Conflict with no end in sight!
Across the galaxy, the quagmire
of war continues. While clone
troopers suffer casualties at
alarming rates, the Galactic
Senate convenes an emergency
session to debate the true cost
of the war...
In the Senate meeting everyone was yelling over each other "Order! Let Senator Thunderbolt speak!" Julian told them all as he gestured to a female chinchilla. "More troops are needed. The Republic cannot afford to let the Separatists gain anymore ground", Wynmacher's disc hovered forward "Our troops fight valiantly on the front lines. What we cannot afford is to be irresponsible. The Republic is near bankruptcy due to the cost of this war". The Senate again started arguing when a disc carrying Mordred appeared "Bankruptcy is not necessary my friends. If we pass Senator Thunderbolt's bill to open new lines of credit, then we will gain access to the needed funds". Cosmo activated her microphone "Won't this bill essentially deregulate the banks?" "A small price to pay to finance the war" the Soleanna Senator replied. Tikal watched the Senate argue "Members of the Senate, do you hear yourselves? More money, more clones, more war. Say nothing of the physical responsibility. What about the morale responsibility? Hasn't this war gone on long enough". Thunderbolt angrily turned to her "Senator Tikal, are you suggesting we surrender to the Separatists" "Of course not. But negotiation might be a better course of action". Some agreed but others were still arguing against it. It was eventually decided that the bill will be discussed more at a later date.
A green female hedgehog in a red business suit, Breezie entered her office with Mordred and Thunderbolt "That bill would have made billions for us". "I tried my best to push the bill through" Thunderbolt said defensively, "You did your part. Senator Tikal is the problem" Mordred said as the three sat down. Breezie took a drink "I thought age would temper her idealism" "I know people who could do something about her" Thunderbolt said. The hedgehog shook her head "No. With or without Senator Tikal it's unlikely this bill will be passed. The Senate will require… motivation".
Tikal was walking through the Senate building with Shadow and Amy "You must ask the Shinobi Council to speak with the Chancellor" she told Shadow. He didn't seem to like this "Don't involve me in this" "A peaceful solution is the only way out of the morass of this war". He shook his head "That's not my role, Tikal" "Why not? We're Shinobi. It's our duty to advise the Chancellor" Amy asked surprising Shadow. He looked to Tikal "Uh, I suggest you teach my young apprentice a thing or two about politics" "After today's debate I was hoping she learned a great deal". Amy sighed "Truthfully, I don't understand any of it. I know the Separatists are the enemy but all I heard them arguing about was banking deregulations, interest rates and almost nothing about why we're fighting in the first place". Shadow stepped in front of her making them stop "War's complicated, Amy. The Separatists believe the Republic is corrupt but they're wrong and now we have to restore order". Tikal crossed her arms "Maybe you shouldn't be the one to speak to the Shinobi Council after all. Come on, Amy". They walked away from him and she turned back and smiled "You asked me to teach her about politics".
On the bridge of an Egg Carrier a hologram of Dimitri was speaking to Dark Oak "There is a problematic situation brewing in the Senate. We must ensure that everything my master has set in motion does not unhinge. See that your badniks complete their mission". Dark Oak chuckled "But of course, Dimitri".
Tikal was in her office with Amy "If only I could speak to Senator Aleena" "Who's that?" Amy asked not paying much attention. "She is a Senator in the Confederacy of Independent Zones", this surprised Amy "Your friend is a Separatists? One of Dimitri's pawns?". She turned to her "The Separatists used to be part of the Republic. I was close with many of the Senators who left. I may not agree with them but they're more than pawns" "Well let's talk to her". Tikal sighed "That's illegal. The Republic say that official meetings with the Separatist would only legitimise them" she said with contempt. Amy shrugged "Well, Master Shadow and I hold what we call aggressive negotiations all the time". Tikal suddenly had an idea "Do you have special clearance like other Shinobi?" "Um, yeah. Why?". "You can travel to neutral worlds like Planet Wisp. If we were there, we could board a cargo ship to a Separatists Zone". Amy paused before shrugging "Well Master Shadow did say you should teach me about politics" "Right" Tikal smiled. "You know you two have more in common then you think. It's no wonder you get along so well", Tikal nervously nodded "Um, yes, of course".
A cargo ship arrived at a city on the planet of Syphon. A small group including Amy and Tikal who were wearing cloaks walked out of the ship. There were Egg Pawns asking for identification but a purple female hedgehog wearing a white dress and gold gown appeared and guided them away from the Pawns. "Hello, old friend" she said to Tikal who smiled "Amy, this is Senator Aleena. She was my mentor when I was growing up on Albion". Amy looked at her suspiciously "You're a Separatist?" "Well of course, my dear. What were you expecting? Now come, I have a transport waiting".
They arrived at a castle where a young male lion wearing a teal jumpsuit was waiting. Aleena looked up to him "Cyrus, come down here and help our guests with their luggage", he walked down looking apprehensive. "It's good to see you Tikal" Aleena told her, "Yes. A lot has changed since we last met". Cyrus walked past them towards Amy "May I?" he was about to take the luggage from her, but she moved away "I can handle it" she glared at him before continuing to walk.
The three of them were in the lounge area of the castle and Aleena brought them both drinks. Tikal was looking out the window at Cyrus "He's grown so much, Aleena" "Time doesn't stop, even in war. I'm afraid these events are shaping his young life". Amy turned to her "With all due respect, as a Separatist didn't you create this war" "Amy!" Tikal said sternly. Aleena didn't look angry "It's alright. Although I must say that's a very polarized point of view, my dear. Would you be surprised if I said that many of my people feel the same about the Republic and the Shinobi? Cyrus' father thought that". "Where is he?" Amy asked which made Aleena's face drop "He's… dead. It will be a year go next week. He was setting up a base on a planet that was sympathetic to our cause. The clones attacked and he was killed". Amy stared blankly at her before looking to Tikal "Excuse me. I think I need to get some air.
Amy went outside and walked past Cyrus who saw her lightsaber "Are you a Shinobi?", she stopped "Yes. Why do you ask?". He gave a nostalgic smile "Before the war I always wanted to be a Shinobi" "What do you think of us now". He paused before answering "I don't know. A lot of terrible things have happened. A lot killing and a lot of people say the Shinobi are to blame". The two walked together "I'm the first Shinobi you've met, aren't I?" "Well… Yes". She stopped and turned to him "Well. Look at me. I'm not so bad, am I?". He stared at her for a second before smirking "No, not bad at all". Amy rolled her eyes "Well it seems boys are the same whether they're Republic or Separatists". She walked away but he caught up with her "Wait. How many Separatists have you met? Badniks don't count". Amy thought for a second "Well other than military officers like Dark Oak and Lien-Da, none. You and your mother are the first" "Well look at me. Am I so bad?".
A shuttle arrived Mobotropolis and released multiple robots that looked like maids. A group of clones guarding the area saw them "Good, cleaning bots. Right on time" one of them said as he pointed down one of the roads.
Tikal took a sip of her drink "I think Dimitri has something to do with this" "He's just the leader of the Senate. He's not in charge of the entire universe". Tikal sighed "Oh, I forgot. You actually admire the man" "You know we will never agree on Dimitri, my friend. But we do agree that this war must stop, the question is how". Tikal nodded "That's why I needed to speak with you. The Republic is holding a critical vote on whether or not to escalate the war effort. However, many of the delegates are undecided as to what to do". Aleena pondered "Interesting. The Separatists Senate are in a very similar dilemma" "I'm certain that if you convince them to extend an olive branch of peace to the Republic then there might be enough sympathy in the Senate to finally open negotiations". Aleena smiled at her old student "I admire your spirit, Tikal. I can at least put the motion on the floor" "Thank you, Aleena. That's all I ask". They both stood up and held out their glasses "To peace then" "To hope".
In the Separatists Senate building a meeting was taking place, Aleena was speaking "How many lives have to pay before we see the futility. Surely there is space in the galaxy for Confederate and Republic planets to co-exist. I move that we immediately open peace negotiations to Chancellor Solaris on Mobotropolis". Many Senators began arguing over this, a hologram of Dimitri who was wearing his helmet and was standing at a podium at the front of the room raised his hands to calm the crowd. "In accordance with the bylaws of the Independent Zones, a voice vote is required. All I favour of initiating peace negotiations with the Galactic Republic, say I". A majority of the Senators spoke up, "Those who oppose" a few Senators spoke. Aleena smiled and looked up to an observation balcony where Tikal and Amy were in disguise watching.
Breezie, Thunderbolt and Mordred were speaking to a hologram of Dimitri "This is quite troubling. Your own Senate voting to end the war" "I assure you, gentlemen. Your worries are greatly exaggerated". Mordred stepped forward "How can you be sure this won't continue. Where is the attack we were promised?" "Yes, we need the war to feed our machine and profits" Thunderbolt added. "After the attack, the chances of peace will disappear. Accevive Corp, the Eggman Empire and the Black Arms will all get their fair share and then some".
Amy and Tikal were on a landing platform with Aleena and Cyrus "Well, this is goodbye" Tikal said sadly. Aleena smiled "I've been disappointed before and yet this time I feel as if we've made a difference in this war. You should hurry". Cyrus looked at Amy "You really believe the Republic will vote for peace?" "I hope so. I wouldn't want to meet you on the battlefield… for your sake" she joked. Tikal and Amy headed towards the cargo ship.
The time had come, the maid robots headed to the power generator of the Senate distract. They went to the entrance where Geoffrey the Skunk was guarding. One of the maids projected a pass with its eyes which Fox examined "Well everything checks out. Good luck down there". They were allowed past and made a right turn "Wow, wow! Wait a minute" they stopped and turned back to him "The generators are that way" he pointed left. One of the maids nodded before they went in that direction. Geoffrey shook his head and chuckled "Stupid robots".
Tikal was in Solaris' office and has just told him everything "Well, well. This is quite a stunning development" "Yes, Your Excellency. We would be remised if not irresponsible to reject the Separatists proposal". He started guiding her to the door "I can see why you would want so badly to believe that the Separatists desire peace" he said in a slight condescending tone. "I don't understand" "In the past whenever we have reached out our hands in peace they've been slapped away. Can we trust that they will actually keep their word?". Tikal stopped "If I may speak confidentially. I know that this is sincere. I've been in contact with my old friend, Aleena the Hedgehog. The origin of the proposal is with her". Solaris' eyes opened wide "Aleena. I see your point, my child. We shall put the vote to the floor".
The maids made it inside the generator and were heading to the control room. There were two workers outside the door who saw them "Maid bots? We didn't schedule a cleaning". The different parts of the maid robot suddenly transformed, and they became copper coloured crab robots "Egg Bombers!" on of the workers yelled in shock. The front pincer of the bombers shot laser blast at the workers, killing them. They entered the control room and efficiently killed everyone inside. All the bombers crawled around the room, some on the walls and placed orange bombs everywhere.
Tikal was in a Senate meeting looking confident "Given that the Separatists put a call for negotiation on the table, the need for additional troops seems ill timed". Wynmacher nodded in agreement "Which means there is no need to deregulate the banks". Julian stood up "We shall vote to remove the proposed bill to lift regulations on Excessive Corp", Mordred looked worried "Dimitri promised he would stop this vote". The Senators started entering their votes, but all the power suddenly went off. Red emergency lighting turned on; Tikal looked around confused. An alarm went off "We're under attack!" a Senator yelled.
It was a long night; multiple other bombs had gone off over the distract killing and wounding many people. Thunderbolt spoke to the Senate "The bombing of the Generators was confirmed as a Separatists attack. They must pay for what they have done". "But it was the Separatists congress that issued the bill of peace" Tikal said. Julian turned to her "Obviously a tactic to lower our defences and launch this attack". Tikal shook her head "No, that's not true!". The Soleanna Senator stood up "I move to immediately deregulate the banks" "Yes, we need more troops!" another senator said. Solaris pretended to look reluctant "I'm afraid we have been given little choice. To ensure the safety of the Republic we must deregulate the banks". Tikal fell back into her chair and held her face in her hands. Amy was behind her watching it all unfold.
Tikal and Amy were walking through the Senate building and saw Shadow with his arms crossed "I'm returning your apprentice" Tikal said blankly to him. Shadow nodded "I'm sorry your talks with Aleena failed", Amy looked surprised "How did you know". Shadow was obviously angry "We have eyes and ears everywhere, Amy. That was dangerous and careless, not to mention illegal" he looked to Tikal. "You both went too far this time". He walked with them "You would have done the same. You do the same all the time" Amy said frustrated. "Not this. This was too much" "Maybe, but I learned something today. The politics of this war are far more complicated than I once thought".