In the most important room on Coruscant sat 9 individuals, one leading the largest government to exist, 7 members of the Jedi Order's High Council.
And one Count Thalron, The Leader of the Republic Military Alliance.
…
"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends. More and more star systems are joining the separatist." Supreme Chancellor Palpatine spoke, in a sad voice.
I found myself sitting in the Chancellor's office, alongside 7 other Jedi, the reason I'm here is because I was recently appointed as Palpatine's Military Advisor, I was given the rank of Admiral within the Judicial Forces, although I rarely used it.
Although I led the Military Faction within the Republic, I was still technically a part of the loyalist faction. Such exceptions were made for many, Padme was mainly a Peace Faction advocate, but still a member of the loyalist faction, same with Bail Organa and the Core Faction.
"If they do break away-" Mace Windu began before being cut off.
"I will not let this Republic that has stood for a thousand years be split in two. My negotiations will not fail." Palpatine said proudly.
"If they do, you must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers." Mace Windu said.
"Hmmm, you are correct but there does not exist a force currently capable of protecting the Republic against the Separatist forces." I said, shocking the entire room. Nobody had truly bothered to research the CIS Military.
"What do you mean, Count Thalron?" Palpatine asked worriedly, although I doubt he really is.
I leaned back into my seat and breathed in a big sigh.
"The Republic, is quite simply. Weak. The Jedi too are weak." I said and I could see Windu get a bit angry, but Yoda remained calm.
"Hmm, weak you say Jedi is, explain you will." Yoda said interestingly.
"The R uusan Reformation, handicapped the Republic, the Jedi and the Galaxy. The Ruusan Reformation created a golden age of piracy and corruption." I said before taking a break.
"The Judicial Forces are weaker than my own personal fleet. The Trade Federation has enough droids to take over the entire outer rim by force, nobody can openly disobey their forces." I said and this time Palpatine spoke up.
"The Trade Federation would not dare attack us, they'd lose all Trade," Palpatine said, but I know he didn't truly believe that.
"Yes, but unlike the Republic and the Senate Intelligence, my Veridian Intelligence Agency has information about the CIS forces," I said, though that was mostly bullshit, but some of it was correct.
"The Trade Federation, The InterGalactic Banking Clan, The Corporate Alliance, The Techno Union, The Commerce Guild, Hyper-Communications Cartell, these make up the Core of the Corporate Core, and they have precisely what it takes to wage a war." I said as realization dawned upon the Jedi's faces.
"The Trade Federation has the Trade Routes, the InterGalactic Clan has the money, the Corporate Alliance and the Commerce Guild own large territories and resources, the Techno-Union has the Technology and HCC has the communications. This group has the capability to create and maintain an army without the Republic, no matter how many sanctions you put on them." I said and the Jedi began thinking.
"Yes, but they would not dare break away from the Republic, that would allow other Corporations to take over Republic business." Palpatine said.
"Correct, they can't break away. But they can do business. The Banking Clan gives the CIS large loans at low interest rates if not none, the CIS can then buy resources, ships, and technology from these Corporations, making them rich as well. It is a win-win, if the CIS wins then they will be indebted to the Corporations. Giving them immense power, and they earn a lot of money." I said and the Jedi was outraged.
"We cannot allow this, we must deal the first strike!" Ki-Adi-Mundi exclaimed.
"I'm afraid, that it is too late to do anything. If Count Thalron speaks true, then they will be doing it completely legally, not allowing us to put sanctions, additionally, the Corporations hold immense political power, any bills we put in motion can be shut down." Palpatine said sadly.
"Hmm, Count Thalron, wisdom you have shown, a plan you have, hmm?" Yoda spoke silently.
"The fact remains unless we can magically build an army within a few months, then we're screwed. Dooku is not naïve, he wants to break out and he knows he'll have to go to war for it. My only suggestion is that we contact Kuat Drive Yards and build a lot of Venators." I said again, and this time Plo-Koon spoke, he was the foremost military expert.
"Why Venators? They possess little firepower compared to the Lucrehulks and Munificents that you suggest will be used against us?"
"It's simple, we cannot beat the Corporations and CIS in numbers. The Senate and the Republic have allowed a few Corporations monopoly over their respective areas. Our only shot at winning is through quality." I said and they began thinking.
"Count Thalron is correct, we cannot match their numbers, if we focus on starfighters a single Venator could potentially match 4-5 Munificents alone!" Palpatine said excitedly, happy that his plans were going forward.
"Hmm, true this is. But if negotiations goes as planned, come to war, we must not." Yoda said slowly, putting us back on track.
"Do you believe it will come to war, Master Yoda?" Palpatine said finally.
"Hmm, the dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is." Yoda said finally, just in time for Palpatine's assistant to put up on his HoloTransmitter and inform him of the Loyalist Committee's arrival.
"Good, we must discuss this later." Palpatine said as he stood up, the rest of the Jedi Council soon followed, but me and Mace Windu remained seated.
"What do you mean the Jedi are weak?" He finally said quietly, only me hearing it.
"The current Jedi Order works for their intended assignment. But you and the rest of the council must realize. Times are changing. Chaos is a fall for some, but a ladder for others. And the best time to climb is on a ladder, not without it." I said and he became silent.
"My suggestion is, to add Military command to your training. I can loan you my men and then, when war comes. You will be prepared." I said and he began thinking.
"You are certain this war will come?" Mace said as we both stood up.
"I can bet the entire planet of Thyferra on it. The Corporations have been idle long enough, it's in their nature to be greedy, and the Senate is corrupt, change must come or more and more CIS will come, even if we defeat all of them." I said and Mace nodded, walking off.
I then heard Padme speak.
"Do you have any idea of who was behind this attack?" She asked and Mace spoke.
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo," Windu said as he walked towards the exit, as he reached Padme she spoke.
"I think that Count Dooku was behind it."
"He is a political idealist, not a murderer." Mundi spoke.
"You know, milady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in
his character." Mace Windu spoke.
"True Master Windu, but you cannot deny the coincidence of it happening right before the vote." I said and Padme smiled a bit at me.
"Hmm, but for certain, Senator, in grave danger you are." Yoda said in his usual tone of speaking.
"Master Jedi, may I suggest the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces." Palpatine said, while looking out the window, like a true leader.
"Do you really think that's a wise decision under these stressful times?" Bail Organa spoke.
"Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe-" Padme tried...
"The situation is that serious? No, but I do, Senator. I realize all too well that additional security might be too disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you're familiar with. An old friend, like Master Kenobi." He said at last, with a bit of sarcasm and smiles into that sentence.
"That's possible. He's just returned from a border dispute on Ansion." Mace Windu said, always knowing where everyone is.
"Do it for me, milady. Please?" Palpatine said lastly. "The thought of losing you… is unbearable." Palpatine spoke.
"I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, My Lady." Windu said before turning around to leave.
"Thank you, Master Windu." Amidala said as Palpatine walked back to his chair.
And with that we sat down and began discussing.
"What will we do about the Separatist movement?" Bail Organa said as we all sat in the Palpatines office.
"We have to begin negotiations to incorporate the Separatists back into the Republic." Padme said, being steadfast in diplomacy.
"True, but we still need a backup plan. If they end up attacking then we will be on the back foot." I said.
"What do you mean, Count?" Orn Free-Taa said, the fat monstrosity of ryloth.
"He means that the Republic is not prepared for war, and the Separatist might be. At least if they end up breaking out of the Republic." Palpatine said.
"The Judicial Forces can surely defeat whatever forces the Separatist has." Padme said in a determined voice.
"As I and Count Thalron talked with the Jedi about, Veridian Intelligence shows that the Separatist Leadership has taken out big loans from the InterGalactic Banking Clan, and the Core Corporations have shown increased favorability towards them, meaning the Separatist can likely loan or buy their Corporate Forces to their own Military." Palpatine said slowly.
"And every one of them has a fleet capable of fighting Judicial Fleets, and the Trade Federation can likely beat the entire Judicial Grand Fleet." I said, and Orn-Free Ta quickly got scared
"What! We must do everything to ensure our safety." He exclaimed, unhappy that he might not get to enjoy himself in the slaves and food of Coruscant.
"And how do you suggest we do that, Senator Ta?" I asked, happy to hear him fumble.
"Eh, uh, we must create a large fleet to combat them!" He said, happy with his response.
"And break our own rules I suppose? After all, you do remember the restrictions of the Ruusan Reformation?" I asked again, and he stopped speaking.
"We could maybe call on the Planetary Defenses of Loyal Republic Planets?" Bail Organa said, he led the Core Faction and multiple of them had somewhat large Planetary Defense Fleets.
"I agree, the Core, the Colonies, and Inner Rim all hold planets that wield large Planetary Defense Forces, you too Count Thalron holds a large fleet, capable of going toe to toe with the Trade Federation," Padme spoke, she was all too confident in my fleet. Although that was to be expected.
She was saved by a single battlecruiser, and we currently hold 14 of them. Additionally, I've talked to her a lot about my fleet, both on the dates that we had done more often and also related to work.
Although I hadn't entered a relationship with Padme, we often went to dinner and other occasions together, and I dare say we both enjoyed it.
But I wonder how Anakin will react.
"If that is the case, we'd also need an Admiral for said united fleet?" Palpatine said while looking at me with a smile.
I knew what he wanted.
He wanted to please me. Palpatine and I had actually gotten along quite perfectly, of course, our talks were just a mask. Palpatine trying to manipulate me and I know of it.
However we actually agreed in a lot of cases, and I know he does too, as most of them represent him as Emperor in the future.
Mostly how peace cannot be held without a large military. How appearance is also important, especially in the outer rim. Where fear is what holds a population under control.
We also talked a lot about the need to balance out your fleet, so essentially. If he becomes Emperor now, the Rebel Alliance might have more problems due to a few more support ships.
"How about we make Count Thalron, the Supreme Commander of the Republic?" He asked, shocking the entire loyalist committee.
"Hmm, Thalron has a lot of experience, but I doubt the Navy and Military will be happy with a Senator and a Planetary Leader coming in and swooping Command." Bail said.
"And we do not have much of a Military, only a peace keeping force." Orn Free Ta said.
"Supreme Chancellor, I am grateful for your trust in me, but I feel it will just be disadvantageous for me to be appointed now, in times of peace. Instead, I'd much more like to get the Judicial Fleet and Army reports so I can get used to their way of fighting, forces, and officers. And then if war breaks out I will gladly accept the position." I said finally, and Palpatine smiled.
I do not know if Palpatine wanted to get the Military to hate me with this, but I think I played the correct move.
After 2 more hours, night crept in and we left, although I followed Padme to her quarters, they were in a building, she had recently bought the upper part, and of course, I had bought mine besides, but I actually bought mine before.
Soon I'll meet Anakin for the first time in 10 years.
( I might have said he's, 36, but that's wrong. He's 26 )
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