"The Chief of State recognized the representative of the Tion monarchs." Fey'lya said coldly.
"Honorable representatives of the New Republic, I bring before you urgent news, the Tion Cluster has fallen before the reborn Imperial forces, we recieved the transmission mere hours ago. This new Empire is supposedly lead by Grand Admiral Thrawn." the Tion Cluster representative spoke, and the tension in the senate rose, erupting in a burst of roars, chatter, and astonishment exchanged between other senators.
"We will have order!" the head of security roared over the microphones, relatively calming the senators.
"Representative Lon, do you have any proof of your claims? You realize how many times Thrawn has supposedly came back?" the senator of Ison asked.
"The Monarchs have sent a lenghty recording of the battle, before the transmission was cut. We assume the obvious, the communications relay station has either been destroyed, or disabled. If the Chief of State permits, I shall replay the end of the recording." the Tion senator offered, recieved a nod from the Chief of State, and procceeded to play the recording.
On the large holographic screen, large enough for the entire senate to watch relatively without problems(even though all senators had a mini-holographic screen integrated in their Senate platforms, allowing them to watch and record anything they deem interesting), appeared the aftermath of the Tion battle, a trio of Star Destroyers in wedge formation, TIE's screaming accross space in their final effort to finish off the last defense platform. Far in the distance, space morphed for a brief moment, before a quartet of Star Destroyers exited hyperspace, and began advancing torward the planets in the system. Six planets, seven star destroyers, each one of the equipped for planet and space devastation.
"Goverment of the Tion Cluster! This is Grand Admiral Thrawn aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer 'Stormlord', lower your shields and prepare for the arrival of Imperial troops!" Thrawn's image appeared on the holoprojector and spoke, sizzled near the end and finally erupted in a burst of static, indicating that the communications relay station has stopped functioning.
"Your concern is noted senator. Admiral Sovv, what can the Military do?" Fey'lya remarked.
"I suppose we could dispatch a recon force to verify the senator's claims."
"A recon force?! My homeworld admiral, is being overrun by the most horrible of all Imperial warlords, who has at the very least seven star destroyers in the system, and you are going to send a recon force? That is hilarious." the senator's bitterness seeped from his voice.
"Im sorry senator, but your case is hardly an exception. The Yuuzhan Vong are advancing day after day, if we dont watch our step they WILL be here, on Coruscant, soon." Sovv remarked.
"Then perhaps the Tion Cluster shall swear loyality to the obvious superior military force in the galaxy. If Thrawn indeed is commanding this... this... Reborn Empire, and can commit no less then seven Star Destroyers plus ten support craft, then I belive we can all get a pretty good image of what his entire fleet consists of." the senator remarked.
"The New Republic does not give in to threats senator, if the Tion Cluster wishes to alter their loyalities, then do stop wasting our time." Admiral Sovv's face was crimson with anger.
"And what will happen when more star systems are invaded? Will you tell them to stop wasting your time? Will you tell Corellia to stop wasting your time? I say it is time that an end is put to this obvious selection of systems that are discardable. Is it not true that Sullust and Bothawui, are amongst the most defended systems at this moment?" Lon moved on.
"I resent that implication! The New Republic Military seeks to protect all members of the New Republic!" Sovv roared.
"I remember reading somewhere about a similiar goverment system, I belive it goes somewhat like this: 'Everyone are equal, but some are more equal'." the usually quiet senator of the Merchants Guild spoke.
"I agree with my fellow senator, this elitism must be stopped!" the senator of the Tion Cluster shot back before Sovv could reply, though he looked like if he got just a bit more angry he would implode.
"Senators, please calm down. No one is trying to deny your systems or corporations their protection, but..." Fey'lya started, but was cut off by the Merchants Guild senator.
"But the New Republic Military cannot be everywhere, yes Chief, we heard that more then ample times. In history lessons, I dont recall that any star system was noted for complaining for lack of protection, while there are ample records of the Old Republic denying protections to the outer systems."
"What is your point senator, that we are going to crumble like the Old Republic?" Sovv lashed out.
"No admiral. Allow me to announce this before-hand, but with personal authorization from president Thoryril of the Merchants Guild, the Merchants Guild hereby announces its retirement from the New Republic Senate, and is declaring its allegiance to the Empire." The silance engulfed the senate, once again boosting the tension through the roof.
"I second my fellow senators declaration, unless liberation of the Tion Cluster is conducted , I shall advise my goverment that it is in their best interest to declare allegiance with the Empire!" Senator Lon followed the unusually loud senator of the Merchant's Guild.
The senators of the Meridian Sector and the Cron Drift rose and declared that should their ally the Tion Cluster retire from the New Republic and join the Empire, they shall advise their goverments to follow their long-time allies, the Tions, into joining the Empire before Borsk Fey'lya could call for order and disable the microphones of the senate.
* * *
The room was softly light, dominated by a large chair with various circles of art circling around it, the Grand Admiral was sampling the art of his enemies, or perhaps even Lomeir's own race, the Zabrak. Who knows, perhaps he would be executed after this request. He took a long deep breath - no, he was too important to the Admiral's plans. Without him, the Zabrak would rebel. But he could be cloned... Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"Yes Lomeir?" the admiral's voice shook him from his trance and he realized he was standing in the doorway, possibly has been standing like that for a while. He shook away any fears and approached the chair.
"Admiral, I have a request." he began, then instantly regretted it as Thrawn's chair rotated to face him. No one made requests from this... this... Thing, without regretting it.
"Very well, lets hear your... request." the admiral said, as if trying to swallow the word without thinking of it as insult.
"I would like to contact the Jedi, and see for myself are they the traitors I have came to know them as." he said it in one breath, and the tension shot through the ceiling, possibly through the roof of the galaxy.
"Is that what you really wish? The Jedi will consider you to be of the Dark Side, and the Dark Side is their enemy." Thrawn said in a warning tone.
"Ive given it plenty thought, and Ive came to realize that its something I have to do. It feels right."
"And if they execute you? The Empire needs your gifts. You know that."
"There is a certain pilot who has similiar gifts to mine, Admiral."
"Name, rank, squadron?"
"Marin Lucin, lieutenant, Phantom squadron." Lomeir replied.
"So that is the pilot that joined Phantom squadron? From what Im given to understand, he is the only non-Kowes clone to be accepted."
"Indeed admiral."
"Very well then, you must do what you feel is right then." Thrawn said as he rose from his chair and offered Lomeir a hand. He accepted it.
"Good luck and godspeed my friend. Come back safely." Thrawn said, his face still a cold, unemotional mask. Lomeir nodded and left the room without a single word.
"Come back alive." Thrawn whispered torward the empty door.
"Honorable representatives of the New Republic, I bring before you urgent news, the Tion Cluster has fallen before the reborn Imperial forces, we recieved the transmission mere hours ago. This new Empire is supposedly lead by Grand Admiral Thrawn." the Tion Cluster representative spoke, and the tension in the senate rose, erupting in a burst of roars, chatter, and astonishment exchanged between other senators.
"We will have order!" the head of security roared over the microphones, relatively calming the senators.
"Representative Lon, do you have any proof of your claims? You realize how many times Thrawn has supposedly came back?" the senator of Ison asked.
"The Monarchs have sent a lenghty recording of the battle, before the transmission was cut. We assume the obvious, the communications relay station has either been destroyed, or disabled. If the Chief of State permits, I shall replay the end of the recording." the Tion senator offered, recieved a nod from the Chief of State, and procceeded to play the recording.
On the large holographic screen, large enough for the entire senate to watch relatively without problems(even though all senators had a mini-holographic screen integrated in their Senate platforms, allowing them to watch and record anything they deem interesting), appeared the aftermath of the Tion battle, a trio of Star Destroyers in wedge formation, TIE's screaming accross space in their final effort to finish off the last defense platform. Far in the distance, space morphed for a brief moment, before a quartet of Star Destroyers exited hyperspace, and began advancing torward the planets in the system. Six planets, seven star destroyers, each one of the equipped for planet and space devastation.
"Goverment of the Tion Cluster! This is Grand Admiral Thrawn aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer 'Stormlord', lower your shields and prepare for the arrival of Imperial troops!" Thrawn's image appeared on the holoprojector and spoke, sizzled near the end and finally erupted in a burst of static, indicating that the communications relay station has stopped functioning.
"Your concern is noted senator. Admiral Sovv, what can the Military do?" Fey'lya remarked.
"I suppose we could dispatch a recon force to verify the senator's claims."
"A recon force?! My homeworld admiral, is being overrun by the most horrible of all Imperial warlords, who has at the very least seven star destroyers in the system, and you are going to send a recon force? That is hilarious." the senator's bitterness seeped from his voice.
"Im sorry senator, but your case is hardly an exception. The Yuuzhan Vong are advancing day after day, if we dont watch our step they WILL be here, on Coruscant, soon." Sovv remarked.
"Then perhaps the Tion Cluster shall swear loyality to the obvious superior military force in the galaxy. If Thrawn indeed is commanding this... this... Reborn Empire, and can commit no less then seven Star Destroyers plus ten support craft, then I belive we can all get a pretty good image of what his entire fleet consists of." the senator remarked.
"The New Republic does not give in to threats senator, if the Tion Cluster wishes to alter their loyalities, then do stop wasting our time." Admiral Sovv's face was crimson with anger.
"And what will happen when more star systems are invaded? Will you tell them to stop wasting your time? Will you tell Corellia to stop wasting your time? I say it is time that an end is put to this obvious selection of systems that are discardable. Is it not true that Sullust and Bothawui, are amongst the most defended systems at this moment?" Lon moved on.
"I resent that implication! The New Republic Military seeks to protect all members of the New Republic!" Sovv roared.
"I remember reading somewhere about a similiar goverment system, I belive it goes somewhat like this: 'Everyone are equal, but some are more equal'." the usually quiet senator of the Merchants Guild spoke.
"I agree with my fellow senator, this elitism must be stopped!" the senator of the Tion Cluster shot back before Sovv could reply, though he looked like if he got just a bit more angry he would implode.
"Senators, please calm down. No one is trying to deny your systems or corporations their protection, but..." Fey'lya started, but was cut off by the Merchants Guild senator.
"But the New Republic Military cannot be everywhere, yes Chief, we heard that more then ample times. In history lessons, I dont recall that any star system was noted for complaining for lack of protection, while there are ample records of the Old Republic denying protections to the outer systems."
"What is your point senator, that we are going to crumble like the Old Republic?" Sovv lashed out.
"No admiral. Allow me to announce this before-hand, but with personal authorization from president Thoryril of the Merchants Guild, the Merchants Guild hereby announces its retirement from the New Republic Senate, and is declaring its allegiance to the Empire." The silance engulfed the senate, once again boosting the tension through the roof.
"I second my fellow senators declaration, unless liberation of the Tion Cluster is conducted , I shall advise my goverment that it is in their best interest to declare allegiance with the Empire!" Senator Lon followed the unusually loud senator of the Merchant's Guild.
The senators of the Meridian Sector and the Cron Drift rose and declared that should their ally the Tion Cluster retire from the New Republic and join the Empire, they shall advise their goverments to follow their long-time allies, the Tions, into joining the Empire before Borsk Fey'lya could call for order and disable the microphones of the senate.
* * *
The room was softly light, dominated by a large chair with various circles of art circling around it, the Grand Admiral was sampling the art of his enemies, or perhaps even Lomeir's own race, the Zabrak. Who knows, perhaps he would be executed after this request. He took a long deep breath - no, he was too important to the Admiral's plans. Without him, the Zabrak would rebel. But he could be cloned... Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"Yes Lomeir?" the admiral's voice shook him from his trance and he realized he was standing in the doorway, possibly has been standing like that for a while. He shook away any fears and approached the chair.
"Admiral, I have a request." he began, then instantly regretted it as Thrawn's chair rotated to face him. No one made requests from this... this... Thing, without regretting it.
"Very well, lets hear your... request." the admiral said, as if trying to swallow the word without thinking of it as insult.
"I would like to contact the Jedi, and see for myself are they the traitors I have came to know them as." he said it in one breath, and the tension shot through the ceiling, possibly through the roof of the galaxy.
"Is that what you really wish? The Jedi will consider you to be of the Dark Side, and the Dark Side is their enemy." Thrawn said in a warning tone.
"Ive given it plenty thought, and Ive came to realize that its something I have to do. It feels right."
"And if they execute you? The Empire needs your gifts. You know that."
"There is a certain pilot who has similiar gifts to mine, Admiral."
"Name, rank, squadron?"
"Marin Lucin, lieutenant, Phantom squadron." Lomeir replied.
"So that is the pilot that joined Phantom squadron? From what Im given to understand, he is the only non-Kowes clone to be accepted."
"Indeed admiral."
"Very well then, you must do what you feel is right then." Thrawn said as he rose from his chair and offered Lomeir a hand. He accepted it.
"Good luck and godspeed my friend. Come back safely." Thrawn said, his face still a cold, unemotional mask. Lomeir nodded and left the room without a single word.
"Come back alive." Thrawn whispered torward the empty door.
