Faction SENATE DEBATE: Senatorial Privileges + Procedures + Diplomatic Immunity [ THR ]

[Sae]

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"A minor, small mining consortium based on Kenari consisting of eleven groups who serve as distinct members within the organisation and who represent the Kenari system within the The High Republic's Senate in Theed."
-- A description of the Kenari Resource Compact.

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Tags: Ephram Pryce | Dominique Vexx | Ravion Corvalis | Aurelian Veruna | Sibylla Abrantes | Ravessa Gallio | Anet Raine | Misha Kaskadov | Cynan Obaith | Ayumi Pallopides | Verity Stuyveris | Thel Nelvas | Eharl Sarn | Vaerelyn Thorne | Gareth Alatha | Auren Vellisar | Dominic Praxon | Isley the Younger | Lex | Caius Arden | Rémiel Durevant | Muad Dib | Enthii Karab | Leon Moreau | Elara Veyran | Tryvge Hakon | Rue |

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"The Chair passes the floor to the delegation from Kenari," the Speaker announced reluctantly into the podium microphone.

On the furthest edges of the Republic Senatorial floor a hoverdaise emerged and begun to to descend towards the center where the Speaker floated amongst a thousand different chairs that were, mostly, empty save for a few representatives or other delegations that had elected to attend today's debate. Kenari was a minor planet from the furthest edges of the High Republic, you see. So, when the Kenari Resource Compact (the elected representatives of the Kenari system) put into the docket a request for a debate concerning Senatorial privileges, procedures, and diplomatic immunity, it had made little waves in Theed. They weren't Naboo, or even Druckenwell itself, who usually had something important to say by comparison (as well as the canny ability to get what they wanted) and so this was reflected in the amount of hoverpods that were presently unfulfilled in the Senate hall.

Nevertheless it had taken some months for the request to be brought forward onto today's agenda. There had been other, more important topics and concerns that needed to be addressed first such as the refugee crisis emanating from the Tapani sector and how immigrants were flooding into the Mid-systems leading to claims that they were the reason for recent economic or security strains in the affected star sectors which comprised the High Republic itself. Such are the consequences when you're a little star system among a sea of many, far more important planets. Yet, the docket request had persisted in spite of the counters requesting that the K.R.C and their request to debate the aforementioned subjects be postponed for a minimum of one standard-year so that the agenda of Dominique Vexx 's Chancellorship could focus on dealing with the swathe of the more important and serious issues affecting the High Republic itself.

Eventually, democracy will have it's day regardless of how people felt. Indeed, the K.R.C would have their fifteen minutes in the spotlight today. It would be extremely unfair, if not outright preposterous to say that the Kenari Resource Compact were an unpopular entity in Theed. A little known mining consortium, with Senatorial representation and voting power on proposed bills, acts and legislature, served to be little more than a minor annoyance to the bigger players. However, it didn't take much to upset the wrong people here. Let them have their little debate about things that weren't important compared to what was happening around them, and then the actual politicians, with their lobbies, political influence, and wealth could affect real change. If they alienated other representatives with their behaviour then so be it. This was a democracy, after all. People can be easily voted out if they become unpopular, and first impressions count for a lot. Let them drown.

As the hoverdais continued to climb down towards the center (such was Kenari's little importance that their pod was on the furthest edges of the giant hall) the amassed delegation inside the pod was a peculiar, strange sight. At the tip of the podium, where other Senators would usually stand, was a droid given the designation of 'Senator of Kenari'. Behind it were two women sitting on opposite ends, reclined in their seats, while Senator brought them all down to float near the other pod where the Speaker was floating to address and moderate the debate that was about to start.

"Kenari will have fifteen minutes to deliver their opening statement to the floor," the Speaker announced into his intercom, his voice carrying across the marble and stone walls for all to hear. "After we will hear responses. Silence will be mandatory during the opening. Any interruptions during the allotted time will result in expulsion from the hall."

Turning to address the Kenari delegation, from the Kenari Resource Compact, as they finally found their way into the center of the hall after what seemed like an age, the Speaker said to them: "The Chair now recognises the delegation from Kenari..." Trailing off for a moment, the Speaker appeared perplexed as it seemed that the droid itself would be addressing the floor. "...Your fifteen minutes begins now."

Huuurrrrmmmmmrmrrhnnnnhrrrrum.

A loud, annoying whirring voice echoed into the podium as Senator (the droid) activated his voice sub-routines to address the Senate.

"DESIGNATION: I have been called ' SENATOR OF KENARI ' . For interaction and simplicity I will be referred to by SENATOR," whirred Senator into the intercom.

"CLARIFICATION: Senatorial privileges and procedures. Kenari desires clarification on privileges assigned to Senatorial representation and procedures pertaining to third parties welcomed by the Kenari Resource Compact to address this house. Extensions provided to guests to lobby on a Senatorial capacity with other representatives relating to proposed bills, acts or legislature as they are put to the house for a vote, or before it reaches this house's ears."

Hurrrmrmrnrnrhrrrrmrm.

Another whirring, annoying pitch echoed through the hall and into the intercom. Loud, obnoxious and painful to listen too. Senator continued to speak it's boring, mechanical, docile tone of voice.

"DISAMBIGUATION: The Kenari Resource Compact wishes to extend it's Senatorial representation to other third parties so that they may address this Senate on the house floor on the behalf of the Kenari system. Kenari seeks clarification on procedures concerning Senatorial representation and what invited third parties have the right to say, or do on the Senate floor."

One of the women in the pod, who was the elder and taller of the two, glanced up at Senator as he made his disambiguation known. Sae, who was known less than the K.R.C, was an unelected and widely unpopular politician operating in the Trailing Sectors in large part due to her support of modern-day Imperialism: the same ideas, ideology and state sponsored religion which had seen to the rise and fall of factions in the Outer Rim Territories as well as including the Galactic Empire, who overthrew the Galactic Alliance before they were conquered themselves by the Sith Covenant.

For a woman like Sae, who stood no chance of running or being elected as a newly risen Senator, the only chance and opportunities she would have to politick in Theed, in the Republic Senate, was through extensions permitted and awarded by other elected representatives, such as the Kenari Resource Compact, who had invited her to be among their delegation today. However, before she could address the house, the consortium desired clarification given that it was currently difficult to determine what privileges they had at their disposal; whether there were any procedures in place to allow or deny such political practises; and whether diplomatic immunity for the K.R.C would remain in place if someone, like Sae, was found in contempt and whether that punishment would also be applicable to Kenari's elected representatives themselves.

"QUERY: What Senatorial privileges are in place for elected officials to utilize in the house?"

Hurrururum.

"QUERY: What procedures are in place at this time regarding unelected officials being invited to the floor to address this house?"

Hurrurururumdddgghhhhisshh.

"QUERY: Is diplomatic immunity applicable to the representatives, or invitees, if the Speaker, or Chancellor, finds them in contempt?"

After asking his queries, Senator pressed his mechanized finger down lightly onto the podium button, and shut it off. He hadn't need fifteen minutes to begin the debate and now the floor was opened to other responses. Sae quietly looked around the hall and was disparaged by how many empty seats that there were. When Vūm approached the Etti, with the idea of putting her square and center in front of the most powerful and influential figures in the High Republic, Sae had been initially excited at the prospect after initial failure to get her political career moving in the right direction in the Trailing Sectors.

Sae's ideas were not taken seriously, were often mocked, or derided by hate due to her campaigning for the ideology behind Imperialism which felt like an anathema to the popularist movements and politics that were often paraded in Theed. Yes, Vūm had delivered her to the precipice of finally being allowed to speak and campaign on the right stage, as they exercised their influential levers in the Kenari Resource Compact to get her here, but to her eye it felt like no-one was here to listen in the first place, and given that the K.R.C had sent a mere droid to speak on their behalf, as they sought clarification as to whether or not someone like Sae could speak showed her that they must not have taken her seriously neither.

"Kenari have yielded the floor back to the house," the Speaker announced. "We will now take responses."

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[Ayumi Pallopides]

The vaulted stone arches of the senate hall rose in sweeping, ribbed tiers that funneled the ambient light into distinct, radial beams striking the polished marble floor, where Ayumi stoods centered within the pod of the senate hall. Her full six-foot-two frame poised with a commanding verticality that is underscored by her narrow waist and the taut, athletic lines of her shoulders, and she projects an unmistakable physical authority that immediately dominates the expansive pod surrounding her. The sweeping folds of her pristine white trench coat cascade downward to brush the mirrored surface of the floor, effectively creating a visual anchor that ties her upright posture to the vertical columns framing the archway leading to the rotunda.

While the cool, diffuse air of the Nubian chamber seemed to cling to the high collar of her garment without disturbing her composed demeanor. She does not feel the need to fidget or shift her weight, instead maintaining a static and fully realized equilibrium that draws her eyes directly to other faces in the chamber, which is angled slightly upward and forward with a discernible, unyielding focus directed straight ahead into the space of the observer. Her straight, silken dark-honey hair is arranged with deliberate precision, falling in a heavy, uninterrupted curtain that extends past her waist and is heavily threaded with natural golden strands that catch and refract the overhead light into pale, shimmering highlights along the length of the shaft, creating a luminous halo around her shoulders.

The smooth, lightly bronzed copper skin of her face and exposed décolletage radiates a healthy, sun-warmed glow that stands in sharp contrast to the stark white of her attire, and it highlights the natural warmth in her complexion without appearing artificially tanned or overly oiled. Her deep honey eyes are set with widely spaced flecks of amber that ignite and glint with a captured brilliance as they encounter the stray beams of light dancing across the marble floor, and those flecks are particularly visible in the oblique angles of the illumination, offering a striking visual dynamic that shifts with the subtle movement of her gaze.

A small, pale nick sits just below her lower lip on the left side of her chin, presenting a minor, healed imperfection that breaks the otherwise flawless symmetry of her face and introduces a single, distinct mark of physical history across her otherwise pristine and carefully maintained appearance. She is outfitted in a layered ensemble constructed entirely from stark white materials, beginning with a structured corset that tightly cinches her midsection and features three horizontally aligned metal buckle closures that sit flush against the front panel, providing a distinct industrial counterpoint to the organic flow of her hair.

The corset is worn over a bustier-style top that firmly supports her and transitions seamlessly into the waistline, which is immediately encased by the long white trench coat that hangs open and entirely unbuttoned, allowing the sweeping lapels to fall backward in a dramatic, vertical line that lengthens her already tall silhouette. Her legs are covered by tight white pants that follow the contoured shape of her thighs and calves without bunching or wrinkling at the joints, and they terminate directly into high-heeled white ankle boots that add an additional two inches to her height, forcing her to balance on the very balls of her feet with a practiced, controlled elevation.

Her hands are bound in plain white gloves that extend past her wrists and fit snugly to the length of her fingers, and she holds her arms suspended just slightly away from her sides in a neutral stance that allows the long coat sleeves to drape straight down without reaching the floor, ultimately presenting a fully monochromatic and structurally consistent aesthetic that is as commanding as it is calculated. The reflective black marble of the pod floor acts as an imperfect mirror beneath her boots, casting a muted, shadowed double of her white figure into the depths of the stone, and her standing position remains firmly planted with her feet separated at a distance exactly equal to the width of her own shoulders to establish a broad and stable base.

She neither tilts her head nor shifts her gaze to explore the surrounding chamers, instead maintaining a fixed forward leaving no ambiguity about her preparedness or intent. She was listening to something she was not entirely sure about. before the meeting with several senators, the king, chancellor and Katsumi Royal there hadn't been much talk of Kenari or mention of them. She doubted many could point it out on a map. So the questions coming were different while she remained there and her hands only shifted to be in front of herself for a moment. The diplomatic immunity raised her eyebrow as aside from maybe two represenatives from other governments she hadn't heard it being given out. She haad more attention to it as the idea of giving voices to other groups through their pods and positions was something but really she was curious more now.

Her voice was low and mostly to herself as she was looking at Megera who waas there with Zahira and they were taking minutes as well as trying to get her information. "Interesting. Who are they?" Zahira was looking at her and spoke low. "Kenari." Ayumi looked at her and spoke. "Ken Barbie?" The biot looked at her for a moment. "Kenari senator." Ayumi gave a nod. "I see, well lets listen."

 

[Rue]

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"Vūm is a peculiar investment hedge fund who act in a variety of fields including business negotiation, political influence and as economists. They selectively and financially back exclusive clientele, individuals or other organisations for the purpose of influencing politics, commerce and policies within galactic powers located in the Outer Rim and Mid Rim systems."
-- A description of Vūm.

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Behind Senator, the speaking droid, and apparently, for today at least, the Kenari Resource Compact's chosen representative in the debate, was a child barely aged sixteen. She was the other woman in the hoverdais sat opposite Sae and her name was Rue: a Liann expat who had recently immigrated to Enarc to begin work on behalf of the peculiar and discreet investment hedge fund who had orchestrated today's debate. It hadn't taken much to convince the K.R.C to do this. Their operations in the Kenari system, which were undoubtedly an illegal enterprise if they should ever be discovered by the Jedi Order or Republic authorities, required obfuscation. Distraction. Not that Rue pretended to understand what was going on. She was far too new at this. Young, and inexperienced. That would change given enough time, Her summarized.

On the other end Sae hadn't taken much to convince either. The woman was washed like a bad smell that was worse than the stench on Mahporeem. Loud mouthed, angry and with a resoluteness that was off-putting. She was a bad politician. Even someone like Rue, who had had no interest in politics before the attacks on Lianna, could tell that Sae wasn't good at whatever this was. But Rue would never argue against Her. For some reason that enigmatic woman wanted to put Sae on the big stage. Let everyone know what she was talking about in the Trailing Sectors. New Order. Imperialism. Empire. These ideas were opposite to what the High Republic and it's member bodies stood for. Rue did not understand the strategy. She was merely an instrument to get the pieces into play and now here Sae was.

Senator's voice was annoying. Rue doubted that she would have to say anything to what little crowds had formed to attend this debate. But she had to be here. The instructions had been specific and explained in a manner where deviation would not be tolerated. Her hadn't been in contact with Rue for quite sometime. It had been several months, in fact. The credits, funding and access that Vūm could afford continued to keep opening doors for Rue to walk through, so to her, it felt like her master was still out there, somewhere. All that Rue knew was that the enigma would be on Naboo for a time, and that when her work there was finished, she would get back into touch to continue teaching her secret Sith apprentice in the ways of the Force.

The transmitter hummed in Rue's ear connected to a satellite in orbit of Naboo. It was transmitting back to Kenari where someone from Triarch (who Rue didn't know personally yet, having never been to the Kenari system) was listening on the other side. Rue was supposed to be advising the K.R.C and keeping them informed about the debate but quietly she felt stunted. She didn't know what to say, and so rather than trying to make conversation, Rue was as silent as a bird. Thankfully, so where the K.R.C. It would seem that whatever Senator was saying was enough to capture their attention, and then, of course, there was the washed politician sitting in the same pod who appeared to also have a lot to say.

Pictures would be taken about this day, and on the edges of the frame, they would see a young Rue sitting there, quietly watching the Senate as they deliberated. Years later and the galaxy would quake beneath her machinations to look back at this moment wondering where it had all gone so wrong . . .

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[Vaerelyn Thorne]

Location: Senate Building, Theeds, Naboo
Objective: Attend Senate meeting regarding Kenari
Outfit: Casual Dress Suit
Tag: Ayumi Pallopides | Sae | Rue | OPEN

Vaerelyn waited until the first wave of murmurs had settled before touching the activation switch on her podium. She had spent much of the opening listening rather than preparing to speak, her eyes lingering less on the droid than on the nearly empty Senate chamber itself. The sight stung more than she cared to admit.

The Senator from Mokk VIII rose to her feet, smoothing the simple cream and green robes that reflected her world's humble traditions rather than Core fashion. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, but the acoustics of the chamber carried it clearly. "Fellow Senators."

She inclined her head respectfully toward the Kenari delegation. "I wish to begin by thanking the delegation from Kenari for their patience. Regardless of the size of a member system, or how far from the Core it may lie, every world represented in this chamber deserves the opportunity to be heard."

Her golden eyes drifted briefly across the empty pods before returning to the center of the hall. "My own world is not one that often finds itself at the center of galactic affairs. We are a farming people. Many of our concerns would likely seem quite ordinary beside the crises that occupy this body. Even so, I would hope that if Mokk VIII sought clarification on matters affecting our representation, this Senate would grant us the same courtesy it has shown Kenari today." A faint smile crossed her lips. "So, for that alone, I believe these questions are worthy of discussion."

She folded her hands together. "I find myself considering each question separately. The first concerns the privileges granted to those elected by their people. I believe clarity benefits everyone. If there are ambiguities in our procedures, they should be resolved openly rather than left to assumption."

Her gaze shifted briefly toward the droid Senator before continuing. "The second question is... more difficult." She chose her next words carefully. "There are many occasions where specialists, scholars, military officers, or local leaders possess knowledge their Senator does not. I can certainly imagine circumstances where inviting such individuals to address the Senate would improve our deliberations."

A brief pause. "Yet I also believe there is a distinction between inviting someone to share their expertise and allowing another individual to exercise the voice entrusted to an elected representative." She rested one hand lightly against the edge of the podium. "The citizens of Mokk VIII elected me to speak on their behalf. That responsibility is not mine to lend away lightly. If I cannot explain my people's concerns myself, then I ought to consider whether I have fulfilled the duty they entrusted to me."

Vaerelyn looked once more toward the Kenari pod, making no effort to single out either of the women seated behind the droid. "That does not mean such invitations should never occur. Only that this chamber should define clearly where advice ends... and representation begins."

She nodded slightly, turning to the final question. "As for diplomatic immunity..." She hesitated just long enough to show she had genuinely weighed the matter. "If I invite a guest into my own home, I bear some measure of responsibility for ensuring they respect it." A gentle smile accompanied the simple analogy. "I wonder if our Senate should not be guided by much the same principle. Guests should be afforded courtesy and protection while participating in good faith, but neither they nor the Senator extending that invitation should find themselves entirely separated from responsibility for their conduct."

Her expression softened. "I will admit, I know little of the political philosophies that seem to concern many of my more experienced colleagues. Some ideas carry reputations that long predate my arrival in this chamber. Before I decide whether those reputations are deserved, I would rather hear the arguments openly than inherit opinions I have not yet had the opportunity to examine for myself."

She inclined her head respectfully toward the Chair. "I look forward to hearing the perspectives of my fellow Senators, particularly those with far greater experience than my own. I believe Kenari has raised questions that deserve thoughtful answers, whatever conclusions this Senate ultimately reaches."

With that, Vaerelyn deactivated her microphone and resumed her seat, quietly folding her hands in her lap as she prepared to listen once more.

 

[Thel Nelvas]

​

Thel seemed dismissive of the entire ordeal. It was to him, overcomplicating a simple issue. And, by proxy, opening the door to future... problems.

"If they are not elected to the Senate and not called to the Senate to testify or speak to the Senate directly, I see no reason why someone outside the Republic body should be making decisions for Senators. Senators should not be able to delegate decision making outside this body." He raised his nose.

"This has troubling implications and I do not see a reason why our current stance should change."

 

[Muad Dib]

Tags: Thel Nelvas , Vaerelyn Thorne , Sae , Ayumi Pallopides , Rue

His glowing blue eyes scanned the amphitheater with only an arched brow, his only reaction to the widely vacant senator pods. The current senator of Siskeen was not his predecessor, though they shared the same surname. And bloodline. Derek Dib was a calm, cool, and collected presence. Visibly suave and debonair. He thought, then thought some more before he ever considered giving voice to inner ruminations. And then his words were carefully chosen to reflect his opinions without expressing personal sentiment. He was the image of a perfect senator.

Muad Dib was not his brother.

First, he wore his khaki trousers and a cream colored tunic, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Not a suit. Secondly, he reclined back, probably more of a lounging position. Decidedly not a formal pose. Finally, his armored boots were propped over the soft curved wall of the pod. Yes, Muad Dib was most certainly not the picturesque senator.

The fingers of his right hand slowly stroked the stubble of his chin as he listened to the senator of Kenari. Robot? Droid? Cyborg? He rolled his eyes. Didn't really matter. The clunker was a senator. The two women seated behind the android were more intriguing. Who were they and what was their purpose here? It didn't really matter. They weren't with him.

After the machine finished his questions, two other senators spoke up, lending their voices to the procession of opinions given. He could understand certain points shared by all parties. But the three questions still needed to be addressed, even in the underrepresented amphitheater. With a sigh, he let his boots slip from the ledge of his own pod and stood with great resignation. One finger flicked the button before him, designating himself as the next senator to lend his voice to the forum.

"Welcome, Senator of Kenari. Interesting questions. First query. Senator …" His fingers danced over the datapad as he searched for a name that matched the face. "Nelvas. Unless we are stating that only select senators are allowed to call other people for their testimony, commentary due to their field of expertise, or other points of view based on various experiences, then we can not limit any senator's ability to exercise the same right. Any senator may call on someone to speak before the Senate. Just use some common sense."

His smirk was readily visible. Some may choose to take his expression as condescending. It wasn't; it was merely a quirk to express the fact that during his short tenure he had seen senators bring 'experts' in to speak on a situation they were knowledgeable on. He cleared his throat and continued.

"Secondly, well, I guess my first point covered the second. Moving on. Third, and lastly, diplomatic immunity for experts and witnesses. Unless the witness or expert has agreed to a deal beforehand, then their actions are open to a contempt charge. Refusing to cooperate. Failure to appear due to a summons. The decision not to answer a subpoena. Self-incriminating testimony. Or refusal to answer lawful questions are the main ways you can be held in contempt. Although a refusal to answer questions that could be self-incriminating cannot be coerced, like with the threat of a charge of contempt."

"Unless there is a vote on bills or laws, any member of the public can attend committee hearings and put in a request to hear their testimony or submit appearance records. But immunity is not given. But since we are talking about diplomatic immunity, hell, make them an ambassador from your planet. Now that does offer immunity."

He turned to where the Senator of Makk spoke. "From my understanding, a senator is a representative of their planet, and as such, operates within the bounds of their office. Most of our senators are not involved with the day-to-day operation of their planet. Presidents, governors, and even monarchs are the ones responsible for their planet's responsibilities. So, the idea that a senator is supposed to know everything concerning the home they represent seems a little unattainable. Though I agree that for votes on bills and laws, only the chosen representative should have a voice." His eyes returned to Nelvas as he agreed with the man's voiced opinion on exactly who should be making decisions in the Senate.

He depressed his intercom and flipped back into his chair, his boots once more finding the curved lip of the dais.