Note 3
Finis Valorum,
My friend, I have received your letter. I will not stand by a fellow member of the Senate and friend in a time of need. We must stick together! Somewhere, sometime, we have lost this value. The Senate used to be a more pleasant place, but recently it has become more and more corrupt. I look at my fellow Senators and I realize how much we have become strangers to one another. There has always been some corruption, but it has gradually gotten worse over the years. Even I have noticed this, and I am much younger than most. It is truly sad that we have fallen so low.
I did not know of your wife's illness. I am truly sorry to hear of it. I will not share this with anyone unless you would ask me to. Is she receiving proper medical treatment? Are the doctors aware of what it may be?
I always have seen you as a man serving the Republic to the best of his ability. Whether you should have stepped down from office or not, I cannot say. You supported Naboo as much as you could have, and I know you supported Alderaan, and from what I could see, all systems. I would suggest not worrying about the "what if's." We do not know what would have happened had someone else been in the position during the Naboo crisis. The situation could have been much worse, you don't know, and I don't know. We cannot change what has already happened, but we can strive to make improvements for the future of the Republic. That is my goal. However, if you want to talk more about what happened, and your feelings or such, I am willing to listen.
I am sorry, my friend. I know about the rumors that were spread on your behalf. I had not realized the investigation committee had taken it that far, though…that they were actually going to continue with the investigation on you. I hope it comes out well for you. Let me know how that goes. Understandably so. You have been put under more pressure than any other public figure I know.
I believe in your innocence as well, and I will stand by you, in whatever way possible. However, I must warn you that people are going to attempt to dig up whatever dirt they can find on you, and if they can find none, they may invent it. You will have to be prepared to face this. The rumors about you were, while untrue, very convincing for some. My guess is that your investigations are only going to draw this out worse. You know how the Senate has been in recent years with investigations.
You are right…do not run away from the situation. It will not be easy…such an investigation promises many trials for you. No matter what, do not give up, my friend. And how are your sons doing? Have you been able to speak with them about the situation? No…I cannot imagine that the situation would be very pleasant for them.
I assure you that I did not disclose such relations with Naboo's Queen or Palpatine in order to tear them apart. I asked you this out of genuine concern. I felt you might have a clearer perspective about Palpatine than I do, as you know him better than I do. What he said initially shocked and alarmed me. I am trying to determine how much I can trust the new Supreme Chancellor and how committed he may be in truly reforming the Republic. These, then, are my reasons.
You are right…from a practical standpoint it no longer matters whose idea it was…but what concerned me was that it means that one was blatantly lying. Ah…I suppose I overreacted. I should not have told you about this. Many Senators would have acted the same way, were they in Palpatine's position.
I am sorry…it was not my intention to put you against Palpatine. I know that you and him have been longtime friends. Yes, please…I think it would be a good idea if you discussed the issue with him. That will put my mind at ease as well. Be careful not to accuse him of anything, of course, and please do not mention what I said to him…but ask him directly about the situation. Perhaps he did not mean to betray you. He could have sincerely thought the action was best for his people, and then felt guilty about it…so he said what he did to me. I do not know the full story.
Do you know Senator Correon Knightly? He is a very good friend of mine. His wife and my wife are also good friends. In fact, they have been spending time together during our absences, due to the recent Naboo crisis. I will ask Sara if she and Laina would visit your wife…of course it would be up to you and Savim. You may not know Correon and Laina, and I understand if you only wished for my wife and I. As I said, I will not tell anyone else of your wife's illness without your permission. I will be certain to mention this to my wife, though. Speaking for myself, it would be my pleasure to provide you with such help. I am sure that Sara will agree as well. A lunch or dinner would be delightful. Name the date, and I will see what I can do. As bad as I feel about this, yes, perhaps a confidential escort would be best.
I am truly glad to be of assistance to you in this time.
Sincerely,
Bail Antilles