Gathering together various influential people from a number of companies and senatorial subcommittees who can get this project going was surprisingly easy. The senators Garm Iblis and Orn Free Taa providing a great deal of assistance in contacting and introducing several of the individuals on my behalf, of just providing the contact information for others.

The planning of the meeting was going to be much more difficult considering that it was important to impress and schmooze with these individuals in order to get them on my side with this project and actually back it financially and materially. So the meeting was going to have to be a casual one, which requires catering. Asking Master Labooda about these issues, she let me know there was a public meeting hall that occasionally got used and several companies already contracted to provide for such events.

This lead to a valuable lesson in Jedi bureaucracy. A bit of paperwork, a note on several calendars, and an explanation of what the requisitions were for and who was approving the expenses.

As a Padawan, I did not have authority to approve any expenses. One of the benefits of promotion through the ranks was what expenses could be instantly approved under your own authority. Padawans needed their Master's approval for any expenses they wished to requisition. Knights could requisition most personal items with no issue, but would need a mission reason to requisition anything expensive, like a ship. Masters could requisition just about anything and would only get in trouble if they got excessive in their requisitions or something went digging into why a Master was requisitioning certain items.

This increase in trust for moving up in the ranks made a certain amount of sense, but was also entirely disconnected from how financially responsible a person actually was. In order to move up in rank was not connected at all to what a person was bringing to the Jedi Order in terms of financial improvement or spreading their ideals.

It was connected to completely separate criteria. Initiates become Padawan through a serious of tests that show ability to memorize the Jedi code, meditate, and use the force before a Knight or Master takes them on as an apprentice, a fairly low bar to pass and I suspected the being taken on as an apprentice was the thing that slowed most down in advancement.

Padawans took the Jedi Trials which were far more difficult to pass and covered a wide range of things. The details on a few of the trials were kept deliberately secret due to the necessity of facing the unknown while performing them, but others could be looked up easily enough and I was sure I could pass a few of them readily enough, but was still years away from being ready to pass all of them.

The final promotion from Knight to Master was possibly the simplest in terms of personal requirements, but could be the hardest to achieve depending on other factors. Get a Padawan to pass their Trials. Once I achieved the rank of Knight, Master Labooda would also be promoted to being a fully fledged Master Jedi in her own right.

I would need to begin looking for a good apprentice as soon as I became a Knight if I wanted to climb the ranks swiftly. Someone already capable on their own that I could help get the last few things they are lacking down before watching them pass their trials and I can leave for a nice retirement, I mean 'Exploration of the Force' expedition.

But that was years away and anyone I might find now would be snatched up by Knights looking for promotions and Masters who enjoy helping others reach their potential.

Looking to the task at hand, I began to double check that everything was set for a social gathering, meeting, and business deal that I had been setting up. I would need to wear a more formal robe for the event. While Jedi were permitted everywhere to wear our traditional and simple clothes out of respect of our religious beliefs, there were subtle differences between robes meant for day to day wear and robes meant for special functions.

Namely the fit of the robe in question. Day to day robes were generally loose fitting and very comfortable, almost like wearing pajamas or comfortable work or clothes all day. Formal robes, however, were generally tailored to fit more closely to the body to give a better impression of the Jedi's body. It would take a good eye to notice the difference at a casual glance since the material and overall cut was generally the same, but at an event like this I was sure to come across several who would be looking far closer at my clothes and would notice whether or not I was wearing a tailored outfit or not.

That same critical eye would also necessitate that I polish my boots to a fine shine instead of the worn look I had allowed them to achieve. Might be a good idea to get back into the habit of regularly cleaning and polishing my shoes like I had done in my last life. While the life of a salaryman who worked in an office building and only dealt with internal employees allowed me to not have perfectly polished shoes everyday, I knew it was important to signal to my bosses that I knew how to care for my appearance down to keeping my shoes clean and shiny.

With the list of party requirements fulfilled and the event set up with RSVPs having been received, the only thing left was to take care of my outfit, so I got up to visit the tailor droids to get the properly fitting robes that I would likely be able to wear only a few times because I was still growing.

—-

Senator Garm Iblis adjusted the jacket of his suit as he and his wife strolled from the parking dock to the Jedi Temple.

"Stop messing with your coat or you will just end up embarrassing me," Drinna Iblis reprimanded, grabbing Garm's hands to stop him before correcting his jacket.

"I don't like it."

"That fly boy jacket might be fine in the Senate Chamber when your fellow senators are so far away and can't see you and the commoners may like it, but people that actually matter will be here and you will not embarrass me by looking slovenly." With a nod at her husband's looks, Drinna began walking again, a hand lightly on his arm, her back held straight and her chin turned up.

A scowl briefly appeared on the senator's face before fading into a more neutral stance, the only tension a slight furrow in his brow. "Of course dear. Just remember that getting this project done will be very good for my reelection chances. So do watch what you say here."

—-

As the representative of Ryloth, it was imperative that Orn Free Taa was early to the meeting to greet the various representatives and guests as they arrived. Personally, he would have preferred to be fashionably late to enjoy a good meal before getting down to business.

The little Padawan and her Jedi Master did a wonderful job setting up the meeting hall, for a group of tasteless monastery hermits. The tables had tastefully white clothes covering their surfaces and legs, and they actually outsourced the music to an actual live band instead of just having silence or someone playing chimes or whatever it is the Jedi listened to while meditating so much. The hors d'oeuvres however were a bit lacking.

Par for the course, the small finger foods the Jedi had on offer had nearly no seasoning and so bland looking that it was easy to forget what was eaten soon after it was swallowed. Just once, Orn would like to go to one of these social events with food worth remembering the event for.

The drinks at least had some taste to them, even the water had citrus and menthol herbs floating among the ice in the drink dispensers on the side tables. The other three drinks included a sweet sparkling berry juice, a wine that was full bodied and pleasantly dry with a long finish, and a cocktail that tasted vaguely fruity behind a wall of rums. While delicious, Orn would need to be careful not to overly indulge lest he agree to something he should not.

Like getting too involved with his current assistant. She was a pretty little thing, ambitious to get more power for herself, but her eyes were set on getting that power through Orn. The sort of power hunger she displayed reminded Orn far too much of the wives of several junior senators he had met over the years, junior senators that disappeared or died through accidental circumstances leaving behind wives with significant wealth. These wives Orn noticed quickly moving onto other wealthy individuals that often met similar fates.

No, it would be best to replace her as soon as possible. Luckily Pampy, his other assistant, was a very discreet woman capable of keeping a search for a replacement hidden. This meeting was an excellent time for Pampy to work, leaving Orn alone with his red skinned, Lethan Twi'lek assistant.

"So nice of the Jedi to be working to help our people," she said, her hand rubbing my arm as she stood closer than was strictly professional for an assistant, even one that has shared the same bed before. She was attempting to mark her territory in a rather clumsy fashion that was not appreciated by Orn.

"Indeed. That Padawan has a wonderful eye for potential solutions to problems. I hope to follow her career closely." Orn's eyes scanned the room as he spoke, a small smile and gleam in his eyes as he spotted his escape from his assistant.

"It is probably her youth. The young can be very creative. Perhaps I could show you some of my youthful creativity later." The last sentence was whispered into Orn's ear as a pair of soft, round shirt fillers pressed into him.

"Now now, we are here for business. How about you go talk with our hosts while I go talk with the Chancellor?"

With that, Orn left his assistant behind to make sure the Chancellor was on his side with this project. The man had a gift for getting the projects he wanted done while not connecting himself too tightly to any of them and if he could help with this, and perhaps help stamp down any rumors, no matter how true, of certain relations with his assistant after she left his employ, then Orn would owe the man significantly.

—-

The Jedi are such fools. To play so easily into my hands like this. The common citizen knew the multi system corporations that held seats on the senate floor where corrupt and not to be trusted, along with several of the rich investors and senators invited to this party. To just gather them all to their temple in a very public way, not requesting any secrecy from any of them, would only tie the Jedi closely to the corruption the Sith have been planting and building in the Senate for ages. So closely, with the right tabloids running the story, that some of the common rabble would begin souring on the Jedi reputation of being beacons of justice and light in the galaxy before the war I was brewing up would tarnish it forever.

A galaxy that needed Order and Control from a ruler that knew what was Necessary. A ruler like myself once I become Emperor over everything. Necessary for my own benefit. Order for my vision. Control to work my Galaxy.

This little project might help a few Twi'lek have a nicer life for now, but it would tie the Jedi to the idea that they don't care about what people are doing or who they are doing. No, they want money and to pretend that they are helping the poor.

Yes, this little project of theirs will go ahead. I will make sure of it. And that they get all the credit they deserve and all the credits are properly documented to show just how much the Jedi are making from this and how little is being spent to improve the lives of others.

Might take a bit of work to get the corporations to agree to minimize how much the Jedi spend here outside of the immediate casino, but a few laws about investing in housing for the poor being tax deductible should help was their worries. Especially with loopholes allowing for profit from said housing being tax free.

The Jedi will not die from this, but the public will begin to no longer miss our desire their return once the war begins.

—-

Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation, had listened to the proposal from the tiny Jedi. He asked the questions he needed and got answers that promised him much profits, all while the Jedi seemed to show no animosity towards himself or the other corporate representatives. This little project held much promise, but first he needed an answer from the largest guest at the event.

What was the stance the Hutts would have over this? Fighting them was not a profitable endeavor. Indeed, making enemies of the Hutts would only hurt the Trade Federation as the Hutts has enough smugglers, mercenaries, and other individuals under their employees that attempting to blockade them would drain the coffers while the Hutts continued their operations with only minor inconveniences. No, the Hutts would have to be all in on board with the project for the Trade Federation to agree to anything.

"Ah, Ziro, a moment of your time, if you will?" Nute asked, coming up to the large figure who was getting a refill on his drink.

"Of course Nute. How can I help you?" Ziro said while spreading his arms wide before directing the Nemoidian off to the side of the room, away from so many ears.

"That Padawan made a very interesting case for the Jedi's proposal, but I would like to know what the Hutt stance on the matter will be."

Ziro looked towards the small figure of Padawan Degurechaff who was currently talking with both Senator Orn Free Taa and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine with narrowed eyes. "Yes, the little Jedi is very interesting. She must be rather experienced if her Master is letting her do all the talking."

"I've learned not underestimate them. They can be... tricky to deal with." Gunray nodded his head as he thought back on his previous dealings with Jedi close to seven years ago during his failed blockade of Naboo.

"So I learned," Ziro agreed before looking back at Nute to answer his question. "The Hutts will be investing into the project under the condition that our consultation is compensated for appropriately."

"You would charge them to make your investment profitable?" Nute was surprised at the audacity of the requirement.

"Who else would you get to help set up the casino? We are involved in every casino in the galaxy worth visiting."

"Shrewd. Very shrewd. I believe we will find this arrangement very profitable." Nute grinned as he realized that he could learn a thing or two from the Hutts on how to bolster his personal profits. And this project was a perfect opportunity to be able to openly work with them while still gaining good publicity.

—-

Sar Labooda was exhausted. The party meeting thing that Tanya had set up ended an hour ago, but she needed to write up a report of the going ons of the event. Everything that she had seen, heard, and done while there. Tanya was diligently filling out her own.

Diligently and with no complaints when Labooda mentioned they would need to fill it out. Labooda has meant in the morning, but Tanya decided immediately was the best course and the Master can not be seen slacking when their Padawan was doing their work without complaining. If Tanya had complained even a little, Labooda would have been justified stopping occasionally to check on Tanya's progress, but the young girl just went ahead and began to work.

The party was overall enjoyable for a mission. Any mission critical party that did not result in needing to use her lightsaber to protect someone from assassination was.

It was just so difficult having to talk numbers and money with so many businessmen. Most of who she knew from the Force were more interested in seeing herself with her legs spread wide for them rather than actually hearing what she had to say. Thankfully everyone kept their hands to themselves tonight.

It was moments like this those that made Labooda wonder if Tanya was in fact fortunate to be so blind to the emotional resonance in the Force. Moments when the oily feeling of other people's lust would coat her skin as they looked at her not as a fellow sentient worth taking seriously for both her intelligence and her deadlines, but as a toy for their pleasure that can be tossed aside when they are done.

Hearing a door close, Labooda realized she had allowed her thoughts to distract her while tired and Tanya had finished up her report and headed to bed. Picking up the datapad Tanya has left for Labooda to review, the Master wondered, for the umpteenth time, who was actually the more experienced Jedi in their relationship. What was left to teach the Padawan who was negotiating with multiple heads of state and businesses at once as one of the interested parties?