Chapter 8

Coruscant

Riyo stood uncomfortably before the doors of the Chancellor's office, resisting the urge to pick at the tight bun Miriam had swirled her purple hair into. It was too tight, but she knew that if she tried to loosen it, she would unravel the delicate structure. She would also undoubtedly enrage Miriam, who was without a doubt the best hair artisan in their small delegation.

Sitting across the antechamber from her, Stass Allie and Telle Lawell discussed matters quietly. She had tried to join their group already, but Agatha had pulled her back. The older aide was insisting again that the delegation appear confident. Apparently, that translated as appearing alone, disconnected from the other survivors of their shared experience.

Also inhabiting the antechamber were two Senate Guards, each in the floor-length cloak that covered their armoured bodies, and feather-crested helmets with white decorations. They held no weapons on them that Riyo could see, but she doubted that guards would be unarmed. There had to be something hidden beneath that robe besides armour.

A chime interrupted her thoughts, and the doors slid open to admit them. The two guards stepped aside, one even extending his hand to subtly usher them forward. Riyo spared a glance at Agatha and Miriam behind her, then summoned all her confidence, and entered the office.

And froze.

The view was the first thing she noticed. The entire far wall was a glass pane, opening the office to a glorious view of Coruscant. It twinkled in the sunlight, the cloudscrapers and districts glittering across the surface of the world. Thousands of speeders flittered between the buildings, looking like a hundred different insects swarming about. It looked like a weird mixture of different greys – completely bland and set somehow beautiful.

The walls of the office were a deep red. So was the carpet beneath her feet. Four bronzium statues sat in the corners of the office, and a huge gold carving was against the far wall. A ring of plush couches circled in the centre of the room. Sitting in front of the window at a massive desk, facing away from the spectacular view and staring at them, was Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palatine. He was dressed in an ornate blue and gold robe, a heavy necklace around his neck and his thinning hair styles in smooth waves.

He smiled at her, and she quickly finished the rest of her walk across the room to his desk. Again, she froze. She didn't know the proper protocol here. She had been the youngest aide of Trav-iss Torn. She hadn't trained to be a Senator, even an interim one. Before now she had been ready for little more than sitting in Trav-iss' suite and waiting for his speech to be over. Agatha had barely been prepped for this meeting.

Palpatine apparently took pity on her indecision and waved for them to take a seat. "Please, my dear, be seated."

Riyo nodded once, and nervously took her seat. The cushions were too hard for her liking, but she made herself as comfortable as she could. Stass Allie and Telle did likewise beside her, with Miriam and Agatha taking up their places behind her own chair. Talos stood as well, though he was at ridged attention at the end of the largest couch.

"You have nothing to fear here, my dear.", Palpatine said to Riyo, smiling at her. He gestured for a blue and white protocol unit to come near. "Allow my droid to get you some refreshments."

"T-thank you, your Excellency.", Riyo awkwardly bowed her head.

The Chancellor nodded, "I read through Lieutenant Lawell's report before you arrived here. I am sorry for your loss. Trav-iss and I never crossed paths beside those in the Senate Chamber. I am ashamed to admit that Pantora has been… a topic not spoken of in the Senate for some time. At least, until the disaster you have recently lived through."

Stass spoke up, clearly hesitant, yet insistent. "Trav-iss met his end at the hand of pirates, your Excellency. I would like to investigate this further."

"You of course have my blessing, Master Jedi, but that will be up to your Jedi Council to decide, I am sure. The Judicial Department will be made aware of the issue too. Besides, I wish to get to know our young Senator here. I believe one would call it a guilty conscious. Perhaps if we had given your moon more notice, Trav-iss would still be alive."

Riyo finally found her voice, "It isn't your fault, Chancellor. We are an unaligned system. Theoretically, we stand alone and without support, even if we join with your discussions as often as we can. Your interest in us would have been unwelcome."

Palpatine nodded slowly, "With respect, I am curious as to how you became the interim senator."

"What do you mean?"

"Forgive me.", Palpatine interlaced his fingers on top of the desk, "There is no polite way to say this. Of all the surviving members of your party, why did they choose you, Riyo Chuchi?"

Riyo swallowed down some fear. Why? How was she supposed to answer that?

"We chose her because she is the most pure of us, your Excellency.", Miriam suddenly spoke. Riyo twisted her head to stare at the aide and ask a silent 'what are you doing?' But Miriam wasn't done. "Trav-iss, as it turns out, was gathering blackmail on several of his fellow Senators. Agatha here was his senior aide. She had spent time with him, and cannot say how that affected her own views on politics. As for me, I come from the outskirts, in a city called Zenton. It wasn't hit hard by these attacks. Riyo here has family and contacts within Fortress and can call on them for real time updates on the situation, not simple news reports on the holonet."

"And her age?", Palpatine asked, directing the question to the two aides. "She is extremely young, especially for politics."

"Her age is not a factor here.", Agatha spoke up now, voice quavering slightly. "Ms Chuchi is a Pantoran. She has been trained by the best we have to offer, and in my personal opinion, she is the embodiment of our innocent civilians. She is the best representative we had with us to showcase out people's strife."

Palpatine was silent for a few minutes, staring at his steepled fingers. Then his eyes flicked up. He studied each of them carefully, then placed his hands palm-down on the desktop. "I believe you all. Very well. I welcome you, Senator Chuchi. You have my personal support."

"Thank you, Chancellor.", Riyo began.

"However.", the Chancellor continued, "I want to do more than simply give you support. I want to help you, to give you the highest chance of reaching the most people. To that end, I am assigning you a mentor."

He placed a datacard on the table, "This card holds the information on the latest security protocols from Pantora. I hope that it means you can contact your people quickly despite the blockade. It also holds the office number of three potential mentors, as well as descriptions of their past endeavours. I will let you choose who you let assist you."

Riyo palmed the datacard for moment, then turned and handed it to Agatha. "Thank you, your Excellency."

"Don't thank me, Senator.", Palpatine shook his head. "Despite your delay, the Senate still wishes to hear from you. You're expected to speak before the Senate the day after tomorrow. I wish you luck in your preparations."

And just like that, Riyo's meeting with the Republic's Supreme Chancellor was over. She stood, and calmly walked from the room. Already she was dreading the long night she would have. They entered the external hallway again, and now Riyo turned to look at Agatha. She gestured for her datapad and the datacard the Chancellor had given her.

As he had said, three names came up. Each had a detailed list of the topics and sides each of the Senators usually chose, as well as personal information. She scrolled trough the names. Lott Dod – the Niemodian Senator who spoke for the Trade Federation. Then there was Bail Organa, the Senator for Alderaan. Finally, Senator Crix Anderflin, who spoke for Adrilx Minor. Riyo closed down the datapad. It would appear that she would need to study this further. For now, they had a long day ahead of them.

Palpatine waited until the door had closed again before turning his attention back to Stass, Telle and Talos. He pressed a button in the desk, and one of the side doors opened, revealing the blue-skinned, horned Chagrian Mas Amedda. The Vice Chair moved to stand behind the Chancellor's chair. His cold eyes stared at Stass, drilling into her.

"This is them?"

"Indeed.", Palpatine's voice was regretful. He gestured vaguely towards his Vice Chair. "Mas Amedda has something to say to you both."

Stass glanced up at the Chagrian, frowning. "Yes?"

Amedda glared down at her, eyes still cold. Stass met his stare evenly, until he finally turned it onto Telle. "Lieutenant. The Naval High Command has requested you and your flight officer to meet with them immediately. I believe they wish to discuss your conduct during your mission."

"My conduct?", Telle's eyes narrowed, "Do you have an issue with my command, Vice Chair?"

Amedda's glare grew more intense. "Do you really need to ask? I do indeed have an issue with your performance. A member of the Senate is now dead while under your command. I have recommended you be demoted. The High Command seems to be prepared take my advice. Congratulations, Lieutenant."

"Enough, Amedda.", Palpatine sighed. "I really must apologise, Ms Lawell. I understand you were faced with an impossible task, and that you tried your best. If it were up to me, you would be commended for your actions. Unfortunately, the rest of your… hierarchy… does not see it that way."

Telle nodded and bowed to both the Chancellor and the Vice Chair. "I understand. I will leave immediately and report to the Council."

She stood and turned for the door. Mas Amedda had apparently dismissed her as a threat. "As for you, Master Jedi, I have recommended equally harsh treatment for you."

Stass raised her eyebrow, something she had clearly learnt from Caloc. "I appreciate you advising the Jedi Council, Vice Chair. I will welcome a chance to do the same for you should it arise. But as with all things, my punishment or commendation will be up to the Jedi Council, not you."

Without another word uttered, she stood and left the office.