Entry Thirteen – Days after Geonosis, Eighty-Four
The supply situation has become acute. I will not last out the week on a number of critical materials. Not only anti-fungals, which I anticipated, but several common antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-protists, and rejection suppressors are all reaching critical levels. There has been a substantial increase in the frequency of illness, especially infections. I believe exhaustion is responsible, as huge numbers of workers turn in additional hours to support the massive orders called for by the war effort and as they attempt to make up for the loss of imports. This problem is not limited to my little clinic, several regional medcenters have contacted me and reported similar shortages. They hoped the Jedi Order had some sort of special sources they could not access. Turning those pleas away was particularly painful.
I feel that I need to do something. It may not be my responsibility but the burden of expectation is there all the same. How can the Jedi protect the Republic if its citizens sicken and die? But it is hard, nearly impossible. I notified the High Council of the problem, and went so far as to ask for permission to brief the Senate, which might be the most presumptuous thing I've ever done. Master Rancisis, to my astonishment, actually approved this. However, it seems the Senate is not impressed by the credentials of the Medical Corps. I spoke only briefly to Senator Bana Breemu, though her staff listened to me for far longer. She sounded uninterested in attempting to produce any sort of crisis distribution plan, or at least not one involving the underworld, and sighted widespread shortages as something everyone must endure. Her staff did at least provide data that indicates even Galactic City's hospitals have begun to ration certain medicines. I recognize that in such a state there will not be any transfers approved lower down. Under current conditions, I suspect the surface would prefer to pretend that lower levels do not exist at all.
I have no confidence in my ability to convince any other Senators to take action regarding this problem. Perhaps they will succeed in forging an alliance with the Hutts, or perhaps some general will manage a brilliant breakthrough against the Separatist hyperlane blockade. I truly hope so, but until then alternatives must be found.
The Jedi Code teaches us to reject coincidence in favor of the guidance of the Force, but with regard to Takul's appearance outside my door shortly after my return from Galactic City I believe I shall attribute it to simple spying. Only a fool would believe the major syndicates lack eyes in the Senate, indeed popular opinion is that they own more than a few Senators outright, though it is disconcerting to consider that this cynical view point might actually be true. Nor do I appreciate knowing that my movements are being watched. I never thought I was anywhere near important enough for that.
I confess Takul was not the representative I expected them to send. I always thought the first open visit would be far more aggressive.
The Mutaratak did indeed want something, but it was not the shakedown I anticipated. It seems the combination of supply shortages and increased scrutiny of freight imports have seriously impacted the ability of the various syndicate labs to produce narcotics. Amusing that this should be the first positive impact I can attribute to the war, but it too has complications attached. Takul, who is either the most shameless person I have ever encountered or Mutaratak psychology has some inhibitor attached to that neurological center, did not hesitate even slightly to present it.
Apparently the syndicates see an opportunity in using their idle production capacity to churn out medicines for the underworld's masses. They are fully aware of the shortages faced by medcenters and private doctors and see an opportunity for profit. Takul claims they are not alone, that charlatans and faith healers have already begun to multiply in the back alleys and dark alcoves. He came to ask for my assistance in 'channeling' the syndicates' nascent pharmaceutical productivity.
The Mutaratak displayed considerable, and truthfully quite ridiculous, flattery in the course of his appeal, but the crux of the matter is that he believes I have the right combination of experience and knowledge to provide a list of medicines that can be synthesized from commonly available chemical precursors that will offer the maximum efficacy for the least harm. He cited both my work in medicinal adaptation and my history of Outer Rim missions as reasons.
The whole thing was stunning. I had no idea what to say, and I had to fight down a spike of desire to hack his smiling face apart. I mumbled that I would consider the matter. He left me a list of materials that are not at risk of running short.
As much as I wish it were not so, Takul was not entirely wrong. I do understand the nature of this task, and I have developed treatments in the past in the understanding that only local materials could be depended upon. Further, the Jedi Archives contain numerous records of alternative treatments developed outside of the Republic and subsequently discarded following the integration of their planets that another researcher might not be able to query.
If I can be truthful with myself, difficult as that is, I have already conducted some exploration of this idea. I could provide Takul with a list of replacements that would function and hopefully produce minimal side effects. I could, in fact I find myself trawling through aged publications even now. As much as it would be the easiest answer, my ability to fulfill is request is not in question.
It comes down to one question then, not whether I can act, but whether I should. I am not a fool. Takul and his sponsors will acquire a list from someone. There are many talented doctors in Galactic City who could perform this task. Doubtless there is one susceptible to a large offer of credits or vulnerable to blackmail. The syndicates will not allow their machinery, or their distributors, to lie idle, nor will the hospitals and pharmacies refrain from buying from such questionable sources with the need great.
Perhaps I can provide a better list than someone else. One that will do more good and less harm in some marginal way. But what is the cost? Is it right to aid these syndicates, to enrich such hideous parasites as the Pykes in order to produce such marginal benefits to the population? I do not know. I have searched myself; tried to find the Force and unearth an answer within, but to no avail. I do not know how to make this choice.
Notes
Senator Bana Breemu is the Senator from Hubmarine, another ecumenopolis and therefore potentially someone who would understand the issues of cities on such scale. She is a canon character, being one of the Senators cut from the theatrical release of ROTS.