Private Coruscanti Skylines

[Valintyn]

The little diner Delicate Delights sat in a sky tower next to the senate building, just an easy speeder flight away, and they had the best caf on the planet as far as Tritum was concerned.

He sat in a chair at a table nearest the enormous window pane that gave the diner’s occupants a full view of the Coruscanti skyline. Tritum stared out, watching the speeders zip this way and that, constant streams around the enormous towers that rose like dozens of fingers trying to touch the heavens.

Marcus took a sip of his caf and smiled. Today was a good day. Other than that bill proposed in the senate. It was clearly meant to pick a fight, but Marcus preferred to avoid fights these days. That was why he had asked Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix to meet him for lunch so they could discuss reaching out across the aisle to create a better future.

 

[Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix]

Valintyn

She was looking forward to this meeting. Tiresh was absolutely exhausted with the black and white mentality of the senate these days… either you were for unregulated and absolute mega-corporation takeover, or you were a socialist that wanted to squash all forms of capitalism. What an absolute mess.

Her father was an entrepreneur, a self-made businessman. She believed wholeheartedly in free markets and in capitalism, seeing first-hand how it could help bring anyone out of the gutter and give incredible opportunities to anyone to make their own profit and wealth. But lately, she had been painted as anti-capitalist simply by opposing unregulated corporatism. She hoped that today would be an important turning point away from such narrow-minded perspectives.

Tiresh quickly walked over to Valintyn , smiling as their eyes made contact while sitting down across from him gracefully. “A very nice spot, Senator Tritum!” She said energetically as she took a moment to take in the view before turning her attention back to Marcus. “I must say that I am pleasantly surprised that you reached out to me again. I had hoped that such would be the case. How are you settling in?” She smiled warmly and nodded as water was placed in front of her, taking a sip and returning her attention to the Senator seated across from her.

 

[Valintyn]

“Oh please, it’s Marcus,” chuckled the man, rising stiffly out of his seat until she sat down across from him.

“Oh it’s going. I thought the Tapani nobles were bad but they’re like minnows compared to the Senate sharks.”

The waiter came by and Marcus got his caf topped off. He took a sip of the steaming black liquid and felt the warmth run down his throat to rest in his stomach with a pleasant glow. He smiled.

“But I think there’s some unnecessary rifts. For instance, I think you and I see eye to eye even though we are on opposite sides of the aisle. I think a lot of the corporatists could be swayed toward some middle ground, but the hard left AntiCos seem dead set on burning down every corporation in the alliance larger than a mom and pop shop. But the galaxy needs those corporations. Hell that’s why we can sit here and drink caf imported from the colonies, you know?”

 

[Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix]

Valintyn

She smiled warmly at his desire for her to use his first name, "Then Tiresh will suffice as well." She said.

"Oh, I understand the sentiment. Everyone is looking for blood in the water these days." She said as she shook her head and let out a light sigh. She listened to him intently, slowly sipping at her water, her face very focused.

"I mean I agree with you…" She started once he had finished, "That has been my stance from the beginning. Sure, there are some within the Coalition that I would consider socialists, who would likely desire to see capitalism end as we know it. But what choice do I have? I need the voting power to resist the powers that be! If I stand by myself, I can do nothing. My options are limited. And I would like to counter with the fact that the coalition is not the ones trying to assassinate their opposition… it is people on your side of the isle who are engaging in such nefarious practices." She raised her eyebrows, "How do I reach across the aisle when there's a blaster in someones hand pointed at me?"

She sighed, "My father is a self-made businessman. I believe in Capitalism. I believe we need corporations. I know everyone paints me as anti-corporation because that's the easy narrative to understand, but it's just not true." She paused and looked curiously at the man across from her, almost studying him for a moment, "So… Marcus… How do we find the middle ground? What exactly is it that you propose?"

 

[Valintyn]

"Hmm. Well you do have a point," Marcus swirled his caf with a spoon, mixing in the creamer. "Can't exactly advocate for corporatists if you think they're the ones behind it all. But are we so sure that's the case? Why would corporatists do that. It's so public. If I were them I would be trying to use the power of the credit to undermine my opponent by cutting out their campaign contributions and throttling the economies of their represented planets. Legal means." He said when he saw her look, raising up a hand defensively.

"But openly assassinating a rival? It's just so public and... thuggish. Morality aside, you know? Wouldn't it make more sense if this were some scheme by the Imperials or Maw to drive us apart when we need unity now more than ever? In the face of fascism and extremism, we should be able to put our differences aside for the common good. I think that makes more sense, don't you?"

Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix

 

[Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix]

Valintyn

"Are we sure?" She raised an eyebrow, "Of course not. The investigation is ongoing. And I agree with you, I think it is horrifying to think that such a response would even be considered by an elected official." She took a sip, "But keep in mind that if they went after our planetary economies and cut us off, there would be public outrage. Something like that would not fly under the radar. Such activity would harken back to the Trade Federation's blockade of Naboo, and undoubtedly raise alarming red flags. They need public opinion in their favor, Marcus. Now the idea of financially backing an opposing candidate during reelection cycle is definitely a good tactic, however I was newly elected just this year… Right after the sacking of Coruscant. I'm not up for reelection for another three and a half years. Do you know how much damage I could achieve in three and a half years?" She couldn't help but chuckle at her last comment, winking at Markus.

"But you are not wrong that hiring bounty hunters to take out your opposition is very extreme… and that brings me to two possibilities…" She leaned forward, looking intently at Marcus, "One? You are correct, and It is a play by a foreign power to bring division within the Alliance. And option two? I'm right, and the corruption on your side of the isle is much worse than you realize." She leaned back in her chair, taking another sip of water as she let her words sink in.

"I want to put our differences aside, Marcus. I want that more than anything. The goal of the coalition wasn't to destroy the Corporatists... it was just to force them to take us seriously. But things have changed, and I don't know what the best way forward is anymore. The last thing I want to do is be apart of something that tears the Alliance apart... But is the answer to back down and let corrupt powers have their way? You tell me, Marcus."