I just wanted to say a quick thank you to you all! The support and feedback I have gotten on this story is incredible! It really means a lot to see that people like the stuff I create! Thank you so much!
The next day…
"Members of the Senate, please, please," Palpatine said, trying to calm everyone.
"How dare they!" someone yelled,
"They attack and now they want peace?" another yelled,
"Chancellor Palpatine," Padme said, moving her pod forward, "may I remind the Senators that it was the Separatists who made the peace proposal prior to the assault."
"That only highlights its insincerity," Mot-Not replied,
"Chancellor Palpatine," Senator Bortoni said, moving her pod, "in light of this unprovoked attack on Coruscant and the vulnerabilities it raises. I propose the Republic purchase an additional five million clone troopers." Esinon flinched, she hated talking about the clones like they were things, instead of people. That's what the Kaminoans thought, the clones were property.
"The Republic is already operating in deep debt!" Esinon's father, Daniel, shot back, "How do you propose we pay for these additional troops?"
"My people are drafting an emergency appropriation bill that would raise funds-"
"From the banking clan?" Her father asked,
"Yes, of course," Senator Burtoni shot back, "Unless you have an alternate means of payment?"
"One alternative might be to stop the war instead of escalating it," he countered,
"Traitor!" Orn Free Ta shouted Esinon's blood began to boil as the room began to chant that her father was a traitor. He worked harder than any other Senator in that room. The room was filled with a cacophony of screaming and yelling as pods were shoved closer to one another as the argument escalated,
"Whoever attacked the power grid wants us to continue fighting," Daniel said, "It is a calculated attempt to destroy the peace process."
"I agree," Padme added, "Not everyone in the Confederacy wants this. I know this for a fact."
"You have friends who are Separatists, Senator?" Senator Deechi accused,
"Whose side are you on!" Senator Rhood shouted the room erupted in screams and accusations. Esinon frowned, this is why the war wasn't ending because no one could agree on anything ever.
"Please," Chancellor Palpatine raised a hand, quieting the room instantly. "The young Senators from Scipio and Naboo make a point, there is no need too-" Mas Amedda signaled the Chancellor and they conversed for a brief moment in quiet, the room buzzing with anticipation. "We have received a message from our opponent, Count Dooku." Esinon involuntarily flinched, how people could follow after a man so evil, she didn't know. The man appeared,
"Your Republic forces have carried out a barbaric attack on our people and among the deaths, was the very sponsor of the peace accord, Senator Mina Bonteri."
"What?" Padme exclaimed, "No," she whispered,
"With her needless death, I must formally withdraw the proposal for peace offered by our Senate." Dooku disappeared, her heart sank, she wanted this war to end so badly, and now their only chance of that was replaced with the possibility of shinies getting thrust into battle before their training was complete.
"We must not show weakness!" a Senator yelled, again, all attempts for Esinon to think were drowned out by the screaming. She was starting to realize that the Senate building was its own kind of battlefield. She glanced down at her comlink seeing there was a summons for her at the temple, probably from Master Kenobi. He glanced down at her father, he would be fine on his own for a little bit, and Thea would be ok with Mirian. She'd made her decision and disappeared from the Senate building.
Padme was fuming, Daniel was mostly keeping quiet as he followed Bail, Padme, Onacanda, and Teckla down the hallway as they headed towards Padme's office.
"Thank you Teckla," Padme said, handing the datapad over to her aid,
"Yes my lady," Teckla said and started off in a different direction.
"I can't believe it," Padme said, "I just can't believe it. Why would Republic forces target Senator Bonteri? She was the only one who was brave enough to stand up for peace." Daniel finally spoke up,
"Then don't believe it, the Republic spies are reporting that Senator Bonteri was murdered by Dooku's thugs. That message to the Senate was just a ploy to disguise his true actions." Daniel said, crossing his arms over his chest as they entered Padme's office.
"I am so sorry Padme," Onacanda said, Padme nodded at the Rodian,
"If your friend met with a violent end because of her politics, let's make sure her courageous effort wasn't vain." Bail said,
"What can we do?" Padme asked,
"For one," Daniel began, "defeat this bill,"
"Can we really win this war with the troops we have?" Padme asked,
"Let's hope we don't have to," Bail replied, "I'll start lining up support but I'll need ammunition."
"We can't afford ammunition, remember?" Onacanda joked everyone cringed, it was too soon. "I joke,"
"Daniel, go to the banking clan and see how much interest they're going to charge for the loan. The more I know about the exact cost of this bill, the better I can make my case to defeat it." Bail said he nodded,
"I'll come with you," Padme said, "You too Uncle, you owe use for making such a bad joke." Onacanda sighed,
"Tee ta poo shak aka," he muttered,
A few minutes later…
"We will lend the Republic at our standard interest rate of… twenty-five percent." Senator Lawise said, Daniel resisted the urge to let his jaw drop, but Padme and Onacando did not, Padme leapt out of her chair.
"What?!"
"Twenty-five percent! That's outright theft!" Onacanda fired, slamming his fists down on his desk.
"Your previous arrangement with the Republic was ten percent," Daniel said, pulling Padme back into her seat.
"That was before the deregulation," Senator Lawise replied, Daniel scowled at him, "The same rules don't apply. The Separatists don't seem to mind the rate hike." Sometimes Daniel really hated that the banking clan operated off of Scipio. "In fact, they just secured a loan for an additional three million battle droids." His stomach did a flip, Esinon, his daughter would have to go fight those three million battle droids. She could be killed by one of those droids, he couldn't lose Esinon.
"They will wipe us out," Onacanda said,
"You would let Dooku do that?" Padme exclaimed, noticing the pale look on Daniel's face. "You live on Coruscant too,"
"We have no stake in this war Senator," he said casually, "You know that," he steepled his fingers. "War is… distasteful to all of us, isn't that right Senator Windcaster?" Daniel's fist balled as he resisted the urge to deck the Muun right there. Padme nodded a farewell to Senator Lawise before grabbing Daniel's hand and Onacanda followed them out.
Later that night…
"Twenty-five percent!" Bail exclaimed, looking down at the datapad, "That's a lot of credits,
"The interest alone could completely bankrupt the Republic as it is. Social services have suffered because of this war, education, infrastructures, health care. If we go deeper into debt the basic need of our people will evaporate." Daniel replied, bouncing Thea on his hip, Mirian had to run home for a few hours, and he wanted to spend time with his daughter anyways.
"This is good," Bail said,
"It is?" he asked, a little surprised, without Ava by his side he doubted his abilities, in well, everything.
"Certainly, taking out a loan on such obscene terms would essentially destroy the Republic, regardless of the outcome of the war. We only need to sway a handful of Senators, as long as they don't buckle underneath the threats."
"What threats?" Padme asked,
"Some members have received messages warning them not to vote against the bill. Considering what's happened to your friend Bonteri, they're frightened." Bail said,
The next day…
"Can't you see this bill is short-sided?" Padme asked, "Millions of clones won't win this war. The only winner will be the banking clan. They want to pass this bill so badly, they're using scare tactics to sway the vote." Padme explained to the small group of Senators in front of them.
"I'm not intimated, Senator Amidala," Mat-Not said, despite his arm being a sling.
"Then why are you voting for additional troops?" Daniel asked,
"I happen to believe more clones is precisely what we need, and my caucus agrees." Daniel for one, knew first hand that the clones were still performing at top-level performance, from what Esinon had told him and he often had two ARC troopers in his house. "I'm sorry," Mot-Not said, and with that, the small group of Senators dispersed, and Onocando was revealed with his arm in a sling, followed by Lolo.
"Uncle Ono!" Padme exclaimed, "What happened?"
"Two thugs jumped me, but I am fine," he said,
"This is outrageous," Padme said, placing a hand on the Rodian's shoulder. "Something must be done."
"Padme, this," he motioned to his arm, "will not change my mind. No matter what, I will vote against this bill."
Later that night…
"As long as Senators are being threatened and attacked, I'm afraid we don't stand a chance," Padme said,
"Intimidation won't work on everyone," Daniel said, "Senator Farr is proof of that."
"Even so, we're still six votes short of majority." Padme said, "And you saw how effective my plea was."
"Some minds can't be altered no matter what they hear." Bail said,
"From my experience, it depends a great deal on who's sending the message." she shot back,
"And who would that be?" Bail asked,
"Bail, you're one of the finest public speakers I know. If anyone can convince the Senate that voting will bankrupt the Republic both financially and spiritually, it's you." Padme insisted,
"She's right you know," Daniel said,
"It will be dangerous," Bail said,
"I urge you to speak before the full Senate," she said,
"I'll need some time to prepare," he replied,
"Good," Padme sighed with relief, "In the meantime, I'll pay another visit to those who are still undecided."
"I'll come with you," Daniel said, "Esinon and Echo are watching Thea tonight."
"What does ideology matter at this point? Is it worth getting beaten to death?" Senator Christo asked, "Look at what they did to Senator Farr."
"Wounds heal, but what about the millions that are dying because of this war?" Daniel asked,
"Who? The clones?" Senator Christo asked casually, "We created them just for that purpose." A look of disgust crossed Daniel's face, anyone that knew him personally knew about the picture he had on his desk that included his daughters, and two clones. He knew better than most Senators that the clones were people, with individual personalities,
"They're people too," he shot back,
"The people I care about are my constituents, the ones who put me in office."
"And when was the last time you spoke to those people?" Daniel asked,
"Probably the same time you did." he replied, pouring himself a drink, "Or you Senator,"
"Senator Christo, please, is there anything we can do to change your mind?" Padme asked, he sighed,
"Where does Senator Organa stand on all of this? Why isn't he here?" he asked,
"He is preparing to speak before the full Senate," Padme explained,
"Senator Organa… I'll listen to what he has to say." Christo said,
"So you're open to voting with us?" she asked hopefully,
"I said I'll listen to what he has to say," the quarren shot back, and with that, they were dismissed from his apartment.
"Well it's better than a no," Padme said, optimistically, "And I'm sure when Christo and the others hear what Bail has to say, they will vote our way."
"I admire your optimism," he replied,
"Thank you, I think it also admirable that you are a voice for the clones in the Senate," Padme said,
"Well, that happens when their men your daughter calls brother," he replied, "I like Fives and Echo a lot, and they're truly some of the bravest men I've ever met."
"Esinon is a very lovely girl," Padme said, Daniel nodded smiling fondly, "Can I give you a ride?"
"My speeder's only a block away, and I think the walk will do me some good," he said,
"Are you sure?" she asked nervously,
"Positive, with my daughter being a Jedi, I'm no stranger to risk. I'll see you back at the Senate."
"Be careful," Padme said, climbing into her speeder. Daniel nodded before starting the walk to his own, it was quiet, well, quiet for Coruscant. The planet was always buzzing, and there wasn't a quiet hour in the night.
It was very different from Scipio. Animals chattered as they wrestled over a bit of food, this street was empty, eerily empty. He could hear footsteps patter behind him, footsteps that didn't match with his own. He spotted an alleyway, ducking into it, pulling out the blaster he carried around in his robes and waiting.
A couple walked past, laughing and talking, he let out a breath, maybe all these Senate threats were getting to him more than he thought.
He lowered his blaster starting out of the alleyway, when a creature jumped out, roaring. Something jumped on top of him, he yelped, ramming his back against the wall trying to release himself, the large creature pulled out a knife running towards him, knocking Daniel's blaster out of his hand.
He yelled at the top of his lungs, hoping that a Coruscant guard or police droid would hear him until then he wasn't planning on dying.
He rammed the fish creature into a box behind him, finally loosening its death grip. He grabbed its flipper throwing it into the larger one. He tried to break for his blaster but was quickly knocked to his feet. The large creature wrenched him over about to slit Daniel's throat when police droids appeared.
"Put your hands up." They commanded, Daniel shoved the creature away,
"Arrest these bounty hunters," he demanded,
"We'll take care of this sir," the droid said, both hunters stood up and put their hands in the air. "Drop your weapons and come with us quietly," Daniel gathered himself, deciding to leave the blaster and began to head back towards his speeder.
"Quietly?" the larger one cackled, a bright flash of red light and both police droids had blaster bolts through the chest. Daniel took off like a shot, but his speeder was gone. The bounty hunters must have stolen it, he spotted a speeder bike one platform over. He sprinted to it, hopping on before the couple from earlier could get to it.
"Hey! My ride!" the twi'lek yelled,
"Sorry!" Daniel called over his shoulder, he felt the speeder dip slightly and looked behind him to see the larger bounty hunter had latched on with a cable. He sped up, driving extremely illegally, as he tried to lose his assailant. After a few sharp twists and turns later, the hunter was still attached to his speeder. He turned another corner, ramming the hunter into another speeder. He grinned to himself and hit another sharp corner, he heard the roar of another speeder behind and saw the little fish creature gaining on him.
Daniel looked around for a new idea and spotted one a few streets down, he dove down and rammed the hunter attached to his speeder through guard lights. He spotted a bunch of crates a few blocks down, he revved the engines, heading straight for them.
At the last second, he pulled up, letting the hunter take the brunt of the blow. Persistent as ever, the hunter didn't let go, he had been so wrapped up in the larger one he had forgotten about the fish. That is until the fish rammed his speeder into Daniel's, he rammed back, starting to get frustrated.
This distracted Daniel long enough for the fish's partner to get on top of his speeder and reach a three-fingered hand for him. In a moment of panic, he ripped off a part of the speeder, causing oil to spurt everywhere,
"Ah! My eyes!" The larger one cried, Daniel revved his engines again as he continued the ramming fight with the fish. He spotted a ledge and dove, successfully losing the fish, and got rid of the larger one by ramming him into a sign. Now both of them were chasing him on a speeder, he ducked around another corner, desperately trying to lose the bounty hunters.
He thought he had achieved his mission until he was stopped by a barricade of three police cruisers,
"Land the vehicle!" an officer shouted, Daniel skidded to a stop. "This is a stolen vehicle," another cruiser came up to flank him.
"Those bounty hunters were trying to kill me!" he shouted angrily, "I am a Senator! I demand that you arrest them!"
"Get your hands in the air!"
A few hours later…
Esinon bounced Thea attempting to keep her sister entertained as Echo busied himself in the kitchen. Mirian came out holding Thea's pajamas,
"Thank you, Mirian,"
"Of course my lady," she replied,
"You really don't need to call me that," Esinon insisted, Mirian shrugged, helping Esinon change Thea. The blast door to the apartment opened, to a very tired and frustrated looking Daniel with a scratch on his cheek. "Dad!" Esinon exclaimed, passing Thea to Mirian and rushing to her father. "What happened?"
"Bounty hunters" he grumbled before he could blink an eye his daughter was gone and back with medical supplies.
"Were they captured?" Esinon asked, already opening up the medical supplies. Echo had poked his head out the kitchen but Esinon waved him off, she dragged Daniel and had him sit on the couch.
"No, they got away," he said, flinching away as his daughter started to clean the scrape.
"Do you know what they looked like?" she asked,
"Uh well one looked like a fish, and the other was a…" he paused trying to think of the species of the creature, it was dark when it happened and it all happened so fast, "Abednedo," She clicked her comlink,
"Thorn, I need an APB on two bounty hunters here on Coruscant. A fish-like creature, most likely Patrolian and Abednedo," she said,
"Esinon you don't need-"
"Dad," she gave him a stern look,
"You've got it, Commander, we'll catch them," Thorn replied,
"Thank you, Thorn," Her comlink buzzed again,
"Esinon, we need you back at the temple, it's time for bed," Master Kenobi said,
"Alright, I'm coming," she grumbled,
"I can take it from here," Mirian said, cradling a sleeping Thea. Esinon gave a nod of thanks, before hugging Daniel,
"Goodnight dad, I love you," she whispered,
"I love you too Peanut," he replied, Echo was waiting at the door, escorting the young Jedi out.
A few hours later…
Daniel had finally gotten wailing Thea to calm down enough to go to sleep. Esinon warned him that Thea was already starting to show signs of force sensitivity and could sense his emotions. Thea had been so much fussier since Ava died. Ava… he sighed, pressing his forehead to his fists as he leaned against the balcony outside the living room.
"Ava," he whispered, "Esinon said you'll never really be gone because there is no death, there is the force. I don't know how much I believe in the force, but then again our daughter can lift rocks without touching them, so, I don't know what to tell you." He chuckled softly, "I guess it's worth believing in, we don't have much else." He let out a shaky breath, "I don't know what to do without you, and raising Thea, and trying to help Esinon, it's all so much. I was attacked today, by bounty hunters who were paid off to keep me from voting against the upcoming bill." He finally rose from his slumped position against the balcony, "What has happened to democracy?" he wondered to himself quite loudly, "And why doesn't anyone seem to care,"
"You care, sir," Mirian said, Daniel jumped at his aid's sudden appearance. He wondered how much she had heard of his conversation with his wife's ghost. "Forgive me, sir," she apologized. "Well, you're not like most politicians." He smiled softly,
"If only that were enough Mirian,"
"Well, you actually talk to the people… people like me!" It was true, often he and Ava would go on walks and talk to the people of Coruscant. Mirian froze, wondering if she had overstepped, she decided not to stick around to find out.
"Mirian!" he called after her, "How is your family?" he asked, he knew Mirian had two little boys, he had seen pictures and they were precious.
"They're… fine," Mirian said slowly, surprised someone like him was asking how she was doing,
"How is the war affecting them?" he asked, walking towards his aid,
"Well, it hasn't been easy, and it's only been getting worse," Mirian replied solemnly,
"How?" he asked, "How is it affecting them? Tell me, please?"
The next day…
Daniel walked around the halls of the Senate building with Thea in his arms, searching for Bail or Padme. It was strange, he hadn't seen them all morning, and he wanted to tell them about him and Mirian's talk last night.
"Daniel!" Onacanda called, rushing down the hallway, looking frightened.
"What is it?" he asked, shifting Thea in his arms as the baby began to stir from her nap.
"You must come quickly," he said, "You need to see something," They quickly hurried to Padme's office where Ono opened up a channel on a holo device, Bail Organa lay before him, looking disoriented and dazed, while in the arms of a guard.
"Bail! What happened?" Daniel exclaimed,
"Daniel," Bail groaned,
"Senator, you need to lie down," the guard instructed, but Bail didn't listen,
"My speech… my speech, the Senate is expecting me." He heard Padme groaning in the background,
"Padme was with him during the crash," Ono explained, Daniel froze for a second. He could still remember the very second he received the news, a drunk driver crashed into his wife's speeder. She was dead before she hit the ground.
"Is there any way?" he asked, shaking himself from his stupor.
"I'm sorry, neither of them are even in the condition to stand." The guard explained, "We have to take them to the hospital."
"Of course," Ono said, "take them at once,"
"Daniel, you must address the Senate," Bail pleaded, "Only you can do this." Ono shut down the device.
"Daniel, you have to speak in Bail's place," the Scipian Senator began to pace the room.
"But they're expecting the great Bail Organa. He carries a certain weight, even Padme could do better than me. They're seen as voices of reason." he argued,
"You're very respected," Ono assured him,
"As a partisan. I've been against this bill since day one. If they didn't listen to me before, why would they listen now?"
"Because you do listen," Mirian said, holding one of his formal robes, you understand what the people are going through. "Please," she held up the robe, "Your people are waiting for you,"
Esinon paced anxiously in front of the Scipian pod, where was Senator Organa, Padme, her father? The voices against this bill were about to be silenced! Her father came sprinting down the Senate halls, holding Thea in his arms.
"Good, Esinon you're here. I want to hear this," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her into the pod.
"Dad! Where have you been? Where's Senator Organa and Amidala?" Esinon asked in a hushed whispered,
"Speech now, questions later, he said, entering the pod.
"Let us now vote on Senator Burtoni's bill to fund five million additional clones," Mas Amedda announced,
"The opposition to this bill must be allowed to speak first." Mon Mothma argued,
"Unfortunately Senator Organa is nowhere to be found," Senator Deechi said,
"I will speak on his behalf," Daniel said, motioning for Esinon to sit as he moved his pod to the center of the room. All eyes fell on him as he held Thea tightly in his arms,
"Senator Windcaster will be permitted to speak," Mas Amedda announced. Daniel took a deep breath, glancing at Esinon and then at Mirian, who was tucked away above.
"As most of you probably know by now," he began, "I am a family man," this elicited a chuckle from the crowd of Senators as Thea peered around the room. "I have two beautiful daughters, and I love them more than anything in the galaxy. I am so privileged to live the life that I have," he glanced up at Mirian before focusing his attention back on the Senators around him. "But I am not the only family man in the Republic. I am not the only one who has beautiful children that they love, and not all of them are as privileged to live the life that I do. Mirian Acosta is one of those such people. Mirian is my aid, and like me, she has two little boys. Her husband works two jobs, while the boys stay at home with their grandmother. Mirian, like so many of the people we tell ourselves that we are here to serve… Mirian lives in a district that rarely has electricity and running water as a result of this war. Her children can now only bathe every two weeks, and they have no light to read or study at night. The Republic has always funded these basic services, but now there are those who would divert money to the war with no thought of what the people need to survive. If not for people like Mirian and her children, who are we fighting for? My people, your people, all of our people, this war is meant to save them from suffering, not increase it. I support our brave soldiers, whether they come from the cloning facilities, or from the thousands of systems loyal to the Republic, but if we continue to impoverish our people, it is not on the battlefield where Dooku will defeat us. It will be in our own homes. Therefore, it is our responsibility to preserve the lives of those around us, and defeat this bill!" The room erupted in cheering and clapping, Esinon stood up and joined her father,
"Dad, that was incredible!" she exclaimed, Daniel's chest swelled with pride as Thea clapped her hands and yelled happily along with the Senators. He pulled both of his daughters into a hug,
"I love you both, I love you both more than all the stars in the sky," he whispered,
*Clap, clap, clap* Ok, Windcaster family for the win.
Just something I thought you guys should know, Esinon's name means sunset chaser
Whoever wanted a puzzle party, here ya go!
Next up on let's make this canon corner: Not relevant to the chapter but, R2 doesn't actually know anyone's name, except maybe Anakin. He just gives nicknames to everyone, like for Ahsoka it's orange child, and for Rex, it's blond protector, and for Obi-Wan, it's sassy beard, or my personal favorite, Yoda is green sock
Thank you for reading and make sure to leave a review!