Legacy of the Force: Blastswords of Adumar
Dramatis Personae
Allana Chume Ta'Djo: Hapan princess (female human)
Ben Skywalker: Jedi Knight (male human)
Booster Terrik: Captain Errant Venture (male human)
Cal Omas: Chancellor (male human)
Cheriss ke Hanadi: Commander, Twin Suns Squadron Alliance Starfighter Command (female human)
Gavin Darklighter: Admiral Alliance Defense Fleet, Captain Viscount (male human)
Han Solo: Captain Millennium Falcon (male human)
Iella Antilles: Head of Correllian Intelligence Service (female human)
Jagged Fel: Commander, Chiss Expansionary Defense Force (male human)
Jysella Horn: Jedi Knight, Captain Pulsar Skate (female human)
Leia Organa-Solo: Jedi Master (female human)
Luke Skywalker: Former Jedi Grand Master (male human)
Mara Jade Skywalker: Former Jedi Master, Captain Jade Shadow (female human)
Mryi Antilles: Correllian Intelligence Service (female human)
Rtyhmthi'man'kryst: General CEDF (male Chiss)
Syal Antilles: Lieutenant, Twin Suns Squadron, Alliance Starfighter Command (female human)
Tahiri Viella: Jedi Knight (female human)
Tenel Ka Chume Ta'Djo: Hapan Queen Mother (female human)
Traest Kre'fey: Admiral, SSD Guardian (male Bothan)
Wedge Antilles: Corellia's Diktat (male human)
Jedi Council
Jaina Solo: Jedi Master (female human)
Kyp Durron: Jedi Master (male human)
Tresina Lobi: Jedi Master (female chev)
Octa Ramis: Jedi Master (female human)
Tionne Salusar: Jedi Master (female near-human)
Streen: Jedi Master (male human)
Leia Organa Solo: Jedi Master (female human)
Tiu Zax: Jedi Master (female Omwati)
Dal Kunor: Jedi Master (male human)
Madurrin: Jedi Master (female Anx)
Tryia Tainer: Jedi Master (female human)
Kirana Ti: Jedi Master (female human)
Prologue
Senate Bill 334512-3F.
It is such a simple name. Just by looking at it, one would never guess what troubles it could cause. One would never guess just how many people it would hurt.
That is the trouble with such simple names; they never tell you the truth.
Senate Bill 334512-3F has another name. It is also called the "Military Procurement and Nationalization Act." Yes, a grander name that, but still, the name hides its intent.
The senators who pass such things hide behind these names. They know what they are releasing upon the galaxy by passing this law. They know the legal ramifications of it. Yet they hide behind the name.
Senate Bill 334512-3F has one purpose, and one purpose only. To bring under Federation control every weapons manufacturer and seller in the galaxy. It is a precedent. It is a statement, a declaration, that if the Federation wants what you have, then it belongs to the Federation.
Cal Omas.
It is such a simple name. It is a good Alderaanian name. Just by looking at it, one would never guess at the power it holds. One would never guess just how many people it can hurt, merely by being on the wrong line on a data pad or flimsie.
That is the trouble with such simple names; they never tell you the truth.
Cal Omas has another name. He is the Chancellor of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. Yes a grander name that, but sill, the name hides its intent.
Cal Omas knows the legal ramifications of the legislation he has pushed through the Senate. He realizes that the laws he pushes creates taxation, creates regulations, and ultimately creates discontent. Yet he hides behind the simple justification of "for the good of the galaxy."
Cal Omas has many purposes, some of which are at cross-purposes to one another. One purpose is to serve the Federation. Another is to lead it. These are seemingly different concepts, but in actuality are very similar. Yet for all the inherent nobility that Cal Omas has due to his Alderaanian upbringing, he is merely human, and as a human he has a thirst for power.
Intent hides behind these names.
The intent to take.
The intent to gain power.
The intent to socialize a society.
It happens without fanfare. Without flourish. Cal Omas signs his name to Senate Bill 334512-3F, and the fate of billions is sealed. A war has been declared, even if he does not realize it yet. A war between those who believe the Federation should be strong, powerful and centralized and those who believe otherwise.
The war has been declared because Cal Omas has forgotten a simple, yet true thing, the fact that there are many ways that a democratic republic can die. And for every way that a republic can die, there is one thing or person that historians can point to and say "that started it all." In times to come, children will study this period of history, and when they do, their teachers will point to the Military Procurement and Nationalization Act, and say "That started it all."