Peace Talks Pt. 3

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What could a guy like me
Ever really offer
She's perfect as she can be
Why should I even bother?

She's So High - Tal Bachman

Finn rubbed between his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, the bickering around the table causing him a headache.

He eyed Poe's empty seat, wishing his friend was there. Him and Rey both.

In fact, he and Leia were the only members of the Resistance present as Leia had asked Poe and Rey to skip today's negotiations, deeming them both too distracting. Neither of them was too broken up about it. Finn, for some reason, had been allowed to stay.

Also notably missing, were the Hapans, suspecting Cyrilla had asked them to skip today to allow the New Republic and First Order a chance to work it out on their own.

"I don't really see what is so complicated about this," he announced to the entire table, stunning them into silence.

The Jedi apprentice stood. "Maybe we're trying to do too much at once. We've already agreed to an armistice. A month ago that was unthinkable." He looked to Leia, "General, we need to give a little here." He shot a glare at Ben, "So do you."

Finn sat back down again over-riding the current projected image with his own holopad, scribbling some characters on it. "Corellia and Kuat each want to belong to the Republic and the First Order respectively but want to be able to do business with either entity." He looked at Leia pointedly, "Let them. The point of the Republic is to promote freedom and that means allowing that kind of trade. It benefits everyone."

Leia seemed to consider his plea before turning her gaze to the Supreme Leader. "I think we can come to a separate agreement regarding the shipbuilding worlds once we solve the problem of expansion."

The Supreme Leader's gaze remained steely. "I believe we can reach a general trade agreement at a later time that will be mutually beneficial."

The representatives from Kuat and Corellia sighed audibly in relief.

"If we can agree on expansion we can end this war today," Cyrilla declared.

"It seems the main sticking point is Coruscant, though no one has actually asked us what we want," Governor Drince spoke up.

"And what is that?" asked Finn.

"Protection. Ever since the fall of the Empire our streets have become lawless, crimelords have sunk their teeth in. We want them evicted and," she cleared her throat, "order restored to our world."

"That does not mean we want to join the First Order, however," she looked at Ben. "What, specifically do you want from Coruscant, the entire planet's allegiance?"

The Supreme Leader shook his head, silky black locks swaying with the motion. "My main interest in Coruscant is the old Imperial Palace." He looked pointedly at his mother. "It would serve as an excellent base of operations for our interests in the Core worlds and the Colonies as well as an embassy."

Governor Drince looked relieved at this revelation, "we would concede control over the old Imperial Palace to the First Order in exchange for their help in destroying the criminal underworld in our lower levels."

Drince looked at Leia, "It hurt us deeply when the New Republic chose not to use Coruscant as their new capital. We have scores of empty buildings from when the Senate was dissolved for you to make a home in."

"He wants it for more than an embassy," Leia accused. "Before it was the Imperial Palace it was the main Jedi Temple."

The Supreme Leader nodded, his voice low, "I do. But the building is of no use to anyone now as it is. The Republic does not have the funds to restore it." He looked to Drince, meeting the older woman's wizened eyes. "The building is part of Coruscant. It is their's to do with as they please. It they choose to deed the building to me we will destroy the Black Sun, Crimson Dawn, and any other crime rings that have taken up residence there just as we did on Kintan."

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