Just a little something to remind everyone that not every battle is fought with violence. As always, enjoy.
Voice
"With all due respect," She said bitterly under a mask of political politeness. "This bill will help the people more than any military act ever will." Her voice echoed throughout the hundred meter tall Grand Conviction Chamber inside the Senatorial Rotunda. A thousand pairs of eyes were upon her as well as the cam droids floating about. Being a senator wasn't easy but being an honest one was even harder. Riyo Chuchi of Pantora was doing her best to pass a bill that will allocate more resources to aid the relocation of displaced refugees. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, she had opposition.
The opposition straightened his back and gave off a classic 'Neimoidian business man' look to show confidence. "I understand your urge to assist those in need but what good is an aid bill when there's no government to reinforce it? The Republic cannot fight a war and settle every individual who losses a home." The Neimoidian Senator of the Trade Federation said. Lott Dod was the only person to have spoken against the bill and that in turn put many of the less-than-ethical politicians on his side.
Chuchi tightened her grip around the railing of her repulsor pod. The two senator's pods hovered in the middle of the chamber and they've been dishing out words to either support their side of the argument or slander the other. It was mortal combat with voices instead of violence.
"More than enough capital has been diverted to the war effort, too much in fact." She tightened her throat and sharpened her voice. "The reason we fight this war is to protect the people, no matter where they're from. The true source of democracy is the people, not corporations who profit from both sides of the conflict." She just took a shot at the Trade Federation which didn't sit well with Lott.
Slashing a fist through the air, he spoke up with a fiery tone. "This is not about the Trade Federation. This is about diverting scarce funds to a meaningless cause."
He took the bait. "I never mentioned the Trade Federation," A sly grin touched her lips. She had gotten him to indirectly acknowledge the fact that the Trade Federation did business with both the Republic and Confederacy. Everyone already knew this but it still smeared mud in the Neimodians face. It certainly scored her major points.
"And this is not a meaningless cause." Her tone shifted from sharp to sympathetic. "To lose everything is hurtful but not being able to rely on the government you trust is just malevolent. The collective body of beings we represent should come first instead of the war." Pausing for dramatic effect added to her compassionate address. "I plead the Senate to at least consider the lives of those who've been forced from their homes and lost so much because of the disagreements that arisen within this very chamber years ago."
Murmurs came from every corner of the chambers as senators conversed with their representatives and advisors. Chuchi was sure she had made a noticeable impact on the undecided but there was still Lott and his faction that will support his side no matter what. Chuchi estimated that, if a vote was called now, at least half the senate would vote in the bills favor, whether it be out of moral thinking or just to look good, and the other half would vote against it and those who do are either going to lose credits or are under the influence of those who will lose credits.
The tapping of the Vice Chair's wooden staff against the central podium hushed the chamber into a silence. The Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, Palpatine, rose from his seat and gave the conflicting senators a nod of acknowledgement before speaking.
"Senator Chuchi and Senator Dod present strong cases. The issue over the refugees is of great importance," He said and Chuchi smiled with hope that the Chancellor would support her. "But it is not the only matter we are confronted with." The smile turned into a frown as she knew where he was going with this. "The war requires our constant attention and we cannot afford to be tied up on one bill for too long. That is why I am calling for the vote now so we may finally end the matter."
There was no way the bill would receive the majority four-fifths vote required to pass. She needed more time but even that choice had its draw backs.
"Are there any opposed to a vote?" The Vice Chair, Mas Amedaa, said as he was the one who formally started for and ended debates.
"I oppose," Chuchi said loudly and firmly. "This bill needs more time before it can be voted on." She swallowed hard and prepared for a backlash. "I call for it to be tabled until further notice."
Calls of displease came from many senators while others just stared at her in scrutinizing silence. As the one who proposed the bill, she had the sole right to withdraw it until she wished to bring it back to the senate's attention. But it was seen as a dishonest tactic and greatly frowned upon.
"This is ill minded," Lott said with an overly exaggerated roll of his eyes. "When you see defeat, you retreat. This bill will never pass and yet you choose to cling on to it like a child. This is why young and naïve senators like you has no place amongst us."
A sucker punch is what it felt like. She expected for Lott to stoop low but not this low. With one insulting remark he had ultimately put a nail in the refugee bill's coffin and with it most of her credibility.
Palpatine conversed with Amedaa for a brief moment before a grimace formed on the Chancellor's face. Even with emergency powers he could not turn away Chuchi's call for withdrawal.
"Very well senator," The Vice Chair Amedaa said with a very dull tone that reflected his and many others annoyance towards her. "Your bill is hereby tabled until further notice." The Chargain tapped his wooden staff three times on the podium. "The Senate is now adjourned."
With the senate meeting now over until tomorrow, everyone began to make their way out of the rotunda. Lott Dod shot a victorious sneer at Chuchi and she fired back with an intense glare before throwing her back to him and proceeding to make an exit.
She stepped off the repulsor pod and into the curved hallway lining the outside of the conviction chamber. Not more than two steps were taken before she felt a hand placed on her shoulder, someone wanting to voice their opinion of her misjudgment no doubt. With an aggressive jerk, she spun around to confront whoever felt the need to beleaguer her, knocking the hand off her shoulder with a slap as she did so.
In a flash her agitation turned into regret as she realized who it was. "Senator Amidala! I'm so sorry."
The Naboo senator rubbed the hand that had been slapped. "It's quite alright Chuchi, no harm done." She says that and yet there was a bruise on her forehand. "Is everything alright?"
Not only had she been publicly humiliated but she also hurt her friend out of misplaced spite. Of course she wasn't alright. "Forgive me Padme, I didn't mean to lash out like that." She breathed in heavily and sighed with her eyes closed. "I had always believed the senate would be more caring but now I see otherwise."
Her eyes remained closed from the shame she felt. By delaying the vote she had not only lost supporters but also put doubt into any other bill concerning refugee relocation and welfare. The question whether she had made the right decision or not plagued her mind and drove her confidence into the ground. All she wanted was to help others with the power of her voice and conviction in her heart. But right now she was failing not only herself but the people of Pantora and the Republic as well.
When she felt two soft hands touch her shoulders, Chuchi opened her eyes to find Padme looking deeply into them. "Don't let this bring you down Riyo, you're stronger than this. I have faith in you and so do many others. You did what you believe was best and that alone should make everything right."
The young Pantoran forced a weak smile. At least she had a dear friend that will always believe in her. "But I made a mistake and if I don't correct it soon the bill will never pass. What do I do?"
The look of desperation gathered in her eyes and Padme knew all too well what it felt like to be young and confused. "Take the time you've sacrificed for and use it wisely. There is still a chance to win the vote but only you can do that. Tomorrow, before another matter is brought to attention, you must put the bill back on the floor for debate."
"No, I can't," Chuchi shook her head. "Not this soon. If I push for it to pass tomorrow it'll be shot down and I defiantly cannot withdraw it a second time."
"It's never easy isn't it?" Padme commented and brushed a light purple strand of hair from Chuchi's forehead. "But that never stopped me. I was only fourteen when I elected as Queen of Naboo and then a few years later, a senator. The Senate needs more youthful idealist like you and tomorrow I'm certain you'll prove Lott Dod wrong."
Padme was like a mentor to her whom she always looked up to. Barely eighteen years old, Chuchi is one of the youngest senators ever to hold office, but Padme on the other hand has been immersed in the world of politics since the start of her adolescent years. Now, despite being only in her mid-twenties, she was a legend in the senate alongside the bold Bail Organa of Alderaan and the witty Mon Mothma of Chandrila.
"Alright, my friend," She said, this time with a real smile. "I won't disappoint you."
"You could never disappoint me. And I look forward to seeing Lott Dod's face when your bill is passed."
She couldn't help but giggle at that. The two said their goodbyes and went their respective ways…
The walk to her office was a dreadful one. Many of the people she passed by who were inside the Conviction Chamber gave her sidelong looks and scowls. The judgmental gazes made her sick and she needed to escape them. When the doors to her sanctuary were in sight, she noticed a person standing at attention next to them.
It was a Pantoran and a familiar one too, dressed in a neat military black uniform with a cap on his head and a blaster holstered on his belt. A captain's insignia of the Pantoran Expeditionary Forces was pinned in the top right corner of his chest along with a few other medals that commemorated him for showing bravery and honor. He was also, in her opinion, rather dashing.
"Ion, what a pleasant surprise," She said with a bright smile. It certainly was a surprise to her, both from him being here and for being promoted to captain. Someone as young as him obtaining that high of an officer's rank was unheard of, but then again she was a senator and practically the same age.
Ion immediately saluted to regard her. "Senator Chuchi, it is good to see you too." His voice was tense and military like which was dissimilar to his father's relaxed mellow tone.
The senator nodded. "Please, come in." She walked into the office with Ion following but he took the time to glance at the hallway one last time before closing the door.
She crossed the room and sat behind her wooden desk in a chair made of the same material. The chairs and desk were hand carved and she had them brought from her home on Pantora along with several potted plants and velvet drapes. She preferred natural surroundings versus expensive, polished metal and smooth plastoid.
"Won't you take a seat Ion?" She gestured to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
"Oh," He paused and glanced at the door. "Of course senator," He sat but appeared uncomfortable because his back faced the only entrance into the room.
"You're nervous aren't you?" She tilted her chin slightly and angled her eyes at him. "And I'm betting it has something to do with you being here."
The captain nodded gravely. "Your debate in the senate has attracted a lot of attention from some unsavory bureaucrats. There have been many terrible rumors that threaten your safety."
Chuchi placed her elbows on the desk and intertwined her fingers together. "I had expected as much. This bill will take away many credits from those who've been secretly embezzling and taking advantage of the reckless spending attitude many politicians have adopted." She sighed and brushed a hand against the pedals of small potted flower sitting in the corner of her desk. "I know full well of the dangers that I face and I'm prepared to confront them wherever they may present themselves." With a tap on the blue roses center bud, the plant closed up slowly and gracefully until it resembled a small spire. It brought her a small sense of fondness every time she watched the flower change. It brought back memories of home.
The other had watched the moon flower change before putting his eyes back on the senator. "I understand you are prepared for anything but you are too important to the Pantoran people to perish." He straightened up in the chair and gave her a firm look that showed his resolve. "That is why I have been assigned as your personal bodyguard for the time been."
He had expected her to not like the idea of having extra security in the way but to his wonder, she merely smiled and nodded an approval. "Very well Captain Papanoida, I accept your protection. And I will also enjoy your company."
"Thank you Senator Chuchi," He bowed his head slightly. "I'll do my best not to get in your way." As a member of the military, he was inclined to protect her no matter the cost but that was not what he wanted. What he truly wanted was for her to see him not as a solider following an order but as a friend concerned for her.
Reaching across the table, she placed a hand over his and gave him a friendly look. "Don't worry about it and please, call me Riyo. I've grown a bit tired with all the formality on this planet."
And that's part one of this two part ficlet. I could've put it all together in a long chapter but that would defeat the purpose of short and sweat.
As you can see, I'm hinting at something between Ion and Chuchi. You'll know to what extent their relationship will go to in the next part.
Thank you for reading, I greatly appreciate it.
xander867
