Leia's POV- 1 month ago
The Senate chamber is packed to the brink for this special session of Congress. Senators from every New Republic system are on hand for the critical vote on the 'Military Reduction Act'. The piece of legislation I co-sponsored with the Senators of Naboo, Malastare and Bothawui. Each with their own reason for wanting it to pass. Naboo has always been a peace loving planet, decades of Palpatine's oppression have done nothing to change that. Malastare is desperate for peace after an unsuccessful uprising led to having large portions of their surface devastated by Imperial bombardment, convincing them was quite easy.
Lastly Bothawui....Borsk Fey'lya isn't particularly anti-war, just anti-military. It was easy to take advantage of his long standing feud with Ackbar, and his desire to undermine the military and New Republic at every turn. Of all the hutt slime in this place no other inspires my Darkness more, just the mere thought of him almost makes me reach out and force choke him, and I have to take a breath to calm down. But he does have his uses, he is one of the more influential members of the Senate and his support will help the bill to pass. I sneer in disgust as I think of him, looking forward to the day I can end this stupid charade and seize power. Thinking of delightful ways to end his wretched life when the time comes.
I sigh, irritated as I sit here in my pod waiting for the session to start, growing more and more restless while trying to block out the blaring chatter that fills the massive room.
This is an important vote for my future plans, calling for the reduction of over 25% of the New Republic's military. Normally such a vote would never pass but the recent cease fire treaty with the Imperial Remnant has brought on a desire to permanently end the war. Where they see peace I see opportunity, such a reduction in their military combined with a few well placed 'redeployments' would open the door for my fleet to move in. Of course the bill does have opposition; mainly from Ackbar, Madine and Rieekan, many Senators as well. But I don't expect that will be a problem, not with all the mind tricks I have done in the last two weeks.
When I announced my support and sponsorship of the bill it surprised many people, considering my past with the Rebellion. But my Alderaanian background made people 'understand'.
"Order! We shall have order!". The chamber suddenly goes quiet as the speaker's pod comes to the center of the chamber. "The Chair recognizes the Chief of State of the New Republic, Mon Mothma!". She waits until the applause dies down before addressing the Senate.
"Senators of the New Republic, we are gathered here to vote on the pending 'Military Reduction Act' co-sponsored by Leia Organa-Solo and Borsk Fey'lya. We will first hear the final arguments, then a 1 hour session of voting will take place. The Chair recognizes Leia Organa-Solo of Alderaan at this time".
I straighten my senatorial robes as I stand, guiding my pod to the center of the chamber. I ready myself, using the force to calm my emotions and project my voice, knowing how important this speech will be. The pod comes to a stop and I begin to speak.
"Thank you Madame Chief of State, delegates. I am honored to be here to speak on this today. Fellow Senators for the last three decades this war has ripped through and ravaged our galaxy, our people and our way of life. Entire cultures, civilizations, even...planets have been destroyed in this chaos. The suffering and loss of life has been on an astronomical scale. No part of the galaxy has been left untouched by this fighting. But now fellow Senators we are faced with a historic opportunity, the chance to achieve a long lasting peace in the galaxy and to bring a permanent end to this war. The cease fire agreement at Aargau was a major step forward for us all, but now the next step must be taken. To establish that peace we must stand down our forces, transition from a war fighting role to a peace keeping role, and drawdown the size of our military. Taking these measures will send a clear message to the Imperial Remnant that we are serious about peace. The treaty at Aargau has given us this chance! Let us build on it, let us end this war once and for all! For the good of the New Republic, for the good of us all we must pass this bill!".
The chamber erupts into a mix of applause, cheering, booing and shouting. Through the force I can sense my speech has convinced many of them to support the legislation. I smile knowing the reduction act will pass. I keep my pod in the center of the chamber, hiding a scowl as Ackbar comes out in his.
"Order! Thank you Senator Organa-Solo. The Chair now recognizes Admiral Ackbar of Mon Calamari, Supreme Commander of the New Republic military".
He waits for the applause to die down and begins speaking in his rough voice, "Thank you Madame, Senators. I have come here today to speak out against this proposed measure. I, along with the rest of the military have made our opposition to this quite clear. I have been a Naval Commander since the very beginning of the Rebel Alliance, I led our forces during our darkest hours, and to our greatest triumphs. So I ask and hope that you will consider my experience and heed my words. Delegates this vote is so important that I have left during an active combat operation, for the chance to speak out against this flawed piece of legislation. The Military Reduction Act must not be allowed to pass! This measure will not bring peace, it will dramatically weaken our position in dealing with the Remnant. The Imperials did not sign the cease fire out of good will, they signed it because of the superiority of our military, they signed it to stop the fighting and rearm. If you pass this bill you will not be making peace with the Empire, you will be jeopardizing our ability to protect you. Such an act with tensions as high as they are is reckless beyond belief, and will compromise the safety of not just the military but the New Republic itself!".
I scowl as Ackbar finishes and the chamber bursts into heated shouting and applause. He is right about everything he just said of course. Despite his status as my enemy I do have a grudging respect for him, the only one. Ackbar is a tactical genius of naval warfare, his record beyond question, and he's able to see through the reduction act for what it is. He is the only member of the Republic leadership that poses a real threat to my reign, and I know I can't allow him to escape under any circumstances when I strike against the Republic. I gather myself and respond to him.
"Admiral Ackbar everyone here understands and appreciates your record of service. But are you implying that makes your view somehow better than those who disagree? Admiral I have spent my entire life fighting against the Empire. From Yavin, to Hoth, to Endor and countless battles in between. I believe my record of service speaks for itself!", I say, pretending to take offense to undermine his position.
"Princess I did not mean to imply..."
"And furthermore the Military Reduction Act is just a stand down from heightened war levels, it will not hurt the ability of your fleet. The Republic Navy will still have sufficient forces to protect the Core and Rim worlds". Not
"But..."
"And to call this measure 'reckless' is insulting to me and everyone in this chamber that supports it!". I play the victim card, making him the bully and turning opinion against him. The delegates begin jeering.
"I didn't mean..."
"Need I also remind you, Admiral, that the Imperial Remnant has promised to reduce their own military if we pass this measure. This is not a unilateral action".
"They also promised to cease fighting with the treaty of Aargau. But still their attacks continue. Shipping convoys and defensive arrays have been targeted along the Hydian Way".
"Admiral we can not let the random actions of a few defiant war lords jeopardize the peace process. There has been a drastic reduction in Imperial attacks since the treaty was signed. You can not deny that".
"The reduction is mainly due to the defeat of Thrawn and his forces, which is why they signed the treaty to begin with".
"Regardless of why they signed it, the fact is they did and they are honoring the agreement. The Imperials are as weary of this war as we are. They have suffered from its effects just as we have. How long must this war continue?".
"That is what the cease fire was meant for".
"I am talking about a lasting peace, not a temporary one dependent on terms and conditions".
"But..."
"Enough both of you!", Mothma intervenes, "You have both sufficiently made your cases. Now it is up to the beings of this delegation to decide! Let the voting commence".
The Senators break out in shouting once again. Ackbar looks distraught. I smile, knowing a great victory has been won for the Empire.