IT’S HIGH TIME WE MEET THE NEIGHBORS
… A High Republic Story
This diplomatic mission to Ukatis was Kalantha’s first trip to the feudal agriworld, though it did not feel all that foreign to her; in many ways, the grasslands and mountain ranges that rolled out in all directions below her starship reminded the High Chancellor of Naboo.
It even possessed a monarchy like many other Republic worlds, albeit one that was heavily entrenched in feudalistic practices. Such things would be up for further discussion after Ukatis’ secession was complete. Today’s goal was simply focused on cementing Ukatis’ departure from the Alliance and subsequent admission into the Republic. The finer details of reconciling the Ukatian feudal system with the Republic’s constitutional provisions would be reserved for a later and more appropriate time.
High Chancellor Kalantha entered the meeting chamber and took her seat alongside other Republic senators and representatives. They were joined, naturally, by Ukatian leadership and Alliance senators. She nodded as several members of the delegation spoke, and when a break came in the dialogue, Kalantha entered the verbal fray to share her own thoughts.
“
The terms are agreeable to the Republic,” Kalantha said, though there was a tone of disagreement about the rest of the meeting. “
However, I must insist that we remember the reason we are here. Ukatis is seceding from the Galactic Alliance—it is a planet seeking reliable aid and safeguarding, not a dowry being offered on good faith.”
Some of the people in this room might have forgotten why the Royal Republic refused stronger diplomatic ties with the Core than trade and transit, or why the High Republic had largely done the same. Kalantha had not.
“
It would be well within our rights to reject any form of relationship with the Alliance. After all, this stipulation of receiving Alliance refugees on Ukatian soil—soil which will belong to the Republic—is an irony in itself; Emeritus Chancellor Organa, when he was still serving as senator of Alderaan, struck a similar deal with Naboo: we agreed to accept Alliance refugees fleeing from the Mawites in exchange for supplies and military aid against the encroaching Mandalorian Enclave and Sith Empire. Neither of those promises were kept.”
Kalantha’s jaw tightened, the only motion visible on her otherwise placid face. She paused only to let her account sink in, then proceeded with the rest of her reservations.
“
Naboo was promised an ambassadorial seat in your Senate in exchange for medical ships and additional refugee assistance. My seat was never granted.” Another provision Organa failed to deliver.
“
Naboo provided planetary shielding technology to defend Coruscant from the Dark Empire and accepted even more refugees from Empress Teta and Tython. Again, we saw no return from the Alliance.” No food, water, or medicine. Just ship after ship of scared men, women, children, and alien beings with no place to call home.
She eyed the GA delegation harshly. Those who had worked with Kalantha before, either during her reign as Queen of Naboo or now while she led the Republic as High Chancellor, knew she was not a woman who held grudges. Rather, she held people
accountable. There was a large difference between those things, one she hoped the Alliance could recognize.
“
After all these failures to treat Naboo as an ally, it surprises me that the Alliance now wishes to acknowledge us as… how was it worded? ‘Friendly neighbors in a sea of aggressors?’”
“
Where was this friendship when the Sith destroyed the Rimward Trade League and turned its hungry eyes upon us? When the Enclave threatened to invade our worlds? When we housed, fed, and clothed millions of your civilians on our own dime? When we wished to be represented before your government? When we protected your capital from the Empire?”
She could go on.
Where was the Alliance’s friendly neighborhood mentality when the Second Cataclysm struck? Or when the Sith Ascendant cult burned Enarc? When the Neo-Crusaders attacked Theed? Or when the turn of Calladene threatened the entire galaxy?
A confused scoff followed. Kalantha shook her head. “
Only now, with your capital razed beneath an Imperial flag and with garden worlds like Ukatis seeking to break ties and join the Republic, you see us as a worthwhile ally? Only when all options have been exhausted?” She swallowed a lump in her throat.
“
Yes, it would be very easy to say that the Alliance is reaping what it has sown. I could easily dismiss you all from this hearing—after all, Ukatis is a sovereign world with agency to secede. It doesn’t need your permission, and we do not view it as a gift from your nation to ours. But that is not the Republic I have borne into this galaxy.”
Kalantha’s eyes softened. Her brows shifted to follow, easing the frustrated expression from her face.
“
The High Republic is benevolent. We are built on tenets of compassion, adaptability, and unity. The potential for a future where the Republic and Alliance share diplomatic relations is not an impossibility, but I do believe that this session—which should focus on Ukatis as a sovereign state seeking a new nation to unite with—is not the appropriate place to discuss Republic-Alliance diplomacy.”
A single nod, then she added, “
If the greater Alliance seeks proper discussion of diplomacy with the Republic, there are proper channels and methods to engage. The coattails of Ukatis’ departure is not one of them.”
She rested her case, easing her shoulders back as she let her chair hug her frame. With poise, she sat, awaiting the inevitable rebuttal, be it positive or otherwise.