Diplomacy at its Finest (Republic Dominion of Hapes)

[Teynara Jeralyr]

The death of the Sith that had sought to engage them left rather a bad taste in Teynara's mouth, and for a moment, it was all she could do to simply stare wide-eyed at his corpse, looking for all the world as though she had never seen a man decapitated before. I suppose seeing people die from age, illness and injury is a little different from seeing one of your companions extinguishing that life with deliberate purpose, she noted with a touch of unsteadiness to her thoughts. I suppose what they say at the Temple is true: all Jedi kill eventually. The idea of it made her want to throw up, but she kept her stomach. Wouldn't do to let anyone see that.

Not that Teynara was particularly squemish - quite the opposite, in fact. After all, her parents were both in the medical profession, so she'd seen a fair amount just in observing them, and as a Xenobiologist, she was more than familiar with the various anatomical and physiological differences that existed between many of the species of the Galaxy - it was, after all, her primary area of expertise. She'd seen blood, guts, injuries that could never be effectively repaired, deaths that could not be averted and deformities that would cause life-long disability that could only just about be compensated for. A little blood shouldn't bother me here, yet it does. Perhaps it was the manner of death that was the issue.

Not that there's really any blood, she mused, eyeing the corpse with a little less in the way of astonishment now, letting the analytical side of her brain take over, perhaps to let the emotional side retreat for a moment and take it's time to cope with the shock of it all. It all happened so fast, that much she was certain of. But the neck is cauterised by the high-energy interaction with a lightsaber blade, so blood flow is minimised, essentially sealing blood within the two severed sections of the body. She'd heard it said among some circles that a lightsaber was actually an unethical weapon: with a little oxygenated blood remaining trapped inside the head after decapitation, consciousness could be maintained for a few seconds after the cut had been made, just long enough for the realisation that you were dead to set in. A truly horrific way to die, if true, she thought.

She couldn't dwell on that now, though - there would be time to mourn later, and to reflect on the events here. And, yes, I can mourn for an enemy, she assured herself. His goals and values were not mine, but he was nonetheless a living being, worthy of life. His end should be mourned by somebody. And she felt that grief, most strongly, but now wasn't the time to stop and reflect upon it - they had a job to do. The tears that fell from her cheeks weren't to be restrained, though. It felt good and proper to allow them, even though her mind forced the feelings that went with them to the back of her mind.

"Uh...yeah, I can probably do something with this," she said haltingly in reply to Carmen's query. Teynara had spent enough time around technical equipment to have a fair idea how to deactivate some when she came across it - but, if things were as bad as she expected out there, they probably didn't have a lot of time to stop and puzzle out the workings. Maybe I'll take a leaf out of Carmen's book, then. The blonde walked over to Carmen with a surprisingly strong gait, then took the Sith's lightsaber from the other woman's hand, gripping the hilt tightly in her hand. She turned to the equipment, then pointed the lightsaber's emitter at the transmitter and pressed the large red button that activated the blade. The snap-hiss familiar to most Jedi issued from the weapon as the crimson blade extended and cut into the equipment, sparks flying everywhere. After a moment, it was debris. She turned off the weapon and threw it away, disdain and a little anger evident in her mannerisms. "I trust that satisfies your requirements?," she asked with a touch of annoyance in her voice, then turned away.

There's not enough time here, she thought despairingly. People were dying all around them, she knew: here, in this room, out there, on the streets, and perhaps even now, the Chancellor and her escort were among those who were falling even now. And what can we truly do to stop all this?, Teynara wondered, a soft sigh of frustration falling from her lips. It's all madness. And she was culpable now, just as they all were. Some of this is my responsibility. She'd have to carry that.

 

[Carmen Dax]

Before the lighsaber could finishe falling Carmen used the force to grab the lighsaber. She must not know how to call in a kill apparently. You needed something of theirs to show that the deed was done. She cliped the weapon to her belt and smiled at the woman. She oblivouly knew what she was doing, but carmen wanted to gget the info on how they had passed the main frome of the network.

Carmen walked out side with Teynara and requested a vehicle come to pick them up. They would have to get back to the bunker to report in and She didnt feel like walking in the sewers again. She asked Teynara "Are you okay you seemed alittle shaken up?"

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

Shaken up? That wasn't how Teynara would have described it at all. She was angry, she was scared, she was shocked and she was frustrated, and worse, she was disappointed in herself for being all of those things, and also for being surprised that something as simple and as rudimentary as a person dying in front of her could provoke those things. No, the truth was, she'd have been quite happy to curl up into a ball in the corner and cry, but the analytical, prudent side of her that almost always won out in such situations did it's job and forced her to focus, forced her to put one foot in front of the other, required her to move on and deal with it when there was time. Which there never is, she noted.

The Padawan knew all about the ideals of Jedi self-control: always steady, always able to do their duty, and not ones to allow their emotional conflicts to stop them doing what they had to. Indeed, the true Jedi wasn't supposed to really have those conflicts - they felt what they wanted, of course, but they were supposed to be able to rationalise it all, to understand where those feelings came from and, in understanding them, master them. A Jedi does not allow their emotions to control them, but rather, they must control their emotions, or so the Archives had said, and this was echoed by the Masters in the Temples. No doubt there's wisdom there, but it's hard to see it at times like this, she thought.

Of course, she wasn't a Jedi, not really. She was still Teynara first, the woman, the qualified academic and expert Xenobiologist, the pacifist and the one who believed that peace was what was required to make people truly civilised - the only circumstances under which people could feel free to truly express themselves. It is civilisation that creates art, music, dance, that produces words that can reduce you to tears or make your heart joyous and hopeful. She believed that, and it was always this she turned to, not to the calm reassurances of the Order. I know that will have to change eventually, if I'm to become a real Jedi, not just one aspiring to that, she reflected, but for the moment, she had to accept the reality in front of her: who she was, not who she intended to be.

"Am I alright? No, damn it, I'm not alright," she said coldly, turning on the other woman, glaring at Carmen with icy-blue eyes that carried little warmth at that moment, a strong contrast with her usually calm, collected self. "You just killed a man right in front of me and didn't so much as bat an eyelid. There's nothing that makes that okay - not necessity, not the need to defend yourself, nothing. And then to take a trophy from him..." Teynara's lilting voice fell off into silence. She couldn't trust herself to speak any more, not until she'd calmed down. This isn't the Jedi I want to be, she thought, lowering her eyes to look at the floor. How can she just walk away from that as though nothing had happened? How can I? It wasn't right.

 

[Carmen Dax]

Carmen was taken aback when She yelled at her. It was unusual for a Jedi to yell at one another. But like she said she wasnt okay. Carmen could undersand how she felt her hands were still shaking because of killing her first person. When ever she fought she aimmed to hurt them not to kill them and when she just did that she felt horrabul inside.

With a calm voice she stated "You may think I didnt bat an eyelid. But I am I dont want to kill people. Even if they deserve it fare and square." She stared back at the woman and with all funny buisnes aside "He would have killed everyone he could before he would die. I could feel it in his voice and in the force. I dont want his lighsaber as a trophy. I want to show every one that I actualy did kill the culpret. Yuo cant just say 'I killed him' and them believe you. You need to prove that you did." She stopped herself and took a deep breath

"If life were to go my way, None of this would have happened. If I could I would throw this lightsaber all the way to Yavin from here. Please dont judge me for my actions when im thinking on protecting people who cant defent theirselves." Carmen wasnt going to argue with another Jedi and had to do something. She went back inside the building to roam and see if they were doing their job. When she was doing that a tear rolled down her face. She didnt want to kill.

 

[Aurelia Saelari]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Aurelia must have blacked out, because when she awoke she was laying in a medbay. She had a piercing headache, but tried to get up regardless. A droid bustled over to her.
"Madam Chancellor, it is suggested you convalesce for a while longer before exerting yourself."
She dismissed that claim. "I don't have time for that. Lead me back to the bunker."

So she was indeed led back, and there came upon Siobhan Kerrigan, who was doing whatever Kerrigan did at such times.
"Ms Kerrigan, I must thank you for a third time for saving my life. When this strife is over I promise you will be rewarded above and beyond what your contract states." She did narrow her eyes slightly. "I do not like the sound of my own voice either," she added, though with less conviction than usual.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Aurelia Saelari"]

For her part Siobhan had been making a round across the bunker to make sure that there weren't any other insurgents skulking around, but it seemed the last in the complex had died with the Deputy Captain and his merry men. If there were any guards left inside who harboured thoughts of liberating Hapes, the sight of their comrades constantly getting slaughtered had abruptly terminated the will to turn such thoughts into action.

She shrugged. "You're welcome, Madam Chancellor, and thanks. Just doing my job I happen to be really good at," she said. It was not bragging to Siobhan, just fact. She stiffened a bit when the Chancellor got snippy with her. "Hmm...Congratulations on resisting that gun of command. Takes lot of willpower."

A burst of a message came in through her earpiece and she listened briefly before shutting off the connection. "Got a rebel assault at the gates and in space. Their last suicide run. Looks like the Supreme Commander's up in space to rally the fleet. Hapan loyalist space forces are engaging the enemy. Looks like the insurgents will be bending soon."

 

[Inigo Montoya]

@[member="Carmen Dax"] @[member="Teynara Jeralyr"]


Knocking out the rebel soldier with an open knife hand chop to the back of his throat. Inigo pulled the unconscious man into the shadows and whispered into the communicator. "This is Padawan Montoya, calling any friendly Republic forces. I am about half a block away from the transmission tower and established visual contact with the target. Proceeding to enter and neutralize any hostile forces. If anyone can here this, please acknowledge, over."

 

[Ava Solborne]

Atmosphere of Hapes

Dominator and Whudha and V-34S flew towards the planet. They weren't on the course, so they didn't see the capitol. They had to go round. Whudha didn't say anything. It seemed like he wanted to go home. Though they had to get the Hapes. They just had to. V-34S was ready to be completely turned on again. He had taken some blasters with him, so he was actually ready. But what did Dominator think? Did he really want to participate or was it just something he had to do? He thought, that he wanted to do it. But feelings can be mystical.


The Capitol of Hapes

Dominator landed in the capitol. Actually, he landed on the docking bay. There were some soldiers. But not theirs. And they marched closer, being very aggressive. Dominator lit his lightsaber, just to be sure and V-34S came out. But then something strange happened. The ship raised into the air and flew away. Whudha didn't want to spend even a second on the planet, so he left. With the ship, what was given to Dominator. The first blasts came and Dominator deflected them easily. Then he ran to V-34S and opened a small hatch. Thhere was a button. And Dominator pressed it. Immediately, the droid was turned on. Now he had his feelings and thoughts.

 

[Flint Pherson]

High Orbit
Star Defender Gravity Hurts

"...Taking your time there Commander."
"Heh. Admiral. ...So. I see they've starting shooting."
"Just not sure at who yet. These Rebels can't seem to tell the difference between their own IFF's and the Loyalists. And neither can we. Escorts have been making a mess of the skies around us, but we can only hope we are shooting at the bad guys.
"Anybody on the line yet?"

"Matron Commander Denise. Signal is coming from that vessel there. Coms believes she's friendly."
"I'll take it. Put her through..."
"Aye sir."
"...Matron Commander. This is Republic Supreme Commander Pherson. What can I do for you?"

"Republic Commander. We are engaging all hostile vessels with extreme prejudice. Request we focus fire and bring their larger vessels down first. I've already launched all ships."
"Love to Matron Commander. But our IFF's are showing all your ships as hostile right now. Care to share?"
"Indeed. Specialist! Get me our formations. ...Yes. Those! ...Very well Commander. I will send you the listings now."
"In Basic, if you don't mind."

"Damn it. We don't have time for this! ...Target manually and concentrate your fire on my target."
"No need. Apparently my Droids speak Hapan. ...We have your IFF's confirmed. Lighting up enemy targets now."
"Thank you Commander. These boshdets shall be punished for their treason. Matron Commander out."

"...Well now Flint. She seemed lovely."
"Mmm. A woman after my own heart. Now. Let's light these dragoons up and see who walks away limping."
"Bringing all guns to bear. IFF's confirmed. Concentrating fire on the Matron Commander's targets."

"Oh. And Sarah?"
"Yes?"
"When this is all over. Milkshakes on me."
"Yes sir!"

 

[Hanna Ike]

Hanna was doing much better, her vitals were normal, and all was well, though she was still out cold. She had never seen it coming. She just dreamed of Hapan and the Republic. She hoped and prayed that they got along. That they would stop fighting. The doctors and guards were still on high alert, the fact that their had been two attempts on her life and one on the chancellor made none o f them easy as Hanna laid there they just hoped they all survived this night.

 

[Aurelia Saelari]

@[member="Flint Pherson"]

The Hapan warships broke up under the combined assault from loyalist and Republic ships. Those that remained quickly surrendered.

@[member="Davin Jusik"] @[member="Delila Castillon"]

The surviving Hapan Rebels prepared to launch their last attack on the palace, their tank in the lead. They had heard that their plan had failed and the Princess was dead, but were determined to make one last throw of the dice, not knowing that the Republic troops were waiting for them....

 

[Delila Castillon]

@[member="Aurelia Saelari"] | @[member="Davin Jusik"] | @[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

It seemed the group had been waiting an eternity for anything to happen. Men shifted nervously in their positions as Delila quietly moved amongst them, picking a handful more to be sent upstairs to pick odd as many that were possible before the breach. Minutes after she sent the group upstairs to do their sharpshooting, the Palace started to rumble. Delila looked up at the ornate ceiling, watching dust slowly drift down to her group.

"Pull back slightly, sounds like heavy equipment. Ready the grenades, be cautious of those above us"

The group slowly pulled back into the second grand hallway, just as the heavy tank pushed through the Palace, making an entrance hole. Hapans swarmed in, firing the minute their feet touched the expensive marble. Her company needed no prompting, blaster fire was already being returned from their defensive positions. Hapans took cover amongst the rubble the best they could, as her company was deep in the hallway, lining the sides and hiding around corners for protection.

Grenades were volleyed towards the tank and the flood of Hapan soldiers. In the confusion and rush of battle, no one thought to avoid the small charges. Soon, dust and more debris clouded the vision of everyone in the Palace, the grenades exploding at the entrance, making the initial entry wider. Using the grenade surprise to their advantage, Delila pressed her troops into action..

"Push hard while they are recovering. We almost got this!"

 

[Davin Jusik]

@[member="Aurelia Saelari"] @[member="Delila Castillon"]

Delila and her platoon seemed to be doing well enough in there position. He heard her order to push and hoped she didn't move her unit up to far as the danger of sniper's was extreme in the large areas exposed to the outside, allowing for a great line of sight.

Davin popped a few heads as the Hapans breached the main entrances archway and infantry began to pour in. The machine gunners opened up and mowed them down with ease. The tank foolishly rolled it's way into the presidium, where the heavy gun emplacements launched heavy artillery at it's body, penetrating the cheap Hapan armor with ease.

The Hapans within were shredded from the massive rounds that bounced inside it. All their thoughts and dreams ended with those few moments. Thus was war.

Davin killed a few more and began to understand why Delila had ordered her platoon to move up. This was almost sad, how easy it was. Made Davin feel a bit sick to his stomach.

"Platoon Commander's report in." Davin barked over the com.

Sparrow greenlighted, no casualties.

Osen did the same.

Now he awaited Delila's report as the last of the Hapans were being mopped up.

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

@[member="Carmen Dax"] @[member="Aurelia Saelari"]

Teynara was more than a little sceptical at the other Jedi's claims that she felt bad about the killing - the clinical, painful way she had gone about it suggested that this wasn't the case, but then again, the blonde didn't have all those intuitions and extra-sensory skills she so often saw the other Jedi rely upon. She could only go by the evidence of her eyes, and all that told her was that the kill was messy and likely not even truly necessary - there'd have been another way, surely? Killing's a last resort, that's what they say at the Temple. We didn't even explore alternatives. 30 seconds from the start of the fight to a death. That was it. She didn't like that at all.

And as for that lightsaber? Why would we need to prove that someone died by our hands?, she mused, finding the idea of it more than a little odd. We're not Bounty Hunters - why should anyone care if we did what we said we did, as long as the job got done? That did sound a little ruthless to her, but if a Jedi said that they encountered another Force User and killed them, wouldn't their word be sufficient as proof? Besides, she's got herself an eye-witness, and it's not as though I would lie, Teynara thought seethingly. The more she worked with some of the other Jedi, the more she found herself questioning their methods. Maybe Ryori was right about the Order after all. They'd have to discuss it.

She didn't miss that note of rebuke, either, Carmen essentially saying that she couldn't go criticising someone when she wasn't about to enter into combat in the other woman's defense. So Carmen had to protect me, yes, and I can appreciate that, but I don't think we'd gotten so desparate as to have no other options but to kill. No, there'd have been alternatives, if only they'd had time to try them. Worse, I was the distraction that got that man killed, she thought, reflecting on the fact that Carmen had used her conversation to make her move. So I'm just as guilty as she is: we both killed him together. The sour taste that left in her mouth wasn't pleasant in the slightest.

As far as she was aware, though, they'd done their job here: disabled the communications equipment used to make the broadcasts that had started all this, and, well, taken out an enemy combatant. We've done our duty, some consolation though that may be, she thought. Time to take ourselves out of the equation here. She removed her commlink from her belt and cleared her throat, trying to make sure there wouldn't be a tremble in her voice when next she spoke. It wouldn't do to let anyone else know of the turmoil she felt inwardly.

"Padawan Jeralyr to Chancellor Saelari," she intoned, her voice calmer than she felt by far, perhaps latching on to the fact that now she could at least do something useful. "Enemy communications have been neutralised, and we're finished here." That was as much as she felt she could explain about the situation - she couldn't trust herself to say anything more on what they had done here. "We'll return to the Palace as soon as we've got everyone together. Out." And that was it. Reported in, now let's go because we have to do something else I'll regret, she thought.

 

[Aurelia Saelari]

@[member="Teynara Jeralyr"] @[member="Carmen Dax"]

Aurelia received the report with a pleased nod. The communication station was the last great obstacle to an effective restoration of order on Hapes. Taking up the commlink the Chancellor replied.
"Excellent work, Jedi. Return to the palace as soon as possible. I'll advise the soldiers that you are coming."

@[member="Davin Jusik"] @[member="Delila Castillon"]

With the destruction of the last armed body of rebels the area around the palace and capital city settled into uneasy quiet. The battle had been won, and in the end it had been an easy enough victory. Those who remained alive surrendered, and the Republic's forces quickly took over what was left of their defenses.
"Excellent work, Captain. Bring your men back to the palace, we have much to do."

@[member="Flint Pherson"]

Peace had settled in space over Hapes. The Loyalists, seeing the Republic's victory was assured, had fallen into line, and the traitor ships had been destroyed or captured.

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] and all eventually.

Aurelia left the bunker, no worse for wear despite her robe being somewhat dirtied and frayed by the battle. She had asked all those involved to be assembled in the throne room so that she could thank those involved and also to make her final speech to the Hapan and Republic's citizens. The time had come for peace.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

@[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Teynara Jeralyr @[member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""][member=""]Carmen Dax
Picking his way through the rumble, Inigo paused to check on each person he passed to see if there was any life signs. So much death and destruction, was it truly necessary? Surely would have been a way to subdue these men without having to resort to lethal force.

Finding a faint life sign on one body, he rolled up his sleeves and began applying first aid as he had learned it at the temple. He did not trust his skill yet with Force Healing, fearing that what he might attempt to do would only make things worst.

When he had managed to stabilize the pulse, he took a belt from one of the corpses and bound the man's hands and feet, preventing him from harming himself and others before going off to look for the other Jedi.

Spotting a familiar face ahead of him, he paused and bowed, "Greetings Padawan Dax. I have come to help out but it seems things are well in hand. Most of the fallen are beyond hope, but I have been able to stabilize those that still live. I have bound them so they would not pose a threat to anyone at this time."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Palace

"That perfidious snake betrayed her own people and let that Dall rule her. It should not surprise me, she was always power hungry, but to think she let that Dall rule her!" one slender, black-haired Hapan noblewoman, attractive and expensively dressed and bedecked with jewellry, exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's terrible, I know, but the truth. Guess she wasn't an, uh, real Hapan, after all," Siobhan responded, naturally giving the noblewoman's words all the attention they deserved. After all, Siobhan was always polite and considerate to her fellow sentients! "But nothing to worry about, we've won."

"And she tried to murder Lady Saelari, right before Her Majesty's eyes. It's good she still has a younger sister, but it's shameful we had to rely on foreign help," the aristo said a bit pompously before affixing her eyes on Siobhan, whose scarred features and often rough mannerisms formed an interesting contrast. "I saw you fight those traitors that came for the Chancellor, how you fought the rascals off with your powers. But you are not a Jedi?"

Siobhan shook her head. "Not anymore. Siobhan Kerrigan, Omega private contractor at your service," she gave a theatrical bow, which made the noblewoman chuckle a bit. "We do what governments can't do, go boldly into the realms of chaos and fight scum. Tough job, sometimes, but someone has to do it." Clearly Siobhan was exercising all her formidable powers of wittiness!

"My house could use some competent private security. And the...CEO of your company is a woman?"

Siobhan grinned. "Tegaea Alcori. If some man-creature was running the show, we wouldn't have gotten where we are now. It's just a big shame that few understand that...so few outside Hapes have the common sense to see that." She stepped a bit closer.

The aristo nodded approvingly, her no doubt intriguing ideological views satisfied. "It's dreadful to hear that some local pressure group has decided to use our integration into the Republic as an excuse to protest for greater male rights. Just look at them, how weak they are, they cannot even govern their own bedroom."

"They'll bend to you, I'm sure, and when push comes to shove and naughty rascals rear their heads, you know who to call," Siobhan said with a smile, winking at her, "when you need people put down who do not yet comprehend their place in things." Siobhan's wittiness expressed itself in lines as corny as a maize field. "We make sure our clients get the best of service. Hmm. May a simple soldier escort you to the throne room? The Chancellor's supposed to make a speech."

"Coming from the gallant soldier who saved the Chancellor." Siobhan may or may not have embellished a bit when it came to the number of hostiles she had slain. Sure, she had saved the Chancellor three times, but several other courageous individuals had done their part to put the 'foul' rebellion down! "Will your duties call you away from Hapes soon?"

"Oh, I'm sure I can make some time. Beautiful world, wouldn't mind seeing it at peace," Siobhan gently took the aristo by the arm and led her through the corridor. It was perhaps good that she had gotten around to wiping the blood off her hand and putting a glove on her robot hand. "And this Force of mine isn't just for destruction, there are fascinating things I'd be glad to show you."

 

[Aurelia Saelari]

And so in the throne room of the palace they assembled. Hapans, Jedi, Republic soldiers and officials. All of them came to stand in that room where just hours before the Chancellor had arrived. Since then the room had been marked by war, damaged and darkened by violence. Yet, it still stood, which was as good a metaphor as any for the state of Hapes now and into the future.

There would be time later for rewards and celebrations, but for now there was only time for Aurelia Saelari to make her thoughts known to the galaxy. She had deliberately not changed her clothes and applied only a little cosmetic, so as to portray the image that she was a woman who had been in the forefront of the battle, which she had been in a way.

Approaching a podium which had been erected for her use, she looked over the assembled beings, and at the holonet reporters and cameras which had come with surprising speed to the palace. Without a trace of anxiety she began.

“Citizens of the Republic, people of the galaxy, humans and a thousand other species on ten thousand worlds, I greet you. To those beyond the reach of the Republic’s protection I greet you also, in the confident expectation that one day you might one day be part of our Commonwealth.”
“I speak to you today from Hapes, a rich and prosperous world which has chosen to enter the Republic by special treaty that preserves their internal laws and customs. This was not an occupation; within days all Republic soldiers will be gone, leaving only a few officials and staff to help advise the Queen Mother of the Senate’s plans. However, as you can see, what should have been a peaceful moment of triumph has instead been marred by strife and violence. Certain elements of the Hapan people, reactionaries all, tried to organise a coup to overthrow the Queen Mother and force their world to remain shackled to the past. This coup has failed, not least because the majority of the Hapan people stayed loyal, but I also trust it was because many of them saw the benefits of what we are doing. I must also pay tribute to the Republic Military escort that helped defend this Palace, and the Jedi Knights who bravely fought against these treacherous malcontents.”
“However on this occasion I wish to take time to lay out a broader picture than just Hapes or any other individual world. I wish to discuss what the Republic stands for, and how its enemies seek to overthrow us, and why the choice of Hapes was not only just, but prudent as well.”
“For centuries the galaxy has been shrouded in darkness. The plague, war and strife has reduced the once prosperous people of the galaxy to barbarism and chaos. Technology and science has waned, while cruelty and war have risen like a dark spectre to plague us. This is the tale of the last centuries, but it does not need to always be the story. It is always darkest just before the dawn, it is said, and that is never more true than now. For in the darkness of this night, the first light of dawn is starting to show. As this new day approaches there are many obstacles to overcome, but I trust that with the aid of all beings of good intent we shall succeed. Sadly though much of the galaxy lies in the grip of barbarism and superstition, still needing to be rescued from torment and tyranny. That time will come, and the Republic will ever prove to be the friend of the weak in these times of trouble.”
“I wish to discuss now the greatest dangers that face everyone in the galaxy. While criminals and bandits continue to prey on the innocent, they are merely the absence of law, rather than its enemy. I speak of the Sith Empire, a nation which is the antithesis of everything the Republic stands for. A nation where might not only makes right, but is the only course of action seriously attempted. It is a nation where the people have no say in who rules them, that is given only to a small circle around their leaders and through them the tyranny of the Dark Side of the Force.”
“The Republic stands for three things above all; equality before the law, peace and prosperity. In the Republic there are those who are better off than others; this is a fact of life that will never be changed except in the utopia dreams of scholars. However, all citizens are equal before the law here, from me down to the humblest sort. I am elected by the representatives of the people, and retain my office only by their consent. In the Sith Empire there is no equality because there is no understanding that the strongest does not always automatically have the right to everything they wish. In a system where might makes right equality cannot exist, for who is powerful today might be cast down the next with little thought to those below them.”
“The Republic stands for peace, the freedom to live our lives without oppression. While we are not so naïve as to deny the need for war to defend ourselves, we do not openly seek the deaths and ruin of millions. The Republic is committed to allowing peace to flourish, and with it the life we all aspire to. The Sith however, a group which values neither liberty nor equality before the law, makes peace impossible. As strength is the only determinant to their power, they have no interest in peace. If for their own selfish gain they must sacrifice a million or ten million beings for their glory they will do so.”
“Finally the Republic stands for prosperity and the ability for all of us to make their way in life. I was born on a world which knew of nothing beyond its atmosphere, yet I am here as Chancellor. That is the life of prosperity and progress we wish for all. However, prosperity only comes with peace and justice, such as the Republic can provide. For the Sith, who lack the other two quantities, prosperity is not only unreachable, but undesirable. For the moment those oppressed by the Sith become prosperous they will realise what it is that holds them down. They will look up and see the corrupt and rotten structure above them, and on that day the Sith Empire will fall. Until that moment though, those people will remain in imposed poverty, envying and distrusting us for only through that can they control them.”

“I wish to say one last thing one final thing to our enemies. To those of you who choose barbarity over civilisation, who are hoping that we might turn from our cause and submit, I have only thing to say. You turn if you want to. The Republic is not for turning. Great challenges lie ahead of us, for salvation comes at a price. We will have to make sacrifices, but we shall not flag or fail, we will not turn our course until we have carried the torch of civilisation into the darkest corners of the Galaxy."
“To the people of the Republic and beyond, I have one final thing to say. Our enemies are powerful, and they are legion, but we will show them that the Republic stands for a new era of justice and prosperity. We will not go into the night quietly, we...the Republic...will endure!”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan gave Aurelia's great speech about the Republic's manifest destiny as much attention as could be expected from someone who had a rather short attention span about many manners. She liked the part about wiping the Sith out, even though they always came again, though the rhetoric about how the Republic would save the Galaxy fell on deaf ears.

The mercenary was probably too jaded and cynical to appreciate that civilisation could overcome savagery. Could've snuck in a mention about the amazing heroism of the Omega agent, she grumbled to herself. Admittedly, that would have been sort of against the point, but still. Clearly Siobhan was the very model of modesty and acknowledged the contributions of other people. Ok, fine, maybe give me a medal.

By contrast, the noblewoman whom she had accompanied seemed far more enthusiastic. "She's not a Hapan, but she voices what with sensible people think. I hope she doesn't get obstructed by those wet hens in the Senate and by fools who take this equality idea too seriously."

The look she gave Siobhan suggested that agreeing was a good idea. "Yeah, exactly, she's tough. Alas, I can't vote, but I totally would for her. So, my dear, shall we..."

It did not take rocket science to figure out what Siobhan's suggestion would be, but clearly the aristocrat had ideas of her own. "Yes, celebrations have commenced in the secondary ballroom. I believe a certain gallant soldier promised me a dance."

Oh, bugger, for all her skills, Siobhan could not dance well. Well, at least not to the civilised music they would no doubt be playing. Her partner looked terribly amused at her expression. "I did not think someone like you could be shy, after facing down entire legions. Don't worry, just me take control and I'll guide you, just one dance."

She gripped Siobhan by the shoulder and turned her towards the exit. "I can't decline such a generous offer, can I?" Siobhan laughed. "And then I'll what my Force can do, somewhere less crowded. Just the best for an exalted lady." She gently wrapped her arm around the woman's waist.

 

[Flint Pherson]

High Orbit

"...I understand Matron Commander. Thank you for your time. We'll be in touch."

Flint turned away from the view screen and back to the lovely Admiral at his side,

"Well. Looks that they don't want our help after all."
"I know Flint. But the treaty is only minutes old. You can't blame them."
"Mm. Still. They've offered repairs. So at least we can get a few of these holes patched up while we're here. ...Now. I need to see how things look on the surface. Can you take care of our 'guests' when they arrive."
"Of course sir."

"Good. Can't be too careful now, can we."
"And Commander?"
"Hm?"
"...You owe a girl a milkshake." *wink*