Against the Odds [Solo Introduction]

[Danny Colen]

Governmental Building​

Iritsa, Capital City of Chazwa​

A Month before Governor Elections​

The grand Coruscanti-styled building of Chazwa’s capital city stood proud with banners and holo-images, already anticipating the next round of the planet’s Governor Elections. Outside stood bundles of people, separated as if by the walkway leading into the building. To the ignorant this would seem to be due to the courtesy of leaving the path clear, however to people familiar with the planet it was a separation of rivals. The Clogs and The Stone-dwellers, two faction-like groups for the populace to support and even fight for. Such rivalry had been going on for so long that the previous Governors had turned a blind eye, fearful of what action the Clogs, being more militant than their arch-enemies, would take against them. It was this fact that gave Danny hope. He was not afraid of the Clogs, nor was he afraid of their violent threats towards the government. There was a need for change on Chazwa that the other candidates were unwilling to address, therefore he had an advantage. Running for Governor had been his dream for years, and it was time to make that dream a reality.

Already he could sense the people around him whispering as he entered the Governmental Building. Gossip spewed between them undoubtedly about him. There was a general distaste for Danny in the current government, mainly due to his views on the faction situation, but also because he posed a threat to their position in power. These were the kind of people who liked to be in control, and anyone who might question that was an enemy, no questions asked. Danny didn’t mind though, it was healthy competition for the most part. No doubt they would try and pull a few dirty tricks here and there, but for the most part he was confident he’d make it through fine. If anything it would be fun.

“Danny Colen, here to sign on for the election.” He spoke with confidence to the clerk behind the desk, a rather large woman with long blonde hair. She nodded at him and pulled out a piece of paper and pen, placing them on the desk before him.
“Fill out the form.” The woman replied, sounding none too happy about doing her job. As Danny began to complete the form, he noticed a man approaching his right side, going to lean on the desk and face him.
“Well, if it isn’t Danny boy.” He mocked with an ugly grin as his eyes flickered down to notice the form he was filling out. “You’re making a mistake, Danny.” His voice became more serious, a hint of threatening somewhere within, as he leaned forward to speak more privately. “If the Clogs don’t kill you, the other candidates will. You can’t just walk in here and bring peace to the planet.”
Danny merely turned to him and smiled, handing the completed form to the clerk without looking.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Jonathan. I can do just that, because I have the guts to try.”
“You’ll get yourself killed, Danny. I wouldn’t want to see you hurt. Your mother would kill me…” The man’s hand went to rested on Danny’s shoulder, but he pushed it off with a look of disgust,
“See you at the debates, Jonathan.” Was all he had left to say, before straightening his jacket and walking off to leave the building. There was nothing left for him to do here, he had a speech to prepare. Then there was the matter of gathering support and funding, everything just a month before the election. The plan was to announce his standing this late so that the other candidates let their guard down, but since the current Governor was already on to him, the whole ordeal was going to be much harder...

 

[Danny Colen]

Danny’s Office​

Warehouse District​

Iritsa​

One Month until the Elections​

The sounds of welding and hammering filled Danny’s ears as he entered the all-too-familiar factory which housed his personal office. Money wasn’t a luxury for him or his staff at the moment, and so a small back room of a warehouse was all they could afford for their campaign to be orchestrated from. Their funds were better deserved in advertisement and political fees, and so it was mutually agreed for them to use this space temporarily. Making his way to the very back and opening a small door near the corner, Danny entered his office. A small room with sparsely decorated walls, just two desks, chairs and a row of filing cabinets for furniture. It was no luxury like the governor’s office, but it was enough for him and his assistant. As he sat at the desk on the right, he looked across to his assistant at her desk; a young green-skinned Twi’lek girl named Sarala.
“All done then?” She asked, too busy typing at her computer terminal to look at him.
“Yeah.” He replied, letting out a sigh before adding. “But Jonathan was there.” At that point Sarala’s eyes looked to him, frowning slightly.
“We’ll have to be quick with your speech then, before he says anything public about you.”
Danny nodded in reply, leaning back in his chair whilst staring at his own computer. And before the Clogs come for my head. Was what he wanted to say, but he kept quiet for Salara’s sake. She worried about him more often than he’d like.
“First day of next week sound good?” Sarala asked, her eyes flickering to Danny again, who seemed to be deep in thought about something.
“For the speech?” He snapped out of his thoughts.
“Yes.”
“Yeah, I guess. If we can wait that long.” His voice had a hint of worry in it, which Salara picked up on.
“It’ll be fine, I’ll make some calls, make sure the media focuses on other news stories.”
“Salara, you better not be doing anything questionable… You know I-.”
“I’m not, I’m not.” She cut him off with a relatively sincere tone, enough for Danny to quit pushing the matter.

With their conversation over, Danny leaned forward to his computer, logging in with a swift sequence of key presses. One New Mail blinked periodically on the screen, and so he opened it to most likely delete the junk. However, it’s sender caught his eye. Governor Jonathan Mare. Danny sighed again, clicking it with no joy whatsoever.

Dear Danny,

Our encounter at the Governmental Building was unnecessarily harsh, and I apologize for that. If you hadn’t have stormed off so quickly you could have heard my proposition. As you may know, I have been Governor of Chazwa for five years, and I don’t believe my time is over yet. There is still much more for me to do for this glorious planet. You are a smart boy, and I’ll admit you pose some concerns for me and my staff. If we can come to a deal, one where both of us walk away happy, I’d glad to put the past behind us and start anew as friends.

So here is my proposition: I arrange for you and your mother to move to a nice place on Onderon, all expenses paid for and even a substantial amount of credits for you to live off. In exchange for this most generous offer, I get to run without your opposition for this season’s Governor position.

I do hope you make the right choice, Danny.
Your father would be proud,

Governor Jonathan Mare

A scowl. That was all Danny could muster. This man had just insulted him and his family. There was no way he’d give up his dream and the good of the people of Chazwa for this man and his dirty credits. In his anger, Danny swiftly wrote a simple reply.

To Governor Mare,

Keep your filthy credits. You’re going down.

Danny