Maldor Mecetti
High Chancellor
CORUSCANT - SENATE CHAMBER
His voice was carried to the far reaches of the vast Senate chamber and beyond, being re-transmitted across the holo-net for interested citizens to hear. On Obulette, this would doubtless become mandatory viewing for loyal citizens.
"I would like to begin by saying I was there. I witnessed the brutality of the Enclave first-hand. I saw them board consular ships and attack Senators. I witnessed their barrages against ships and installations. I saw a starscape metaphorically painted red with blood and literally painted red with turbolaser bolts.
It was a horror, but it was one that I forced myself to watch. And when the time came to intervene, I was in the thick of it. Surrounded by danger and death, because I do not deserve to stand here and discuss policy unless I have stood there and risked my own blood on the border."
Putting one's blood on the border was a phrase that resonated throughout the Tapani sector, and was nearly as old as the noble houses. In ancient times, when a noble promised to put his blood on the border, it meant that his family would defend the border with their own lives. It was a stout promise, and one which House Mecetti still made and kept even after many thousands of years.
Of course, such a defense of the border often involved only a token appearance in the vicinity of the fighting, to make oneself vulnerable to harm more theoretically than in reality.
Still, it impacted people to see their leaders do such things. And in truth, Maldor's insertion into battle had been somewhat more substantial than a token appearance. Much to the dismay of his pilot.
"Having done so, and having shared your laments and tears for the fallen, I can tell you that we must not let our resolve be broken.
The Enclave made a brutal attack deep into our territory, but they did not take that territory. Because they cannot take that territory. Or any of our territory. They are few in number, comparatively speaking. Their customs demand a lifetime of training before someone is worthy of taking the field. They can not swell their ranks quickly. Nor do they have the industrial capacity to sustain losses, because they have built for themselves a warrior culture where bloodshed is valued more highly than industry or food production.
This violent thrashing was not an example of Enclave strength. It was a lesson in weakness. They sent a 'message' because they were incapable- utterly unable to do anything more.
And that is why we will beat them, if we only persevere.
House Mecetti and the Obulette system are committed to helping the Alliance weather this storm.
Even now, we are sending one of our Star Destroyers to the impacted worlds. Not as a defense force or invasion force, but as a force for healing. We have thousands of soldiers who will put down their arms and roll up their sleeves to bring medical help, clean water, and much needed food and shelter to the victims of this attack.
I implore all the other Tapani Sector nobles to do the same. And also all the other wealthy and powerful governments and individuals across Alliance space.
We can endure Mandalorian fire. And we must endure it, lest that enclave of warmongers think they can take anything they want, from anyone, all across the Galaxy, with no repercussions.
Stand together. Stand firm. This is the path to victory.
Victory for ourselves.
And for the next generation who relies on our strength today, if they hope to find safety and prosperity tomorrow.
Thank you."
A good speech, he thought. He'd even written it himself.
Now to see if his words found purchase in the hearts and minds of the others in the room.
Maldor sat, waiting for the next Senator to make their own speech of support, condemnation, or ambivalence towards the conflict.
Galactic Alliance
