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Phase 4

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Part 1

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Chancellor's office

Senate Building

Coruscant

To my utter lack of surprise, the short recess did nothing constructive. The Senate wasted the rest of my day with pointless arguments, jumping from reduced taxation on corporations to backing the Trade Federation to the hilt. That predictably led to outrage and derailed the debate until someone could bring back taxes. The back and forth was tedious and infuriating. The session ended without achieving anything, which ensured we would have another one early in the morning.

The only positive development was that Amedda did come through. As soon as I got into my office and got myself out of my heavy outer ceremonial robes, a grumbling delegation made of Core representatives invaded. A Bothan sneaked in after them, obviously enjoying the show.

"Chancellor, we heard you have a solution to our current impediment?" Senator Keto, from Empress Teta, demanded.

He was a distant cousin to the Duke I wanted to bring on my side.

Beside him, the delegation included a verifiable who is who from the Core Faction. They represented people from disgruntled Senator Glinda of Alsakan to Bail Organa of Alderaan and Jokosta, representing the Atrisian Commonwealth on the far end of the Core.

I noted that due to resurgent rivalry, Bel Iblis of Corellia and Lenoan of Kuat stood at the far ends of the group. KDY and various Corellian shipbuilders competed to decide who would supply the next generation of ships for the Judicial Forces if the Senate ever deigned to release the funds for that. After various clashes over the past decade, the Judicial Forces needed an overhaul. As small as they were, their numbers were yet to return to their authorized strength after the battles that saw Terrinald become a hero and Yularen's star begin to rise.

"I do have a suggestion or two," I allowed blandly. "But first, I believe our colleague from Bothawui has something to say to us."

Twenty pairs of eyes followed my gaze until they focused on the furry alien who grinned toothily.

"The Bothan Council and the Bothan Spy Net are mildly concerned with recent events. I do have some information to share." Polo Se'lab announced.

The Bothans knew where enough bodies in the galaxy were buried, both literally and figuratively, making them dangerous enough entity not to lightly kriff with.

"For those who haven't been paying attention," The Bothan began gleefully, "There are three kinds of zones the Trade Federation runs in the Outer Rim. The first type is under the control of competent people with sufficient assets to keep the peace. The second type is conflict zones for various reasons – from Trade Federation incompetence to lack of sufficient resources in the region to deal with the present issues, among others. The third type is generally to blame for our current troubles. We're talking about select sectors where the Trade Federation personnel's greed and incompetence reached new levels. Those are the zones where warlords run wild, piracy is rampant, and no one is in a position to stop it. That's partly due to a grave strategic miscalculation among certain elements within the Trade Federation. Obsessive and stupid greed as well."

The little furry bastard loved lecturing us and rubbing it in.

"Some pirate groups causing most trouble were bought and, until recently, financed by Trade Federation elements. The deal was for the pirates to leave the Trade Federation shipping alone and strike at competitors or local economic assets. Certain people thought that with the Blockade of Naboo, the Trade Federation was strong enough not to need to care about mere pirates and ceased paying them. This, combined with other varieties of incompetence and greed, resulted in a piracy resurgence. A few false flag operations from loyal pirate groups aimed to convince the Senate that the Trade Federation should not be punished were a factor too. They helped convince pirates and warlords all over the Rim that the Trade Federation is weak now."

I wasn't sure if I wanted to punch the smug bastard or hug him.

The uncomfortable shifting of the other Senators made my day.

"I'll make an educated guess. Pirates are testing the waters all over the Outer Rim Territories. This ensures the Trade Federation can't shift forces from the more secure sectors because doing so risks that they will lose control over there too. Everyone competent in the contested zones has their hands full, and the less said about the rest, the better?"

"That's my government's conclusion, yes." The Bothan flashed me a toothy grin. "The Bothan Council watches with interest how this body is going to resolve the crisis."

"The Trade Federation proved that they aren't up to holding the Outer Rim and ensuring the free flow of resources to the Core. Resources the economy needs." I said aloud.

Many gazes shifted my way.

"My plan to get ahead of an economic meltdown that the people we represent would blame on us has two parts. First, we find a way to finance and authorize the creation of a potent anti-piracy task force. Their job will be to suppress piracy across the most troubled regions of the Outer Rim. At the same time, we strongly suggest the Trade Federation consolidates its attention in the areas it has secured and the ones it can reasonably contest."

The reason why save for the Bothan, everyone else here represented Core interests was simple. They did want a stronger central government, and at least some wanted stronger Judicial Forces, if not outright, a return of a proper Republic military. The point of contention was who would control those forces, not if they were necessary.

"Second, I suggest you all speak with the people you represent about creating a consortium. That organization will take over the burden of ensuring trade flows in certain parts of the Outer Rim. Doing so would be faster, easier, and cheaper than attempting to replace the Trade Federation outright. Some competition might focus them on doing their job and keep them from considering further foolish adventures." I explained.

"Some would say you're overstepping your position, Chancellor." Glinda glared at me.

"I'm doing my job. I'm mediating issues between factions within the Senate, so the Senate can do its job when it has to produce results." I smiled at her. "I won't be the one left holding the bag over this idiocy. If it comes down to it, I'll resign over it being impossible to do my job and watch the fallout."

This statement earned me stunned looks from the gathered Senators. Well, from all but one. The Bothan's barking laughter carried over my office.

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Part 2

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Judicial Arcology

Coruscant

"You look thrilled today, Commander." Commander Jan Dodonna pointed at his acquaintance with a steaming cup of Caf.

"We've got orders from the Chancellor's office." A rare smile stretched Terrinald's scarred face. "You're one of the rare people with combat experience in this building, so I have work for you. If you want to make a difference, of course."

"Now you've got my attention." Jan perked up.

More than a few heads from beings sitting in the mess hall turned their way.

"Walk with me, friend."

Screed brought Dodonna to a nearby empty operations room and activated privacy systems.

"The Chancellor wants a plan of action to secure multiple sectors against piracy, local warlords, and other troubles." Predictably, Terrinald didn't mince words.

"That's new. With what resources are we supposed to do something like that?" Dodonna curiously asked.

"That's one of the things the Chancellor wants to know. What resources do we need to get the job done."

"The cupboard has been growing emptier and emptier for a long time now." Jan reminded him.

That was one of the reasons why nowadays both of them were staff officers in the Arcology instead of having commissions as ship commanders.

"The Outland Region Security Force is, for all intents and purposes, Eriadu's creation and busy fighting their private war against pirates and other local troublemakers. At best, we might get some logistics and intelligence support if we operate in nearby sectors." Screed agreed. "This leaves us will little to work with."

"How interested is the Chancellor in doing something constructive instead of playing for a publicity stunt?" Dodonna asked.

"From what I gather, today's emergency Senate session isn't just for show. Unfortunately, the Chancellor doesn't believe it would reach a constructive conclusion. He needs a fast, workable alternative to convince people to get on with it."

Jan walked to a nearby workstation and called up a live newsfeed from the Senate. The Senators representing Naboo and The Trade Federation were at each other's throats. No surprise there. The news caption did say outright the session was supposed to be an attempt to solve the current economic difficulties.

"Of course, no one consulted us until it was too late," Dodonna grumbled and muted the news channel. "If Admiral Yularen was in the system, I would have liked him to be here as well. As things stand…." Jan shook his head. "Let's start with what we might need to secure trade in one of the red sectors in the Outer Rim Territories. From that, we'll extrapolate what we will reasonably need to make a dent into the problems out there.

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Senate Building

Coruscant

A sleepless night later, Dodonna somehow found himself shoulder to shoulder with Screed, standing at attention behind the Chancellor and a few of the man's aides. Before them, over forty Senators from powerhouses in the Core sat like schoolchildren, ready to take notes.

They were gathered in a large presentation room with enough space for at least three times their numbers.

"My friends, we have a quick and dirty preliminary plan that should tell you what's needed to begin solving our current issues." The Chancellor began.

Dodonna had to give that much to the old man - he knew how to speak in a way that grabbed your attention and made you listen.

"Commander Dodonna, give us a summary of the kind of problem we're facing and what the Judicial Forces need to begin solving the issue." With those words, the Chancellor stepped away from the podium and joined the Senators, intently watching them.

Screed loaded a data chip into a nearby terminal and brought up a large hologram of the Outer Rim territories. The sectors closest to Eriadu lit up in blue, designating them reasonably secure thanks to the locals' efforts. Many others lit up in green, showing the regions where the Trade Federation had competent people running the show and managed to keep the peace. However, nearly a third of the Outer Rim Territories under the Federation aegis lit up in amber. That designated them as contested zones, or worse – red, where the Trade Federation had little to no effective control.

Bothan intelligence that Dodonna and Screed got later last night indicated that at least some of the problems the Trade Federation faced were self-inflicted. Sadly, that did little to help restore security.

"The sectors in red are our primary concern. Especially the ones overlapping with major trade lanes and those bordering contested sectors hosting important trade routes." Dodonna began the briefing in earnest. He nodded to Terrinald, who zoomed the holographic map and illuminated three sectors. "These zones are of particular interest: Taraba, Tamarin, and Quence. The loss of control and pirate interdiction of the major trade lanes there isolates and disrupts trade, with more than ten Sectors relying on those lanes for practical access to Republic markets. The successful pirate and warlord operations in those regions are slowly but steadily destabilizing the nearby Sectors by denying trade revenue and isolating Trade Federation forces attempting to keep the peace. In practical terms, we're talking about the loss of mining output from hundreds, perhaps a few thousand, worlds across those regions. If the Trade Federation cannot regain control soon, such a blow will encourage pirates all over the Outer Rim."

Dodonna intentionally paused. Surprisingly enough, the Senators did take notes and listen intently.

"The indications we have so far, backed by Bothan Spy Net analysis, point at the Trade Federation's inability to regain control in a reasonable time frame. At least not without risking compromising the security of other vital Sectors," Dodonna stated bluntly. "This is the core problem we're looking at. With the Trade Federation proving incapable of maintaining security in these Sectors, we are left with a few viable options. One, abandon that part of the Outer Rim and the resources flowing from it. Second, we can attempt to secure the trade lanes ourselves. While that option is viable, it presents its unique challenges." Dodonna stared impassively at the Senators. "Due to certain events in the past, the Judicial Forces are not up to a campaign of such scope. We will practically abandon almost all of our responsibilities to gather the necessary forces."

Finally, Dodonna faced the grumbling he expected from the start.

"Do you have some ideas on how to solve this issue, Commander?" The Chancellor's voice cut through the grumbling like a knife. Everyone focused on Jan.

"I do, sir. However, I fear some of what's necessary for us to do the required job will not be pleasant. First, we need funding to bring back the most capable Judicial Forces units to full strength. Doing so means funding for modern ground forces equipment, vehicles, and, more importantly, space assets of various types. Second, we must draw from local SDFs to cover our existing tasks. That is the only realistic way to release enough Judicial Forces to pacify parts of the Outer Rim. Third, we will need expansion in the form of trained personnel and fleet assets to replace inevitable losses. All realistic plans we could make have those three factors as their foundations."

"Commander, provided that the Senate authorizes to give the Judicial Forces what you need, what is the plan?" The Chancellor demanded.

"We propose the creation of three major task forces, one per Sector. The first part of the operation will focus on securing the nodes on the trade lanes. Doing so would restore the flow of resources and reinforcements to the nearby contested sectors. Second, while heavy forces hold the line, we will dispatch a third of each task force to hunt pirates and locate their bases for future assault by reinforced battle groups. The rest of our light forces would provide convoy escort to stabilize the flow of resources in both directions. Doing so will buy us time to focus on the core issues that lead to the situation we have to resolve."

Behind Dodonna, Screed called up a new image showing a proposed breakdown of task forces for each Sector. A core of Dreadnought cruisers and Trade Federation-built supply ships made the heart of each task force. Two lighter ship formations followed. One was supposed to hunt down pirate bases. It was built around light carriers and corvettes with the best sensor equipment on the market. The second formation had a heart of light cruisers and escorts. Their job was to protect trade convoys and fend off pirate attacks.

"When the hunters find a pirate base, the task force commander will form battle groups containing overwhelming numbers and firepower to neutralize the target. Ideally, taking out a pirate base will allow us to find where other pirate groups hide through captured databases and interrogation of captured pirates." Dodonna finally completed the summary and looked warily at the gathered politicians.

"The plan is basic and will require further refinement. However, it's an option that can work. The question is if the people we all represent are willing to pay the price to make this option reality, or are we going to risk an economic collapse?" Palpatine asked the gathered Senators.

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