Term Limits

[Zeradias Mant]

GALACTIC CITY AUTHORITY​

GALACTIC CITY COMMON COUNCIL​

MINUTES OF MEETING CRESH-01​

MAYOR RUPSIN: The first order of business comes from the gentleman from the Central District.

EXECUTIVE MANT: Thank you, Mr. MAYOR. No doubt it's come to the attention of my peers and yourself that the Galactic Alliance has overstayed its welcome on Coruscant. The fact of the matter is, the system has changed little since the fall of the One Sith, and if anything has gotten worse. We've become stagnant, and bent to the will of a government which has ruled from afar for years. Our standing in the galactic community has waned under the leadership of MAYOR RUPSIN.

*Audible groans from EXECUTIVE LOJ, EXECUTIVE XYBURN, and EXECUTIVE AYRTON*

MAYOR RUPSIN: How dare you? You've been on the the Council for a matter of days and this is how you start your tenure, by accusing your superior?

EXECUTIVE AYRTON: MANT does not speak for the council!

EXECUTIVE MANT: You're out of order, EXECUTIVE AYRTON.

EXECUTIVE AYTRON: I'll not be silenced by the likes of you.

EXECUTIVE LOJ: Tread carefully, EXECUTIVE MANT.

EXECUTIVE MANT: Clearly the MAYOR is not inclined to maintain order when the discussion is against his personal interests.

MAYOR RUPSIN: Order! This council will have order!

EXECUTIVE MANT: Thank you, Mr. MAYOR. I would like to return to a point spoken by EXECUTIVE AYRTON in his outburst. No, I do not speak for the council. I speak for the people of Coruscant. I answer to them, as do each of you and the MAYOR. The times are changing gentlemen, you would be wise to change with them.

MAYOR RUPSIN: Your time is up, EXECUTIVE MANT.

EXECUTIVE MANT: I have documents incriminating MAYOR RUPSIN in an illegal drug and human trafficking operation.

MAYOR RUPSIN: You're out of order, EXECUTIVE MANT!

*Indistinguishable chatter from DISTRICT EXECUTIVES.*

EXECUTIVE MANT: For months, he has been not only using government resources to assist criminal elements in their activities, he's also cooked the logs with false information. How much did you profit from these operations, MAYOR RUPSIN?

MAYOR RUPSIN: The SERGEANT OF THE GUARD will arrest EXECUTIVE MANT for contempt and disorderly conduct.

EXECUTIVE MANT: The SERGEANT OF THE GUARD will do no such thing.

EXECUTIVE XYBURN: Is this true, RUPSIN?

MAYOR RUPSIN: No! He's making it all up!

EXECUTIVE MANT: That's quite the defense.

*MAYOR RUPSIN notions to personal security detail*

MAYOR RUPSIN: Kill him! I'll not have slander, baseless allegations, and challenges to my leadership from those of which I preside!

EXECUTIVE MANT: The CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD will arrest MAYOR RUPSIN for charges of conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, et cetera et cetera.

*Indistinguishable chatter from DISTRICT EXECUTIVES, louder than previously*

*MAYOR RUPSIN arrested by OFFICERS of the CORUSCANT GUARD*

EXECUTIVE MANT: Gentlemen, it appears we're without anyone in the driver's seat.

EXECUTIVE AYRTON: I'll take the mantle!

EXECUTIVE MANT: EXECUTIVE AYRTON, a minute ago you were defending a crony MAYOR complicit in criminal activities, installed by the very government you support.

EXECUTIVE AYRTON: I'll...

EXECUTIVE MERDECH: You'll what? Support for the GALACTIC ALLIANCE is waning, and soon your party will have been reduced to nothing. The people of Coruscant are swarming to CORUSCANT FIRST by the millions. By month's end, we'll have a majority in the COUNCIL. There's only one person right for the job, and its the one who had the courage to stand up to the most immediate power which would have him killed! That person is ZERADIAS MANT. The EXECUTIVE from the OLD DISTRICT nominates ZERADIAS MANT to the office of the MAYOR OF GALACTIC CITY.

EXECUTIVE JYRFAST: I second the motion.

EXECUTIVE MERDECH: All in favor say aye.

*DISTRICT EXECUTIVES vote in the affirmative*

EXECUTIVE MERDECH: All those against say nay.

*DISTRICT EXECUTIVES vote in the negative*

EXECUTIVE MERDECH: The ayes have it! Congratulations MAYOR MANT.

*Audible applause, EXECUTIVE LOJ, EXECUTIVE XYBURN, and EXECUTIVE AYRTON exit the COUNCIL chambers.*

MAYOR MANT: The COUNCIL still has quorum and will continue with its business.

 

[Mathieu Bahreiko]

[member="Zeradias Mant"]

"I'm afraid, Mister Mant, that we do not have quorum." The doors to the room opened abruptly as a man strode in, flanked by members of the guard. He was an older man, bald with several scars prominent on his face and neck. On the left breast pocket of his suit was the emblem representing the position of Governor on Coruscant. Several members of the Galactic Alliance law enforcement division were standing at the doorway, but did not step foot into the room as of yet. The guards stopped at the end of the isleway, leaving the Governor to stride onto the floor.

"This is not Manda'lor. These are not the Mandalorain clans. You are not Manda'lor, Mister Mant. You do not have authority to lead this council, or weigh in on matters pertaininty to the governing of the planet as a mayor." There was a noticeable presence of iciness to his voice as he spoke, his steel gray eyes not wavering before he pushed past the man and began to walk through the center of the room and levy a steadfast gaze upon each member present. Several looked relieved to see him, while many others looked decidedly uncomfortable or angry.

"Setting aside for the moment the illegitimacy of this action, I will remind this council that procedures are quite clear regarding the course of action to be taken. An investigation will be launched regarding the veracity of these allegations. In the meantime, Mayor Ruspin will be excused from power for the duration of the investigation. In the interim, a deputy mayor will be appointed by me to continue ensuring the people are represented fairly and intelligently." Several winced at that last word, as his tone left little room for alternative interpretations.

"As Mister Mant accurately pointed out, each mayor is appointed to office by election. As none here can claim to be the absolute embodiment of will for the tens of billions constituents in each district, I will remind all in attendance that none here have the authority to grant the title of mayor, nor even I. Should the investigation into Mayor Ruspin prove his guilt in these matters, then an election will be held for his office and the people will decide on who they wish to represent them at such a time." Several within the room nodded their heads in approval, a quiet murmur working through their groups.

"However, the actions by several on this Council are cause for concern. As each of you are aware of the democratic elections requirement for office, there is now the matter of your own crimes. By attempting to elect a man to office, bypassing the process outlined by the articles of governance, as well as attempting to have Mayor Ruspin arrested on your own authority, each member that has voted in favor of this man is now being indicted on charges of corruption, false imprisonment, conspiracy, and circumventing democratic accountability, to name the most damning." Cries of protest and alarm rang out as law enforcement officers began rounding up those being charged. Others were being asked to come along to provide statements for what occurred.

"I'm afraid, Mister Mant, you too will be forced to excuse yourself from office while this matter is being investigated. Your... arrival on Coruscant has not gone unnoticed, and there are many who question the legitimacy of your position and actions. Investigations are being launched that will ascertain your innocence or guilt. In the meantime, I believe your presence would be most appreciated at the Galactic Alliance headquarters." He gave a thin smile as he spoke. "I'm afraid with so many mayors now under investigation and facing charges, I had to seek assistance from the Galactic Alliance in ensuring the matter was investigated thoroughly and properly. Since you claimed to have evidence against Mayor Ruspin, they will have a great many questions to ask you, as will our own local authority. They sent several officers to escort you to their office. For your protection, of course."

 

[Zeradias Mant]

As Zeradias took to the chair's seat, he brought gavel to sound block as he called the meeting to order once more, this time under his leadership. Before matters of governance could continue, a sudden intrusion from none other than a representative of the institution which the party wished to distance itself from. Governor of Coruscant, apparently, another Alliance lackey put into office to impose big brother's will. Aside from the Alliance looking insignia on his chest, Zeradias did not recognize the man. He could tell from the unease of some of the district executives though, that he carried some weight on the planet. No name, office, nor identity was offered.

"Sir, you are out of order. There is an allotted time for visitors to speak before the council and you may speak then.", Zeradias politely commented. The man would have none of it though, and instead lambasted each of the district executives irregardless of party or support, threatening all of them with crimes against the state. How sweet the sound the party's narrative being further fueled by the reactionaries of the Alliance. Particularly interesting was the man's stated intent of detaining Mant forthwith, in the midst of Coruscanti governance.

While city ordinance and council bylaws empowered him to have the intruder forcibly removed from the chambers and even charged with disorderly conduct, the armed men outside the doors were an indicator that might not be the best avenue to take. While the Captain of the Guard was busy handling the matters of the now-deposed mayor, the Sergeant of the Guard was still present and joined Mant's side at his behest. Whispering in his ear, he nodded with an uneasy expression on his face before offering a polite bow and exiting the chambers through the back door, a private entryway for those on the GCCC. It was now time though to address the myriad of this man's insinuations.

"I don't expect an offworlder to be well-versed in Coruscanti law, but you have no jurisdiction to make the claims or charges you bring against this body.", Zeradias said. There was almost a sharpness to his calm tone. "The Mayor of Galactic City is elected by his peers in the Galactic City Common Council, and it is those district executives elected by the public. Unless something has changed in which the right to self-governance has been stripped from all systems within the Galactic Alliance's domain, this Council is well within its bounds to appoint government officials in accordance with its own law. I will not be stepping down."

To his response, some of the district executives let out a 'hear hear' in approval, even those that opposed him only minutes ago. When an outside force threatens your home, it tends to unify those residing in it. Zeradias' answer though, did not appear to satisfy the man. Shortly after, the Sergeant of the Guard returned, another three officers in tow. More were likely en route, though hopefully things would not escalate to that point. Despite the confrontational nature of the man's presence, Zera doubted he desired bloodshed.

It was clear the man wanted to isolate him from the Council. Zeradias saw merit in the action, but would cede only on his terms.

"The council will enter a recess and resume business on the morrow.", Zeradias proclaimed, slamming the gavel. "The meeting is adjourned."

The executives hesitantly rose from their seats and slowly filed out of the chambers. They took a risk passing the soldiers of the one that threatened them with detention, but must have believed Zeradias would take care of them should they be taken into custody. Despite the anti-Alliance stance of the party, history would remember the Alliance as the aggressor intruding Coruscanti government functions, and its newly appointed mayor the one who took the steps to deescalate it, less the Alliance walk away from a peaceful resolution and persist in its oppression of Coruscant.

"If you'll come with me to my chambers, sir, I believe we'll be able to address a few of your demands."

[member="Mathieu Bahreiko"]​

 

[Linna Beorht]

Galactic City Authority​

Office of the General Manager​

Subject: Assessment of procedural irregularities in GCCC C01

Proponent: Dr. L. Beorht, consultant

Purpose: At the request of the General Manager, this briefing describes discrepancies in natural justice noted in the minutes of Common Council Meeting Cresh-01. This briefing recommends the General Manager file for judicial review under Coruscanti law.

Background: Executive Mant (see attached dossier, Appendix Aurek) engaged Mayor Rupsin in personal debate, leading to Rupsin’s removal and Mant’s ad hoc appointment as Mayor of Galactic City.

The complaint and disciplinary sections of GCCC governance bylaws entrench commonly recognized principles of procedural fairness and natural justice.

A: Decisions must be made within a reasonable time.
B: Decision makers must be impartial and unbiased.
C: Decision makers must provide clear and appropriate reasons for decisions.
D: Decision makers must provide an appropriate forum for any affected person to present their views and to be heard.
E: Decision makers must provide advance notice that a decision is to be made.
F: Decision makers must provide sufficient information for an affected person to know what is required or what is at stake.

Assessment: The minutes of meeting Cresh-01 contain numerous violations of procedural fairness and natural justice, at odds with GCCC governance bylaws.

GCCC violated principle A by making all relevant decisions after an informal deliberation less than two minutes long.

GCCC violated principle B by contravening conflict of interest bylaws. The position of Mayor comprised a private interest or benefit for all District Executives. Executives Ayrton and Mant were especially flagrant. The proper recourse would have been judicial review.

GCCC violated principle C thoroughly. GCCC never formally impeached Mayor Rupsin before replacing him. They never provided a resolution or motion outlining their rationale for these decisions - if they can be said to have made them at all.

GCCC violated principle D thoroughly. They never provided Mayor Rupsin with any fair opportunity to assess the accusations, prepare a defense, consult legal counsel, or make his case before the decision-making body. Neither Mayor Rupsin nor any GCA official ever saw Executive Mant’s purported evidence before making the decision to replace Mayor Rupsin.

GCCC violated principle E by not providing advance notice that a decision would be made. In emergency situations, one standard day is customary; in most cases, a GCCC judicial decision would take weeks. By contrast, not only was Mayor Rupsin never notified that a decision would be made, he was not even notified that a decision had been made at all. GCCC violated principle F through the same actions.

Risks: GCCC meeting Cresh-01 has every hallmark of a coup d’etat. GCCC’s illegal actions pose a deadly reputational risk to the GCA. The legitimacy of the entire planetary government is in question. This risk can be minimized through immediate judicial review, potentially leading to formal articles of impeachment and emergency elections under bylaw article nine.

Next Steps: The GCA should file for an immediate injunction against Executive Mant and an emergency judicial review of meeting Cresh-01.

Distribution: GM, GCA Tribunal, Coruscant Guard, GADF

 

[Zef Halo]

IN FRONT OF THE GALACTIC CITY COMMON COUNCIL
CORUSCANT

Scores of people had gathered in front of the doors of the GCCC, shouting their demands whatever they might be. The core of the group were people in black clothing, led by Arcann Law - they were the most loyal of Coruscant First. Other than official members of the party, many others had gathered to voice their desires for a change on Coruscant in the same lines as what the party had wanted, or at least with minimal differences.

Digital banners were held up high having various messages on them, mainly Coruscant First slogans such as 'taking back our home', 'coruscant for the coruscanti', 'make coruscant great again', 'ship off the alliance' and what have you.

The crowd was not violent, yet. They were aggressive, yes. At least, the core was. As governmental officials of the Alliance shoved their way through the crowd, many were meant with spits, curses and occassional pushes. Safe to say the crowd was ignored as they moved into the Council with Arcann giving them a cold glare behind an icy smile.

"Look at them quickly storming the council. look at our occupiers. look at them well, people of Coruscant." His voice boomed as Law spoke through a cordless microphone. "THE MOMENT WE DESIRE TO TAKE BACK OUR HOME, THEY COME WITH FORCE."

"WERE WE REALLY LIBERATED FROM THE ONE SITH??"

A roaring no followed.

"JUST A CHANGE OF NAMES. ALL THE SAME. ALL MEANING TO HARM US - THE NATIVES OF THIS PLANET - US, THECORUSCANTI." The populist continued with his verbal assault. Eruption of a synchronized agreement came right after he finished his sentence.

"Get out of our planet!"

"Coruscant for the Coruscanti"

"We do not want foreign rulers!!"

"Free Coruscant."

"The offworlders are taking our jobs!"

Those were but a fraction of the various demands the public tossed at...well the facade of the common council literally. Figuratively - at the Galactic Alliance government.

"Are we going to bend the knee??" Law once more asked vigorously.

An explosive no came as a reply.

Arcann wondered how the events were unfolding inside. Especially with the appearance of a security detail lead by an official.

[member="Zeradias Mant"] | [member="Mathieu Bahreiko"] | [member="Linna Beorht"]​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

So far Agent Deacon had managed to remain more or less unnoticed in all the commotion. Extraordinary events were taking placing in these council chambers, and while sight of an Alliance official drew looks of scorn from those executives under the thumb of [member="Zeradias Mant"] and his extremist rhetoric, most attention in the room was focused on a man who now called himself Galactic City's Mayor, and the appointed Governor ([member="Mathieu Bahreiko"]) who represented their interests to the Galactic Alliance which Coruscant belonged.

He had assumed the identity of one of the Governor's senior advisors, Deputy Bright. For all intents and purposes, he was here as a representative of the Galactic Alliance Assembly. Politics were not exactly his specialty, but Deacon had already been on Coruscant and Executive Mant's power play had caught them slightly off guard. Still seeking to save face despite being taken into custody in a very public display, Zeradias made a show of bringing the meeting to a close as if they were still on his terms. The Governor would make the final call, but as far as Deputy Bright was concerned it didn't matter if they carried out this interrogation in the man's office or back at Alliance headquarters. It was going to happen.

Deacon wasn't as informed on local Galactic City ordinances as he would have liked to be for an assignment like this, but he knew federal law well enough. Executive Mant hadn't be exactly right, it was true the Governor had no authority over domestic affairs, but they did have a right to intercede and mediate in extraordinary circumstances like a constitutional crisis or, in this case, a power struggle at the highest levels of planetary government that threatened social order. One glance around the room was all it took to tell the SIS agent that this circumstance more than qualified, Zeradias seemed prepared to push Coruscant to the brink of a civil war with his suspect claims.

"We should wrap this up," he mumbled into his comm implant, an encrypted frequency tied directly into an earpiece worn by the Governor, one of the few people on the planet that knew his true identity, "The less time he gets on the HoloNet, the better."

The truth was, he was more concerned about this spiraling out of control into something worse. The Sergeant of the Guard was following Mant's lead for now, whether some prior arrangement had been come to or the man was acting simply out of a misplaced sense of allegiance, Deacon couldn't be certain. But he could see confusion on the normally stolid expressions of the other Coruscant Guard in the council chambers, many of them had served alongside the Defense Force during the liberation of Coruscant and the Alliance's ongoing peacekeeping operations in the Core.

The so called Mayor's movement was growing in popularity, but anti-GA sentiment was by no means universal. And yet, he feared if Zeradias ordered them to do something reckless in an act of desperation, there could be needless bloodshed.

[member="Linna Beorht"] | [member="Arcann Law"]​

 

[Tala Bramsin]

Tala swirled a glass of champagne from the window of the speeder as she watched the crowd gather outside the city council. Black clothes at the center with slogans and chants. Ironic, really. Coruscanti for the Coruscanti. Like that had ever been the case. Coruscant had always been the metropolitan center of the galaxy. It was what had created it as the capitol of multiple governments. The crown jewel of the galaxy that everyone wished to have.

But this? This was as uncharacteristic for Coruscanti as could be imagined. For once, they weren't the capital of a major galactic power, and were left to their own devices. Strange that this sentiment arrived now, with the return of a First Order war. She remembered what it had been like under the One Sith. It had been terrifying, always looking over one's shoulder for Sith and Sith soldiers. Justice was served in the street with violence. Nothing at all like what the Alliance had done while they were here.

So, what had started this movement? The taxi landed on the platform and Tala slipped out, pulling her coat closer around her shoulders. No uniforms for now. She was on leave and her family was concerned by the current political state of affairs. She limped along the platform, moving through the crowds towards the door, listening to the chants.

Perturbing and also peculiarly off base.

 

[Ignatius Rausgeber]

"Louis Fulcrum" stood behind the charismatic leader, attired in a neat black coat, not quite unlike those used in the First Order. Pinned to his right lapel, was a badge, with the symbol of Coruscant First emblazoned on it. A sign of the ever growing movement, which festered with discontent. The perfect mood which would now hopefully spoil their mood, and their support of a war. As is always the case in the times of democracies being pushed to the brink. The harder you pushed them, the more divided they became.

All this chanting, and the GADF's heavy handed response did, was prove in the young "law student's" mind what First Order education had proven to him. That democracies were fragile, and the utopian federation the Alliance built was just as vulnerable to the heavy handed intervention of military forces than any of the burgeoning Empires and autocracies which the Galactic Alliance now railed against. "Louis" moved forward, and to the fore of the assembled crowd.

"Are we going to sit back and watch as this Alliance threatens our Coruscant?! Our home, just like the Sith?!" 'Louis' bellowed to the crowd. He spoke in an accent which sounded like any one of them. A poor Coruscanti boy from the lower levels. A man, who was like them. Who came from the squalor which they all could identify. Could relate to. Rather than these nobles who profited from Sorosuub and other Galactic Alliance corporate entities. No, his voice was just like theirs. And what he spoke, and he spoke reverberated. It spoke their truth. Their thoughts. Their lives.

"NO!" The mighty roar of the crowd slammed back, some raising their fists angrily, others slamming their fists unto their chests, a show of force. Of their dedication to this cause. Of their anger to this establishment, which now seemed to believe it to act as the voice for what Coruscant. wanted. For what Coruscants future was to be.

"How would our brothers and sisters," 'Louis' channelled his inner imperial passion. His uncles tenacity, and his training as an agent provocateur, "Your daughters and sons," He continued, flecks of spittle flying from his mouth, as if projectiles from a scattergun, "Who died for these scum, who died for their protection, who died for this elite," the crowd now seemed to become a hive mind. All in sync, their eyes locked on the boy with the slicked back hair, and powerful disposition, "And now have their government, seized and betrayed by those who marched them to their deaths!" 'Louis' roared, like a rancor on the prowl.

The crowd was appalled by this truth, and rancorous jeering and booing, yelling now directed at the officials, inside, and out. The crowds blood boiled. Just as 'Louis' had intended. "What has this Alliance brought, but war, fear and suffering?!" 'Fulcrum' aggressively growled, sans mic, his voice carrying over them, and fuelling the bitterness. The peoples rage, "But waste, and poverty to a planet, to a people, who once stood strong, at the centre of the Galaxy?!" He continued, he raised both his hands, to the sides, "I say it once, and I say it again," He looked around, "I say kark the Alliance. And kark the Galaxyist scum, who support their betrayal of their own people!"

[member="Arcann Law"] | @Zeridias Mant

 

[Apolline Wynver]

As Apolline bolted into the room, mic in hand, camera at her back, she was stopped briefly by Alliance security who barred her way with a grunt. She whipped out a flimsiplast, waved it in the lumbering guard’s face and said, “I have a license to film here. Signed by the governor himself.”

It was forged of course, but sometimes you had to take matters into your own hands, despite the consequences. She did not fear imprisonment or torture. As a former lawyer, she knew her rights and had access to the best criminal defense teams in Coruscant, having encountered most of them during her tenure as an assistant prosecutor. Besides, the holonet personality had never met a scandal she could not buy, beg or bed her way out of.

As soon as the guard begrudgingly let her past, she set up a small area off to the side where she could live stream the proceedings.

“This is Apolline Wynver from Core Values, Coruscant’s only news program that has your best interests in mind. Today’s turn of events in the Common Council Chamber are shocking to say the least. Behind me Zeradias Mant was nearly sworn in as the new Mayor of Galactic City until the Governor ruled the executive vote as nonbinding and called for new elections. Mayor Mant did not step down and now the council is scrambling to prevent the distasteful meddling we’ve seen time and time again from the Galactic Alliance.”

With the grace of a vornskr, the holonet personality moved through the expansive room, trying to figure out the best way to force her way into the new Mayor’s private chambers.

“If I can’t get access to the debate between Mayor Mant and the governor, we will head outside where a restless crowd has gathered over the travesty of justice which has occurred today in this very spot.” Pulling out her datapad, she fired off a quick tweet: #CoruscantFirst #MayorMant #CoreValues #MCGA and linked directly to the stream so the entire galaxy could watch.

If there were a riot on the Council steps, her ratings would likely go up by at least 10 percent.

[member="Zeradias Mant"] [member="Mathieu Bahreiko"] [member="Linna Beorht"] [member="Arcann Law"] [member="Ignatius Rausgeber"] [member="Deacon"] [member="Tala Bramsin"]​

 

[Zeradias Mant]

As the district executives began to funnel out, the Alliance governor remained unmoving. Zeradias' polite smile faded into a neutral expression, but those who were particularly skilled at reading expressions would see it was one of contempt. For a chamber that was supposed to be clearing out, it looked rather packed. As the executives themselves left, some staffers remained. Whether they were stunned or curious, Zeradias cared not. With a more careful inspection of the chambers though, he could see cameras. Media. They would be instrumental in his next play.

Once facing perpendicular to his seat, inviting the Alliance governor to his new chambers, he proceeded to walk to the center of the room where the governor stood in the limelight. Only Zeradias didn't stop. He walked past the governor to the armed and uniformed members of the GADF, extending his forearms.

"Go ahead son.", Zeradias said. His quiet voice sounded almost sympathetic. But these men did not know who the man surrendering himself was.

Bound in handcuffs, he was ready. He didn't look to the cameras. Anyone not filming this was was downright stupid. They were filming alright.

"Let's go, governor. Show the world who's really in charge here."

[member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Mathieu Bahreiko"] | [member="Apolline Wynver"]​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

"I don't believe those are strictly necessary," Deputy Bright interjected, countermanding protocol by gesturing towards the hand cuffs, "After all, with the collapse of Executive Mant's previous regime, I doubt he presents much of a flight risk."

They were well within their legal rights to place [member="Zeradias Mant"] into custody, and yet the man had presented himself to be shackled. That told Deacon either one of two things. Either Mant really was out of touch concerning Galactic City ordinances, or the politician was counting on public appearances to sway the matter. A bold strategy, Coruscant First obviously did not have nearly enough support on Coruscant to gain a controlling interest in the Common Council through legitimate means, so instead their leader had inserted himself into the middle of scandal, gambling he would end up on top.

With a single nod from the Governor in agreement, the handcuffs were removed just as quickly as they were put on.

"This way," Deacon motioned them forward, towards the chamber's anteroom. The Governor fell into step beside Zeradias as they left the capital building, along with Mayor Rupsin who had been liberated from personnel loyal to the Coruscant First movement. Upon their exit, Alliance Guardsmen handed custody over to the Coruscant Guard, who were by now coming around to the notion that the identity of their chief superior was now a matter for debate.

The crowd was massive, as were all crowds in Galactic City, although right away the SIS agent could tell that if Mant had expected overwhelming support, he must be sorely disappointed. His movement was definitely out in full force, which meant the threat of incited violence was clear and present. But by and large the gathering throng seemed more curious than anything else. Intrigue at the heart of Coruscanti politics, it had been so long.

Allowing himself to trail behind, Deacon activated his com implant, "Station One, Kingsfall. I think I'm gonna need some back up on this one. Get ahold of Little Chaser, I'm pretty sure he's already planetside."

[member="Jared Starchaser"] was more of a private contractor than bleeding heart Alliance. An asset the SIS relied on from time to time, as well as a regular consultant for the Galactic Alliance Guard. Plus, he was a Starchaser, a storied name. Jared might be able to provide an outside perspective, and yet Deacon wouldn't have to worry about him acting against the interests of the Alliance. To do so would be to go against family. They could switch off sitting in on Mant's interrogation, while the other worked the Coruscant First angle. To start a group like this, in so short a time, and under their noses, would take logistics and planning. It reeked of silent partners to his cynical brain, possibly even a hostile state.

Both Mant and Hopsin were ushered quickly towards the same tinted Coruscanti police aircab along with the Governor, although explicit instructions were given to treat each charge with respect. Agent Deacon would follow in the rear escort vehicle. Their intended destination was the planetary headquarters of the GA Guard.

[member="Mathieu Bahreiko"] | [member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Linna Beorht"] | [member="Tala Bramsin"] | [member="Ignatius Rausgeber"]​

 

[Zef Halo]

The doors slid open and the security detail along with the governor left the building. Mant in the middle of them. It was clear to everyone that he was being taken away with force. If it wasn't, Arcann would just make it clearer. What speech one of the younger members of Coruscant First had earlier had roused the crowd. Their blood boiled desiring change to their homeworld. With the change of capital from Sullust to Coruscant, an odd coincidence with the same time Coruscant First began its rise, those that were sympathetic to the Coruscant First saw that Mant and Law echoed true.

"Look at them, brothers and sisters. Look at these foreigners claiming our beautiful homeworld. Ripping it apart for their own gains." Arcann's voice boomed and the cacophony from the crowd grew. "The first man that dares to challenge their authority in the name of OUR CORUSCANTI interests - they take away immediately."

Law glared with a cold smirk at the passing security and governmental detail with Mant in between.

The black long coats of the core of the Coruscant First movement began provoking the security detail as they headed towards the aircab. From shoulder shoving to direct pushes and spits, the situation was radically aggravating.

"But we shall fear NO ARMY. No FOREIGNER'S FIST to CHOKE us as THEY WANT to. WE, CORUSCANTI, ARE THE CRADDLE OF CIVILIZATION." Sweat broke on his forehead. "WE shall NOT let THEM take our HOME. WE shall RECLAIM OUR world."

His voice rang through the crowd's heads from the speakers. They were tired. Tired of being under the boot. Tired of foreigners taking their jobs, reaping the benefits that the Coruscanti worked for so hard. Tired of the lower levels.

That tiring feeling over time grew into desperation.

And desperation is one of the strongest drives.

Abruptly, that same desperation, with the support of the longcoats, drove the crowd into taking a violent approach towards the security detail, the governor and the aircabs. Arcann watched from the heights of the stairs as the mob entered into a fight with the security detail, meanwhile others were stomping the aircabs, breaking glass and bending alloy with various objects. Most were unarmed, those that had some sort of 'weapon' were those that found something on the ground or the random baton.

There was no fire but that of the Coruscanti person's soul seeking justice and change.

A fire to reclaim his home.

[member="Deacon"] | [member="Zeradias Mant"] | [member="Mathieu Bahreiko"] | [member="Apolline Wynver"] | [member="Tala Bramsin"] | [member="Ignatius Rausgeber"]​

 

[Jared Starchaser]

He was being deployed for a lot of local system security. It wasn’t that he minded the work. He was part of the Galactic Alliance Guard, now. Something he was used to. He was able to be a bit more forceful than most of his Jedi counterparts. Jared was raised as an Imperial Knight, and was working to see if he fit within the realm of the Jensaarai. For now, he was going to worry about his military career. The Force, always, came second for Jared. Sure, he knew what he was doing with it, but that didn’t matter.

When the call came in from [member="Deacon"], Jared nodded. Time to get to work, he supposed. He had been listening to what was going on but the consultant wasn’t fully up to speed. Still, his aging Imperial Knight Armor was found and he grabbed his lightsaber, and his side arm. His speeder too him to the rendezvous.

Jared was at the landing zone, with the red Knight armor now painted matte black. He looked at the vessels as they landed, waiting to meet with his contact before anything else. He wouldn’t allow his body to shift when he saw the people coming in, the mask assisting with keeping his eyes and expression stoic.

[member="Deacon"]

 

[Mara D'Lessio Merrill]

[member="Jared Starchaser"] [member="Arcann Law"] @Deacon @Zeradias Mant [member="Apolline Wynver"] [member="Ignatius Rausgeber"] [member="Tala Bramsin"] [member="Mathieu Bahreiko"]

For a handful of good and private reasons, Mara kept security contractors on hand when she visited Coruscant. This particular crew wore high-tech faceless uniforms, the same kind ICE's corporate enforcers used. She and the rest of the Foundation Trust had owned ICE not so long ago, and the familiar uniforms and stun batons gave her a sense of possibly-unwarranted comfort.

Right now for example, ten yards away from a serious riot, Mara shouldn't have felt nearly as comfortable as she did.

She'd fought her way across this plaza while liberating the planet from the One Sith. She'd funded its reconstruction. None of that mattered when the protesters had just stamped her Daw Motors limited-edition skyspeeder to the Netherworld and back. Her guards were holding quiet, urgent discussions while forming a loose semicircle around her, putting their backs and hers to the railing. A glance back revealed a long fall, a gleaming Coruscanti sunset, and - far off - the garden tower her fiance owned. She might plausibly survive that fall; her contractors wouldn't.

She began projecting on an empathic level, using the abilities she'd inherited from her Zeltron birth mother. The nearest rioters got, perhaps, a little less vigorous.

 

[Zeradias Mant]

He knew crowds were forming, but he had no idea the unrest was at this level. He was personally opposed to violence, but when it was unavoidable, he'd be sure to capture it to serve his purpose rather than just allow wanton destruction. If there's going to be destruction, it may as well be productive.

Zeradias stepped down the stairs of City Hall, escorted by his Alliance captors. Security forces were hard at work keeping the crowd at bay, the media amongst their front lines. It was highly unlikely word hadn't spread of what had transpired in the Common Council meeting, but Zeradias felt if prevalent to address the matter firsthand. He veered to the side of the stairs to a concentration of cameras.

"Mayor Mant, where are you going?"

"Mayor Mant, why are you cooperating with the Alliance?"

"What's going on right now?", the media bombarded him all at once.

"Evidence of Mayor Rupsin's corruption has surfaced and his treachery confirmed by his willingness to suppress it through lethal force. He has been relieved of office and placed under arrest by the Coruscant Guard, and the Common Council has appointed myself to be Rupsin's successor."

"But he's right there.", one of the reporters responded, pointing to a seemingly free Rupsin descending the staircase.

With a feigned chuckle, Zeradias responded. "It appears the Alliance has a tighter grip on Coruscant than we'd like."

"And where are they taking you?"

"They're not...", Zeradias began to answer, before being forcibly motioned to continue by an Alliance guardsman. Chatter again erupted as the crowd began to roar. They hadn't seen nor heard what Mant had said. All they were left with was the painted image of their lawfully appointed leader being carried away by their iron-fisted overlords.

When he made it to the aircab, the guardsman placed his hand on the back of Mant's head as he guided him into the back of the police craft. Though well-intended and protocol familiar to Mant from his time with the CSF, through the lens of an angry crowd, it looked much worse. Arrested. Taken away by force. Intervention in local politics, and tightening control of their new capital. And there was the catalyst. As his head passed into the vehicle, his eyes made contact with those of his right hand, standing elevated from the rest of the crowd. The party, if only for a short while, was in his hands. Unfortunately for the Alliance, Arcann Law was a little more of a firebrand than Zeradias Mant.

[member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Deacon"] | [member="Jared Starchaser"] | [member="Ignatius Rausgeber"] | [member="Apolline Wynver"]​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Deacon cursed quietly to himself after taking in not only a pre-assembled throng of unfriendly looking natives but a gaggle of reporters upon their exeunt from the Galactic City Common Council chambers. To call them 'reporters' was a bit of a stretch in his mind, more fringe media hacks sprinkled with some conspiracy theorists than anything resembling paragons of journalism from the looks of their credentials. This had all come together far too quickly to be spontaneous, his suspicions mounting that not only had so-called Mayor Mant been planning such a coup for some time, but he possessed support outside Coruscant's traditional political power structure. Possibly even a foreign power.

The SIS agent looked on helplessly as Zeradias predictably made a beeline straight for the nearest holocams. He had advocated for a rooftop extraction via airspeeder, but had been overruled from on high. His superiors hadn't liked the optics of absconding with a planetary official away from public view, they wanted things handled by the book on this one. The longer he was behind a microphone, the more Deacon worried that these radicals would give them something far greater to worry about. Still, he disapproved of the rough measures taken by the provincial Guardsmen to hurry their charge along.

"Governor! Galaxy Beacon, can we get a comment?" more journalists had arrived, these ones from far more reputable operations such as the Beacon and SCNN, and had begun pressing in on them just before the Governor followed Mant and Rupsin into their awaiting speeder, "Is there any truth to the Executive's claims?"

"Deputy Bright, representing the Governor's office," Deacon swooped in on the disappointed cluster of holocams, ripping their attention away from the ascending vehicle, "The Governor will release an official statement at the appropriate time."

"Why is this the first time we're hearing about Mayor Rupsin's alleged corruption? Can you are any details about the investigation?"

"This is the first we're hearing of it ourselves," he answered, relying on all his tradecraft not to show how uncomfortable he was in the spotlight, "Rest assured, both local authorities as well as the Alliance Guard will be coordinating to get to the bottom of these allegations at the Mayor, but we will also be taking a closer look at the meteoric rise of Executive Mant. Given his...colored political history as well as the fact that he stands the most to gain from this rather unusual turn of events."

"Is it Executive Mant or Mayor Mant?"

"As a representative of the Alliance, ultimately that isn't up to me but to the people of Coruscant. That said, as far as I am aware there is no Galactic City ordinance which allows for mayoral appointment by emergency legislative decree. This world learned that lesson a long time ago."

"Did the Mayor really threaten to have Mant killed?"

"That appears to be a matter of debate," glancing past the cameras towards an increasingly unruly mob, Deacon waved away any further questions, "I'm sorry, I really do have to catch this aircab. I promise you will have more details from the Governor as soon as possible."

That could have gone better, he thought after he had climbed into his awaiting ride. It had been a neat trick, he was forced to admit, splicing in the threat upon Zeradias' life. During a brief conversation with the Governor on their way out of the building, Rupsin had adamantly denied making any such statements, visibly shaken by the entire experience. Despite apparent holofilm to the contrary, already several eyewitness accounts had corroborated his side of the story. If it was a splice job, then the footage had been masterfully doctored, and even if they proved otherwise Mant's camp would likely decry such evidence as fake news perpetrated by partisan media.

His speeder rose to meet the Coruscanti traffic, but not before Deacon caught sight of a crowd of hooded rioters kicking relentlessly at the prone form of some innocent bystander. A tourist, most likely, or a suspected GA sympathizer. Shaking his head sadly, the agent reminded himself that such violence was inevitable whenever a population was stirred to action by extremist rhetoric. He could not be sure if the rioters even had anything to do with the Coruscant First movement, but either way the blood was on their hands.

Things would get worse before they got better.

[member="Zeradias Mant"] | [member="Jared Starchaser"] | [member="Mara D'Lessio Merrill"] | [member="Arcann Law"] | [member="Ignatius Rausgeber"] | [member="Apolline Wynver"]​

 

[Coratanni Cartel]

Coruscant - Senate District
Mara Thawne

"How contentious."​

Nikolas remarked as he leaned on the edge of the balcony, watching the flicker of the crowds moving beneath. Mara sat in a small duraplas chair, a drink in front of her and her hood pulled back. Fingers danced over the rim of her glass as she glanced beneath the banister and took in the view. Some of the protestors had started fires, others had toppled speeders, and a few had even smashed their way into storefronts. The rage was nearly palpable, and the spark that had set it all off was lost somewhere north of them.

They had all been surprised by how fast this had developed and devolved, though in the end it hadn't really mattered much. Coruscant was a big place with more people than most would think was possible. The streets were filled, but the reality was that this was just a small portion of the overall population. If the whole of Coruscant was up in arms the entire place would likely be burning by now. Something that most everyone must have been aware of.

"Do we do something?"​

Mara turned her head, glancing at her siblings. "No, little brother."

The young woman leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her drink, unconcerned with dealings of the mob. It was true enough that chaos was bad for business, people running around in the streets didn't tend to go gambling or buy drugs, but Coratanni had no hand in this. Nor did it want any.

"This is politics." She wiggled in her seat a bit, attempting to get more comfortable in the unwieldy duraplas. "We don't concern ourselves with Politics until we're forced to."

That had always been the plan. Coruscant was a planet of constant turmoil. Someone was always trying to kick over another rock, and as annoying as that was, most of the time it could be contained to one sector or another. That meant Coratanni hardly ever had to act since it's dealings here weren't threatened, but if this movement spread further...it could cause profits to fall. The idea wasn't too far-fetched, and contingencies were in place, but for now it was best to simply watch and wait.

Lest the Alliance get the thought that they were somehow involved in this nonsense.

 

[Arahael]

Retconned

 

[Zef Halo]

Arcann observed as the people's fury were unleashed in shouts and thrown fists at Galactic Alliance security. Of course fists could do nothing to the armored men but Law knew how tired and desperate the people of Coruscant were from the tyrannical boot of the Alliance. He would use it to change the Coruscani's ill fate for the better.

For a free Coruscant.

"We see once more, brothers and sisters, how the Alliance tyrants stomp down on OUR wishes for OUR own home. They desire to suffocate us, drain us, suck the blood of our glorious home." He shouted over the mic and his voice exploded through the crowd. "They believe they will grind is to dust. Throw our leader into jail and have their puppets control our homeworld. But that will NOT happen, fellow Coruscani, we will not back down."

Arcann shifted through the crowd at where some random crowd members were handling some other person physically.

"A provocateur, Mr. Law." One of the men explained gesturing at the tackled man. "Alliance scum, I wager."

"Not surprising." The deputy party leader commented before bringing the mic to his face again. "The Alliance will do ANYTHING to stop us, they will go to new lows to oppress, to put the chains over our necks...but we will NOT stand idle no more, we will NOT be subjects to an overlord no more, we will NOT be treated like TRASH on our own HOME."

He watched as the airspeeders left leaving the crowd shouting challenges but slowly dispersing.

"This is just the beginning."


[member="Zeradias Mant"] [member="Deacon"] [member="Apolline Wynver"] @etcsryonphone