[19 BBY]

[Secure Bunker beneath the Governor's Palace, Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

Word had arrived of 'success' on Corellia had arrived soon after Bariss and her Master had boarded my city-ship;- the demand to meet with the Tarkins had arrived within less than an hour. Yanthis and his Ailon Nova Guard had already been already been in negotiations over contacts apparently, and with matters coming to a head down to the surface I went. With my bodyguards, after a brief conversation with the Board by tight-beam holo-comms, of course; but right now it was me, alone, in my 'light' formal armour and lightsaber within the depths of the Governor's Palace. Eriadu like pyramids apparently, along with nicely decorated military bases deep under them.

My loyalty to the 'cause' was a simple, but vital thing, as it was very important to ensure we weren't stabbed in the back as I used my Force senses carefully to ascertain the truth. One had to continue to encourage distrust in our Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and it wasn't as hard as I'd have thought; I could feel the bubbling rage within the man. Not surprising considering some of the more problematic parts of the possible Treaty, such as essentially handing over a large number of worlds GAR-South had won back to the Republic's cause. True, many likely would have wanted to leave, but right now it was a dramatic sticking point for many, many, people.

"The Jedi aboard your vessel, and releasing of knowledge to members of the Jedi Order" Wilhuff Tarkin, potential Death Star wielder, stated as he sat with his brother Gideon on his left, and son Garoche on his right. It was more a statement of fact than a question, but it appeared I was expected to react and reply, so I merely nodded, calm in the Force. It was somewhat cheating, but every advantage had to be brought to bear as this was a dangerous, a pivotal, moment potentially...alongside so many other potential ones. So I smiled politely, hands clasp together as I sat across from the trio of humans, and I nodded.

"Yes Moff, as we became aware of the situation it was a necessary evil to expand the scope of the investigation to elements of the Order. Ensuring the safety of some Jedi should...when...the Chancellor or his proxies execute various Contingency Orders on those mind-control chips was the price in many ways for that cooperation. Even without that situation, I believe it is a necessary step to retain some degree of institutional knowledge should the worst case scenario occur..." I paused, nodding at the data-pad before me "...as appears to be happening as we speak"

"They are a potential security risk"

I nodded "I do not disagree, but with recent skirmishes it is net gain overall, and elimination of the majority of the Jedi loyal to Republic will cause major problems. My issues with the Temple, with the current shape of the Jedi Order, is well known, but much like the current shape of the Republic needing desperate reform, the Jedi have allowed the long peace to corrupt them. There are functions the Order should provide in relation to Force Users and the law, but currently do not"

Good so far I supposed, glances being exchanged between the two older Tarkins before Gideon nodded, the Moff continuing "One would argue that the Jedi have failed in the primary functions, with the Chancellor being a Force User himself apparently, in the nature of Dooku...in their prosecution of the war most prominently. In their deployment of Clone armies where they missed the very nature that we have discovered"

In truth I was fighting to avoid the arrest of my Jedi 'guests' or other, future, problems, as while some, like General Rahm Kota were seemingly onboard now, the overall Order was seen with deep suspicion "I agree, the performance of the Jedi Order has been abysmal...but the scenario I compare it to is attempting to utilise starship officers as shock infantry. Yes, in theory they have blaster training, and you can dress them up in the armour, but if they are deployed on the field in that role they will perform abysmally at very best"

I gestured upwards and to the side with my right hand at various murals of Republic battles past "Historically the Temple Jedi performed dreadfully in wars, but they're purpose was more a quasi-religious, administrative and general governance role than combat. Centuries past they were merely a part of a greater whole, my own tactics being founded in some ways upon those of the Jedi Lords like Hoth who fought in the wars against the Brotherhood of Darkness before Ruusan. Other Force sects were involved too, but the Republic merely saw 'Jedi' and then applied a one size fits all approach to the role"

Then sighed "I warned before the conflict, and I am less than happy at being proven right in this matter...still, a reformed Temple is needed to serve a reformed Republic so disasters such as now arises do not happen again"

Gideon Tarkin nodded to me "Passing strange considering your stated fears at the Jedi attempting to arrest you due to their absolute power to deal with Force Users. Or your recruitment of other Force Users to serve as bodyguards against them"

I chuckled softly at that "Just because I do not want the priest acting as security officer does not mean I do not agree with the need for an effective policing force, merely that I do not trust the priest not to put down 'heresy' with them deciding what said 'heresy' is..." I spread my hands in a 'what can you do' gesture "I can offer historical references of many Light side Force sects functioning within the Republic effectively till Ruusan reforms essentially forced them into the Temple aegis or being removed. The Force is a useful, but also dangerous, energy field, and training is required to handle it safely, but the Republic handing power to a bunch of ascetic monks as enforcers and ultimate arbiters was a terrible long term idea. My opinion is merely that we need reform the situation, even based on historical iterations in the Old Republic era for instance. So, ensuring Jedi loyal to the Republic survive is important to me"

Moff Wilhuff Tarkin studied me coldly, emotions calm and calculating "Your former teacher amongst the Jedi is on the way you have stated to us. With the situation on Corellia, does this bode as we suspect?"

"I cannot say for sure Moff Tarkin, as we cannot trust communications over Jedi channels, nor to Coruscant for such secrets, so she will bring important news I suspect" I replied then let out a weary breath "But I would suspect in wake of recent events that loyalist elements of the Council will soon make their move to prevent a Sith taking charge of both the Republic and the Confederacy. Only the fact of the Clones surrounding the majority of Jedi, and the Temple, has stayed their hand so far. If GAR-South makes a stand..."

Trailing off I watched the cold faced man nod, fingers interlocked before him "Yes, that we will, though through the Senate for now. It is vital that we do not strike the first blow in this situation"

Gideon Tarkin nodded "Indeed, we must force the Chancellor to send elements of the Grand Army against us, or even better to have the Separatists break the current truce in a large scale engagement. We control the worlds they desire after all, and the more time we are granted the more allies we can draw to our cause. Perhaps even force a vote of no-confidence within the Senate, or have the Jedi...solve...our Palpatine problem. No matter, we expect your forces to..."

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[19 BBY]

[Grand Convocation Chamber of the Galactic Senate, Galactic Senate, Galactic City, Coruscant, The Core]

Senator Justus Fird, of the Glorious and Ancient Core World of Alsakan watched the proceedings, listening through the comms unit as the Coalition of the Loyal as they were referring to themselves as spelled out their opposition to the current terms of the peace treaty. He couldn't but agree with them, even if most of them were degenerate savages from the Outer Rim, as it was hardly beneficial to Alsakan for peace to suddenly be declared after all. It seemed his contacts in the Grand Army of the Republic, in the actual part of it not those organic droids called clones, had been correct and the Peace faction, the Commercial Industrialists, and Separatist sympathisers had gotten a win.

'For now perhaps, quite the firm line been taken here' he mused, listening as the mouth-piece for the 'Outer Regions Security Coalition' of the 'Coalition of the Loyal' railed against the Betrayal of the Republic as they called it. Seemed the Supreme Chancellor wasn't too popular either; calls of being old, and frail, and weak, and not up to the task of reuniting the Republic with its wayward and rebellious colonies. Justus stoked his chin; typical militarist talk, and he could see several uneasy senatorial delegations drifting this way and that as the political winds changed. Alderaan, Chandrilla, Caamasi, Corellia, and surprisingly enough Kuat all rolling in behind the current plan...

'Hmmm...ah, so that's why Rendili's Novaria Illustrade is losing her mind it looks like' he thought scrolling through the secondary budgets and legislation coming with the Corellian treaty. Bloody abstaining traitors shouldn't have been let back Justus thought, but CorSec guarded their Senator just as warily as his armed guards did behind him. It was best not to indulge in any of the old shouting matches after all; largely to avoid a repeat of last year's deaths between the Arkanian and Esseles delegations over trade rights and licensing of genomes that had resulted.

It seemed Kuat had finally gotten its 'Reconstruction Aid Bill' through Committee, and the Peace Faction and Supreme Chancellor were buying loyalty was a massive shipbuilding programme. Justus resisted a snort of amusement at that – so much for the war being over cost wise!

"Senator"

"Yes Dhuryn?" he replied glancing back at his aide, who handed him a data-slate with a number of items flashing across the screen. Justus's eyebrows raised a fraction as he hummed in thought a moment. It seemed matters were somewhat serious "Confirmation?"

"Public statement to take place within the hour Senator by Sector Command GAR-South, there's also reports of the corporate offices of various loyalist military units to trying to organise a joint news conference for later today"

"Hmm...that would be bad if this is correct. For some at least, one war for another..." Justus muttered, then handed back the data-pad giving orders "...now, get confirmation on this. But I do believe it might be in our interests to delay matters somewhat, see what support we can rustle up for Alsakan's benefit"

There was too much being given to the Separatists in his estimation, too many concessions, and it handed too much influence to that damned Naboon and circle. Justus had fought hard against the clear rigging of the delegation, and while the Gungan had been swapped out that was likely as much from his constituents supposedly changing stance as the talks went on. Firstly though he needed to ascertain what the best approach to take was; whether to side with the enraged Militarists or currently ascendant Peace and Commercial factions...

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