The first thing necessary for a successfully project was to draw up a time table of when certain key milestones should be completed by. Not knowing how long certain aspects of the plan would reasonably take, I chose to give myself a generous five years till the opening of the casino and resort.

The first hurdle on the path was going to be getting the Senate to approve of the legal exemptions to the gambling laws because without a legal way to have a casino, the entire plan will take a serious blow and I would have to figure out some other profitable industry that would attract wealthy tourists out to Ryloth.

To help overcome this first hurdle, I would need to have already gotten over the second hurdle of getting interested investors to state their support for the plan. Which requires them to know that the plan will go through.

A catch 22 situation where both hurdles need to be overcome at the same time for the other to be overcome. Luckily, there is a rather elegant solution to this conundrum, get both parties involved in the same meetings so any interest fuels confidence in the other side that they are not wasting their time. And a few of the individuals that I need are already necessary for both hurdles. Corporations being granted senate seats is just begging for corruption, but for now the situation benefits my goals, so let the corruption flow.

On getting the legal work implemented and the financial backing, the next step will be location choice and architectural design. Both of which would be best done with local help. I made a note to contact the Ryloth Senator to see if he knew anyone who would be a good choice. A firm would be the best option to provide several designs that will both fit the local architectural design aesthetics while being grand designs agreeable to the aesthetics appreciated by the rich and powerful of the galaxy.

While the designs are being worked on, the implementation of new extraction technology into the mines of Ryloth and the construction of refineries in a decently out of the way part of the planet so to not remind the tourists that there are other things besides pleasure and relaxation on the planet could begin. With some negotiation, I might be able to convince the Trade Federation, who will be the primary profiteers from the Ryll, to reinvest their profits back into other aspects of this economic rejuvenation to speed up the process of being able to also sell goods to the locals.

The next milestone would be the setting up of a local militia and police force to protect these projects from short sighted individuals and the local population from the few slavery raids that do occur. I'll need to ask around for recommendations on who to choose to do most of the setup and lead the forces until a local commander can be put in charge without the whole enterprise collapsing in on itself.

The final major milestone will be the actual beginning of the construction. This is the part of the project that gives me the most concern about the timetable. In my last life, construction seemed to be a fairly swift affair, but I was never involved so I can not say for sure how long building a resort should take. The advanced technology of this galaxy should further speed up the process, but for all I know the luxury buildings actually take a lot longer to build because the wealthy can afford to spend time on slower methods that result in better end results.

All I can do is set the opening as a tentative five years and note the possibility of it taking longer due to variability in construction speed.

Now to plan the gathering of the important movers and shakers that will be able to actually get this project off the ground. A semi-formal party would probably be best. Time to research party planning. yay.

—-

With Obi-Wan having left on yet another mission that Anakin was not allowed to go on, an excess of free time fell into the Padawan's lap. Free time that he was unable to fill with spending time with Tanya and her Master due to Tanya being busy with her own mission. They were able to occasionally spar in the morning, but that still left so much of the day to fill.

While Anakin was assigned educational datapads to work through by Obi-Wan when he left, the datapads were easy to do and finish quickly giving the young man far too much free time.

Anakin kept up a very steady routine of practicing in the star fighter simulator, practicing his lightsaber forms, practicing his Force abilities to the limit, and tinkering in the droid workshop, but there was only so much of that he could do before getting bored and restless. Master Kenobi would have suggested Anakin work on his meditation, but that was boring and sitting around listening to how much the initiates and padawans in the temple viewed him as an outsider was exactly what he was trying to avoid.

So, Anakin often found himself out of the Temple in the Senate Building, either helping Chancellor Palpatine by running a few errands or just talking with the man. Today, the pair were in Palpatine's office having an early dinner that was delivered.

A classic Shaak Pot Roast, a popular dish on Naboo that many found as comforting as it was filling. Hunks of deep red shaak meat slowly roasted over a bed of root vegetables to let the very fatty meat to render out the fat into the veggies, a glug of blue Tarul wine providing just enough moisture for the veggies and meat to not burn before enough fat renders out to help keep a steady temperature in the cooking vessel. Along with the meal, Palpatine had a classic vintage of Tarul wine that was pressed and aged in barrels made from actual, natural wood that he claimed paired beautifully with the meal.

"Perhaps you would like to try some?" Palpatine asked, angling the opened bottle, a squat clear glass that curves from a wide bottom to a very slim neck, to pour Anakin a glass.

"I am not sure I should." Anakin shook his head, his eyes focused on the bottle.

"Now my boy, you are considered by the Jedi to be old enough to carry a lightsaber and thus old enough to kill for the Order. Surely a little something to drink would not be an issue." Anakin fidgeted in his seat, no response coming as he tried to think of what to say. "How about this, we'll add a bit of water to dilute it and you can drink that."

Anakin leaned back in his seat as his shoulders relaxed. "I think that should be alright."

Palpatine smiles as he poured a half glass into Anakin's cup, grabbing the decanter of water he kept on his desk to top up Anakin's drink. "Here you go. What do you think?"

Anakin's face scrunched up at the unexpected flavor of the drink. "It's sour."

"That would be fermented flavor. You get used to it and learn to appreciate it. And it really helps cut through the fattiness of the pot roast while the fruitiness of the wine brings out some of the sweeter flavors of the dish."

The pair began to tuck into the meal, Anakin nodding his head at the homey flavors. "It's not bad. And this is something Padme enjoys?"

"Oh yes. It is a dish that everyone on Naboo eats. Some more often than others, but it is a comforting dish. Much like that terrine you had me try not so long ago."

"I see. I didn't realize that royalty would eat a dish like that. I would have thought she would only be eating fancy foods that require three different spoons to eat properly."

"Oh she does. I know she usually eats well made specialties from across the Republic, but she likes to focus on what the common person deals with and regularly has her chefs prepare more common and basic fair so she can understand her people better."

Anakin's face lit up with a goofy. "She is such a wonderful person."

"Indeed. I'm certain you will get to see her again." Palpatine's smile was kind, his eyes focused on Anakin's joyful expression with a calculating glint to them.

As the two continued their meal, Anakin's commlink went off, surprising the young man.

"You best go ahead and answer that." Palpatine instructed.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes my boy. Go ahead. It could be important."

"Ok." With a nod, Anakin pulled out and activated the comm. "Anakin here."

"Ah Anakin. Thank you for picking up. I was hoping to make a request of you," the rough, high pitched voice of Tanya coming through the link.

"What can I help you with?" Anakin asked as he set down the fork he was eating with.

"You said you are close to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, correct? I have need to get in contact with him. If you would be so kind as to introduce us, I would be greatly appreciative."

Anakin gave Palpatine a look with a raised eyebrow that was returned with a nod.

"Actually, I was just having dinner with him. If you want to talk to him he is right here."

"I apologize for interrupting, but that would be lovely."

Anakin passed the commlink over to Palpatine so Tanya could hear what the Chancellor said more easily.

"How may I help you Jedi...?" The Chancellor began before trailing off with no name.

"Padawan Tanya Degurechaff, sir. I am arranging a meeting of several senators and businessmen to make a proposal. Anakin has spoken very highly of you and I was hoping that if I could gain your support as well, that the process would go smoother."

Palpatine nodded while his face became a mask full of concern.

"I am not sure if I can. It is important as Chancellor to remain as impartial as possible, but I am willing to hear you out. What is this proposal about, Padawan Degurechaff?"

"It is a proposal for a new business enterprise on Ryloth in the mining and entertainment sectors with the goal of reducing the rate of slavery among the Twi'lek people of Ryloth."

Palpatine froze for a moment before saying, "You have my attention."

"I am sorry sir, but a comm call is not a very appropriate venue for discussing this, so I cannot go into too much detail at this time, but to summarize quickly, it is my hope that by opening up a luxury resort and casino on Ryloth filled with fairly paid local employees that we can kickstart the economic health of Ryloth and reduce the number of individuals who sell themselves into slavery."

Palpatine nodded his head, his face schooled carefully into a diplomatically neutral expression. "I am very interested to hear the full proposal. When is this meeting?"

"I have it scheduled in two weeks. Anakin, would it be alright if I have you pass along the details once they are finalized?"

Palpatine returned the commlink so Anakin could answer the question, his gaze focused on the small device, a grin hidden behind hands he had intertwined in front of his face.

"Uh, yeah sure. Um, if this is to reduce slavery, why are you creating a resort instead of going after the slavers?"

"The slavers are a symptom of the problem and not the problem itself. Going after the slavers is equivalent to taking pain medicine when you have a broken bone. Sure the pain is gone for now, but your bone is still broken and the pain will eventually come back."

Anakin nodded his head at that explanation. It made sense that there would be more to him being born a slave than just slavery being a thing. "Ok. Thank you."

"No, thank you. Both of you. I am sure this project will go a lot smoother with your assistance, Supreme Chancellor." Tanya ended the call as the two men sat in silence for a moment processing the conversation they just had.

"How did you come to know her?" Palpatine asked, basking the silence.

"She was one of the initiates on the Gathering mission I went on some time ago. Remember the one I mentioned taught me to fly?"

"I thought that was a male initiate?"

"Uh, well, she has a very masculine feel in the Force to me. Actually, her Force presence kind of reminds me of you."

Palpatine focused his attention fully onto the young man sat across from him. "Really now? How so?"

Anakin looked off to the side as he opened his mouth to speak, his hand reaching out to touch something neither man could see. "There is a feeling. Detached. No, but that is the word that comes to mind. A detached feeling, like you both look at the world through a glass. And a calculated approach to things. Like there is circuitry in your minds."

Palpatine kept up a smile during the explanation as his shoulders tensed. "Oh, and what do you think of this feeling you get from us?"

Anakin shook his head before looking at Palpatine. "I don't know, but I would like to think of both of you as my friends, so it is not a bad thing."

Palpatine's shoulders sagged a little as he relaxed before reaching out and placing a hand on top of Anakin's. "Anakin, my boy. Of course we are friends."