Chapter 2: Nahsu Minor
"Prime Minister Saffo! Prime Minister Saffo!" a news reporter shouts at Nahsu Minors, Prime Minister Joilio Saffo.
Joilio a native to Nahsu Minor, a Murachaun species. Standing at an average two meters tall, covered in scales in a variety of color, and a beak shaped snout-like nose.
To her surprise, he answers, "What may I answer for you today?" Saffo asks.
She's quick with her question, "With the war only growing and more systems are swept into the fury of battle, Do you think the people of Nahsu minor should worry that we to might be to dragged into war?"
Saffo replies just as quick, "We are not going to be dragged into anything. As long as Murachauns live on Nahsu Minor, we will mind our business and keep our peace. It is a tragic thing when one has to go to war, but for us, it is not necessary. We do have a small plan in place if a situation should arise, we know are small military is no match like those of our neighbors. None the less we will do what is right for our people. We have our capital and dozens of small farm towns spread across the planet, the rest is all grasslands and forest also the underground quarry, I see no need for the separatist to want our home unless severe action is needed we will stay out of this war."
As Joilio Saffo is about to jump into his speeder, he gets a call on his comm. link. He answers, "Prime Minister, You have an incoming message from the separatist leader Count Dooku." Joilio's is stopped in his tracks, he replies in a nervous voice "I'll take it when I get back to my office." *Click.
He's heard rumors of Dooku, The separatist leader, and a Sith. Saffo is shaking with unease, nervous as he can only think of what a separatist leader would want a word with him. In his head, Saffo keeps thinking, "can our worse fear becoming reality? is the war really upon us?" so much to think about with so little time.
As Saffo is being driven to the capitol building he calls on the council, "I need the members to meet me at my office. ASAP."
He also calls Ufadi Sidallo, General of the Murachaun military. "General Ufadi, OP red may be here. Please meet me at my office ASAP."
Walking into his office, Saffo is greeted by General Ufadi, who was already waiting for him in front of his office. Saffo greets Ufadi with a slight headbutt on the forehead, the native way to greet in Murachuan. "General, how are you? Thank you for meeting me on such short notice." General Ufadi hears the nervousness in Prime Minister Saffo's voice, "Prime Minister Saffo, Good to see you. although I wish it was on better circumstances." Ufadi replies. Saffo opens his office and then says "shall we take this into my office?" Both men enter.
As Saffo and Ufadi are sitting down waiting for the council members General Ufadi, ask's "Plan red?" Prime Minister?" Did I hear that correct sir?" he asks in such a way you could hear it in his voice how much he wishes he didn't hear "Operation red".
"Yes General, OP red may soon need to be put into play," Saffo replies.
Operation red. A specifically designed plan in case of invasion or any threat to the planet from the separatist. Knowing full well what the separatist do when a planet refuses to join their alliance. Murder, Invasion, Destruction, Slavery. With a population of just 12 million Muarchuans, and military power of just over 30,000 warriors. It wouldn't be hard for the separatist to invade and wipe them out. OP red is a defensive plan to stop that from happening. The plan consists of deploying all and every military unit they have, throughout 6 sectors on the planet with each sector consisting of 5,000 Murachuan warriors each and a small armored squad. Upon deploying phase 1 of OP red, phase 2 will be crucial. Phase 2 will be calling on the Republic for aid and support in time to prevent a major catastrophe. Although a neutral planet the Murachaun council members have a close relationship with the Republic and strong trade network between the farmers and they're goods and the members of the republic alliance farming community. Not one planet wants to disrupt the trade routes with Nahsu Minor as it would cause a massive chain reaction in the farming industry.
As members from the council walk-in one-by-one each are greeted with the same headbutt and hello. Chit-chat fills the air, nothing about OP red or Dooku's upcoming holo call. Just a little laughing and storytelling. But when the eleventh and last member arrives and sits down, the tension in the air becomes thick life fog. Fear, worries, anger, filling the air as everyone come to grips with what is about to happen.
Prime minister Saffo stands up at the round table everyone is sitting at. He asks everyone to keep calm as he returns Dooku's, call.
A member of the council speak's "We might as well go ahead with OP red, we all know what Dooku is going to ask. He doesn't call anyone for no reason."
Everyone in the room agrees as prime minister Saffo is about to say something. "He may very well be calling for a trade deal of some sort, we don't know yet," Saffo replies.
General Ufadi speaks with a firm voice. "A call from Dooku isn't good anytime anywhere. He wants something whether it's big or small if we help in any way we risk our longtime relationship with the republic." Ufadi then stands and slams his hands on the table and says with a louder tone, "Prime Minister and Council members war is upon us. whether we like it or not. After the holo call and refusing him this planet, we will be a target for the separatist. We offer the least resistance and some of the most usable and sustainable lands in the inner rim. We are a target." Ufadi then sits back down.
Saffo looks down on the keypad located right in front of his chair. He punches in a few buttons and looks at everyone, "Here we go." he says.
Count Dooku appears and everyone is shaken. The sith himself and leader of the Separatist droid army. "Prime Minister Joilio Saffo, So glad you could call me back. I am Count Dooku leader of the Separatist Alliance and trade federation droid army."
Prime Minister Saffo replies, "Count Dooku it is a pleasure to meet you. What do I owe this special occasion?"
"I come to you for you to grant me permission to build a droid factory on the northern part of your planet, near the forest and underground quarry. And to establish a weapons depot near the southern part of your planet. In exchange, we will offer you security and a seat in the separatist alliance." Dooku says to Saffo, with an intimidating and low voice.
"I apologize Mr. Dooku but Nahsu Minor is a Neutral planet and will stay that way for the duration of the war. We do not want to be involved in a fight that doesn't concern us. I apologize for the inconvenience" Prime Minister replies with a voice Dooku is far too familiar with hearing. Fear.
Dooku laughs with a laugh only evil can make, "You are confused Prime Minister, I was not asking permission. My fleets are ready to leave for Nahsu Minor at a moments notice. We will build and take what we need in exchange for our protection."
Saffo stands with aggression he then says "That is an act of war and invasi-.".
Before being able to finish Dooku says, "My General will arrive at Nahsu Square and fill you in on the details. Oh and Prime minister Saffo?".
"What is it?" Saffo ask's
"Do not try to contact the republic nor do not resist, it will only be bad for you," Count says with a look on his face that just says death. Dooku than hangs up.
All of a sudden the room is filled with chaos. Everyone talking over each other. No one can hear a thing and everyone is in a panic. General Saffo yells, "Quiet! We must take action now if we stand a chance."
Prime Minister Saffo then ask's the council to be seated. Once seated Saffo asks the question everyone was waiting for, "All in favor to put OP red into action say I."
The whole table, all 11 council members unanimously says *I. "General Ufaldi, Get your troops into position right away, Council members please take all necessary measures to ensure the people on all corners of the planet are in the emergency mode for the separatist arrival. Notify them and send out messengers right away. I will call the Republic and ask for support and give them details on the situation." Prime Minister Saffo says as he explains the plan, "Goodluck everyone, lets us stand together as a people in our time of need." He says with tears in his eyes and sadness in his voice before dismissing General Ufaldi and the council members.