PROLOGUE
"Why would I choose sides? If I choose the Republic, then I have to follow their rules and listen to those Jedi. If I choose the Confederacy they would turn our factories into droid producing labor camps. There is no lesser of two evils."
-Representative from Manaan on why they remained neutral during the Clone Wars.
"And now I bring you, Surl Nost, Assistant to the Chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan." Nacene Mashayekhi, the Twi'lek news reporter said.
It was another long night for Nacene, who was severely underpaid to be doing this type of show. Tonight's show was most likely going to be one of the most conversational shows in Galactic history.
Guests tonight included Separatist and Republic supporters alike and, at least what her boss told her, a Jedi Knight will even show up.
But for now, Surl Nost, member of a large Separatist corporation, will probably get into a huge argument with Harkon Dell, a Republic-friendly Senator from a world Nacene could not even remember.
As she took another swing at the caff that she was drinking, Surl took his turn with the niceties.
"Why thank you, Miss Mashayekhi, you look as wonderful as this evening does, my dear." he said. Surl was, as most of the Banking Clan was, a Muun. With an almost potato-like head, Muuns almost looked like death with their pale pink skin and skinny build. It was obvious that Surl had not looked at the weather forecast tonight for Coruscant as it was raining outside…
"Yeah, okay. Well, Mr. Nost, our other speaker is arriving here shortly, please stand-by." Nacene said. And, sure enough, the next speaker arrived on another screen hanging from the newsroom.
Harkon Dell looked like he just got out of the fresher a few moments ago. His face was still a little bit red from where he shaved at and, Nacene hoped nobody else noticed, he had a little bit of shaving cream right near the tip of his ear.
She almost chuckled and she introduced him.
"Galactic citizens alike, let me present to you, Senator Harkon Dell of the Vondarc System located in the Mid Rim." She read from a card she got from a nearby protocol droid.
Nacene put on a fake smile and said "Well, gentlemen, it seems like we can get started, others will join us, but for now let us start with our first topic: the clone troopers that the Grand Army of the Republic uses."
She could see the smirk begin to grow on Nost's face from the mention of this topic, he had something good (or not good) to say about this topic.
But she let Harkon Dell go first, just to annoy Surl Nost.
"Well, Nacene, let me be the first to applaud the Republic for finding us troops needed to fight off the Separatists so quickly. Without them, we would have lost much, much more than we already have." Harkon seemed laid back, relaxed, he was probably told to shave and use the fresher before the news cast for respect alone as he didn't seem to care what others thought of him or what he said.
"I mean, these lonely troopers are all the stands between the diplomatic Republic and the monstrous Separatists laying in the Outer Rim." Harkon replied, looking at Nost trying not to smile. "Each of these soldiers represent what it means to be a part of the Republic; a Republic, I might add, that has stood for over a thousand generations."
Nost seemed unimpressed, but after a sigh he spoke. "It pains me to see that your faith in the Republic is so blinded, Senator."
Harkon rolled his eyes, he was just going to ignore whatever he said anyway.
Surl continued. "You say that these troopers of yours represents what it means to be a part of the Republic. Does this mean that the Republic has no freedom?" Surl was handed a small cup of caff off camera and drank it slowly to let the statement sink in.
"You know," Surl continued. "your senators complain that the Separatists with their droid army has it so they we have a mindless, controllable army that would never betray us…but…can't you argue the same for your Clones? We build our soldiers out of durasteel and the Republic builds theirs out of flesh and blood."
Harkon yawned for effect to make it seem like the things Surl said didn't ring any truth and counter-argued. "You could argue that, but the Clones are not droids. The Clones are not hardwired machines," Harkon nearly spit the word machines out. "The Clones are loyal, yes, but are not programmed to be loyal. They have a reason to fight and defend the Republic. They are living, breathing people who have feelings and instincts. Clones do not have to kill, but droids are programmed to."
Surl nodded and said. "And yet, instead of letting these living, breathing men live, you let them get slaughtered and killed like animals…like…droids." Surl Nost took another swing at caff for effect also.
Before Harkon was able to say what he was thinking, which Nacene was getting the censors ready, a small bleep was heard in the control room…another broadcast was ready to come in.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, but we have another guest coming in live from…Sullust…" Another bleep also came on at the same moment. "And we have another one…from Eriadu, no less." She flipped on two more cameras and now two new faces joined Surl and Harkon.
"Introducing Beolars Bribbs, current President of the Sullustan Council and CEO of SoroSuub Corporation along with Jedi Knight Emus Mo'abos. " Nacene said.
Beolars Bribbs was, of course, a Sullustan. With big ears and even bigger eyes, he spoke a few words in his native Sullustese tongue before Nacene was able to get a droid on him to translate to Galactic Basic or whatever language people were watching at their homes.
Emus Mo'abos was wearing his Jedi cloak, because, people at home either don't believe what Nacene said or don't read the bar that appears under Emus that reads "Jedi Knight."
Beolars spoke first. "Hello, citizens of galaxy. My name Beolars Bribbs."
Nacene muted her microphone and turned to the protocol droid in charge of translation. "Hey, wise-guy, you think you could translate into complete sentences? Your making him sound like a youngling."
The droid nodded and started entering words into the sentences so that they made sense.
"As President of the Sullustan Council and CEO of SoroSuub Corporation, I would like to thank…" Nacene hated it when people repeat what she already said or what is either common knowledge to the galaxy or displayed on the screen while they talked.
"…and Emus Mo'abos for appearing with me." Nacene didn't even pay attention or care who Beolars thanked and, frankly, nobody in the galaxy did.
"Thank you, President Bribbs. Now, Miss Mashayekhi, what were we discussing?" Emus said. A Bothan, his long, grey fur covered his entire face and his pointed ears at the top stood out.
Nacene liked the Bothan Jedi for getting straight to the point, so they can discuss the next topic; as Nacene did not want to continue the Clone discussion any longer.
"Okay, guys, the next question we got here is: Should member states of both Republic and the Confederacy have an army on station at all times? Or should the planet decide?" This question was probably going to start a good old "discussion" but she wanted to see how the Jedi would react.
"We start out with President Bribbs." Nacene declared.
President Bribbs cleared his throat and spoke "We the people of Sullust do not care if the Confederacy have their droid army on our land, because it shows that we are a member of the Confederacy and if we must sacrifice part of our land for the price of a government that will listen to our problems and try to solve them, then so be it."
Harkon's face was one of cold determination. It looked as if Bribbs has insulted his mother. "We all know the reason why the Sullustans joined the Separatists, Bribbs. The Sullustan government is owned by SoroSuub Corporation, which, in turn, is owned by the Separatist-alleged Commerce Guild." Harkon smirked. "You had to join the Confederacy, if you didn't, your whole species would be out of a job."
"I'm sorry, Senator Harkon, but you say that President Bribbs is a bad guy because he wants his species to work?" Surl Nost replied. "I believe the Republic is angry because it's citizens are not as loyal as the Sullustans are."
"Those citizens are bound to the Separatists and are forced to work for them! You Separatists are nothing but credit-stealing power jockeys. Jedi Mo'abos, you must understand what I am talking about." Harkon looked to the Jedi.
The Jedi folded his fingers together and offered his opinion. "I know what it is like to be 'bound' to an organization, Senator. As a member of the Jedi Order, you could say that I was forced to join the order, but I realize now that I could leave at any time I wished, as do the Sullustans, but choose not to."
"You speak words of wisdom, Master Jedi." President Bribbs said.
Senator Harkon jabbed a finger at the camera and replied to both Bribbs and Surl Nost "I love all these jabs at how we use clones and/or have no free will. Say the naive Sullustans, the greedy Gossams and the power-hungry Muun, all of whom get a whiff of credits and fawn over their leaders like good little minions. One leader who is nothing more than a mechanized murderer of worlds, another of whom is a psychotic and deranged warrior from a culture that prizes only infighting and brutality". Senator Harkon was not the calm, prepared man he was when he first appeared. Now, he was a true Republic Senator, believing himself, even as a Mid Rimer to be always correct.
Nacene received the next question from the protocol droid. "Alright guys, we are on a schedule here and this next question asks: What kind of role should the Jedi Knights have in this war."
Of course, everyone let Emus speak first. "Well, the Jedi's role has, and always will be, to defend the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers. Although when the Republic is in crisis, the Jedi will became warriors to defend the Republic."
Surl took this in consideration, but didn't buy it. "I think the Jedi are more aggressive than what Jedi Emus is letting on.
The Yinchorri Uprising over ten years ago. The Jedi Council took it upon themselves to end the crisis using aggressive force and without the Senate's approval."
Senator Harkon argued. "Okay, we all know that the Yinchorri had a personal vendetta against the Jedi and that they were a serious threat. Even a Council Member was killed in action."
President Bribbs looked at Emus. "Didn't a Council Member die at Geonosis? Eeth Koth? "
Surl Nost interrupted before Emus could answer. "So the Jedi aren't the invincible warriors we thought they were? Why do the Jedi just rush out into the battlefield but don't try to negotiate with the Separatist leaders? The Jedi are being unnecessarily slaughtered."
"The Jedi have tired to negotiate before, but it seems that your leader Count Dooku, doesn't what to surrender." Emus replied.
"But, Count Dooku is a Jedi, isn't he? It seems odd that he wouldn't want to surrender like, as you say the rest of the Jedi." President Bribbs said, looking at Emus.
Surl looked at Bribbs and said. "That's because the Count quit the Jedi Order because he realized just how corrupt the Republic was. He isn't the only Jedi to turn away from the Republic, is he Emus?"
Emus looked saddened for a moment before continuing on. "Yes, my apprentice, Telo Notka, is still missing in combat." Emus looked at Surl. "But he is not dead and he is still loyal to the Republic."
"Well, guys. I'm afraid we are out of time for tonight." Nacene said. "Master Jedi, my best wishes to you and the Jedi Order for finding your missing apprentice."
Emus straightened up and said. "Thank you, Miss, and if it helps, Telo is a Bith. One of the very few Bith Jedi we have."
President Bribbs' last statement was. "Hard work, persistence, and the cherishing of family is the Sullustan brand identity."
Surl Nost nodded and said. "Always a pleasure, Nacene." And his screen turned dark.
Senator Harkon didn't say anything and turned his camera off.
Before Nacene said the closing credits. President Bribbs said to Emus. "You know, Master Jedi, Sullust's population is one percent Bith. Just wanted you to know."
Emus nodded and said thank you before both screens went dark.
Nacene nodded and said "Well, another interesting show, indeed. HoloNet news would like to thank Ixtren's Inside Scoop and the Coruscant, Here, Now for letting broadcast tonight."
"And we are…clear." Said the man behind the camera.
Interesting show indeed…