[17 BBY]
[Temporary Ambassadorial District, Bothawui, Both System, Bothan Sector, Mid Rim]
Padmé Amidala despaired for what had once been, and was frustrated by what was, as she sat at the table where peace was more dictated than negotiated. That, and Padmé missed her twins, missed Anakin…missed a place in time she wanted those precious to her to grow up in, just like she had. But that place didn't exist anymore, War had shattered it, and nothing showed that more than this…she would not say farce, but it was mockery of a sort to what had been the Republic. For placing what had once been a united Republic, but was now squabbling younglings in truth, was nothing more than a boon to the Separatists. Which was why they had done it of course the Senator recognised, though it had only served to imbue all who served the Republic with anger towards across from them at the table.
'Even if we can do little about such matters' was the unfortunate follow up to that, as it was either this or leave these negotiations, even as they were played off against one another by the Separatists. Or, well, most of them were, as Jar Jar's delegation…and it was easier to think of it as her friend's, and her homeworld's, than of the coalition of warlords it was considered by most…
Well, the delegation Senator Binks was with had rather simpler and more straightforward goals than Padmé's or those representing that monster Palpatine, or the tyrants that held Coruscant; - recognise our territory and independence. Everything else was truly just dressing on a new windowpane. Those under the aegis of the Tarkin family were claiming defacto independence without saying directly, that were almost a quasi-Republic or Empire within the Galactic Republic…
While refusing to officially acknowledge any of the others as leading the Republic. Instead that they were part of the 'Galactic Republic', defacto representing its ideals and institutions while not recognising, nor opposing, those 'Core Regions currently engaged in 'civil disorder' with the Republic as a whole. It was, quite simply, a nonsense. One that angered most everyone equally, beyond the Separatists of course, but also something that could not be active engaged as if Eriadu managed to extricate itself from the war…only the Separatists truly had the means to siege them down for now. That and some sort of background agreements seemed to have been made as Garm Bel Iblis had not objected to the nonsense, nor, after a brief outburst those first days, had the overbearing Senator representing the Alsakan-Coruscant junta.
'For they are playing us against each other, just as the Separatists are' Padmé understood, even if she felt far less anger there as it…kept Naboo safe. Naboo, her Naboo, so battered and constantly harmed in these dark days, and she could not even return there right now to grieve with her people, to help them. Because, even now, as they talked of peace, fleets were clashing, armies rampaging across worlds, as the war continued and all Padmé's dreams of the past were ashes in the wind. Negotiations by other means as somebody here had let slip at the 'informal' talks, as a rare showing of unity from the factions of the Republic.
Unity.
Padmé could both laugh and weep at the absurd concept as it was shown here. All that had been done was that they had all decided to collectively stop killing each other for now so they could grab systems off the Separatists. Then they would all return to the dark and terrible business of warring up each other once a 'Peace' had been agreed here. Peace that was just words on a paper to end one war, to therefore, allow one war to be fought, all so another could be fought after that. For War was all the galaxy seemed to so love right now…
For that was how you negotiated now in the galaxy.
Ah, you have systems there? Why we hold Bellasa and threaten them!
Why we have retaken Zeltros! Liberated it you could say! Now it's ours! Think of the cost of taking it back!
Lost track of the Stormcrow have you, eh? Well, think of the damage he might do if this drags on!
And on and on and on in politely, but thinly, phrased threats and counterthreats, all while billions died as they sat here, sipping expensive drinks and eating the richest of foods. But even…it was clear where the power lay compared to those seemingly heady days on Corellia that seemed so very long ago where Peace had been there, had been within reach. Yet tainted by the monsters lurking in the dark, waiting to destroy everything for power, or hiding behind a kindly old man's face, betraying everything Padmé and Anakin had ever believed in. Just waiting to take advantage of all of them…
Strangely it was later, as she retired to her secured compound and Jar Jar to his, that it once again hammered on the pain that even friendship, loyal comrades, was not enough to save her dreams. To hear Obi-wan sadly admit, on the day's talks "…so, let us say that went well, I believe"
And to agree with him as she retrieved her tea, to sit as the others of the delegation gathered with the security of the privacy bubble "It did I agree, we are a step closer towards peace with the Sepat…with the Confederacy"
Garm, their Chancellor, and lead negotiator as it was Corellia that the weight to give any decisions, any negotiations completed, to turn from fantasy to reality "If we are honest it is the best we are likely to see, isn't it?"
Obi-wan nodded slowly "From the Confederacy? I believe so, yes. Recent setbacks have disturbed what they perhaps saw as an inevitable victory. Now…now, they are tired, much as we are"
Then her Jedi friend sighed, shaking his head "And, perhaps, they simply wish to wait and watch while what is left of the Republic tears itself apart, then, in time, gain what they wish"
Garm Bel Iblis nodded, Padmé's own heart saddened that she agreed, wholeheartedly, with that assessment of their opposites "In part my friends, in part. It is also true that there is much tension within our opposites over this long struggle being won…and yet not won, by them. They are willing to pay a price for peace, but only a small one. Which is why we have to maintain what little agreement between our us and our various Republican enemies….till the Peace Conference ends of course"
"Must you be so depressing Chancellor"
"Ah, Grandmaster" she heard the Corellian chuckle back tiredly "I am but a simple Corellian scoundrel risen high in galaxy, I know when the hyperlanes are safe, but could yet turn dangerous as the cosmic storm shifts its path. Peace, even limited, is to all our benefit. It's a start at the very least, which, to be frank, is somewhere better than where we are now"
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[17 BBY]
[Temporary Ambassadorial District, Bothawui, Both System, Bothan Sector, Mid Rim]
"They are close to accepting our terms" Jar Jar Binks heard Lord Gideon Tarkin say as they all stood within the privacy bubble, which itself was in a room checked and cleared again and again of any listening devices supposedly "I do believe the changes are likely to be tolerable, minor concessions to compensate for assets seized and legislated market access are small prices to pay for recognition"
"Nosa da peace?" Jar Jar asked softly, sadly "Mesa nosa thinkins wezza gets trues peace"
"Unfortunately, Senator Binks, I do agree with you" the brother of the scariest Tarkin, the Chancellor, and man who was in charge of the places Jar Jar wanted to keep safe "Peace in the big things, large and public…but it shall be troubles for us in the local level I'd expect. Not as bad as the Core and the Colonies regions true, but still, we face hard times"
"But better that we face those years at, official peace, at the very least than another Naboo, another dozen Chardaans" the gungan heard the Jedi Master, Rahm, said "Not that all the troubles, such as pirates, has a source in the enemy Governor"
"Messa agreeins withsa Jedi, evensa iffins they causa they troubles, unless itsa da big bombad troubles…wezza betters takins whatza cans. Peoples cansa takes moi-moi war Governa'sirah!" he himself volunteered, just feeling…so tired, so worried. Naboo was…
Wrecked. His people, the gungans, had come through it, mostly, intact, with old and constantly improved defences surviving the onslaught. After the Trade Federation invasion, after the Blue Shadow virus threat, after Grievous and the death of a hero like Roos Tarpals…
But they hadn't been ready enough. Padme, poor Padme, who couldn't be here, couldn't be there to help…her people of Naboo suffered beyond suffered. Peace was such a wonderful thing, and Jar Jar wanted to believe in it so much…
But the ways of his people had been right in ways he hadn't considered. Hadn't…thought enough about…
It would take so very long to undo the damage! And now…now…again, and again, he had to play nice-nice with those who send their droid armies to wreck his home once more!
Governor Tarkin nodded, sipping at his drink "Ah, yes, that is true. It won't take much to stir up trouble after all this war"
Jedi Kota rubbed his chin, thinking it seemed to Jar Jar, but it was always hard to tell with Jedi "Nothing to be done about it here and now I'm sorry to say. We'll fight it and bring law and order to the lawless systems where we have to. I don't we are the target of major concern when all things are considered"
"No" Gideon Tarkin shook his head "I disagree in part. Overall, the Confederates have more important things to focus on, like encouraging the wars and rebellions in the Core and Colonies…but several major players on the Seppie side are taking this personally. I expect a return to the nasty pirate not-pirate war with the Trade Federation that the ORSF before…"
The human trailed off, likely having the same unhappy thoughts as Jar Jar. Of days where such a terrible thing had been a source of horror and anger to see…and here and now, it was nothing but warm, shallow, waters compared to the dark monster filled depths they were in now. After all they had fought for, after all those that had died…here they were settling for this.
Tarkin sighed tiredly "No matter, that is to be expected. We can only aim to ensure the violent civil disorder we are seeing in many Core worlds isn't repeated in those systems under our protection. But, well, that is for after a treaty has been signed. Now, my own efforts with our Corusca…allies…alongside Senator Brashere have gained little traction, but I believe we have maintained non-aggression into the foreseeable future"
"While they war upon each other?"
Tarkin nodded back to Jedi Kota's question "Yes, and then I fear questions will be asked, but, that is for the future. The Corellians?"
The Jedi glanced at Jar Jar, and Jar Jar felt uncomfortable, but forced himself to reply "Mezza talkins, and deyza stayins by words ah Silyas Senator. Wezza…at peace withsa thems, buts, noesa mores"
Then Jedi Kota nodded "Kenobi has been the same. Nobody wants to fight each other, but they don't, truly, recognise our position right now. Later? Who knows…but, for the here and now, they're taking the option to ensure they can focus on that kriffin Sith….and each other"
"Wezza noes peaces withsa Pa…Kuatis?" Jar Jar asked, though knowing the answer in truth, anger boiling up at the name of the man, cutting off and using the main world supporting that man. Gideon Tarkin nodded in response.
"For now…ceasefire, but till Rothana and Kamino, and the other clusters in those sectors, are dealt with then our relationship with that traitor will remain violent. But, beyond that, it will be left for the Republics worlds in the Core….to settle the problems of the Core…"
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