Chapter 4: Politicking
Aiter'Vadum, Captain Haywood, and Nawaz all stepped from the back of the Pelican Mk. XI dropship and into a large courtyard overlooked by a large domed structure. The silver metallic nature of the massive urban sprawl reminded Aiter of Forerunner architecture to a certain degree, albeit a bit less ornate and more functional. A group of GC Marines, each of them coming from a various member species of the Coalition, stepped out of the Pelican behind their representatives.
They were met by an older human man with white hair and a set of red, ornate robes. He was flanked by four Clone troopers in their normal Phase-1 armor, accented by red stripes along their shoulders and tops of their helmets. Next to the older man was a young human woman with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing her hair in a tight bun on the top of her head. All of the people before the GC representatives looked to the massively tall Sangheili, the Human, and the shorter Unggoy with a sense of amazement.
The older human bowed as the GC personnel approached. "Welcome to Coruscant." He said with a sincere looking smile on his face. "I am Chancellor Sheev Palpatine of the Galactic Republic, and this is Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo."
"And I am Field Marshall Aiter'Vadum of the Galactic Coalition. This is Captain Haywood of the same vessel which found your crashed corvette. This would be Representative Nawaz." Aiter explained, pointing to his two compatriots in kind.
"A pleasure to meet all of you." Palpatine said. "And I must thank you personally for your actions on that small colony world. The quick thinking of your captain and ground forces quite possibly saved those Jedi."
"Of course." Aiter replied. "Now, I believe that your senate wished to meet with us personally?"
"Indeed, the Senate will be starting an emergency session in a few moments." Palpatine explained. "We've already held a preliminary discussion regarding your entrance into the war, but many of the Senators are reserving their vote until they hear from and see you."
"Understandable." Aiter conceded, following behind the Chancellor as he led the way into the Senate building. As Aiter and the other GC representatives walked through the halls of the Senate complex, they drew quite a few interested stares from other alien diplomats. Most of the stares were directed at Nawaz, Aiter, and the Kig-Yar Marines which followed behind the ambassadors.
Aiter occasionally caught Senator Amidala giving him a few cursory glances, which she immediately averted once he turned to look at her. Aiter was a bit more imposing than the average Sangheili as he stood at nearly nine and a half feet tall, almost nine inches taller than normal Sangheili.
The group came to a stop just outside a small arched entryway, which overlooked most of the Senate floor. The Senate Chambers themselves spanned a diameter of well over a kilometer, with disc-like platforms that floated to the center of the floor, just below the Chancellor's podium, when a Senator wished to speak. Aiter was rather impressed by the sheer number of Senators within the chambers, but noticed that a few of the platforms stood vacant as well. "Here is the platform you will be speaking from." Palpatine explained. "Simply activate the large button in the platform's console after I've brought the Senate to order and made the introduction."
"Thank you, Chancellor." Aiter said, nodding his head.
"Of course." Palpatine said. "Senator Amidala has offered to sit in on your platform and explain the Senate proceedings, simply to make the process smoother."
Aiter nodded. "Thank you, Senator." Aiter turned to a Human and Kig-Yar Marine and ordered them to stand at the entryway, causing the two soldiers to stand at either side of the door at rigid attention.
Aiter, Haywood, Nawaz, Padme, and the remaining Marines all walked onto the platform. Aiter sat down next to Padme, who began explaining the basic procedures of the Galactic Senate.
Aiter spotted the Chancellor stepping up onto his central podium, prompting Padme to stand up. "Well, that's all I can share with you for now." Padme said, smiling. "Good luck."
"Thank you, Senator." Aiter said, bowing his head as Padme stepped off of the platform, past the Marine guardsmen. As Padme left, Palpatine began addressing the Senate.
"Senators of the Galactic Republic…" Palpatine began, silencing the Senate Chambers. "A mere twenty hours ago, Admiral Yularan's Fleet was ambushed by Separatist forces over Mon Cala. The battle was eventually won, but Generals Skywalker and Secura were forced to make a hyperspace jump out of the system. Their ship had sustained heavy damage and was forced to make a crash landing on a small garden world. There, they encountered a Separatist weapon capable of unbelievable destruction. Thankfully, the Jedi were helped by an extra-galactic force from the nearby DN-122 Galaxy, or the Milky Way. This organization is known as the Galactic Coalition. They are responsible for saving both the local villagers and the Jedi Generals. It is my honor to introduce the representatives of the Galactic Coalition to this Senate."
Palpatine gestured to Aiter, who pressed the holographic button in the center of the console. The platform slowly floated towards the center of the Senate floor, just beneath the Chancellor's podium. Aiter stood up, drawing a few murmurs from the Senators, which were quickly silenced by a blue Twi'lek standing next to the Chancellor. Aiter locked his hands behind his back and began speaking. "Thank you, Chancellor Palpatine. My name is Field Marshall Aiter'Vadum of the Galactic Coalition Marine Corps. The Galactic Coalition's intention in this galaxy, which we call Andromeda, was scientific in nature. We hoped to find life and study its different forms, just as we always have. Luckily our Prowler, captained by Joshua Haywood, who sits here behind me, happened to exit Slipspace in the same system as your Jedi's corvette."
"It is thanks to the actions of four special forces operatives and one intelligence officer that we were… enlightened to Separatist action against civilians and the Republic. The Jedi generals were kind enough to share some non-classified data regarding the war against the Separatists, data which has been forwarded to our Military High Command. After reviewing the data, our government has officially issued a declaration of war against the Separatist Alliance." Aiter's words caused an uproar and divide within the Senate. Some of the Senators appeared to be applauding the news, some jeered in discontent, while others simply remained silent.
"This is an outrage!" A Nemoidian representative of the Trade Federation declared as his platform floated towards the GC platform. "What right do these outsiders have to come into our galaxy and involve themselves in our war?"
"Strange…" Palpatine began. "I don't recall the Chair recognizing the Trade Federation."
Aiter's mandibles split into a Sangheili grin, at both the Chancellor's remarks and the data his AI was feeding into his Neural Lance. "It is of no issue, Chancellor." Aiter responded. "It is certainly a fair question. I can understand why someone like this would be opposed to a war ending quickly."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" The Nemoidian demanded.
Aiter grinned as the alien fell into his trap. "War has always been profitable for your Trade Federation, has it not? That would certainly explain why Trade Federation, Banking Clan, and Techno Union executives are responsible for directly funding the Separatists early on in the war. Tell me… how much has the blood of innocents lined your coffers?"
"These accusations have no basis!" The Federation Senator shouted. "These aliens have only been here a few days!"
"We may be new, but the data is there." Aiter continued. "Your organization blockaded the peaceful planet of Naboo, holding its people hostage in an attempt to arrest their queen, the same queen that defied your imposed blockade and demands. This also raises the question… why is a corporation given representation in your government?"
The entire Senate sat in stunned silence. Aiter spotted a grin on Senator Amidala's face as he scanned the responses of the Senators. "The Trade Federation withdraws its objection." The Nemoidian said, dejectedly as his platform floated back to its original location.
Before Aiter could continue, Senator Amidala's platform came forward. "I would like to pose a question to the Galactic Coalition representatives." Padme said.
"The floor recognizes the Senator from Naboo." Palpatine said, watching intently.
"How active of a role will the GC take in this war?" Padme asked. "How active will you be in this galaxy?"
Aiter thought for a moment before responding. "The Galactic Coalition, in terms of our activity in this war, will remain at the Republic's side should the proposed treaty be agreed to. Our fleets, under orders from our President, would engage targets outlined by the Republic. You have been fighting this war for nearly a year; you have a more intimate understanding than we do. As for our involvement in this Galaxy in general, our Parliament and President wish to establish a permanent embassy here on Coruscant to foster relations between the Coalition and the Republic. Further details regarding our relations can be discussed from there."
Palpatine interjected. "Well, I believe that I can promise an embassy. I will bring the treaty to a vote right now, if there are no objections." The entire senate remained silent, causing a smile to come to Palpatine's face. "Excellent, if you would all be so kind as to cast your votes now."
Aiter watched the holographic display on his platform's console as the votes flowed in. A vast majority of the Senate voted in favor of signing the proposed treaty, with the larger minority voting to abstain. Aiter chuckled as he saw the Trade Federation's Senators and four more Senators vote against the treaty. "Then we are all, for the most part, in agreement." Palpatine said. "The treaty with the Galactic Coalition has been formally accepted."
"Excellent." Aiter said. "I will notify our President as soon as possible."
"Perfect." Palpatine said with a smile. "Now, I'd imagine that the Senators and the Press have a few questions for you."
Aiter gave an inaudible sigh and settled in for the long haul.
AN:
Sorry about the shorter chapter this time, couldn't really think of anything more to add to this one.
Thanks for the reviews everyone, I really appreciate all of them. Thanks especially to the reviewer who was kind enough to correct me on my Andromeda distance. Andromeda is certainly not 65 million light years away. Andromeda and the Milky Way are set to collide in 3.5 billion years, which is where my confusion came from, as I thought they would need to be much further for it to take that long.
