The coordinates and time was sent and the Council excused Naosha to prepare for the trip. Getting there would be easy enough, as her daughter Varcanna was an expert pilot and owned two ships. She asked her to prepare the Lambda, Hunter’s Way, as it was the more diplomatic ship and she had yet to have any ‘bad’ experiences in it. Varcanna’s other ship, a Skipray called Gory Teeth, she had the unpleasant experience of a crash landing during the last big space battle over Trandosha and the elder Trandoshan just didn’t feel the ship was ‘fly worthy’ just yet, despite her daughters insistence that it was. Now if she could just decide what to wear….

“Hun, any of those outfits would suffice.” Commented her lifemate, Rissonik, Sha’tor of the K’Satikur Clan. “You must be nervous.”

“Whatever gave you that idea…” Naosha said softly as she continued to rifle through her wardrobe.

“The only time you can’t decide on what to wear is when you are nervous.” Rissonik said with a small smile as he walked over and picked out a robe for her. “This one has always brought out your finer features and gives you an air of authority to boot.”

“Riss, I’m not trying to woo them into submission…” Naosha said with a smile of her own.

“Why not? It worked on me.” Rissonik putting on the silliest looking grin she had ever seen.

“Riss…I love you dearly, but you can be so silly at times.” She said with a laugh.

“Hmmm….but it got you to calm down didn’t it?”

“Yes it did, thank you.” Naosha said still smiling as she started to change into the Councilor robe Rissonik had picked out.

“Which makes me wonder…” Rissonik said in a more serious tone. “Why were you so nervous? The Coalition is the best group we could hope for to offer allegiance with us.”

“First off, we don’t know for certain if it’s allegiance the Coalition is after: a safe assumption yes, but still an assumption. Second, I’ve learned from experience that any negotiations can go terribly wrong: remember what I told you happened on the Serendive’s base?”

“Oh yes…bomb threats and assassination attempts.”

“You know all too well Riss that there are still factions that disagree with the current status quo between us and the Wookiee and will likely do anything to start the war between our two races again.”

“A fact the Coalition is already aware of I bet.” Rissonik said with a nod. “The peace between the two races is fairly new and fragile.”

“Which is why this allegiance is important.” Naosha finished changing and was smoothing out any wrinkles. “If things start turning sour the Coalition will no doubt assist in smoothing things out again. The only reason we have peace right now is because there were enough people in high places that were as sick as the war as we were. It’s the warrior Clans I worry about the most, as they stand to lose the most from this peace and allegiance.”

“If the Sha’tors of those Clans are smart they will think of ways to make their useful during this new era love. However I know a lot of them are…old fashioned…and will oppose this allegiance every step of the way. Do not worry my love, since this will no doubt call for a full Council hearing, I will be there to help ‘convince’ the other warrior clans the best I can.”

“Thank you love. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She gave him a kiss on the snout.

A Keshar knocked and announced that the Hunter’s Way was ready, so Naosha left her lifemate’s side and made her way to the Clan spaceport. To her surprise she saw Silliss, one of the Clans Elite warriors, standing by the access ramp. “What are you doing here?” She asked him.

“The Sha’tor asked me to come along as your personal guard Councilor Naosha.” The young warrior said.

Naosha narrowed her eyes, suspecting something more to this. “He asked you…or did you insist?” She asked. His sheepish expression gave her the answer she needed and she knew why he wanted to come. Ever since he and Varcanna had struck of a relationship getting them to do anything alone had been next to impossible. “Alright…you can come.” Naosha said with a sigh, not wanting to argue with him seeing that she was pressed for time. “But no naughty business you hear?”

“Of course not madam.”

Shaking her head, Naosha entered the ship, Silliss following behind her. Inside the cockpit Varcanna was preparing for take off. “We’ll be docking with the Bloodfang first.” The red scaled female said. “And they’ll get us close to the Coalition ship designated as the meeting point.”

“Why the middle man?” Naosha asked. “You’re ship is perfectly capable of getting there on it’s own.”

“Security reasons, at least that’s the excuse Vice Admirl Tiosk gave me. I’m betting he wants to show off again…”

“Again?” Naosha echoed, prompting a chuckle from her daughter.

“Well, according to him the Coalition hypered into Kashyyyk space while he was in the middle of chasing down a slaver ship, so no doubt they saw the whole thing.”

Naosha groaned. “I bet he wants to give them another ‘show’…one he knows he has an audience for this time. I’ll have to tell him to keep his dare deviling in the bag while these negotiations are going on.”

“Father will no doubt be disappointed with that.” Silliss said with a chuckle, knowing how Tiosk just hated ‘sitting around’. “But he’ll comply anyway: you do outrank him after all.”

They were on their way a moment later, Naosha nearly getting sick when they exited the atmosphere, thus reminding her how much she loathed spaceflight. It didn’t take long to reach the Bloodfang, as it had ‘escorted’ the appointed Coalition ship for the meeting from a respectable distance and only wavered from it’s position to meet up with the Hunter’s Way. Once on board Naosha made it clear to the Vice Admiral that she wanted no fooling around how negotiations were being done. As Silliss said, he was disappointed, even pouted a bit, but nodded in compliance.

It was short trip to the meeting point, thanks to the Rynok’s speed, and once again Naosha was on the Hunter’s Way.

“I wonder who the Wookiee’s sent.” Varcanna said absently, noting another Lambda shuttle approaching the Coalition ship. There was little doubt in anyone’s mind that the Coalition requested a meeting with the Wookiee’s as well.

“We will likely find out soon enough.” Naosha said. Varcanna got clearance to land and as they disembarked Naosha turned to her daughter and said. “Varcanna I would like for you to stay with the ship.”

“Why?” Came the response from both Varcanna and Silliss.

“I won’t need both of you to guard me here and if something should happen Silliss will be plenty, besides…I only need one of you to translate for me if a Wookiee starts talking to me.”

The couple were obviously disappointed, but complied with her wishes. It wasn’t long until they met up with one of the Coalition ship’s staff to guide them to the appropriate room for the meeting.

The shuttle approuched the hanger. "Clearance has been given" the pilot said as he smoothed out, the shuttle came into the hanger bay and landed. The ramps came down and two guards exited the ship

Tzhali walked down the ramp. "You three, stay with the ship. I only need one guard this time around."

"Yes Sir!" Three of the guards saluted, once more reminding him of how much HATED being saluted. It didn't take much time for them to meet up with one of the Coalitions ship's staff who guided them to the meeting room. While they where heading there he checked himself to make sure he didn't forget anything.... forgoet? What was there to forgoet... it wasn't like he was dressing up for any occasion.

Back on Kashyyyk, in some darked remote area

"Tzhali has left for the Coalition ship."

"Good...."

"Unfortantly, while he's there it'll be kinda impossible for us to get to him"

"No matter... we'll wait... besides.. that ship is just sitting there out in the middle of no where, it might be armed, but I doubt it'll stand up to an assault from us."

"I still want to know why Tzhali.. of all wookie's.. choose to side with those lizards...."

"He's forgotten how harmful those lizards are, he's also forgotten what they did to us in the time of the empire."

"Huh... well... when the time come's we'll see just who is the strongest.."

As the Wookie and Trandoshan ambassadors approached, Jargur watched them on a security panel, flicking between the two. "It looks like the Trandoshans have sent Lady Naosha - or Speaker-Above-All Naosha, as the title goes. That's encouraging, it shows at least they come in peace. I see no reason to fear."

Oaxaca looked closely at the panel, and said "The wookies have sent admiral Tzhali. Hm... less good, I would say, but not bad either. I can think of greater wookies they could have sent, it might be an offence to the rank of Naosha. Sending a military commander to speak to a speaker, I mean."

"After all the trouble our people have been in I hardly think a small difference in rank would even register as something worth getting worked up about." said Jargur, with a shrug. "Turn off the panel, they're almost here."

Jargur and Oaxaca were there to greet both ambassadors as they reached the meeting room at the same time. Quickly, Jargur stepped up to make introductions.

"I am Jargur, a senior diplomat with the Coalition Diplomatic corps, and one of the two ambassadors for this assignment. With me here is Oaxaca, a fellow diplomat from the Coalition." a small droid near the back of the room translated his words to the native wookie language.

Oaxaca bowed slightly, and said "We are here on behalf of our government to discuss the serious issue of ongoing tensions in this system between Wookies and Trandoshans, and to some extent as envoys of the Coalition wishing to encourage the two great peoples to the Coalition cause - although that is secondary to the diplomatic purpose of our trip." It was a difficult sentance for Oaxaca, considering the wookie language lacked in some departments, especially diplomatic language. The translator droid also took the time to translate this for the Trandoshans, and it continued to translate for the rest of the meeting when necessary, neatly reducing any language barrier.

"If I can continue with the introductions." said Jargur to the Wookie delegate "It is good to greet you, Admiral Tzhali. I have heard a little about you and am pleased you will be meeting with us."

"And if I may." said Oaxaca, turning to the Trandoshan delegate "It is also good to greet you, Speaker-Above-All Naosha. The robe you have chosen for the occasion suits you well."

With formal introductions brielfy concluded, Jargur gesture for all to sit "Please, take a seat, and relax. We wish only to speak about the current situation and see if it cannot be improved at all, perhaps with our aide. Is there anything either of you would like to say first?"

“I would like to extend my thanks to the Coalition for providing this opportunity to discuss the situation between our two peoples with a third party.” Naosha said with a bow of her head. Well, technically ‘forth’ party, but I don’t think the Fleet wants to make themselves known just yet. Must be why Tzhali was chosen for this meeting. She thought, knowing the wookiee had ties in the Serendivus Fleet. “I would also like to extend a hearty welcome to Admiral Tzhali, whom has helped us greatly during the forging of the current peace between our peoples. Well settled into your new post yet friend?” The wookiee’s expression told her all she needed to know and she chuckled. “Don’t worry. Vice Admiral Tiosk is about as settled in as you are I bet.”

“As in not.” Added Silliss with a slight grin. “He gripes about it every time he’s on shore leave.”

Naosha shook her head. “Not even five minutes into the discussion and we are already starting to get off track.” She said with another chuckle. “I hope Silliss’ presence won’t be a problem, as I thought I would need a translator, which you have provided already. My lifemate wanted him to come along for security reason as well, for…unfortunately…past negotiations have been less then pleasant, violent even, in my experience. But he may have some insights I may not be very clear on.” She bowed her head and indicated to Tzhali that it was his turn. While their old friend made his entry statement, Silliss leaned close to Naosha and said in a whisper:

“Just what has that T’Doshok done to himself?” He said, a note of disapproval at Jargur’s filed down claws and overall appearance. “He looks like an overgrown lizard pampered to be shown at a pet show.”

Naosha gave him a sharp look. “We are here to discuss the tensions between the Wookiee’s and ourselves, not our host’s appearance. I suggest you keep your disrespectful tongue to yourself.” She snarled quietly back at him. Point taken, Silliss lowered his eyes respectfully and straightened back up in his seat.

Tzhali chuckled slightly at Silliss comment. "I appricaite this gesture of goodwill from the Coalition." he said then looked at the Wookiee in the far corner, who looked just as pampered as the Trandoshan. I think I'll keep the way my fur looks.. makes me look older and more experienced he said to himself

With that side the wookie glanced to both sides. "The peace between our people is going very well." he said and was about to say more when he forgot.

Jargur and Oaxaca took their places at the table, pleased that the two sides were getting along so well already.

"Oh, well, in that case I guess we'll just go find some other longtime rival species to bring peace to." said Jargur, with a playful smile. "Seriously though, this is good news. Nevertheless, the Coalition has some sources of information, and we have heard that there are still some groups that are not totally happy with the current state of affairs."

"I am worried by how many ships we saw, as well, and the debries." said Oaxaca. "When did we start building warships? There have been tensions, and war, but I have never witnessed it grow to such a scale."

"That level of escalation means that our two races are now visible on the galactic scene. By maintaing warships, you make yourself a target for those capable of maintaining many more warships than you. If Trandosha and Kashyyyk don't destroy each other first, then another force will declare your ongoing fighting as reason enough to annex both worlds. They'll say it'll be to bring civilization or right wrongs or some such thing. The Coalition would rather not see that sort of forced submission, and in fact was founded on exactly that belief, so it is our hope that by appearing here today we can find out from you both just what we could offer to see tighter bonds forged and the need for maintaining such weapons reduced." Jargur clacked his tongue "It is important to the development and survival of both people."

"It is so strange to see our people becoming soldiers and pilots, like the armies of others across the galaxy." said Oaxaca, appealing to Tzahli "Surely it must be straining the clans and villages to modernize so rapidly, and all that has been achieved is Mutually Assured Destruction - which is quite mad."

"There is an obvious hurdle." said Jargur "There are Empires, raiders, pirates, and more in the galaxy who would harm you if given the chance. Why, this was evidenced earlier when we witnessed the capture of those slavers. Without a space force, how can you maintain authority of your own people and planet if the technologically advanced can show up and take people away at will? On the other hand, so long as you have the weapons to do so, there will surely be movements on both sides to go after one another."

Jargur paused as he spoke to take another surreptitious look at the Trandoshan delegation - the lady Naosha really did look stunning in those robes. He'd been away from home too long, perhaps.

"One of the solutions we offer is the assistance of the Coalition." said Oaxaca "Though we are often embroiled in struggles and war, we could offer to patrol this system on your behalf, protecting your soveringty while at the same time robbing those who desire an escalated conflict of the means to do so. But this is getting ahead of ourselves. What have you each to say on the current situation?"

“I understand your concerns about the building up of our respective fleet and military forces.” Naosha said. “I am not entirely certain, but our Fleet started taking shape around the time of the end of the Old Empire. Perhaps the Councilors of the time, my father among them, felt the Old Empire was nearing it’s end and ‘precautions’ needed to be taken in case retaliation came for the crimes we commented against the Wookiees and others while under the ‘care’ of the Empire. Whatever the reason for the build up, most of our Fleet was lost during the recent conflict and we are still struggling to get our Fleet back up to a level where we can at least patrol our own system effectively. We are stretched pretty thin right now and assistance from the Coalition patrolling our system would be appreciated I am sure, but that’s for the Elder Council as a whole to decide.

“I think another reason we are trying to build up our Fleet again is because of the likes of TNO.” Naosha continued. “Many have realized just how much we got the ‘short end of the stick’ after the allegiance with the Old Empire and have little doubt this new Empire would do the same. Not all agree with that however…

“As you already know, there are groups within our own society that liked how things were before our little revolution.” Naosha said with a sigh. “Most of these have been identified as Warrior Clans, though we wouldn’t be surprised if some of the less…’ethical’ non-warrior Clans are against this as well.”

“Like the Sykir…” Silliss put in. “According to Sha’tor Rissonik they have been suspiciously inactive in Hsshkor as of late. They are known, though never officially admitted, for their research into espionage and interrogation tactics. They were supporters of the Insane One when he was alive.”

“Who was the T’Doshok that previously held my position.” Naosha clarified. “He thought that as Speaker-Above-All he didn’t need the other Councilors to make decisions and his decisions led to the suffering and death of countless innocents. The irony of it all was that forcing our own people to experience what we once subjected to others, only contributed to his own downfall and forged the first steps of peace between ourselves and the Wookiees.

“Getting back on track again, out of the those that disagree with the status quo it is those that are Warriors we will have the most difficult time convincing to continue the peace.”

“For generations they have been comfortable hunting whatever and whomever they wanted.” Silliss explained. “With the policy now being that we can only hunt criminal elements when it comes to sentient targets, such as pirates, it is not sitting well with many. Even in my own Clan there have been grumblings of a lack of challenge with the limited targets we are allowed to pursue.”

“It has been mostly the older generation that has done the grumbling from what we heard though.” Naosha said. “The older generation usually are the ones that have trouble letting go. How stubborn they will be only time will tell. Of equal or greater concern though, are the elements within the Wookiee society that still lust for our blood for the crimes we have committed upon them. Missions like the slaver capture Vice Admiral Tiosk performed when you first arrived are slowly winning hearts and minds of the Wookiee populous by physically showing them that we are serious about changing our ways. But for some that will never be enough….and Wookiees live far longer then we do.”

"Oh and Jargur...off topic but..." Naosha said with a sly smile. "It hasn't escaped my notice that you seem to be quite fond of my attire. You can thank my lifemate, Sha'tor Rissonik, for the choice."

Tzhali clasped his furry hands together to think about it. "I'm afraid, our villages and clans taking up arms, was mostly due to the threat that once came from Trandosha. None the less, it wasn't always like this." he said while resting his head on his clasped hands. "Slayers we still have issues with, but not as much thanks to the Trandoshan's." he glanced over at Naosha

"Granted there are elements within Wookie Society that don't like this peace and have already tried to break it, with no success"

"Partly due to the Se-" The human guard said before he caught himself and shutted up

Tzhali glared at him. He had given orders NOT to speak of the one only organization that never fired a shot at them, that being the Serendive's."We have our own fleets to take care of that have allowed our trade ships to roam free and trade with other stations. In fact, there's already plans on building a trading station in orbit above Kashyyyk, to help make trading a little eaiser"

He unclasped his hands. "Many of the villages and clans are unarming themselves in the face of this peace, although a few would rather keep there arms and starcraft in the event the peace breaks." He said and glanced outside the window, a shimmer flew by the screen and arched it's way away from the ship. I thought I told those idiots no 'Tiosks' .... he mumbled under his breath

"I fear though... that the TNO might take interest in the fact that we are at peace... and, seeing how Trandoshan's have a nack for bounty hunting and hunting in general, might try to instigate a war between us again." he glanced away. "Right now... Kashyyyk has fair to few resources left to fight another war, it was a blessing that this peace occured."

A lifemate? Damn, just my luck. Though Jargur, as he sat down somewhat embarrased.

"War cannot be an option, my brothers." said Oaxaca, becoming way too familiar with the wookies based solely on their common race. "In these times, local problems become seized upon by larger powers. Surely, the only hope for our people is disarmament - to avoid the roving eyes of Imperial powers - or to seek the patronage of a galactic power like the Coalition, who can ensure our safety without us having to risk ourselves to the interests of more domianting powers, or suffer the indignity of giving up our customs and way of life?

"I mean, building space stations? Maintaining warships? Where do we get the resources, the wookie-power, the training? Surely this is a cost best put to rest, before it affects our culture any further?"

Jargur gestured briefly for his companion to calm down a little. "What we are trying to say, is that we're glad that both governments are so receptive to peace, and we also understand that there are still elements that offer resistance to this change.

"Anything we can do to preserve this peace, and promote it, we wish to see done - it is not the desire of the Coalition to see harm befall the two worlds of Kashyyyk and Trandosha." He took out a sheet of paper and a pen, saying "We have prepared a document in advance, one for each of you, laying out a proposal for Coalition patrols in the region and just what exactly that would involve. It would also make the Empire and the Black Dragons think twice before-" He paused, and sniffed the air. "...What was that?"

Oaxaca gave him a confused look. "What was what?"

"That... that smell in the air." his diplomatic image melted as he sniffed the air intently. "...Oaxaca, turn on the security panel."

Still confused, the wookie turned and pressed a few keys on the wall panel. All he saw was static, all he heard was interference. "That's weird, I thought..."

On the bridge, the ship's captain turned to his sensor officer. "What is it?! Can you detect something, or not?"

"I-I dunno, sir!" said the officer, nervously. "I... I think. Maybe. Something's out there."

"Oh no...just once...just once I want something not to happen during a meeting like this..." Naosha groaned, putting a hand on her forehead.

"The Bloodfang should still be close by, knowing father. He slipped me his personal comm device when we were onboard," He held up the device. "so I can contact him to see if his ship has detected anything."

Naosha nodded. "Two sets of scanners sweeping the area will be more likely to confirm a possible threat." She looked at their hosts. "Can we have permission to contact our ship?"

Before permission could be granted however, the comm device in Silliss' hand went off. The warrior quickly flipped the device to accept the call. "Father...your ear holes must have been burning...we were just about to..." He started to say, but he was interrupted.

~Sen, I den't think thoy liko privuto culls daring mootings, se I nood te muko this shert.~ Tiosk's voice said in Clan Dialect: likely for security reasons. ~Ear sonsers pickod ap semothing eat thoro, bat wo den't knew jast whut yot.~

"This ships sonsers picked ap semothing us woll." Silliss replied. "Bat thoy uro net saro if it's roully 'thoro'."

There was a merring sound coming from the device, his father not liking this news. ~Koop ulort...whe knews whut wo uro ap uguisnt.~ The line went dead then and Silliss put away the device.

"I take it the detection was confirmed....considering you spoke in Clan Dialect?" Naosha inquired.

"Unfortunately so." The warrior said.

Naosha groaned and buried her head in her hands.