The arrival of Anakin Skywalker's fleet at Coruscant was anything but discreet. The ships still bore the scars of the battle of Tatooine: damaged hulls, unrepaired parts, and a general air of defeat. In the Galactic Senate, rumors had spread like wildfire. Count Dooku and other Separatist leaders were in the hands of the UNSC, and the Republic was furious.
Anakin and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, descended from the fleet directly toward the Jedi Temple. There, in a meeting of the Jedi Council, the atmosphere was tense. The doors closed with a soft hum, isolating the Masters from prying ears.
Master Mace Windu was the first to speak, his voice firm and serious. "The UNSC has no right to hold Count Dooku. His capture and trial are the responsibility of the Republic. Anything less is a violation of our sovereignty."
Kit Fisto, sitting with his arms crossed, spoke up with a calm that belied the tension of the moment. "The UNSC is not part of the Republic, Mace. We cannot expect them to follow our rules. And forcing their surrender could lead to an unnecessary confrontation."
"Confrontation?" Mace Windu arched an eyebrow. "The Republic cannot afford to let another army decide the fate of a traitor who is rightfully ours."
Plo Koon bowed his head, his deep voice echoing in the chamber. "The UNSC has reason to distrust us. Our alliance is fragile. If we push them, we could lose the only advantage we have against the Covenant."
Anakin, visibly upset, rose from his seat. "This is not about advantage! This is about justice! Dooku has committed heinous crimes. Are we to allow an alien army to decide his fate?"
"Your passion clouds your judgment, young Skywalker," Ki-Adi-Mundi interjected. "The UNSC has proven to be a powerful and strategic force. Perhaps we can use this moment to cement our relationship rather than divide us further."
"The relationship is already divided," Anakin replied, his voice laced with anger. "They act as if they own this galaxy. They care not for our fight, only for their own interests."
Master Yoda, who had remained silent, finally raised his gaze. "Ambitious the UNSC may seem, but powerful allies they are. Careful we must be. Dooku, dangerous he is, but a catalyst he could be as well. If this matter is mishandled, the more dangerous he will become."
Silence fell for a moment, as the Jedi pondered Yoda's words. It was Shaak Ti who broke the silence, her voice calm and measured. "What if instead of demanding, we negotiate? Dooku remains an asset, albeit a dangerous one. We could work alongside the UNSC to decide his fate."
"Negotiate?" Mace Windu frowned. "Since when do we negotiate with outside forces on matters that concern the Republic alone?"
Kit Fisto smiled slightly. "Since those outside forces have proven essential to our survival, Mace."
The debate continued, with positions divided between those who saw the UNSC as a potential threat and those who considered it an indispensable ally. Each argument clashed like a ripple in the Force, showing the internal fractures of a Council that sought to maintain balance in a galaxy on the brink of collapse.
Finally, Yoda raised a hand, imposing silence. "Inform the Senate we must. Diplomatic in our response we must be. But prepared, too. This alliance will be difficult, but necessary, I believe."
Heads nodded in agreement, although tensions were far from dissipated. Anakin clenched his fists and lowered his head, frustrated but aware that he must abide by the Council's decision.
-x.X.x-
The Galactic Senate was in chaos. The senators' floating platforms flickered as excited voices echoed through the vast hall. Each word seemed like a spark in a room filled with gunpowder. At the center of it all, Chancellor Palpatine stood at his podium, hands clasped and his trademark serene smile."This is an affront to our sovereignty!" shouted Senator Taa of the lost planet Ryloth, his voice barely audible above the general murmur. "The UNSC acts as if they are above our laws. Dooku must be tried by the Republic!"
From across the Senate, Senator Ask Aak of Malastare responded forcefully. "And what do you propose? A war with our most powerful allies? Because that is what we will face if we continue down this path. The UNSC owes us nothing. They are here to stop the Covenant, not to serve our political interests."
Senator Tynnra Pamlo of Taris joined the debate, her tone filled with frustration. "Allies? Is that what they are? They have taken Dooku, and now they intend to decide his fate without consulting us. If we allow this, what will be next? Will they make decisions in the name of the Republic without our approval?"
Bail Organa, from his platform, raised his hand in a sign of calm. His voice, calm but firm, managed to carry through the tumult. "We must remember that the UNSC has saved thousands of lives on Tatooine. If we are to maintain this alliance, we must act diplomatically, not with threats or demands."
Senator Orn Free Taa responded vehemently. "Dooku is responsible for heinous crimes against the Republic! Are we going to allow an outside military to decide what to do with him? What kind of message will that send to systems that are still hesitant to join us?"
"The message," Mon Mothma replied, "is that we know how to work with our allies. If this situation is handled diplomatically, we may strengthen our position rather than weaken it."
Chancellor Palpatine, who had remained silent until that point, raised a hand, calling for order. His voice rang with unquestionable authority. "Senators, this is a crisis that must be resolved calmly. I have sent a communiqué requesting a formal meeting with Admiral Arnet to discuss this matter directly. Until then, I propose that we all maintain our composure."
But not everyone was willing to calm down. Senator Lott Dod of the Trade Federation raised his voice in a sarcastic tone. "Do you really think the UNSC will respond to a simple communiqué? Their independence is clear, and they have no obligation to answer to this Senate."
Senator Taa slammed his fist down on his lectern. "Then we must force them! We cannot allow this galaxy to be ruled by intergalactic mercenaries who believe themselves to be above our laws!"
"Force them?" Bail Organa interjected, his tone now sharper. "With what forces, Senator? With an army already decimated by the Covenant? They are our only hope of survival in this war. If we make them our enemies, we could be signing our own death warrant."
Senator Mina Bonteri, speaking from the Onderon platform, spoke in a tone that denoted concern. "Perhaps we have forgotten the essential here. Why argue about Dooku when the galaxy is being vitrified planet by planet? Our enemy is not the UNSC. It is the Covenant."
The Senate erupted in murmurs and shouts. Some supported Bonteri's words, while others insisted that the UNSC was overstepping its bounds.
"Silence!" Chancellor Palpatine roared, this time dropping his voice like thunder. "All present must remember that we are in the midst of a war. Our internal divisions will only serve to strengthen the enemy. The situation with the UNSC will be handled prudently, and this office will make the necessary decisions to preserve our alliance. Now, I ask that you remain calm and allow the negotiations to proceed."
The room fell tensely silent. Although the discussions had calmed, the tensions were far from dissipated. Some senators nodded in respect towards the Chancellor, while others murmured amongst themselves, clearly dissatisfied.
-x.X.x-
At the UNSC base on the moon of Naboo, the atmosphere was tense. Echoes of the discussions in the Galactic Senate had reached the ears of Admiral Arnet, who stood motionless in front of the holotable. His expression was stony, unwavering, as the senators' voices echoed from a leaked recording that Serina had intercepted.The AI projected its holographic form onto the operating table, analyzing each word with surgical precision. Its eyes glittered with a glint of restrained sarcasm.
"Predictable, Admiral," Serina commented in a sharp tone. "The Republic is fragmented, a tottering tower of egos and empty politics. Some senators wish to maintain the alliance out of fear of the Covenant, while others yearn to subdue the UNSC to reassert their control. It is the typical strategy of those who do not know the battlefield."
Arnet crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the holotable. Projections of damaged ships in orbit and reports of UNSC and Republic casualties only fueled his disdain for the political class. "They're paper soldiers sitting in ivory chairs," he muttered. "They debate while the flames consume the galaxy."
Serina cocked her head in an almost human gesture. "I suggest a calculated response, firm but diplomatic. We need to demonstrate authority without provoking open conflict."
Arnet remained silent for a few seconds before nodding. "Let's record the message. If they want to play the moral master, we'll show them what it means to face reality."
-x.X.x-
Minutes later, the Galactic Senate received an encrypted transmission from the UNSC base. The image projected in the center of the Senate showed Admiral Arnet standing, his uniform immaculate, his expression icy cold, seeming to pierce the souls of those watching him. His tone was slow, calculated, but each word was a dagger."My name is Admiral Arnet, of the UNSC. I am addressing the Galactic Senate to clarify the situation that seems to have unleashed a political firestorm in your ranks."
He paused, allowing the echo of his voice to fill the vast Senate hall before continuing.
"The UNSC has taken custody of Count Dooku and other Confederate leaders. Their crimes affect not only the Republic, but pose a threat to this entire galaxy. We will decide what to do with them according to our own protocols.
We do not seek your approval, and we do not need it. This galaxy is on the brink of annihilation, and while you argue about jurisdiction and power, the Covenant vitrifies entire worlds. Our mission is clear: ensure the survival of as many lives as possible, at any cost."
Arnet's tone became sterner, colder. "If any member of this Senate believes they can dictate to us or interfere with our operations, I invite them to reconsider. We are not an army to be trifled with. We are an independent force, and we will act as such."
Arnet's image leaned forward slightly, moving closer to the camera, as if to stare directly into the eyes of the most critical senators. "We are not politicians. We will not tolerate the hypocrisy of those who demand justice while sending poorly trained clones to die on battlefields they will never see. If you want results, work with us. If you want internal conflict, go ahead, but do so far from our ranks."
A brief pause, and then Arnet concluded. "Our priority is the war against the Covenant. We will decide Dooku's fate based on what best serves this cause. I suggest you focus your attention on maintaining your own cohesion. We do not need another internal enemy while we fight the end of the universe."
The feed abruptly cut off, leaving the Senate in a state of shock.
Chaos erupted in the Galactic Senate. Some floating platforms lit up as senators began to shout in protest. "This is a threat!" Senator Taa of Ryloth bellowed. "We cannot allow this independent force to act with total impunity!"
From the other end, Bail Organa tried to calm the mood. "Please! We cannot allow our emotions to blind us! The UNSC is right that the Covenant is the priority. If this internal dispute distracts us, we will all suffer the consequences."
"Priority?" Trade Federation Senator Lott Dod replied. "They just told us that they do not answer to us! What's stopping the UNSC from turning on the Republic once the Covenant is defeated?"
Chancellor Palpatine watched with a calculating air, his hands clasped under his chin. Finally, he raised a hand to impose order. His voice resonated with the authority of an undisputed leader.
"Senators, I ask for calm. This situation is delicate, but let us not forget that the UNSC has been a valuable ally in this war. Admiral Arnet has made his position clear, and while it may seem defiant, we must remember that we face a common enemy."
The Chancellor paused, letting his words sink in. "I propose that we send a representative to begin direct dialogue with the UNSC. This is an opportunity to strengthen our alliance, not weaken it with internal squabbling."
Though the hall slowly began to quiet down, the divide in the Senate was evident. The murmurs did not cease, and tensions continued to rise. Arnet's message had been clear, but it had also left a rift in the relationship between the UNSC and the Republic, a rift that Palpatine watched with dark interest.
-x.X.x-
In Padmé Amidala's private chambers, the tension was palpable as a holographic image of Anakin Skywalker floated above the center table. Anakin's posture was fraught with frustration; his hands balled into fists and his stare reflected his suppressed anger. The call began with an exchange of harsh words, but soon escalated into a deeper argument."This is unacceptable, Padmé!" Anakin exclaimed, his voice vibrating with indignation. "The UNSC has no right to keep Dooku. He is a Republic war criminal! How can you defend this?"
Padmé, sitting in her chair with a calm but firm posture, looked directly at him. "Anakin, I understand your frustration, but you are letting your emotions cloud your judgment. This is not as simple as you think."
"Emotions?" Anakin replied with a bitter tone. "This has nothing to do with emotions, Padmé. It's a matter of principle. Dooku betrayed the Republic, led a war that has killed millions. And now the UNSC thinks it can just make decisions for us? It's an insult to everything we stand for!"
Padmé leaned forward, her hands folded on the table. "And what do you suggest, Anakin? That we confront the UNSC, that we risk this fragile alliance while the Covenant vitrifies entire planets? Dooku must answer for his crimes, but what you propose is not justice, it's a vendetta."
Anakin put a hand to his hair, clearly irritated. "It's not a vendetta, Padmé. It's the right thing to do. How can we trust a force like the UNSC if they act as judge, jury, and executioner?"
"And what would the Republic do, Anakin?" Padmé raised her voice, her patience beginning to wear thin. "Handing Dooku over to a Senate that can't even decide if the UNSC is an ally or an enemy? Convicting him in a political trial filled with personal agendas? Do you really think that's justice?"
Anakin gritted his teeth, but Padmé wasn't finished. She stood up, slowly walking around the table as her tone grew firmer.
"Listen, Anakin. I know you want Dooku to pay for what he did, and I agree with you. But right now, what we need isn't immediate justice, but stability. The Republic is collapsing under its own weight, the Covenant is advancing, and the UNSC is the only thing that has proven capable of facing them on equal terms. We can't afford to antagonize them over something we can resolve later."
Anakin shook his head, his frustration growing. "Padmé, you don't understand. Every moment Dooku spends with them, it's a lost opportunity for us. It's a sign of weakness."
"Weakness?" Padmé spun on her heel to face him directly, her tone now laced with passion. "Do you know what weakness is, Anakin? Weakness is dividing ourselves when faced with an existential threat. Weakness is letting pride and anger guide us instead of reason. And what you propose is exactly that: acting out of pride, not strategy."
Anakin opened his mouth to retort, but Padmé held up a hand, stopping him. "I'll be clear, Anakin. I'm not siding with the UNSC out of sympathy or favoritism. I'm siding with what's best for the galaxy. And right now, that means maintaining this alliance, even if it means giving in on something like this. You cannot allow your hatred of Dooku to make you forget the bigger picture."
Silence fell for a moment, the intensity in the room overwhelming. Finally, Anakin spoke, his voice lower but still filled with anger. "So you're on their side."
Padmé looked at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I'm not on anyone's side, Anakin. I'm on the side of peace, of survival. If you can't see that, then maybe you need to reevaluate why you're fighting this war."
Anakin stared at her for a long moment, his emotions clearly in conflict. Finally, he pressed his lips together and turned off the hologram without another word. Padmé stared at the empty space where he had been, letting out a deep sigh before sitting back down.
"For peace," she muttered to herself, though her words sounded more like a plea than a statement.
-x.X.x-
Aayla Secura stood at the UNSC base, walking slowly through the halls, deep in thought as she watched troops move back and forth, repairing equipment and organizing resources. She knew the situation between the UNSC and the Republic was on the verge of collapse. The fragile alliance, which was just beginning to solidify, was in jeopardy from unilateral decisions on both sides.That night, as silence began to take over the base, Aayla sought out Admiral Arnet. She found him in the strategy room, reviewing holographic maps of the Covenant's lines of advance, his signature stern expression.
"Admiral," Aayla began, her voice calm but firm. "We need to talk."
Arnet didn't look up from the table, but nodded for her to continue.
"This situation with the Republic is dangerous. The Senate feels displaced, the Jedi are divided, and tensions rise with every decision you make without consulting them. I know your priorities are clear, but if we don't resolve this, we could be facing something worse than the Covenant: an internal war."
Finally, Arnet looked up at her, his eyes reflecting weariness and determination. "Aayla, I am not interested in Republic politics. I am not here to appease politicians or beg for alliances. I am here to protect my people and defeat the Covenant. If they cannot understand that, it is not my problem."
Aayla frowned, taking a step closer to him. "Admiral, this is not just about you or your people. We are fighting for the survival of the entire galaxy. If this alliance breaks, the Covenant will not have to defeat us; we will destroy ourselves."
Arnet crossed his arms, his stance unwavering. "And what do you propose, Aayla? That I hand over Dooku because they demand it? That I submit to a Senate that cannot make a decision without falling into endless arguments? I have seen my people die in this war. I have seen planets burn. If you want to play with fire, you will have to endure the flames."
The weight of his words fell on Aayla like a stone. She knew that Arnet was partly right, but she also knew that this path could lead to disaster. She stared at him, her eyes searching for a glimmer of flexibility in his steely gaze.
"Admiral," she said finally, her tone softer but still determined. "I am not here to tell you what to do. I am here to remind you that this war is not won by brute force alone. The most powerful strategy you have right now is to maintain this alliance. Because without it, neither you nor the Republic will stand a chance."
Arnet watched her in silence for a few moments before responding with a slight nod. "I'll keep that in mind, Aayla. But don't expect me to budge on what I think is right."
Aayla let out a sigh, knowing she had done what she could for now. As she walked out of the room, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. She knew tensions would continue to grow, and the future of the alliance hung in the balance.
End of Chapter 32.