Achan Jaikavi
For the Unblessed
The screen flicks to a recording of several months earlier at Achan Jaikavi's victory speech.
"...and finally, as I have promised from the outset of my campaign. In order to sustain a stable government, we cannot...must not...condone or accept violence, but honest complaint will always have my ear. With me, the disenchanted...disenfranchised...and disillusioned will have a willing ear. I cannot promise to change the galaxy, for I am just one man...but together...we can bring justice and fairness back to our beloved democracy. An Alliance for the good of all, for the protection of the vulnerable and powerful alike...free from corruption...free from power grabs...free for you and your children."
The screen flashed back to the presenter, a young Pantoran woman of no more than 30 years of age.
"Jaikavi's populist rhetoric has been roundly condemned as encouraging dissent and unrest, but his arrest has seemingly galvanized both supporters and detractors alike. We cross now to a live feed as we believe that Senator Jaikavi has just been released on bail and will be making a speech any moment..."
The image flicked an empty dais, microphone in place. Senator Achan Jaikavi stepped into frame from the left. His face was somber, eyes sunken and tired looking. Questions were being fired at him from every angle, but he raised his hand in an attempt to quiet the crowd. It only partially worked.
Leaning forward, he spoke into the microphone with a steady assured tone.
"The reports you have heard of me are mostly true."
There was a ripple of surprise at the apparent admission.
"Yes. I was arrested with suspected connections to the now disbanded terrorist group known as The New Way. No, it is not true. These suspicions have no merit. None, whatsoever."
Questions were launched at him again, but he waved them off as he continued to speak.
"Yes. There were communiques on my system from New Way operatives. No. They were not entertained. Yes, I did, at the time, report and coordinate with officials to ascertain their veracity and bring those that would commit violence to justice. The records bare this out."
He stood, resolutely not answering questions for a moment, before waving his hand again in a bid for silence. Again, it only partially worked.
"The accusations against me are a fabrication that have disturbing implications for the security of our democracy."
A question broke through in the tumult.
"Senator Jaikavi...are you a part of The New Way?"
"No," he said with a tired laugh, "any suggestion of such things is defamation. I think powerful people are scared of me and want my reputation destroyed."
"To be a Senator is to be among the most powerful...surely!?"
The question was one of many, but it was picked out from the crowd for answer. Jaikavi had the reporter repeat the question so it could be heard clearly.
"A power given by the people, I will remind you...we serve at their behest...but not all do...others serve their own agenda..."
Another question picked out of the noise was repeated.
"Do you mean the Jedi?"
"Who was it that arrested a Senator?"
"But surely their suspicions were well founded..."
The room was in an uproar. Jaikavi let it go on for a while, stepping away from the microphone to talk to an aide. The aide seemed to hand the Senator a datachit.
"I have nothing but respect for the office held by the Jedi. They have sacrificed much. They have given themselves for this Alliance. We can ask no more of them than they have given. And so I wonder, if it is time to ask a little less..."
Uproar again, but he spoke over it.
"...in my hand...I hold evidence that will prove...the reports filed...summarizing the rumours of my involvement with terror groups...yes, the very reports that were the grounds of my arrest...were filed...by a Jedi."
The noise was now intense, every reporter pressing for the next question. Calm was needed to prevent chaos from erupting. The Senator pointed out a reporter for them to give their next question.
"Senator...Senator Jaikavi...yes...don't you think that speaking like this will only fuel more anti-Jedi sentiment?"
"I campaigned on this promise...to fight for the average citizen of this great Alliance. That same average citizen has every right to ask...if they can arrest a Senator on fabricated accusations...am I next? All I desire is that the Jedi know and heed their place in our democracy. For they are not lords over this citizenry...but shepherds of our hard won peace and security.
This arrest has left me more energized than ever in my goals, because now I have seen...we have all seen...just how fragile our democracy really is. Thank you, and may the Force be with you all."
The camera flicked back to the presenter of the news bulletin who did her best to respond to the press conference and its details.
Feel free to respond as if watching this broadcast from afar, or in the room of the press conference. If you have a character that is a reporter, I am open to doing a sit down interview with your character.
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