Chapter 20: Mas Amedda

Coruscant

Early on Primeday morning, the Strategic Advisory Cell met in the Amphitheatre at the top of the Naval Intelligence Building. In attendance were Mas Amedda, Lieutenant Commander Krennic, Admiral Yularen, Admiral Alecto, and Admiral Rand.

Tarkin was invited in by the admirals, to both Mas Amedda's and Krennic's vocal protests. The Chagrian was completely flummoxed by the degree to which these Admirals listened to Tarkin's advice. Tarkin, who had spent more time as the Governor of Eriadu—who was so proud of once having been the Governor that he still forced his underlings to call him 'Governor' as if it was more impressive than any other title he earned.

"For the record I, Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda, oppose inviting Commander Tarkin's holo-presence to this briefing," the Chagrian said sternly.

"I second his objection," Krennic stammered nervously.

"You have been outvoted," Yularen said icily. "I don't know why there was a vote, nor why Krennic gets a vote, nor do I even know why the Lieutenant Commander in the Engineering Corps was invited in the first place. Tarkin was present and wounded in action in a firefight with the Lurmen. He is the only senior officer in the whole Navy with any experience and—"

"—CALL HIM IN!" Mas Amedda yelled impatiently, his Lethorns quivering.

A technician reached over and pressed the buttons, dialling Tarkin. After a few seconds of ringing, Tarkin appeared, sitting up in bed.

"Whatever could be so important that you greet us in a hospital gown Commander?!" Mas Amedda demanded.

"I am nearly recovered Vice Chancellor," Tarkin said coldly, emphasising the word 'Vice.' "For what reason would you call a meeting of the SAC early, before I have even recovered?"

"You are not a member of the SAC anymore Governor," Krennic stammered.

"Oh, so you brought in a lacky to back you up? You need someone—"

"—I don't like your tone Commander," Mas Amedda interrupted. Damn Tarkin! Damn that audacity! "This had better be good. This had better be relevant to the threat on Coruscant."

In truth, Mas Amedda had called the SAC to meet early in the morning in anticipation that Tarkin would call in if he were recovered later in the day. The Vice Chancellorwanted the Naval officers in attendance to get used to Tarkin's absence and not request for Tarkin's presence every time they meet.

"This is very relevant to the threat on Coruscant. My sources tell me that Separatist factions in Bothan Space have invited General Grievous—"

"—How is this relevant to the Lurmen!" Mas Amedda interrupted.

All of the Admirals glared at him with contempt except Admiral Rand, who instead looked obviously worried. He had gone several shades paler.

"The Lurmen…" Tarkin seethed with rage. "The Lurmen were almost certainly ARMED by a Bothan faction sir. I was shot in the back by a Bothan Boola Carbine—"

"—That doesn't prove anything Governor," Krennic interrupted. "Many factions are arming both sides in the conflict. SoroSub is selling to both the Republic and the Separatists. War profiteering is not a crime."

"Could you two please stop interrupting Tarkin?" Alecto interjected impatiently. "Do you propose the Republic takes action against this Bothan faction? Why?"

Tarkin sighed. "The Bothans regularly arm factions to instigate political change in their favour. The fact—the fact that some Bothans armed these Lurmen, these inferior, barely-sentient creatures, and expected them to cause political change shows how little they respect us. I propose a mission to capture, and if necessary, kill the Bothans who armed the Lurmen."

"A show of force?" Alecto asked in an impressed voice.

"Hearing more about this," Admiral Rand muttered. "I am going to have to disagree with your proposal Tarkin. It is unwise to create more enemies, especially when doing so may push the Bothans to ally themselves with the Separatists."

"If the Bothans align themselves with the Separatists, we will simply have to obliterate them," Tarkin said, venom in his voice.

"We will take it under advisement, and I will inform the Jedi that General Grievous is moving on Bothan Space. The more logical strategy," Yularen said, "would be to wait for General Grievous to attack and then move into the system once half of the Bothans are now attacking him."

Mas Amedda could only figure that Tarkin's anger stemmed from being shot in the back, personally, by a Bothan Boola Carbine.

The Chagrian now sat in Palpatine's office, nervously fiddling his fingers together, impatiently awaiting Palpatine's response.

"Very well, I will advise the Jedi to blockade the Both System," Palpatine said finally.

"And what of Tarkin's proposal to attack the unnamed Bothan faction that armed the Lurmen?"

"I will have to consider this more and the potential consequences," Palpatine said neutrally. "I sense… we may be approaching yet another shatterpoint."

"Respectfully," Mas Amedda sighed, "I just don't see what the logic is. It seems—"

"—Mas," Palpatine interrupted, with an eerie smile. "As you know yourself, sometimes, following one's anger leads one on an interesting journey. I sense that this adventure will lead Tarkin somewhere unexpected."

"But it could sacrifice the entire war effort! It could disrupt your plans, my plans!" Mas Amedda stammered. "All for one man's need for vengeance. I don't understand—"

"—as I said, I will have to meditate on it. If I sense these indulgent actions will be too disruptive to the larger picture, I promise I will deny Tarkin permission to go on his journey."

Mas Amedda sighed with relief. At least Palpatine is reasonable. "I don't understand why Tarkin is so angry."

Palpatine said nothing for five or ten seconds, collecting his thoughts. "Some Bothan factions play an interesting game," he finally said. "It is deliciously devious. They arm a side in a conflict, not for profit, but to create an outcome they want on a galactic scale. Years ago, Clan Askar armed the Tarkin family in a conflict with pirates and trained them to fly. They prevailed over the pirates, at the cost of thousands lives, and I suppose he always saw this as destiny. That the Bothans saw him and his family as greats—people destined to win. Now they have armed lowly Lurmen, through the Banking Clan. Tarkin must be facing a personal crisis." By the end of his explanation, Palpatine's smile was positively mischievous.

"I see," Mas Amedda said, slightly unnerved by Palpatine's smile. The Chagrian wondered how Tarkin would feel if he knew how much he was being played and manipulated—groomed for a future role, one which the Chagrian did not fully understand.

Palpatine left Mas Amedda in silence for a moment to stew in his own thoughts.

"You still believe that it was a mistake for Tarkin to take up a military career?" Mas Amedda asked finally, to break the silence.

"Oh yes," Palpatine said with a slight scowl. "Such a waste of talent, every bit as wasteful as when he was in the Judicial Corps."