Chapter 10: I, Jedi

"We cannot allow the Core Worlds to hold back from taking refugees from the front," the Wookie senator shouted, one of the few wookies who had a translator nod surgically implanted by the Imperials, "the Expansion and Colony World simply can't take on so many new bodies."

"Why should the Core Worlds have to suffer a continual influx of refugees?" the Senator from Duro retorted, "We aren't made out of money and don't have endless lands you know. That's what the Colonies and Expansion regions are for after all!"

"But we have not the resources to house so many new people," the wookie replied, "And even if we did, many of our worlds are simply still too hostile to support large numbers of people. The Core Worlds do though, and it's time they pulled their fair share of this problem."

"'Fair Share'?" the senator asked in mock shock, "My dear Senator Vroo, by the way you speak, our fair share would be the rest of every refugee that came through. How many of us really want another family living in our crowded apartments?"

Vroo slammed his fist against the panel of his hovering pod, "I am sure you Core Worlds are simply hiding your selfish interests with these weak arguments. Senator Chambers, you talk about space? We simply don't have it!"

"Because your planets are covered in filthy mansions that could be used for apartment buildings," Chambers shouted back, "Get responsible for your own places Expansion and Colony worlds!"

There was a chorus of applauds and boos that shifted with each of these two senators comments. They were the leaders of both side of this debate that had grown more and more strongly as the both Imperial and Republic forces dug their heels in and bitterly fought over planets of strategic import. The Imperials, down to only nineteen percent of their original Empire, had been given orders not to give anymore ground without heaps of dead, both military and civilians. By the day thousands of more people arrived at worlds safely behind the warzone, where they could live in peace.

Borsk had really kind of stopped listening to them, and instead had in his hands a holonovel. As he read the pages, and listened to the sounds of their voices in the background, his mind conjured up ways to end this war. Peace? He snorted at the very word. There could be no peace.

A chime sounded out as another pod wished to enter the political arena. He looked up from his novel and saw Master Skywalker and he gratefully jumped up from his seat. He pushed a finger on a button, which rang out three loud chimes, and the whole Senate began to calm down.

"While I am all sure we are simply invigorated by this continuous," he sighed, "And I mean continuous debate, I think it's time we listened to someone else for a change, don't you?" There was a small spattering of laughter. "The Chair recognizes our very own, Jedi Master and General of the Republic, Luke Skywalker."

Luke listened to the thundering applause by people desperate to hear the words of someone else. He took a deep breath and pushing a button, the pod swung out, him alone on the pod. He could both feel and sense all eyes turn to him, everyone wondering what he had to say. He looked over at the two senators and saw they had not returned to their places, which he was grateful for. He needed them just as much as he needed anything.

"Honorable representatives of the Republic," he said, his voice booming throughout the room, "We stand here on a difficult issue. Refugees. Senator Vroo, I understand your position on taking refugees on your planets. I am a native to Tatooine, and we truly don't have the resources to handle such large numbers of refugees. Would you say that is a fair essement?"

Vroo nodded his head enthusiastically, "I do indeed. Furthermore-"

Luke held up his hand, "I still have the floor Senator. But, I also agree with Senator Chambers. The Core Worlds are over populated as it is. Some might say a good nuke could take care of a lot of that problems, but that is cold and callus. Everyone has a right to their own space, no matter how small it is."

"I agree," Senator Chambers began, "And I would have to say, it's good sense on your part."

"Thank you," Luke nodded, "But, the real issue here is not what we should do with refugees, but it is this. Should we continue on such a tragic war?"

"What do you mean Master Skywalker?" a Senator, Luke believed it was the one from New Alderaan called out.

"We always think of war, war," Luke shook his head, "But have we never stopped to consider peace might be alternative?"

"Peace?" Senator Vroo roared out, "My people have suffered much at the hands of the Empire! There can never be peace!"

"But," Luke said, "We can't even keep our children going to school every day. Or keep electricity running. We have thousands of people pouring into our planets, looking for safety. They wouldn't need to if the war was over."

"The Empire has to be destroyed!" "No Peace without Victory!" "Death to the Empire!" Shouts like these and more echoed throughout the hall.

"And how many more will die?" Luke asked, "How many more families will be wiped out? How much further will we allow to go into debt? How many more planets have to wiped off the face of the map before we can come to our senses?"

"Your goals are admirable Skywalker," Borsk Fey'lya stepped into the conversation, "We do want prosperity and peace. But why should we given the evil nature of the Empire?"

"How much blood is on our hands?" Luke asked softly, but the question silenced everyone, "By my hands alone millions of good, honest men are dead. Men following orders."

"I have been at the hands of men following orders," Vroo snarled, "Never again. Everyone in the Empire is evil."

"Not every man in the Empire is evil," Luke pointed out, "Not every man in the Republic is good either. How many here in revenge have ordered surrendering Imperials to be shot? How many times have we left soldiers to suffocate in space, because they wore Imperial garb? Even now we debate trying to shift responsibility for our brothers and sisters onto others and not accept our responsibilities as sentient beings. We most certainly cannot say we are that much better then they."

"But they are racist," Chambers pointed out, "And sexist."

"Are we not racist in our core?" Luke asked, "Do we not view Imperials as an evil race? How many here say wookies are nothing but brutes? That humans are nothing more than a weak subspecies? That the Hutt are slimy creatures? I certainly have said the last, being under their thumbs my entire early life. I doubt anyone here is free from racism. As for sexist, well, that is the only thing we can claim over the Imperials."

"Let us say for a second we decided to go and propose peace to the Imperials," a senator asked, "How do we know they would accept it?"

"Because as of 900 Hours Coruscant Time the Imperial Moff Council voted out their war leader, Grand Moff Geron and voted for a peace delegation to be sent to the New Republic to discuss a cessetation of hostilities," Luke announced and there was a burst of excited and stunned conversation.

"Order!" Borks shouted, "We shall have order!"

"The Empire knows it cannot win this war," Luke said, "so instead, they wish to make peace. But, they have one condition though. Borsk Fey'lya be removed as Chief-of-State and the cooler head of Leia Organa Solo be placed in that position."

Luke felt a burst of shock and fear and he looked over at Borsk, who darted back and forth with his eyes.

"You have no proof of any of this Skywalker," Borsk said, "And I should have you arrested for saying that!"

Luke pulled out a data card and shoved it into the holo projector, and out in middle of the floor stood a massive hologram of an Imperial Moff. The entire room went quiet as they listened to this recording of the Moff speaking with Luke.

"I am grateful your Council voted you in Grand Moff Tyron. You are a true ally in the Empire. I again congratulate you on your election."

"Thank you Skywalker. And indeed, we wish to begin peace talks with the New Republic as soon as possible before this war destroys not only the Galactic Empire, but wrecks the Galaxy at large."

"I am sure that Chief-of-State Borsk Fey'lya will be more than happy to receive your delegation Grand Moff."

"No, you and I both know he is too much a warmonger for the peace process. I can only imagine he would do all he could to hinder it, and perhaps even prevent it in his current position, General Skywalker. We need your sister, who despite her own losses at the hands of the Empire, has still a bit of Jedi blood in her. She must lead the New Republic if we ever want peace."

The holograph disappeared, leaving the audience to themselves. A vast silence was over the group and Luke knew he had won. Slowly, Luke said, "Vote now. Vote now for peace or war."