March 28th
2583
4:00 pm UNSC time
Galactic Republic Senate
Corusant
Nobody's POV:
An emergency meeting was being held in the Senate Hall. The Senators are arguing and filling the chamber with noise.
A mere 4 days ago, Admiral Yularen, Clone Commander Fil and only 3 ARC troopers were transported to Corusant from Mon Calamari. Once questioned on what happened to their fleet, they announced to the Senate that the UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios, with only 6 ships that weren't the most powerful in their arsenal, managed to obliterate their fleet with destructive power and efficiency the CIS doesn't have.
Now that the survivors were dismissed to be reassigned to a new army led by a Jedi, the Senate is endlessly debating what should be done to address this alarming change of events.
"Order! We shall have order!" Mas Ameeda, he blue-skinned Chagrian*, who always remains at the Chancellor's side. Slowly but definitely surely, the Senate quiets down and watches as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine stands up to address the Senators. Even the 2 permanent members of the Jedi High Council, Yoda and Windu, are present to hear about this emergency meeting. While surprised at the change as well, they are more interested on what prompted such aggression.
"My fellow members of the Senate. These are strange times and I agree with your views. We must contact the UEG's Madam President and the Arbiter and ask them why they destroyed an entire fleet that could be protecting Republic planets." Palpatine announces to the silent room. Several Senators start clapping in approval of Palpatine's suggestion, then the Chancellor presses a button on his stand. A special Senate seat floats in front of the Chancellor, and after several minutes of tense silence, 2 holograms built into the seat flare to life. The Senate immediately recognizes the woman with shoulder-length brown hair and the golden-armored Sangheili as the UEG's Madam President and the Arbiter respectively. "Madam President and Arbiter. It is nice to see you again, but I have not called you here for pleasantries. I came to talk to you about your reasoning behind your pointless slaughtering of an entire fleet of the Republic's Grand Army." Palpatine says to the newcomers.
The 2 foreigners stare at each other before Thel 'Vadam responds coldly. "Pointless? If you truly believe our attack was 'pointless,' you're a fool even more blind than the followers of the old Covenant. We sent our people to burn that fleet because they betrayed us first."
Once Vadam had finished his statement, Senators from all around the room shout in protest. Even if Palpatine failed to show it after years of being a master politician, he was slightly angry on the inside of being considered blind. "Tell me, what did the fleet do to betray you?" Palpatine asks calmly.
This time, President Peterson answers. "Because your fleet was so eager to destroy a CIS fleet that they entered our space without permission. Once there, they did help destroy the CIS fleet, but destroyed a UNSC transport ship in the process. One that was transporting famous UNSC war heroes to Earth. Since we wouldn't stand by and let it happen again, we taught your fleet a lesson. But we don't want war with you. In fact, if you give us a public apology for illegally entering our space and wounding dozens of our people, then we'll rein in our people from retaliating and forget this ever happened."
Several Senators start shouting at the President and Arbiter at once again, only louder this time. "Order!" The blue Chagrian* at Palpatine's side shouts again. "You shall say your minds, but only 1 at a time."
Seconds later, another Senate seat carrying the Senators of the Duskaan system floated forward. "The Republic shall not bow down to your wishes. Your primitive governments can never stand without the Senate's help, so you don't get to make the calls. Besides, what makes us think you'll keep your word? I'd heard about your fabled Spartan-II program, a very secretive business. The fact you're keeping military programs like that hidden from us all gives me the impression your governments are up to something illegal." The main Senator says.
It took every ounce of willpower for Michelle Peterson and Thel 'Vadam not to scream in outrage at this accusation and for going too far. Vadam in particular is outraged because while the Spartan-II program was an immoral program that was shut down years ago, he had to admit that it did produced outstanding super soldiers that could tear through entire armies single-handedly, including his friend John-117, the legendary Master Chief, so the jab at them and his friend really made the Arbiter tempted to teach that particular Senator a lesson, one that involves a quality Carbine or even a UNSC shotgun. But on the outside, they somehow manage to maintain a calm facade.
Thanks to some data gathering the ONI has done behind the scenes and some information the famous Blood Gulch crew salvaged from the destroyed fleet, they have a way to retaliate. "Yes, the Spartan-II program was immoral, but it was completely taken care of over a decade ago and they saved both our species from extinction." Peterson responds.
"You should speak for yourselves as well. The Senate has shown signs of mild corruption in the past and your nearsightedness has gotten you thrown into your precious war. But your army is the worst. We look down on your use of clones, but using them is your choice and not the problem. The real problem is your army's leaders: the 'all-powerful' Jedi Order. Thanks to some data we found, the former Grandmaster of your Order, Sifo-Dyas, paid the back-water Kaminoan species to create your clone army, using a disgusting bounty hunter to make the clones. That same bounty hunter is the one who tried to assassinate one of your own Senators. I dare you to tell us that doesn't scream suspicion or that the Jedi haven't secretly been creating wars for eons just to stroke their ego. We shall answer no more of your questions and wish you a good day." With that, their transmissions that come from an unidentified planet cut out and the seat returns to where it came from.
The second the two leave the chamber, plunging the Senate into chaos as they debate yet again what to do. It's obvious that diplomatic relationships between the 2 governments will not be repaired anytime soon. "I can't believe that instead of apologizing for attacking them, we give them accusations of illegal activity they've already addressed." Senator Bail Organa said disbelievingly, looking around at the arguing Senators.
"Yes. This is a dark day for the Republic and I have the feeling that it's only going to get worse." Fellow Senator Padmé Amidala answers, feeling a hint of dread at what's to come. Entire minutes of arguing pass before Palpatine stands up. A hush falls over the Senate, anxious to hear what the Chancellor has to say.
"I'm sorry my friends, but we have angered our 'allies' too much and we never truly agreed with their cultures anyway. These reasons are why I am going to set up a vote on whether we should go to war with the UEG and the Swords of Sanghelios or not. All votes are to be due by tomorrow morning. I shall speak with the Jedi Council on these new matters. Meeting adjourned." With that, the Chancellor leaves the Senate hall and the rest of the Senators leave to retire to their various chambers. Padmé has a bad feeling she knows how this vote is going to go down, but will do everything in her power to prevent the result from occurring.
5:00 pm UNSC time
Chancellor's Private Office
Corusant
Palpatine sits behind his desk, watching as the members of the Jedi High Council walk in. Even Anakin Skywalker and his padawan, Ahsoka Tano, were invited to this private meeting. Because there are so many benefits and detriments to going to war with the UEG and Swords of Sanghelios, Palpatine is genuinely interested in seeing what stance the Jedi will take in this matter.
"So, what are your views on the UEG and Swords of Sanghelios?" Palpatine asks when all the Council members are gathered and settled.
"I believe that while they did have logic behind their retaliation, the fact they destroyed a Republic fleet and killed hundreds of clones is can't be overlooked. I do think we should go to war because they also insulted everything the Jedi Order stands for in the process, even if I don't like the idea of another enemy in a war we're at a stalemate with." Anakin said calmly, but a hint of frustration in his voice.
Obi-Wan winced internally. He thought Anakin was being too forceful about this, but his former padawan did bring up a good point. Even so, Obi-Wan still doesn't want a war with a government they provokes if he can avoid it. "They insulted our Order, and they shall learn we can't just let it go. I vote for war." Ki-Adi-Mundi states flatly.
"I vote for war as well." Kit Fisto adds.
One by one, the Council members vote for war. Ahsoka is torn between the 2 sides of the argument, but settles on war for now. "Very well, then. Tomorrow I shall see if the Senate votes for war as well and if they do, announce where the Grand Army of the Republic will strike first. You may go." Palpatine stands up and bows respectfully to the Jedi.
They get up and walk out of the Chancellor's Private Office and return to their temple, anxious on what's to come.
6:15 pm UNSC time
Jedi High Council Chamber
Jedi Temple
Corusant
Yoda stares out at the landscape of Corusant from the Jedi High Council chamber and sighs heavily. The Dark Side has been clouding his visions in the Force, but now it's at its worst. He can't see the future and determine if the new war between the members of UNSC space and the Republic is avoided. All he senses and sees through the Force is pain, fear and a metal corridor filled with clones that are infected by something of pure evil. He is pulled from his vision when one of the infected clones tries to slash Yoda in half with an arm that has some sort of vines wrapping around it.
Suddenly, the doors to the chamber open up and Windu, followed by Kenobi, walk inside. "Master Yoda. How do you feel about this desire to fight our fellow humans and the Sangheili?" Kenobi asks, a little concern in his voice. Despite the 3 Jedi voting against the new declaration of war, it wasn't enough. Yoda looks at his fellow Jedi and his face turns grim.
"Not sure, I do. Moral, I believe the UEG and Sangheili. But angered too many, they have. Prepare for a new war, we must." Yoda answers, then stares out at the landscape again.
"At this point, we need to be ready for anything our new enemies throw at us. So learning anything we can about them will be necessary to the Republic. I believe something's been playing both of us the whole time, most likely our elusive Sith, Darth Sidious. Finding him is of greater importance than ever." Windu says to his companions, then leaves the chamber.
But Obi-Wan remains, still staring out at the city. "Master, I don't like this. It makes me uneasy, especially how the other Jedi agree to this." Obi-Wan tells the Grandmaster.
Yoda sighs yet again, then addresses his companion. "Trust in the Force, we must. Guide us through these odd times, it will."
While both don't want to admit it, they could sense the air changing around them. The Clone Wars are about to reach a whole new level of brutality.
AN: I know, it's shorter than usual. This is completely a filler chapter that shows the Republic's willingness to go to war.
I promise, the next chapter will be a way better than this one.
*I originally thought he was a Twi'lek, but he's actually a Chagrian. Thank you, Cmedina1, for telling me. I couldn't figure out what that guy was, even with my Star Wars Encyclopedia (Call me a Star Wars geek, but never a fanboy).
Anyway, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I shall see you all again in 2017!