[17 BBY]

[Senatorial Cantina, Offices of the Senate of the Galactic Republic, formerly Balahara Hotel Complex/Corporate Offices, Corsec Plaza, Coronet City, Corellia, Corellian System, The Core]

Mon Mothma, Senator for an occupied world, and Vice Chancellor of a broken Republic sat attempting to offer some small measure of comfort to her friend, along see what had to be done for the galaxy as it continued its spiral into chaos and darkness. They had privacy screens at least, this formerly being a high-class hotel district…which it still was in truth, save now there was a permanent residence mixed with a slightly higher level of security. The drinks at times like this were welcome, even if Mon barely touched hers most times as it distracted from the informal business that needed to be done at these informal get togethers, such as the one she was at now.

"…reports still coming in from the Outer Rim of clashes between…."

Such as the news that everyone was watching even this late in the night by Corellian standards. Something Bail voiced in a tired manner as their group had finished their meal and now sat with waiting drinks "I know it is little comfort Padme, but at the least the Separatists efforts to take your world have been rebuffed"

Senator Amidala let out a tired sigh, her hand held by her Jedi husband as what had been planned as a standard night of informal work after formal work had turned into a horror show of sorts for Mon's friends. She could, unfortunately, understand, as could Bail, as their homeworlds to lay under occupation, though thankfully not subject to the destruction that was visible on the holo-news broadcasts. It seemed both the Separatists and the various militarists united under the Tarkin family banner had invested in showing these events to the galaxy at large. Though Mon very much suspected that those who suggested so over on Raxus were likely regretting such as of now.

Padme, her hand getting a squeeze from her husband, gave nod and a weak smile "Thank you Bail, it is a comfort, however small, but seeing the harm done…."

She trailed off, her husband, Skywalker giving a nod "It is bad, but it is something, and Ahsoka survived, though why she was there….and Jar Jar too…"

Mon looked into her drink, saying nothing at that as Bail and Senator Nee Alavar gave nods of agreement, though such things were sources of information now as well. Eriadu had been solidly in the camp of the Alsakan supported military junta since the Coruscant Coup, but efforts to reduce tensions had been, largely, successful between them and the rightful Republic they here stood for. Silya Shessaun of Tresmé had been sufficient Outer Rim cultured to deal with those particular militarists, as had Jedi Skywalker's newly elevated Padawan. Had gone above and beyond here too, but that was likely to be Jedi politics at work there than anything else owing to the number of Jedi visibly present and active during the battle.

It was much like the situation with poor Jar Jar, now semi-officially Senator Binks of the Other Side as things fell apart. That was pure local politics at work Mon suspected, though could not voice, as Jar Jar had been plain and straightforward in his beliefs, but also in respecting the wishes of those he represented. And who their gungan friend represented was not exactly who her friend Padme represented despite some overlap as the gungans, for many justifiable reasons, had slowly turned to side with the hardline Eriadu Authority as it had become known. Padme represented the humans of Naboo, and Jar Jar the gungans…

'And Palpatine perhaps another thread of humanity from Naboo as well if one reads between the lines. The galaxy turn asunder because the Trade Federation brought the internal divisions within Naboo society to the galactic centre' Mon had to resist thinking as some Senators on Other Sides had put forward. This disastrous affair now…really would not help matters in that regards as the Separatists had seemingly thrown the largest fleet of the war at the system…and lost as the militarists threw their own fleets back at them. No matter what happened now this battle would changed most everything, from the fact the Separatists had clearly suffered a severe reversal, to the extent of the damage caused to the planet, and to both sides involved.

'Though the who has won is rather clear' she did not say either. as various holo-feeds also playing displayed footage from Star Destroyers, and of space filled with ancient, battle-scarred, but victorious Invincible-class heavy cruisers. Footage where soldiers and pilots, humans and twi'leks with Outer Rim natives in shots silently shouted 'Tarkin! The Republic! Victory!' judging from lip reading and scrolling text as arms and fists thrust into the air. Weapons too, and plenty of coverage of destroyed droids, planet-side and in space, along with surrendering Separatist organic crews. Who had won was clear rather clear, though what the butchers bill was had yet to be truly seen.

"We must talk of how this….changes things" Padme said after a few moments of quiet, carefully allowing them to discuss this beyond platitudes "This has been…"

"Likely the largest engagement of the war" Mon finished for her friend carefully, looking at the others "Yes, not unless much has been very exaggerated beyond any rational reason. One that the Separatists have seen the loss of much of their mobile reserve if Dua Ningo and that monster Cavik Toth are indeed dead, and their fleets destroyed"

"Not enough to change the situation opposing them in the Core" Skywalker offered after a moment "Ensuring a stalemate…but my knowledge is not as good as it should be at times I admit. So much time has been consumed with helping Obi-wan, and then with the Senate, with Snips…"

The Jedi sighed "I could feel her through the Force. Things…are likely true on how bad that battle was, and how big Da…the Tarkin side won"

Mon gave an amused smile "You can say his name Master Skywalker, we shan't hiss and be repelled as if a demon from the Corellian Hells facing a Vestal Light Nun"

Daron Stormcrow was….not one Mon Mothma could think too well of, nor was Maarisa Zsinj, for they were both darlings of the militarists before the Coruscant Coup, and had only grown more hardline after it. But none could deny that the Tarkin family had gambled at Naboo and plotted well to weight those dice and mark those cards with the presence of three of his best commanders. Stormcrow and Zsinj won battles, were Republic loyalists to the core, and while she had never heard of Jedi Knight Rahm Kota prior to the Coup his elevation to Eriadu's equivalent of the Jedi Order's Grandmaster had ensured thorough research after. Politics aside….Eriadu had assembled a dangerously competent hand in this terrible game of horror, and seemingly knew how to play it well.

"Names aside…" Bail offered tiredly, sipping a Corellian Ale "…this will consolidate the territories that have sworn allegiance to the factions gathered at Eriadu. Everything we've heard has pointed to a solid foundation emerging regards….self-governance"

"De-facto independent. We should admit that when they've got fleets that can do this, enough Jedi to legitimately claim to represent the Jedi Order, and clearly support from enough of the Outer Rim" Padme stated tiredly, distractedly looking at him, then at Mon "The question now is how willing are the Separatists to keep kicking at this particular nest of angry krayt dragons?"

Mon nodded, albeit slowly "It is unlikely, even if their losses are less than they seem to have been at such a cursory overview as we have now. The Separatists have still made significant gains in the Corporate Sectors and the galactic spinward north, and they still have forces there…but they will be spent if I understand the situation correctly. This, sadly, may be our best chance at peace in the short to medium term"

Though, compared to what seemed to be another lifetime it was a defeat, a surrender, rather than the possibilities that the militarists and traitors had thrown away with the Coup. They had Peace, a Peace to try fix the galaxy…and now the galaxy burned, and everyone suffered. All here had their homes under enemy control, and now the Republic was broken, and the Separatists in control of greater tracts of space than before. Even with this blow those seeking to break from the Republic had succeeded, temporarily, in being effectively victorious in their goals.

"The Bothans have…" Bail began, trailing off, sipping his drink and then shaking his head "To talk of peace, but it is only peace so we can fight a civil war"

"To make peace with traitors and monsters that had Grievous and Dooku…."

"Ah, but they are dead Master Skywalker, and we are alive, and need to keep the ideals of the Republic alive as best we can" Mon told the unhappy Jedi, nodding to Padme "Naboo has suffered such, as have our own worlds, and the people are crying out for freedom. Unfortunately, violently, but with the violence directed at them….it is no surprise, is it?"

She sighed tiredly "Till we free the Republic itself, then there is little we do to persuade the Separatists to return to it, now is there?"

Peace might also allow a chance to stabilise the crumbling economies of many worlds, as even without the slide into civil war and chaos the galactic economy was long past freefall and into trade lanes collapsing. Or, at times, collapsed and now 'ruled' by petty pirates masquerading as 'Republic Loyalist' to whichever faction in the civil war was strongest in the over-sector. With the Separatists so militarily ascendant, and many worlds changing sides due to that, even up to the Bothans, it been impossible to negotiate with them as the demands were too outrageous to countenance. Now, with events having played out, the possibility of peace was now there for the taking the more Mon Mothma considered as they talked.

In truth…what had been GAR South was likely lost till the Core itself could be freed from the oppression and tyranny of the military junta, and the misguided supporters of the demagogue Sith Palpatine swept away, and order restored. The Separatists were also lost for now, and Garm admitted that as well…perhaps it would be best to strike while the damage was greatest to persuade them to listen to reason?

Not having the CIS fleets now threatening their rear areas would allow Corellia to work towards freeing Chandrilla for one, and hopefully freeing the growing rebellions such as on Coruscant. Retaking Coruscant would restore hope, and perhaps stability, so reaching out to Raxus and Eriadu through Bothawui might be the best hope for peace and stability the galaxy had in the wake of this bloodshed….

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