Chapter 12
A being's greatest weapon is the ability to control the mind but it's greatest weakness is it's uncertain future, those who face uncertainty, either gamble life or death for a better outcome or face the consequences that they brought upon their mistakes.
Senator Carmoda's Office, Alderaan
Moving furiously across the room, Senator Carmoda frantically paced back and forth as his assistant attempts to calm him down.
"This bastard ruined my campaign!" he said, slamming his fist on his desk.
"Well, more like you ruined your campaign Senator." Assandra replied.
"What?"
"Your sudden outbursts in the Senate Chamber became more of a popular talking point than Antilles' victory over you." she explained.
"I had him! I had them all!" he proclaimed.
"Now you don't have any support" she ribbed; "According to the polls, you've gained a twenty percent decrease while Antilles gained a twenty percent increase." she explained.
"How is that a gain?"
"It's better than nothing."
"Their has to be a way for me to expose this... corruption." Carmoda wondered.
"Unfortunately, due to your actions, I highly doubt the Senate will consider another hearing." Assandra said "On top of that, the media has most likely destroyed any legitimacy to your campaign."
"I can't believe they got away with this." Carmoda said in disbelief.
"Maybe you should've thought this through before running." Assandra said.
"This is no time to be cheeky Assandra, we need to clean this up before my campaign is damaged any further."
"About that..." Assandra paused; "I've been offered a new position, well...a better one."
Jarrus looked at Assandra with confusion; "What do you mean a 'new position'?"
"Antilles' team contacted me and offered me a position to be his coordinator, and potentially be part of his cabinet." she explained.
"What?!...you're turning your back on me?!"
"Your campaign was a mess from the beginning, the only thing keeping it afloat was your promise of peace and unity, when we both know that won't happen." Assandra pointed out; "You only did this out of spite, you didn't want to change the galaxy, you just wanted revenge."
"Enough!" Carmoda yelled; "Leave my office and don't you ever come back!"
Assandra dropped her holopad on his desk and made her exit, she turned and said "Good luck Senator, you'll need it." as the doors shut behind her.
Jarrus sighed and leaned on his desk; "what have I done?" he said to himself.
The Core Faction Headquarters, Corellia
"I don't know how you did it but you managed to save your ass once again." Carr Mallik said.
"I couldn't have done it without you Mallik" Manmara said as he stood in front of his desk; "I'll make sure to reward you handsomely for your efforts."
"No need, my dedication to the Core Faction is worth more than any precious item." Carr said sarcastically.
"Good, now leave my sight." Manmara ordered. The hologram dissapated with Mallik giving the politician a disgusted expression.
A droid then entered the room, with a holopad and a large blue Tw'lek with his entourage behind it; "Sir, The Head Of the Rim Faction is here to see you."
"Ahh, Senator Free Taa, what a pleasant surprise." Manmara said in a fake tone.
"I'm not here to trade pleasantries Manmara." Orn Free Taa of Ryloth said in a gruff tone.
"Then why are you here? You do know that I have a no, non-human policy." Talus assured.
"I'm already aware of your distain for species such as myself." Free Taa said; "But I'm here to cash in my agreement with you."
"What agreement?" Manmara questioned.
"Don't act like you don't know." Free Taa grinned; "The agreement, the one we made before the beginning of this election, the one where you promised me what ever I asked if I let you win."
"I don't think I would've made such an agreement with the likes of you." Manmara said sternly.
Orn walked over wrapped his fat blue arm around the chairman's neck; "Don't be foolish Talus, you knew Finis' approval rate was no where near acceptable and you were afraid that a Rim candidate would take his place. So you ran to me for help and I decided fall back...but at a price." he raise his finger.
Manmara brushed off the Tw'lek's arm; "Well that deal is useless now, Antilles is not apart of the Core Faction anymore."
"Oh?" Orn said; "That's not what was said in the media, my friend." He leaned over toward Manmara; "As far as I know, he's fully involved with Core Faction affairs." He then stood and tilted his head slightly; "Or is their something you're not telling me."
Talus scowled and sat back down on his desk; "I owe you nothing, so you might as well leave before I call security!"
Orn chuckled; "You might've escaped from being exposed by Carmoda but you don't have any dirt on your hands."
"You have no proof."
"Oh really?" Free Ta said; "Pampy, bring me the recording device." he commanded.
The red-skinned female Twi-lek walked over with a recording device in her hand as she played the recording in question;
"I need the numbers to change or else the CF will lose leverage in the Senate."
" The Rim Faction has a significant percentile advantage over the alien population, while Valorum is completely lacking in that percentile, a stat increase on Valorum's end might look suspicious." the voice said in a sophisticated tone.
" I don't care, the Republic needs The CF and Valorum as it's leader, I need the numbers boosted by the end of the week, or I'll get you blacklisted in every working sector of the galaxy!"
After the recording ended, Manmara gathered himself to not reveal his reaction; "How did you get that?"
"I don't reveal my sources." Orn said; "But disgruntled employees provide the juiciest... of details."
"You think blackmail is going to end well for you, Senator?" Manmara said, folding his arms.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's not going to end well for you." Free Taa grinned; "Now to refresh your memory, you owe my three Core planets and an unmarked transport cruiser."
"Three Core Planets?" Manmara repeated.
"N'Zoth, Abregrado-rae and Corellia." He listed.
"What for?" Manmara asked.
"Let's just say, I'm looking to expand." Free Taa said as he grinned. "Anyways, I need to be on my way, so I'm going to give you one more week, to give me access to those transport sites or..." he chuckled; "You know."
Senator Free Taa snapped his fingers and his entourage followed him as he exited the office. Once the doors closed, Manmara punched his desk to the point it left a small dent on the table top. His assistant droid walked in and said; "Mr. Manmara, do you have any commands for me at this hour?"
"Contact the Supreme Chancellor!" he said in a frustrating tone; "Now!"
The Supreme Chancellor's Office, Main Senate Building, Coruscant
In a cool afternoon in the planet's capital, Finis Valorum, sitting in his office, sat back as his advisor listed documents proposed by the Galactic Senate; "Document 345, a proposition to decrease trade tax by 5%"
"Another tax bill?" Valorum sighed; "Next!"
"Document 428, a proposition to increase Naboo's security budget due to the rise of Gungan sightings."
"Gungans? you mean those weak looking amphibians." Valorum scoffed; "Next!"
"Okay, what about Document 399, a proposition to increase security measures on Level 1313." his aid said.
"Level 1313? Why is that any of my concern, Silman?" Valorum replied.
"Its been quite the issue, due to the alleged reports of Pykes conducting illegal actives down there, Your Excellency." Silman explained.
"As long as they stay down there, their activities shouldn't be any of our concern."
"Your Excellency, I know it's not my place to object, but this Pyke problem has been a issue for quite some time now, if nothing is done, then--"
"Nothing will be done, Silman, I've tried so hard to avoid any conflict during my term and I'm not going to start now." Valorum replied.
As they argued, a sudden hologram stood before the both of them, they both turned their attention to the hologram of Talus Manmara standing before them. "Chancellor, I need to speak with you, immediately."
"Of course." Valorum said; "Silman, leave us." The Chancellor's aid nodded and exited the room, leaving the Chancellor to his meeting.
"Why have you contacted me at this hour?"
"I need a favor." Manmara said "I need you to handle some debts for me."
"Debts? don't tell me you gambled with the Hutts again." Valorum sighed.
"No, nothing like that" He assured; "I want you to deal with Senator Free Taa."
"The Head Of The Rim Faction?" Valorum questioned; "What debts do you owe him?"
"Look, I don't have time to spare any details, all I need you to do is to get rid of him as soon as possible." Manmara replied.
Valorum folded his arms; "Why should I be the one to do this? why can't you just hire someone else?"
"I need it to be kept secret, and I can't rely on a bounty hunter to do the job." He explained.
"Bounty Hunter? You want him dead?"
"I just want to get rid of him, if murder is an option then so be it." Manmara said; "I want this done in 48 hours, the faster, the better."
"How do you expect me to do this?" Valorum questioned.
"Figure it out." He said simply. The hologram then disapated and left the confused Chancellor with more unanswered questions. 'Damn it Talus' he muttered to himself, Finis sat and thought about ideas to create a plan. After about ten minutes, the Chancellor raised his white brow as he said
"I might have to visit that Muun for some help."
