Considering the Offer

~~~(POV: Vera Lorell)~~~

~~~(Location: Secret resistance base, Balmorra)~~~

The deal that Nathan has proposed isn't bad... In fact, it's everything that we need. The only reason the Republic is helping us is that they're expecting us to join their side in the war once the conflict on Balmorra is over. Wanting weapons and reinforcements to all their campaigns. Nathan helping us can be far more beneficial in the end.

I need to know the finer details until I agree, so I might as well ask him. "So you're telling me that all you want from us is weaponry for your fleet? You don't want troops, supplies, our allegiance..." It's usually a trap when someone comes along with a deal like this. However, hearing the offers will not bring an end to you. Only accepting them will.

Nathan Opal is not only an incredibly powerful Force Sensitive, but he's also Alderaanian Nobility. He's part of house Opal, one of the most powerful families on Alderaan. His connection to the Hutt Cartel would be considered a downside to many, but I can see possibilities that could benefit Balmorra in the end. We're a neutral arms world, not a part of any side of the war.

There are negatives to helping Nathan, but the positives far outweigh them. "While the Republic and Empire battle for this world and its weapons, I'll free you of both of them for the weapons needed for my fleet. I don't need supplies or troops, just weapons." Being free from the two powerhouses in the galaxy would bring Balmorra to its height again.

It's my duty as the resistance leader against the Empire's occupation to make decisions that benefit my people. "You'll have to forgive me, Nathan, but all this sounds far too good to be true. It feels like there is no downside to helping you, but I know there is a downside to every deal." I'm not a fool, and I'm not going to fully consider this without knowing the downside.

Nathan lightly folds his arms, and he remains silent, and I know he's trying to choose his next words carefully. "The downside, huh... The only downside that your people will experience is rebuilding a broken world alone. All I'm doing is getting rid of your invaders, not helping you with everything." Hmm... I knew that was a possibility, but I was hoping that he would help...

All he's doing is tossing the enemies from where they came from and leaving us to fend for ourselves after he gets the weapons. I can assume he'll not be sticking around to help keep the Empire away. "Your offer... How much would it take for you to help us rebuild Balmorra and keep the Empire away for good." If I'm doing this, I want everything covered.

Many of the officers around the room whisper slightly to one another, and Nathan remains unmoving. I'm not going even to consider the deal if we're forced to join him in some manner. "There is no scenario where I'll be staying here. My war is against the Empire. It's not a defense against them." Interesting... Normally, negotiators try to reach the best possible deal.

He's not making any more additions to his deal means this is the best it will get for us. Either that or he's so confident in his power that the Empire will have to divert all of its forces to fight him and abandon their fronts on several worlds. "Are we not allowed to know the deeper plan that you're scheming... All anyone knows is you're planning something against the Empire." He grins lightly.

His mouth is all I see, thanks to the hood covering most of his facial features. "Why are you concerned about what I'm planning to do against the Empire? Looking for something that assures they aren't coming back with the current terms of the deal?" He's incredibly shrewd... Figured out exactly what I was trying to find out.

I have no doubt he's looking into my mind, reading my thoughts and feelings, and making the best move accordingly. "I'll tell you what. This has become far more difficult than I expected. If you don't decide in the next 2 minutes, the deal is off the table, and you're on your own." My hands instinctively clench, and that's cause I know he's serious.

In the end, he likely doesn't need our weapons and is only doing this to cover any potential lapses in his plan, but it's not do or die for him. However, it's do or die for us, and he's using that to his advantage. He's as still as a statue, calmly waiting for me to make a decision... What could this lead to for Balmorra... Salvation... Or Doom...