Fwurg

[Maria Latharion]

When Senator Harek entered the Ministry he was asked to wait a moment.

A few moments later the Senator was called by a secretary.

"Senator Harek? The Minister will see you now."

As he entered he was formally greeted by Maria Latharion.

"Senator Harek, welcome. Please take a seat." She said as she gestured to an empty chair.

"You said you where concerned about the Mandalorian fleets?"

[Senator Harek]

Senator Harek did not have his regular senator robes on, but a simpler dark red one. He enters the ministry and waits their a few minutes. As the lady-senator greets him, she bow and makes the Hiocan welcome greeting.

“It is a pleasure to meet you minister Maria Latharion.”

He sits down and looks the minister in the eyes.

“Yes, minister we are deeply concerned about the Mandalorian fleet, they are only 1 sector away from us.

You already have heard of the pillaging they have done in sector 4,-7. The mandalorians do not sit idle. Sins long mandalorian slaves have come and fled to our world but recently fewer have come and the ones that made it are in a worse condition than before. This does not bide well.

I would like to know what the Union military is doing to protect us against this thread.”

((OOC: I do not have info any actual information from mercury so this will have to do.))

[Maria Latharion]

"I share your concern, senator." the Astrian Minister said, a serious expression adorning her features.

"As you might know my own homeworld is also close to Mandalorian territory.

Both our sectors are patrolled by a Core-Picket fleet and there are two fleets on the Bozzy-Spine in that region. One of which is also guarding the Unity sector.

Additionally we have reliable intelligence sources within Mandalorian space."

Maria paused a moment to let her words sink in.

"The bulk of the Union military is guarding the region furthest from the galactic core, personally I think this deployment method is good but what is your opinion on this?"

((OOC: We have something better! Wiki pages! Union Military and Union Intelligence courtesy of the write-a-thon :)))

[Senator Harek]

“The fleets are positioned good across the borders at strategic locations. We are glad the Union protects us with fleet patrolling our sector. What I want minister is that we collaborate more. As we have a long history with Mandalorian slaves coming to us we have various operations running in their territory. Our intelligent network is located in sector [5,-7] and also some in [4,-7]. We are both collecting intelligence but we need to put the pieces of the puzzle together if we want to react timely otherwise we might be surprised.

Furthermore I am also interested if you have talked to the Jedi about this matter. We will need their power.”

((OOC: Good work from the write-a-thon:) Here some plot hooks mercury.))

[Maria Latharion]

"I understand collaboration is good and I am inclined to agree with you. But in this case there are other things to take into account, the more people who know a secret the less of a secret it becomes.

There is a possibility we both have an operative in the same area. Telling them there is another operative in the area can blow the cover of one or even both of them. With all the consequences that follow. Surely you understand that this is unwise and undesirable.

Furthermore the intelligence network of the Union is large and has a lot more budget available. If an imminent threat is suspected by intelligence the Senate is immediately informed so we can take proper action.

I haven't talked to the Jedi about this. I am unsure this is necessary but I will speak to them regarding this."

"Was that all?"

[Senator Harek]

“The least I ask is that our heads of intelligence talk to each other as two know more than one. By sharing knowledge behind the scenes we can lay all the puzzle pieces together.

Furthermore I am wondering which port supplies the Union fleet. We can offer you a zone or more on Ah’rak to support it. This will shorten the supply line and lower the upkeep.

Currently we are looking into building a planetary defense grid to defend ourselves. I am wondering what the Union does on research and development on military basis. We have heard that the Sundarians have advanced scanning fleet and as the Mandalorians can take various routes to the Union this seems very useful.”

[Maria Latharion]

"I assure you Senator the Union Fleets are quite well supplied and, while your offer is kind, I must reject it.

It is good your people are looking into ways to defend themselves. That will surely increase your safety.

While I agree with you that two heads know more than one, there is more to take into account than just sharing knowledge. To effectively preform their job Union Intelligence has a high degree of freedom. It is probably better to take that up with them directly."

((OOC: first: Union Fleets don't require a supply line or a support zone.
second: IC I'm the correct person to talk to, OOC I'm not. if you really what to do something with this take it up with Mercury.))

[Senator Harek]

"Thank you minister for listing to our concerns. I will give our intelligence heads the powers to look into matter and hopefully with sharing knowledge we will lead to good results.

The Sundarians have just asked permission to move their scanning fleet through our system to watch the borders. It is good to know that we are well protected."

((OOC: I am now ready, so we can finish.))

"Thank you for making time for me, minister Maria Latharion."

The senator made a bow and the Hiocan signal and left.