Our views on people may change over time.
Separatist Knight
Chapter 9
Despite the potential risk of a war brewing between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, fear had yet to consume the hearts of the citizens of the galaxy. On worlds deemed backwater by the Republic Senate, mistreated and outcasted by the higher-ups of their society, the Confederacy was doing everything in its power to make the natives feel otherwise.
New Plympto for example: was a hot, mucky, and luscious planet in the Core systems. Despite its location within the higher-ups near the capital, the world and its people were deemed lowly due to two main reasons: one, their inhabitants, the Nosaurians had only fully evolved within the last millennium; two, their only exportable resources being minor raw materials buried beneath the planet's core; Notar a non-standard healing drug used to ease pain, though not as effective as many of the more commonly used drugs in the galaxy; and the tasty and healthy, yet non-fancy rikknit eggs.
Despite these resources, to many within the Senate, New Plympto was considered a joke of a world, unworthy of being a part of the core systems. And though they couldn't remove the planet directly, they were able to reject their request to have representation within the galactic congress.
When the Nosaurians protested, the Senate outlawed the exportation of their rikknit eggs and increased mining on the world with reduced payments to the planet's government while increasing its galactic taxes. It became a dark time for New Plympto, but one not without hope.
When word reached the Confederacy of the plight that the Nosaurians were in, their parliament sent two of its best negotiators to help save the world from economic disaster; Senator Amil Calinao and Separatist Knight Striv Gr'en.
They managed to help drive the Republic off-world and provide a much better deal from the Confederacy than the ones they'd previously had under the former.
"In return for your eggs, as well as mining rights to your minerals, and shipments of your Notar, we shall provide you with enough credits to cover your expense for producing these items along with a very fair profit on your end," Senator Calinao recapped to the leaders of New Plympto, such as acting senator Rootrock and Prime Minister Hardshell; all of whom nodded in agreement with these terms.
"And we shall be granted full representation in your senate?" one of the other leaders confirmed.
"Of course," Striv replied. "The Confederacy of Independent Systems is an organization designed to equalize all the people within the galaxy. Giving a strong, fair and equal voice within our government to all races. The Nosaurians are no exception."
The Nosaurians accepted this and began to clap in response; with Amil joining them. She always admired Striv's courage and ability to be open about the fair rights of everyone, no matter their social class that had been created under the Republic's failed governing. Despite losing so much when he left the Jedi Order and the Republic, he did not show any signs of regret, especially of late for his decisions. It was one of the reasons why she liked him so much.
She ended up staring at his handsome, strong, yellow face, which made her blush. When Striv took notice of this, he also blushed while Amil turned away in embarrassment.
There had been a romance developing between them that the Separatist holonet had been eager to advertise. Though neither had made an official move to begin dating, they showed their mutual attraction. They spent a considerable amount of free time together whenever they weren't busy restoring peace and order to the galaxy.
The little flutter between them did not go unnoticed by the other leadership in the room nor Striv's trusted astromech C19-77. But instead of handling the matter directly, Senator Rootrock simply coughed, redirecting the two unofficial lovers back to the meeting.
"So if war should break out between the Republic and the Confederacy we will be protected against a Republic invasion, correct?" the senator asked, receiving murmurs of concern and agreement from the other leadership of his people.
Recomposing herself, while Striv did the same, Senator Calinao responded still a little shaky. "Yes… um yes of course. The Confederacy is determined whether in times of peace or war to protect all its allies. And while we don't possess a galactic-scale military force, we have managed to assemble a fairly reasonable group of defence ships and mercenaries that sympathize with our cause. It won't be enough to face the Republic should they declare war, but Count Dooku is preparing for such an outcome."
Rootrock and the other Nosaurians nodded in acceptance.
"Very well," the Prime Minister stood up. "On behalf of New Plympto and the Nosaurians people, I accept your invitation into the Confederacy of Independent Systems," she said as she stood up and extended her hand to Striv's while Rootrock did the same with Senator Calinao; both of whom stood up as well and shook the Nosaurians hands.
Later inside Amil's quarters onboard her consular ship the Jewel, the senator and knight were reporting to Count Dooku via holo transmitter.
"The Nosaurians have agreed to join us Count," Striv informed.
"We were able to purchase their resources at a fair price that benefits both parties," Amil added.
"Excellent," the Count replied, though when he spoke, he didn't sound, nor looked pleased as he normally was after a successful negotiation. His body was slouched and the smile on his bearded face appeared strained. As if it was taking everything he had to keep his lips curved upwards. Something was troubling him, Striv didn't need the Force to tell him that.
"What is it, my Lord?" he asked.
Seeing as his attempts to hide his true attitude were proven futile, Dooku figuratively released his lips, allowing them to drop in the form of a depressed frown. "Do you recall the planet Vorta?" the Count asked.
That took a moment of thinking for Striv to remember the world. But less than that for Amil.
"Vorta is an agricultural world located within the Inner Rim section of the galaxy. The planet joined the Confederacy shortly after the Raxus Address, under the urging of its people and their representative in the Senate, Senator Ryan Dagonet."
"Right as always Senator," the Count praised, a temporary smile returning to his face. "Ryan also happens to be an old friend of mine," he added. "We've known each other since he was a teenager back when his father was representing Vorta. Sadly, under his father, the planet and its people were exploited to the point where many outside the capital faced starvation and disease. Many of the laws that the late Dagonet helped pass had continued to affect the people, despite Ryan's efforts in the Galactic Senate due to many other senators refusing to make the necessary changes. Hence the reason for their withdrawal from the Republic."
Striv had heard about this from Dooku once, he'd been told that despite having been kidnapped by desperate villagers seeking change, Ryan held no grudge against his captors. Seeing how badly his father had treated their people had motivated him into becoming a senator, though completely unlike his father as he listened to the people and worked towards making their lives better. He was a respectable man, one whom Striv admired. Though this brought up the matter.
"What has happened to Senator Dagonet?" Striv asked.
Dooku, for once, appeared to hesitate before answering. "Vorta's former governor Vontar Viss has taken Ryan hostage on the planet's moon of Vare."
Striv was beginning to understand the worry in his mentor. Dagonet was a prominent senator, respected by his people and his colleagues in Parliament. Governor Viss had been hated by her people as she, like the first Senator Dagonet, had exploited her people and used the Republic's corruption to better herself over her people. Word had it that the only reason she supported a withdrawal from the Republic in favour of joining the Confederacy was that several of her associates, who despised the Republic threatened to assist the people in removing her from office. Though Striv had not been aware that Viss had now been kicked out.
"You said former governor," Striv said.
"Correct," the Count replied. "Viss was relieved of her duties after losing the recent planetary election. As you can see, she did not take too kindly to this and has locked herself and Senator Dagonet in her summer home on Vare with a small company of security guards still loyal to her. The current governor, Risha Mist, has asked us to intervene. I shall be departing for Vare as soon as I am finished talking to you."
Despite his immense power and skills in combat, Striv did not like the idea of his mentor risking his life when so many people relied on him; especially when the young knight was more than capable of handling whatever this former leader had to throw at her enemies. "With all due respect Count, aren't you too busy to be dealing with a hostage situation? I mean, surely, I can handle the matter," Striv suggested.
The Count didn't look too pleased with this. "While this is true, aren't you busy yourself with New Plympto?"
"Negotiations are pretty much done and I can handle the treaty," Amil offered. "Besides, I'm sure the prime minister and the rest of the leadership of this world will understand Striv needing to depart early to save an innocent man's life."
The Count let out a deep sigh, as if releasing something, which he was. "There is one other thing."
This puzzled Striv and Amil. "And that is?" Striv asked.
"Viss is being aided by a Jedi Knight. One whom I believe you are familiar with… Rando Gears…"
That name brought back so many memories to Striv of his days as a young Jedi. He and Rando had been best friends since they were younglings. They'd supported each other up until Striv began to openly doubt the Republic and question the Jedi's loyalty to the Senate. When this happened, Rando, like many others had, turned his back on Striv.
"You my friend are a traitor and a disgrace to the Order. You're no better than a Sith Lord." Those had been Rando's final words to Striv before the latter had left the Jedi Order. They still hurt him deeply. Though as of late, Striv had come to see the Jedi as villains. Children snatchers who took kids from their homes and brainwashed them into using their powers to serve the needs of corrupt, dishonourable, spoiled politicians who neglected the responsibilities that were bestowed upon them as leaders of the galaxy. Striv had been one of them, along with his twin sister who blindly served the vile republic.
Striv hated the Jedi Order as much as he hated the Republic Senate. Still, Rando had been a close friend. They were once like brothers. But if he was threatening an innocent life, Striv couldn't let his feelings for a past friend get in the way of his duty.
"With all due respect Count Dooku, I'm more than capable of handling this accursed Jedi scum. I've trained with Rando. We sparred together as younglings and even a few times as padawans. And I've grown more powerful than he has since I left the Order. I shall bring him, the former governor and their cohorts to justice and save Senator Dagonet. This I swear on my oath to the Separatist cause," he said placing an arm and balled-up fist across his chest.
The Count's mood seemed to lighten, and even an honest smile grew on his face. "Very well take the Defense Star and leave for Vare immediately. I shall inform Governor Mist. May the Force be with you."
As soon as the transmission ended, Amil turned towards Striv with a concerned expression on her face. "Are you sure you're up for this? I mean, you've never faced a Jedi in battle before; not counting sparring matches back when you were one of them; which has been a couple of years now."
"I'll be fine," Striv assured, though Amil didn't appear convinced. "I know Rando. And while his exact actions don't sound like him, making reckless decisions do." He reached out and grabbed her hand, rubbing it softly. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Reluctantly, Amil smiled, though when she spoke again, she did so in a concerned tone of voice. "Just… just be careful. You haven't seen him in nearly two years, and you weren't exactly popular with the Jedi before you left the Order."
In response, Striv leaned in and kissed Amil's forehead, which made her blush. "Believe me, I'm more than ready for this."
He then turned away, exiting the small quarters, making his way out of the ship toward his starfighter.
Inside the extravagant and well-decorated mansion on Vare, in a room surrounded with paintings of a wealthy woman wearing several different outfits as if she were a queen, a young rodian male in tan brown robes sat, meditating while the hologram of a hooded figure spoke to him.
"I have been informed that the prestigious Separatist Knight is on his way to meet you," the mysterious figure said to the rodian.
The rodian's snout curved to form into his species' version of a smile. "Excellent!"
The mysterious figure didn't sound as pleased. "Do not underestimate him. He's been trained in the dark arts, and has become significantly more powerful since you last saw him."
The rodian pulled a small pyramid-shaped crystal from his robes; rubbing it across his sucker-tipped fingers. "Funny you should mention that," he said, "For I have also grown more powerful since we last met."
Again, the mysterious figure didn't appear convinced. "We shall see," he said right before ending the transmission.
"Oh, you'll see," Rando said. "They'll all see."
To be continued…