('V')


"The Senate is now called to order." The echoing voice of Mas Amedda sharply caught the attention of the room. "By administrative action from the Supreme Chancellor, all currently tabled matters will be postponed pending the testimony of the Jedi envoy from the Council."

Stopping a moment to ensure everyone was willing to accept the situation, the Chairman continued. "Will the Jedi envoy please step forward now."

The simple podium for the Chancellor, Chairman, and other offices had been modified for the occasion, featuring two smaller stands on either side of the Chancellor, one held a Court Recorder, as was standard in any case of testimony in the Senate beyond the Senators themselves. The other podium held a temple guard, wearing the tell-tale helmet of his station.

"I am Jedi Knight Davros, envoy from the Jedi Council to the Senate and Supreme Chancellor." He said. His statement was one of tradition, formal and verbose. No emotion colored his words. A Jedi envoy relayed messages, and nothing more. Even the voice was disguised by the helmet. The wearer could be any humanoid male, from Mace Windu to a Padawan.

"We welcome the envoy from the Jedi Council." Palpatine said, matching formality. "What message does the Jedi Council deliver to the Senate on behalf of the accusations by Senator McDellum?"

"The Council is unable to form a reply at this time, and requests one Coruscant month to prepare a statement."

It took a moment for the Jedi's words to sink in for the Senators. Senate evidence of abuse was not a flippant matter, the evidence was always carefully reviewed, checked for any errors or loopholes. If something was brought before the senate proper, it had passed rigorous testing for authenticity and severity. And now the Council, after being asked to offer an explanation, sent an envoy with no message beyond a request for more time? Was the Senate that disregarded within the Jedi Temple? The more outspoken members of the Senate began to shout, gaining additional voices as even the most conservative senators voiced their disbelief of the arrogance of the Council.

Roars of protest were always a good thing used properly, but if they went on too long, they lost their power. Sensing things had gone on long enough, Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the United Republic, stood up. The Chairman kept things in order, but sometimes it was fun to step in himself. Such a simple action, standing, yet the action was magnified by the person. Several senators noticed the now upright Chancellor, their voices lost within themselves. Raising a single hand, Chancellor Palpatine caught the attention of the stragglers. With order restored, it was his turn to speak.

"On what grounds," He began, carefully coating his words in icy steel. "Does the Jedi Council presume to demand a month?"

"This matter involves Jedi histories and processes of the highest order. All members of the Council must convene in person on Coruscant before a statement can be released."

No emotion escaped the Jedi's helmet, but the words themselves struck Palpatine as arrogant. It was time for action, approval polls loved a decisive Chancellor. "It does not take a month to travel from the farthest reaches of the Republic to Coruscant. In fact," the Chancellor raised a small datapad. "According to the specifications of the Jedi Starfighter model paid for and manufactured by the Republic government, the farthest Jedi currently on assignment could reach Coruscant in a mere four days."

Receiving only murmurs of agreement from the assembly, Palpatine pressed the advantage. "Is the vaunted Jedi Council incapable of reaching a decision without weeks of deliberation?" A small smile invaded his face. "Shall I send a Senate Subcommittee to assist the Council in reaching a decision?"

The ripples of laughter had no visible affect on the Jedi Knight. The only evidence the Chancellor's barb had any effect was a slight slowness to the Jedi's response. "You presume to demand a shorter schedule from the Jedi Council?"

The final card. Davros had played his best, even from the position he was in. Palpatine could respect an opponent who fought without a position to stand on. A shame he would have to destroy the poor Jedi. "Since the Republic funds every facet of the Jedi Order, and endorses all recruitment, commissions, and diplomats, yes, I presume. I presume as the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. If the Jedi Order tries to dodge this issue, I will sanction financial restrictions on the Order. Republican tax credits will not be funding an organization that supports conspiracy and abuse of power."

Applause invaded the silence of the chamber. Such simple words, yet so powerful. Palpatine looked forward to checking the approval polls when this business was done.

"The Jedi Order is not beholden to the Republic. Long before the Republic was formed, the Order survived on private donations from the families of the Jedi. I have no doubt the Order would survive sanctions from the Republic."

Palpatine's estimation of this Jedi had gone up considerably. The Jedi was quick enough to realize that there was nothing left to argue for time, and had switched to the position of financial independence. This Jedi had the gracefulness of a seasoned politician. A shame that he would be wasted among the Jedi, and a guard too, not even a diplomat.

"I hardly believe that private funding could expand to cover the three billion credits that the Republic annually grants to the Order. During this war, donations to every organization, even charities, has hit an all-time low. Imagine how little would be donated if the Senate found the Order guilty of dodging accusations of abuse? And don't believe for a moment that the Republic would pay for Jedi services. We have our own diplomats, our own generals. You fight valiantly Jedi, but the battle is already lost. Inform the Jedi Council that the Senate expects a formal statement in one Coruscant week."

It was a gamble. Senator approval was a fickle thing, and the Jedi Order was a touchy subject. Palpatine had made his stance known, issuing an ultimatum. It was up to the senators to decide if they supported the Chancellor or the Jedi.

"The issue stands on whether the Jedi should be allowed one week to deliver a formal statement, or one month. Senators, please vote now." The Chairman said.

In each of the 1,024 pods arranged throughout the Grand Convocation Chamber, senators bent down to place their vote into the simple interface. The Senate Clerk, sitting to the left of the Chancellor, watched as the votes trickled in. After all the votes had been cast, the Clerk offered a pad to the Chancellor, who, after glancing at it, handed the pad to the Chairman.

"Five hundred votes for a one week window. Four hundred and ninety-nine votes for a one month window. Twenty-five votes abstaining. Under the rules for all votes concerning instances of abuse, a three quarter majority is not required. The vote passes to demand a one week time line from the Jedi Order for a formal statement concerning Case #J/A1590-4. Jedi Davros, you will return to the Jedi Council with an accurate summary of the events of this convocation. Any attempts at subterfuge or misdirection will be considered an act of political sabotage against the Jedi Order and the Senate, a crime punishable by death. Do you agree to pass this information to the Council, or would you rather have messenger appointed by the Chancellor?"

It was ironic really, the Jedi Order was under suspicion of abuse, and yet the legalese for a messenger listed the Jedi Order first. When all was said and done, Palpatine would need to draft a committee to fix the various parts of the Senate Legal code that dealt with the Order.

"I agree to pass this information to the Jedi Council." Davros replied.

"You are dismissed from this assembly." The Chairman finished.

The Jedi's platform sank to the floor of the Senate, allowing the impassive guard to exit. After making his way to the outer halls of the chamber, Davros paused for a moment to check his surroundings. Satisfied that no one was within sight or earshot, he pulled out a miniscule comm unit. Too small for video transmission, a simple green light was the only evidence the device as even on.

"This is Davros." He began. "Master Yoda was right, the Senate demanded a week. Plan A is inoperable, recommend movement to Plan B at threat level Delta."

It was paramount that Davros' information reached his superior as soon as possible, the Captain of the Temple Guard would need to brief the Council at once. A week didn't leave much time to plan, after all. Satisfied he had done his duty, the Jedi made his way outside, and attempted to hail a cab to take him home.


"We have just received word that the Jedi envoy to the Senate tried to delay the Senate inquiry in what is now being called 'The McDellum Incident.' Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was key in pressing for a sooner statement, culminating in a close but successful vote on the Senate floor. While clearly a controversial move in the Senate, public approval of the Chancellor's actions is high.


"This is Mace Windu to all Jedi on assignment. A priority-1 emergency has been effected. All Jedi are to return to the temple immediately. Generals and Commanders, order your troops to hold their ground, and leave them. Windu out."

Shaak Ti waited for Windu to turn off the link to Jedi Communications. "You know this won't end well, right?"

"What can we do? The Chancellor is clearly out to destroy us."

"We can smooth things over, offer a modified explanation of what happened, and continue on."

"Not anymore we can't. The Jedi Order cannot survive from attacks within and without."


Senator McDellum sat beside an open window in his condo, smoking a deathstick. It had been a long day. The business with the Jedi was just the start of the Senate session, there was still a myriad of bills and laws to wade through. But the day was finally over, the Jedi were on the spot, even the media was behind him. He liked the ring of 'The McDellum Incident.' Names put to deeds lasted longer in the public mind.

Sitting down beside her husband, Anne took the 'stick for a pull, before handing it back. "You're making waves, this might be too big a statement."

"The Chancellor won't let it get too far. The Order will make the same excuses they always do, and life will go back to normal. The media coverage was a bonus, 'The McDellum Incident' looks nice on a resume."

"You can't provide for our daughter if you're dead."

"Don't worry about it Anne, the Jedi Order has never ordered a hit, and the sympathizers in the Senate are bleeding hearts that are too 'good' to do it either."

"I hope you're right, I'm looking forward to life in a quiet country villa."

"Me too, Anne. Me too."