Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Star Wars. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not created with a commercial aim. I make no money from it.

Phase 27: Victory, you say?

=RK=

Phase 7

=RK=

Chancellor's suite

Senate Building

Coruscant

Anakin fidgeted within his brand new dark green GAR uniform. He would have much preferred his usual dark clothes or baring that, a proper armor. It was not to be. They would be leaving for their mission shortly, and this one was supposed to be a purely diplomatic affair. The regular kind of diplomacy, instead of Padme's particular brand of aggressive negotiations. He certainly hoped so. However, they would be leaving with a heavy escort drawn from Coruscant's defensive fleet just in case.

Beside him, Padme wore her dress with a serene smile on her face. She showed no sign that the monstrosity of veils and things he couldn't name even if his life depended on it had to be uncomfortable. At least she looked divine, which made him look like the odd man out, especially with the Chancellor and her other guest around.

The Chancellor wore a heavy golden dress of all things. The thing was overly large, up to the point he had no idea how she moved in it without mechanical assistance or telekinesis. Honestly, Anakin would have very much preferred to be out on the front scrapping droids. If that was the case, he would miss the latest lesson on how much the Republic he was supposed to protect as kriffed up and rotten.

This was the third or fourth time he had met Minister Praji in the flesh. That man was one of Satine's political allies. More importantly, he was one of the primary avenues she used to get a feel on how the Republic's fraying government would react to the various changes being shoved down its throat from above. Today, he didn't look particularly happy. In fact, he radiated anger and unease.

"Chancellor, the latest proposed changes…" Praji trailed off when he heard his combative tone.

Satine didn't react. She merely sipped her herbal tea keeping a blank expression.

"While I'm not usually dealing with finances, I can already tell you that those changes will have a disastrous effect on our revenue streams. The changes in taxation and those overhauls over the laws governing the loans our government could lend, they'll cripple us in the long run."

"That's the point," Satine explained in a detached tone.

However, Anakin had no trouble telling how she felt under the facade she wore. To say the Chancellor was infuriated would be a charming understatement.

The Minister stared at Satine blankly. His expression shifted into something ugly. "That's insane!"

"That's what our lords and masters want in exchange for financing the war and keeping the economy from collapse until the conflict is resolved. These changes and those yet to come would ensure that various conglomerates within the Core would profit mightily from loans and contracts when it's time for reconstruction. They would also greatly undermine the Republic's power by controlling our purse strings. In fact, it would be close to impossible to make independent fiscal policy without consulting and reaching an agreement with at least two dozen parties." Satine calmly explained.

"That's not all, Satine." Padme finally spoke. "If all those reforms come through, the Core will literally own most of the Colonies and Mid-Rim. They'll have their claws in whatever Outer Rim territory the military manages to recover as well. It would be in order to ensure certain barbaric parties can't become uppity again, at least officially."

"If this goes through, we'll be throwing whole sectors in the hands of the Separatists! If they come knocking again, I don't even want to think about the support they'll gain!"

That was the bantha in the room. In these circles, it was no secret that despite what the news and various "experts" proclaimed, victory was a faraway mirage. Until recently, the Republic fought not to win but to survive. The price for a clear military victory might very well be unsustainable. No, scratch that, the more Anakin saw of how the Republic ran, the surer he became that a military victory might be flat out impossible because no-one bar the military would want to pay the necessary price. The war was far from over, the Republic as far from being reasonably secure yet, despite that, politicians kept bickering and obstructing!

"My friend, now you see the true face of the galaxy." Palpatine's ghost had come while Anakin wasn't paying enough attention close to notice him. "That's what I fought in the Senate for decades. This is the true face of the Republic stripped of all pretenses. The people who rule the Core don't care for naught but power and influence. They'll gleefully throw the rest of the galaxy into the fire to improve their positions."

"I'm beginning to see that." Anakin mentally responded. "This was the true threat, wasn't it? It was never supposed to be the Separatists…"

"Finally you see. It was this kind of thinking and actions over hundreds, nay thousands of years that led to this war. The Senate as dysfunctional as it was, was merely a symptom. You can see it these days. With so many Senators dead or arrested, the place exists for little more than to put their stamp on Satine's decisions. Yet, the people who pulled its strings are now in the open, ready to discard any and all trappings of democracy. They'll use your young friend as a figurehead. She'll be a sacrificial pawn to blame everything on if they have their way, and then, they'll take more direct control. If you let them." Palpatine had rarely sounded this serious before.

Anakin saw indeed. He saw how easy it was to neuter the Senate when its masters saw a better option. He could see how many people in power were happily coming on board with the idea of an Empire. However, they weren't doing it with the best of intentions. It was all about power, about slipping the restrains that kept them from doing too much damage. Worst of all, he had to be one of the people enabling those utter bastards or risk losing the war.

Then and there, Anakin made his decision. He had seen enough, he had heard enough and he had experienced more than enough. The Republic he was supposed to protect, the embodiment of the ideals of freedom and justice was nothing more than a convenient lie.

The galaxy needed something more, something true. It needed something worthy of Padme's struggles and sadly, the Republic was never such an entity. The New Order they were now struggling to build was raw and malleable. It had the potential to become a ravenous monster, and Anakin could see people doing their best to shove it on such a darker path. He refused to let it stand, in no small part because being part of something like that might very well break Padme.

"If we let this stand, we'll be no better than the Separatists." Anakin blurted out.

Three sets of eyes focused on him.

"I agree." That vote of confidence surprisingly came from Praji, while the two women looked curiously at him.

"I can't say I disagree, Anakin." For the first time since the meeting began, Satine let a hint of her true feeling taint her voice. "However, we don't have many options at this time."

"Don't we?" Anakin smirked.

"Do I dare ask what mischief you're plotting, Anakin?" Padme inquired with genuine interest.

"I've been keeping my eyes and ears wide open those past few months. I've been checking with Snips from time to time. Reading between the lines, Veil's pet monster will soon have the Kuati government subverted if she hasn't done it already. She has Onara Kuat eating from her hand already."

"We might have to follow that particular example. Otherwise, all of this will be for nothing. Who exactly is behind the latest unpleasantries?" Anakin asked.

"Everyone." Satine grimaced.

"What do you mean, everyone?" Padme lost her serene mask.

"I'm speaking literally. Virtually every single intact corporation in the Core is salivating at the thought of contracts when we get to rebuild after the war. The same is true for local governments and all kinds of banking institutions. They're all lobbying for the removal of the various laws and statutes that would prevent them from practically owning large chunks of the galaxy through unfair contracts, loans with currently illegal requirements, and everything else legal or illegal anyone could think of. It's a bonus that succeeding would cripple the Republic's central authority. It would also torpedo what credibility and legitimacy we have left. Which is in no small part the point of the exercise. If I don't happily agree, many of the allies we need will have second thoughts. Most governments aren't supporting us of the goodness of their hearts, Anakin. They're doing it because we can give them more than they could reasonably gain under the Republic, faster too. They don't want a strong central authority keeping them in check either."

"Just today, I already had to deal with suggestions and demands from our 'allies' from all across the Republic. Many of them anyone sane would be morally opposed to. I've got stacks upon stacks of data-pads and data drives full of 'suggestions' that would be great for various local governments and alliances while harming their neighbor and rivals. That's what I'm dealing with all day, every day. Frankly, I'm missing a working Senate, because most of those suggestions and dictates would not fly if uttered in public." Satine huffed in frustration. "I can't afford to dismiss them outright or leak them to the media without making an unacceptable number of enemies."

"Yes, this sounds right. It's what I had to deal with for decades." Palpatine nodded sagely. "That's why I began planning for a new order. It would be a hard way, a perilous path, yet if it works, it would be worth it. We have the priceless opportunity to bring forth a new age for the galaxy. A better age."

Anakin couldn't help it and nod in agreement. For the first time in a long while, perhaps ever, he had a cause he could fully stand behind, beyond eradicating slavery across the galaxy.

=RK=

Phase 8

=RK=

Confederate Council Meeting Chambers

Raxulon City

Raxus Prime

It wasn't often that these days the Confederate Council met in person. It as even rare, that they would have multiple observers from all over the Confederacy during such a meeting. While not quite a public secret, it was clear to everyone that the these days the real power behind the Confederacy was concentrated within three of its largest founding factions, and through them, their leaders and representatives.

The Triumvirate, as they were called, did go out of their way to maintain the illusion that the survival of the Confederacy didn't hinge upon the shoulders of the Trade Federation, Techno Union and the Intergalactic Banking Clans faction supporting them. However, the simple truth was that between the three of them, those factions controlled between sixty and seventy percent of the Confederate military and industry. If not directly then through economic and political strings. To their credit, and due to cynical calculation if rumor was to be believed, the Triumvirate and the Council they were part of, did go out of their way to give the CIS member state the time of the day and address a number of their concerns in practice. That was sadly more than the distant Republic Senate on Coruscant, or often the Republic as a whole, ever did for them.

Notably, a large number of representatives from various worlds that recently seceded from the Republic stood as observers during this meeting. Some of them had taken the final plunge and now acted as Senators in the legeslative branch of the Confederacy. A number of observers represented worlds that couldn't afford to openly align themselves with the CIS even if their sympathies now laid closer to the Confederacy than to the Republic.

The Council itself had an important new addition in the furry form of one Borsk Fry'lya. He was the freshly elected leader of the Bothan Alignment, the name taken by the Bothan colonies in the aftermath of Bothawui's destruction by the Sith. The primary reason for his rapid ascension was simple – he was now the person holding the political leash of the Bothan Spy Net, and thus invaluable for the Confederacy.

As it happens, the primary reason for this particular meeting were in fact the Sith and their influence upon the Republic.

That day, the rotating Chair of the Council was San Hill. The exceptionally tall Muun towered over everyone even when seated. He took a moment to look around and make sure that everyone was either on the table or present through secure communications channel. That done, he opened the meeting.

"Honored members of the Council, Senate Representatives, and observers." He began in a solemn tone that carried easily around the acoustic secure chamber. "This meeting of the Confederate Council is now in session. The primary agenda of the meeting are the Sith and how to deal with them. Any questions and issues you might want to raise not pertaining to that topic would have to wait until we've reached resolution. Considering recent events, this Council believes that it is high time to brief you all on one of the best well kept secrets of the Confederacy. It pertains a certain group of allies, who until recently had to act from the shadows, both for their own and our protection."

A new hologram flickered into existence above the gleaming metal round table the Council sat around.

"This is Jedi Master Jerrod Perrion, from the Old Republic. He represents the Old Republic Remnant…" Hill trailed off while excited chatter and a number of disbelieving shouts echoed throughout the chamber.

"The Sith Veil wasn't the only one who found himself into the future." Trest Ilroth's deep voice boomed, eventually silencing the various exclamations. "It was Master Perrion's people who warned us about the true nature of Count Dooku and prompted the investigation that exposed him and and those like him who wanted to use the Confederacy for their own sinister purposes."

That got everyone's attention.

"Good evening, Gentlebeings." Perrion greeted in a genial tone. Wearing pristine brown robes over gray armor, he cut a familiar figure to those acquinted with the Jedi. "I'm glad I can finally greet our allies openly. On behalf of the Old Republic Remnant, you have my gratitude. You're among the few people in the galaxy fighting for an ideal that the Republic existing today lost a long time ago."

The man spoke confidently and with charisma that rivalred the very much not lamented Count Dooku.

"I regret to inform you that today I'm not here to bring good news, on the contrary." Perrion continued. "You're familiar with the abilities of Count Dooku. You've seen many records of how the Jedi of this era fight. Some of you, have seen records of what my people are capable of as well."

A few grim nods answered the Jedi Master, while his words earned him many more curious looks.

"Despite his claims and all the crimes they committed, Count Dooku and his Master, Chancellor Palpatine, also know as Darth Sidious, were nothing more than powerful Dark Jedi. However, that was enough for them to plunge the galaxy in the worst war it had seen in a thousand years. It was more than enough for them to take control of the two notable powers existing in the galaxy today, the corrupt Republic and the noble Confederacy of Independent Systems."

The way Perrion spoke, his listeners pay attention. His words and bearings, the earnest way he carried himself, sang to something deep within everyone who listened.

"You removed a grave threat to the galaxy as whole, and that is something you should be forever proud of." Perrion continued with admiration clear in his voice. "However, by doing so, the Confederacy merely uncovered the real threat. Darth Vael, better known as General Delkatar Veil of the Republic and Mandalore, the new leader of the Mandalorian people."

When Perrion said the name, a new hologram sprung to life on above the table in front of him. It was a figure everyone in the room knew very well. Beside it came another, an ancient recording capturing the Butcher of Onderon in action.

"Vael is not enough. Recently, on a fact-checking mission to Kuat, we confirmed that Darth Zash, his ancient Master was still alive and aligned with him. Between the two of them, they're in control of the Republic Government, the Mandalorians and recently, the Mid-Rim Alliance created through Vael's direct machinations. Make no mistake, those two are no mere Dark Jedi, they're true Dark Lords of the Sith with all that entails."

Perrion's proclamation rang with the severity of a death sentence.

"As far as we knew, until recently anyway, the Sith were extinct for very long time. While a few of our esteemed members need no reminder of what kind of monsters we're dealing with," at that San Hill nodded gravely at Fey'lya, "others haven't experienced the Sith's crimes first hand. You've fought them for decades. What can you tell us? What can you warn us of?"

"As I've said, Vael and Zash are powerful in the Force. They could ravage whole armies or fleets. Could destroy the life on whole worlds. For all that power, what makes them most dangerous is a singular more sinister and low key ability. You see, it has always been a very convenient lie that only Force Sensitive people, especially those trained to use the Force, could be corrupted and twisted by the Sith." Perrion explained. "A Sith Lord, the real thing, like those we're dealing with, they don't merely influence those touched by the Force and able to use it. By their mere presence they can subtly andd slowly influence people without even trying. When they put their minds to it…" Perrion trailed off when the noise from the Council and observers became too much.

"Onara Kuat is a prime example of this!" Borsk Fey'lya barked. "The Bothan Spy Net can confirm that the Republic," he sneered at that, "Or at least the Core Worlds pulling its strings planned to just use the Sith and the Mandalorians as disposable tools to win the war and gain even more direct power. Onara Kuat was one of the leaders behind that plot."

"I met the woman on Kuat when I attempted to neutralize the Sith." Perrion grimaced. "I unfortunately failed in no small part due to the disaster that interrupted our battle. I can confirm that Onara Kuat is now one of Darth Zash's creatures."

"Through her, the Sith would soon have complete control over the KDY, and with that comes control of Kuat's government." Fey'lya pointed out.

"Further, Darh Vael continues to spread his tentacles throughout the GAR. Everything my people have been able to discover, confirmed by the Confederacy's intelligence services paints a grim picture. The escalation of the war from the Republic's military could be directly traced to Vael's influence." Perrion lowered his voice. "Just like those among the Confederacy's could be laid at the feet of Dooku and his people."

=RK=

If you want to support my writing or discuss this story, see the following links:

Pat re on: Delkatar's writing corner

the space battles forums - this is where most discussion over my stories takes place

the sufficient velocity forums