Chaper 7.
" I am looking very forward to meeting with Sheik Baran when we arrive in your system Hadarah." The Chancellor began politely as the Bantku tribe woman took a seat opposite of him.
"My father has informed me that the Sheik is very excited to meet with you as well. My people feel deeply honored that you have agreed to come. They are making great preparations," She explained.
"As am I. I wanted you to inform the rest of the delegates about the customs of your tribe. You are such an obscure people that I'm afraid not much of your etiquette is known, not even among some of the most learned of officials. I wouldn't want relationships to go sour based on simple miscommunications or cultural misunderstandings." The Surpreme Chancellor smiled placidly across the regal oblong table. He had offered her a Felucian smolder stick which she just now had a the droid present in the office dinning room light for her.
"That is wise, my people can become easily offended," Hadarah reminded him as she took the first drag of her smolder stick. She liked the aroma that they gave off. "But they are eager to begin a new business relationship with the rest of the Republic again. I do not foresee many complications in the matter. As long as we can come to an agreement over the weapon and the price," she smiled slyly blowing a purple smoke ring over her shoulder.
The Chancellor returned the facial expression. He admired her crafty ways and more and more was beginning to see how a woman like her would be very useful to him. 'You do remember your part in that my dear," he said sweetly.
"Of course sir," She didn't falter from her confidence for a moment. "I was not able to talk to Anakin yet about the weapon," she paused inhaling on her poison of choice. "yet." She completed her thought when she exhaled.
The Chancellor's face drew a frown, "I am trusting your ability to handle the matter my lady. I know you are knew to the Republic's circles, but f you intend for your people to join the Republic you must be a woman who is task oriented," the Chancellor chided her gently.
"There will be plenty of time to talk of those things tomorrow when we arrive. Tonight our objective was to prove to the government of Christophsis they are useful. I think I was successful in doing that. Looking to eager in my own agenda would breed suspicions," she countered. Palpatine agreed.
Hadarah had been sent to Coruscant only a few weeks ago. She had come to plead the case of the Bantku people before the Senate. There were many things that her people needed, they needed food and water. They wanted access back to the planet that was rightfully theres. They wanted to trade with the Republic Bantku people had neverbeen official citizens of the Republic. They were a protectorate people. They paid a tributary sum once a year and this was supposed to offer them protection under Republic law. The promised protection was never shown when the Bantku's homeworld was attacked. When the Senate was requested to intervene they had dismissed the cries of the tribal group saying that in war time the Republic could not offer protection to those who were not fully with in her jurisdiction, especially one that had sold good to both the epublic and the Separatist. It seemed as though the only means for survival was for the Banku to choose a side. They chose the Republic. So they sent Hadarah to represent them in the Senate as the asked to be official joined to the Republic and be given full rights an representation by the Senate. She came not as a beggar, but as a trader. The Bantu had something of value and they wanted their demands met as a means of payment for the good.
She had set in committees, meetings and made conversations with the dignitaries from other planets and systems, but still very few seemed to rally around her cause. Her people had suffered much. They had always existed in two homes. One of their homes was the asteroid belt. It was nothing but cold lifeless rock. It provided safety and shelter, but had few natural resources to give the people. The other was Lexmar, the planet the asteroids orbited around. Lexmar was a lovely planet with rolling prairies and endless hills. It was there that the Bantku gathered their livelihood. It was there that they harvested their crops and hunted the Anju. The bovine like creature was sacred to the tribe. It provided them with much. It gave sport, clothing, meat and tusk, all which the Bantku people used in trade. Trade was how the Bantku made their livelihood. The Asteroid Belt was the perfect pit stop for travelers and merchants to come and pick up the rare goods that the Bantku provided the galaxy with. The jewelry made there was second to none. The furs that they made from the pelts of the Anju were coveted by many through out the galaxy, but this prosperity had been taken away from them. The Separatist had come and raided Lexmar knowing of its vast wealth they sought to exploit it. They built a droid factory there, but the toxins and chemicals coming from the plant were hurting the environment. The crops would not grow and the Anju were dying. With the Anju becoming so scarce the Bantku people could not trade and were being forced into a state of recession. They had to find something to trade. They had to produce some good that the citizens of the Republic wanted, but with Lexmar no longer theirs they were forced to turn to the asteroid for a resource and they found one. Most of the Senators seemed disinterested in what the Bantku Ambassador had come to offer, but the Chancellor had been intrigued.
"Your speech was very stirring, my dear," he said to Hadarah some days ago when she had come into his office. He had offered her a drink and had his butler droid serve it to her.
"Thank you Chancellor," she said taking the beverage. "So then you do think that there is a chance that the Bantku can join the Republic?" she asked hopefully.
Ambassador Hadarah, In all honest I wouldn't bank to heavily on your joining the Republic. TO become an official system is quite a process. Historically, It has taken years for systems to be declared part of the Republic and therefore entitled to all the benefits." Palpatine explained mildly.
"The Bantku are not beggars. We don't want something for nothing. We want to trade. We want to produce a good that is still useful and will be an aid to the Republic and secure are position as a sovereign system and people" She explained.
That is good to hear," he gave a smile to her as he took a seat and she followed suit. "So many systems want charity, but don't understand that during war time money isn't so easily expendable. But still in order to join the Republic two thirds of the sovereign systems would have to vote you in and unfortunately most of the systems are so concerned about themselves that I fear they haven't heard your reasonable plight. It could take months to build up the support your people need and in these war times it could take years," the Chancellor explained with a grim face.
"We do not have months and most certainly we don't have years!" Hadarah exclaimed with a fiery protest." Our own surpluses are drying up and some of are sister tribes have been debating whether or not to align themselves to the Separatists alliance is that will grant then access to Lexmar once more."
"That would be a desperate and foolhardy move, "The Supreme Chancellor began, "We certainly wouldn't want that."
"What other alternative are we left with? W e cannot stay on those asteroids forever. Our people need food, water, and a livelihood. If the Republic will not help then perhaps the Separatist will be interested in making a deal." She narrowed her eyes and squared her shoulders as she stated this.
"The needs of small and disenfranchised people lie yours have become of top priority to me. The people of the Republic need to see that this government was built to service them. I will hold a special hearing of the Senate and try to at least push for the use of your weapon."
"Do you think the Senate will ratify to have our new weapon put on the market?" she asked anxiously.
"The Senate will squabble and debate such an issue," Palpatine shook his head. "The majority of Senators don't even represent the desires of their own people, let alone do they want to rally around the cause of another. It is selfishness that is their motivator now."
"Then you are saying all is lost?" the young ambassador was aghast.
The Chancellor managed to put on a comforting smile and he reached out his bony fingers gently tapping the lovely Bantku woman on the shoulder. "No not necessarily my dear girl. There are still many good individuals in the Senate. Individuals who I trust and who have a deep care and concern for the people of the Republic. That is why I have put together a team of some of my most trusted friends to accompany me on this endeavor. It will be an emissary of goodwill," his eyes crinkled with a smile as he said so. "This group of handpicked officials and myself will be visiting some of the more down trodden systems and providing them with aid and relief," the chancellor went on, "You will be needing transport back to your system will you not?"
"Yes sir,"
" Then by all means, I must insist that you allow me to offer you safe transport home. It would be a delight to have so beautiful a lady join my little group."
'The Chancellor is too kind, but of course I and my staff would be happy to join." Hadarah smiled radiantly.
"Very good. While you're with us an opportunity will arise for you to form more connections with in the Senate circles," Palpatine stated rising.
"Connecions? I believe I already have gained a few friends, excellency" she said watching the aged leader of the Republic walk to the other side of the room and pour himself another drink.
"No doubt," Palpatine said as he held a glass of brandy in his hand, "but do you have the right connections. Politics is all a game of who you know. You are still very new to these matters and what you need is an ally. A person of influence who will stand by your side and can sway others."
"Chancellor Palpatine, you have said how you believe that having the weapon is in the best interest of the Republic, will you not stand and defend me?" she asked in earnest reaching out and clasping the leaders cold had.
"I support you wholeheartedly," Palpatine assured her, but my support alone is not what you need, the senate has the power to overturn policies I set in motion. You must get the vote of these senators who will be accompanying me, they are all powerhouses in the Senate,"
"Very well," Ambassador Hadarah regain her composure and straightened her tunics as she began to walk back to her seat behind the chancellor's desk. "And do you have any suggestions as to who I would need to befriend?"
"Yes, a young Jedi knight that I have come to know well will be joining us onboard the Imperial. His name is Anakin Skywalker."
"The hero of the Republic," Hadarah smirked
"Ahhh than you are familiar with him?"
"I know of him Chancellor, but then again who doesn't? Who has not seen a late holonet special on the Hero with No Fear?"
"Indeed." He said, "I think Anakin will be most apt to agree to your cause. I think he'll support your weapon if you can befriend him," Palpatine added slightly averting his eyes.
" A Jedi who supports his friends, more than the greater good is a rare type." Ambassador Hadarah said thoughtfully.
"That which is rare is valuable, you should know that very well, ambassador. If the Jedi support you then I'm sure most of the other Senators who are with me will have no trouble ratifying the production and trade of your good. This would be mutually advantageous for the Republic and for your people," The Chancellor explained.
"I agree, but there is something else that I would need for insurance purposes," Hadarah stated wisely getting up and following behind the Chancellor who was now looking out the window on the busy skyways of Coruscant.
"And what might that be?" He turned around to look at the ambassador.
"A home base planet once again for my people?" Her green eyes flickered with hopefulness. "If we are not given the official status as members of the Republic then we will need to be able to take political asylum on other planets until Lexmar is liberated." Hadarah didn't really leave the statement open for debate. That was her price. If the Republic wanted the protection of the weapon the Bantku people had created then they would have to offer the Bantku more than a hefty sum. Money would keep them stable, but with the war stretching on for undetermined amounts of time they would also need security
"Naturally," the Chancellor smiled and nodded and clasped her hand in between his. "I wouldn't dream of seeing your people live on that dreadful rock a moment longer than necessary," the Chancellor confirmed
A smile spread across Hadarah's warm honey face. She stuck out her tattooed hand to shake and seal the deal. "Then I accept." When their hands parted the Chancellor still seemed very pleased. He began to escort her toward the door when Hadarah turned round her back facing the door a mischievous glint in her eyes as she asked, "This friendship that you want me to form with Knight Skywalker…how close?"
"My dear ambassador you only need do what you feel is necessary to insure success in your endeavor."
"Our endeavor, Chancellor," she corrected playful a she bowed and pressed her head toward his hands.
" I can debrief the delegates who will be at the conference on the proper etiquette to use in the presence of the Sheik during breakfast tomorrow," Ambassador Hadarah informed the Chancellor as their meeting was coming to a close. He stood up and began walking the gentlewoman to the door. She paused just before stepping to close enough for the door to detect them and swing open. "Chancellor?" she began to inquire. He merely tilted his head and gave a listening ear. "What if I wanted to renegotiate the terms of our agreement?" she turned around and looked at him her golden eyelids flapping above green eyes.
"What ever could you mean ambassador?"
"I'm just looking for something personal for myself." she chuckled slightly and looked down at the ground an amused smile on her lips. She then gazed back at the Supreme Chancellor with an air of seriousness.
"Hmm," The Chancellor thought about the request, "If the weapon is ratified then you will have done a great service to the Republic and a great service for me," she smiled, "I am in the habit of rewarding those who service me well," The Chancellor reminded her. "When this war is over in a new time, I will be looking to appoint fine people such as yourself to positions of great prestige I would love to have young people such as you and Anakin Skywalker serve me there."
Hadarah smirked knowingly, "Then I will continue to do my part, excellency,"