Faction A Bridge Across the Stars | THR Senate

[Ayumi Pallopides]

HIGH ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC SENATE
SENATE CHAMBER

The Senator guided her repulsor pod to the center of the great chamber with effortless grace, the soft hum of the platform blending with the gentle chime that announced her arrival. She paused, letting her warm gaze sweep slowly across the tiers of floating pods lingering just a heartbeat longer on the delegations where women senators sat, a subtle, appreciative smile curving her lips as she met their eyes. "Chancellor… my dear colleagues… and every brilliant mind watching from the worlds we serve," she began, her voice rich, melodic, carrying the easy warmth of someone who genuinely delighted in every person present. "Good evening to each of you. I hope today finds you well and if you'll indulge me, I'd love to hear how your own worlds are faring when we have the chance to speak after this session."

Ayumi wore the tailored ceremonial whites of a simple and classic form-fitting, high-collared bodysuit of pale ivory materria fabric that gleamed like polished alusteel under the lights, segmented with subtle angular plating along the shoulders, ribs, and thighs. A sweeping, floor-length cape of the same creamy hue draped from broad collar points, falling in elegant folds that caught the slightest movement and rippled like liquid. The ensemble was austere yet undeniably striking: no ostentation, only precision lines that spoke of both discipline and quiet confidence. Her long, silken dark-honey hair hung loose down her back, threaded with natural golden strands that shimmered whenever she turned her head, catching every stray beam from the overhead holoprojectors.

Her lightly bronzed copper skin glowed warm against the stark white, carrying the subtle sun-kissed undertone of someone who had spent years under open skies rather than endless corporate towers. When she smiled as she did now, greeting the chamber with that trademark warmth the small, pale nick just below her lower lip flashed briefly, a tiny reminder of childhood sparring that somehow only sharpened her charisma. Her deep honey eyes, flecked with amber, swept the tiers of pods slowly, darkening to near-black in the shadowed recesses of the dome yet flaring bright gold whenever they caught the direct light. They lingered with genuine interest on each delegate as she enjoyed meeting all of them and it was good to know who was who. The passing of Dod was heavier though as she would have to open a charity in his honor for funding non-profits. A charity to help charity cases as it were.

She leaned forward slightly, her posture open and inviting, as if she were speaking to each senator individually rather than addressing thousands. "Today I rise with genuine excitement to present The Galactic Educational Unity and Accreditation Act. This is not a cold piece of legislation, my friends. It is a bridge. A bridge built with care, with respect, and with the absolute conviction that every single one of our citizens regardless of where they were born deserves the chance to reach for the stars." Her gaze drifted across the chamber again, warm and inclusive. "Right now, a gifted young engineer from an Outer Rim forge-world steps onto Coruscant and finds her skills invisible because our systems of learning do not speak the same language. A brilliant xenobiologist from Ryloth is told her credentials are 'non-standard.' We are one Republic, yet we have allowed walls of certification and curriculum to rise between our people walls that keep talent trapped instead of letting it soar."

She smiled softly, the expression both reassuring and conspiratorial. "I've can already anticipate the whispers and I understand them completely. There are those who worry that a 'Galactic Standard' might mean the erasure of what makes each world unique: the ancient songs of the Twi'lek people, the deep-ocean sciences of Mon Cala, the philosophical traditions of countless cultures. Let me be very clear, with all the warmth and honesty I can offer: this Act does precisely the opposite. It creates the Legacy Credits System up to forty percent of any institution's accreditation can come from courses celebrating your local histories, your arts, your languages, your philosophies. And those credits travel with the student. Your heritage is never a barrier; it becomes a recognized galactic asset."

Her voice grew richer, more passionate, yet still laced with that effortless charm. "We speak so often of freedom. But what freedom does a young woman truly have if her education chains her to one hemisphere of one planet? By voluntarily aligning our standards, we give her the entire galaxy. We build the skilled workforce our industries are begging for, the mutual understanding our diplomacy so desperately needs, and the unity our Republic was always meant to embody. This Act rests on three thoughtful pillars: the voluntary Common Core Curriculum in five vital disciplines, earning graduates the universally recognized Galactic Proficiency Badge; the Legacy Credits System that protects and honors planetary identity; and the Sovereign Subsidy Fund that delivers modern holoterminals, labs, and adaptive environments directly to students never through bloated treasuries."

"It establishes the Galactic Merit and Mobility Fund, governed entirely by Regional Scholarship Boards of local educators no Core-world meddling in who receives help. It enshrines absolute secular autonomy under the independent Commission on Galactic Education no religious orders, no military influence, and explicitly no role for the Jedi Order. It locks student data behind Level-4 privacy protections, forever shielded from intelligence or military eyes. And it demands Universal Accessibility so no species, no physiology, is ever left behind." She paused, letting her gaze linger once more on the women across the chamber, her smile soft and knowing. "And yes, I anticipate the concern about Core-world dominance. That is exactly why the regional boards, the Legacy Credits, and the direct-to-institution funding were designed to ensure that every voice, every world, every culture is heard and respected. This is unity without erasure. This is opportunity without conquest."

She straightened, her tone now carrying quiet, unshakable resolve wrapped in warmth. "This is an investment, my dear colleagues in our students, in our industries, in the long-term prosperity and peace of every sector and every world. The returns will be measured in innovation, in commerce, in the simple joy of watching a child from the Rim achieve what once seemed impossible. The full text of the bill including all sections, funding mechanisms, penalties, appeals, incentives, and the ten-year sunset review clause is now being transmitted to your consoles for your careful review." She said it with a smile on her face as she stood there. "I move that the Galactic Educational Unity and Accreditation Act be placed before this Senate for open debate and consideration." There was a small pause when she placed her hands in front of herself with a nod.

"I yield the floor… but I look forward to hearing every one of your voices and perhaps learning a little more about each of you in the process." She inclined her head gracefully toward the Speaker's podium, then offered a final, warm smile to the chamber before stepping back.

Bill Name/Topic: The Galactic Educational Unity & Accreditation Act (GEUA)

IC Information: The GEUA is a strategic legislative framework designed to harmonize the educational infrastructures of the Republic. It seeks to replace the current system of "Isolated Knowledge" with a "Galactic Standard of Excellence." By establishing a bridge between systems like Naboo and those on the Rim like Denon, we ensure that a citizen's potential is no longer dictated by their sector of birth.

This Act creates a unified standard for mobility while providing iron-clad legal protections for planetary sovereignty, data privacy, and the secular nature of public education.

Preamble
Whereas the Galactic Constitution vests in this august body the solemn duty to promote the general welfare, advance knowledge, and foster unity among the myriad worlds and species of the Republic;

Whereas the current fragmentation of educational standards often termed "Isolated Knowledge" perpetuates disparities in opportunity, hindering the full realization of sentient potential based solely upon sector or planetary origin;

Whereas the Republic's enduring stability and prosperity depend upon the equitable dissemination of learning, the preservation of diverse cultural heritages, and the protection of planetary sovereignty from undue central interference;

Whereas the establishment of voluntary, harmonized standards shall bridge the educational chasms between Core, Colonies, Mid Rim, and Outer Rim worlds, ensuring that no citizen's destiny is unduly constrained by geography;

Now, therefore,

Section 1. Short Title
This Act may be cited as the Galactic Educational Unity and Accreditation Act (GEUA).

Section 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Act:
(a) "Galactic Standard of Excellence" shall mean the voluntary framework of educational benchmarks established herein.
(b) "Participating Institution" shall refer to any planetary or interplanetary academy, university, or learning center that voluntarily adopts the provisions of this Act.
(c) "Commission on Galactic Education" (CGE) shall mean the independent civilian body established under Section 7.
(d) "Level-4 Private Assets" shall denote data classified under Republic privacy statutes as protected from unauthorized access or cross-referencing.

Section 3. The Three Pillars of Standardization

Subsection A: The Common Core Curriculum (CCC)
A voluntary, modular curriculum framework is hereby established, encompassing five foundational disciplines: Applied Astrogation, Xenobiological Medicine, Structural Engineering, Quantum Mathematics, and Galactic Basic Linguistics.
Institutions successfully implementing the CCC shall confer upon graduates the Galactic Proficiency Badge, a certification recognized and honored by all Republic-aligned guilds, professional associations, and participating academies.

Subsection B: The Legacy Credits System (LCS)
To safeguard cultural heritage and planetary identity, up to forty percent (40%) of an institution's accreditation under this Act may be fulfilled through locally developed courses in planetary histories, arts, languages, and theological or philosophical sciences.
All Legacy Credits earned shall be fully transferable to any participating off-world institution, ensuring seamless academic mobility while preserving the unique legacies of member worlds.

Subsection C: The Sovereign Subsidy Fund (SSF)
There is hereby established a dedicated fiscal reservoir, the Sovereign Subsidy Fund, funded through equitable Republic appropriations and voluntary contributions.
Grants from the SSF shall be disbursed directly to accredited institutions for the procurement and modernization of educational infrastructure, including holoterminals, xenobiological laboratories, translation droids, and adaptive learning environments.
Disbursement shall bypass planetary treasuries to ensure funds are applied solely to student benefit.

Section 4. The Galactic Merit and Mobility Fund
A permanent, self-sustaining scholarship fund is hereby created to provide financial aid and transportation assistance to students of limited means.
Authority for candidate selection shall reside exclusively with Regional Scholarship Boards, composed of local educators and representatives from diverse sectors, to prevent Core-centric bias.
The Galactic Senate's responsibility shall be limited to the equitable, population-weighted allocation of credits to these Regional Boards, with no authority over individual selections, thereby preserving a bottom-up approach to academic advancement.

Section 5. Institutional Autonomy and Safeguards

Subsection A: Secular Autonomy
Oversight of the GEUA shall reside exclusively with the Commission on Galactic Education (CGE), a civilian body composed of distinguished academics from across the Republic.
No religious organization, military entity, or extra-governmental body including the Jedi Order shall hold seats on accreditation boards or influence the philosophical orientation of curricula.

Subsection B: Data Privacy and Demilitarization
All student performance and personal data collected under this Act shall be classified as Level-4 Private Assets.
Such data is hereby insulated from access by the Republic Intelligence Network, military recruitment databases, or any security apparatus.
Any unauthorized linkage, cross-referencing, or attempted integration of academic databases with intelligence or military systems shall result in immediate forfeiture of all SSF grants to the offending sector and formal censure of the responsible agency.

Subsection C: Xeno-Adaptability Standards
All participating institutions shall provide Universal Accessibility, including non-humanoid testing formats, variable atmospheric study environments, and accommodations for diverse physiologies, ensuring that standardization promotes inclusion rather than conformity.

Section 6. Addendum A: Unity through Diversity Clause
No provision of the GEUA shall be construed to suppress, alter, or diminish the teaching of local planetary heritage, traditions, or wisdom.
The Republic shall provide digital infrastructure and resources to enable the sharing of these unique cultural assets with the wider galaxy, transforming local knowledge into a shared galactic treasure.

Section 7. Establishment of the Commission on Galactic Education
The Commission on Galactic Education is hereby created as an independent civilian oversight body.
The CGE shall administer accreditation, monitor compliance, and report annually to the Senate on the Act's implementation.

Section 8. Effective Date
This Act shall take effect upon its passage by the Galactic Senate and signature by the Supreme Chancellor, or upon constitutional override of veto as provided by the Galactic Constitution.

Section 9. Penalties and Appeals

Subsection A: Violations
Any Participating Institution, Regional Scholarship Board, or planetary authority found in violation of the provisions of this Act including but not limited to unauthorized access to Level-4 Private Assets, failure to maintain Universal Accessibility standards, or misuse of Sovereign Subsidy Fund grants shall be subject to the following graduated penalties:
(a) First offense: Formal warning and mandatory corrective action plan, with a grace period of no more than ninety (90) standard days.
(b) Subsequent or severe offenses: Immediate suspension of SSF grant eligibility for up to five (5) standard years, forfeiture of accrued Galactic Proficiency Badges for the offending institution, and mandatory independent audit at the institution's expense.
(c) Egregious violations (e.g., deliberate data linkage with military or intelligence systems): Permanent revocation of accreditation under the GEUA, referral to the Judicial Department for civil prosecution, and potential sector-wide censure.

Subsection B: Appeals Process
Any entity subject to penalty under this Section may appeal to the Commission on Galactic Education (CGE) within thirty (30) standard days of notification.
The CGE shall convene an impartial appeals panel of no fewer than five (5) civilian academics from diverse sectors.
Decisions of the appeals panel may be further appealed to the Republic Judiciary, with expedited review granted for matters involving data privacy or planetary sovereignty.

Section 10. Funding and Appropriations

Subsection A: Dual Funding Mechanism
The GEUA shall be funded through a balanced combination of Republic-wide appropriations and voluntary planetary contributions, recognizing education as a strategic investment yielding long-term economic prosperity, innovation, and galactic stability.

Subsection B: Republic Appropriations
The Galactic Senate shall allocate an annual appropriation from the general treasury, not less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the Republic's total budget, dedicated exclusively to the Sovereign Subsidy Fund (SSF) and the Galactic Merit and Mobility Fund. These funds shall be disbursed by the Commission on Galactic Education in accordance with population-weighted formulas to ensure equitable distribution across Core, Colonies, Mid Rim, and Outer Rim sectors.

Subsection C: Planetary and Corporate Contributions
Member worlds and systems are encouraged to contribute additional funds to the SSF and Merit Fund on a voluntary basis, with such contributions qualifying as tax-deductible investments under Republic commerce statutes.
In recognition of the corporate-driven economies of worlds such as Denon, private sector entities particularly those in technology, astrogation, and xenobiological industries may make matching contributions, which shall be credited toward corporate goodwill and future economic incentives. Such investments are projected to generate substantial returns through an expanded, highly skilled galactic workforce, reduced sector disparities, and increased interplanetary commerce.

Subsection D: Oversight and Transparency
All appropriations and contributions shall be subject to annual audit by the CGE and public disclosure in the Senate archives, ensuring fiscal responsibility and preventing undue influence by any single sector or corporate interest.

Subsection E: Corporate and Private Sector Incentives
In recognition that investments in education yield exponential returns through an expanded, highly skilled galactic workforce, enhanced innovation, and sustained economic growth across all sectors:
(a) Entities making voluntary contributions to the Sovereign Subsidy Fund (SSF) or the Galactic Merit and Mobility Fund shall be eligible for Republic tax credits equivalent to one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the contributed amount, deductible against corporate or personal galactic income taxes.
(b) Such contributions may be designated toward specific regional priorities (e.g., Outer Rim modernization or xenobiological research facilities), provided they align with the Act's equitable distribution principles.
(c) Contributing corporations shall receive public recognition in the Senate archives and the annual CGE report as "Galactic Education Partners," enhancing their reputation and market position in an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.
(d) The Commission on Galactic Education shall publish annual impact assessments demonstrating the projected long-term profit and productivity gains attributable to GEUA-funded initiatives, further encouraging private sector participation.

Section 11. Sunset and Review Clause
This Act shall remain in full force and effect for a period of ten (10) standard years from its effective date.
Not later than one (1) standard year prior to the expiration of this period, the Commission on Galactic Education shall submit a comprehensive review to the Galactic Senate, evaluating:
(a) The Act's impact on interplanetary academic mobility and cultural preservation;
(b) The effectiveness of the funding mechanisms and incentive structures;
(c) Any unintended consequences, including potential Core-world dominance or erosion of planetary sovereignty;
(d) Recommendations for continuation, amendment, or repeal.
The Galactic Senate shall hold public hearings and vote on reauthorization, modification, or termination of the Act no later than the final session prior to the sunset date.
Should no action be taken by the Senate, the Act shall automatically extend for an additional five (5) standard years.

OOC Intent: My goal with this bill is to create a catalyst for more cross-faction and cross-planet RP. By standardizing education, it gives our characters a "common language" (literally and figuratively) and provides a hook for characters from different backgrounds to have met at "Accredited Academies."
Attachment(s): > Addendum A: The "Unity through Diversity" Clause​

"No provision of the GEUA shall be used to suppress, alter, or diminish the teaching of local planetary heritage. Instead, the Republic shall provide the digital infrastructure to share these unique traditions with the wider galaxy, turning local wisdom into a galactic asset."​

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[Isley the Younger]

NABOO
[-| HIGH REPUBLIC ASSEMBLY |-]
TAG: Ayumi Pallopides + Open
___________________________
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Isley the Younger stood in quiet contrast to the marble splendor of the Senate chamber, a tall and composed figure clad in a sharp three-piece suit of a conservative dark hue, the red tie at his collar a deliberate slash of color that spoke to resolve rather than vanity. As Senator of Nivek, he understood that his presence here was not ornamental, nor was it meant to flatter the room. It was his charge to look past gilded language and polished sentiment, to listen not only for what was promised, but for what was invited to grow unchecked. Not merely for Nivek, but for the Republic entire.

When the presenter concluded and the chamber settled into its familiar hush, Isley allowed himself a measured breath before formally requesting the floor. Once recognized, his repulsor pod eased forward by a respectful measure, its motion smooth and unhurried, and he inclined his head in a courteous bow before speaking, his voice calm, resonant, and unmistakably grounded.

“I am Isley Verd, Senator of Nivek.” he began, tone warm but disciplined. “And I wish first to thank Senator Pallopides of Denon for presenting this legislation with such clear concern for the security and opportunity of our people. The intent to ensure that no citizen’s skill is dismissed because of where they were taught is a noble one, and it deserves serious consideration.”

His gaze moved deliberately across the chamber as he continued, never sharp, never accusatory, yet firm in its clarity. “That said, I find myself troubled by the shape of the remedy proposed. While described as voluntary, this Act places the Republic in the position of defining educational legitimacy through centralized standards, funding incentives, and accreditation authority. History teaches us that when the state builds such frameworks, participation becomes less a choice and more a necessity, and planetary sovereignty quietly yields to administrative gravity.”

He folded his hands lightly before him, voice steady as stone. “We are told this solves the problem of skilled workers being invalidated across sectors, yet I would argue the problem is not education itself, but recognition. A xenobiologist does not lose her knowledge when she crosses into the Core, nor does an engineer forget her craft upon landing on Naboo. What fails her is not her schooling, but a system unwilling to judge competence apart from pedigree.”

Isley’s expression softened, though his words did not. “I am further concerned by the treatment of culture within this framework. When heritage is quantified, accredited, and audited, it ceases to be wholly alive. Even with the best intentions, culture becomes something regulated rather than practiced, something validated by a commission rather than sustained by a people.”

He let that settle before continuing, voice lowering just slightly. “This Act also establishes a permanent lattice of commissions, boards, audits, and penalties. Such structures rarely remain as modest as they begin. They expand, they reinterpret their mandate, and in time they shape policy as much as they enforce it. That is not malice, it is momentum.”

Finally, he gestured faintly with one hand. “And I cannot ignore the manner in which funding is routed. Direct disbursement to institutions, paired with generous incentives, risks shifting local priorities away from planetary needs and toward Republic expectations. Education should answer first to the people it serves, not the ledger of a distant treasury.”

Isley straightened, his voice carrying a quiet confidence born of conviction rather than confrontation. “If our goal is mobility and fairness, then the answer lies not in the state dictating how the Republic educates its citizens, but in how it recognizes their skills. Let us establish rigorous, Republic-wide certification examinations, administered impartially, that validate competence regardless of where or how it was learned. Let guilds, sectors, and employers judge ability by demonstrated mastery rather than curricular conformity. In this way, an Outer Rim education stands equal to an Inner Rim one without either being reshaped in the other’s image.”

With that, he inclined his head once more. “Such an approach preserves sovereignty, honors diversity, and resolves the injustice at the heart of this issue without inviting unintended consequences.”

His pod eased back to its original position, motion controlled and deliberate, as he concluded, “I thank the chamber for its attention, and I yield the floor.”

 

[Eadu Yittreas]

Content

Eadu was perfectly content to allow the debate between Senator Ayumi Pallopides and Isley the Younger to proceed without comment. If education was as important as the Senator for Denon claimed then half the sitting members of the assembly would have to resign for failing to meet even basic standards for their appointments.

To rise in the High Republic, one merely needed to conduct themselves appropriately and say their lines in the correct order. Nevertheless, there was no detriment in feigning support to further his own agenda. He reclined in the cool, dim ambiance of his pod, a ghostly figure observing the light glimmer off the golden strands of Ayumi's hair.

While the senator discussed Legacy Credits and Privacy Protections, his slender fingers glided along the perimeter of his console. For her, these represented bridges to be constructed, but for him, they were a centralized accreditation framework which would work with his aim to secure power within the Republic.

"Senator Pallopides, your concern for the unseen engineer speaks to a responsibility we all share for the Republic's future." His head inclined slightly in her direction before turning toward Isley Verd. "And Senator Verd, your vigilance reminds us that unity without restraint is merely another form of imbalance. The Republic is well served by both conviction and caution." He allowed the words to rest, neither pressing nor withdrawing them.

"I was particularly struck by the emphasis placed on privacy and institutional independence," Eadu continued, his tone even, almost reflective. "If this Act is to endure beyond its initial enthusiasm, it must be constructed in a manner that invites trust not only today, but a decade hence." A brief pause.

"Perhaps, as this legislation enters refinement, it would be prudent to examine more closely the composition and mandate of the Commission on Galactic Education. Understanding its limits as clearly as its ambitions may well determine whether this proposal becomes a safeguard… or an unintended precedent." He retreated back into the shadows of his pod before a counter-argument could even form. He had given them a compliment and a suggestion, wrapped in the guise of a humble servant.

 

[Aerys Mourn]

UNYIELDING

The repulsor pod bearing Aerys Mourn, Senator for Vandor, drifted forward on a steady vector, its motion precise rather than graceful, deliberate rather than theatrical. The low hum of its stabilizers cut cleanly through the ambient murmur of the chamber. He did not pause for effect. He did not let the room settle around him.

He claimed it.

The Senator stood tall as the pod locked into place, dark robes of deep indigo and silver falling in crisp, disciplined lines rather than flowing elegance. The cut was formal, almost austere, the kind of attire chosen to remind the Senate that governance was not a performance, it was a responsibility. His hair was neatly bound at the nape of his neck, streaked faintly with silver not from age, but from long years under pressure. His expression was calm, composed, and resolute, steel wrapped in civility.

“Chancellor. Esteemed colleagues. Citizens of the Republic,” Aerys began, his voice even and unhurried, carrying the weight of someone accustomed to being listened to. “I rise today not in opposition to hope, nor in defiance of unity, but in defense of fairness made real, rather than fairness merely promised.”

His gaze swept the chamber, not lingering, not favoring. Equal measure to every pod.

“We have heard stirring words about bridges,” he continued, inclining his head slightly in acknowledgment of the previous speaker. “About mobility, about potential, about a galaxy where birthplace no longer defines destiny. On that goal, I believe there is near-universal agreement within this body.” A brief pause. “Where we diverge, respectfully, but profoundly, is on the question of how that goal is secured.”

Aerys folded his hands behind his back, posture straight, voice firm.

“Voluntary alignment, however well-intentioned, does not protect the child born on a forgotten agri-moon. It does not safeguard the apprentice taught in a corporate enclave where profit eclipses pedagogy. And it does not defend Outer Rim students whose diplomas look impressive, until they are tested beyond their homeworld and found wanting.”

A murmur rippled through the chamber.

“Without enforceable, standardized assessment, we do not have unity,” he said calmly. “We have assumptions. And assumptions are a luxury the vulnerable cannot afford.”

He raised one hand, palm open, not accusatory, but declarative.

“I therefore stand in opposition to this bill as written, and in favor of a framework that includes mandatory standardized testing across all Republic-aligned educational institutions. Not to erase culture. Not to homogenize thought. But to guarantee a minimum, non-negotiable standard of competence, no matter the world, no matter the sector.”

His eyes hardened just slightly.

“Following Isley the Younger , Standardized testing is not an enemy of diversity. It is a shield against neglect. It is how we ensure that a student from the Rim is not quietly shortchanged by underfunded systems while Core worlds congratulate themselves on generosity.”

He gestured subtly to the tiers above.

“If we tell a young sentient that their education is ‘unique’ but refuse to verify that it is sufficient, we have not honored them. We have abandoned them.”

Aerys allowed a measured breath before continuing.

“Let us be honest with ourselves. The Republic already operates on standards, starship safety codes, medical licensure, and hyperspace navigation protocols. We do not allow a ship to fly because its designer feels confident. We test it. We certify it. We ground it if it fails.”

A pause.

“Why, then, do we flinch at applying the same rigor to education, the single most powerful determinant of a citizen’s future?”

He inclined his head again, acknowledging concerns before they were voiced.

“Yes. Cultural instruction must remain sovereign. Yes. Local history, philosophy, and identity must be protected. But culture flourishes best when its people are equipped to survive, compete, and lead beyond their homeworlds. Standardized testing does not replace legacy learning, it verifies that legacy learning stands on equal footing with the rest of the galaxy.”

His tone sharpenedm not angry, but unyielding.

“I propose that any Galactic Educational framework worth passing must include: mandatory Republic-wide examinations in core disciplines; transparent benchmarking published openly for all worlds to see; remediation funding tied to results, not promises; and periodic reassessment to ensure no system quietly decays while flying the Republic banner.”

Aerys straightened fully now, voice steady, resolute.

“Unity without accountability is sentiment. Opportunity without verification is an illusion. If we truly believe every citizen deserves the same chance, then we must be brave enough to measure whether we are delivering it.”

He paused, letting the silence work.

“I do not oppose unity,” he concluded. “I oppose unequal outcomes hidden behind noble language. And I will not support a bill that standardizes credentials without standardizing proof.”

A final, respectful inclination of his head toward the Speaker’s podium.

“I yield the floor, and invite this chamber to debate not what sounds kind, but what is just.”