[14 BBY]
[Royal Palace, Onderon, Japrael System, Japrael Sector, Inner Rim, Confederacy of Independent Systems]
Ramsis Dendup felt his age, bizarrely more now than when he had been a prisoner in his own palace and facing death, as the current situation was something that made him weary. Attempting to stay out of the conflict had nearly cost him his life, as it had cost that poor fool Rash's, and so many others, brave souls those…who'd, in the end, found the Republic abandoned them once again. It had been a stressful few years since then as Onderon was once again reoccupied, and he only, narrowly, retained his position as King because there were limited options available. Perhaps that and the fact Count Dooku was dead and Onderon had restored some degree of strength so as to not be worth the conquest.
That and the support of House Bonteri in the place of Mina Bonteri, who, despite being loyal to the Confederate cause was also loyal to Onderon. It was unfortunate, and fortunate, that it was so that she had remained Onderon's Senator and such a strong, public, focus of that cause. Though it had clearly taken its toll on the poor woman, just as life had taken its toll on Ramsis, as she sat across from him for a formal, albeit private, meal now she was returned from Raxus. Her seat upon the Separatist Council had been both a significant problem, while also being a boon, for Onderon, though why she had stepped down was a relief in some ways. He could only hope it was enough to secure his world from yet more troubles.
"There has been a significant increase in military traffic into the Sector"
"Yes, there has been unfortunately" Mina replied as they ate, royal guards in sight but not quite listening range with their low voices "I can assure your Royal Highness they are here for the protection of our people…"
"We are sure they are Mina" he answered as she trailed off "What is worrying to us is the need for such protections. It recalls other events in the past. They are being repeated we gather elsewhere"
That was the increasing problem, one that deeply worried Ramsis, and made him feel his old age and work to calm his people after the de-facto civil war during the occupation. Events were slowly starting to spin out of control as best Ramsis could understand, even as electioneering were ongoing here on Onderon and tens of thousands of other worlds. Many more than that in fact, but it was easier for him to think of that way, as he had severe doubts over many of those things actually coming to fruition. His world had been unusually quiet, though perhaps was because many of the most active of the Republican 'terrorists' had fled Onderon, either to continue their fight, or to simply start new lives.
Across from him Mina looked at her meal, cutting motions a bit more aggressive than she would normally "I fear they are Highness…I cannot say as I am no longer fully in the…loop as it would be called. The situation on Raxus has grown tense"
"Because of Dressel"
"Because of Dressel and several other systems" she murmured "Not that I can blame the Trade Federation entirely as I'd like to. They are being, violently, anti-democratic, but the fact is the Bothans have been little better, or perhaps worse, in their Sectors. Something that applies to the Techno Union in a few systems, as well as the IGBC. The….military…has raised concerns and, wisely I think, decided to reinforce various OverSectors, like ours"
Ramsis sighed "We are not criticising such efforts Senator Bonteri, in fact strong agreement can be given for ensuring the safety of our subjects"
He dropped the formality with a sigh "How are close are to what we fear Mina?"
"I…" the woman started, sighed wearily as Ramsis felt "I, we, don't know. Various parties are breaking every rule that was agreed with the Raxus Compromise, and that is throwing the legitimacy of various efforts into serious doubt. I removed myself from the Council to ensure that the Trade Federation's representative stepped down, which they did so….but the Techno Union have been abusing the action I've been informed. What's happening in Uquaine…"
She shook her head "There is paralysis in response, accusations have been made…and I sure they are to distract from other efforts"
Ramsis nodded, cutting a slice of the meat and falling silent a moment. Peace had been a welcome thing, especially with the withdrawal of the droid armies, but it was confirming what his other, less public, advisors were warning him of. Onderon had benefited greatly despite everything thanks to Mina Bonteri, and she had been a ceaseless worker for her cause, but…the situation was increasingly resembling that of the latter days of the dying Republic to him.
"An election for a new Head of the Council would resolve these issues?"
"That is what the military and many within the Parliament hope, yes" she replied, nodding "It is…most likely to be drawn from the Banking Clans or related parties in the Commercial Alliance. Such is less than ideal, but even with the interference in elections…there should be sufficient majority to directly elect someone to replace Dooku, and that would break the deadlock we have currently face. Frankly your Royal Highness, ANY democratic change to the stalemate of recent months would be welcome in my opinion. Dressel is proof of that, and the Republic's madness at Uquaine, whoever did that horror, means we have taken long enough to get the State functioning to the purpose of its citizens"
Ramsis hoped she was correct "We can but pray that is so Mina, indeed, and be assured whatever support we can give you. Please, it will be given"
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[14 BBY]
[Command Bridge, Mandator II-class Star Dreadnought, Heart of the Core, Alliance to Restore the Republic First Fleet, in blockade formation Ocras Marbh Research Colony, Uquine System, Commenor Run, Colonies Region]
Jan Dodonna watched a small planet began to break under the combined firepower of his fleet. Attempts to breach the colony had ended in disaster, though the command staff of the deployed forces had managed to be evacuated at the loss of every single droid deployed. Not that those troopers, mostly clones, would see much action as they would in constant testing to ensure they were clean for several months according to agreed upon procedure. Frankly Jan was just glad they didn't have to be shot, just like the one poor kriffer who'd suffered a suit breach.
'No risks can be taken' he thought unhappily, watching as it took the full power of the First Fleet to smash into the outer crust of the planet and begin to turn it molten. Nothing could be allowed to survive down there per the Supreme Chancellor's direct orders…not when this thing was potentially a sentient virus that had actively been attempting to breach the quarantine. One that had launched dead bodies at the initial blockade, and actually had managed to infect a light cruiser that had completely screwed up its trash and salvage procedures. Jan would reprimand, but they were dead now one and all, their ship reduced to atoms before they could even get a chance to get sick from the infection.
Why the Jedi had done this grated at time. The facility had been secure, locking away the worst horrors from the Republic's darkest eras, kept safe and secure…and yet they'd attempted to steal it, and, when that had failed, unleashed it upon the civilians. Monsters. Absolute monsters were what the enemies of democracy were after he'd reviewed the remaining security footage with the Supreme Chancellor, who, due to the powers of the infected Jedi had been forced to attend this matter with his personal guard. It'd only taken a quick review of the situation for Jan's Head of State to immediately order was now occurring, said leader watching the events unfold angrily across from him on the bridge.
It was merely a matter of times now before the sheer energy expended on the mining colony eliminated every structure beneath the rocky, airless, surface as the planet's surface, for miles deep, began to turn liquid and flames as turbolasers hammered at it. The situation was a disaster beyond that, even if they had gotten word out to the citizenry of the wickedness of their enemies, as First Fleet would need to resupply after this, and already enemy forces were beginning to recover now that Jan's fleet couldn't launch the planned follow up offensive towards Rendilli. After months of effort…they would have wait longer, and expended yet more resources, to have another shot at taking that Alsakan stronghold.
"It had to be done Admiral" the Supreme Chancellor announced in a calm manner, coldly starring out at the destruction before them "Be not dismayed. We shall soon be moving towards restoring the Republic to the wholeness it requires. This is but a setback"
"Of course, Supreme Chancellor" he replied firmly, though the situation was not the best despite what words were offered "But it will be problematic that it seems both Alsakan and Corellia have appeared to have allied, and are willing to cause…this"
"Yes, yes indeed, but that is the nature of challenges Admiral. They are to be overcome, and we are not exactly without our means to respond in force" the man holding the remains of the Republic together replied seriously, nodding "With means more controlled that this….fiasco. No, we shall realign our plans due to this setback, and retake Coruscant within time. That I have seen"
"Sir" was all he could say in agreement, checking on the energy expenditure, and finding it as unwantedly high as he'd expected. Sustained operations like this, in destroying an entire planet, down to this level of deep bunker elimination, was not cheap after all. Unfortunately, there was no way around it, and all they could do was hope the new testing methods, and proposed vaccine, would be sufficient to deal with another such attack…assuming that the enemy had gotten a sample clear. Though that was judged to be unlikely as this ancient facility had locked down immediately after the destruction inflicted by the invaders as they accessed the prison vaults as they were called.
"Supreme Chancellor, Admiral" Captain Alterad interrupted, standing at attention, a message in hand it looked Jan "Apologies, but this deemed urgent"
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine turned his head, holding out his hand and taking the message into hand, reading it at a glance, frowning. Then nodding, a faint smile on his lips "Ah, better, the Force once again shows us its's gifts"
Jan stayed at attention till the man held the message to him, speaking calmly "Good news for once my good Admiral. It seems someone decided to blow up the Trade Federation's Council not too long ago…"
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