[19 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, In Orbit Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

"...and there was Tano, dressed like a Hutt dancer!"

Bariss laughed at that, a happy sound, if mildly offended at the situation I'd described from Zygerria "Force what was Anakin thinking! Master Kenobi!"

I sighed in an exaggerated manner, swirling the ice in my drink "Anakin, thinking?"

"True, true, Knight Skywalker, jump first, clean up broken things later" she giggled then huffed "...they are going to make him a Master I've heard"

"Yes, spectacularly bad idea that, and we're his friends!" I agreed with a shrug "But he's certainly strong in the Force, and the let's be honest...current events suit his personality and skills. Also, Chosen One, you know my opinion on the holo-drama that is his life"

She huffed again, shaking her head in exasperation "And I thought you were so silly at the time! But Force! It's like the galaxy just bends over backwards for him sometimes!"

"Or lures him to terrible, terrible, places like Korriban to drag the rest of us down to pull him out. Good and Bad things to being favoured by the Force and all that craziness" I muttered as we both relaxed after our quick sparring session. Well Master Unduli had been there too, but we'd both eventually gotten her away to do her own thing, healing, with Knight Secura so I could have a quiet chat with my old friend before I was off back to war again.

"Hmm, I think we've all had our adventures and pains..." she murmured looking into her own glass of sweet tasting alcohol as she held it in both hands above her lap "...but you've...Daron why did you say those things, this war is terrible, and might end you understand?"

I sighed resting back into the couch, sipping at my drink "Haaa...there's things happening Bariss, things I can't discuss, not yet. But this peace their talking about...it's no peace at all, not really. Much as I'd like to get my big ball of credits for the war being over, and lay about doing nothing, I believe I'm doing the right thing here and now. Somebody has to make a stand, and even as they are my colleagues are doing so...I've made my bed, and now I'll have to sleep in it"

"Do ever think you're...not doing the right thing?" she asked softly "That this terrible war...is leading into an abyss of the Dark Side. You've got that terrible woman here, and the other two are little better Daron. I worry about the direction of the Temple, I...worry about you"

I looked at her, giving a gentle smile I hoped "Thanks, and me for you Bariss, but sometimes...we have to do think is right, no matter what. I agree with you by the way, the war is bad for many Jedi, it's been bad for you Bariss. You're kind, compassionate, empathic, and the best healer I know...don't let their talk of Jedi Duty and Enduring such get to you, I'm always here you know"

She grinned, bringing feet up to rest on the footstool after a moment's hesitation "On your luxurious warship...it certainly different from the Temple. I know it's not very appropriate for a Jedi but..."

"Enjoy it Bariss, it's why I gave you such a nice room. You deserve it..." I replied with a faint shrug "...and I'm afraid likely to short for you here. Stass is due to arrive soon, and I very much expect you'll be relocating to somewhere nearby to help the others recover. I...well, I shall likely be off to fight off any Separatist invasion in the days to come at the orders of GAR-South and Moff Tarkin"

In the end there was limited things I could do right, not when I had to balance protecting powerful Force Users who could just as easily turn on me. I'd extorted a training cruiser from the Jedi Order as the war began, and not it was refitted to modern standards, with comfortable living quarters;- a temporary home and medical ship till Order 66 fell and things went to hell. My old Master would have to be trusted to take charge of the others, but I couldn't risk a confrontation now, not as a civil war within the GAR brewed, not after my talks with the Tarkin family and others. Winds were changing, and I had little choice if I was to start pulling out Black Out situation abilities...

--

[19 BBY]

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

"This was a mistake Sir" Senator Garm Bel Iblis heard his chief aide, SenaLeikvold Midanyl, whisper into his as the chambers continued the dull roar of rage and general indignation that seemed the dominate sounds since his Corellian delegation had returned to the chambers. It wasn't quite as bad as when the war started when CorSec had, near violent, had to escort them from the Chambers...but then again the current trouble wasn't focused on them this time. Still, he nodded in response a fraction.

"Yes Sena it seems it was" he muttered back softly watching as near scuffles between senatorial factions continued further down the line between minor delegations. Proxies really as he watched the delegations from the Old Worlds with armed bodyguards such as his own in their mobile vestibules; any clashes like those occurring below between them would lead to deaths very swiftly. So just as in Outer and Mid Rim the fighting was taking place through minor worlds and organisations as the Vice Chancellor again attempted to bring order to the chaotic deadlock.

Not only that he knew she wasn't just talking about the chaos occurring within the chamber was worse on the streets on Galactic City as the various rent-a-mobs clashed with genuine protestors. For now at least, as the Grand Army was being called up and deployed it seemed as he listened to Vice Chancellor announce the measures needed to 'restore order' on the capital world's administrative district. Probably because the Supreme Chancellor's rioting supporters were losing to the other factions rioting supporters Garm thought cynically as he scrolled through the measures being deployed over vociferous objections.

"I think we might leave our vote fixed and depart for home. Captain Viranz, we may need to depart within the next twenty-four hours"

"Of course Sir" the CorSec officer replied to his request. Garm had serious hopes of helping rally support for the Peace Treaty, but removing Palpatine's grubby hands from any levers of authority. He'd already long overstayed his welcome in Garm's opinion, and with both Grievous and Dooku dead there was a need for the old man to step down and let new blood in. Instead he'd found Coruscant had devolved since his last major visit, and escape, at the start of the war;- now it was a world of constant assassination attempts and riots rather than the occasional flare up. Days had passed since his arrival, and it had been nothing but deadlock and his political efforts come to naught...

"Martial law, yes, yes, what about matters in the galactic south" he rumbled softly to nobody as the recently returned, supposedly near assassinated, Vice Chancellor continued his speech over the mini-riot taking place again. Palpatine could barely control the current mess, and he wasn't due for at least another hour as Garm counted the likely votes as the so-called Coalition of the Loyal attempted to shout down the Vice Chancellor once again.

'Or their proxies are' Garm mused noting the absence of yet more of the 'loyalist' bloc today and only 'empowered agents' acting in their stead. A sure sign they thought they were going to lose the next vote, and even worse that they planned to ignore it...by being very much off-world to avoid certain pressures just as he had done at the start of this conflict. Just as he planned to do in the next few hours as the updates continued to flow into his vestibule. None of it good unfortunately as vicious attack holo-snips had been run against the Supreme Chancellor, the Jedi, and various Peace faction members till they'd been stamped out by order of Senate Oversight after walkouts.

"They're doing everything they can to cause chaos in procedures" Sena informed him and Garm could only but nod again as he watched several thousand legalistic texts suddenly blink into existence on the Senate Orders backed by a bare quorum. It was an old tactic, but rarely was anyone this extreme, and the increase in volume indicated the others were become aware of it as he almost felt the rage being emitted by the Vice Chancellor as one his aides leaned in to tell him most likely. If the so-called Loyalist Coalition were aware they were going to lose a full vote later this week it seemed they were intent on delaying that vote for weeks if they could. Unfortunately for them...

"Yes, I don't think it'll work. There are at least two war-time measures with powers Old Sheev can use to break the delays if he thinks it'll carry the Senate floor. Kriff. Bad enough we'll have deal with the Mandalorians, but unless the extreme militarists blink it could get bloody" he informed her shaking his head in exasperation "The conference was supposed to be the opening moves, not a done deal, and their treating it as if there are no other options on the table, or renegotiating it a little. I'm surprise the offer to withdraw from Geonosis is being even mentioned"

"Politically unpalatable?"

"Most likely Sena, but we've done our bit. I'll inform Mon Mothma after this session, and then we shall return home and ensure CorSec keeps a firm watch on the trade routes for any 'pirate raiders' that should appear..."

--

[19 BBY]

[Old Galactic Market, Market District, Galactic City, Coruscant, The Core]

CC-8826, called Neyo, watched as the protestors were dispersed or arrested by his squad of regular Troopers while his ARC troopers provided backup to deal with any Separatist terrorists. There'd been two such incidents in the previous week, and his squad had put down a bunch of mercenaries and clankers in unmarked armour, lacking identification, as they attempted to attack the departing Corellian delegation. It was aggravating, but also better than the skulking hit and run cowards that seemed to be the standard of late; CC-8826 just wanted to sweep the various areas and deal with murderers of his brothers in arms.

"Squad 67B reporting situation under control"

He brought his finger up to his neck comm. "Copy Squad 67B, CC-8826 ordering ARC Troopers to begin prep to depart to secondary overwatch position. Ten Minutes"

They were already significantly behind mission parameters, and significant forces were supposed to be deployed in the next few days to the Temple District after recent attempts to attack the Jedi Temple. GAR-HQ were especially concerned with attempts to smuggle into the Temple apparently, and closer monitoring of traffic in and out of the Jedi facility was being demanded. CC-8826 had limited view on that; like many things on Coruscant it seemed a waste of resources when they should simply target the troublemakers, eliminate them, and then bring order by whatever means was necessary.

Unfortunately he was not privy to those command decisions so he focused upon final sweeps and checks as the LAATs arrived to transport them to their next trouble spot. It would be almost amusing, if CC-8826 had a sense of humour at least, that all this talk of peace and ending the war had resulted in the most activity the Clone units brought into Coruscant had faced to date. It was still easier than Seppie worlds, but that really shouldn't be the case here in the heart of the Republic. CC-8826 looked forward to purging the nests of traitors here as his training and the sims on Kamino had shown them...

A sudden, large, explosion on the former Trade Federation Tower distracted him from his activities. Frowning as that was being used as a relay station for the Grand Army of the Republic, and should not have been reachable by some Seppie terrorists. His comms-unit was still functional he found bringing it up and activating the holo-connection to GAR-HQ...

...and getting now response...

Battalion command though came through seconds later, a priority alert blinking on his arm unit "CC-8826 reporting detonation of unknown origin on Sector Relay Station Alpha, awaiting orders!"

"Copy CC-8826, situation confused, GAR elements near relay stations and observation units under attack by insurgents in non-Clone Grand Army uniforms. Reports of further insurgents in armour and uniforms of the Coruscant Security Force Undercity Response Force. You are to deploy to Grid Coordiates 001-001-245-ATY-783-SURF01 and eliminate hostiles disrupting..."

The holo-image flicked them died as signal suddenly cut out. CC-8826 looked up and began calling his squad to him and signalling the LAATS...

--