[14 BBY]

[Observation State Room, Republic Navy Republic-class Star Destroyer Star of Duro, diplomatic taskforce, in orbit Ojom, Ojom System, Sector 5, Deep Core]

Mon Mothma sat with her good friend Bail Organa in the conference room of their escort ship, looking out the hardened duraglass windows to the departing shuttle of their Alsakan opposites. Heading towards the not-too-distant Star Destroyer of their own, a Republica-class, now that they had endured yet another stressful meeting with her, Bail, and their aides. She would join those aides in resting soon, but it did faintly amuse her, perhaps darkly, that the similar designs of Star Destroyers, all with similar names, with even Palpatine's faction calling them Republican-class.

'And they are building the better ones by all accounts, so perhaps we should concede on such naming conventions perhaps?' she thought to herself, taking an elegant teacup into hand, frowning at their…opposites vessel. The vile old man who'd nearly taken control of the Republic and had been developing nightmarish weapons that he was blaming, effectively, on them…was still pressing forward. Mon found it disheartening at times, and perhaps now most of all, as it had been fear and failure that had enabled these desperately needed talks rather than hope and a true desire for peace.

"You look troubled Mon"

She gave Bail a wan smile "Just thinking on ship design and the unfortunate development of it"

Her friend and colleague gave a nod, following her gaze "Perhaps understandable. How do you feel that went?"

Mon Mothma sighed "As well as can be expected, don't you agree?"

Bail nodded slowly, holding his own teacup and frowning at it "Yes, that is true. They are receptive to the proposals, but their prosecution of the war is less than….acceptable"

"You mean all crimes are forgiven?" she murmured, shaking her head "I am loathe to agree to any such suggestion, but Garm was most insistent, and, unfortunately, I do agree that a united front is now needed in the wake of Uquaine and the horrors it revealed"

She paused, sighed "Of course the fact that the Chancelllorists have driven us back from Bellassa, and now have begun to siege Rendilli for the militarists…has a great deal of impact on the practical realities of the situation as you were saying earlier?"

Her friend rest back in his chair, studying the stairs "Indeed. What was, and is, acceptable, and unacceptable, now must be judged against the greater needs of the Republic and its citizens. He's winning. We are not"

And such was the cold hard truth. Many Jedi, of the vastly reduced Jedi Order at that, had died attempting to remove the monster on Kuat from power, as well as yet more dealing with the horrors he threatened to unleash in all secret reports. What was worse, what hurt in her soul, was the disturbing popularity the old man retained in the Core and Colonies region as his propaganda continued to spread lies and disinformation to the hearts and minds of the people. Tricks of the Dark Side her Jedi friends had explained, and the military was inclined to agree as crimson lightsaber wielding foes cropped up from time-to-time leading planetary rebellions against the militarists.

In part that was because Alsakan backed militarist rule was harsh on many worlds. But unfortunately, there was little choice now but to make common cause against the greater foe. Kuat had moved swiftly in the wake of the Confederacy's seemingly growing internal chaos and likely slide to civil war, pulling out its forces bordering the Separatist strongholds and smashing forwards. It was a brutal, grinding, attrition-based combat still, but if...once…the militarist stronghold at Rendilli fell, then there was a real threat to Corellia. Especially if the shipyards were taken even partially intact.

Bail continued talking as she speculated "They are agreeing, in theory at least, to a rapid return to democracy and removing garrisons from worlds such as your own. And mine if…"

She nodded. Alderaan, like Caamas, had been 'liberated' by Palpatine's forces as the drove towards Tepasi, hundreds of nearby systems falling swiftly as they advanced slowly up the hyperlane "When it is liberated, not if Bail, when"

He nodded "Yes, exactly. Still, it is progress, but I fear they will have no budging on the Jedi Order issue"

"I'm not entirely sure our own Chancellor is overly concerned by that" she pointed out starring into her tea, into the dark, rippling, depths that seemed to exist there before her "Nor Grandmaster Kenobi so long as the war is won, the Sith defeated, and the Republic restored"

Fird and the junta backing him had clearly sent firm instructions that the Jedi Order's place within any New Republic coalition was finished. Not that they did not use Jedi, but his negotiators were firm on their position that the Order under Master Kenobi was either criminals succeeding the 'Old Traitorous Jedi Order' or was a new grouping altogether. Either way it was not going to be restored as a pillar of the Galactic Republic as it had been for millennia or had been restored in some form by the so-called United Federal Empire in the Outer Rim under the Tarkins.

Instead, there was this…body…under the military or judiciary they would accept, with the Jedi Order de facto banished to Corellia in exile after the war's end. Garm bel Iblis was clearly okay with such matters, his immediate demand was that Contemplanys Hermi be retained, and indeed for extra provisions to see to the protection of democracy be included. With the Jedi Order based on Corellia it was insurance as he'd called it; - just in case the militarists betrayed them should they managed to reach an agreement and then somehow win the war. Master Kenobi and his Jedi seemed to agree with such, though Mon suspect they simply weary of war as she was, and no longer trusted the Senate, instead simply wishing to rebuild their Order in the decades ahead rather than return to their prior role. Like she, they could only focus on moving forward, on restoring the Republic that had been so nearly destroyed in its entirety. It would just require time and will…

--

[14 BBY]

[Confederate Navy Munificent-class star frigate Sa Nalaor, Confederate Naval Taskforce Dirge, Confederacy of Independent Systems Research Station, Salvara system, Tenuuttua Sector, Mid Rim, Confederacy of Independent Systems]

"….and be more careful with that you cretin or I'll…"

"Cratala" Captain Rel Harsol stated rather than said to his Arkanian friend in a firm, calming, manner as she growled at some poor midshipman "They are following safety protocols. The evacuation is going well. There is no need to shout at my crew"

His cybernetically augment scientist friend turned, glaring at him a little, her cybernetic eye flashing and moving as she folded her arms across her chest as crates were loaded aboard his ship. In this case the most sensitive research materials along with personal supplies of Cratala and her team of genius. As much she wanted him to have an extensive droid staff at work, he was using as many organics as possible till he was sure all his battle droids were in the clear. The situation was spinning into chaos across the wider Confederacy, and it was why this impromptu evacuation was taking place at all. So he stared her down, and she huffed eventually, shaking her head.

"Fine. They best be careful with it though"

"They will be. I have left very clear instructions. We are on time, and will ensure everything is brought aboard safely, and then secured just as safely" he replied as they walked way from the crew, getting out earshot of said crew and droids, along with monitors "Are there any issues I need to be aware of?"

She shook her head, silver ponytail bouncing about in energetic anger, worry, and perhaps relief "No, my team are trustworthy. There was an attempt…which was why I sent you those messages. Everyone who can't be trusted is locked up or dead. Kriffers turned up official documents Rel, what is going on?"

He gave a grunt of unhappy agreement and acknowledgement at the situation before he spoke "It's absolute anarchy out there as you guessed. Its why official comms are crazy right now. There're contradictory orders flying around because it's a civil war, Trade Federation and Commerce Guild against the Techno Union, Bothans, and Corporate Alliance at a glance…but who knows for sure. Lantilles just rose up and overthrew the garrison for one and then declared for the Republic…which one I don't know"

Rel paused, glancing around, voice low "You need to be careful Cratala. It's chaos out there, and, for now, we're heading to Raxus since it's secure, but be ready for panicky sentients. The problem isn't just the fact a civil war just broke out"

She nodded "The situation?"

"There are contradictory orders flying around, federalising fleets, saying differing groups are the real Separatist Council, and a million other things. Word is that it's causing chaos with the droid garrisons in a number of military districts. Not sure entirely, but word is that the Super Tactical Droids at Fondor and Bonadan declared martial law as per wartime contingencies for…"

"Loss of government and lack of shutdown codes" was growled back at him "Sithspit! Those idiots…the programming on those droids…"

He ignored the muttered curses that followed, softly and low, as she gesticulated unhappily, one organic eye still watching her crates being secured "How widespread is it?"

"I don't know" Rel gave a wince, arms out helplessly at her look "I honestly don't Cratala! My squadron is what I pulled together from those that fled Lantilles and my own patrol squadron. We've seven cruisers and very unclear orders, oh, and a Trade Federation fleet supposedly at Mykapo. Long range-comms are either down or filled with outright lies, angry threats, or orders followed by counter-orders. The only reason we've links back to High Command is Centares…and I don't trust Centares's loyalty right now"

It was more than that of course, as who was going to jump where was difficult to guess at. Rel was sorely tempted to simply head to the Outer Rim or Wildspace and try keep their heads down till all this blew over and a clear winner emerged. But, right now, the best option was to fallback to the rally points where large, coherent, fleets were defending systems. Cratala of course, was more interested in her field of expertise of course, frowning and looking thoughtful "How widespread would be…there's multiple OverSectors that have…do we have…"

She clicked her fingers at him questioningly "Do you have what reports came out on those locations with the Super Tacticals?"

"It's a droid rebellion, it's why your services will be in high…"

Cratala shook her head, waving him to quiet "It's unlikely to be a droid rebellion. Not in the sense that the things are actually rebelling. They'll be following programming to the letter, but there's no one to give them orders"

"There are plenty of sentients giving them orders" he pointed out "Just like they have been to me"

"But no with authority they'd listen too if they're following contingencies. The Council hasn't got official authority without a full quorum, and elections for parliament are…see the military is giving…" she muttered rapidly, then gesticulated again "Look. This…this…this could be problem for unified forces or suddenly federalised units. Yes, I'd imagine so. Ugh. The stupidity burns"

"Whatever you say" he answered calmly "But here's the best rundown I can give of the local tactical situation…"

--