Chapter 2

Jedi Master Mace Windu stood in front of the large, slightly greasy window. Clearly, it was not window washing day for the Senate building. He stared at the speeders zipping past in the distance, their lights blurring together. A large sweeper droid scrolled down the immaculate hallway, humming away. The Senate Building was not his favoured building on the surface of Coruscant. He much preferred the Jedi Temple. Right now, he should have been back in the Council chamber, debating with his fellow Jedi over which action to take to improve the crisis that had gripped the Republic. Or on a mission, dispensing justice against pirates or criminals and protecting those who couldn't.

But here he was, answering a summons from the Supreme Chancellor. Personally, he thought that Chancellor Palpatine had been abusing his power lately. This was the fourth time in only a fortnight that he had summoned a member of the Jedi Council to his office on urgent business. Normally, Yoda would come, but he was preoccupied teaching one of the numerous youngling clans. Mace couldn't remember which Clan exactly. It was important work, and vital to the survival of the Jedi Order. It just meant that Mace had needed to go in the aging Jedi's place.

But for a reason unknown to the Jedi Master, the Chancellor had the decency to leave Mace standing outside of the office because of 'an important matter', in the crowded hallway. Passing Senators stared at him and gossiped, intrigued by the presence of a Jedi in the building. He nodded to the few who passed that he knew, either personally or by reputation. But there were thousands of senators, attendees and aides spread out through the dome-shaped building, each belonging to a world that he may not have even heard of, much less visited.

"Master Windu!", he felt a heavy hand land on his left shoulder and turned to see his long-time friend Bail Organa grinning down at him. "You look older every time I see you, my friend."

"The weight of responsibility, Senator Organa.", the Jedi Master replied, smiling in kind.

Bail laughed heartily, "I suppose that you would know of responsibility, my friend. I still remember the time you saved me on Paloon IV. How does a Jedi deal with knowing that everyone looks up to them for guidance and protection?"

"We have classes in the Temple that teach us to act confident. I can sign you up, if you'd like.", Mace gave the joke one of his rare smiles. It may not have been particularly funny, but the grim smiles always seemed the make the Senator laugh.

Indeed, the Senator let out a quiet chortle. Then his face went back to the serious expression he usually adopted. "I was actually about to travel to your Temple, my friend. I have a few questions for you and the Council. But since you are here now, I feel it would be remis to not discuss here."

"I cannot take a vacation to Alderaan, Bail.", Mace's smile dimmed slightly. He hadn't come here to discuss politics with the Senators. He just wanted to get back to the Temple, "I've told you that before."

The Senator shook his head, his expression sobering. "No, I actually wanted to discuss the troubling news from Pantora."

"You mean the attacks?", Mace asked as recognition located the event in his mind. Indeed, the moon of Pantora had seemed to have its share of trouble lately. Someone had been placing powerful explosives in strategic locations around the planet. Already, four cities had been targeted, and the mysterious bomber, the Pantorans had been calling them terrorists, had not been seen once. No one had claimed responsibility for the attacks, and even worse was the fact that the Pantoran Assembly, led by Chairman Chi Cho, was refusing aid from the Republic. Yet, the attackers continued to ignite bombs around the planet, spreading confusion and terror throughout the populace. There were rumours from the Republic Information Bureau that the civilian's local medical supplies were running short.

Bail frowned as Mace answered, "I have been meeting with other Senators. All of our sources say the same thing. The people are suffering. The casualties are climbing. The Republic needs to do something, Mace. Why have the Jedi not sent aid?"

"Normally we would.", Mace lent against the wall. "But this has been labelled a political dispute by the Senate. The Pantorans have not asked for help, nor has the Senate given the order to overrule their decision. The Chancellor is refusing to fund a relief mission until the entire Senate come to a decision. With the rest of the Mid Rim also having similar problems, it seems that our limited military is stretched thin."

The Mid Rim was in chaos, in fact. Mon Cala had been attacked by pirate targeting their orbital fuel pods. Trade Federation ships were being hijacked across systems by unknown assailants who left no one alive to question. Even the shadowy world of Nor Tula had its share of trouble, where the locals were attempting to rise up. With Jedi kept busy at each of these locations, it was difficult to continuously monitor each outcrop of chaos as they sprung up. Military might had also been deployed, using tactics organised by the leading military expert, Director Tane.

"That should not matter.", another voice chimed in. The two men turned to see a young woman dressed in an elegant white dress gliding towards them. "Pantora is in need of assistance. It is our duty as the leaders on the Republic to give them the help that they need."

Mace felt his heart leap in his throat, but swallowed it down as he bowed deeply at the waist. He knew Senator Mothma by reputation only, but admired her position on matters that the Senate handled. "Senator Mothma. It is an honor to finally meet you."

"And you, Master Jedi.", the Senator tilted her head respectfully at him, "Though I shall admit I do not understand your opinion regarding the matter. I was under the impression that the Jedi served the Republic, do you not? Is Pantora not a member of the Republic?"

"Mace had just finished explaining to me that the Navy is spread thin trying to deal with the attacks throughout the Mid and Outer Rim. The Republic is unable to amas the resources to assist Pantora.", Bail intervened quickly. He spread his hands at Mon in a calming gesture. "From what Master Windu has been telling me, the fact that the Jedi serve the Republic seems to be precisely the issue here. With the military assisting these other worlds, the Senate is refusing to send aid without permission from the Chairman. If not for the Senate, the Jedi could send Pantora those supplies."

"Do we know why the Chairman is refusing our aid?", Mace asked. He didn't like politics, and had been about to subtly insult the politicians who drew up the law. He thought better of it. Senators like Organa and Mothma had spent their whole lives receiving and giving the subtlest of hints and insults. Instead, he tried to gather intel to report back to the Council.

"He is a proud man.", Mothma replied. "Chi Cho was a part of the Pantoran military. He feels that his homeworld security forces are adequate. When it comes to trusting the Republic military though, he is… hesitant."

Bail nodded and added his opinion to the conversation, "Not to mentioned that he does not want to be seen accepting help from a Senate he does not trust. All he sees is politics, and he never trusts politics."

I can relate, Mace thought.

"If the Senate could vote unanimously,", Mothma mused as she looked around at the Senators milling about, "we could vote past his authority and send any aid regardless. But that will never happen."

"Who in the Senate is not allowing the Republic to aid them?", Mace asked. He already had an idea of who the troublesome persons were. "Why do they vote against it?"

Both Senators looked at him, as if they had been expecting this question, yet silently hoping he wouldn't ask it. Mon answered, "There are of course the Trade Federation. Lott Dod knows they would be called upon to deliver those supplies. They claim that their ships cannot land with such a danger on the ground, and they would be targets for other attacks. They also say that the Republic should have plenty of supplies to share on their own, without the support of the Federation's stockpiles."

"Then there is the Banking Clan.", Bail's fingers curled into loose fists as he said it, "They say that the credits used in this single transaction will cripple the Republic's future infrastructure projects. However, my sources tell me that they are attempting to stockpile credits for something else."

"Both of these parties have supporters who rely on them for commerce and trade, and will therefore vote with them.", Mon continued, "But the hardest one to change is Pantora itself."

"However, it seems that the wheels of democracy change every day.", a whispery voice joined their circle. Mace turned to see Chancellor Palpatine himself, flanked by two blue-armored senate guards. "I sympathise with the Pantoran people, and I have been in contact with both Chairman Cho and Senator Trav-iss. We may have a way to help them after all. I was going to discuss this privately with Master Windu, but I suppose I can let you know. In strict confidence only, of course."

Both Senators bowed politely to him, "Of course, Chancellor."

The older man turned back to the Jedi. "Although Pantora wishes to weather this attack themselves, they do need our help. Their wounded are quickly over filling the hospitals. They need supplies. Chi Cho wants an undocumented mission to drop relief supplies and take the wounded to a better facility. He also wants the best security we can offer for this transfer. I need the Jedi to send as many as they can spare can to protect this shipment."

"Why does the chairman allow this now?", Mace asked, "It was my understanding that he was thus far refusing even the independent planet's assistance."

"He needs to keep the people on his side, and over 30,000 citizens are in critical condition. They need medical evacuation to the Mel Hullt research station. It is the nearest facility with the required equipment for their needs.", Palpatine answered briskly, "This is of the utmost importance. I want you to personally lead the mission, Master Windu."

Mace bowed at the waist. "I can take a team of eight Jedi, your excellency. The rest are needed elsewhere."

"Of course.", the Chancellor nodded his head folding his hands into his robes sleeves, "Keep in mind that this is a delicate situation, Master Windu. Pantora is already under scrutiny by much of the Senate. They wish to keep this transfer a secret. However, we are not only evacuating those who are injured, but we will be setting up temporary hospitals might be exactly what they need right now. Once it is revealed that these hospitals hold Republic officers, could they not also become targets for the terrorists to attack? How would you recommend we protect our own people?"

It was Bail who answered, and he looked unhappy that he had to. "You are sending military forces."

The Chancellor inclined his head at the man, recognizing the Alderaan Senator. "The Fifth Fleet, to be precise, Senator Organa. Admiral Yularen is already standing by above the planet Kuat. They await your answer, Master Windu."

Mace considered his answer carefully. He knew what he would do. But he was not the head of the Jedi Order. He was a member of the Ruling Council. "I will need to discuss this with the other Jedi, Chancellor. I will give you my reply as soon as I can."

And with that, he left the Senate behind, and returned to the Temple.

Bit of a switch from the last chapter, I know.

I hope you enjoyed it, because it is definitely setting up the rest of the book.

Phil