STAR WARS EPISODE III: CONVENTION OF THE SYSTEMS


(Note: Article V is actually part of the U.S. Constitution and there really is a convention part of it. In fact, this fanfic was created, in part, to raise awareness of it.)

Padmé looked through the collection of artifacts that had belonged to the late Duchess Satine. "We found these this morning after the raid on the planet of Mandalore." said Obi-wan Kenobi.

"It says: 'A Plan to Restore the Republic'." said Padmé. looking at one holodocument.

"The Republic certainly needs to be restored. What with the Clone Wars, and, if I may say so, the increasing corruption of the Senate." remarked Obi-wan.

Padmé opened the document labeled "A Plan to Restore the Republic". "It's a holo link to the Galactic Constitution." said Padmé, who wondered what it could mean. "Article V to be exact." she added. She scanned it. Her eyes suddenly widened. "Genius! This might be the answer to saving the Republic from what I fear is coming!" she shouted.

She feared the Republic was becoming more imperial. Though she disagreed with the Separatists of the Confederacy of Independent States, she did think that the Republic was becoming the very danger they were fighting against. However, convincing her Separatist allies was tricky as they knew that the Senate was too controlled by bureaucrats and lobbyists and a lot of power had gone to the Executive Branch. The courts were corrupt and hardly supported liberty. Plus, executive agencies were also starting to make more of the laws. The Chancellor was also getting crazy emergency powers due to the Clone Wars and she wondered if his successor would ever surrender them back to the Senate. The Galactic Republic was more and more resembling a Galactic Empire. It wasn't like the claims of the Separatists were off base.

Pamdé read "The Senate, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several Systems, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several Systems, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Senate."

"I don't get it." said Obi-wan Kenobi.

"Convention. We can go around the Senate." said Padmé excitedly.

"Convention? We're in the middle of a war!" said Obi-wan skeptically.

"It's our only hope!" said Padmé. She went as a private citizen, under a nom-de-plume to the planet of Naboo. She had to begin and she didn't want any rascals in the Senate knowing what she was up to.

Meanwhile, in a secret location on the Galactic Capital of Courascant, Darth Sidious was in holo-conversation with Count Dooku. "The War is going well my Lord. The Senate is sure to give you more powers to deal with the growing conflict on Tatooine." said Dooku.

"Well done Lord Tyranus. Soon the Senate will be mine and the Republic will be no more! The Sith will rule the Galaxy!" laughed Sidious. He grinned. His plans were getting close to completion.