Diplomacy [RNR/Royal Assembly] Repatriation and Naturalization Act

[Joa Sodi]

REPATRIATION AND NATURALIZATION ACT
Royal Assembly Chambers

“The Royal Assembly shall come to order,” the voice of the Commissioner announced. He was a prominent figure in the Republic Senate, second in command to the Queen and speaker of parliament during political sessions such as these. He adjusted his robes as he stepped closer to his podium, eyes shifting from one side of the chamber to the other.

“The matter of today,” the Mon Calamari explained, “is the discussion of a new bill put forward by Senator Sodi of Quarzite. Its presentation shall be complemented by Junior Representative Abrantes, sponsored by Senator Sarn of Enarc.”

He gestured with webbed fingers to Joa’s senatorial pod, which contained the good senator herself, as well as Sibylla Abrantes and a diplomatic assistant to them both. Joa gave a reassuring glance to her partner, though she wasn’t sure Sibylla really needed comforting; she was more than prepared for delivering this proposal.

Joa tapped at the pod’s control panel, sending it hovering slowly into the center of the room. When it came to a complete stop, levitating lazily above the floor below, she spoke with the clarity and poise that she’d come to be known for within these walls.

“Esteemed senators,” she began, her Kage accent thick but discernible easily for those listening. For the rest, the diplomatic assistant repeated the senator’s words in Galactic Basic Sign Language.

“I thank you for your presence this evening in our serene capital. Theed is a symbol of peace and prosperity, two traits that define our grand Republic with fidelity.”

“It is likewise with fidelity that I present to this assembly the Repatriation and Naturalization Act.”

Before whispers could grow to murmurs, Joa pressed on, not allowing for an interruption in her delivery. She wanted to present as clearly and effectively as possible, so as to make fielding questions easier on not only herself, but Sibylla as well. Another tap on the console distributed a holo-doc of the bill to each of the senators.

“This bill provides a framework by which Galactic Alliance refugees displaced by the Second Great Hyperspace War, the Enclave-Alliance Conflict, and the Core Wars can be returned to their home systems. For those who wish to remain in Republic space, a provision for renouncing Alliance citizenship and applying for citizenship in the Republic is included.”

She breathed in slowly, then exhaled. Her features were relaxed, eager, even. Senator Sodi was not a stranger to this chamber, and it showed. she looked to the Commissioner and gave a short nod.

“The floor is open for discussion,” he announced, then sat. Senator Sodi remained standing to maximize visibility and make clarifications as needed.

Bill Attachment: see here

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | OPEN​

 

[Her]

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Naboo, Naboo system, Chommell sector;
Theed, The Royal Assembly.
Tags: Joa Sodi | Sibylla Abrantes | Ala Quin |

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"The Tarsai Vigil is a subsidiary of Cortessan Finance Group. It operates along the Five Veils Route following the aftermath of the Planetshift event and was created to provide security to the trading route. As part of it's protocol it ran inspections of other ships using the route to check for contraband, illegal items or criminal activity while enforcing tolls on others using the trading route for commercial or civilian transportation. It also serves in the capacity of bringing about the re-establishment of the route on the behalf of Wend Marcion and their megacorp. Tarsai Vigil is headquartered on the planet Enarc."
-- A description about The Tarsai Vigil.

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'The Refugee Repatriation and Naturalization Act' was of interest to Her. An immigrant on Enarc, who had been accepted on a ten-year work permit as an employee to The Cortessan Finance Group, Her is the mysterious and enigmatic head of The Tarsai Vigil who had made waves among the dignitaries of The Royal Assembly following a session convened by Ala Quin regarding The Larkspur Cresent: a missing starship allegedly stopped by her security forces some five weeks ago who were said to have been illegally detained before it and the family on board disappeared alongside an informant within the Vigil who implicated the company for illegal activities along The Five Veils Route which included kidnap, conspiracy and murder.

With no ship, bodies and only fragmented data to implicate a cover-up there had been a less than stellar response to the accusations made against the Vigil and it's mysterious face. As Her sat within the halls of the Assembly to spectate this piece of legislation which held the potential to safeguard her from would-be adversaries among her associates within Imperial space, she felt secure despite the investigation into her and the subsidiary she owned by the Shiraya-Jedi. They had not found anything concrete to turn their allegations into facts, and how would they given the fact that it was not Her nor the Vigil who were entirely responsible for their disappearance?

She could not say the same about the events which were playing out along the Outer Rim Territories. The formation of The Fifth Wing had been a useful instrument of sedition and treason against her associates who now served as part of the Imperial Sector Authority. As The Nomad had once taught her destruction had bred creation through the economic collapse and subsequent capitulation of the Empire of the Lost into the formation of The Imperial Confederation but with it's rise came the blurring of the lines as Her veered between ruin or catastrophe as her associates came closer to learning the origins of the woman that they knew as TK-73.

The legislation put on the table today was of interest to Her because it would grant her the same rights and protections of any other Nabooian-Republic citizen if she could acquire the correct credentials to pass naturalization. Forming an identity of an individual who had fled The Core Wars was not difficult with thanks to her contacts in VesperWorks. The difficult part was whether or not this legalisation would be passed by the Assembly today which gave her an avenue to acquire citizenship in the Republic later this year which was why she had discreetly donated funds to Senator Sarn to help in her campaign as she co-signed the bill that was now set to be discussed by the political elite in Theed.

It was nostalgic to be sat in these halls which reminded her of a past life on Humbarine. As she waited for the session to begin, Her's mind travelled away from the distant past to only a couple of weeks ago when Ala Quin had passionately made her plea to begin an official investigation to the Vigil and it's involvement in the Larkspur incident. She found herself thinking about that certain Shiraya-Jedi often with a sense of longing that she understood to be remnants of her past life intermixing with the reality that she was no longer the Jedi that she had once been...

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[Aurelian Veruna]

Aurelian reclined in his senator's pod like it was his ancestral throne. The bill's formalities rolled through the chamber like fog through a mausoleum, dignified and deliberate. He twirled a signet ring idly on his finger, gaze half-lidded, half-bored, all calculation. Around him, aides stood in stiffer silence, one jotting notes, another squinting skeptically at the holo-doc.

He watched Joa speak with grace. She was reliable, but not too shiny. Still, she'd taken time to speak with him last recently, some calm, guarded back-and-forth. He'd found her unexpectedly lucid, not at all drunk on her own relevance like half the chamber.

His gaze slid to the junior representative in her pod, Sibylla Abrantes. Again. There she was, bold as brass, blinking into the spotlight with all the subtlety of a fireworks parade.

"Does she know she's not technically required to speak every time we meet?" he muttered, to no one in particular but just loud enough for an aide to hear. "It's like watching a debutante wrestle for control of the orchestra."

An amused exhale. "And her brother. The military grunt that keeps appearing on our intelligence memos for nothing outstanding. Mm. A blunt club with delusions of dynasty. If he's what the Abrantes line is relying on for legacy, I might suggest they fast-forward to the part where they become a footnote."

He tapped the holo-doc open, finally bothering to read it with real attention. The language was clean. Almost annoyingly so. Repatriation, naturalization, noble sponsorship. A little sugar for the nobles, a little steel for the security hawks. Clever.

"Would playing nice here buy Joa's favor for Plooriod?" he asked his senior aide, Emon. "Or are we just dressing up charity as strategy?"

Emon didn't look up. "Entire sectors are displaced, Senator. They're watching to see who remembers them. You support this, you don't just win votes, you get ghosts whispering your name on Core worlds, too."

Aurelian tilted his head, unimpressed but intrigued. "Mmm. Ghosts and gratitude. Two things that expire quickly, but I suppose we can bottle them for later."

With an exaggerated sigh, he stood, adjusted his cuffs and activated the mic in his pod.

"Commissioner," he said, voice smooth like lacquered obsidian, "may I briefly address the Assembly."

The room stilled. Of course it did.

"I rise in support of 4827-R," he said, with just the right balance of wearied detachment and flair. "The Repatriation and Naturalization Act offers a framework that is equal parts mercy and discernment. It reminds our citizens, and our future citizens, that the Republic is still a place of rule, not impulse. Of structure, not chaos."

He looked toward Joa's pod, then, just barely, toward Sibylla's, letting the silence hang with an indulgent smile.

"And it does my heart well to see the next generation so... vigorously engaged. Perhaps by the time we finish this term, we'll be ready to hand them a few more responsibilities. Selectively."

He deactivated the mic, resumed his seat, and waved for another cup of tea.

"I'm feeling generous today," he said to no one in particular. "But don't let them get used to it."

Joa Sodi | Sibylla Abrantes | Her​

 

[Kilea Indupar]

Sitting rigid and upright in her senatorial pod, Kilea's keen eyes watched the proceedings. Watched the way others conversed and with whom. Observation could get one far. Body language contained more information than most gave it credit for and in the cutthroat world of politics, any advantage was well worth it. Most were not even cognizant of their tells and ticks, which made her small mental notes on everyone assembled that much more important.

Her junior advisors were taking notes, researching silently in the background as words were spoken. Kilea wanted hard facts, not feelings, and the refugee crisis had brought on many feelings throughout the region. Throughout the galaxy. Many concerns were bubbling to the surface. Yet Kilea could see the opportunity in the bill.

Standing up, Kilea looked around the chambers before presenting her question. An important one she had yet to see any concerned about. A surprise given how tightly the Senators and nobility held to the purse strings.

"Those who wish to be returned to their homes in the Galactic Alliance, who will be footing the bill? Will the Alliance come to collect their people and if so, what restrictions will be placed upon them in our territory?"

Her | Joa Sodi | Sibylla Abrantes | Aurelian Veruna
​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique tapped a sharp nail atop her arm rest as an advisor whispered in her ear. Her bright eyes could be scarcely seen behind the translucent, lilac glareshades she wore even indoors. Life was bright, but the information displayed on the inside of the lenses was brighter still. Her features were schooled. A picturesque display of composure, neither eager nor displeased at the introduction of Senate Bill 4827-R.

Her eyes slid to one side behind the glasses as Aurelian spoke of 'support' for the Bill. She did not bother to turn her head or even smile in the face of his magnanimous decision. Shrewd. Nothing more, nothing less. Politics at times led to someone voting for a matter that they had no inclination toward just to play well with audiences back home or to your friends. Dominique expected that was all Aurelian's choice amounted to.

Then another, a rather striking woman, rose in question of funding. Prudent. Well-meaning intentions were nice, but everything required credits. Even those drooling for a chance to help people in need would need to expend resources to see their dream realized.

The finger stopped its tapping and Dominique rose to her feet. "Senator Indupar is correct, of course. We cannot lose sight to the expenditure of our resources, or will we invite more harm than good. That being said, my dear colleagues, we should also consider the economic and social implications if we do not support this most necessary framework, or one very much like it. Those displaced will not abruptly disappear, and they cannot be shuffled around in the hopes the issue will resolve itself."

"Denon, for all its commercial capabilities, cannot shoulder so many alone, but those of skilled trade would be most welcome if they wish to naturalize. We would, of course, furnish whatever civil education they would need and provide financial assistance so they may begin anew." Dominique bowed her head slightly with a smile on her lips. Why leave matters to a simple debate over whether they should support this bill or not? If it passed, shouldn't she invite the best of the refugees to ply their skills on Denon? Those that contributed would be far from a burden on their world.

Kilea Indupar | Her | Joa Sodi | Sibylla Abrantes | Aurelian Veruna​

 

[Dominic Praxon]

Senator Calia Vonn had remained quiet thus far, her expression composed but distant—fingertips poised near her datapad, gaze slipping now and then toward the windowed spires of Theed as though searching for answers in the horizon. She was listening. But not entirely. Until Dominic leaned in.

A quiet murmur at her side, not meant for the microphone but just enough to break through the haze of procedural monotony. "They forgot the others."

Her eyes slid toward him. "Others?" she whispered.

He nodded once, subtle and sure.

"Worlds not Alliance at the time—but bordering. Their people ran here too. The bill doesn't mention them. No path home. No path forward. They are citizens of no world, potentially."

Calia straightened. "Good optics to stand for the overlooked, nice catch Dominic."

She pressed the mic sensor, letting it chirp alive.

"I beg the Assembly's attention for a moment of clarification." Her voice was even, but carried weight like stone beneath water. "I offer my support to this legislation's spirit. Compassion must guide our Republic. But I cannot overlook what may be an unintended—yet deeply consequential—omission in the present draft."

She paused, gaze sweeping the chamber. Not confrontational. Just precise.

"Senate Bill 4827-R identifies displaced persons as citizens of the Galactic Alliance who entered our space between 875 and 902 ABY. But what of those who came from worlds not then part of the Alliance, but now incorporated by its expansion post-war? Should the option of citizenship be opened to all refugees of that war...not just those who hold citizenship within the Alliance?"

"These refugees did not arrive as citizens of the Galactic Alliance. But many now find their former homes under Alliance jurisdiction—perhaps they do not wish to return, or they have no current Galactic Alliance citizenship. If they are not covered under this Act, are they to remain stateless? Invisible? Forgotten?"

She let that linger, her voice quieting.

"I ask the bill's authors to consider expanding the definitions within Article III—to reflect not just legal status at time of entry, but the humanitarian reality we now face. If this is a bill for those displaced by war, then let it name all who were displaced. Not just those from familiar systems, but those who found shelter here—hoping not just to survive, but perhaps to belong."

With a glance toward her aide—her subtle accomplice—Calia deactivated her mic and leaned back in her seat, gaze fixed now not on the windows, but the floor below.

She was listening. Now, entirely.

Joa Sodi Dominique Vexx Sibylla Abrantes Kilea Indupar Her
​

 

[Joa Sodi]

REPATRIATION AND NATURALIZATION ACT
Royal Assembly Chambers

Support for SB 4827-R was holding strong, though there were of course some expected questions and clarifications that needed to be addressed.

The first was Aurelian Veruna of Plooriod III, a recently acquired confidant in the Assembly who Joa had wasted no time forming alliances with. His support was most appreciated, and she offered him a small nod of approval at his verbiage.

Next was the senator of Indupar, a woman who Joa had not yet made formal contact with but one who was certainly on her list.

"Those who wish to be returned to their homes in the Galactic Alliance, who will be footing the bill? Will the Alliance come to collect their people and if so, what restrictions will be placed upon them in our territory?"

“An arrangement offered to Her Majesty by Chancellor Organa of the Galactic Alliance sees to it that the financial burden of repatriation shall fall upon the Alderaanian government,” Joa answered matter of factly. “Neutral stations along the RNR-GA border shall be utilized to facilitate the transfer of citizens from our territories to theirs.”

"Senator Indupar is correct, of course. We cannot lose sight to the expenditure of our resources, or will we invite more harm than good.”

Joa nodded in agreement, fully sympathizing with Senator Vexx’s position. “We’ve seen in the past that the Alliance government is most grateful for our humanitarian assistance, yet conveniently forgetful when reparations for that kindness are due; this is why Her Majesty has requested that individual worlds and departments, such as Alderaan and the Alliance Senate’s refugee agency, be responsible for the financial burden.”

She swallowed, then continued, answering a question that wasn’t asked but would sure be on their minds.

“Should even Alderaan fail to provide the funding necessary to recover the refugees, the Republic and Confederacy together can ensure the bill is executed as intended. The provisions of the Trifecta Concordat stipulate mutual responsibility for humanitarian legislation, under which this bill would fall.” An unfortunate safeguard, but one that would confirm the unreliability of the Alliance, a sentiment that this bill was written because of.

"Senate Bill 4827-R identifies displaced persons as citizens of the Galactic Alliance who entered our space between 875 and 902 ABY. But what of those who came from worlds not then part of the Alliance, but now incorporated by its expansion post-war? Should the option of citizenship be opened to all refugees of that war...not just those who hold citizenship within the Alliance?"

Sibylla Abrantes raised similar concerns during their initial meeting on Quarzite, though her thoughts were with those displaced by the Planeshift. Joa believed the situation would be the same for both populations.

“The bill identifies the displaced in this manner because they were granted asylum during a war that ended 30 years ago, and accepted in the first place under the stipulation that Naboo would be offered military protection, resources, and ambassadorship in the Alliance Senate. None of these promises were kept by the GA, yet we allowed their people to reside here for three decades.”

Her eyes darted from pod to pod as the senator attempted to lay eyes on as many of her colleagues as possible.

“It is now time for those people to make a decision: return to Alliance space, or become citizens of the Royal Republic.”

“As for the rest,” she went on, “they are not under the same circumstances as GA refugees. They have access to the same systems that they always have. The same processes have been available to them all along. No new legislation is required to admit non-GA refugees into the Republic, or to grant them citizenship.”

Bill Attachment: see here

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Her | Aurelian Veruna | Kilea Indupar | Dominique Vexx | Dominic Praxon | OPEN​

 

[Kalantha]

REPATRIATION AND NATURALIZATION ACT
… a Royal Naboo Republic Story

As the discussion seemed to lull, the Commissioner looked to his Queen for approval to proceed. Kalantha nodded, stepping forward to the edge of her pod. He placed a hand on the Mon Calamari’s shoulder, giving him a pardon from closing the end of the Assembly session. He bowed his head and retreated from view as Her Majesty addressed the senators:

“Thank you, Senator Sodi and Junior Representative Abrantes, for proposing this bill and presenting it before the Senate. Discussion of SB 4827-R may continue as needed, but the ballot terminals in your pods are now open for you to use, at your discretion.”

Across the Assembly chambers, small screens in each of the senators’ pods lit up. Some tapped away immediately while others took a moment to discuss with their political attachés or other senators. The options were clear cut: YES, NO, or ABSTAIN.

Kalantha watched as they deliberated and cast their votes, eager to see the outcome of the Republic’s largest legislative session since its founding.

 

[Dominique Vexx]

There would be those that disagreed. Some might even errantly believe Dominique had grown soft. She would place her faith in the majority understanding how Denon could take advantage of this situation. While the intent of this Bill was altruistic, arguably, its consequences in passage or failure thereof were real. Why let this matter fester longer than it had? Thirty years had been enough time to exploit the currently system, now it was time for a new one -- new opportunities.

Dominique smiled as she leaned forward to press 'Yes.'

It mattered not if the Alliance failed to pay for the relocation. In truth, Dominique could find use in their refusal to do now what they'd failed to do then. Should they pull through, however, it would only relieve Naboo of a needless weight. Best those that thought it better across the galactic border be given their chance to depart. Leave those vested in interest behind, and in good company.

 

[Arcann Pehnataur]

​

As the chamber settled and murmurs quieted, the senatorial pod bearing Representative Arcann Pehnataur glided forward.
The room seemed to lean forward, not from noise, but anticipation. Arcann stood—tall, composed, his hands folded behind his back. His deep voice, sharpened by conviction and worn by years of command, carried without the need for volume.
"Senator Sodi. Junior Representative Abrantes. You honor this chamber with the clarity of your cause."

He paused, the silence weighted—not to delay, but to make space for the weight of the subject.
"Let it be plainly said: war displaces lives, not just soldiers. The aftermath—beyond treaties and troop withdrawals—leaves generations unmoored. Entire families float between stars that no longer recognize them, systems that no longer claim them, and homes that no longer exist. This bill... offers them gravity once more."

He picked up the holo-doc, holding it with a deliberate reverence, as if it were more than legislation—a vow.
"I have heard concerns whispered in corridors. About divided loyalties. About security risks. About bureaucratic burden. And to them, I offer this: Justice is never convenient. Compassion is never clean. But they are the currency of civilization."

"If the Republic is to mean anything in this fractured galaxy, let it be this: that we do not abandon the displaced, nor punish them for the sins of the wars they fled."

His voice lowered, steady and final:
"I cast my vote in full support of the Repatriation and Naturalization Act. Not for optics. Not for allies. But because it is the right thing to do."

With that, Arcann gave a small nod to the Commissioner, then sat—his pod slowly retracting. He did not look to others for applause or approval.
He simply watched. Because now it was time to see who else still believed in the ideals they claimed to serve.

 

[Aurelian Veruna]

Aurelian barely registered the Queen's concluding remarks, her voice drifting through the chamber like a lullaby recited for the hundredth time. All around him, senators were performing the ancient Naboo ritual of nodding solemnly while quietly dying inside. The chamber had a way of flattening voices and people into a kind of ceremonial white noise.

He exhaled through his nose, lips curled in the ghost of a smirk as he flicked his datatablet awake again. The same galactic gossip stream, the same ridiculous profiles of rival senators' children attempting to "influence" their way into dignity. Charming, in a tragic way.

SB 4827-R BALLOT: YES / NO / ABSTAIN blinked onto the screen at his elbow.

"Finally," he muttered, without inflection or energy, and tapped YES with the same enthusiasm one reserves for paying a parking fine or renewing a starship license.

Vote cast, he leaned back, eyes already scanning an alert on the tablet about some noble scion crashing a yacht into a moon.

​

 

[Kilea Indupar]

Kilea was suspicious that the Galactic Alliance would be footing the bill, agreement or no agreement. It was a large territory, a large enough tax base to draw from, but the Alliance was also a war horse. Constant war was expensive and give the involvement of the Trade Federation within their borders she could only suspect something wasn't quite right in terms of defense and governmental budget.

Not her circus to worry about.

The junior aides behind her had worked quickly, researching the bill as questions were answered. There was also another set of quick research ; if the Alliance didn't pay, it would be cheaper for Indupar to send refugees back to Alliance territory if they so wished. There was no need to keep a group of sentients who didn't want to bask in the glory of her homeworld.

Hand reached out, casting her vote.

YES​

 

[Joa Sodi]

REPATRIATION AND NATURALIZATION ACT
Royal Assembly Chambers

Joa dipped her head as the Queen stepped forward, a subtle sign of respect for a woman she held in high regard.

When the the panel activated, she moved her hand without hesitation, reaching with her pointer finger to tap the word YES.

Her vote was cast, sent into a data stream along with dozens of others to be tabulated into a final tally. With it, Joa felt a great pressure lift from her shoulders; whether the bill passed or not, it was an incredible victory just to have presented it and argued its necessity.

Bill Attachment: see here

Tags: Sibylla Abrantes | Her | Aurelian Veruna | Kilea Indupar | Dominique Vexx | Dominic Praxon | Arcann Pehnataur​

 

[Kalantha]

REPATRIATION AND NATURALIZATION ACT
… a Royal Naboo Republic Story

After a brief intermission for the delegates to convene, discuss, and ultimately decide how they vote, the Royal Assembly resumed its session. Queen Kalantha stepped forward once again, for the last time today. Her voice spread loud and clear throughout the senate chambers.

“On the matter of SB 4827-R, the Repatriation and Naturalization Act, the Senate has voted unanimously to approve, with one vote to abstain.”

She shifted her eyes to Joa Sodi and Sibylla Abrantes , offering them a supportive smile.

“Thank you, Senator Sodi and Representative Abrantes, for your hard work. The Republic thanks you for your service, and I am proud to approve this bill.”