Chapter 11
Justice serves but doesn't forgive, those who enforce justice can also corrupt it, and those who can be corrupted will follow in their own interests. In other words, leverage...is everything.
24 hours earlier... Rodia
"An Order from the Chancellor? " Plagueis questioned.
"Yes, I received an order from the Supreme Chancellor to appear before the Senate because of an accusation." Antilles explained.
"Accusation? "
"According to the message, I was accused of breaking Republic Law by an unknown individual." Antilles replied.
Plagueis stood stiff, not moving a slight inch; "It seems like Carmoda has made his move..." Antilles felt the Muun's eyes stare at him as Damask continued; "But, a move that is exposed to failure."
Plagueis turned his head toward Pestage as he said; "Go with Senator Antilles to the planet Polis Massa and hide there until further notice."
Sate Pestage nodded; "It will be done my Lord."
Antilles interjected; "Polis Massa? for what reason?"
Plagueis' head swiftly turned toward the confused senator; "To avoid any... casualties." he simply said coldly.
"It will be done my Lord, I'll make sure the senator is safe." Pestage repeated.
"Good, I will contact you when I complete my mission." Plagueis said. The hologram disappated, leaving the politician and his running mate to their journey into the Outer Rim.
Dex's Diner, Coruscant
In the midst of the busy streets of CoCo Town lays a popular restaurant known as Dex's Diner, where it's inhabitants varied from size, age and species. But in the hour of the sun's slow descendence, lay two men, two men of high status, who sat across from eachother, being the only two customers in the establishment.
"That Trandoshan almost shot my hand off, when I won the bet!" Carr Mallik, CEO of the Galactic News Network said. Both men laughed as the owner served them their drinks.
"Seems like you two are enjoying yourselves." Dex Jet commented; "If you need anything else, it's on the house."
Manmara waved his hand; "No, it's alright.
Dex nodded; "Okay then, I'll be in the back, if you need anything-"
"We don't, thank you." Manmara interrupted.
Dexter let out a quiet growl as he walked away.
"So, why did you call me here?" Mallik said, taking a sip from his drink.
Manmara chuckled; "What you mean? I can't spend time with a close friend?"
"Talus, you haven't spoken to me in weeks." Mallik pointed out.
"Well I didn't know if your loyalty lied..." Manmara inferred.
"I had no choice."
"Of course you did!" Manmara said as he slammed his fist on the table; "That traitor's agenda would've been nullified if you didn't broadcast it."
"He was the hottest topic of that week, it would've been foolish for us to not capitalize, its just simple journalism Talus." Mallik said, taking another sip of his drink.
"But he's an outsider!"
"And the only other candidate besides Senator Antilles." Mallik said.
Manmara let out a frustrated sigh as he collected himself; "Look, this isn't what I called you here for." Manmara leaned forward as he said; "I need you to me a favor"
"Oh?" Mallik said in a cheeky tone; "You need my help?"
"Despite your actions, you can still redeem yourself by doing this favor to me." Manmara replied.
Mallik put his glass down; "I'm listening."
"I want you to destroy any footage of Antilles' speech."
"What? that's impossible." Mallik objected.
"Are you saying you can't do it?"
"I'm saying that the footage is too mainstream for me to hide it from the public." Mallik explained.
"Well I need it gone, for our sake." Manmara insured.
"Our?" Mallik questioned; "Your the one under fire."
"If Carmoda becomes Supreme Chancellor, not only will the Core Faction fall but everyone associated will fall with it." Manmara explained; "You don't think he knows the relationship between the Faction and the GNN?"
Carr Mallik gave him malicious a look; "Fine."
Talus returned with a smile as he got up from the table and extended his hand; "Good, contact me when it's done."
Mallik got up and shook Manmara's hand firmly, Manmara then went toward the exit as he said; "Oh and cover the bill for me."
Mallik murmured under his breath, as he sat back down, waiting for the bill.
The Chancellor's Palace, Coruscant
"CG-228, get me my wine!" The Supreme Chancellor commanded. Finis Valorum sat waiting as he laid on his expensive sofa, after a few minutes, Valorum repeated his command as he said; "CG-228! get me my wine!" Finis waited a few more minutes until his patience grew thin, he begrudgingly got up from his sofa and walked over to his mini bar as he yelled out; "Fine! I'll do it myself!" in a gruff tone.
As he poured out his wine into the glass he continued his monologue about his droid not arriving at his service. "If I find out you aren't malfunctioning, I'll make sure to send you back to that slave trader in Tat-" Valorum stopped his rant mid-sentence as he turned to see a slender figure in red robes stand before him.
"Who are you? How did you get through security!?" Valorum questioned as he reached under the wine table.
"I wouldn't do that Chancellor." the figure said.
"What do you want? Do you want money?' Valorum questioned again.
"Please, take a seat before I explain." Damask said as he motioned for the Chancellor to sit.
Valorum slowly walked toward his sofa, not losing eye contact from his intruder. Heigo Damask walked in front of him and said; "I'm sure you are aware that your position is being questioned due to your current affiliation with the Core Faction." He continued; "And you know if you let Carmoda win, that your reputation and your freedom will be compromised forever."
"What's the point of this?" Valorum said in a frustrated tone.
"I need you to make sure Antilles is acquitted." Plagueis said bluntly.
"No...No." Valorum shook his head; "My reputation will plummet if I do that." he said as he stood and walked from the sofa.
"You have no other choice." Damask pressed.
"As much as I dislike Carmoda, I'd rather be in a Faction scandal then a Senate one." Valorum said.
Plagueis reached for his lightsaber slowly as he continued; "If Antilles wins the verdict, then you'll able to live in peace"
Valorum swiftly turned as Plagueis quickly folded his hands in front of him; "How?"
"If Senator Antilles wins the verdict, support for his campaign will increase while Carmoda's support will decrease. Which means his position to become Chancellor will be secured." Damask explained; "And when he becomes Chancellor, you won't have worry about facing the Senate yourself."
"What about Manmara? he's the face of the Core Faction, protecting him will only make things worse." Valorum said.
"Then he's going to be the one to fall and so will the organization." Plagueis assured.
Finis stood nervously as he realized he had to make a crucial decision. He knew he had to choose between his legacy and his loyalty, he gripped his fist and adjusted his turtle neck, raising his chin high, he then looked straight in the eyes of the Muun as he said; "How can I trust you? How do I know you don't have some hidden agenda?"
Plagueis' stood stiffly; "I always keep my word." he said simply, "Besides, do you think Manmara would've protected you in your time of need?"
Valorum adjusted his ring, continuing to ponder on his decision; "Okay, I will help you but if it goes wrong-"
"I'll make sure it won't." Plagueis assured.
Finis nodded, making it known that he agrees with plan, Plagueis then turned toward the exit as he said "We will arrive at the Senate by dawn."
"Wait." Valorum said; "Why do you want Antilles to win? you seem like you are part of the Rim Faction."
Plagueis faced him and said "In time you will know that answer." Plagueis then left the room and faded into the shadows without a trace.
Finis took a breath and clenched his heart in relief, he walked over to the futon near his sofa and took a shot of liquor from the now-warm glass of wine. Finis then walked over to his comlink as he heard a ring coming from it. He opened it to reveal a hologram of Talus Manmara in front of him.
"Chancellor."
"Talus I'm surprised to hear from you at this hour."
"Look, I have something that can bring everything back in order."
"You do?" Valorum questioned.
"If executed correctly, it will change the whole election, permanently."
