Chapter 11: Primary Education Bill 2.03
"Absolutely not! I will not allow for the Republic to go into more debt! As Chairman of the Finance Com-"
"So, you would allow our democracy to fall to the Separatists? We need to pass this bill to fund more troops!"
The Representative that was speaking pointed angrily at the Senator who interrupted. "Taking out another loan is not an option! Pass my proposed tax increase and we can surely raise enough funds-"
"But the people of the Republic are already paying high taxes!" Another Senator screamed. "We cannot ask them to give money they don't have!"
"If I may suggest," the Banking Clan representative slowly said. His pod rose to the center of the large room. "A new line of credit is a much more…reliable way to secure funds for the Republic. We can assure you that."
The Representative who had the floor turned red. He waved his arms around in earnest. "NO! No more debt! Vote on my tax bill!"
"Pass the bill!"
"Fund the war!"
"We need more credit!"
"More troops!"
The entire Senate descended into chaos. Lux watched from his seat as his colleagues shouted over each other. He glanced up at Padmé, who sat a few rows above him on his left. She looked as exasperated as anybody, shaking her head, and rolling her eyes.
"SILENCE!" Mas Amedda shouted over the noise.
The politicians calmed down, as they always seemed to do. The chancellor stood.
"My friends, we all are aware of the current financial burdens this war has brought upon us. We have listened to both sides of this argument for the entire session. Let us end this now. Commence the vote of Representative Kinra's Tax bill."
The control panels in each pod activated. Lux sat forward. The bill would increase taxes on the citizens of the Republic in the inner rim. However, he had read the bill thoroughly before attending this session. There was a clause in it that says if a person was on Welfare, they were required to pay a quarter of their annual income. That was in addition to the regular income taxes. That included well over half the Republic's citizens. Representative Kinra was right. The Republic could not afford to take out more loans. But taxing the poor wasn't the answer either.
He voted no.
"The results are in." Palpatine looked at the datapad. "The bill has been vetoed."
More chaos ensued. Lux sighed and crossed his arms.
If the Republic couldn't afford to fund the war effort, shouldn't that be a sign to end the war? He had been witness to the tragedies on both sides. Neither the Republic nor the Separatists could afford to continue fighting.
He looked at the Senate agenda on his datapad. The Senate had spent the whole session arguing about this bill. But there was a dozen on the list to go over and vote on. Some had been on the agenda for months. But the bill they had voted on today had been proposed two days ago. How did it end up on the top of the agenda?
He scanned the list, and then realized why.
A bill about healthcare. One about speeder registration. Another about funding education. And the list went on. None of them had to do with the war. No one wanted to argue about them because they were not considered immediate.
He made his way back to his office, still examining the filibuster bills as he went. The education bill would give funds to the public school systems, in particular to the elementary level. It was no secret that the education system in some of the outer systems was severely limited. But Lux knew that education was one of the things that prevented intolerance and injustice in the galaxy. He himself had been educated by many different beings. He knew Ahsoka's education at the Jedi Temple was thorough. It frustrated him that the Republic was so obsessed with the war that they allowed other sectors of the galaxy to suffer.
But not everyone was like that. Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Padmé Amidala all came to his mind. There were a few others as well.
It was almost as if someone was pulling invisible strings to convince the Senate to keep the war going.
He read on. The bill had been proposed before the war even began. Around the time the budget would have been planned. It suggested taking funds from the lucrative defense spending to social services.
Lux entered his office and made his way to his desk without looking up from the datapad.
There was no way the person who proposed the bill could have known the war was coming when they suggested reallocating defense spending. He scrolled down to the bottom of the bill, searching for the name of the Senator who wrote it up.
He froze.
Primary Education Funding Bill 2.03
Written and Proposed by Senator Mina Boniteri of Onderon
This had been his mother's idea.
Lux swallowed hard. He missed his mother every day. He had no idea that one of her bills had been sitting on the floor for all this time without anyone touching it.
He got up and began to pace his office. The Senate still saw him as a rookie. Some even considered him still an outsider. He had been clamoring for a way to get a footing in any sort of committee. Making a few friends helped, but none had extended an offer to him yet.
He picked up the datapad again. Lux needed to let the Senate know he was on the Republic's side and that he was a serious politician. His actions would have to be drastic and quick, but if he could pull it off then it would finally place him in a position to make some positive changes and end the war.
And the fact that it could carry out one of his mother's plans made it even better.
Padmé placed a hand on his shoulder, looking up at Lux with apprehension. "Are you completely sure about this? Bail and I can't really save you if things go south in there."
They stood outside the Senate meeting hall. It had taken a full week to carry out his plan. Lux had spent several sleepless nights in his apartment. Several times the protocol droids found him conked out on his couch with a datapad in one hand and a sleeping Alek in the other. Lux had spent hours combing through Republic legislation and policy, making complex calculations for money, and several hours on holo-calls with other politicians and important businesses. But he stood in the hallway of the Senate building with deep bags under his eyes and his speech memorized so well he could have said it backward if asked. He was ready.
"Thank you, Padmé. But I know I can do this on my own," he told her, adding a small smile.
She sighed, taking a step back and clasping her hands together in her long sleeves. "Then I'll see you in there, Senator." She swept away, leaving him alone.
Lux took a deep breath and stepped into his pod. The plan was strategic and quite clever. Bail had secured a timeslot at the start of the session to speak. However, he would reveal that new information had arisen, and he could not give an accurate account of the status of his proposed project until tomorrow. He then would pass on his timeslot to Lux.
The pods lit up as Palpatine and Mas Amedda rose on the podium from the floor. Lux gauged the mood of the room. People were alert, but not anxious or aggravated. At least not yet.
He suddenly wished Ahsoka was with him. He knew where she went was important, but he missed her presence all the same. In times like this, her Jedi instincts would have helped him. This would all be said and done with by the time she saw him again. Lux wondered if she could sense his nerves across the galaxy.
The session opened. Bail came forward in his pod and began speaking. Lux didn't really listen to what was happening until Mas Amedda motioned to him. Bail's pod retreated to its place. Now was his chance.
"People of the Republic," he began, he floated out into the room, hovering just above the Chancellor. "I would like to put forth a vote on the Primary Education Bill 2.03, with a few addendums."
A murmur went through the audience. Lux pressed on.
"I will refresh the memory of the Senate to the contents of this bill," he motioned to a holo-image of a classroom. "If passed, it will provide funds for elementary schools across the Republic. These funds will be used for equipment, school lunches, and much-needed resources for classrooms. The education of our youth is critical to the health and growth of our galaxy." He paused, letting that thought sink in. "While giving our attention to the war is critical. The people of our Republic are also critical. The children are the future. They are what we will look to in years to come."
As he was speaking, Lux kept the image of his son in his mind. He wanted the galaxy to be a good place for Alek. And he would fight for it with all his might.
Suddenly a Senator he had never seen before came barreling at him in her pod. She stopped just shy of ramming into him.
"How are you planning to pay for this bill? We cannot make money appear out of thin air!"
Lux fought back a smile. She had lined up a perfect question for his next point. "While the previous version of this bill reallocated defense spending, my suggestion would be for a different source of credit to fund this bill."
"Which is?" she demanded.
Lux glanced up at Padmé. She was on the edge of her seat. He turned to face the center of the room.
He gestured grandly to the Chancellor.
"Chancellor Palpatine."
Lux had never heard the Senate become so quiet so quickly.
Palpatine's eyes were blank as he looked up at Lux. He didn't say a word.
Lux took it as a sign to elaborate on his plan.
"We do not have to sacrifice any credits of defense spending to this bill. In some financial research conducted, I have done a full audit on all of the Republic's funds and budgets."
He pulled up another holo-image. "There is a statement in the budget that requires a portion of credits to be set aside for the Chancellor's re-election campaign. Because our esteemed Chancellor ran unopposed the past election cycle, those funds are untouched." He took a deep breath and spoke clearly. "And they are more than enough to fund Primary Education Bill 2.03."
The clamor that followed his last statement was like nothing Lux had experienced before in his short political career. Thousands of people were yelling and screaming at him at once. Mas Amedda was desperately trying to get people to calm down.
The only person who seemed to be calm was the Chancellor. He stood still, with his eyes on Lux. A cold chill ran up his spine.
For a moment, Lux thought he had failed. Palpatine wouldn't agree to the plan. He was way too stoic after such a call-out.
But then he stood and rose his arms. That was enough to get relative calm again.
"Senator Bonteri, we did not expect such a bold move from someone so young," Palpatine began. "But, I applaud your enthusiasm and valor. You are correct, the campaign funds can be used. And I cannot ignore the very important use they are to be put towards. You have my full permission and support to take those funds for your bill."
A round of applause erupted. Lux felt a huge smile spread on his face.
"Thank you, Chancellor Palpatine." He looked back to the Senate. "Vote yes on this bill. And we can begin to protect the future of our galaxy!"
His pod returned to its docking station. Lux felt his heart pounding as the votes were cast.
"The bill…has passed!" Palpatine announced.
Lux beamed and collapsed in his seat. His plan worked. For once, justice had prevailed in the Republic.
Everyone wanted to shake his hand. Some cursed at him in languages he didn't know. Lux tried to take it all in stride.
"Well done!" Mon Mothma said as he met her, Padmé, and Bail in the hallway after the session was over.
"I still don't believe it worked," Lux admitted.
Bail shook his hand. "But it did. And you now have the attention of many people. In fact," he glanced around them and lowered his voice. "I heard that the Financial Committee is looking to replace its lead member with you. They are very impressed with your audit."
Lux was a little stunned. Him, a rookie Senator, head of the Financial Committee for the entire Republic?
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Mon and Bail laughed. "Of course! Speaking plainly, we have been looking to replace Kinra for a while now. I know you will serve the Republic well in the position."
He and Mon excused themselves for another meeting. Padmé and Lux wandered the hallway.
"Your mother would be proud of you, finding the money to fund the schools," Padmé said as they rounded a corner.
Lux nodded. "I didn't know it was her bill at first."
"Mina and I didn't always agree on policy," Padmé said. "But we did on social issues. Education was something we both wanted to work on…then the war started, and all the money got funneled into that."
Lux opened his mouth and closed it a second later. There was something that had been bothering him. He wanted to tell someone but was very hesitant to do so. He studied Padmé. He trusted her to keep this a secret.
Padmé stopped walking. "Lux? Is there something wrong?"
He looked around; it was an empty corridor.
"Yes," he admitted. "You know that audit? The one Bail talked about?"
She nodded.
Lux spoke quickly. "Well, the Chancellor's campaign funds weren't the only pocket of money in the Republic's accounts."
Padmé blinked, processing what he said. "You mean there is more money?"
"Yes. I found at least a hundred other places where I could have taken the funds. The campaign fund was just the easiest and quickest. But, Padmé," he tried to keep his voice low. "The Republic claims to be in a ton of debt. I found enough money hidden away to pay it all off and then some. But it's all in bonds, locked up by legislation, or just forgotten about."
"Lux, what are you saying? That the…" she mouthed the next few words. "…Chancellor is lying?"
The implication was severe, but he nodded. Padmé put a hand to her stomach like the thought made her sick.
"I've known him for years! He's from Naboo! He'd never-"
"Numbers don't lie, Padmé!"
She narrowed her eyes. "Yes, they can. I've seen it before. The Banking Clan did something similar a while ago. I don't know where you are going with this, Lux, but please," she took his hand and squeezed it. "Be careful."
With that, she walked away. Lux noticed how she seemed to walk differently lately. It was like she carried something heavy with her everywhere she went.
Whatever his discovery led him to, if it was enough to scare even the bold Senator Amidala, then he might have stumbled on something bigger than her thought.
Sheev watched the security footage of Bonteri in the hallway. He couldn't hear what he and Amidala were saying, but he could infer.
The boy knew. Not everything, but enough. His stunt to get the funding for his petty education bill hit far too close than what Sheev liked. The audit he did was in no doubt thorough and accurate. All the money Sidious had been storing away would soon be out in the open. That was not an option. Bonteri didn't know this, but he had only scratched the surface at what lay underneath the vail that was the Republic.
Regardless, Sidious had learned his lesson far too many times with Amidala. If he didn't do something to stop this nuisance before he became a problem, then he could unravel years of work.
He pressed a button on his desk and the blinds of his windows lowered. He pressed another for a holo-call.
An image of a man in a hood appeared before him.
"Darth Tyrannous."
"Master," Dooku answered, bowing his head. "How may I be of service?"
Sidious smirked. "Do you remember Mina Bonteri?"
"I remember what we left of her body."
"Her son, Lux Bonteri, has become something of a problem for my plans. I want you and your new apprentice to make sure he is no longer an issue."
Dooku nodded. "As you wish, my lord. Any particular way you want it carried out?"
"Yes. I think you know a former Jedi named, Ahsoka Tano?"
Dun dun duuuuun!
Told ya things were heating up.
I had to put some real brainpower into the political stuff Lux does. I could be very wrong on some of it, but whatever. It still is interesting. Two chapters in two days! I couldn't resist posting this one.
So, what do you guys think the consequences are going to be? Palps has his sights on Lux and Ahsoka now…stay tuned! Follow and Review!