning that hug. "All I'm saying is, think of what she said, all right? The Royal Space Force isn't what it was after Disarmament, and even before that we were still largely a pacifist society. All I'm saying is...think hard on what she said. You might find that wasn't as final as it sounded."

He gestures to the door. "For what it's worth, Ironside, I'm proud of you. Take care of yourself."