PART 3: ASTRAY ACOLYTES

CHAPTER 2: FOLLOW THE CREDITS

Bail Organa and Mon Mathma stood in Padmé Amidala's office listening to her heartening news about the possibility of peace talks. "Mina's reporting that there is strong support for peace talks in the Confederacy Congress. If all goes well, we'll be able to open peace negotiations soon," Padmé said.

"Hopeful before a real war can begin," Bail added.

"This is much needed news" Mon said, "When can we expect the Senate to vote on opening up peace talks?".

"There's been another delay. I'm sorry to say." Padmé's face frowned slightly. "I have been pushing Chancellor Palpatine to bring the motion onto the floor for open discussion and allow a vote. So far he says there's been resistance by the banking clan and trade federation." Padmé's mouth frowned slightly further. It was clear that somehow both of these groups hoped to profit from a war.

"Then we will just have to bring the motion to the floor ourselves," Bail said.

"That would be a bold move," Mon noted.

"Desperate times call for bold moves," Bail stated without batting an eye. He was never one to back down from a fight for a good cause. "We need to open these peace talks with the Separatists even if we have to drag the rest of the Senate along screaming."

"I agree, this motion needs to be brought onto the floor whether there are objections or not. Once on the floor and with enough support objections can be overridden," Padmé agreed.

"If we're not careful putting this motion on the floor and it backfires, not only could it be political suicide. If it's voted down, getting it back on the floor without the Chancellor's backing might become very difficult." Mon warned. However, she too was more than prepared to bring the bill before the senate.

"Bail I think you should bring the bill to the floor, Alderaan has a lot of sway in the senate and people listen to you," Padmé said, turning to the dark haired senator.

"Agreed," Bail nodded, turning to Mon Bail said "You had mentioned you've been working on bringing over undecided senators?".

"Yes," Mon said, "I've been working on a group of senators since I first came into contact with Mina Bonteri. I've been trying to gather those who support the peace talks into an organized group dedicated to stopping this war. We've been working on bringing those who are undecided into our way of thinking". Mon turned to Padmè "I am to attend a meeting with this group this afternoon. Now that I can bring them news of the motion being put on the floor I might be able to convince a few more systems to follow us."

"I certainly hope so," Padmé said, Mon rose and bidding her fellow senators good day she left the office. Turning to Bail Padmé added "I received a request from Mina a few days ago. The Congress is claiming that the Republic voted on the creation of the clone army and that these are grounds to cut off all peace talks".

"No one knows who ordered the clone armies, the Kaminoans' say it was the Jedi and the Jedi say they have no record of doing so. With the current travel ban and subsequent blockade of Kamino, I doubt we're going to find out any time soon. All space lanes between here and Kamino are no fly zones" Bail said knowing as he said this that Padmé was already working on some plan.

"I know, but Mina suggested that if I could definitively prove in some way that the Republic had no knowledge of the clone armies being ordered. That if it was some small rouge faction or a greedy individual that it might appease the Congress enough to consider the peace talks."

"And how are you going to do that?" Bail asked,

"I can't go to Kamino, but I can follow the money, clone armies, especially one that size, are expensive. That money had to have come from somewhere, and that amount of credits will not be easy to hide. If I find where the money came from then I can say who ordered the clone army, and maybe bring us one step closer to peace."

"Good luck, and be careful, someone or some group has ordered a secret army, they are probably more than prepared to keep what little secrets they have left."

"I will, and good luck on the senate floor," Padmè said.