Faction Election Season I: Shaky Foundations [GA Senate]

[Cressida Tolliver]

Cressida's attention drifted between the conversation with Alexandra Feanor and Tiber Septimus and the goings-on on the floor. Sycorax Laveaux spoke sensibly, as had been Cressida's expectation based on experience. Cressida had to admire her plain-spoken nature; too many people -- herself most of all, she had to admit -- were prone to theatrics. Sometimes the best strategy was straight talk.

More towering speeches came, and Cressida was heartened. So there were those among the Senate outside those she knew that were opposed to capitulation to the Empire. That was better than expected. She made a note to approach Salocin Lear , Feridade Parthi , and Arsenio Tagge following the meeting.

Someone else wanted to whine about the poem, which was not a surprise. Not everyone appreciated a good stanza. What did surprise her was that Senator Brun Rostu seemed to lack access to maps or biographical information that the Senator-in-Exile from Haruun Kal was displaying. A temper tantrum was one way to announce one's candidacy for the highest office in the Galactic Alliance, but as far as she was concerned the shocking lack of discretion, judgment, and discipline was immediately disqualifying. On the other hand, one did have to empathize with his plight. His world was under the yoke of Sith oppression, after all, and that would put all kinds of pressure on a being.

Too much, it seemed.

Marek Bancroft 's views on the critical matter were well-known to the Senators who had attended the Roxuli meeting, and she was certain that word had spread. That was to be expected in a group as gossipy as the Federal Assembly. She did wonder idly who died and made him king of the nomination process; his relatively junior position and his well-known position made Cressida wonder whether his thumb would land on the scale. The election would have to be scrutinized closely.

Her attention returned to Alexandra, and she watched as the Veradune Senator made her opening gambit. Well, that was that. It would be foolish to split the vote, so Alexandra's candidacy -- implied or explicit -- effectively slammed the door on Cressida's own. She rose and returned to the podium, activating her microphone. "Mister Speaker, I nominate Senator Feanor and second the self-nomination of Arsenio Tagge . To lay down my marker -- cards on the table, as it were -- the people of the Renascent Heirate will support any candidate in this election that recognizes the stakes we face and will stand and fight rather than shrink and capitulate. I reserve."

 

[Sycorax Laveaux]

"We will have time to discuss the intricacies of policy, and the theater that most certainly will follow such a debate in the future, Senator Leveaux."

"Senator Laveaux," she corrected. "With an A. And the X is silent."

She knew what he was doing. The people he agreed with could espouse the virtues of surrendering to the Empire until they passed out from lack of oxygen, but if she uttered two sentences in dissent, she received a scolding. Apart from correcting his pronunciation of her name, she ignored him.

Listening intently for the nominations, she winced at the length of some of the speeches. By the loa, could these people bloviate. At this rate she was going to have to get an AI to summarize the contents just to make sure she didn't miss anything important. From what she was able to gather, three major candidates had put themselves forward: Arsenio Tagge, Alexandra Feanor, and Brun Rostu. The Couteau girl had nominated Annasari, but Annasari had yet to accept the nomination, and Sycorax wouldn't have voted for the Senator of Jakku and inexplicably also Tatooine even if she was being held at gunpoint.

Of the three, Rostu appealed to her the most - and yet she too had to sadly disqualify him. The guy had passion, but it was clear that he was not well informed about the state of the GA, nor did he aim his rage toward the right targets. Sycorax still wasn't sure what exactly Feanor's role in the GA even was, and she was a Force User, which didn't sit right with the Senator of Necropolis. That left Tagge. He sometimes came across as arrogant, but he at least knew what to say, and he wasn't one of Bancroft's lackeys. She hated his name, though. Arsenio. Sounded too much like arse.

"I third the nomination for Senator Tagge," she said.

Arsenio Tagge Cressida Tolliver Alexandra Feanor Brun Rostu Annasari Feridade Parthi William Harris Salocin Lear Exum Jern Ariana du Couteau Tiber Septimus Mykel Dawson​

 

[Mykel Dawson]

Senator-in-Exile Kevari Thalos, Coruscul​

As with every Federal assembly, there was no shortage of barely veiled cattiness on display in the chamber, even on such such dire occasion. For peace of mind, Kevari chalked up such behavior to passion and remained laser focused on the candidates while also keeping a silent note on the emerging blocs for future dealings.

In the end, there were a number of suitable candidates he could support, but one stood above the rest with a comprehensive vision for victory over their adversaries.

After a brief hushed deliberation with the rest of the delegation that included the presidential liaison and the Jedi Watchman, the decision was settled.

"On behalf of the people of Corsucul, I stand in full support of a fourth nomination for Senator Arsenio Tagge " he declared into his mic.

Arsenio Tagge Cressida Tolliver Alexandra Feanor Brun Rostu Annasari Feridade Parthi William Harris Salocin Lear Exum Jern Ariana du Couteau Tiber Septimus

 

[Marek Bancroft]

The speaker's microphone blarred with interference as he unceremoniously activated the controls, his gaze shifting across to Senator Kevari, a hand raised in apologies, before it settled upon Senator Tolliver in particular. "I apologize for the interruption, Senator Thalos, but before a trend continues, each Senator is allowed one nomination. If you've nominated one of our peers, then a secondary nomination of another candidate is invalid. Apologies for any confusion on the matter. We may proceed."

His microphone turned off.


Cressida Tolliver

 

[Cressida Tolliver]

And there was the thumb.

Cressida activated her microphone in response. "I appreciate you clarifying these newly-imposed restrictions, Mister Arbiter. In the interests of not further derailing this exercise in democracy, I will simultaneously raise and reserve a point of personal privilege to investigate the provenance of these rules and your constitutional authority for enforcing them at a later date in the appropriate oversight committee. You may consider my second of my colleague Senator Tagge to be withdrawn."

The Senator disengaged her microphone and proceeded to the exit of her pod, where she was met by her private secretary Kenat. "Signal me when the next procedural moves begin. I must consult with Lord Rookwood and the Prime Minister in New Sterandel before that."

Marek Bancroft | Arsenio Tagge​

 

[Salocin Lear]

The chamber seemed less inclined to rousing speeches than Salocin might have hoped. While he hadn't expected applause, he also hadn't expected apathy. The least he could hope was that his proclamation and call to arms was enough to help rally toward the Federalist bloc... but only time would tell.

Nominations began.

Salocin listened, fingers rested against his chin as he tapped slowly.

Interesting.

Of all the names thus far, few were true potentials. As an aside, it seemed Arsenio Tagge would stand a strong chance of running for the position, which wasn't too big of a concern, insofar as Salocin's industrial connections could benefit from association. The other senators were questionable, he didn't know much about them, though the platforms they spoke from didn't inspire confidence. Surrender didn't suit him.

"I also support Senator Tagge with my nomination from Fondor."

So be it.

It would certainly be an interesting few months to come.

___________________________________________________________________

Arsenio Tagge | Marek Bancroft​

 

[William Harris]

​

The Proposition​

Harris snapped away as the nominations rang out across the hall. He followed along the corridor until he reached his pod. This was make-or-break time. As he slipped into his pod, the two security guards quietly greeted him, to which he quietly and politely responded.
"I also support Senator Tagge with my nomination from Fondor." Stated Salocin Lear , as his voice finished, Harris fumbled with the controls of his pod, switching on the microphone as the voices in the chamber quieted.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and all other kind souls in this chamber that seek a resolution best fitting to the stability and longevity of this Alliance. Allow me to introduce myself, please. I am William Harris, Senator of Osseriton, and I believe that I can assist in this crisis. A crisis that- no disrespect to my peers, I may be uniquely suited to handle." Harris paused for a moment. He reached for his tablet to open his speech, but as his hand grazed the screen, he hesitated. In that split second, his mind changed, and he powered it down. pushing it across the shelf away from him.

"My fellow Senators, who amongst you has actually led in chaos? Who amongst you has directed troops, led armies, and commanded fleets? My job here is not to question the commitments of you fine people, or to question your methods, but we do not need, in times as trying as this, a delicate political solution. As it stands, we are at war. Not only are we at war, but we are actively losing. Every moment we deliberate here is a moment that good beings die on the frontlines of this conflict. Earlier, we were asked to sound off. 'Let the Empire hear our roar.' That, I believe, was the phrasing used. I pose this question to each one of you. What roar is that? Our navy is splintered, our troops are bogged down by attrition. Our industry is behind enemy lines, and we are backed into a corner."
Harris paused for a moment, looking around the room to see if anyone was paying attention.

"Some of you beg for peace. It's admirable to wish for an end to conflict, and I, among you, wish to see the end of this conflict. But let me ask, what does peace look like? The truth is this: if today one of us rises and chooses to negotiate, we will find ourselves crippled. We will lack the resources, the industry, and the power to project ourselves. Peace today is a truce until that foreign Emperor changes his mind and once again sacks our worlds, slaughters our people, and rains hellfire upon our civilization. We cannot afford to surrender. We cannot afford defeat. We are backed into a corner, and the only way out is to fight. I am not some warhawk who thrills at the opportunity to send our neighbors and children into the chaos of war- but if our children are to grow old, and our history and place in this universe are to remain, we have no options. I have personally led assaults, have stewarted and empire from the brink, and I have routinely defeated numerically superior and technologically more advanced adversarries. The question is not IF we will win this conflict, but is enough willpower to do so. "

Harris adjusted himself, fixing his posture and standing upright, with every word, his enthusiasm built subtly, as did his confidence. His hands moved lightly, and his voice inflected as he continued.

"I do not wish to rule again. I do not wish to be a wartime leader. For too long, I have kept my head down and tried to burrow myself in my projects and ambitions, but the truth is this: Our leaders are failing. It is not their fault. Leaders fail. We cannot continue to trust the effort in this war to a government that has shown itself to be inept. There is more we can do to fight back, and I extend an open hand to anyone here today who wishes not to complain or grumble, but offer solutions. We are in a conflict that can uproot everything we hold dear; we shouldn't be making speeches, we should be making ammunition. We need someone to lead us in not policy, but warfare. Someone who can keep the Imperials away, and push them back, and someone whom our people can trust. " He glanced around the room, "And that is why I am humbly putting forward my candidacy for the Chancellorship. If we want peace, we must learn to fight, and with myself and our brave troops in the field, it is not only possible- but inevitable. You only need to ask yourselves if your freedom and your way of life are worth what it takes to uphold them."

Harris clicked off his microphone and wiped the sweat that had gathered on his brow. Now he waited.

Alexandra Feanor

 

[Annasari]

When Ariana's nomination found the Senator of Jakku, it was acknowledged with a smile and nod. Strong allies were difficult to find in these trying times - friends even more so. Years had passed since Annasari had stood before the membership committee and sparred with Vice Chancellor Tithe. Annasari had never forgotten that it was Teta's weight that had tipped the scale in her favor. Without Seto's funding and coucher, they would have been gobbled up by rampant coloniasm, their voice drowned by that of larger planets. Now, the Guild had been built from naught but dust and scrap, whilst Teta had fallen to the grips of the Empire after destruction time and time again.

No second came, not that she had fully expected one. With the war, many of her corporate colleagues were missing from amongst their number, pulled back by the beckoning of safer markets or taking their credits and retiring to warm beaches. Yet no name was gaining traction faster than Tagge's. That simply wouldn't do, with his utterances of accountability and delusions that the Alliance stood strong as ever. Neither would serve Rimward, nor Jakku, nor Teta, for that matter. Pod surging forth again, Senator Vahl moved to address her nomination.

"I so appreciate the confidence held in me by the representative of Empress Teta. It has been an honor to serve this government, both as Senator and Vice Chancellor, and nothing would fulfill me more than seeing it through this war as its leader. However, I must decline the nomination in the name of ensuring we have a candidate seconded that I can firmly place my own trust in."

A measured pause saw her look to Eshan's pod, where the injured senator had sat quietly since his speech that seemed to wear on him.

"It is no secret Senator Parthi and I have not always seen eye to eye. Here again, we find our differences in the topics broached today. Yet I do believe our ability to find compromise speaks to the wishes of this body speaks of unity. For my own hopes, your record has shown time and time again that you do possess the level-headedness and good judgement it will take to lead this Alliance out of darkness and return us to peace. I second Senator Jern's nomination of Senator Parthi for Chancellor."

@there's a whole lotta y'all

 

[Arsenio Tagge]

Hassan Tagge rose in the Tepasi pod, stylus in hand, addressing the chamber with as much calm authority as his youth allowed. "Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Senator for Tepasi, Baron Arsenio Tagge, and I, as his senior Junior Representative, acknowledge your ruling regarding the nomination process. We accept the clarification. Senator Tolliver's second of Senator Tagge's nomination is noted and appreciated, regardless of its statutory validity. We look forward to earning her confidence, her trust, and ultimately her vote as the process continues."

He sat, letting the words settle. Around him, aides and junior Senators whispered softly, scanning datapads and murmuring about the procedural hiccup.

The pod doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Arsenio stepped inside, cloak brushing the floor. His dark, metallic eyes scanned the room, gaze catching on Hassan mid-pack of datapads. "What did I miss?" he asked, voice calm but sharp.

Hassan looked up, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips. "Nothing of consequence. The Speaker clarified that a Senator may only place one nomination. We are in compliance. Senator Tolliver's second, while technically invalid under the new ruling, is acknowledged and appreciated by Baron Tagge."

Tagge gave a brisk nod. "You made the right call. It's not worth it to try and appeal to the Rules Committee." He paused, then asked, "And the infrastructure? Did it go live since my announcement?"

"Yes, Uncle," Hassan replied smoothly. "A significant portion of our family's wealth has already been sunk into it. My mother is beside herself over the expense, but the machine is running. Offices are staffed, networks are activated, and the message is already moving."

Arsenio's artificial eyes glimmered faintly as he inclined his head. "She will forgive it. You will recoup the losses as executor of the blind trust once Tepasi is ours again. She's always wanted to be Baroness Tagge. If I win, she can play pretend through you."

Hassan smirked. "At least she loves the book. She has been carrying The Flame Rekindled: Tagge Against the Empire everywhere. Says it makes her proud, even if it empties the coffers."

Tagge gave a brisk nod. "Good. We need to keep the flame alive." His eyes settled on Hassan, cool and deliberate. "First, work the votes. Draft a message to our nominators. They seconded me but that means little until I have their confirmed support." He leaned back, voice low and calculating. "After that, we move outward with the neutral offices, one at a time. In the latter instance, start with Annasari . Parthi? Yeah, that was desperation. She hates me."

Hassan tapped his stylus and read as he composed:

Honorable Senator,

Baron Arsenio Tagge of Tepasi extends his regards and requests a private meeting at your earliest convenience. Your seconding of his nomination was received with gratitude, but he wishes to speak with you directly and earn your considered support. Please advise a time suitable to your schedule.

Tagge nodded with satisfaction. "Send it. And then begin discreet back-channeling with the other camps, once the field is finalized. This is where the real campaign begins."

Salocin Lear | Alexandra Feanor | Tiber Septimus | Cressida Tolliver | Annasari | Mykel Dawson | Marek Bancroft | Ariana du Couteau | Sycorax Laveaux | Feridade Parthi​

 

[Helios Ardemark]

​

The speeches rolled out across several of the members of the assembly in airs of civility, fervour, and misplaced fire — and unexpected poetry, he'd note, to his own curiosity — painting each in the highest or lowest tones of favour over the course of the proceedings, nominations called and support levied, but Senator Ardemark remained silent to the Assembly, conferring with his advisors weighing all that had been spoken this evening.

And weighed upon by the great many things that had come to pass, both within his life and the Alliance, that kept his office hours to as crisp a window as could be managed, much akin to the timing he'd kept as a soldier. He'd been little better than a phantom in these halls, because of it: between disruptions to intergalactic travel in recent months, the effects of the insidious stain of darkness trying to feast on the Alliance, and the sharp decline in the health of his noble father, there was much to account for.

How quickly the sands had shifted since his appointment to the Senate. How swift.

His people came to a thin consensus between what they saw as only two viable candidates out of all the nominations levied, and Helios rose. That was not a wide field, one he would not be making any wider, himself. A brief flicked glance across to the pod of the lone Freeworlds representative was the sole preceding action before the Pelagonian spoke.... far better him in tandem of sector representation, than that witch from Obulette, who had been blessedly absent from these chambers. What the Fondorian put forward this evening told the Tapani Senator enough to make that judgement.

"On behalf of Pelagon and the people of its province," he injected into the vast chamber, "I too support the nomination of Senator Tagge."

Thus the sector spoke.

Alexandra Feanor • Ariana du Couteau • Arsenio Tagge • Cressida Tolliver • Exum Jern •
Feridade Parthi • Mykel Dawson • Tiber Septimus • William Harris​

 

[Feridade Parthi]

| Location | Senate Chamber, Fondor
| Objective | Rise Up

Parthi stifled a cough as he did his best to maintain his composure. He was due for another bacta soak by the time this meeting had concluded. Hopefully, by then, his internal injuries would have healed through. Much work would need to be done, and based off the current state of the nomination phase, it seemed Tagge was postured to be the frontrunner. An odd choice to make for some of those present, but it wouldn't take much to remind his fellow Senators that the Alliance should not endorse or entertain some of the notions a man like him had. A man who would publicly call for the execution of diplomats hailing from their enemies, and words that treaded on a razor thin line of authoritarianism would not serve the Alliance well.​

​

It certainly would not do to have a personality like his serving as the figurehead in reinforcing friendly relations with the High Republic. His ego and cadence would be the downfall of any future relationships and that was just based off of a single meeting alone. ​

​

Regardless of the outcome, Parthi had resolved to establish relations with those who could be trusted to combat the Empire. Whether it must be made through under-the-table dealings that fell out of the oversight of the Senate, he would be sure to prepare for what was to come. A storm was coming, and he was not confident in some of his peers' ability to navigate its tides and the havoc that may befall the Alliance in the near future. The best he could do was to mitigate its effects with preemptive action. ​

​

The nominations continued as Parthi remained seated for the time being, listening and silently deliberating to himself. The Echani senator drew in a deep breath as his gaze shifted over to the Senator of Jakku, who had just announced her nomination of him. With Senator Exum Jern having also put his name forward, he had become a serious candidate for consideration without the need to nominate himself. He exhaled slowly as he rose in a dignified manner and stepped forward, offering the Senator of Jakku a nod of acknowledgement and appreciation before speaking. ​

​

"I, Parthi of Eshan, shall accept the nominations of my peers. For the good of the Alliance."
​

He kept his words simple and short, saving them for the greater debate when the elections came. A few of his peers had put their faith in him, whether misguided or well-calculated. He would see to it that he did not disappoint them, nor betray the values of the Alliance and what it stood for.​

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[Ariana du Couteau]

Ariana du Couteau
Location: Fondor
Outfit

Ariana kept her countenance cool and noble, but as Senator Vahl gave a smile and a nod, she could not help letting the corners of her lips twist into a small smile of her own. Quickly, she averted her eyes back to the data-slate. There were more notes written down, and Ariana figured her brother’s advice had seemingly not led her astray. The political situation felt fraught, with waves crashing from every side of the galaxy from Sith, Mandalorian, Imperial, and worse but Ariana slowly realized that the unseen winds storming through the Senate itself demanded just as much attention.

Which way do the winds blow?

Just as the winds were invisible to the eye but felt all the same, so too were the ulterior motivations of others not just within the Senate chambers, but in every planetary government with wide eyes carefully observing how the Alliance would respond. Ariana began to miss the Tetan Nobles back home who snaked their way into her family’s gardens. At least there it all felt somewhat playful, as they wanted her father to know, to know that they knew; it kept conversations cordial and allowed them to play a game that, in retrospect, felt far more serious than it truly was.

Senator Vahl’s words caused Ariana’s ears to perk up, and the true game of politics was being displayed before her eyes. The young du Couteau heiress steeled herself, but her gaze returned to the data-slate, and her shoulders released the tension that had so suddenly appeared. She wondered if her brother was a late-bloomer and did possess some prescient Force ability, as she finished reading the note on her data-slate:

“For posterity, Empress Teta will rescind the nomination of Senator Vahl for consideration of the Chancellorship. Empress Teta will support Senator Parthi for their nomination as Chancellorship Candidate.”

Ariana kept her voice the same as when she had spoken up the first time; she couldn’t allow her confusion to be heard. Her brother had left a rather detailed note, and try as she might, Ariana wasn’t sure what ends he envisioned. It mattered to her, to a certain degree, that the goal could at least be clear, but as it stood, perhaps the reason politics was so difficult to grasp was the ever changing goalpost.

She bit her lip and suppressed the urge to sigh in exhaustion. No wonder he developed a caffeine addiction.
​

|| Arsenio Tagge | Feridade Parthi | Cressida Tolliver | Alexandra Feanor | Annasari | William Harris | Salocin Lear | Sycorax Laveaux | Mykel Dawson | Marek Bancroft | Exum Jern | Brun Rostu | Helios Ardemark | Tiber Septimus ||​

 

[Tiber Septimus]

Tiber sat silently, taking in the nominees. He had a very narrow list in criteria to nominate a Chancellor.

That they plant their feet, and they were not appeasers.

Alexandra Feanor was no appeaser, and the Force was with her...but Tiber worried of her health, which had not improved since Coruscant.

Arsenio Tagge was no appeaser, and even more, recognized that the Assembly would have to overcome petty partisanship that so often defined it...but Tiber was concerned about this War Powers amendment, and would need to see it in writing.

Brun Rostu was...spirited, but Tiber wasn't quite sure how he drew his ire, as he agreed with the man.

Annasari was an appeaser.

Feridade Parthi was no appeaser.

His course of action decided, he moved his pod forward.

"I support the nomination of Senators Feanor, Tagge, and Parthi", Tiber began, choosing his words carefully as nominations would be moot for all involved. "The Alliance needs a leader who believes the Alliance- and it's people- are worth fighting for."

Arsenio Tagge | Feridade Parthi | Cressida Tolliver | Alexandra Feanor | Annasari | William Harris | Salocin Lear | Sycorax Laveaux | [/center] Mykel Dawson | Marek Bancroft | Exum Jern | Brun Rostu | Helios Ardemark | Ariana du Couteau