Author's Note: Well, get out your party hats folks, we've just surpassed 1000 favourites/follows! A special thank you to each and every one of you for your dedicated following of this story, I couldn't be more amazed and warmed by your response. I certainly didn't think I'd hit this point nearly four years ago. You all mean so much to me, for it is for you all that I write.
And so, to celebrate, a new chapter. Enjoy!
Tonight... How much can you say without really saying anything? How often can you talk out of both sides of your mouth? And politics, just how messy is it?
-Chapter 136: A New Endeavour-
Location: Coruscant
"Action occurs when discussion is limited."
The Senatorial chamber was packed, representatives and politicians from hundreds of worlds gathering on Coruscant to discuss the affairs of the Republic in the name of the greater good of the galaxy. The casual observer could see all sorts of characters here, everyone from corrupt and self-centred sellouts to upright and upstanding men and women of the people. Because of these contrasting views, clashes were a frequent occurrence as supporters of varying ideals reduced forward progress to a minimum as debate and disagreement halted necessary action.
Today's meeting had Chancellor Palpatine prepared to reveal something rather startling. With the Senate's attention squarely focused on him, he began his revelation.
"In recent months, various Separatists attacks upon our territories have proven costly and often fatal. The direct use of their infamous super-soldiers has helped to tip the favor of the war towards our enemy, but today we mark a shift in favours. Our recent operations have granted us an opportunity to study the remains of several super-soldiers and our portfolio on the matter has increased tenfold. So much so that, as a part of today's hearing, I am pleased to inform you all that we have begun to lay the groundwork for our very own Republic-brand of super-soldier." This sent a murmur through the Senate as many of them began to contemplate what this might entail for the future of the war. Palpatine let the collective of voices quiet down before continuing. "I have spoken with Kaminoan Prime Minister Lama Su and Chief Administrator Tuan We, and we have agreed to use the available facilities and scientists on Kamino to produce this creation preventing the need to examine other avenues and waste valuable time. Today I would like to put forth a motion that we divert a portion of our normal funding for Clone troopers towards this new endeavour. Understand this will result in less Clone troopers being produced for use in the Republic Army, but an army of one may make up for the army that will be absent." This caused another murmur to flow through the Senate before several of the politicians made to speak. Palpatine's adjudicator, the Chagrian Mas Amedda, recognized one above the others.
"The chair recognizes the Senator of Pandora." From her hover platform, the petite yet elegant Riyo Chuchi floated forward to speak.
"Perhaps now, moreso than other times, the Republic needs its troops more than ever. The Separatists continue to maintain their stranglehold on the Outer Rim territories and make daily incursions into the Mid Rim, costing us resources and the lives of soldiers. If anything, now is not the time to experiment but, rather, to fortify our defences instead." She declared. A clamour of voices rang out across the Senate hall, some in favor of her words and some against.
"Senator Chuchi makes a valid point!"
"Our homes are in danger!"
"How can we fortify our defences if the Separatists just topple them again?" Then, a far louder voice rang out above them all, as a distinguished senator made his way forward.
"Senator Chuchi's point is just one of several issues with this plan." He boldly stated. Mas Amedda knew who he was and cringed internally as Palpatine bade him to speak.
"The chair recognizes the Senator of Alderaan." Bail Organa was well-known and well-respected in the Senatorial community, his eloquence and stern moral stance on issues made him something of a popular figure within the Republic.
"Surely we do not wish to start an arms race with the Separatists." Bail continued. "Otherwise, this conflict may escalate into something far more devastating than it already is! There could be possible consequences beyond our consideration, this move could result in mutually-assured destruction!"
"Senator Organa merely speaks hypothetically. It is impossible for things to reach such a state, for the Separatists struck first with their super-soldiers." Orn Free Ta, the immensely overweight Senator of Ryloth, countered. "They have seven, we have none! I say, why shouldn't we have our own super-soldier? We must fight back to reclaim worlds crying for our aid in the Outer Rim!" His statement was met with much positivity around the room, many a senator nodding in agreement. A momentary staredown ensued between Bail and Orn, the tension in the room growing thick and heady until it was cut by a feminine voice.
"If we are to create a super-soldier then we must do so with a pride and honor the Separatists do not possess." Her hover pod floating down into the midst of the others, Padme Amidala was another well-read and well-respected senator. While perhaps not as popular as Bail was, Padme had earned her fair share of positive remarks through her ability to speak to people's hearts. Everyone gave her their attention as she continued. "We know from the information gathered by the Titan Conglomerate and Commander Thrawn that the Separatists use cruel and inhumane methods of forced physical augmentation to engineer these super-soldiers. If we are to make our own then we must treat them as sentients, with the care and compassion that is their given right." Many more murmurs and nods of approval filled the air. "While I have little to no understanding of the true extent of this matter, I have personally witnessed their aggressive and violent nature. And I believe that what they put out is a reflection of what has been put into them." Many of the senators were aware of Padme's kidnapping and torture by The Wraith in an effort to lure Republic forces into a trap as a demonstration of how ineffective their security was. The truth behind her words seemed true and many of them, even her opponents, were compelled to agree with her.
"The chair recognizes the Senator of Kamino." Amedda called out as a hover pod carrying the elderly Halle Burtoni moved forward to address the Senate. Pale-skinned with a characteristic long neck, Burtoni was a veteran of political sciences and was considered an equal among her scientific people.
"I assure you, Senators, that we will create this super-soldier using the same precise, clinically sound and secure methods that are used to produce Clone troopers." She promised her cohorts, voice loud and true despite her age. "However, this super-soldier will be trained to be more efficient and deadlier than their counterparts, Senator Amidala. Asking us to coddle such a potentially remarkable being is preposterous." She sniffed, staring down at Padme.
"We are not asking you to coddle them," Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila interjected, "we are merely asking you not to produce bloodthirsty killing machines. The Separatist super-soldiers have brought so much death already, we do not need another who is doing so in the name of the Republic!" Her outcry brought out a chorus of raised voices as every Senator in the room pitched their comments forward, many of them critical of Mon and others supportive of her words. The pitched back and forth between politicians lasted a handful of seconds before Mas Amedda used his podium's loudspeaker to raise his voice above the din.
"Order!" He cried. "We must have order!" The volume of the room lessened until each Senator was respecting the due process and Palpatine made to speak again.
"Senator Burtoni, can you assure us that this super-soldier will be reared using humanitarian methods?" He asked the Kaminoan. Eager to see this beneficial bill passed on in favour of her people, Halle nodded.
"I will speak with Chief Scientist Ko Sai personally." She promised. With that matter settled, Palpatine addressed the Senate once more.
"Then we will take a brief recess to private discuss the transfer of funds amongst ourselves." He told them all. "We all wish for cool heads to vote on the matter, see to it you vote consciously as your constituents would dictate."
As the Senate adjourned, word was already filtering across Coruscant, fresh headlines blaring the reveal in broad, colorful letters across dozens of holo screens across the ecumenopolis. They were big, bold and were turning hundreds of thousands of heads,
REPUBLIC TO PRODUCE SUPER-SOLDIER?
Response to this course of action was largely mixed, but there were some outspoken voices who viewed it to be a positive step towards fighting the Separatists and ending the war. Others, however, were both worried and wanting to know more about this proposal. Two such individuals were watching a holoscreen in a private room above the Ministry of Science complex, the room in question belonging to one Arec Drayson.
"A-A Republic super-soldier?" He stammered in repetition of the words on the screen. "Is... Is he referring to me, Myri?" He asked his Padawan overseer. The teenage Lethan Twi'lek sitting beside him, clad in the typical brown robe and tan tunic of a Jedi, wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation either.
"I don't think so." She replied in an uncertain tone. "He did mention Kamino, which is where the Clones come from. I think he might want a Clone super-soldier." She determined, believing that, if anything, all Palpatine would want from Arec would be his insider information into the training of super-soldiers. His blue eyes remained glued to the screen, but Myri didn't have to even reach out with the Force to test his emotions. Unease and worry were radiating off of him in strong, pulsing waves. So strong, in fact, they were virtually tangible. "What's wrong, Arec?"
"I-I just..." He stammered, swallowing nervously as he tried to find the right words. "I just don't want to have to fight. I-I couldn't kill someone. I just don't have it in me." All he had was some melee combat flash training and basic weapons training. No combat experience, nothing. Myri's hand touched his shoulder.
"And that's okay, Arec. I'm sure the Chancellor knows you don't want to be a super-soldier." She said gently. The Twi'lek didn't want him to be one either, having sensed his hurt and pain wrought form the trauma already inflicted by Separatist experimentation. Arec glanced at her, his blue eyes briefly making contact with hers. A ripple stirred his heart and he thought about how kind Myri had been to him. If soldiers were men who fought for something, maybe he could...
"I-I mean... I could be... i-if it really counted for... s-someone." He added in a quiet voice, averting her eyes again.
"Arec, no one is going to force you. And I'll make sure of it." Myri promised, thinking he was attempting to convince himself he could be a soldier if forced to. Arec's gaze perked up and looked to her.
"You... Y-You will?"
"Of course I will." Myri said emphatically. "You deserve to choose for yourself. And if anyone tries to force you, they'll have to put up with me first." She promised. Arec smiled a little, touched by her willingness.
"Thank you Myri." He said in a shy, quiet tone.
Elsewhere on the planet, within the Republic Army barracks, members of the 501st were glued to the holoscreen, reading the headline for themselves.
"They can't be serious." Backlog scoffed. "What're they gonna do? Replace us all?"
"Nah, don't be ridiculous. They need us." Jolt responded. "It'll probably just be one or two units. Special forces sorta deal." He surmised. The Clones around him nodded. From his spot on his bunk, Rex listened to them. He made some adjustments to his mechanical limb, the clench of his fingers responding as fluidly as flesh and bone did.
"Do we really need one?" He asked aloud. It took a moment before his men, his brothers, turned around to look at him. Rex paused, glancing them over. Jolt, Backlog, Ransack, they were good men. Soldiers from birth, just like he was. Trained to follow orders, trained to fight and die for the Republic. They were special in their own way, each one of them. They had survived the horrors of Umbara, they had banded together on the fields of Orron III, held their own on Fest against steep odds.
They were the best soldiers in the galaxy as far as Rex was concerned. They didn't need augmentations or enhancements.
"A super-soldier. Do we really need one?" He repeated. "I look around this room and I see perfect fit and healthy fighting men. I see the Republic's greatest soldiers. We held our own against two super-soldiers on Fest and we came out on top. We don't need one of those Separatist monsters wearing our armor. We have us, we have our brothers, and that should be enough." At first, his brothers remained silent, not knowing what to say. One glance at Rex's mechanical arm told of his entire history fighting against the enemy's genetically-engineered creations.
"Well... maybe." Everyone turned at the sound of Ransack's voice, Tempest Company's medic. "You think about it, one of us, the average trooper, can take out... maybe a dozen droids or more at a time if we're lucky enough to not get shot. But one of them, with the strength and endurance of five or ten of us? They could wipe out an entire division." He suggested.
"I've seen men just like you, Ransack, wipe out an entire division using their wits and ingenuity." Rex countered. "And that's just droids. What about another super-soldier?"
"Yeah... one 'super trooper'. Against... what is it now? Seven of theirs?" Sixshot asked from his bunk. "Please. A shiny like him would be lucky to live long enough to see one of their super-soldiers." He remarked. Rex nodded.
"Sixshot's right, in a sense." He stated, closing a panel on his underarm and standing up. "We don't need a super-soldier to do our job."
"I think we could use one." Ransack countered. "I'm getting tired of not being able to patch anyone up, Captain. They're always dead by the time I reach them."
"Ransack's got a point. Having a super-soldier on the field with us could stem the body count." Jolt mused.
As the headline appeared around downtown Coruscant, plenty of other denizens were forming their personal opinion on the news.
"Well, whaddya know? They've finally taken tha leap." Corsair snorted in mild amusement. "Been wonderin' when they'd go fo' it. Guess tahday's red-lettah day." He leaned back against the bench and crossed his arms, his son bending over and dwelling on what he'd just read.
"Nothing good can come of that," he said under his breath, "mark my words."
"Ya think? Still, bettah let 'em learn tha hard way. That'll teach 'em." Corsair remarked.
"That's not it, Corsair. This move could escalate the war." Dynnal continued. "It'll be a game of one-upmanship until both armies are comprised of nothing but city-destroying super-soldiers. This can only end one way and it's not gonna be pretty." He paused and looked back towards the headline, the words above a symbol for the Grand Army of the Republic. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Stow yor feelin's." Corsair suddenly said in a low tone, clapping him on the shoulder. "Contact's 'ere." Taking his father's cue, Dynnal rose and followed him as they approached a woman with brown hair marked with pale-grey streaks who looked to be in her early thirties, clad in brown crisscrossing robes with a holstered blaster pistol dangling from her belt just under two cylinders Dynnal could not identify. He assumed they were either code cylinders or micro-explosives and made a mental note to keep an eye on her. Her trousers were tightly stuffed within her worn leather boots and her hands were free of gloves. All in all, one could've mistaken her for a Jedi if not for her Outer Rim-commoner look. Her bright eyes flicked to Corsair and a slight smile crept across her mature features.
"Corsair. You look healthy." She greeted. "Been a while since we've met in person."
"Ain't that tha truth." Corsair remarked, one arm reaching around to pat Dynnal on the back. "This 'ere's Dynnal, my up-an'-comin'. Dynnal, meet Arashi Shan." He introduced. Dynnal would've said something if not for the fact he suddenly paused and a memory consumed him. He'd heard that name before, mentioned in the same sentence as Asajj Ventress and he recalled a personnel file Wraith had read detailing Dooku's dark acolytes. He grip his father's shoulder. "Shan? Arashi Shan? Boss, she's a Seppie!" He hissed under his breath. But Arashi heard him.
"A former Seppie. I don't play that way anymore." She corrected. "Dynnal is it?" She inquired extending her hand in an offering of mutuality. Dynnal took it, trying not to seem too suspicious. "Yes, the name's Arashi Shan. But most folks call me 'Talon' these days." Arashi told him. His eyes brightened as he recalled the name Corsair had used during a prior communication.
"Bounty huntah extraordinaire, leadah a' tha' Birds a' Prey; elite mercs that still think they're too good ta be on my payroll." Corsair remarked.
"They are." Arashi said suddenly, her gaze returning to the mercenary, bright but firm. "We're not a business, Corsair, we're a family."
"Yeah yeah, save tha life-lesson fo' latah." The Titan said, missing her with a wave of his hand. "Ya got what I need?" Arashi merely pulled out a datapad and handed it to him.
"I've got a few contacts within the Assassin's Guild who might be able to meet your needs."
"Hope so. 'Preciate it, Talon. Wouldn't a' asked if the Ohnaka Gang was still in business." Corsair thanked her. Arashi nodded in understanding.
"Dirty business, this war." She mused, casting a glance at the nearby headline promoting the Republic's new super-soldier initiative. "And getting dirty everyday." A loud electronic chirp sounded from somewhere on Arashi's belt and the woman quickly fitted on an earpiece. "Be seeing you, Corsair." She said in parting, turning to answer her call. "Talon here." Arashi began walking away, Dynnal following her and straining his hearing to listen in on her call. He barely caught the words "Of course I'll make time" before she was out of earshot. Corsair powered on the datapad and swept the included list over.
"Suppliers?" Dynnal pried.
"Yeah. We still need stockin' up an' since 'Ondo can't come through jus' yet, time ta be lookin' elsewhere." Corsair replied, highlighting a name that was located here on Coruscant. "Come on, boyo. We're goin' shoppin'."
Back in the Senate hall...
Amid the momentary recess, Senators Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, Padme Amidala and Riyo Chuchi quickly convened in a private counsel concerning the impending vote.
"There's not a lot to like about this move." Mon said in a worried tone.
"What is there to even like?" Bail inquired. "I fear moving in this direction might result in ramifications that cannot be salvaged."
"Like putting us more in line with the Separatists?" Riyo proposed. Bail nodded.
"That's just one example."
"Unfortunately, I fear we are in the minority on this. Many people have been afraid of the super-soldiers for so long, having one of our own to push back with is almost too good to be true." Padme interjected.
"I would say you are certainly correct in that evaluation." Mon agreed.
"To that end, I suggest we layer our position with a list of potential grievances and solutions to them. That way we simply sound concerned and not completely paranoid about the idea." Padme suggested. For the most part, her fellow politicians agreed with her.
"Even though we may actually be so." Bail muttered aside.
"Then if it backfires, Bail, you have full 'I told you so' rights." Padme said with a smile. "We need to make sure that this cannot backfire, however. We'll have to hold the scientists and development teams accountable and make sure they're raising up a soldier who truly represents the Republic."
"Most of the procedures already in use to train Clones should suffice." Riyo offered. "But they should know their limitations when it comes to a super-soldier."
"I agree. Raising them in an environment of intense stress, high pressure and anger will simply result in a creature who is dark by nature." Padme agreed. "We need to make sure they're cared for properly, that they're raised in such a way that they want to be loyal to the Republic and are not forced to... even though they very much are." She mused quietly.
"Then we should suggest some checks and balances. We have an opportunity to speak before the voting begins, we should draft a list now to present to our fellow Senators." Mon determined.
"I'm sure they will see the logical reasons behind this. Hasty action has no merit if it results only in stumbling, we merely want to pace things and see out every possibility." Padme told her, and Mon agreed with that as well.
"Sounds like something a Jedi would say. Been hanging around them lately?" Bail inquired ith a lighthearted grin. Padme just smiled. Her husband was indeed a Jedi, but none of them would ever know that.
Using every second of their recess, the four Senators put together a chartered list of need and requirements to meter the Republic's potential super-soldier program. It was promptly presented to the Supreme Chancellor before the vote and, much to the welcome surprise of the four, their itemized list was met with little debate from other senators. The few that were, generally at odds with whatever the corpulent, corrupt and blustrous Orn Free Ta had in mind, were soon settled with agreeable outcomes.
In the end, the vote to fund a Republic-aligned super-soldier was passed with an overwhelming majority.
Word quickly spread, the headlines soon reading REPUBLIC TO FUND NEW SUPER-SOLDIER INITIATIVE as the galaxy began to respond to the news. Mixed trepidation, excitement, curiosity spread throughout Republic space. But on the Separatist side, the citizenry were growing concerned. Still reeling from the recent death of the super-soldier Ghost and with Waith branded MIA and likely deceased, everyone was growing worried that the Republic would press their growing advantage and tip the war back in their favor. The trend was slowly becoming noticeable and many clued in...
Within the Dominance, Reaper sat before a monitor that slowly scrolled through several newsfeeds beamed in key Republic worlds. All of them were discussing the prospect of the Republic's new cloned super-soldier and what it meant for the war effort. Gathering the information, Reaper began to develop his own theories, processing what it would mean to have to deal with an enhanced Clone trooper made to combat the likes of himself and the others that had been produced. He was knee-deep in potentials and variables when the doors to the hub opened and a helmet less Banshee entered. She approached silently and studied his newsfeeds for a moment. She had seen the same headlines and was developing some conclusions of her own.
"I think I understand what you meant when you said that without Wraith, the Confederacy's advancement is in question." She said quietly. Reaper slowly turned in his seat, his expression calm.
"Do you now?" Banshee nodded, running a gloved hand through her white air as her grey eyes shimmered with worry.
"I've been... purusing Separatist channels. People are scared, worried about this Republic super-soldier." She told him. "They're afraid the war will tip in their favor and that they'll lose the opportunity to change the galaxy."
"If they win, the galaxy does not change and remains the same. The status quite everyone has sought to escape will come crashing back down on them." Reaper stated. Banshee nodded in agreement.
"Then... Wraith wasn't just a soldier. He was a symbol. He was a symbol of Separatist potential, he was the desire for reform and change in every common man condensed into a living form." She described. "Without him... we're missing something." Reaper nodded.
"Now you see why we cannot kill this 'Dynnal'. We need Wraith back." He said.
"Yes, I see it now." Banshee agreed. "Then we must target the foundation behind his change." Reaper cocked his head, curious about her new course of reasoning. "I've been looking into the evidence behind your report and our prior knowledge on the subject. I believe something is responsible for keeping this Dynnal in play instead of Wraith."
"What might that be?" Reaper inquired.
"My people believe in something called Urunik-Itika, in Basic it translates to 'soul anchors'. Something tethers our soul to reality and gives us a reason to stay. Our family, generational grounds, an object or a mission from the beyond, something keeps in place for a reason. I believe I know what that reason is." Banshee explained. Drawing a holoprojector from her belt, the Umbaran toggled a series of images drawn of their recents encounters with Dynnal; primarily Onderon and Florrum. In each image, the same figure was accompanying him... "We know that Wraith once had feelings for the Jedi Ahsoka Tano, as unfathomable as that is. I believe that Dynnal is acting on those feelings and that whatever relationship he has with Ahsoka is ensuring he remains in control instead of Wraith. We know they are different because they act differently. Wraith would've returned to us by now, so Dynnal must have a great reason to remain and serve the Republic and Titans as he is." Banshee described. Reaper's brow furrowed and he focused on the images for a moment longer as he contemplated Banshee's correlation.
"So in order to bring Wraith back... you want us to sever Dynnal's 'soul anchor'." He realized.
"Yes. And there is only one way to do that," Banshee affirmed, "we must kill Ahsoka Tano."
Author's Note: Once again, thank you to everyone for your continued support. But an equally special thanks to A-Scot-is-a-Scot (AKA Miann of our Discord server) for her idea for a new super-soldier! You'll see who it is soon enough...