Chapter 10

The Laws Of The Land govern the people who decide to dwell in it. The citizens rely on their so-called saviors known as the Galactic Senate to apply justice to it's criminals. But Corruption...corruption doesn't fall far from the tree in justice and politics.

Main Senate Building, Coruscant.

As the morning arises on the thriving metropolis of Republic City, Two candidates arrive at the Senate Building, to attend their mandatory hearing in the Senate Courts. Senator Carmoda arrived first with his small entourage, making his way into the building. Following behind him, was his opponent, Bail Antilles and his entourage, which included his main advisor-investor; Heigo Damask.

"Remember, stay calm and no direct answers." Damask said.

"Okay" Antilles replied, taking a breath.

"The GNN will be there to document the case, as long as you stay away from incriminating yourself then you'll safe." Damask said.

Antilles and his entourage entered the Senate Building as a wave of eyes laid upon them and whispers scattered across the hallway.

"Speak of the devil." Carmoda said, spectating his opponent. Jarrus squinted his eyes and analyzed the people surrounded by Antilles; "Who's the man in the purple robes?"

"That's Sate Pastage, Antilles' running mate." his assistant replied.

"What about the Munn?"

"That's Heigo Damask, the Head of the Intergalactic Banking Clan." Assandra explained.

"Banking Clan huh, no wonder he cut Manmara off." He muttered to himself.

Jarrus walked over to Senator Antilles and extended his hand as he gave him a fake smile. "I'm glad you came Senator."

Antilles puckered up a grin and shook his opponent's hand; "I wouldn't miss it for the galaxy."

Camera droids surrounded both candidates as a news reporter entered into the fray. "Senator Antilles! how do you feel about being accused of defying Republic Law?"

"Um."

Another news reporter from the local news yelled out "Senator Antilles! Do you think your being framed!?"

"Uh.."

Camera flashes and the influx of questions overwhelmed the Chancellor Candidate, making him unable to provide a clear answer. Before anyone else could interfere, the current Chancellor and his guards dispersed the crowd; "Everyone, to your pods! the trial is about to begin!"

He then turned to the news reporter near him as he said; "And no cameras, only one reporter is allowed inside to document the trial."

--

Across hall, three Jedi stood as they watched the chaos unfold in front of them. "Looks like this going to be a long one." Qui-Gon commented.

"Indeed." Master Mace Windu said.

"Man of interest, he is." Yoda replied; "Go, we must."

--

Everyone did as they were told and entered into the Senate Chamber. Both Core Faction and Rim Faction members sat opposite of each other in the pods, waiting for the trial to begin.

Carmoda and Antilles' glared at each other then looked towards the middle as a light shined from the top of the chamber. A pod slowly lowered itself into the middle of the chamber, revealing the Chancellor and his court.

After a few minutes, his Vice Chair, Mas Amedda echoed out "All Rise!" across the chamber.

Every species in the Senate stood up for their honorable Judge, Chancellor Finis Valorum, until he said "You may be seated."

All of them except the two candidates did as they were told, sitting down to spectate this trial. The two pods floated upwards and toward the Chancellor's pod, stopping on their respective sides.

"Now, Senator Antilles, you are brought here today to state your defense against the accusation made by your political opponent, Senator Jarrus Carmoda. According to him you violated Act. 212 of Republic Law by denouncing your affilation with the Core Faction during your campaign." Valorum explained; "And to remind you; every candidate that registers for a seat in the Republic are required to stick to their Faction unless they change affilation, before or after their term."

Antilles took a slight breath; "I understand Chancellor, but due to the unethical ways of the Core Faction, I didn't want them reflect the message of my campaign."

"Message of your campaign?! You're part of the problem!" Carmoda interrupted.

"Order!" Mas Amedda yelled out.

"Thank you Vice Chair." The Chancellor replied; "Senator, you do realize that this is a violation of the law?"

"Chancellor, I promised my people, that the Republic will not advocate for corruption and for me to be loyal to the idea I refused to promote, seems disengenious don't you think?" Antilles replied.

"Is that a confession!?"

"Order!" Vice Chair Amedda repeated.

"Senator Carmoda, might I remind you that this isn't a debate." Valorum assured, looking at Carmoda.

"Indeed your honor, you may continue."

"Senator Antilles, although your former Faction is currently facing backlash from the media, that doesn't mean the law should be violated." the Chancellor said

--

Damask, spectating in the middle row of the Senate, sat analyzing the trial happening in front of him.

"I don't think it was a good idea for me not to aid him." Pestage said begrudgingly.

"It wasn't needed." Plagueis replied; "Carmoda doesn't have a chance to win this."

"Well it's up to the Senate to decide."

--

"I understand, but I think the Republic citizens deserve a fair election." Antilles' replied.

"So your admitting, that they tamper with the polls?" Carmoda interrupted.

"Order!"

"No, But you seem to knowledgeable of it."

"Order!"

"Don't play dumb, I have enough evidence to put you and the Faction away for good!" Jarrus revealed.

"Order! Order! Order!" Mas Amedda yelled as he tapped his staff.

--

"Seems like theirs personal tension between them." Mace commented.

"When power hangs in the balance, destruction, guaranteed it is." Master Yoda replied.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Qui-Gon said; "But I can't put my finger on it."

--

"That's enough Senator Carmoda! One more outburst and Im throwing this whole case out!" Valorum barked.

Jarrus nodded and begrudgingly collected himself.

"Well... it's clear that we won't get a clear picture unless evidence is provided." Valorum motioned for his Vice Chair to activate the grand hologram on the pod, which revealed a playback of Bail Antilles' speech broadcasted earlier in the week. Everyone in the Senate watched and observed the holographic video to determine their decision on the matter. "...And since Senator Carmoda proclaimed his separation from the Core Faction--I will also announce that I--affiliated with the Core Faction--will continue to run as a--Candidate."

The Senate was suddenly engulfed with a room full of whispers as the hologram paused, Valorum turned his attention toward Carmoda with a disappointing look on his face. "Do you have any more evidence to provide, Senator?

Jarrus stood stiff in disbelief; "The-the evidence has been tampered with! He said it live! Everyone in the galaxy has seen it!"

"Chancellor, I think their is nothing else that needs to be said or heard." Antilles said.

Carmoda looked around frantically; "This is perjury! This is corruption! The Core Faction-"

"Senator Carmoda, unless you have any further evidence, I have no choice but have the Senate decide on the ruling." Valorum explained.

"Don't you see, they've tricked us all!" Carmoda yelled, ignoring the Chancellor.

--

Sate Pestage let out a slight 'hmph' as he observed the situation unfolding in front of him; "Quite clever."

"Clever...Clever indeed." Plagueis commented.

"The tone in your voice sounds off." Pestage pointed out.

"It was good move, but a move that I didn't plan for." Plagueis replied.

--

"The hologram was fixed! They are hiding the truth!" Carmoda exclaimed.

"That's Enough!" Valorum said as he motioned to someone across the room; "Senator, you have inappropriately disrupted this case during this whole trial and for that, I will have your pod be returned to it's station and have you escorted out of the chamber."

Before Carmoda could rebuttal, his pod was quickly sent back to it's station and two Senate guards grabbed the angered politican as they escorted him out of the building. "Corruption! I tell you corrupt-"

Valorum sighed; "Now...Members of the Senate, it's time to decide on the verdict." He paused; "Vote if you think the defendant is guilty."

The Chancellor looks around, seeing no hands raise in the midst of a silent room. "Vote if you think the defendant is Innocent." and with swiftness, hands began to raise like a tidal wave across the chamber. "Well, Senator Bail Antilles, by majority vote of the Galactic Senate, I find you innocent and I will release you of any charges brought upon you by this court."

--

With a big victory on his side, Bail Antilles walked outside of the Senate Building as he was bombarded with press and news reporters, asking questions. One reporter got close enough to him and asked "Senator, how do you feel about the Senate's decision in today's case?"

"I feel like the Senate made the right decision in choosing a man that will bring the Republic in the right direction for the better."

Senator Carmoda pushed through the crowd and got face-to-face with Antilles as he said; "It isn't over you bastard!" He then walked away with his assistant, making his message clear against his rival.