AN: This update is inspired by some spirited discussion over on SB. Chronologically, it takes place a few chapters in the future, shortly after Dooku takes control of the CIS and removes Sidious' creatures from positions of power.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. It belongs to Disney. This story is not for rent or sale.

Interlude: PR Shenanigans 1

=KoF=

Taken from joint Shadowfeed/GNN broadcast two days after the purge of Confederate leadership.

"I am Victoria Halcyon, and this is a special edition of the Galaxy at War!" A red-haired human woman in her early thirties offered the cameras her dazzling smile.

"And this is Ryloth Resa, bringing you the truth on Shadowfeed!" A young-looking Twi'lek female happily waved at the public. "Tonight, we have something special for you!"

"This is a joint initiative between the Senate of the Galactic Republic, and the Confederate Council," Victoria began, "aimed at opening dialogue, and eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict. We'll be hosting talks between Senators representing our respective governments!"

"On the Republic side, we have straight from our studio on Coruscant, senators Padme Amidala from Naboo, and Bail Organ from Alderaan!" Halcyon introduced her guests.

"And here, on Raxulon Prime, we have Senator Mina Bonteri from Onderon, and the new Viceroy and Senator of the Trade Federation, Trest Ilroth!"

"In the name of fairness, we're going the old-fashioned way. We will flip a coin to determine which delegation will be the first to ask questions tonight!" Victoria beamed at the cameras.

A coin flip later, it was up to the Republic representatives to begin.

"We're all fighting a conflict with deep roots, that much is hard to deny," Senator Amidala began. "The Separatists proclaim they fight for lofty ideals. However, the roster of their membership paints a very different picture. Who sits on your ruling council? Representatives of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, the Corporate Alliance, the Techno Union, the Hyper-Communications Cartel, the Commerce Guild, and the Trade Federation worst of all." Amidala jabbed an accusing finger at the new Viceroy of the Trade Federation. "Those are the same people who invaded Naboo ten years ago, and that tragedy was only a taste of things to come! This is no war of liberation or peaceful secession, but a conflict with a singular purpose – for corporations to grasp even more power while slipping out of even the pretense of governmental control!"

"Those are bold accusations, Senator Amidala." The large, plump Neimoidian answered with a sad smile. "Considering your past, it's understandable you'll mistrust some of us so. My predecessor not only authorized the invasion of your home but attempted to have you killed on multiple occasions out of simple spite. For what little it's worth, I want to apologize about that despicable conduct." Ilroth took a sip of water, before continuing. "Now to answer your accusations. There are many reasons why the Confederacy formed in the first place. I must stress this again, invading Naboo was a foolish action of a short-signed CEO, however, there was logic behind them, no matter how distorted. Senator Amidala, let me ask you a simple question. Have you ever wondered, why then years ago, the Trade Federation had the navy and army capable of invading and taking Naboo?"

"Your military is the tool you've been using for decades to extort worlds on the Outer Rim." Amidala quickly answered. "It's a tool of oppression the Trade Federation built, and it wasn't long before it found a work for itself."

"When you were a child-queen ten years ago, such an answer might have passed muster, Senator Amidala. We both know better, don't we Padme?" Senator Bonteri gently chided her protege. "We on Onderon know why the Trade Federation had to build itself a large armed navy. The same goes for all of our large militarized members. The Corporate Alliance? The Techno Union, Commerce Guild…" Bonteri smiled sadly, "It's the same reason all governments on the Rim with the resources to do it, have been building themselves as large militaries as they could. Just like our colleagues on Eriadu did, and used them in the Stark Hyperspace War."

"The Republic abandoned the Outer Rim and more distant parts of the Mid Rim, turning a large part of the galaxy into heaven for pirates, criminal syndicates, slavers, and warlords. We didn't build our militaries to oppress anyone."Ilroth explained. "In our case, the Trade Federation I mean, it was because otherwise, we could not operate beyond the saver parts of the Mid Rim. The same was true for our corporate allies."

"The systems on the Rim did it simply because there was no one else to protect their people from predations. The Republic abandoned us, failing one of its fundamental responsibilities towards every single member state – protection. We were far away, out of sight, out of mind. Our suffering didn't matter. Slavers kidnapping and exploiting our people? It wasn't your problem. Yet, cheap resources, often at fixed prices had to keep flowing, no matter, what our worlds needed. We weren't important. All that mattered was that the Core continued to enjoy its golden age." Bonteri concluded.

"This directly led to the ill-thought-out invasion of Naboo, Senator Amidala. The Republic abandoning its responsibilities forced many corporations to pay for, build and maintain large military forces. Then, the Senate decided that wasn't enough, and passed that ill-thought-out Tax Reform, your government took advantage of. If the Republic used those taxes to fund its military, so it could effectively police the galaxy? In that case, we would have eagerly accepted the reforms instead of opposing them with everything we had. If that was the case, we could have afforded to gradually dismantle our forces. They aren't exactly cheap to maintain, you know! Instead, local governments pocketed those taxes. The Tax Reform increased the burden we had to pay to merely continue to operate, and increased even further the end price for our clients in the Outer Rim." Ilroth finished his explanation. "That's not something I've heard talked about over there, in the Core. Those facts don't fit the narrative, do they?"

"That doesn't justify invading Naboo!" Padme countered.

"I've repeatedly said that doing so was a foolish mistake making a legal resolution of our issues all but impossible in the long run." Ilroth shot back.

"Now, let me ask you something, Padme." Senator Bonteri changed the topic. "How does it feel to serve the interests of the Sith? The same Sith who engineered the invasion of Naboo ten years ago? The recent investigation confirmed what Count Dooku told us all. His former Master had significant control over the Confederacy. We have no reason to believe Dooku is wrong about his influence over the Senate? I hope one day we'll know the public identity of this Darth Sidious."

"All I hear are the unsubstantiated accusations of a war criminal, murderer, and a Sith, in the face of Count Dooku." Padme shot back. "It was his actions on Geonosis when he arranged for the execution of two Jedi, and a Republic Senator, me, if you haven't forgotten, my old friend! That began the conflict. Dooku's actions proved to the Jedi that he had not only fallen but joined the Sith."

"Sadly, I find hard to believe anything the Jedi proclaim these days. I was under the impression you did as well. Didn't your Jedi friends accuse your fiancee of being as bad, if not worse than Count Dooku is supposed to be?"

"The Jedi had served the Republic for thousands of years. A singular misunderstanding is no reason to dismiss their expertise." Senator Organa finally joined the conversation. Few missed the fact that he waited until then to aid his fellow Republic Senator, giving further credence to the rumors of a rift within the peace faction within the Republic Senate.

"Mina, please remind us, who has been committing war crimes since the war began under the influence of the Sith? It wasn't the Republic military, which is busy valiantly defending the Republic against your allies. General Grievous and several other of your commanders have the blood of billions of innocent souls on their hands. All because you decided to throw a temper tantrum and start a war, instead of working through the Senate. You claim that you fight for the future of the Outer Rim, yet it was the Confederacy that lit it on fire! From Christophsis to Muunlist, from Bestine to Eriadu, and everything in between! It was you who set the galaxy on fire!"

"If you want to play it that way, then fine, Padme. Two Jedi and Senator, you, caught spying and sabotaging our efforts on Geonosis. When the local government sentenced you, lawfully, to die, it was your vaunted Jedi friends who invaded. It wasn't a rescue operation, a raid; it wasn't a blockade. It was an all-out invasion. From where we stand, it was you, the Republic, and your Jedi, who began this war."

"That narrative is very convenient for you, Senator Bonteri." Bail Organa interrupted. "Let e give you a different narrative. Your corporate friends, who should have never been given enough power to claim seats in the Senate, finally saw the Republic do something about their over-reach and exploitation. They attempted to push back ten years ago. When they failed because of the Jedi, they began to engineer this secession of yours to guarantee that no one will be in a position to rein them in. All those good intentions people like Viceroy Ilroth here claim you all uphold? It's nothing more than smoke and mirrors meant to conceal the truth. Its profit and your ability to exploit whole systems are what you fight for, not freedom. If you win, the Outer Rim will find itself leashed in a way the Republic never could or desired to."

=KoF=

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