The Senate Rotunda

"I am not asking for a trade alliance, I am asking for inclusion in your private party but from what I am hearing, you are no better equipped to defend your own homes as members of this Republic than you would be by yourselves. Isn't that what this Republic is for? To provide stability and protection to the citizens of the galaxy? And yet I hear of turmoil unrelated to the Mandalorian plight has burned the homeworlds of the very leaders who serve here to make a better life for those back home. I came to offer the money of Dark Tide to help bolster protection of relief shipments of workers and food. We need medicine and supplies. But you cannot provide for your own. What is the failing of this body to protect the people who sent you here? Do you need soldier? Ships? Was action for Ryloth discussed in this room or were the Twi'leks left to their own defenses?"

This admission of the Republic's own shortcomings amounted to a fine present, wrapped with a large colorful bow to the Sith Lord. Perhaps she need not focus solely on the prejudices of the Senate charter agreement and instead let their bureaucracy be their undoing.

"Considering that my people have asked me to come before you to plead their case for inclusion in the Republic, you bet your ass it's my place to question your fleets, your military and your intelligence community if I am expected to turn their wellbeing over to this governing body. They will ask the same questions I do and would you begrudge them the answers as you have me? I knew the Mandalorians were a threat. I prepared for it as best I could. You did not send fleets to help me, nor did you send fleets to other worlds attacked by the Mandalorians so I wonder where these threats you speak of come from. Taung killed 32 million of your people. The Republic did not lift a finger to fight him. You all left that task to the decimated Jedi forces and the Dark Tide and after I lost thousands of men stopping the threat that was about to come here, you tell me I have no right to question how you do things? The blood, sweat and tears of mine are what allow you to draw breath today."

She steps away from the podium, exchanging a few words with Lorta. The pert blond carefully waits, no doubt listening to the prompts from the other noble houses in her ear. Solemnly, she nods to Sinistra who turns and retakes the podium.

"It is clear to me now that this Republic is flawed. The welfare of the citizens of the planets in Dark Tide would be better served where they are, but further than that, I believe the worlds of the Republic would be better off breaking ties with this preposterous charade and allying themselves with someone who has the resources to protect them and foster their growth rather than feed them empty promises. I will rebuild mine and whatever worlds that so choose to follow me. It is time to face the facts that corrupt politicians in a venue such as this are less concerned about the galaxy at large than a known Sith Lord."

She sat down as the pod turned and piloted itself back into the offloading area, the senate chambers erupting in shouts and jeers while others cheered the brutal honesty of the departing speaker. Once back among her staff in the waiting area, Sinistra lead them out of the Rotunda towards the landing pads. She spoke backwards over her shoulder to Gorja and Lorta as she rounded a corner.

"Get the HNN, have them ready when we land at Kuat."

Belf'ima's pod remained floating as it were, as she shook her head at the Lady's departure. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Republic, I represent a world that has suffered greatly, not just in this attack, but over time as slavers have continued to poach our people. Many of you know that I myself was born into a life of slavery. And while Senator Crom'nen has often commented upon the disparity between Core Worlds and those of the Outer Rim, let me assure of our resolve.

Do not be swayed by the Sith Lady, who came to us. She bowed to political pressure of her people and begged to come before us, but with insults and conclusions in hand already. She came only to seek to sway us and divide us. While Ryloth might support a resolution to include Sith into the Republic, I would not favor handing military specifications and defense strategies over to those who would make themselves our enemies. Now is not the time to prove her right through weakness. Now is the time for strength.

Belf'ima paused for a moment. She took a breath and allowed noise to die down before addressing her assigned topic.

The attack that Ryloth is currently suffering is from a as-of-yet unknown enemy. In fact, what little information that is available comes from local news outlets in Kala'uun. What we know is that sometime a few hours ago, a hostile fleet jumped into orbit and engaged the Republic fleet stationed there. For some unknown reason, the Jedi charged with the defense of that world abandoned the defenses entirely at the enemy arrival. Not only this, but the countermanded the mandate given to the fleet by the Republic, and ordered the fleet to abandon their post as well, and have not returned. They left behind a derelict Star Destroyer, which the hostile force used tractor beams to lower into orbit at a precise angle. Specifically, they targeted the Twi'lek Clan leaders in the capitol, leaving much collateral damage in the city.

As many of you know, the Senator left on a classified mission for the Republic, of which I am not even aware of the nature. His travels had apparently taken him back to Ryloth, where he is currently leading the counter-attack on the ground. He has taken control of things until a new Clan Council can be appointed.

As a member of the Military Committee, I know that our nearest reinforcement would take two days to travel by hyperspace to get there. If they are attempting to seize control, the battle will be over by then. If they are, as reports suggest, pirate who are rounding up slaves, they will have departed by then. As much as it pains my heart to say it, we here can do nothing for the time being, other than seek to hold those responsible accountable.

Belf'ima looked down at her hands. She realized that they were shaking, and a tear formed in her eye. She was not typically prone to displays of emotion; control over emotions had been beaten into her as a slave. Still, she was scared, for her people and especially for Crom'nen. That is my recommendation for the time being. I would also ask the Republic to fulfill it's charter with Ryloth and provide us with a fleet, and this time, training for crews of our own so that we are not abandoned again.

Ludo sends the rest of the delegation ahead without him as he enters the darkened rotunda alone. He makes his way slowly to his pod and sits in his chair in silence for a time. He had finally returned to Coruscant. When he left in disgrace all those years ago, he knew that one day he would return. What use had the galaxy with a ranger who failed to protect his jedi and his team? He knew the truth, however. He knew that his partner had betrayed them. He eventually caught up with Starholder and brought an end to that betrayal. A decade had passed since that fateful day, and yet he still had not finished playing games.

Finally, he stands and engages the repulserlifts and begins to float around the massive room. The empry pods spoke volumes. This building which had once been a shrine to idealism had become a monument to choas. The senate had once housed delegations from every major system in the known galaxy, but now it seemed sparsely occupied. Although it boasted the name of Galactic Republic, it was in truth nothing other than a minor pawn in the great galactic game. How did this once paramount piece become so insignificant? Ludo had studied the game with intense interest for years. Although minor now, the Republic could once again take a prominent role in the movings of the galaxy.

He looked around the empty room again. They spent too much time relying on the jedi to help them out of their problems. The jedi order had been decimated by this conflict and they graced too few to adequately defend their own holdings, yet alone the republic. No, the Republic needed to rely upon themselves, for a change. They needed to add their strength to that of the jedi if they ever hoped to once again take their rightful place in the game.

He looks toward Crom’nen’s pod. Over the last two years, The Golden Tongue had proven his eloquence and had the entire senate eating out of his hand. Ludo knew, however, his secret past. He knew what Crom’nen had done over the ten years he had disappeared from public life. He knew about the music box. Five years ago Crom’nen had manipulated an invitation to the marriage between a fellow clansman and the daughter of a Chandrillan noble in order to obtain the box. “What a pity that the marriage had never taken place,” he thought to himself sarcastically. Ludo’s nemesis had seen to that. Now, however, the young lady was under Ludo’s protection and the young man who had kidnapped her had hidden himself among the jungles of Rodia. Eventually he would have to deal with young Starholder, but not today. He guided his pod back into its home and got up to leave the Rotunda.