Chapter 16
Friendship, a platonic way for life forms to interact in this ever growing galaxy. Such relationships can be useful in terms of scaling upwards, but the key is to not let them know that they're the stepping stone but instead the passenger on your journey or else, those stones will sink just to watch fall.
3 Weeks Later...
The Supreme Chancellor's Office, Senate Building.
Weeks after the election, the newly elected Chancellor, Bail Antilles was immediately bombarded with proposals from the Senate to look over and review. Many sleepless nights occured during the Chancellor's first 21 days as Head Of State. Although he received some insight from his Co-Chancellor, Sate Pestage and his Staff Aid, Assandra Kal-Yin, he continues to struggle through the amount of proposals sent to his office daily.
"Bill 177, a proposal for more opportunities for droids in the workplace."
"Pass."
"Bill 241, a proposal for military aid given to the Rodian people in their civil conflict."
"Pass, but deploy only a small unit of soldiers, no need to waste our military budget in a scrimmage."
"Bill 285, a proposal for more commercial buildings within the Outer Rim planets." Suliman, his advisor said.
"Rejected, it will burn through our budget." Antilles replied. "Besides, the crime rates in the Outer Rim have increased over the past year, no need to waste time on some outlaw planets."
"Speaking of crime rates, Bill 322, a proposal to increase law enforcement presence in underground city of Level 1313." Suliman read.
"For what reason?" Bail asked.
"Apparently the Pyke Syndicate have infiltrated the underground city and have been rumored to be the leading cause of the smuggling and dealing of illegal spices." Suliman explained.
"As long as they stay down there, we don't have to worry about their nefarious business practices." The Chancellor replied; "Rejected."
"Your Excellency, the cases have increased on the surface level as well, the amount of local spice dealers arrested have doubled in the past week or so."
"It's none of our concern." Antilles' brushed off.
"It should be our concern, sir."
"It shouldn't, getting the Galactic Republic involved in petty crimes is ridiculous and a waste of our tax dollars." Chancellor Antilles said.
"Sir, this is organized crime we are talking about." Suliman pressed; "Ignoring this will back fire on us once it becomes mainstream news."
"Like I said, It's a minor issue, we have other things to worry about."
"Sir-"
"Enough!" Antilles yelled; "I don't have time to argue about this nonsense, we have to get this done and done quickly!"
Suliman regained his composure, pursing his lips as he said; "Of course, Your Excellency." He scrolled through his holopad once more; "Bill 334..."
Ruwee Naberrie's Cottage, Naboo
On a bright windy day on the planet of Naboo, Ruwee Naberrie, his wife and his two daughters sit at the table. The conversation was minimal but the occasional sibling skirmish occured between the two sisters from time to time, with them ending up fighting with their forks and leading to their mother's interference in their duel of fates. Ruwee on the other hand sat quietly, picking away at his food while entertaining his thoughts. His wife Jobal and his Oldest daughter, Sola noticed this as they both traded eye contact.
"You seem reserved this morning, Ru." Jobal said, cutting her omelet.
Snapping out of his trance, Ruwee regained himself as he cleared his throat; "Ah, yes...I just hadn't had much sleep last night that's all."
"That's all?" Jobal said, raising her brow.
"I was pushing myself too hard at work yesterday, I should've known better than to take on such tasks so recklessly." Ruwee lied.
"Well you came home earlier than usual." Jobal pointed out.
"I realized I needed rest so I came home early."
"Mhm." Jobal replied simply; "You should eat before your food gets cold Ruwee."
"What?" Ruwee looked down on his full plate; "Haven't I been eating this whole time?"
"No." Padme chuckled.
Ruwee smiled; "Well young lady, you haven't ate your vegetables yet now haven't you?"
"I don want vegtables." Padme said, pushing the plate away.
"Now Padme, you need to eat them because you won't become a big girl if you don't." Ruwee said, trying to convince his 6-year old.
"No!" Padme said, crossing her arms.
"Padme! you need to eat it." Her older sister Sola said.
"No!" She continued to protest.
Both Ruwee and Jobal sighed; "She's been against eating vegetables for weeks." Jobal said.
"She's quite stubborn isn't she?"
"Very." Jobal replied.
Before the anti-vegetable debate continued at the dinner table, a knock on the door was heard by its residents. "Who is that at this hour?" Jobal said. Ruwee got up from the table and went towards the door, looking at the camera droid as he sees a familiar friend standing in front of the doorway. He unlocks the door as it shifts open; "Finis?" Ruwee said.
"Ruwee." Finis said, shaking his colleague's hand.
Finis waved to his wife and children; "Jobal, Children." Jobal gave the former Chancellor a fake smile while the children merely ignored him. "Uh...Ruwee, we need to talk." he said.
"Oh, okay have a seat-"
"In private." Finis interjected.
Ruwee looked at his wife then to his friend; "Okay." he simply said. Ruwee walked out, closing the door behind him, with them walking toward the garden area to speak in private. "I haven't been to Naboo in while, it has changed quite a bit since the beginning of my first term." Valorum pointed out; "The fresh air, the fertile trees, the animals-"
"Why have you come to my house at this hour, Finis?" Ruwee asked.
"Look at this tulip, quite a blooming spectacle."
"Finis." Ruwee said, folding his arms.
Valorum sighed; "...I need you to run for Senator For Naboo."
"And for what reason?"
"The Core Faction needs a leader and I think your suitable for the job." Valorum said, patting his friend's shoulder.
"No." Ruwee said simply.
"What do you mean, no?" Finis said, making a confused expression.
"You want me to get into politics and run the Core Faction after what happened to Manmara!?" Ruwee replied, getting aggressive.
"Look, I understand-"
"No, you don't." Ruwee took two steps forward as he said; "Talus tried his damnedest to keep the Core Faction from falling even through that fiasco that you call an election. He even quelled such resistance from his own senators." he paused; "But, he ends up getting killed while you and Antilles get away, not to mention Jarrus being a possible victim to what ever game your playing."
"What are you trying to say?" Valorum asked.
"What I'm trying say is that I have no reason to do you any favors, Finis." Naberrie replied; "If your looking for a puppet to keep your hands in Galactic politics during your 'retirement' then don't come looking for me as your candidate."
The frustration loomed onto Valorum's face; "I brought you among powerful men, while the Queen had you doing meaningless charitable events, for the sake of 'her highness.' I gave you some leeway for you to become something greater than you are now...but apparently I was wrong, men like you are destined to serve men like us."
"Leave." Ruwee said sternly.
"Wait, Ruwee Im-" he stuttered, realizing his mistake.
"Leave Finis!" he repeated.
Valorum clenched his teeth and collected himself as he made his way out the garden area, but before he left, he turned toward his colleague one more time; "You know, to be frank I always liked you more than Talus, you both were quite uptight but at least you were there when I needed some company."
"Goodbye, Finis."
Valorum nodded and walked off with his security standing by the garden gate. Ruwee went back to his cottage, brushed off his shoes and headed for the kitchen as he was met by his wife, who is currently washing the dishes; "Well?"
"I told him off." Ruwee simply replied.
"For what reason?"
"He asked me to run for Senator Of Naboo and I refused." He said, leaning on the counter, "Knowing him, it's just another power play so he could stay connected with the Core Faction."
A few mere seconds passed before she responded; "Did you think that was a good idea?"
"Of course, both Valorum and Antilles are the reason the Core Faction is what it is right now. Getting myself involved in such a thing would be too dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Yes, Dangerous, those men are the reason Manmara's dead, you never know what those men are capable of." He said, standing on his point. "And it seems like your not agreeing with me on this."
She stopped and turned toward her husband; "Because I don't."
"What? Jobal I thought-"
"Ru, do you really want to be the Queen's charitable advisor for the rest of your life?" She interjected.
"I mean, I've contributed a lot..."
"That's not enough." She said; "You can make some real change Ru, the RRM is a great thing but if you become Senator..." She held his arms; "You can change Naboo-the Galaxy for the better."
Ruwee sighed; "I don't know..."
"You do, but your just afraid to take action." she affirmed.
"These people aren't just regular civilians Jobal, they're ruthless and will stop at nothing to destroy me if I fight against them." he pushed back.
"Well you'll just have to be just as ruthless as them, if you want to make a change Ru." she replied.
Ruwee paused; "What about the kids? If I become Senator, I'll miss out in spending time with them."
"You can shape their future far more than you can imagine if you just take that risk." She pressed.
Ruwee gazed at his wife for a moment and contemplated his decision, he held her waist as he said; "Okay, I'll run, I'll run for Senator Of Naboo."
A/N: Thanks for reading today's chapter and May the 4th be with you!
