Birth of the Sith - Part One: The Dark Order

by teej.318

Part One of the main trilogy of Birth of the Sith. This takes place 15 years after the prologue and approximately nine years after Recruitment. Solin Malice and his apprentice Keira Port are sent to serve as negotiators to end a feud between Ord Mantell and Malastare. But, the threat is greater than they could have expected.

6. Plea to the Senate

Chancellor Von Croy stood up at his podium in the center of the Senate Chamber. Hundreds of pods filled the chamber like a sea. The pods each contained Senators, Representatives and Governors representing each planet in the Republic. Though some of the planets had representatives and governors as their respective leaders, tradition had long held that the governing body be known as The Senate.

"The Chair recognizes the senator from the sovereign system of Ord Mantell," Von Croy said.

At that, Senator Jear stood up in the pod and pressed a button for it to float toward the center of the chamber. King Mobbs sat in the pod along with Captain Menousek; King Mobbs was dressed in black robes, symbolizing the great sorrow he felt with his request.

"Supreme Chancellor and delegates of the Senate," said Senator Jear in a booming voice that echoed throughout the chamber. "A tragedy has occurred, which started here with the taxation trade routes and has now engulfed our entire planet with the oppression by the Army of Malastare."

"This is outrageous!" exclaimed a representative on another pod, which had started to float toward the center of the chamber. "I object to the Senator's statements!"

"The Chair does not recognize the Governor of Malastare at this time!" Von Croy replied. "You will wait until the Senator from Ord Mantell has had his chance to speak!"

Governor Surik of Malastare relented, but did not return his pod to its place. It floated in place near the Chancellor's pod.

"To state our allegations, I present King Hatt Mobbs, recently elected Ruler of Ord Mantell, who speaks on our behalf," said Senator Jear.

With that, Senator Jear stood to the side as King Mobbs stood up and walked toward the front of the pod. Several of the Representatives spoke excitedly to each other, wondering what King Mobbs was going to say. King Mobbs spoke in the same booming tone as Senator Jear.

"Honorable representatives of the Republic, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances," he said somberly, but with command. "The Ord Mantell system has been invaded by the Army of Malastare. The only reason I am here to address you now is that I was able to escape from my planet before the army invaded the capital city."

"I object!" interrupted Governor Surik. "There is no proof!"

"Governor Surik, one more outburst like that and you be removed from this session," Von Croy retorted, sounding angry. "And you know full well that the report from the Jedi Council supports King Mobbs' assertions about Malastare invading Ord Mantell, an action I might add, is illegal without a treaty signed by King Mobbs. You may continue, King Mobbs."

"I come before the Senate with a humble plea: While I would prefer diplomatic action to end this conflict to ensure a peaceful resolution, I do not believe this is possible, Senators. As the report from the Jedi Order will confirm, there is involvement by Dark Jedi in the blockade and invasion of Ord Mantell. Because of this, I am recommending the Senate vote to create a Grand Army of the Republic." At this, several Senators started speaking in protest, but King Mobbs spoke over them. "I understand your concerns, Senators, I do. And know that I do not ask this of you lightly; it took everything for me to make this request of the Senate. But because of the great threat posed by Dark Jedi, it is my request that the Senate create a Grand Army of the Republic to counter the great threat."

King Mobbs stopped speaking, but the outbursts from representatives continued. Some of them cheered in support while others yelled against King Mobbs. After several moments of the incoherent shouting, one of Chancellor Von Croy's aides stood up.

"ORDER!" he called. As soon as he did, the noise subsided quickly. Chancellor Von Croy then spoke to King Mobbs, but he was loud enough to be heard by the full Senate.

"Thank you for your testimony, King Mobbs," he said. "I understand the nature of your request, but it is one so large that it requires a full discussion and debate by the Senate. Rest assured that I will call for a special session of the Senate to vote on this matter. For now, the Senate is adjourned."