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Phase 32

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Part 7

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Nebula, Republic Diplomatic transport, Consular class

hyperspace, en route to Aargau

Raging emotions ensured that Padme couldn't concentrate on the task at hand – reviewing everything she knew of the people in power on Aargau and those most able to influence them. She was elated and horrified at the news slowly coming from Naboo and the Mid-Rim Alliance her world was entangled with. The relief Padme felt when Veil restored communication lines with her home world and the contact with her government that followed quickly gave way to sheer incredulity and rage, soon followed by horror and sadness.

The Senator knew that it wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to say that the Naboo she knew and loved was largely gone. All the attacks and fighting her home suffered since the war began, especially after Blue Shadow, might have broken something within her people. There was no other way for Padme to explain all the news and marching orders she got from the Queen and her government. It should have been a relief, really. What had happened obviously meant that Padme wasn't unique in choosing pragmatism and the future of her people over her ideals in a desperate bid to protect Naboo. Now, it was painfully clear that her Queen, government, and, most importantly, people were willingly walking the same dark path she had trodden first. That wasn't a source of relief like one might expect; it was anything but. Instead, everything Padme did after she lost contact with Naboo all those months ago now tasted like ash.

Padme toyed with a data pad holding messages and news from home, struggling to make sense of her emotions. Nearby, Anakin stopped his irritating pacing and finally sat in a nearby chair. He looked at her with a frown.

"I hoped that contact with Naboo would make you happier and keep you that way," Anakin offered.

"It should have! It did, then it didn't!" Padme put down the data pad, resisting the urge to throw it at one of the walls. "I don't know!"

Anakin grimaced at that. As much as she loved him, Padme knew he wasn't great at dealing with feelings, especially those of others. It didn't help that, in this case, she couldn't make heads or tails of her own emotions.

"Tell me about it?" He asked.

At least, ever since their secret came out, while the whole galaxy went mad while simultaneously being on fire, Anakin was trying to be a good husband. That one used to be very hard with the war going on and the need to hide from virtually everyone.

"Naboo is still there! I should be happy about it! I should be happy that my actions didn't make me an outcast!" Padme frowned at herself at the whine evident in her voice. She didn't whine!

"Padme, did you want to be punished or something?" Anakin asked, clearly incredulous at her words.

"How did you conclude from what I just said?" Padme demanded.

"From the way you said it and the odd mix of emotions that you blasted me with while you said it," Anakin reasonably explained.

Padme opened her mouth to retort before clamping it shut. That surely couldn't be right! She… she didn't want to be vindicated. Did she want to be wrong about what she had been doing for months?

"Padme, you are beginning to worry me here. Talk to me, please?" Anakin looked at her with a puppy-like eye.

"I don't know!" She huffed. "Why is my government backing me and Veil to the hilt?! They should have been angry at what I've been up to, even if they accepted my actions as necessary!"

"We can always blame the Separatists and the Sith?" Anakin offered.

"You mean Veil?"

"When something happens as of late, we can happily hold him responsible one way or another. You can't tell me he isn't involved in all this. We know he is!" Anakin made an all-encompassing gesture for emphasis.

"That's not making me feel better," Padme concluded.

"I don't think anyone sane could be feeling much better until this damned war is over," Anakin pointed out.

"It's true, isn't it? What you just said," Padme closed her eyes and slumped in her seat. "This war will keep breaking and twisting everyone and everything until it is over for good."

"All we could do is our best to see it over sooner rather than later.

Padme slowly nodded. Anakin was right about that.

=RK=

Bank of Aargau Arcology, Aargau
Zug System, contested space

Only the Nebula could come anywhere near the planet, much less land. Her escorts remained on the system's edge, under the watchful eye of warships loyal to Aargau and its allies across the sector. The mere fact that such an important system went rogue months ago, dragging its whole sector with it, was a sign of the times. Its location so close to Coruscant and many vital, still intact industrial centers meant that the hyperplanes leading to this region of space had to be constantly covered by Republic naval elements, creating yet another bleeding wound that stretched the military thinner and thinner.

Padme's job was to resolve the issue through diplomacy because the price for doing so through military might would be too heavy in lives and material, not to mention the potentially disastrous diplomatic consequences. To make the situation even murkier, Aargau's authorities did have a legal justification for what they were doing, even if under different circumstances, they would be hard-pressed to justify what was practically secession and 'armed neutrality.'

As if all that wasn't bad enough, the official and primary reason Padme was here was to negotiate with the Bank of Aargau as an influential member of the Banking Clans that remained loyal and friendly to the Republic.

At least Anakin's presence and their conversation made Padme feel a bit better before they arrived in the system.

They pointedly landed on a large landing pad that still showed clear signs of combat. This was one of the locations where the locals fought the Clones deployed to keep the system and planet safe from the Confederacy. In the process, those Republic troops broke one of the three most essential laws on Aargau.

Padme shouldn't have been surprised that Aargau only acted once the leaders here believed the Republic was on its deathbed. That belief was behind the key reason she was here, ready to negotiate with people who betrayed the Republic in its hour of need. Otherwise, the so-called Emergency Council wouldn't exist, and Aargau and its sector would still be a part of the Republic.

The reception committee was meant to make a point that Padme couldn't miss. Two large blocks of soldiers in impressive-looking gear waited for her, flanking a representative of the Emergency Council running affairs in the sector. There wasn't even a high-ranking representative ready to meet the Republic delegation, merely a local bureaucrat.

When all was said and done, the locals were toeing a fine line between making a statement, demonstrating power, and leveling a not-so-thinly veiled insult at the Republic. Once upon a time, Padme would have despaired at the string of disasters that led to this state of affairs. In that regard, repeated shocks to the systems had a numbing effect, as she found out months ago.

Padme schooled her face into an expression of polite interest as she examined their hosts. She knew she hadn't fully gotten to grips with her emotions. It was just that she could no longer muster the capacity to care. After all, it was countless selfish, small-minded, arrogant fools who brought the galaxy to its knees and ensured it would burn in a war like no other. That was the same kind of smug, grasping fools she would have to negotiate with in the foreseeable future.

Anakin looked warily at Padme while she felt an uncharacteristic sense of vicious vindication grasp her heart. If she had to walk this path they were all damned to endure, she could at least do it to the best of her ability and damn everyone who would endanger her people.

=RK=

Part 8

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In the wake of Operation Star Hammer, Governor Gideon Tarkin of Eriadu is conducting a series of state visits across the Core. This is the latest controversial move to come from the infamous Mid-Rim Alliance...

Holonet News

What is the difference between this so-called Mid-Rim Alliance and the Separatists we fight? Are they any better than all the traitors who broke away from the Republic after Chancellor Palpatine's assassination? They should return to the fold while they still can!

From a discussion on the Holonet Core politics forums

During a private ceremony today, Admiral Joanna Holt from Corellia received the Holt Cross for her service in the war to date. The highly decorated admiral will enjoy a brief recovery period after participating in intense battles before the Separatist Grand Offensive and before returning to active duty.

Corellian Daily News

Governor Tarkin will conclude his tour of the Core with a visit to Anaxes later this week…

GNN

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Sirpar Hills, Pols Anaxes
Anaxes, Axum system

Gideon Tarkin arguably arrived at one of the most important meetings of his tour in the back of a quiet limousine – the only kind of vehicle allowed to move above the ground across the Sirpar Hills. This area surrounding Anaxes' capital was as much a natural preserve as a retreat to the wealthiest and most powerful families on the planet. More importantly, this was one of the few places in the galaxy where members of the most Generational families who served the Galactic Republic's military and Judicial forces for thousands of years had residences here. Those varied from vast ancient family mansions to small villas for those houses that weren't native to the planet. Being granted the ability to purchase even the smallest residence upon these hills was a privilege earned not with mere wealth but through centuries of storied and faithful services.

Despite their long-standing efforts and service, the Tarkin family would have to keep proving themselves for a few more centuries to become part of the exclusive club he would be meeting tonight. The mere fact he was here was an incredible achievement, tarnished by a singular fact – it was the sign of the sorry state of the galaxy in general and the Republic in particular. If anything, Wilhuf should have been here in his stead.

Nevertheless, he was grateful for the invitation and the unique opportunity it represented in these turbulent times.

By the time Tarkin arrived, many of the gathering participants were already in the back of House Teshik's mansion, enjoying cool drinks in the shade within a lush garden. While the place had various open areas where hundreds of people could quickly gather, it also offered many secluded nooks perfect for private conversations.

Familiar faces and crests of famous Houses confirmed the importance of this outing for Gideon. From the sight of it, every military family of note serving the Republic had representatives already here. By the look of it, there were still many guests to arrive before they could truly begin.

Gideon shook hands, made introductions, and greeted people he had already worked with during the war and in the long years of anti-piracy operations Eriaduy was involved with before the current chaos unfolded. Coburns, Tallons, Holts, Helaws, and Tagges were merely a few famous Houses with key members present and ready to represent them.

Initially, Gideon had to answer various leading questions, which were obviously aimed at judging his political inclinations. It wasn't hard to figure out that practically everyone present was poisoned by all the ceaseless politics in the Core that strangled the war effort. The people here should know – these families had cadet branches and scions all over the Core. That meant they could influence and gain information on the actions of various local governments, which didn't cover themselves in glory during the ongoing conflict.

What took Gideon aback was that no one bothered to hide their disdain at the political situation. The people here, who were for all intents and purposes the backbone of the Republic military due to their presence on all levels of its officer corps, were all venting their spleen at what was happening across the Core, blaming it on short-sighted politicians. The opportunity and the scope of danger here couldn't be understated.

Wilhuf might not have been here; however, Veil's other crony, Joanna Holt, arrived with little fanfare. So this was the kind of mandatory vacation she had to take to recover from all the insanity working with the Sith entailed. It dawned on Gideon that his brother and his Sith accomplice had a hand in him being here. In that regard, he suddenly viewed his unexpected invitation to this get-together with sudden apprehension. What were those two up to now?!

"Governor Tarkin!" Someone proclaimed in a deep baritone. Gideon looked to his right to see one of the young scions of House Tagge from the branches of the family who remained loyal to the Republic. The only reason Gideon was familiar with the man was the scandal surrounding the Tagge's main branch, who joined the Separatists, which drowned their house in infamy while making those who remained loyal that much more notable.

Brace Tagge was a tall, broad-chested young man with a crop of blond hair in a short military cut. "I am glad you could make it!" The man's voice boomed through the small alcove Tarkin was standing under. "Our host would like to speak with you, Governor."

"Lead the way, Mr. Tagge," Gideon nodded at the youngster, who appeared to be in his last year of academy training. His presence here was notable – many young officers would soon be on the front, and at least some of them should have been busy studying and training at the nearby military academies.

On the way to meet the leaders of House Treshik, Tagge introduced Gideon to the up-and-coming scion of House Mecceti from Tapani Space – one Octavian Grant. Despite his youth, he was de facto in charge of the Tapani Sector's naval forces, a position Grant had achieved both due to his high birth and competence as a naval tactician. Like Gideon, he was among the few odd people sticking out in such a gathering – despite their rank or history of service or even ancient noble titles, they weren't counted among the Generationals.

Tagge led him to a large wooden table carved from the stump of what used to be an immense tree.

"Governor Tarkin, let me introduce you to the Honorable Lord Gregory Teshik and his son, Commander Osvald Teshik," Tagge did as he had been obviously instructed before making himself scarce.

Father and son could have been mirror copies of each other save for the scars and cybernetic implants marring the side of the scion's face.

"Governor," The Teshik patriarch greeted jovially. "We've been watching your people's exploits as of late with keen interest. You've made your House and people proud."

"I am honored at the high prize, Lord Teshik," Gideon offered a small, appropriate bow.

"I won't waste your time with empty platitudes, Governor. Such games of words and empty promises got us all here in the first place."

That was undoubtedly blunt and to the point. Generally, it wasn't how any political operator of Teshik's ability and position got things done. This, combined with everything else Gideon heard and suspected that evening, made him once again re-evaluate the importance of this gathering.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence, Lord Teshik," was all Gideon said, leaving his host to make the first move.

"Among our friends and allies here, we have families who served the Republic from its inception all those millennia ago. Most of us have been proud to serve it for thousands of years," Teshik's gray eyebrows locked into a thin line as he glowered, "only for the Senate and the politicians behind it to throw it all away in less than a century. The Republic we were so proud to serve and protect is no more," a finality in the Lord's voice sent shivers down Gideon's spine.

What could happen here tonight would be either highly beneficial to Eriadu and the Mid-Rim Alliance or an utter and unmitigated disaster.

"The last straw for many of us here on Anaxes was when the volunteer corps under Colonel Tano had to engage the Republic's own Clone troopers on Coruscant itself because the Senate is beyond useless," Osvald Teshik interjected.

That mess had been something else, only rivaled by the utter disaster in the Corellian system. In part, news of those events helped key people within the Alliance make up their minds about supporting Veil's mad gambits as of late because they highlighted a simple truth Gideon's host was painfully aware of – the Republic utterly failed during this war. That was also one of the many reasons why Gideon backed his brother to the hilt with the Mid-Rim Alliance project.

"That was bad enough. This last successful offensive was the last chance to save the Republic," Gregory stated and couldn't entirely hide the pain in his voice. "Instead of our esteemed political leaders doing their best to take advantage of this success, they betrayed us and the very ideals of the Republic yet again, ensuring it is dead and would stay dead."

Gideon merely raised an inquiring eyebrow at that.

"You know what I am talking about, Governor. Otherwise, General Veil wouldn't have had to come to your people to beg for aid to liberate Mandalore. He would have had all the assets needed to push the enemy as far back as logistics allow, buying us all more breathing space and time!"

"You are aware of the true reasons behind my state visits," Gideon nodded, not really surprised.

His meetings made one thing abundantly clear – many of those determined to continue fighting the war had a particular outcome in mind for the state of the galaxy when the shooting was over. That galaxy would ideally not have things

like a relevant Mandalorian state or a Mid-Rim Alliance as anything but a footnote in the history books. Of course, people didn't outright say so to his face. However, there was no other way to interpret their actions and inaction.

"This little gathering has a singular purpose. We are to decide on a course of action and act as one to see it through," Lord Teshik explained.

"That is quite ambitious, my Lord," Gideon spoke blandly while his mind raced. If the Generationals could act with a unified voice, they could exert tremendous political pressure across many important governments all over the Core and beyond.

It was becoming exceedingly clear that there was more of a rift between the military and political establishments busy fighting the war than anyone suspected. Otherwise, Gideon wouldn't have this conversation, which was borderline treason.

"What do you intend to do, my Lord?" Gideon asked warily.

"I will have a few answers from you, Governor. Then we will see…"