[4 BBY]

[Corporate Boxes, Anteluma Arachnids Limmie Statium, Anteluma City, Commenor, Commenor System, Colonies Region, Trade Federation]

Antinnis Tremayne wasn't much for Limmie, or Bolo-Ball, but it the big thing on Commenor since the end of the War. Likely because it was a sport disliked upon Coruscant, and within the Trade Federation could be politically neutral enough beyond that fact to have broad public appeal. It did hurt that the elections had recently ended, and the local Representatives in the Federation's Senate were happy to use to the Intra-Federation Cup as rallying moment for the public. Unsurprising for such politics, yet perhaps doubly so with recent events raising tensions in the galaxy, and, clearly increased security aside from those concerns, a moment of celebration and simple passions.

Simple passions and simple pleasures. Antinnis could do with that as he sipped his ridiculously expensive drink while standing, watching the game, while also listening to the talk around him. This was a momentary break from the deal-making that was this meeting, along with the ever-present talks about galactic politics. That and the Neimodians, and now their local allies, seemed to have the tendency towards gaudy or going overboard in bright decorations. Or perhaps those were just team colours, as several wealthy sponsors of said teams were in the boxes after all. Such emotions over…sports of all things…was mildly confusing to Antinnis, but there was a strong feeling in the stadium that, as a Force User, he could get behind. Energetic competition, but not hateful, was pleasant and energising…

"Mister Tremayne" a Neimodian voice came, one of the less trustworthy ones in Antinnis's opinion. The business-female was known to cheat on her lovers in the briefing documents, on the argument they were not married, not a trustworthy sort for future contracts. Those that could not engage in personal honest certainly wouldn't have it in business "Enjoying the match? A fan perhaps?"

"It is enjoyable, yes, though I am not local of course. My allegiances are not roused either way" he answered with an easy smile despite her clearly looking for something to his Force senses "Are your passions roused in one direction or another?"

"Hwaa, hwaa" came that ugly Neimodian laugh, likely meant to be easing or calming "Oh, such it is truly an honour to be here for the Arachnids, yes"

'And for the business' Antinnis suspected nodding "They are losing sadly at this moment"

"I'm sure they'll make it back" came back the breezy reply, tone shifting to a more focused, or perhaps attempt at persuasive, tone "Though I have heard your services have been much in demand of late"

"Indeed they are Miss Mihn" he replied easily, sipping again at his drink "And demand is unlikely to decrease in the coming years"

'Ah, so that is what you wished to ask about' Antinnis noted as the Neimodian showed some interest now, where there'd been none till they'd got to this subject "Ah, the current disagreement between our neighbours"

"Some would say it is more than disagreements" he replied back lightly "What with destroyed stations and holo-pics of dead younglings…and coincidently timed public releases before the Imperial's Senate. Sure just bad time, yes?"

'And the Corellian Hells are full of happy balloons and candy' Antinnis resisted thinking too much, as the United Federal Empire's 'diplomatic note' from their self-declared, Emperor, and then Chancellor's Senate speech…

Had just so coincidently arrived with a day off multiple strikes by *unknowns* on Resistance and Resistance aligned bases along the hyperlanes passing through Kashyyyk. Of course that was many days old in the Core Antinnis knew, the HoloNet being a shadow of what it once was, and therefore news oft slow to arise. But that likely made matters worse in some ways as riots at 'dead younglings' had apparently erupted on Coruscant…while celebrations had erupted on worlds like Commenor here, even if it was the very likely the Imperials had done the business. Oh, there was some efforts towards implying Trade Federation forces might have done the deed, but he deemed that highly unlikely owing to the timing of events. Something that was obvious with the time-delay and time to look back at said timeline.

"Yes, such poor timing on their part. Perhaps taking credit for other's efforts?"

"Perhaps" he answered politely "It is the difficulty of identification when no survivors or sensor logs apparently remain is it not?"

"Most unfortunate, yes" she said after a moment "It will make certain export-oriented businesses more problematic"

"Or profitable, dependent on ones contacts and resources" Antinnis could only retort, cutting off the next efforts at putting him in a weakened position for negotiations "Thankfully security has already been provided upon mine, and my associates, export contracts, and we have a near full hold to transit through Hutt space to the United Federal Empire. Perhaps some space could be found for an…upfront payment at premium rates I'm sad to say. Or my business partners would have my head!"

'Because we have to ensure you don't try gouge us as you clearly wish to' Antinnis, wisely, held from both words and his face, making it seem an unfortunate and mildly embarrassing situation. She seemed to pick up on that, unhappily, nodding in that Neimoudian way "That is…unfortunate, but, with matters as they are…acceptable terms, rates dependent of course"

"Course, conditions too, security concerns. Plus ensure transport into the Imperial economic sphere" he clarified, as the UFE were firm on what could be allowed into their markets, along with when. Trade with the Trade Federation was only slowly starting to recover now, after a three-decade cratering, as galactic politics realigned. Or, perhaps, because they were no longer direct neighbours anymore and the old leadership of the Trade Federation, who were the most bitter over loses in the galactic south, had largely been replaced since the Treaty of Bothawui.

'Or neither like the CIS and border them, who can say for sure?' he idly wondered as he and the Neimodian made small talk, hammering out the minutiae of the contract, as well as ensuring payment in advance. She was not to be trust much, but with that sort Antinnis knew how to pin them down, and it would ensure his trade convoy was profitable in either direction at the very least. Tariffs into the UFE were high after all. And the growing tensions were both chaos and opportunity all rolled into one…

--

[4 BBY]

[Balcony Overlook, Jedi Temple, Outside Coronet City, Corellia, Corellian System, The Core, Corellian Space, New Republic]

"The Citizens! United! Shall never be defeated!" Obi Wan Kenobi, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order (Corellia) watched the recording on the data-slate of rioting crowds on Coruscant. Though the ones on Brenntaal and Hosnian Prime looked almost the same – crowds of angry human and near human students, backed up by unemployed workers, marching behind old republican banners and signs shouting for democracy "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! DEMOCRACY NOW!"

Obi Wan sighed, deeply, wearily, as he sat back on the chair, shifting his gaze to the murky Corellian skies where the lights of starships illuminated like stars…because the stars were hidden from view. All while feeling the approach of the familiar swirl of energy, that furnace fire of the Force "Anakin, you are up late my friend"

"More news?" his friend and former padawan asked as he came near, glancing at the noisy data-slate "Fedalle?"

He sighed again "No, Coruscant…do not tell me, news from Fedalle?"

Anakin nodded as Obi Wan placed down the data-slate, freezing the images of riots "Sorry, but, yes. Much the same as the others you have to hear"

"Sit" he asked his friend and now fellow Master of the Order, the night sky awash with flickers of light making a beautiful, if artificial, tableau. Corellia was quiet, as were most of its allied worlds within the New Republic, but this 'spontaneous outrage' felt somewhat artificial to Obi Wan as well "Any word from Kuat?"

"Peaceful, same as here" Anakin admitted, emitting that nervous energy as always when his wife and children were away from him…doing foolish, and risky, Padmé things as he saw it "Moore even an appearance in public a few hours ago"

Obi Wan couldn't help but grimace faintly at that. Sly Moore had inherited the remnants of Palpatine's old allies and darksiders…

Or, rather, had come out on top of whatever internal bloodletting had occurred on Kuat, but she remained in power, in control of her 'Order' under the same laws that protected Obi Wan's own Jedi from the insane people on Coruscant that called themselves Jedi. Her band of dark side wretches were an ever-present problem, but one they could do little about in the current environment, and were rapidly becoming more an annoyance in comparison to the dangers growing in the heart of the 'new' Galactic Republic. Right now he had to be thankful for its, however unwanted, and Kuat's continued indifference to the growing Restorationist and Patriot parties exploiting of a tragedy.

'Perhaps exploiting of vengeance, as tragedy is not quite true' Obi Wan thought, as the 'dead younglings' shown were likely only a handful owing to the same holo-pics repeating of four as far as he could see "Loathe as I am to be thankful for that, I'll have to be I expect"

"Should we signal Snips an…"

"Anakin" Obi Wan sighed "Padmé, Luke and Leia are probably safer where they are, and where they are going, than where they would be normally. And, to be frank…it is a good thing that we have two Senators, along with Ahsoka and Rachi making their way to the Empire by secret and differing routes. Calming the situation will be made easier by such efforts"

'And did Mon Mothma allow Special Operations to be deployed…or, worse, she didn't' he didn't add, as the Imperial allegations came with a lot of proof. Though there was likely more to it than; supporting our enemies and attacking aid convoys to see the level of response from the Imperials. Would they tell Ahsoka and Padmé?

"But is now really a time to have a meeting of Force Users and…"

"It never is Anakin" he said back honestly to his friend as they sat quietly "It never is the right time. This has taken a decade, just to send a Master, a Knight, a few Padawans…in secret…to even pretend at us not being hostile to each other"

"Obi Wan it's just…" Anakin groaned softly "Isn't it insane we can talk to our official enemies more easily than those we are allied with?"

"The New Order are certainly not our allies" Obi Wan muttered "Nor are they Jedi in my humble opinion. The simple fact is that if we don't make active efforts at having some links with other Force User orders…then violent clashes will increase, year on year, till, when our generation is gone…none will remember peace, let alone unity amongst Jedi"

Anakin nodded, sighing "I'm just worried about them"

Obi Wan gave a faint smile "I know my friend, but trust in Ahsoka, trust in them all. We, unfortunately, have many things to talk about, and then do in their absence…"

Anakin groaned, hating that as much Obi Wan did. But it had to be done…

--