THALIA
"Your highness. It's an honour to finally meet you." The Rhodian senator Onaconda Farr said to Thalia, taking her hand and bowing slightly. "I am excited to hear what you have to say."
"I fear what I have to say is not overly exciting. More so an appeal to stop the Republic from trying to enforce it's protection on our neutral system." Thalia explained as she walked beside the Senator. Obi Wan kept a respectable distance behind them, yet still close enough to hear what they were saying.
"Nevertheless, I support your crusade for peace and neutrality." Onaconda said warmly before disappearing into the Senate Chambers.
Thalia walked back to Obi-Wan who had stopped at another entrance to the Chambers.
"I do not have a good feeling about this." Thalia muttered as she stopped beside him, looking down into the deep room, with moveable pods locked into the walls that were gradually filling with senators. Thalia suddenly felt rather ill about addressing the Chamber.
"I'd have to agree with you." Obi-Wan nodded.
"I did not anticipate having to face the senate today. Especially not to convince them of Troska's neutrality." She said stiffly.
"What did you say to the Chancellor?" Obi-Wan asked with a hint of humor in his voice, careful not to overdo it.
"Nothing. He is delusional." Thalia replied, raising her eyebrows.
"I wouldn't go that far." Obi-Wan replied as a long bell tolled in the Chambers signaling the beginning of session.
"Time to face the music." Thalia said, stepping out with Obi-Wan to take their seats in an empty pod as Chancellor Velorum began the proceedings.
"The Senate has convened today to discuss the state of neutrality of Troska." Velorum began before a senator moved their pod to the center of the room almost immediately.
"It is clear by the multiple attempts on the lives of those in power, that the ruler of Troska does not fully understand the gravity of the situation she is in." The Senator said. "If the Republic came to her aid we could protect her, her people and the fifteen hundred other worlds in the Council of Neutral Systems."
"I would also like to point out to the young leader that a lot of these attacks are fueled by the desire to wield the infamous Kyber Crystals. I would propose that the crystals be removed and stored in a secure location here on Coruscant." Another senator added and Thalia scoffed. The reason for Troska's neutrality was not the crystals.
"I believe we are missing what's important here. The Separatists wish to get Troska on their side because the other systems will follow their leader and that's over one thousand more worlds supporting their cause." Senator Onaconda said from his pod. "However, if we are to get involved, it would only bring the conflict to a neutral system where it can not go. I believe that if we stop looking to Troska the Separatists will see we have no interest and will not feel the pressure to secure the system before we do, so they will move on."
As he finished speaking, a loud roar erupted from the chambers. A mix between cheers and arguments. People on Thalia's right were arguing right over the top of her with the group on the left.
"So, this is democracy." She said to herself as she looked out over the dysfunctional crowd. She got to her feet and moved her pod out into the center of the chambers.
"Order! ORDER!" The councilman beside Chancellor Velorum boomed and the room fell silent. "The council recognises the ruler of Troska."
"Thank you. Members of the Senate…" Thalia began. "In the past year, there have been nine attempts on my life, the people I've trusted turned against me and many of my aids have died protecting me. Also in this past year, more that seventy worlds decided to join the Council for Neutral Systems, after closing the Crystal Caves there has been a decrease in the number of high-power weapons being created on both sides and the people and refugees of Troska finally feel safe knowing the war will never come into their homes. I know the risks, and so do my people, but they also believe in peace and the need to keep Troska a neutral system."
"That may be true Princess, but how many lives have been lost in your pursuit for peace?" The Senator from the Trade Federation asked.
"Believe me, I am not unaware of the sacrifices that have been made. It has taken seven years for Troska to get to where it is today. But I will not stand by while the Republic threatens to take that away." Thalia said. She could feel the anger starting to build inside her. But this wasn't her first Parliament fight. She knew how to handle herself.
"Those with power are always afraid to lose it." The senator muttered.
"The Trade Federation would know all about that wouldn't they." Thalia said, only loud enough so Obi-Wan could hear and she heard him chuckle behind her.
"I propose a vote of occupation for Troska. With the Republic's help they will be safe from this war." A Senator called.
"I will not allow Troska to become a military target. There is too much at stake on my planet to align ourselves with either side. You must understand this!" Thalia insisted, shocked that the senators had the audacity to call for a vote on her planet.
"A vote will commence this afternoon." Chancellor Velorum announced and all Thalia could do was gape at him.