Faction Celestial Navigation | THR Senate

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

THE HIGH REPUBLIC SENATE
THEED - NABOO
[VIBES? GLAD YOU ASKED]​

Verity Stuyveris sat in her pod, waiting for the appointed time to speak. She used the few minutes of administration to fire off a quick holomail and then to check in on her office staff, who were preparing for the media blitz that would accompany the bill. When the moment came, she rose serenely and -- suppressing the imagined groan of her colleagues as the sermonizing Senator, the bloviating blonde was once more rising to harangue them -- activated her microphone. "Thank you, Madam Chancellor. I rise this morning to formally introduce Senate Bill 6946, the Diplomatic Accountability and Reform Enforcement Act, which I submitted to the legislative office earlier this week. This bill's aims are threefold: first, it creates the executive agency of the Ministry of State, an apparatus designed to coordinate and execute the foreign policy directives of the Chancellor through the use of vetted, professional diplomats. Second, it creates the office of Minister of State and defines its scope and purpose as the primary adviser of the Chancellor on matters of foreign relations and diplomatic efforts, seeking to relieve the burden of managing the diplomatic apparatus the size of ours from the Chancellor and freeing them to focus on other matters while still protecting the executive's prerogatives to define foreign policy aims and set foreign policy goals. Lastly, and equally as important in my view, it reaffirms the principal that the Senate -- the people's representatives -- are obliged to maintain oversight and the means to hold accountable the diplomatic apparatus as they do the people's business, by way of the establishment of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee."

She paused as her pod slowly orbited the central spire, her glacial gaze dropping to her notes briefly. "The Corellian Crisis exposed us -- the Republic as a whole -- as having taken our eye off the ball. I spoke to several colleagues -- who will remain unnamed, naturally -- who had never heard of Cynan Obaith until his abduction drove the Republic to the very brink of war. We are all busy people -- we are all responsible for much in this job, and the Chancellor most of all. Much carry, much care, I believe is the phrase. And while we are eager, of course, to retrieve the Ambassador and to return him safely home, we must also reckon with the fact that there is work to be done to make the High Republic's foreign policy more efficient, more effective, and more secure -- while protecting the Chancellor's prerogatives to set the direction of foreign policy."

Verity's gaze swept the pods before settling on the Chancellor's spire, then inclined her head gracefully. "The people who elected us deserve transparency and accountability regarding the work they sent us here to do, but not just them. The diplomats who bravely go into the galaxy to carry the light of our Republic deserve it, too. They deserve to be supported and protected, to have a structure in place that can communicate effectively to the Senate what they need to successfully complete their work. And Chancellor Vexx -- to say nothing of future Chancellors -- deserves professionalism and support in the implementation of her foreign policy directives."

The Senator from Druckenwell lowered her chin briefly. "Madam Chancellor, to break the habit of a lifetime and in consideration for the schedules of my esteemed colleagues and yourself, I will keep my remarks brief and end them here -- with the understanding that I will reserve the remainder of my time. I yield by inviting the kind of thoughtful discussion and amendments that this body has been characterized since my election. Thank you."

Dominique Vexx | Senators & Dellow Felegates​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

'How thoughtful' was the sentiment of the hour. Chancellor Dominique Vexx stood at her podium and listened while Verity Stuyveris spoke of bolstering her and the Republic's ability to manage diplomatic affairs. A sentiment that would have carried more weight with the person it was claimed to help had they discussed it with them before hand. As things were, Dominique couldn't help but see it for a legislative over reach; an attempt to carve out a piece of the Executive hidden in the same breadth as expanding it by the creation of a new Office.

But to what end? Had certain elements taken a notice in Dominique's efforts to do more than be a figure head to be trotted out to reassure people all was well? Was Verity disgruntled that such efforts included weighing the disposition of Sith representatives? An effort to stymie reaching out to the Covenant whose cabal she'd previously introduced harsh legislation against? Something had spurred this, and the unnamed names were likely agents provocateurs.

"I applaud the Senator's interest in the intricate diplomatic relations necessary for a galactic government to function. It certainly takes great consideration and no small amount of time to navigate cultural, social, and even legal waters to find the common ground necessary to establish an accord." Dominique smiled as she looked out at those assembled. "Efforts that are not done in isolation. Countless hard working men, women, and members of all kinds dedicate themselves to the task every hour of every day. Across all worlds, within and beyond our borders." Her hands lifted just over the top of the podium, palms up. "A testament to our commitment of unity. To one another."

"The creation of a Ministry of State staffed by those entrusted with authority and vision by the Office of the Chancellor would enable expanding those efforts. To give those dedicated individuals someone to contact at all times even when the Chancellor must manage critical matters internal or abroad." She set her hands down atop the podium. "A mission this legislation recognizes."

There was a pause as her golden eyes slowly panned over the faces present.

"Wherein a shadow looms, Senators. I see before me an effort to ensure the People of the Republic are not forgotten, and at the same time conditions whereby our efforts for coexistence might be influenced by nameless individuals. A cabal of interests that cannot be held to account for word or deeds none can prove out, rather than the Chancellor who is chosen and serves at the pleasure of the members of this Republic."

"I motion to strike Article Four, Section Two, paragraph a. Well intentioned in conjunction with paragraph c as it may be, should the interest of this legislation be to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the Ministry its candidates should not be limited. The Will of the People carries through by the selection process. Likewise, Article Three, Section Three, paragraph b should be amended to remove the Minister of State."

"I motion to replace mention of the Committee in Article Four, Section Two, paragraph d with that of the Office of the Chancellor. As the position enables the vision of the Chancellor selected by the People, it is appropriate that an Acting Minister of State should therefore be chosen by the Office of the Chancellor until the Senate reaches consensus."

"I motion to strike Article Three, Section Two, Paragraph d. The Office of the Chancellor and Minister of State must retain the ability to punish those that report to them. Likewise, Article Three, Section Three, paragraph c should be stricken as the section dictates the Committee shall have no limitation; which deprives the Executive its ability to government its own office. Should the Senate feel the diplomatic corps behavior is in excusable they possess the recourse of approaching the Executive directly in such matters."

"I would also request clarification regarding paragraph e. To what extent does 'administration and operational efficiency' apply?

"I, furthermore, request clarification on the Committee's ability to compel appearance and produce records without limitation."

"I motion that Article Three, Section Three, paragraph b be revised to exclude mention of 'any such offices or positions' above that of Ambassador. As Ambassador is the highest rank of diplomatic representative, and any Deputy Minister should be retained at the Minister's discretion, this is unnecessary. It would thereby be in accordance to Article Four, Section Five, paragraph b recognition of the Deputy Minister abiding existing procedure."

"And I motion that Article Three, Section Three, paragraph g be stricken as it introduces more ambiguity than it would likely be intended to resolve. Should this Act require amendments, the Senate may convene and recognize the need for revision."

Another pause was given so that Senators had a chance to finished following along the list of recommended alternations to Senate Bill 6946.

"As always, Senators, I welcome your interest in this Republic and ensuring its prosperous future. It is not only necessary that we establish relations with those outside our borders, but also with one another. Dialogue, such as we here perform, can ensure we possess the tools needed to make our vision real, and to ensure that the bureaucracy does not deny the Will of those we represent."

Verity Stuyveris | OPEN​

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Dominique Vexx Verity Stuyveris

In the vast, circular expanse of the Senate Chamber its towering domed ceiling lost in soft, diffused illumination high above the repulsor pod of Denon's Ayumi Pallopides drifted forward with silent grace. The chamber's identical platforms had become a common sight and no matter the outcome she always loved it, their occupants a mosaic of people and attire reflecting the boundless prosperity that Denon was working to try and help bring about. At the distant center rose the Chancellor's podium, a beacon of well it was Dominique and hard to argue when she usually brought hushed anticipation of others. Ayumi's pod was looking towards it while she gleamed with a smile.

She stood tall at all legged six feet two with her lithe frame carrying the dancers elegance of one born to try and drraw attention. Her straight, silken dark-honey hair cascaded to her waist in loose waves, interwoven with natural aurodium strands that caught the chamber's ambient glow like threads of sunlight. The warm tones complemented the deep dark honey of her eyes, where amber flecks shimmered subtly as she surveyed the chamber eyes that shifted to near-black in shadowed alcoves yet warmed to molten gold under brighter lights. Her smooth, lightly bronzed copper skin held a sun-kissed radiance, standing out against the cooler metallic tones of the surrounding repulsorpods.

Her attire, a masterful fusion of Atrisian, Denon with a touch of Naboo opulence, draped her form in layers of pristine white sunless lands silk and luminous karlini fabrics that evoked Naboo's graceful aesthetics while letting her get some of the best seamstresses. The off-the-shoulder gown featured a fitted bodice of ivory charmeuse, delicately embroidered with intricate golden aurodium filigree that traced swirling patterns reminiscent of ancient naboo house sigils symbols of unity. A deep V-neckline plunged and revealed just enough to accentuate her collarbone and the subtle rise of her shoulders, framed by voluminous off-shoulder sleeves of translucent white chiffon edged in fine golden thread. These sleeves flowed into long, bell-like cuffs that moved with her gestures, adding a sense of fluid motion to her stance.

At her waist, a wide sash of rich black silk cinched the gown, its surface adorned with an ornate central clasp of polished obsidian and hammered gold shaped like a stylized galactic spiral. Golden embroidery spiraled outward from the clasp in thorn-like motifs that echoed the crimson-and-black runes of her lower-back tattoo, though here rendered in elegant, non-threatening symmetry as mere decorative homage to ancient custom rather than dark family legacy. Fur-trimmed accents of soft white jakobeast fur lined the sash's edges and cascaded in luxurious panels down the front, their pristine texture contrasting the gown's sleek lines and softening the overall silhouette while maintaining regal poise.

The skirt cascaded in ethereal layers of layered silk and gossamer, white at the core yet transitioning to pale gold at the hems through subtle gradient dyeing. Intricate brocade panels along the sides featured raised golden embroidery of interlocking vines and celestial motifs, their metallic threads catching every shift of light from the chamber's holoprojectors and glow-panels. Long, flowing outer robes of semi-sheer white organza draped from her shoulders, edged with the same gold filigree and opening at the front to reveal the gown beneath; these robes billowed gently with the repulsor pod's subtle currents, creating a look of movement that drew eyes without demanding them.

Aurodium jewelry completed the ensemble delicate earrings of cascading chains, a necklace with a pendant of amber-hued crystal that matched her eyes, and a slender circlet of gold nestled in her hair. In the hushed expanse of the chamber Ayumi allowed her repulsor pod to drift forward until it occupied a central position among the orbiting platforms. The soft luminescence of the dome bathed her in even light, accentuating the eye catching outfit on the chamber's holoprojectors. Activating her microphone, she inclined her head first toward Chancellor Vexx, then toward Senator Stuyveris, acknowledging both with a smile and bow of her head.

"I second the chancellors amendments. I rise in support of the principle that our diplomatic apparatus must serve the Republic with efficiency, professionalism, and fidelity. Yet I find Senate Bill 6946, in its current form, introduces several risks that could undermine those very goals rather than strengthen them. The creation of an entirely new executive agency the Ministry of State risks fragmenting authority at precisely the moment our frontier demands swift, unified direction from the Chancellor's office. The delicate negotiations with independent systems require immediate coordination, the addition of another bureaucratic layer could delay responses that have historically been resolved through the Chancellor's office."

She was looking at more there as she was thinking about what had happened the last time and she wouldn't do such a thing to Verity. Her voice coming out as she offered a smile and more spoke softly but with encouragement. She was one that she liked working with after all. "I therefore move to strike the establishment of the Ministry of State in its entirety, or, at minimum, to amend it into a purely advisory office that remains wholly subordinate to and funded through the Office of the Chancellor, preserving executive flexibility without entrenching a parallel power center vulnerable to prolonged senatorial confirmation battles."

She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping the concentric rings of pods as she allowed the weight of her words to settle. "Equally concerning is the expanded authority granted to the proposed Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. Oversight is essential the Senate must never abdicate its responsibility to represent the people's will but the bill's language permits near-unlimited compulsion of appearances, records, and testimony without adequate safeguards for ongoing, sensitive operations. Diplomats in the field, whether negotiating trade pacts on the Outer Rim or responding to emerging threats, deserve protection from premature exposure that could endanger lives or compromise Republic interests."

She hands came out as she touched her pods railing for a moment though. "Real-time interference risks turning diplomacy into a perpetual senatorial spectacle, where partisan divisions or unnamed influences could stall progress at critical junctures. I therefore move to amend Article Four, Section Two, and all related provisions, to require joint approval by the Chancellor and the Committee chair for any subpoena or compulsion involving classified diplomatic matters, and to limit the Committee's purview to post-action review and annual performance audits rather than operational interference." She gestured lightly with one hand, the translucent chiffon of her sleeve catching the light in a soft ripple.

"A third red flag lies in the appointment and vetting processes outlined for the Minister and senior diplomatic personnel. While the emphasis on professionalism is commendable, the bill's reliance on Senate mechanisms for confirmation and oversight opens the door to exclusionary politics, factional sabotage, or the subtle influence of special interests precisely the kind of internal friction that we have at times worked so diligently to overcome. The Corellian Crisis demonstrated that diplomacy often demands immediacy; rigid, multi-stage confirmation requirements could paralyze leadership during emergencies."

She looked at more of it and between Corellia and Alderaan there had been a lot. "I therefore move to insert a new clause in Article Three granting the Chancellor unilateral authority to make emergency acting appointments to key diplomatic positions for limited terms not to exceed six standard months, with full Senate confirmation required thereafter only in non-crisis circumstances. Such a provision would ensure agility without sacrificing long-term accountability." Ayumi's expression remained composed, though a faint, resolute light shone in her amber-flecked eyes. "These amendments are offered not to obstruct reform, but to refine it."

She had moved her pod back towards the spot so that she could finish doing a circuit as she spoke. "The Republic flourishes when its branches cooperate in trust rather than entangle one another in procedures that could slow the very outreach and coexistence we champion. Chancellor Vexx has rightly highlighted the need to preserve executive prerogative while welcoming dialogue; Senator Stuyveris has rightly called for greater structure and accountability. Let us meet in the middle strengthening our diplomatic capacity without burdening it with layers that history warns can calcify into inefficiency. I yield the remainder of my time for consideration of these motions and invite thoughtful debate from my colleagues."

With that, she lowered her head in a graceful nod and allowed her pod to ease back into its orbit, the flowing white organza of her robes settling around her as she went back itno place while listening for what othersmight say. She motioned to her two aides with her and Zahira as she spoke with the mic off. "Keep a count of the usual." She said it to them and herr bodyguaard gave a nod as she mirrored Ayumi in looks with a collar of metal and there was her professional suit giving her a look of a bodyguard but the biot was prominent at relaying information and keeping records for everything that she needed.


Pallopides Amendments to SB 6946 (Diplomatic Accountability and Reform Enforcement Act)

1. Strike / Downgrade the Ministry of State Eliminate the new executive agency entirely or reduce it to a purely advisory office under direct Chancellor control. Reason: Avoids bureaucratic fragmentation and preserves swift, unified Chancellorial direction essential for High Republic frontier outreach and crisis response.
2. Safeguard Committee Oversight Powers Amend Article Four and related sections to require joint Chancellor–Committee approval for subpoenas/compulsions in classified matters, and limit scope to post-action review + annual audits only. Reason: Prevents real-time interference, protects field diplomats from premature exposure, and stops diplomacy from becoming a partisan spectacle.
3. Add Emergency Appointment Authority Insert new clause in Article Three allowing the Chancellor unilateral emergency acting appointments to key diplomatic roles max 6-month terms during crises, with Senate confirmation required afterward only in non-emergency cases. Reason: Ensures agility in urgent situations without sacrificing long-term accountability.

These changes aim to strengthen diplomacy without layering inefficiency, politicization, or executive erosion aligning with High Republic ideals of trust, speed, and cooperative governance between branches.

 

[Lex]

"Nice."

The voice of the young aide by his side tore Lex from the big introduction. He blinked at the kid for a moment.

"What? What's nice?"
"Oh, it's a joke on the 'net. Every time—"
"Ah." Lex groaned. "Say less."

Lex hadn't exactly kept up with the fads and movements on the 'net since his own days being a layabout student embedded in the Worlds of War scene. The joke had existed twenty years ago just like it would seem it was still around to this day.

The senator turned his focus back to the blonde aggrandizing her bill and speaking the politics to the crowd. It would seem that his aide wasn't the only one with a sense of humor. DARE? Really? Lex shook his head and decided to read through the brief rather than listen.

He leaned back in his seat, finger tapping at the armrest as he read. The craving was coming back. Lex gritted his teeth to fight back. A thousand podiums and he was just a small dot in the greater scheme. Would anyone notice?

His eyes set on the gold-teal packet on his aide's table and the brown, filtered joy within. The aide caught his despairing glance and gave a cautious shake of their head. Lex forced himself back to the pad to focus on something else.

Why couldn't the chancellor speak Basic? Henceforth thus unto the denizens of thee. Why was it so impossible for these so-called best-of-the-best to just talk like a normal goddamned human person? This language was helping no-one.

He should have had one before stepping into this. But no, that idiot from column fifty-three had to talk to him. Had he been played? Was this that political bullshittery he had been warned about? He swore he could feel the way the members of that particular podium were laughing at him.

"Ministry of State, good idea." He whispered to his aide. "Maybe if we're all quiet they'll grant us a quick recess."

And then Pallopides spoke up. Oh, this was about to get torturous.

 

[Her]

---

---

Naboo, Mid Rim, Trailing Sectors;
Capital of The High Republic;
Theed.
Tags: Verity Stuyveris | Dominique Vexx | Ayumi Pallopides | Lex

---

"To establish lawful provisions for either the organized repatriation or voluntary citizenship naturalization of individuals who entered Republic space from Alliance systems during the Second Great Hyperspace War, ensuring allegiance, civic integration, and national security."
-- Article II, "Purpose", describing the formalized bill regarding refugees fleeing the Second Great Hyperspace War as per the ' Refugee Repatriation and Naturalization Act ' originally proposed by Senator Joa Sodi .

---

As Chancellor Vexx moved the debate regarding Senator Stuveris' proposal behind the ' Diplomatic Accountability and Reform Enforcement Act ' towards amendments, or outright removal in parts, a scar from a previously passed bill (originally proposed by Senator Sodi two years ago during the waning days of the Galactic Alliance) resurfaced in the hallowed halls of Theed.

Her (known publicly as an Imperial expat from Enarc and as a former participant of the Five Veils Revitalization Project) took their seat in the podium representing a minor star system from the furthest edges of the known High Republic during the aftermath of a crisis on Corellia wrought by a former colleague and comrade whom she had worked with during a four year stint as part of the Commission for the Establishment of Civilian Interests based in New Aldera.

Kenari (a star system that could be found near the Perkell sector) was a minor planet known only to a few as a place for commercial mining operations. A forest world of little repute or notoriety to those aristocrats and bureaucrats in Theed it was now set to play a minor role regarding the founding of a Ministry of State that was being formed to perform oversight and the subsequent organizing of matters relating to the foreign affairs of Chancellor Vexx's office and that of the High Republic itself.

Such was the little status that the Kenari system held within the democratic sphere that it's representatives had, up until this moment, had little to do with state matters or politics practiced within the hallowed capital of Theed itself.

Until now.

As Vexx's amendments were brought into discussion Her sat quietly in the podium while her Kenari associates whispered in their native tongue who were suddenly richer, and therefore emboldened, to utilize their right to engage in the political dysphagia. The expat in their midst was not a Senator and nor was she even a recognized politician within the political circles on Naboo. Some who possessed an eye for certain developments or news would know, perhaps, that the application made by the former face of Tarsai Vigil (a defunct subsidiary formed as part of the Five Veils Project) to become a naturalized citizen via Senator Lodi's refugee act was only formally accepted and passed during the last days of interim Chancellor Aurelian Veruna 's time in office which was, to say, a minor scandal overshadowed by other more important developments...

---

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Adelle Bastiel

Aurelian lounged sideways in his Senate pod, one boot hooked over the opposite knee as the chamber droned on. Pods drifted in their slow orbit while senators delivered speeches that seemed designed mainly to let their own voices echo around the hall.

Shiraya above, they loved hearing themselves talk.

He rested his chin on his knuckles and watched the spectacle unfold. One amendment. Another clarification. A procedural motion. It felt less like governance and more like a very expensive recital.

For a moment he imagined the alternative. Sibylla and Adelle strolling through some absurdly expensive district market while he trailed behind carrying bags. Honestly? That would have been a better use of his time. Being late to this circus would have been worth it.

But no.

He had to be responsible. A king. A dignified representative of his people. Which was precisely why he had personally paid his tailors to outfit Adelle before this session. The Mandalorian Empire might have made her their ambassador, but she certainly did not have the wardrobe for Senate theatrics. Aurelian had no intention of letting her stroll in wearing Mandalorian battle leathers like she had just stepped out of a war council. Diplomacy had rules. Style was one of them.

Another senator finished speaking. The chamber quieted just enough that Aurelian sighed, uncrossed his legs, and stood. His pod drifted forward. He offered a polite incline of his head to the Chancellor and the surrounding rings of representatives. Internally he counted how many seconds he could endure this before someone tried to lecture him.

Probably three.

"Chancellor. Senators." His tone was smooth, casual. "While I appreciate the effort to improve our diplomatic structure, I cannot support Senate Bill 6946."

He clasped his hands behind his back. "The bill adds layers of committee oversight to appointments, treaties, and funding. In theory that increases accountability. In practice it delays action. When crises emerge along our borders, hesitation is not governance."

Aurelian gave a small, disarming smile. "For that reason alone, Naboo cannot support the measure."

He inclined his head once more and sat. Before anyone could launch into rebuttal, his datapad lit quietly in his hands. Dinner options. Finally, something productive.

​

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

(OOC Note: I noticed a numbering error in Article IV; there were two section 2s. That has been corrected. Context clues suggest to me that Dominique Vexx was referring to what is now Section 3 in her amendments to the section, but please correct me if I'm wrong).

Verity had expected a certain level of resistance.

The Chancellor would see it as an encroachment on her prerogatives, of course. And Senator Pallopides could be relied upon to do what she felt the Chancellor would want her to do -- which was a shame, given that she had topped Verity's list of Senators to which the appointment would be best suited. Ayumi worked well with the Chancellor, and their shared interests would make the task easier -- not to mention that the Senator for Denon was well-liked in the Senate, so a contentious confirmation process was unlikely. The Naboo delegations blunt dismissal Verity hadn't flagged in advance, but she had to confess it made a certain kind of sense. Monarchs disfavored limitations, oversight, and accountability.

Still, there was a fight to be had, and the Senator for Druckenwell's pulse quickened at the thought. She loved a good debate.

Verity rose and activated her microphone. "I thank my Right Honorable friend the Chancellor for her thoughtful response to this legislation, though I do regret that she cannot contemplate a situation where transparency and proper oversight coexist with ambition and efficiency. I hope it is not considered argumentative in me to answer to some of the insinuations raised. With respect to the Chancellor's insinuations, it is precisely today's diplomatic structure that could well shield cabals in shadow. This legislation puts names to face and sunlight -- the best disinfectant -- to shadows. Under this legislation, it will be a colleague -- by design of the legislation trusted by both the Chancellor and this body -- who would serve as the Chancellor's principal adviser on matters of foreign affairs. As a reminder, they would have no individual authority of their own. Their role is to coordinate, advise, and report -- not to make policy. That prerogative remains where it always has belonged: in the hands of the Chancellor. At present, we have no way of knowing who is serving that role, if anyone at all. That unfortunate truth came to the fore during the Obaith Affair. I heard many of my colleagues wonder: Who sent him? What were his orders? What efforts were in place to protect him while he was operating outside our borders?" She paused and let her gaze sweep the room. "We don't know. Why? Because the Senate was not consulted -- or even informed -- beforehand. This is in contravention of the the Charter of Unity -- Section I, Paragraph V -- which places oversight of the Republic's good works directly and squarely within our purview. Not to manipulate the Chancellor, not to dictate foreign policy to her or her adviser. To be consulted. To advise. In plain language: to perform oversight."

The Senator for Druckenwell gripped the sides of her podium. "The Chancellor's suggestion of some shadowy cabal being installed by this legislation -- which takes great pains to throw the shutters of our foreign policy apparatus open to sunlight to the extent that is practicable while being mindful of security considerations -- is made even more ironic by her motion to strike the eligibility requirements and Committee confirmation. To be clear, nothing in this legislation would prohibit the Chancellor from taking advice from anyone. Friends from home. The janitor who services her office. The Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. Her favorite bookmaker. The purpose of the Minister of State position in this legislation is to provide an adviser -- yes -- but also to provide accountability and transparency to the Senate. That person should therefore be familiar with the laws and customs of the Senate, comfortable with frank discussions with Senate colleagues, and also have a stake in ensuring that the oversight that is required by the Charter of Unity is observed."

"Perhaps it is sloppy drafting on my part -- for which I hope the Chancellor and my colleagues will forgive me -- but the circumstances described in Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph (d) exist when the Chancellor has failed to nominate a candidate for Minister in 90 days. It is therefore contradictory -- and redundant -- to offer the Chancellor a mechanism to appoint an Acting Minister. It is the Chancellor's prerogative to appoint a Minister already. If it would please this body, I would ask the Chancellor to withdraw the motion in favor of an alternative motion to clarify the language and including a clarification that the Acting Minister's term in office would end immediately upon the confirmation of the Minister of State as appointed by the Chancellor."

Verity shifted her weight. "The Chancellor's position is well-taken regarding the amendment proposed to Article II, Section 2, Paragraph (d). May I propose an alternative amendment? To strike the word 'exclusive' from Section 2 and substitute 'legislative' -- to clarify that the Committee's jurisdiction extends to those items that fall within the sphere of the Senate's jurisdiction under the Charter of Unity. While the Chancellor must, indeed, retain the authority to discipline rogue diplomats, the Committee ought to exercise its legislative prerogatives to oversee the statutory authorities, requirements, and codes of conduct to which Ministry personnel are subject. Likewise, the intention around administration and operational efficiency would have aspects that fall within statutory limits. Should the Ministry require additional funding, for instance, it falls to the Senate to appropriate it."

The Senator for Druckenwell turned her head, put a fist to her lips to clear her throat, allowing a moment for her words to settle while she consulted her notes. "Regarding the mention of 'any such offices or positions above that of Ambassador' -- if the Chancellor feels strongly about it, I can see my way to agreeing to this as a matter of compromise. My concern is that a Chancellor -- one, certainly, with less integrity than my Right Honorable friend our current Chancellor -- may attempt to circumvent the constitutional requirements of Senate oversight by creating offices that serve the same function but are called something different. However, given that this is now a matter of the record, it would clearly be a breach of the Charter of Unity and thus grounds for a vote of No Confidence."

"As to the Chancellor's final amendment -- for now," she added with a genuine and deferential nod toward Dominique Vexx in her podium, hoping to communicate that whatever the outcome she had no hard feelings. "I recognize her wisdom and rationale and will second her motion myself. No arguments here."

Her pod slowly rotated, so that she faced toward both the Chancellor's podium and Ayumi Pallopides ' pod. "I also thank my honorable friend the Member for Denon for her thoughtful contributions and -- though I strive to agree with her as often as I can as she is normally possessed of good sense and better ideas -- here I'm afraid I cannot. Her amendments amount to nothing less than an abdication of the Senate's obligations under the Charter to provide oversight by making it contingent upon the Chancellor to permit it. By allowing the Chancellor a veto power over subpoenas and inquiries, we are not a Senate, not a legislature, not an overseer, but an audience to executive ambition."

Verity shook her head minutely, her golden hair catching the light with the motion. "With great respect, Madam Chancellor, I move to strike Senator Pallopides' first motion -- to strike the Ministry of State provisions -- as non-germane: this provision is so fundamental to the purpose of the bill that removing it might as well rescind the bill in its entirety and I believe it is improperly offered on those grounds."

She cleared her throat again delicately. "I have already commented on the second amendment in part. Giving the Chancellor the right in law to veto any oversight efforts -- even if only in matters that are confidential -- may seem like a safeguard in a Chancellor that we like and respect, that we trust not to act in an underhand way." Another deferential bob of her head toward Dominique. "But I hasten to remind my colleague that it is the apparatuses directly beneath the Chancellor's control that determine what is classified. It is therefore unwise, in my view, to give one individual the power to classify information and then to deny the Senate its mandate to oversight because that information is classified. And much as I respect the Chancellor -- and would respect any Chancellor that earned the confidence of the Republic by winning the position in an election -- if I had reason to believe that any part of the Office of the Chancellor was misusing these particular levers to deceive or otherwise deprive the Senate of its authority under the Charter of Unity, we will have done no favors to the ideals of efficiency by forcing a situation where the Office of the Chancellor is tied up in litigation over it, which is what will happen."

Verity lifted her chin, a touch of defiance on display. It would happen, because she would be the one to do it if there was good cause for it.

Her fingers flexed gently at the edges of the podium. My God, she was talking a lot. "If I may request clarification from the Senator on her third amendment, it is unclear to me whether she is proposing that the Chancellor's emergency acting appointments would require confirmation after six months unless an emergency was ongoing? I would be surprised to hear that the Senator is proposing that the Senate be the ones to determine whether a state of emergency exists for the purposes of these appointments. So once again we are putting all authority in the hands of the Chancellor and hoping they will not misuse it." She frowned and moistened her lips briefly with a sip of water.

"The Senator's loyalty to the Chancellor is admirable, but someday the Republic is likely to have a Chancellor that is not from Denon," Verity said, her tone warm but firm. "Oughtn't we to build guardrails in recognition of that reality now?"

She paused and straightened, placing her hands behind her back instead of at the edges of the podium. "Consider the Corellian Crisis for a moment, Senators. Consider that it has heightened security concerns. Consider that it is in the midst of yet another crisis -- that of the growing threat of the Sith Covenant butchers in the Core. Is it more efficient to request for the Chancellor herself to be deposed -- under oath -- regarding all the myriad questions we have over Cynan Obaith and Marlon Sularen , in the midst of all her other responsibilities? Even I would propose that such oversight would place an unreasonable strain upon the Chancellor, but if the choices are that or the Senate sits in the dark and is not informed about Corellia -- and is not informed of future Corellias until something goes wrong and we are asked to authorize the use of deadly force to retrieve a diplomat -- then I'm afraid I will have to insist. This legislation offers middle ground: an individual whose responsibility is, in part, to answer to the oversight needs of the Senate without tying the Chancellor to a chair until our interrogations are complete." Verity half-smiled. "Rest assured that is metaphorical, Madam Chancellor. I'm told Senate inquiries are very civilized these days."

Verity glanced toward the pod for Naboo where Aurelian Veruna was already very clearly checked out. Not worth the gunpowder, she thought, and turned back to the microphone. "I thank my colleagues for their attention and insightful discussion. I look forward to hearing more. I will reserve the remainder of my time and yield."

Dominique Vexx | Ayumi Pallopides | Aurelian Veruna
Her | Lex

​

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Verity Stuyveris Aurelian Veruna Her Lex Dominique Vexx

In the vast, circular expanse of the chamber Ayumi guided her repulsor pod forward with deliberate calm, positioning it once more at the forefront of the orbiting platforms. As she looked at Verity with a smile. The chamber's soft, diffused illumination cast an even glow across the assembly, highlighting the concentric rings of senators from every corner of the Republic. She rose steadily, activating her microphone with a measured touch, her voice carrying clear and composed across the hall. Offering nods first to Chancellor Vexx and then to Senator Stuyveris, she began without flourish or preamble, her tone warm yet resolute, determined to lay out a thorough, point-by-point defense of her proposed amendments.

"Madam Chancellor, Senator Stuyveris, esteemed colleagues I with profound respect for the intent behind Senate Bill 6946 and with an equally profound conviction that our shared goal of a more effective, accountable, and resilient diplomatic framework can only be achieved if we subject every proposed mechanism to the most rigorous examination. The Republic will have earned its place in galactic history not through haste, but through deliberate, principled choices that balance ambition with caution, innovation with stability, and outreach with protection. Today's debate offers us an opportunity to apply that same discipline to our own institutions."

She knew the king haad opposed it and a few others likely did but ehhh Verity was interresting and a little back and forth got things fun. "I support the core aspirations articulated by the Senator from Druckenwell: professionalizing coordination of our diplomatic efforts, relieving the Chancellor of an unsustainable operational load, and ensuring the Senate fulfills its charter-mandated role in overseeing the Republic's external engagements. These are worthy objectives. Yet worthy objectives must be pursued through structures that demonstrably advance them rather than inadvertently hinder them." SHe gave a look as mentally she prepared for it but this wasn't goign to be a filibusterr it was going to be..... okay maybe it sort of was...

"My three amendments are narrow in scope but careful in design; they seek to preserve the bill's strengths while addressing vulnerabilities that could undermine speed, security, fiscal responsibility, and inter-branch trust. I will defend each amendment in turn, exploring not only the language but the practical consequences, the historical patterns that inform my concerns, the fiscal realities that cannot be ignored, the security imperatives that demand consideration, and the constitutional principles that must guide us. I ask your forbearance as I proceed at length; thoroughness here spares us regret later." SHe rubbed her hands together with a look though.

Ayumi paused only briefly to let the chamber settle, then continued with unwavering focus. "Let us begin with my first motion: to strike the establishment of the Ministry of State or, at minimum, to recast it as a purely advisory office embedded within and fully subordinate to the Chancellor's existing staff structure, without separate agency status, independent budget authority, or executive functions beyond advice and coordination. The case rests on a simple but decisive observation: the Republic's diplomatic achievements have flowed from concentrated authority in the Chancellor's office, supported by flexible, non-statutory support structures that adapt quickly to circumstance."

Her eyes roamed over and she was prepared. "This model has permitted decisive engagement when windows of opportunity open briefly when a frontier system signals openness to alignment, when a trade negotiation reaches a delicate tipping point, when an emerging contact must be nurtured before external actors can interfere. Concentration enables speed; speed enables success. A standalone Ministry introduces multiplicity at every decision node. Budget requests must navigate new appropriation channels. Senior appointments face confirmation processes that, even when uncontested, consume weeks or months."

Ayumi was moving a little in her pod. "Operational directives require alignment between Ministry staff and Chancellor aides, creating potential for delay or divergence. Jurisdictional boundaries must be negotiated and renegotiated as situations evolve. Each step, however well-intentioned, adds friction. In diplomacy, friction often translates to lost leverage. Consider the resource implications. A new executive agency demands substantial upfront and recurring investment: secure facilities on Naboo or a comparable, hardened communications infrastructure, personnel recruitment and vetting for hundreds of positions across diplomatic, analytical, protocol, security, and administrative roles, ongoing training programs, travel budgets, and protocol support for high-level engagements."


Ayumi was looking at more of it while she checked over some areas of the chamber. There was a chance she could start reading Lady Velvet on the floor as a filabuster and it would need to be done for this bill. "Conservative estimates place initial capitalization in the high hundreds of millions of credits, with annual operating costs quickly reaching several billion. Those credits would necessarily be reallocated from priorities that directly advance our era's mission frontier infrastructure development, support for exploration initiatives, humanitarian assistance to vulnerable systems, enhanced security for critical trade arteries. Every administrative layer funded is a layer of outward-facing work deferred."

Ayumi allowed the chamber a moment to absorb the argument before pressing forward. "Security ramifications compound the concern. Expansion inherently enlarges the circle of individuals with access to sensitive material. Confirmation processes for senior roles require disclosure of career details that can reveal patterns adversaries might exploit. Internal dynamics competition for influence, differing interpretations of directives can produce uneven information flows or delayed reporting. The existing Diplomatic Service already grapples with classification management; adding another reporting hierarchy increases complexity without guaranteeing improved discipline."

She was checking on more of it though with her attention on the senator. She wasn't upset or trying to sink it if anything she wanted it to succeed. "The counter-argument that a dedicated Minister creates a single, trusted bridge between branches is well-taken, but trust arises from consistent practice and transparent mechanisms, not from statutory titles. A designated lead advisor within the Chancellor's office could perform the same liaison function delivering regular briefings, appearing before committees, channeling field requirements without the structural permanence or cost of an independent entity. The Charter emphasizes visibility and answerability; it does not prescribe bureaucratic form."

Herr eyes flicked over towards the chancellor with a nod of her head. "We are free to choose the form that best preserves agility while enhancing oversight through targeted reporting, mandatory audits, and strengthened post-action review. Overburdening of the Chancellor's office is a legitimate issue the bill identifies. My approach addresses it by formalizing advisory capacity within the existing chain rather than creating a parallel chain. Delegation within unity remains more efficient than delegation across divided structures."

Ayumi moved around in her pod mostly to keep her legs circulating and be able to get aa look at the others around her. "I shall elaborate further on risks of confirmation delays in polarized climates, potential for factional influence over appointments, challenges of maintaining coherent policy across separate offices, or long-term cultural drift toward bureaucratic caution but the essential conclusion holds: the proposed Ministry pursues transparency by adding layers that threaten operational tempo, resource allocation, and institutional cohesion. My amendment achieves the same transparency goals through leaner, more focused means. This is refinement born of prudence."

She drew a measured breath and shifted to the next pillar of her argument. "I now turn to my second amendment: requiring joint approval by the Chancellor and the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee chair for any compulsion subpoena, document demand, or compelled appearance that pertains to classified material from ongoing diplomatic activities, while confining real-time Committee authority to post-action review, annual performance audits, statutory interpretation, funding decisions, and code-of-conduct enforcement. The concern has been raised that this introduces an effective executive veto, diminishing the Senate's charter authority. I share the instinct to guard that authority jealously."

Her eyes flicked around but she didn't take many of the others in. if they were bored or annoyed before... she was going to keep on going. "Yet the safeguard is deliberately narrow: it applies only to live compulsion touching active, classified operations. In all other domains review of completed missions, analysis of classification patterns, enforcement of conduct standards, appropriation oversight, legislative jurisdiction the Committee's power remains complete and unimpaired. The necessity arises from the nature of diplomatic work itself. Negotiations, intelligence collection, quiet mediations, and crisis-response engagements frequently depend on confidentiality for their viability."

She finished her smaall circuit of her pod as she was speaking. "Premature exposure can collapse delicate balances, endanger personnel, embolden opponents, or foreclose future opportunities. The record of Republic diplomacy contains numerous instances where ill-timed inquiries disrupted active efforts, prolonging conflicts or forfeiting advantages. Timing matters; real-time compulsion risks sacrificing long-term gains for short-term visibility. Cooperative trust between branches defines the High Republic approach. The executive classifies responsibly to protect integrity; the Senate restrains where immediate disclosure would cause harm."

She took a small breath for a moment. "Joint approval mandates dialogue: disagreement escalates to full Senate deliberation or existing mediation pathways. No unilateral block endures indefinitely." Ayumi gestured lightly, her voice steady and measured. "Fears of classification abuse are reasonable, but the amendment does not insulate classification decisions from scrutiny. The Committee retains authority to investigate over-classification trends, compel post-mission declassification reviews, receive protected whistleblower testimony, pursue charter-violation allegations, and if warranted initiate no-confidence or other accountability measures."

Herr hand was rraising up as she brought her fingers for a moment. "Annual audits can require detailed reporting on classification volume, duration, and justification, providing systemic transparency without compromising live operations. Resource demands also favor restraint: unrestricted real-time compulsion would require substantial Committee expansion additional legal, analytical, and secure-handling staff diverting credits from diplomacy itself. Security weighs heavily: adversaries monitor Senate proceedings; unrestricted access offers real-time intelligence on Republic positions and vulnerabilities."

She could debate more of it with a nod of her head. "Practical experience supports timed oversight: secure field reporting already occurs; post-action review delivers full accountability without disruption. This calibration protects both branches' legitimate roles while preserving the effectiveness our diplomats require. The alternative unfettered live compulsion would transform every sensitive engagement into a potential public spectacle, where partisan divisions or even well-meaning but poorly timed inquiries could paralyze foreign policy precisely when decisiveness is most needed. We cannot afford that in an era of persistent frontier instability, rising external threats, and the constant demand for rapid, coordinated outreach."

Ayumi waas checking on more of it though as she paused forr a brief moment and took a sip of water forr hydration. "My amendment does not diminish oversight; it times it intelligently full scrutiny after the fact, targeted safeguards during. It is the reasoned middle ground between executive autonomy and legislative supremacy." She continued without pause, turning to the final amendment with the same careful precision. "Finally, my emergency acting-appointment clause grants the Chancellor unilateral authority to name acting diplomats to key positions for limited terms not to exceed six standard months during formally declared crises, with full Senate confirmation required thereafter unless the crisis is extended by Senate resolution."

SShe was getting towards the end with a small look though to herself. "Clarification is necessary: emergency declarations follow existing Republic protocols and are subject to Senate review and potential revocation; they are not unilateral fiat. The six-month limit ensures temporality: no acting appointee could serve indefinitely without facing confirmation. If the crisis persists, the Senate must actively extend the emergency status a deliberate check that prevents abuse. This mechanism mirrors successful precedents: rapid envoy deployments in hyperspace emergencies, acting sector commands during pirate surges, temporary diplomatic liaisons in border stabilization efforts. In each case, immediacy saved lives and preserved Republic influence."

Ayumi was nearing her home strretch but she would have to drive it home at least for a moment as she was thinking about it. "Future Chancellors need this tool guardrails intact via Senate review. Objections potential abuse are met by temporality, revocation power, and no-confidence recourse. This is not deference; it is realism in an uncertain galaxy. The Republic thrives when its branches cooperate in trust rather than entangle one another in procedures that could slow the very outreach and coexistence we champion. Chancellor Vexx has rightly highlighted the need to preserve executive prerogative while welcoming dialogue; Senator Stuyveris has rightly called for greater structure and accountability."

Ayumi checked on many of the faces and she was prepared for a few things... most eye rolls. "Let us meet in the middle strengthening our diplomatic capacity without burdening it with layers that history warns can calcify into inefficiency. I yield the remainder of my time for consideration of these motions and invite thoughtful debate from my colleagues." With that, she lowered her head in a graceful nod and allowed her pod to ease back into its orbit, the flowing white organza of her robes settling around her as she returned to listening position, ready for the next voice in the debate. SHe finished she was done and well her pod was able to go back towards its place as she stood there awaiting.

 

[Eadu Yittreas]

Eadu watched the proceedings unfold within the Senate Building with the weary detachment of a man watching a house burn while the neighbors argued over the purity of the water being used to put down the flames. On his terminal, the text of SB-6946 was buried under a mountain of friendly amendments from the Denon delegation and the Chancellor's own surgical strikes against the wording of the legislation.

He leaned back, tracking the movement of Senator Ayumi Pallopides as they now adopted a role of the fiscally responsible, intent on burying Verity's transparency objectives under a landslide of red tape and sovereign trusts. His mind turned to his alliance with Verity Stuyveris , knowing that if they stuck together they would have a better chance at removing the Magistrate from his position without much interference from the Executive.

However the atmosphere in the current session gave him pause, as if he continued to back her bill, he would be tethered to a piece of legislation that was currently being refined into irrelevance. He gestured for his pod to advance, slicing through the increasingly stagnant air of the chamber.

"Madam Chancellor, Fellow Senators," Eadu began, "We have spent hours watching the Denon Sect and the Executive Office perform a delicate autopsy on Senator Stuyveris's bill. It is a masterful display of legislative stalling." He gestured toward the flickering holoprojector displaying the amendments.

"Senator Stuyveris brings us a bill meant to provide accountability, a noble concept that this Republic hasn't seen since its reorganization from the Royal Naboo Republic. And how do we respond? We are told that transparency is too expensive. We are told that oversight is a security risk. We are told, essentially, that the Senate is a toddler that must not be allowed to see the sharp knives of foreign policy." He turned his gaze toward Dominique Vexx to gauge her reaction to his speech before proceeding.

"Senator Pallopides speaks of smart timing and avoiding red tape. But what she is actually proposing is a permanent blindfold for this body. To suggest that a Senate Committee can only investigate secret dealings if the Chancellor allows it is to turn the Senate into a decorative ornament. It is not oversight if you have to ask the person you are overseeing for permission to look." He looked straight across the senate chamber at a few of the less astute senators, aware that they were the ones sustaining this regime by remaining silent on the ongoing debate. He referred to them as the silent majority and their support would be necessary for his scheme to become the next High Chancellor.

"I cannot endorse a bill that has been stripped down for the Chancellor's peace of mind. For stonewalling transparency measures, I move for a Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Vexx's leadership." He hesitated, the stillness in the chamber intensifying until it burst into a mix of cheers and boos from both sides of the aisle. It was a risky move for the Senator to make, as Vexx could potentially survive the vote and come back to challenge him once more, but she would be rattled enough not to exceed her executive authority again.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Adelle Bastiel

Aurelian leaned back in his pod as his datapad chimed softly. Dinner confirmed. Finally, something productive had come out of the session.

He glanced up at the Senate floor where yet another senator continued speaking far past the point of usefulness. Filibustering. Wonderful. The Republic's favorite pastime besides congratulating itself.

His eyes drifted across the chamber until he spotted a familiar presence in the Kenari pod. A slow smile crept across his face. He reached into the compartment beside his seat and pulled out a pair of compact binocs, peering across the vast hall.

There she was. Aurelian lowered the lenses, already tapping his datapad. More Republic power meant less Naboo influence. He had no intention of watching that happen quietly. Diplomacy around the galaxy touched Naboo constantly with it as the Republic capital, and he planned to keep his hand on the wheel.

His message went out first to Her . <You owe me one. Vote no here. Love, Aurelian.>

Next came the Senate's favorite elder relic Eharl Sarn . He typed with a grin. <What's up Gramps. Hearing rumblings they're trying to take power from our beloved Chancellor. I know you and Stuyveris are close, but she needs a little adversity in here. Builds character. You'd be doing her a favor.>

Aurelian chuckled under his breath. That one might sting. His eyes shifted to Lex a few pods away. The man looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the galaxy. Aurelian typed. <If you want this over, vote no to everything. Then we can get out of here to a faster drink.>

Another message flew out. Cynan Obaith <Verity is talking mad shit about you in here. Using your captivity to push her agenda. If you're busy, send a proxy to vote no. Corellia will thank you.>

And finally one more. Eadu Yittreas <So no, right? Seems like your thing. Let's oppose this. Love, Aurelian.>

He set the datapad aside and watched the chamber again. Talking heads. Endless speeches. Predictable outrage. Then Eadu stood. Aurelian straightened slightly as the words reached him. A vote of no confidence in the Chancellor. His brow lifted.

Well.

That escalated quickly.

​

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Tags: Aurelian Veruna | Sibylla Abrantes

This was a lot.

Adelle tried not to fidget in her seat as the politicians debated, but her fingers wiggled the stylus as she read over the proposed bill on her datapad. It was bad enough she was having to wade through legalese and political jargon, but now she had to add political debate on top of it. Not to mention the new clothes Aurelian all but forced on her. Fortunately, the tunic and trousers were at least made of something comfortable that moved easily, even if the embroidered tabard was heavy and had a tail to it.

She’d fought tooth and nail with Aurelian for practicality and this had been the compromise. Her clan would be on their backs gasping for air as they died of laughter if they saw this.

What would Aselia think if she saw the outfit?

Feth, she’d just hide the whole wardrobe in a closet in the embassy residence where no Mandalorian aside from Warden Vizsla could see it.

The contents of the bill had initially concerned her: the establishment of a new office that managed foreign policy and ambassadorship with governments outside the Republic. Actually reading it had made it less concerning, however. It would still add another layer of beauracracy between whatever she, Vizsla, and Sibylla negotiated for their governments, but it would grandfather in the existing ambassadors, instead of replacing them all. Not ideal, but workable if it should pass.

Adelle’s focus had only sharpened and her movements stilled when Aurelian had moved to address the chamber, fortunately opting for brevity than… whatever most of these politicians seemed wont to do. Kriff, she hated being this visible. She had only wanted to observe proceedings, see whether this bill would get passed or not, and in what form so she could advise Aether accordingly.

The bill’s author and proposer, a Miss Verity Stuyveris of Druckenwell, stood to defend against objections raised. For all the words used in her speech though, the next speaker, the Senator from Denon that had been second to propose amendments, had so many more. Adelle tried to keep up and take notes but she rapidly came to the conclusion that many of these points had been made before and countered.

Adelle drew in a slow deep breath, and released it with slightly more force. This was why she didn’t do diplomacy with her old Order. She was not cut out for this crap.

“Is this what they do all day?” Adelle asked Sibylla in a hushed tone. “I think I’d rather be back on Yaga Minor hosting Grand Vizier Yvarro on a warzone again. That at least had alcohol. It wasn't good, but it was still alcohol.”

Another senatorial pod moved forward with an unfortunately grown humanoid at its fore. Adelle mentally braced herself for another long speech. Instead, he kept his points concise and direct to her great relief. His ultimatum at the end, however, raised her eyebrows.

Pass the bill or a motion for a Vote of No Confidence.

Kriff, this just got more interesting and worse at the same time.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

He sent another message to Eadu Yittreas
<I said vote no on the bill, not a vote of no confidence. Come on, I wanted to get out of here early tonight.>

​

 

[Isley the Younger]

NABOO
[-| SENATE CHAMBERS|-]
TAG: Honored Senators, Esteemed Chancellor, and that one a-hole calling a no confidence vote
___________________________
_______​

Accountability.

The word was being thrown around the Senate Chamber so much that it had nearly lost its meaning. From where Isley was sitting, the bill before the Senate amounted to one thing: time wasted. More bureaucracy. More complications. More cogs in a machine already loaded with parts that served minimal purpose. His mind was already made up on the matter soundly.

Did he blame the Chancellor for trying to trim the fat in her own way? Heavens no. Any effort to remove the silver skin from a slab of unsavory meat is an effort worthy of appreciation. But, as is the course with the Senate, fingers were pointed damn near immediately.

Isley rolled his eyes.

As the younglings would say nowadays: It was a no from him, dawg.

No on the bill. No on the vote of no confidence.

No on wasting the Republic's time.​

 

[Cynan Obaith]

Location: Naboo Senate
Outfit: Formal with a cane
Tags: Dominique Vexx | Aurelian Veruna | Verity Stuyveris | Ayumi Pallopides | Eadu Yittreas | Her | Isley the Younger | Lex

The cane echoed in the hallways as Cynan made his way to the senate. Cynan was getting used to having to use a cane temporarily, his injuries were still rough but he was on the road to a full recovery thankfully. The senate were apparently organising a discussion on a new bill and from what he was hearing from several sources. There was going to be mentions of himself and Corellia. Something that Cynan could not avoid facing. His actions were always going to cause ripples but he was also deeply aware that he needed to approach things with care. It was going to be the first time he would be speaking in a senate discussion and Cynan wanted it to go well.

As he felt sure that all senators did when they made a first speech.

Sitting in his pod, Cynan listened, he sighed as his name was brought up once. But he allowed Senator Stuyveris to continue. Then Chancellor Vexx spoke about the amendments and clarifications needed in revising the bill, alternatives were brought up by Senator Pallopides. Senator Stuyveris brought Cynan up once more and continued discussing the bill. He saw the message that came from Aurelian and chuckled. He did not expect the king of Naboo to be using such informal language. But it was nice to see, he hoped that meant there was a friendship between them now.

<So I can hear. Always fun to have your name next to incident. I think Corellian Crisis was nice alliteration from her. Helps make it stick in the mind.> Cynan texted back to Aurelian before rising in his pod and seeing Eadu attempt to declare a vote of no confidence. Cynan could only sigh, it was outrageous to think that someone would be that desperate to attempt to take over the senate and derail meetings like this. Nothing that the chancellor had said was worthy of declaring a vote of no confidence. Cynan wondered how power hungry some of the senators must be if this was considered acceptable actions.

"Senators. Chancellor. I am Cynan Obaith, the one named repeatedly by Senator Stuyveris during this discussion. I figured that providing some insight on the events that happened on Corellia surrounding Marlon Sularen should hopefully remove any concerns about the intentions of the chancellor and reassure everyone here that this bill is unnecessary and potentially lethal." Drastic final word but one that Cynan knew needed to be said in order to draw attention to how delayed responses could do more harm than good.

"Corellia was a bordering world to the High Republic, previously held captive by the Galactic Empire. I worked there in providing humanitarian aid, as I have done for incidents on Naboo, Genosis and Tapani. While Senator Stuyveris and her associates might not know me, many of those that I work with and coordinate with in the humanitarian and charitable areas of this High Republic are very familiar with not only my name but the focus of my work." Cynan stated firmly, declaring exactly the area of fields he was known in, since the senator was attempting to frame him as someone from the shadows. "I fell in love with Corellia, her people and the culture they have there during my work on the planet. So, I shifted my office and focus on helping to grow Corellia's economy, infrastructure and governmental oversight after the collapse of the Galactic Empire. I held hopes they might be open to joining the High Republic, but I was not trying to force their hand or influence them into such decisions."

Looking around the senate, he refused to have anyone infer that he was attempting to control Corellia and force it to join the High Republic, that was never his aim and he made sure to state that plainly. "During my work, Mr. Sularen decided to bring a fleet of his imperial forces to Corellia. I decided to meet with him to discuss things peacefully and come to positive resolution. Mr. Sularen declared his intention on murdering many former leaders of Corellia, supporters of those leaders and anyone who attempted to stand in his way of taking control of Corellia. Basically, he was declaring his intentions on committing minimum, mass murder, potentially confessing to a desire to commit a genocide on Corellia. Something I knew had to be prevented."

"I prevented this. I informed Mr. Sularen that no such action would be taken. That his attempts to turn Corellia into his imperial capital would be prevented and he decided to shoot at me, imprison me and torture me while threatening to kidnap and torture my family." Cynan stated in a cold tone, haunted by the threats delivered to his family. Especially the focus on his sister. "All this to say, if the chancellor did not have the authority and abilities that she currently holds, if things had to go through committee after committee, it is very possible that I would be dead by now. Or at the very least, imprisoned somewhere in the galaxy lost forever."

Breathing out a sad sigh, "trust is a crucial thing in life. Sometimes action needs to taken swiftly and without forming a committee beforehand to discuss the necessity of such actions. Delays risk further harm to people in danger. I do not believe Senator Stuyveris purposefully desires such outcomes, but those are the consequences. While we should debrief and discuss why rash decisions were made and the consequences of those actions. We cannot start blaming the chancellor for taking those actions. We, the people, voted for her to be our leader. We trusted her to now when quick decisions were necessary and when time to talk and negotiate was possible."

"I believe this bill is not necessary and I plead the senate to reject it in its entirety. I also fully reject any attempts to use this meeting to declare a vote of no confidence as well. Nothing the chancellor has said or done today warrants such actions." Cynan then took a step back.

 

[Verity Stuyveris]

​

Verity Stuyveris watched things play out in the rotunda in a way that was somewhat confusing to her. She frowned thoughtfully as she listened to Ayumi Pallopides expound on her motions -- they were serious, at least, however little the Senator for Druckenwell agreed with them. She couldn't say the same for the events that followed. Eadu Yittreas was most ridiculous of all.

When the Ambassador rose to speak, Verity paid close attention. He clearly misunderstood the intention of the bill, likely because others before had painted it as creating a massive new bureaucracy and Verity herself had failed fundamentally in her task of refuting the claims. That was her own failure and there was no one else to blame.

Still it was a valuable lesson moving forward. Literacy could not be assumed, and truth need not be a guiding light if she wanted to defeat a bill. Simply mischaracterizing something could be enough to make the lie a reality. It was a chilling thing to realize. But she put it to one side; there would be time enough to consider that later.

"Thank you, Ambassador Obaith, for your testimony. I believe I speak for the whole Senate when I say how pleased I am to see you safe and well enough to be present today. I hope your recovery continues and you have the opportunity to make thoughtful contributions to further debates. We will, I'm certain, be paying special attention to your career."

Verity smoothed her notes with a gentle gesture, as if struggling with herself internally. When she spoke her voice lacked the certainty it usually held in the chamber. "I do not find the Ambassador's testimony to be dispositive, though it is very valuable. It is but one perspective, and the priorities that guide him cannot be the same as the priorities that should guide us, just as we as senators have different perspectives and priorities from the Chancellor or an officer in the Grand Army of the Republic or a member of the Jedi Order. So I can certainly understand why the Ambassador sees this differently than I do. Perhaps over time he may change his views -- or perhaps I will change mine." Verity allowed a tight and embarrassed smile there. A bit of humility for Aurelian Veruna to appreciate.

The Senator straightened and let her gaze sweep the chamber slowly. It was defeat; there was no two ways about it. Best to face it with dignity. And luckily there was Yittreas, who could always be relied upon be a clown even when there was no circus in the vicinity. She watched him with barely masked irritation, her head shaking unsubtly.

Idiot.

"Madam Chancellor, I disassociate myself -- completely and without reservation -- from the remarks and motion of Senator Yittreas. I have no desire for the important issues raised by this bill to become associated with this absurdity. More than that, I can see that the bill in its current form will not command the confidence of this body. In the interest of avoiding further waste of time -- clearly some of my colleagues have more pressing matters to see to -- I withdraw the bill."

She cleared her throat delicately and straightened her head. "I will close by saying that there will come a time when it will be clear that one side of this debate was right and the other was wrong. Given the history of the galaxy and the current climate, I think I will be right, but I hope from the bottom of my heart that you will. That's all, Madam Chancellor. I yield."

Verity maneuvered her pod back to its slot and departed. The others could settle the no confidence motion among themselves.

Dominique Vexx Ayumi Pallopides Aurelian Veruna Isley the Younger Cynan Obaith Eadu Yittreas​

 

[Her]

---

---

Naboo, Mid Rim, Trailing Sectors;
Capital of The High Republic;
Theed.
Tags: Cynan Obaith | Aurelian Veruna | Verity Stuyveris | Ayumi Pallopides | Eadu Yittreas | Isley the Younger | Lex | Dominique Vexx | Adelle Bastiel |

---

"A minor, small mining consortium based on Kenari consisting of eleven groups who serve as distinct members within the organisation and who represent the Kenari system within the The High Republic's Senate in Theed."
-- A description of the Kenari Resource Compact (KRC).

---

Ever since the Royal Naboo Republic had been reformed into the High Republic, Her had been a near constant observer. Of course, having been based in Lianna City out in the Outer Rim systems since the turn-of-the-century (as she engaged in a conspiracy against the Sith held Thandon Star Cluster near the Tion Hegemony), she had not been able to be present in person for every debate or act put into motion in Theed. But nevertheless the politics engaged on Naboo were of great interest to the fallen Jedi as she considered those star empires that sat alongside the borders of the tyrannical Eleventh Sith Empire and so she had taken into account those figures amid the amalgamation of star systems here in the Mid Rim Territories that would be key players in the next Star War.

The King of Naboo, and former interim Chancellor of the Republic, Aurelian Veruna, had been something of a fascination for Her as she had traversed from the Outer Rim systems into the Mid Rim to pursue her agenda among the bureaucrats, economists and entrepreneurs who had banded together to participate in Wend Maricon's revitalization of the Five Veils route. As she had edged her way into the affairs of the Nabooian aristocracy, under the veil of Tarsai, Her had begun to covet a relationship with the reigning monarch during his last days during his interim office of the Chancellorship to garner naturalized citizenship within the High Republic itself.

It had come just in time to prevent ruination as Diarchs and Mandalorians discovered the machinations and duplicity of the former Warden Primus upon Vexis Station that had sparked the recent conflict or skirmishes that had led them to declaring war upon one another at Yaga Minor. In this last bastion and cradle of civilization, where democracy reigned instead of autocracy, Her felt safeguarded from a reprisal that would have certainly resulted in catastrophe, or death, if she had continued to work among the Imperial remnants banded together in New Aldera. Oh yes, she owed Aurelian handsomely.

Yet, another senator from Drunkenwell had become a new fixation of interest for the vulnerable Her as she sought to create new connections from the Kenari system while looking over her shoulder for the Diarch, Imperial or Mandalorian blade that sought to stab from the behind. Stuveris' speech regarding the Sith Covenant's invasion and subsequent takeover of Coruscant had been another sign that, although the machinations of the Black Sun Syndicate were still fresh among these politicians, there were still those who held consideration for the so-called 'real' threat to Naboo and her allies across the Mid Rim.

Yes, it really was intolerable for galactic centre to be held by such people, and so something would have to be done about them.

<You owe me one. Vote no here. Love, Aurelian.>

Her leaned their face towards the protocol unit to the right, where the ear had ought to have been if they humanoid, and muttered instructions that were set to be translated to the Kenari in her midst. "NO" soon followed as the Kenari Resource Compact, who were the minor consortium representing the Kenari system, joined the rebuttals of the others who had rebuked Senator Stuyveris' bill. Quietly Her was disappointed as it was set, at least in this session, that the subsequent formation of oversight regarding the Republic's foreign affairs were going to die in this debate.

As Verity sought to create accountability, and to shed light upon those elected to serve, Her knew that a long, awful shadow would have followed that would have allowed her to stand inside-- out of sight, out of mind-- as she exerted their own politics upon the would-have-been advisors and ambassadors that could have dictated foreign policies on behalf of the Republic. However, the moment Aurelian requested that that his quiet, enigmatic new ally (whom he had given the security and protection of the High Republic in the face of persecution from almost all of the major players in the Outer Rim systems via Senator Lodi's refugee bill) to vote against Stuyveris' proposal Her had had no choice but to turn the KRC against it as well thereby effectively killing the act as it currently stood.

After all, her life was more important than the politics she sought to play in Theed. Yes, Her would need to keep Aurelian happy. To maintain that usefulness to him so has to avoid his scrutiny or loss of support. Even if it meant killing the types of bills and acts, suggested by the likes of Stuveris', that would have been most useful in her own machinations.

However, Her was a cunning woman. An individual who had set into motion a series of events that were set to mire and affect the Outer Rim Territories for the next twenty or perhaps thirty years. As the King got what he wanted, and as Her continued to covet that relationship with Naboo's monarch, she studied the vulnerable Senator to Drunkenwell who had been left humiliated and defeated by Veruna's influence. Oh, Her knew how to coach Verity to revive the ' Diplomatic Accountability and Reform Act ' . In time her affiliates from Triarch would request an audience and Her would seek to covet a new relationship outside of the Veruna dichotomy with Senator Stuyveris.

For there was Coruscant itself.

It was just as Tenebrous had once told his apprentice and how Ayra had gone onto teach theirs.

' For the present, the more covert we remain, the more influence we can have. '
​

"I cannot endorse a bill that has been stripped down for the Chancellor's peace of mind. For stonewalling transparency measures, I move for a Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Vexx's leadership."

Another "NO" appeared on the Kenari delegation's terminal regarding the Vote of No Confidence.

Indeed, Chancellor Vexx hadn't done anything, at least in the purview of the KRC, that deserved for their premiership to end in the dying embers of Stuveris' bill.

At least for the moment...

---

 

[Ayumi Pallopides]

Verity Stuyveris Aurelian Veruna Her Lex Dominique Vexx Cynan Obaith

Ayumi was listening to everyone after she had finished. The stamina and endurrance had served its purpose at least in a few things and Verity never once looked angry which was something to be thankful for. She wasn't going to do something to try and intentionally target her but then.... Eadu spoke and she worked hard to keep her composure and neutral expression altering her breathing technique for a moment to better control herr bodies reaction. The withdrawal hung in the air for a moment, a quiet exhalation after hours of heated oration. Senator Stuyveris's pod was already gliding back into the ranks, her dignified exit leaving a vacuum in the center of the chamber that was quickly filling with the static hum of uncertain whispers.

Ayumi watched her go, a faint, almost imperceptible nod of respect offered in the Senator's direction. It was a classy exit from a classy opponent, and it deserved acknowledgment. But there was no time for extended reverie. The vacuum would not remain empty for long. Before the whispers could coalesce into a new, chaotic direction, Ayumi caught the eye of her pod's pilot and gave a small, sharp gesture. Her repulsorpod began to glide forward, not with the aggressive speed of an attack, but with the deliberate, unhurried pace of someone who owned the space they were entering. The flowing white organza of her outer robes settled around her like a herald's banner as she positioned herself at the forefront of the debate once more.

She activated her microphone, the soft click echoing in the suddenly attentive chamber. She did not look at Senator Yittreas's pod. She looked first at the departing form of Verity Stuyveris, and then directly at Chancellor Vexx, her expression one of calm, resolute purpose. THe others who were saying no in a definitive way and the no confidence vote at best seemed to be dead... someone might work to come in and second it but Verity had already withdrawn something she had had to do as well recently so she felt for her. Offering a small look of support though as she only did this out of a S,I.L.F. moment and what it could mean for the future talks between them.

"Madam Chancellor, before this body allows itself to be dragged into a procedural quagmire that serves no one but our enemies, I rise on a point of personal privilege and to address the motion currently on the floor," Ayumi began, her voice clear and carrying the weight of someone accustomed to being ready to talk and attempt to justify what she says. "First, I wish to publicly thank and commend my esteemed colleague, the Senator from Druckenwell. She brought forward a piece of legislation born of a genuine desire to improve this Republic, and she has conducted herself throughout this debate with a grace and intellectual rigor that should serve as a model for us all."

Ayumi paused briefly for a moment to look over at Verity with a bow of her head. SHe didn't just dress up like this to look pretty this had been an important time to come out. "Her decision to withdraw her bill was an act of statesmanship, prioritizing the stability of this body over personal political victory. I sincerely hope that when the dust of today's theatrics settles, she and I, and the Chancellor, can sit down in a far less charged atmosphere to discuss the very real, very important goals she seeks to achieve. Her ideas deserve that much, and so does the Republic. His highness is also invited but his opinions are strong in this."

Ayumi paused, letting that message of bipartisan respect land. It served a dual purpose: it painted her as a unifier, and it subtly isolated the man who had just tried to blow the whole thing up. Now, her gaze slowly, deliberately, swept across the chamber until it landed on the pod of Senator Eadu Yittreas. Her expression did not harden into anger; instead, it took on a look of profound, weary disappointment the look of a head of school observing a student's particularly thoughtless prank. When she spoke again, her tone was not heated, but it was edged with a cold, clinical precision. "Which brings me to the matter at hand."

"The Senator from Alassa Major has seen fit to use the dying embers of a substantive policy debate as kindling for a cynical and opportunistic motion: a Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Vexx. I will be charitable and assume this was a lapse in judgment born of over-enthusiasm, rather than a calculated act of sabotage. Because let us be perfectly clear about what just transpired. The author of the bill we were debating, the very Senator whose legislative agenda was the centerpiece of this session, stood in this very spot and explicitly, and without reservation, disassociated herself from this motion." Ayumi was looking at much of it and the people with a nod.

"She called it, and I quote, 'absurdity.' If the prime mover of the debate wants nothing to do with this, on what possible grounds does this body justify spending one more second on it?" She let the question hang, her eyes scanning the other pods, inviting her colleagues to feel the absurdity of the situation. She then leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping in volume but gaining in intensity, ensuring every microphone in the chamber carried her words clearly. "The Senator's motion is not just procedurally improper, given its attachment to a now-withdrawn bill; it is substantively baseless. He has cited nothing. No dereliction of duty. No abuse of power. No scandal. No failure of leadership."

She brought a hand up as she spoke more. "He has offered nothing but the vague implication that the Chancellor's defense of her office's prerogatives constitutes some sort of malfeasance. If engaging in a rigorous, detailed, and entirely appropriate debate over the structure of our diplomatic corps is now grounds for a vote of no confidence, then every single one of us who has ever offered an amendment, questioned a proposal, or defended their branch of government should be quaking in our boots. It is a dangerous and infantile precedent, one that threatens to turn every policy disagreement into a constitutional crisis. It is the politics of the tantrum, dressed up in the language of parliamentary procedure, and it is an insult to the intelligence of everyone in this hall."

Having thoroughly dismantled the motion's legitimacy she hoped as she straightened up, her posture raising a little more while she stood there. She turned her attention back to the Chancellor's spire, her expression one of supportive solidarity. "Chancellor Vexx has demonstrated precisely the kind of leadership this Republic needs in challenging times. Throughout this session, she engaged with Senator Stuyveris's proposal in good faith, offering a comprehensive and constructive set of alternatives. She did not stonewall; she negotiated. She did not dictate; she debated. That is the hallmark of a leader who is confident in her vision and secure in her mandate."

Ayumi was looking at it and most guessed she would always side with Dominique as the chancellor and they were not entirely wrong but less for the reasons they were thinking initially. "To reward that engagement with a frivolous vote of no confidence would send a chilling message to every future Chancellor: that engaging with this body, that attempting to find common ground, is a political liability. We would be telling them that the only safe path is silence and obstruction. Is that the Republic we want to build and support? I think not." Her eyebrow came up though as Cynan's speech had done a lot as well since he was the one who was there.

Ayumi paused a moment drawing a slow breath. The time for rhetoric was ending; the time for action was now. "Therefore, Madam Chancellor, to spare this body any further waste of its time and to prevent this institution from making a mockery of its own processes, I move to table the motion for a Vote of No Confidence indefinitely. I further move that the Senate proceed immediately to the next item of business on our agenda. Let us show the galaxy that we are capable of more than just reacting to the latest stunt. Let us show them that we can govern." She looked around the chamber one last time, her amber-flecked eyes holding a final, firm message for her colleagues.

"A vote to table this motion is not merely a vote for Chancellor Vexx. It is a vote for the dignity of this Senate. It is a vote for the principle that policy is debated in the open, and stunts are left at the door. I urge my colleagues to reject this distraction and to join me in getting back to the people's work. I yield the floor and request an immediate vote on my motion to table." With that, she lowered her head in a final, graceful nod and guided her pod back into its orbital path, the pristine white of her outfit a stark contrast. SHe wanted to do it and in truth many had voted already but if they wanted to have procedure then they would need to do things in a way that there was no room left for debate.

Zahira was there with the other aid as the microphone went off and she spoke once the pod was in place. Ayumi remaining seated for the moment as the biot stood next to her and they watched the proceedings. The biot speaking though with a look. "Impressive, I didn't think you still had such speeches in you?" Ayumi smiled but didn't speak as she was looking over the different pods with her eyes and not turning her head. Hands clasped in front of herself. "Well I do at times, I never would have sank or sought to shoot it down and Verity rarely does things without some genuine care behind it from what I have seen."

Zahira though was there with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps, by the way there are two things of interest that have come through. To the first did you see the Quorum Magazine Issue? It is quite eye catching... and timely as you have been using Denon Dependency for several vessels now. If you want me to, I'll investigate this writer." She spoke and Ayumi laughed a little to herself with that. "I did read it and I enjoyed it... there wasn't a lot wrong there, reframed and made to be something else entirely but truthfully it was cute and do you know how many ask about it when I do Zinderr on Denon now?"

Ayumi said it as Zahira winced form it and wished the senaator had followed much of her head of securities endeavoring and nagging... or her chief of staff but then she spoke. "As to the second we have secured for Upcities entertainment district as you requested The Royal Kuati Ballet Corps and spopnsored them to come and do a several show run of The White Queen and they were gracious to give your tickets in case you wish to brring a date or three. I had them inforrmed you liked to partake of such shows." SHe said it and Ayumi smiled. "Hmm maybe Verity will forgive me if I get her the chance for a show on Denon..."

She said it with a shrug to herself while looking overr more of the pods that were there... so she could gauge the others by their continued efforts with them. Dominique's next move would be worth a lot to some of them but she didn't rreally have anywhere to go with it now and Eadu was likely to have not made many friends. "Also next time, I might need visual aids. Make sure I have a good physical copy of Lady Velvet, some of the stories from the pulp section of the holonet for Natasi Fortan and Cira... reading comparative sections of greaat women in history could go a longerr way for stamina then anything else at least... also those pulp holostore novels are spicy." Zahira gave a nod.

 

[Lex]

Tap tap tap.

The sound of Lex's finger tapping against the armrest of his chair reverberated in his head. He tried to stop, but the longer the silence went the more pressing his craving got. The fact that people wanted to append, extend and out right just end this bill did little to calm his nerves.

"Did you read it?" Lex turned to his aide. "The proposal."
"Sure, yeah." The aide looked confused.
"What would you vote?"
"Well, a separation of responsibility is always good. If everything has to go through the chancellor, there's only one point of failure, but it's also the biggest point of failure. A bit like hedging all your bets on the one pawn."

Lex was taken aback for a moment. Now it would seem even his own aide was more savvy than he was.

"Uh, well said." He nodded and turned back to the 'debate' at hand.

And then, out of all people, the King spoke. Lex watched him from afar and found himself nodding in approval of his points. And then Verity herself too. Lex's teeth gritted. Politics back home had been a lot like reviving a dead project. This was just the CEO and CTO arguing semantics to justify their own positions.

Pallopides stalled things. Lex got tenser for each minute, but then… Eadu spoke. It was heartbreaking. The worst person he'd heard of just made a great point.

"Wow." Lex's aide whispered.
"I know." Lex whispered back.

And that was the same moment the truly bizarre unfolded. A message from the King? Lex raised his brow and glanced over in the royal's direction before he read the message. It was an attempt to influence her vote. Lex sighed, of course it was.

The stylus for the tablet found the corner of his lips with a desperate suck for anything remotely nicotiney. An irritated scowl growled in his throat wWhen it was clear that nothing would come of it.

The breaking point was reached when Mr. Sorry-I-Did-An-Oopsie walked out on stage. Lex reached for and clawed at the packet next to his aide and slammed the abstain button. The door to his booth slid open and he was a goner before anyone was able to tell her how stupid it was to just leave. Did they think he wouldn't know that?

The moment that the rolled up toxins filled his lungs was the moment he could finally feel his nerves unwind. There would be more meetings as pointless as this, but now he was at least a little wiser to the sinister machinations of his colleagues.

… Especially those idiots in column fifty-three.


[/Thread Exit]

 

[Mykel Dawson]

___________________________________________________________________​

Senator Ayumi Pallopides Senate Office, Theed

Jedi Robes

Behind every Senator was an army of staff workers and interns, juggling an avalanche of legistlation, consoling irate constituents, squashing scandals, indulging lobbyists, and delicately managing the usually inflated ego of their bosses.

Mykel sat among the cogs and gears of this machine, following a feed of the current debate over structural reforms to the Chancellor Dominique Vexx 's cabinet. The Consular admired Senator Verity Stuyveris for her fiery spirit and stalwart opposition to the Sith, but he could not find it in himself to support her bill. Just as she could imagine a less scrupulous character abusing the Chancellor's powers, he could envision bad actors exploiting her bill as a vector to subordinate the executive branch and paralyze the Republic. More specifically, the Sith, no strangers to manipulating parliaments to their ends, might seize upon such an opportunity to create gridlock and sow chaos.

He did recognize her point about the need for transparency and accountability in foreign activities affecting the whole High Republic project. Unfortunately, he also recognized her irony in bringing forward a bill to codify foreign policy execution in such a massive overhaul without going through proper committee channels for stress testing. A more conservative maneuver that would have spared her some embarrassment and allowed her to quietly build enough consensus to withstand King Aurelian Veruna 's scepter bash to her proposal. Yet she was shrewd enough to back off and retain her precious political capital when she saw the writing on the wall, so he gave her that.

The debate looked to be winding down. Mykel jotted a few quick notes on his datapad to transmit to Ayumi via a private secure line, offering his perspective as a Consular:

Ayumi,

That turned out to be quite the event, especially with the antics around the no-confidence vote. You did well keeping things civil.

It's probably for the best that this bill didn't pass, even with the amendments the Chancellor and you proposed. That said, Stuyveris does have a point about transparency. The Corellian episode did reveal some faults. It's also important that as the HR continues its expansion, new voices are heard alongside the elder members.

Here's a thought you could pass along to the Chancellor: if it isn't a thing already then perhaps Vexx and her Security Council could set up some kind of Special Access Program to keep the Senate better informed on more sensitive matters in a more timely fashion. Limit it to vetted committee heads overseeing relevant areas of national security. Give them regular classified briefings and allow them to quietly make inquiries on behalf of their committees and the rest of the Senate. If they see something concerning, it's then they can escalate up the chain through Senate channels as needed. None of this should require major legislation or any additional funding as opposed to the huge MoS organization being proposed.

Otherwise, there already seems to be some measures in the Charter that should mostly satisfy Stuyveris, so it's better for the Senate to nudge the Chancellor to follow the rules already on the books without appearing to micromanage.

I know it's not perfect, but it affords the Senate greater insight without letting them strangle the executive branch. If you decide to pass my advice along, then you can frame however you like and even take all the credit. Heck, maybe even rope in Stuyveris and a few other Senators to make it look collaborative; everyone then walks away looking like a winner.

With Respect,
Mykel

[End]​

 

[Eadu Yittreas]

Eadu watched the chamber from his pod as the cheers and boos had peaked and faded, with the air now humming with the low murmur of senator's weighing alliances and quietly filing away who had said what for future leverage. Senator Verity Stuyveris had withdrawn her bill in a dignified manner after facing such stiff resistance, utterly deflating his plan to ride her bill into higher office.

His own motion for a Vote of No Confidence was left fluttering in the wind without even a hint of support from the senate as Senator Ayumi Pallopides stepped forward and issued a rebuke that essentially boiled down to opportunistic overreach pinned to a dying debate. Cynan Obaith testimony had softened the ground to an unfavorable degree.

Eadu leaned forward slightly, knowing that he could fight this by doubling down with citations from the Charter of Unity, invoking historical precedents of executive overreach during the Corellian Crisis, paint the Chancellor's amendments as a pattern of evasion rather than engagement. But they would only delay the session from reaching a natural conclusion.

He exhaled once, slow and deliberate, then gestured for his pod to glide forward after ignoring the messages from King Aurelian Veruna . The repulsors hummed softly as he positioned himself once more at the center ring. He activated his microphone with a flick, voice carrying the same measured baritone that had opened his earlier remarks, no bombast, no defensiveness, just the weary authority of someone conceding a tactical retreat.

"Madam Chancellor, esteemed colleagues," Eadu began, inclining his head first to Dominique Vexx's spire, then sweeping his gaze across the concentric pods.

"The author of the legislation has disassociated herself from my motion, calling it absurdity. But lets not pretend that the Chancellor didn't seek to rewrite entire paragraphs of the now withdrawn bill in order to protect herself from her disastrous handling of Foreign Affairs, such as provoking the Imperial Confederation by rescuing an ambassador, who once again willingly walked into the lion's den." He took a moment, letting the words sink in for the remaining senators. The Imperial Confederation had not been an adversary of the High Republic until Chancellor Vexx decided to change that by launching a rescue operation into Imperial Space for a single insignificant ambassador.

"I will not insult the intelligence of this chamber by pretending my words were anything other than a direct response to what I perceived as a deliberate dilution of Senator Stuyveris's intent. The amendments offered while presented as refinements would, in practice, entrench executive prerogative at the expense of meaningful Senate oversight. That remains my view. But views alone do not sustain a motion of this gravity, nor should they when the ground has shifted so decisively." Eadu's eyes flicked briefly toward Verity's now-empty slot, then back to the center.

"Therefore I will withdraw my motion for a Vote of No Confidence for this session only. I reserve the right to call the motion again should I decide that the Chancellor is unfit for office as is my given right as a Senator of the High Republic" He pressed a button on the panel, withdrawing his pod back into his awaiting landing dock. Stepping out into the grand foyer of the Senate Building to return to his office for another round of talks with his allies.

End Post