Chapter 15
There will be times your enemy will have an advantage over you, but if you survive, it will only make them lower their guard as they claim victory. Because in due time...they will fall!
The Chancellor's Apartment, Coruscant
Hours before election night, Senator Antilles, The Chancellor and his campaign investor gathered together in a meeting, discussing their plans as they sat across from each other.
"Did you rehearse the speech, Senator?" Chancellor Valorum asked.
"I've read over the lines more than once and I'm pretty sure I've grasped what needs to be said." Senator Antilles replied.
"Good." Lord Damask said simply; "Pestage, will aid you along the way if you have any issues."
"Until then, you should rest." Valorum stood as he embraced his successor. "You have a big night ahead, Senator."
Antilles nodded as he shook the Chancellor's hand. "Until then your excellency." The Senator made his exit through the entrance, while being accompanied by the Chancellor's Royal Guards, leaving the two men to their discussion.
"Are you sure it was a good idea to leave him out of the plan?" Valorum questioned.
"It's necessary, he needs to stay focused." Plagueis assured.
"How do you know this will work? What if he escapes or takes the whole Core Faction down with him?"
"He won't, if he remains stubborn-"
"So you'll kill him?" Valorum whispered.
Plagueis crossed his legs; "...If it comes to that."
Finis got up and walked toward the window; "I don't know if we should go through with this..."
"Keeping him alive is too great of a risk, if we don't eliminate him, some else will." Plagueis assured. "And if someone else does, then you'll spend the rest of your years in a prison cell.
Valorum stood quietly for a second; "...Very well."
Plagueis stood up from his seat; "Good, be prepared." He said as he walks toward the exit.
"Wait." Finis said; "What about his successor?"
Plagueis turned toward the Chancellor; "You wish not to takeover?"
"I told you, I wanted exile, not another position."
"Do you have anyone is mind, Chancellor?"
"Yes..." the Chancellor replied; "I know a man from Naboo, he is part of the Royal Nobility and has contributed to many Core Faction causes." he explained.
"Very well, once this is done, bring him to me and I will vet him, myself." Plagueis said, exiting the apartment.
Chairman Manmara's Apartment, Corellia
"A Party?" Sir Nabarrie said.
"Of course." Manmara said as he gets measured by his tailor; "We should celebrate this victory with some festivities."
"Even though Antilles almost ruined us?" Ruwee said.
"He ran because he was afraid, but Finis cleaned it up." Manmara replied, trying on his vest.
"Has Antilles ever came to you for council?" Ruwee asked.
Manmara adjusted his tie; "...No, why?"
"I'm just wondering how he was able to maneuver past all of this?"
"Well I'm sure he can handle his priorities, without my help." Manmara said, turning away from the mirror; "This suit looks shabby don't you think?"
"Don't you ever wonder why Carmoda quit the faction?"
Talus signed and turned toward the mirror; "I could care-less, the Core Faction has no room for losers anyway."
Ruwee got up from the couch and folded his arms as he said; "Your not going to question any of this at all?"
"Look, I have other things to worry about then to harp over conspiracy theories, Ruwee." Manmara said, walking past his subordinate. "Now will you excuse me, I have a party to host." The Core Faction Chairman said as he made his way out the door, followed by his security.
Ruwee sat back down on the couch and sighed in frustration "I have a bad feeling about this." he muttered to himself.
Coruscant
As the suns set, nightfall begins the rise, the citizens of the Republic sit in their homes, glued to the broadcast watching the votes being counted.
With a clear lead beyond his adversary, Senator Antilles and his campaign team sit and wait until the final decision is made by the Galactic Electoral College.
Meanwhile, attendees, who await the arrival of their New Chancellor, sat within a large stadium-like facility, as they watched the ballot be counted in a giant holographic screen. "Events like these are so tiresome, don't you think?" A red-haired woman said.
"I heard Senator Manmara is hosting a party at the Chancellor's Palace." The Nikto next to her said.
"Doesn't surprise me, the man always likes to flaunt his victories whether he won them fair or not" She replied.
"You have such a destain for him, but yet you work under his tutelage, Korina." the Nikto replied.
"He helped me escape the slums of Corellia." Korina said; "But that doesn't mean I have a soft spot for him, Ausko."
"Very well, what ever you say, Representative."
--
"Crowded it is, during these times, hm?" Master Yoda pointed out.
"I've been told politics are considered a spectacle to some, but I didn't believe in such claims until now." Mace Windu replied.
"Invested into the future, these people are."
"Indeed."
"Master Jinn, how is his health?" Yoda asked.
"I've been told he went to the meditation room, to regain his composure." Windu answered.
"Find out the cause, did you Master Windu?"
"I'm not sure, he said he felt something strong but I don't know what he meant by that." Windu said.
"The Dark Side, looming over him, it could be." Yoda suggested.
"It could be, he's been distant from the Council ever since Dooku's departure." Windu said.
"Then we must watch over him, fall victim to the Dark Side, he cannot." Yoda replied.
--
Time continues from second to minute, minute to hour as the ballot counter slows down further and further. Completing count from every planet in both the Mid and Outer Rims, with the last planet, Coruscant being counted to it's last ballot. With the last one being counted, the numbers come to a screeching halt as a graphic on the holo-screen shows the new Supreme Chancellor.
"THE WINNER OF THE 40BBY GALACTIC ELECTION
AND
THE NEW SUPREME
CHANCELLOR OF THE GALACTIC REPUBLIC,
BAIL ANTILLES OF ALDERAAN!"
Cheers erupted throughout the Core, Mid and Outer Rim as the announcement of the new Supreme Chancellor appeared on their holographic devices and screens. The stadium itself shook as cheers roared across the facility.
Once the announcement was made, Bail and his campaign team headed for their ship to arrive at the stadium across the Republic planet. They all quickly entered the ship and headed their way towards the stadium as fast as possible.
--
Meanwhile in the Jedi Temple, Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Master Sifo-Dyas sat in the meditation room as they meditate together. Sifo-Dyas sat still, while Qui-Gon twitched from time to time, losing his focus.
Sensing this, Sifo-Dyas exited his meditative state to consul the Jedi Master across from him. "Master Jinn."
Qui-Gon opened his eyes as he said; "I'm sorry I-"
"It's ok, tell me did you feel it again?"
"No, but it won't escape my mind." he replied.
"Are you sure it wasn't the dark side?" Sifo-Dyas asked.
"I'm sure of it, it felt too strong for it to be anything like it...it felt like the Force was trying to tell me something." Qui-Gon explained.
"Have you been able to find out what the message was?"
"Sadly no." Qui-Gon said simply.
Sifo-Dyas got up from his position and walked over and offered his hand to the Jedi Master, Qui-Gon accepted his gesture and Sifo-Dyas helped the Jedi Master onto his feet. "I think you need some rest." Sifo-Dyas said, patting his shoulder. The Jedi Master left the room, leaving Qui-Gon alone in the chamber. Instead of taking the advice, Qui-Gon sat back down in his position and continued to meditate. After a few minutes pass, Qui-Gon tapped into his meditative state, his mind continued to dwell deeper and deeper until he saw a light shine in his view.
"He will save them." He heard.
"He will save them all...through darkness he will be the light." the voice echoed.
Qui-Gon looked around, then covered his face as he yelled; "Who goes there!"
"Balance will come, bloodshed shall be it's price." the voice continued. "The light and dark will form together under him."
"Who goes there!" Qui-Gon repeated.
"Millions will fall due to his coming but will rise once he conquers darkness."
"Who will conquer darkness!?" Qui-Gon asked.
"The one born of the Force." the voice finally answered.
Before he could reply, Qui-Gon snapped back into the living, sitting up in his cross-legged position. "The one born of the Force..." he repeated. Then a sudden click made his eyes widen as he said; "the Chosen One!"
--
Antilles' ship arrives at the scene as Royal Guards stand across from each other at the bridge. After landing, the ship opens it's docking ramp, with Antilles' and his team exiting and being accompanied by security. "Right this way, Chancellor." the coordinator said. Once they made their way inside, the coordinator directed the Chancellor-elect to the backstage area where he stands by the stage itself. Chancellor Valorum walks over to him and shakes his hand as he said; "Congratulations, Senator."
"I appreciate it Chancellor, but if it wasn't for you then I wouldn't be able to be here right now." Antilles' replied.
"Let's save the pleasantries for later, I need to go and introduce you." Valorum said. The Supreme Chancellor walked to the stage, receiving a standing ovation as he waved toward the crowd, making his way to the podium, once he arrived, the crowd took to their seats. "Ladies, Gentlemen and Species of the Galaxy..."
"You know what to say, correct?" Co-Chancellor-elect Sate Pestage said.
"Yes, I'm ready."
"...Now without further ado, please stand for your new Supreme Chancellor Of The Galactic Republic."
Another standing ovation commenced, as The new Supreme Chancellor made his way toward the podium. The clapping then ceased, "you may be seated." Antilles said.
--
Sate Pestage opened his comlink and a hologram of Darth Plagueis appeared. "My Lord, he has arrived."
"Good, I will take it from here." Plagueis said as the hologram disappated.
Naboo
Drinking from his third bottle, Jarrus Carmoda sits as he watches Antilles' speech live from his holo-screen. He mumbles his share of curse words at the screen, "That could've been me!" he yelled, taking one last sip and throwing the bottle at the projector droid, causing it to malfunction. "Damn it!"
Carmoda slowly gets up from his couch and stumbles as he walks over to the droid to pick it up. He then stops as he hears a noise coming from behind him. He turns his head and sees no-one behind him, "Hello?" he said. With no response, Carmoda grabbed the droid and sat back down on his comfy sofa. He looks at the droid, examining its injuries, looking at the liquor dripping from the exterior.
He looks closer at the droid's eyes, seeing a red dot appear in it's reflection, getting bigger and bigger. He then felt a cold breeze crawl on his back, making him jump to his feet. He turned and saw a cloaked figure hidden within a dark shadow, with only his yellow eyes shown.
"Who are you?! How did you get in here?!" Carmoda yelled.
The figure stood, as a red light appeared by his waist, Carmoda noticed the red light and said; "Are you a...Jedi?"
The figure stretched out his arm, causing Carmoda to hold his neck as he is lifted into the air. The figure stepped out of the shadows, showing his face, marked with Zabrak tattoos and horns. Maul proceeded to crush the man's esophagus with Force, dropping his lifeless body on the floor.
Maul then picked up the body, put a sheet around the victim's neck and hung it on the ceiling with the Force. Maul opened his comlink, and his Master's hologram appeared as he said "It's is done."
The Chancellor's Palace, Coruscant
The elegant scenery, the classical music and the rich elites in attendence encapsulated the whole event as more guests of great wealth continued to pour into the Palace. Senator Manmara walked around, greeting guests and amusing them as he enjoys himself with his share of drinks.
With another victory under his faction's belt, and a lively function on his hands. Chairman Manmara stands on the stage as he says "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please!"
Everyone in attendence stopped their conversations and looked toward the stage; "Now, we are gathered here to celebrate not only a victory for the Core Faction but a victory that was needed for our beloved Republic." He continued; "I must admit, I was not prepared for what was to come and betrayal was one of them, I couldn't imagine one of my own would've turned on me like this, lying to the citizens of the Republic for his personal gain...although that temper tantrum was entertaining I must admit." He said as the crowd laughed. "But the Core Faction has been through many trials and tribulations and in that we remained firm and steady for over a century, protecting and serving the Galactic Republic until the end of time...and to that I would like to make a toast." He said as he raised his glass; "To the Republic!"
"To the Republic!" the crowd repeated.
As they drank, the doors bursted open as Senator Orn Free Taa, accompanied by the Coruscant Police Force, stormed through the crowd, with Free Taa pointing toward the stage as he said "That's him!"
The 501-Z droids rush the stage and put the Senator in handcuffs, "What are you doing? What is this? I have you know I'm-"
"Senator Talus Manmara, you under arrest for fraudulent voting and tampering with electoral ballots, you have the right to remain silent, as anything you say will be held against you in a court of law." The officer droid said.
"What?!" Manmara said, getting dragged from the stage; "Un-hand me!"
Talus looks toward Free Taa as he said "You bastard! I'll get you for this you air breathing parasite!"
The attendees stood in shock as their host gets dragged out the Palace through it's grand doors. Senator Free Taa follows behind but stopped once he reached the hall, he then opens his comlink where the hologram of Plagueis appeared; "It is done."
--
"Thank You." the crowd stands once more to clap for their newly elected Chancellor as he makes his way backstage. His assistant walks over with a holopad as she says "Sir, you have an event at the Palace we must move quickly."
"Okay, prepare my ship." Antilles said.
"Yes sir." She said, making her way toward the exit.
Pestage came up next to the Chancellor-elect as he said; "You did well, now we must go before we're late."
"Right." Antilles, his Co-Chancellor and his security rushed towards the exit, making their way toward the bridge.
--
The droid officers entered into the holding ship as it quickly takes off and flies upwards toward the atmosphere. Once they made it through, the ship jumped into hyperspace, speeding away from the planet.
"Get off of me!" Manmara yelled. The droids walked past the holding bay for their prisoners and made their way toward the main area of the ship. "Let go of me!" he said once more, the droids dropped the Senator on the floor, walking away from him, toward a doorway, standing on opposite sides of the entrance. A slender, tall, cloaked Muun entered the area and walked over to the Senator, staring him down as he lays on the floor
"Who are you?! What's going on?!"
"I'm glad that we can finally meet, Senator Manmara." Darth Plagueis said.
"Why am I here?! You aren't the part of the police force!" Manmara said manically.
"Your not going to jail, Senator." Plagueis said as he took a seat; "Instead, we're going to negotiate, lift him up." he commanded.
The two 501-Z droids walked over and lifted the Core Faction Chairman onto his feet as they were told. "Now sit, let's talk."
Reluctantly, Talus sat down, still in bondage, facing the Muun across from him. "Talk."
"First, Let me make this clear, I will be the one making the commands, not you." Plagueis said.
"I don't care."
"You should, because I highly doubt you want to be thrown into hyperspace...turning into dust in a instant." He replied. Manmara simply clenched his teeth in response.
"Second, you, among the eyes of your peers, are a criminal. Even if I were to take you to a detention cell, you'll be sitting in there until you die." Plagueis said coldly.
"If I get out of this, I'll make sure you and Free Taa-"
"Oh you won't, Im sure of that." Plagueis said.
"What do you want, huh? Money?" Talus' asked.
"No amount of credits are going to save you Senator." Plagueis replied; "I simply want to negotiate."
"I have no reason to speak to the likes of you!"
"You have no choice." Plagueis said simply.
After a couple minutes Talus calmed down and sighed; "Okay, Go ahead."
"The Core Faction has the most influence in the entire Senate, you and I both know that." Plagueis continued; "With Antilles' as Chancellor, I'm sure you would want to keep it that way."
"Let me guess, you want me give up the seats so The Rim can win the majority?" Talus replied.
"Partly...because it won't be you but, your successor, who will make that decision."
"Successor? So you want me to give up my position so the Rim can win?" Manmara laughed. "You can't be serious."
"If you refuse, then you're political career is over." Plagueis said coldly.
"Did Orn put you up to this?"
"Oh quite the contrary, Senator."
"I rather be taken out by a firing squad than give up my position." Talus said sternly.
"Is that your final answer?"
"Yes! because I will never submit to you two-legged, sewer living, parasites!" Manmara yelled.
"Well if that's your choice...fire!" Plagueis commanded.
As they were told, the 501-Z droids raised their blasters and shot the Core Faction Leader multiple times until his body was riddle with holes. "Enough." the 501-Z droids ceased and returned to their positions. The ship exited hyperspace into the atmosphere of Mygeeto.
"Phase One, Complete."
Plagueis said to himself.
A/N: Happy Easter Everyone!
