Located in the Inner Rim, Onderon was a planet full of plains, mountains, jungles, and deadly beasts. Its walled capital of Iziz kept the monsters out, though of course that isolated much of its population. A great many were distrustful of outsiders, yet somehow they had agreed to become part of the Separatists.
Padmé still could hardly believe her friend and former mentor Mina was from such a backward planet, though where people came from never defined them unless they allowed it to. As promised, she waited for Captain Typho to go down to the provided coordinance first. She glanced at her comrades, grateful for their company.
"Meeting hall is clear, Senator," Typho reported, at last, breaking the silence. "I am sending my men up with your escort shuttle."
"Thank you, Captain." She saw the shuttle approaching out of the atmosphere and received Typho's code from them. She sent them approval to dock in her third bay. "Ready?"
"Absolutely." Bail and Mon Mothma replied in unison as Shaak nodded.
They walked to the hangar together and boarded the shuttle, which took them to the meeting hall in the capitol building in Iziz. It had long been considered neutral ground from the days before the walled city, where the tribes had met to ally against the beasts. As such an important historical marker, the massive building that now stood there rivaled the palaces of most planets, coming close to the grandeur of Coruscant's upper-class skyscrapers with how much money had been invested.
"The top floor looks like it reaches the atmosphere," Shaak remarked as the shuttle landed.
"That's correct." One of Typho's men replied. "It's the Cloud Room. Senator Bonteri reserved it for our meeting."
"Of course she would." Mon Mothma chuckled.
Padmé smiled as they exited, making their way into the turbo lift where Typho stood. "I am not surprised in the least."
It took them up, the other floors flying by so quickly it would make one sick and dizzy if they watched. They stepped out into the spacious chamber to see that all of its walls passed the lift were glass to give its occupants a stunning view of the stratosphere and its cloud systems as far as the eye cloud see.
Mina stood at one end of a luxuriant table presumably made from the wood of a local tree, chairs of the same caliber spaced perfectly around it. She had two others at her side in front of her security detail. "Welcome, distinguished guests from the Republic. This is Prime Minister Benjamin and his wife Lady Evangeline of Onderon. Prime Minister and Milady, these are Senators Amidala, Organa, and Mon Mothma."
"I remember when Senator Amidala used to visit quite well." Lady Evangeline beamed. "Any friends of hers are always welcome."
"And a Jedi Master as well, what an honor. Seems a shame they are spread thin."
"We hope that will soon change, Prime Minister." Shaak bowed elegantly.
"Indeed. Shall we all be seated?"
They each took chairs at the rectangular table while their security stood guard.
"Let us begin. I have been permitted by the Separatist Senate to see if a peace treaty can be reached. The Prime Minister and his wife graciously acquiesced to be our hosts during this summit." Mina gestured to the older couple. "As is customary, our guests will present their case first."
Bail stood and gave a half-bow. "As I am certain everyone in this room knows, my homeworld of Alderaan has always valued peace above having to be at war. We have settled conflicts over thousands of years with consistent measures of equality and compromise, avoiding bloodshed and destruction of resources where possible. This war is tearing both parties asunder and keeping friends and family members apart. And for what, I ask you? If you wish to remain independent systems, that does not mean we have to fight."
"I agree." Mon Mothma rose as Bail sat back down. "Many on Chandrila are cut off from their loved ones who are now part of the Confederacy. Trade routes on both sides equally suffer, threatening economies and livelihoods all over our part of the galaxy. The Republic will not force the planets who wish to remain separate to join them, that has never been our way. All these squabbles over territory and who is allied to who do not help those that are suffering, caught in the middle of our feuding."
Padmé nodded, getting to her feet as her friend resumed her seat. "I couldn't have said it better myself. My fellow Senators have very valid points. We are here as the voice of the Republic because of everything previously stated. We propose that the Confederacy remain as it is and any neutral planets will be left alone to deal with whomever they wish. Furthermore, we recommend establishing new trade agreements which benefit all of us to end the plight of those less fortunate who have been struggling since this began. And finally, we respectfully request the Jedi be allowed to go freely between our groups so they may continue to uphold the peaceful balance they seek to maintain everywhere, helping everyone."
"Onderon would certainly welcome back the Jedi. We have missed having their council."
"My husband is right." Lady Evangeline smiled. "What say you, Senator Bonteri?"
"I am not certain I can guarantee the Jedi will be welcome, many of the Separatists are wary of them after hearing some of the stories Count Dooku has told them."
"Forgive the interruption, however, Count Dooku was once one of us and it saddens me to say that his views have been twisted by joining the Sith, something he openly admitted to Master Kenobi during an encounter." Shaak stood and bowed deeply. "I would humbly ask on behalf of the Order that the Confederacy consider judging us by our actions, not the opinions of a man who left and now has interests of his own that he may not be sharing even with those he calls his allies."
"A wise suggestion." Mina looked thoughtful for a few minutes. "Would the Order be willing to accept modified terms that state they must be requested or invited to Confederacy planets until further notice?"
"I see no reason why not."
"Then let us draw up the treaty, for all the requirements of my party have been met."