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Chapter 73
🕑 Added 2024-09-08 19:11:21 +0000 UTCCoruscant, Coruscant System
Corusca System
“Bode, Barriss, I want you two to keep an eye on PRIESTESS. If Palpatine communicates with Dooku, I want to hear it.”
“Copy that leader.”
“Understood, Master.”
Plotting a scheme to depose the most powerful man in the galaxy was no easy feat, but it was a simple feat. One could make the scheme extraneously complex and opaque, Jedi Master Adi Gallia could attest to, but in this instance she decided the outcome would not be worth the immense effort imputed. Ultimately, the influence of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine now pervaded every facet of Republic governance in some way or form. There would be no concealing the meeting of influential senators, representatives, generals and admirals and other political figures who were willing to stake their bets against Palpatine.
Especially so if the Supreme Chancellor was a Dark Lord of the Sith.
In which case, Adi Gallia determined, she might as well host the council directly under his nose.
The Jedi Master patiently waited as the numerous eminent bodies of the Republic political strata trickled into the room; one of the too many committee chambers housed in the Senate Building. Master Gallia mentally took note of the personages in attendance, and what or who they represented, arranging them in order of importance and necessity. Many of them, Adi Gallia and her network had to contact–clandestinely or otherwise–and convince them to attend the dialogue.
Some took more effort than others. After all, simply showing their faces here was tantamount to putting themselves in the crosshairs of COMPOR and other Loyalist lobbies. Especially should the particulars leak; which Adi Gallia had already accounted for. No doubt some of them were puppets of the Chancellor, standing by the relay every word spoken back to their dark master.
Some took less effort, in other ways. The Palpatine Administration’s popularity had taken a massive hit in the recent months, following numerous Separatist incursions in the Core Worlds. Those who didn’t take much convincing included the main ringleaders of the anti-Palpatine faction still active in the Senate; Mon Mothma of Chandrila, Bail Organa of Alderaan, Bana Breemu of Humbarine. Their attendance greatly bolstered the legitimacy of the dialogue in the eyes of the Senate, the fact that a Jedi Master of the High Council was hosting notwithstanding.
Beyond the Core were the star sectors of the Rims, motivated by an equally vast panoply of reasons. The noble houses of the Senex-Juvex Sectors, chafing against the growing centralisation of power in the Core. Among them were representatives from satellite sectors, led by Senator Tanner Cadaman of the D’Aelgoth Sector. Then there were those motivated by more pacifist ideologies, such as the Ithorians of Ithor, led by Senator Tendau Bendon. Or those who simply stood against the corruption of the Palpatine Administration, such as Senator Lexi Dio of Uyter.
She will be important, Master Gallia made a note. Uyter was one of the most productive agri-worlds in the Mid Rim, especially in recent years as they replaced the thousands of Rimward agri-worlds that seceded to the Confederacy, and their support would be worth their daily export’s weight in beskar.
Then there were the wildcards, who even a Jedi Master like her couldn’t fully read, and yet their support could mean life or death of this budding rebellion. Queen Neeyutnee of Naboo, attending in holographic form. She was a small woman, dressed in the traditional Naboo style, with regal headdress, facepaint, and all. And yet, her royal raiments were simple and modest, at least compared to the downright ostentatious plumages sported by her predecessors. A simple red dress, covered by a sleek black topcoat of Cyrene silk.
It was a striking message, and one representative of her character. By all accounts, Queen Neeyutnee was not Padmé Amidala, and the same arguments that may have worked on the former queen of Naboo would not work on the current one. The current Queen was a wartime monarch, and by all means a rationalist. She did not so much act out of principle as Padmé Amidala may have, as she might weigh the potential gains and losses for the homeworld and the star systems she held overlordship over.
Next, there was Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, who was a consummate pacifist, and leader of the Council of Neutral Systems in fact. Adi Gallia may have already written off her potential support, if not for her willingness to attend in the dialogue. Despite the pacifistic ideologies of the New Mandalorians that she ruled over, the Mandalore Sector remained a sleeping powerhouse in the Outer Rim. Well over a thousand neutral, strategic systems rested in Mandalorian Space, filled with a traditionally warlike people whom not all have converted to the ideology of the New Mandalorians.
Lastly, there was the representative of the Tapani Federation, the Mrlssi Senator Canny Bertar, who needed little introduction. The League of Tapani Freeworlds constituted over a quarter of the Galactic Interior and included an entire Sector Army.
The avian Senator started, her feathers ruffling with impatience, “For the sake of unambiguity, I attend here in the name of the Tapani Federation and her Freeworlds. With the power vested in my body, I listen and speak on behalf of the Octavian Grant and the Tapani Noble Houses.”
The Mrlssi’s eyes shifted, before continuing, “It appears to me that we convene to discuss the numerous trespasses of the Palpatine Administration, and the continuous overreaches of the Executive Body. Am I correct?”
“You are, honoured Senator,” Master Adi Gallia replied kindly, gesturing for the doors to be closed. Jedi Master Plo Koon just about materialised from the shadows to do so, catching the attention of the gathered body.
Not just one Councilmember, but two? A wave of recognition washed through the seated audience. A similar wave washed through Adi Gallia, but one borne from Senator Canny Bertar’s words. How much can be believed; had the Tapani Federation truly vest their interest in their Senator? Would Octavian Grant truly act depending on her conclusion of the dialogue? Adi Gallia allowed the Force to fill in the missing details in her mental image of the situation.
“I am glad we can all agree that something must be done against the overreaches of the current government,” Queen Neeyutnee’s voice was demure as befitting of her stature, and yet compelling enough to bid men listen, “And yet I must question; how much can be trusted of the Core Worlds? The Supreme Chancellor is a canny man, and his staff are equally capable. Even in the Chommel Sector, I hear news of his tightening grip in the wake of that scuffle at Rendili.”
“You are well-informed, Your Highness,” Master Plo Koon said gravelly, “Indeed, the Chancellor’s overreaction may prove to earn him allies in the Core nobility, but it is also a sign of desperation. He realises what we all do; support for his government is waning. His most recent actions are those of a man trying to salvage a terrible situation as much as possible.”
Many nodded in agreement with the Jedi Master’s words, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma in number among them. Following the Battle of Rendili, Honor Salima had been declared ‘Admiral of the Core’ for her victory, and near every one-in-three servicemen in the Home Fleet had been awarded the Republic Medal of Valour–most of them posthumously. No doubt powerful Jedi detractors in the current military administration would have loved to derogate the Open Circle Fleet’s actions during the battle, if not for the fact that doing so would contradict the current narrative being built around the Home Fleet…
And that for some reason, Admiral Honor Salima had praised the Open Circle Fleet and Task Force Hyperion for their conduct and timely assistance during the battle. Well, the Tholothian Master might say ‘for some reason’, but she had a strong suspicion she knew why. Regardless of the reason, few could oppose the awards lavished upon the Home Fleet.
They had destroyed the Perlemian Coalition! The Perlemian Coalition that had obstructed the Republic time and time again since the Battle of Centares. And not just that, but also finally put the nail in the coffins of two most infamous Warlords of the Perlemian, Rain Bonteri and Calli Trilm. If it wasn’t for the fact that Plo Koon and Obi-Wan were Jedii of the Temple, and thus duty-bound to decline any awards, they too would have had medals and ribbons heaped high on their humble robes. The clone forces under their command, however, earned everything from Medals of Valour to Bronze Crescents.
By all accounts, the Battle of Rendili had been a massive victory for the Galactic Republic. The Perlemian Coalition’s leaders were dead, its fleets rendered combat ineffective. The Bulwark Fleet was near annihilated in its entirety, with no more than a dozen ships still operational. The only dark lining in the battle was the escape of the Rendili Home Defence Fleet, which emboldened the Provisional Independent Government to hold out against any Republic repercussions. The damage was limited, however, as the Home Fleet’s ongoing tour of the nearby sectors stamped down on any budding restlessness in the region.
With the fleets recalled from the front now returning to their garrison posts in the Core, the unrest stemming from the prolonged lack of military presence finally began to ease. Unfortunately, the Grand Army of the Republic found itself back at square one when it came to ending the war—but the national crisis had passed, and that brought a collective sigh of relief from just about every faction within the Republic.
Except one–
“Would the death of the Battle Hydra affect our agreements with the Separatists?” Adi Gallia had asked Plo Koon upon his return.
The Kel Dor Jedi had paused upon her worries, “I find it unlikely that he is dead, despite what the HoloNet may claim. Unfortunately, the nature of his being makes it difficult to ascertain anything. Nevertheless, we do not need him. Nor does the Pantoran. He is the right arm of the Separatist military, indeed, but a body does not stop moving just because a limb had been amputated. If his words prove true, then the Raxus and Serenno Governments are diverging at an unmitigated rate. A Separatist civil war is all but inevitable, at which point continued war with the Republic would be undesirable.”
“You believe his death changes nothing?”
“Nothing at all,” Plo Koon confirmed, “The Pantoran will play her part, and we will play ours. Then, we will simply forge a lasting ceasefire between our two factions, so that we may focus on our respective enemies. If we manage to seize the Republic without bloodshed, then the matter will be even simpler; we cement an alliance with the Raxus Government and turn on our true enemy–Count Dooku.”
His argument was sound, Adi Gallia had to admit, but even then it left a bad taste in her mouth to shake hands with a man and stand him in the back right after. Even as a spymaster, she still had some Jedi sensibilities–or rather, the sensibilities of any moral person. Master Plo Koon, however, seemed perfectly capable of compartmentalising which persona to use for the situation. The ‘Jedi Master’ or the ‘General of the Republic.’ Not that Adi Gallia couldn’t empathise. It was the only way to survive a war that stood for everything the Jedi Order was against.
“I concur with the Master Jedi, Your Highness,” Senator Bail Organa outstretched a hand, “Palpatine has too many parties to balance–not all of whom wish to be balanced. After spending his entire term curbing the autonomy and influence of the noble clans, only to double back and honour them as he loses favour with the military and citizenry? It is a precarious balancing act, and after a series of blunders leading into this national crisis; it has left all factions feeling lukewarm to him at best. The support base he boasts now is nowhere as large as the one he started the war with.”
A flutter of metaphorical butterflies took to the air, rampant murmurs like the flapping of their wings. Until now, the Supreme Chancellor’s position seemed bedrock solid, unassailable as a political fortress. Cracks were forming, and for the first time someone has openly pointed it out, that person being Senator Bail Organa no less.
Duchess Satine’s piercing tone cut through the commotion, “I would like to hear from the host herself; Master Jedi, what is the purpose you intend to unify this assemblage with? We may all share your sympathies regarding the Chancellor, but not all of us are unified in ideology or motivation. Rationalists, pacifists, self-interest parties. What is your compromise?”
Adi Gallia found herself nodding along with the Duchess' statement. The three most influential bodies in the audience–Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Bana Breemu–together leaned forward in anticipation. The three of them were a microcosm of her statement, in fact. Mon Mothma of Chandrila was a pacifist, seeking peace between the Republic and Confederacy. Bail Organa of Alderaan was a rationalist, one who supported Palpatine early on in the war, before distancing himself as the Chancellor’s true intentions revealed themselves. Bana Breemu of Humbarine represented the self-interest of her homeworld, whose commercial and industrial value had waned as Palpatine prioritised rival worlds like Kuat.
In fact, every character in the dialogue could be more or less organised into one of those three camps. And now Master Adi Gallia had to unify them under one banner. She shared a glance with her Jedi partner. It’s now or never.
“At this point in the war,” her mouth was as dry as Tatooine, though she did not show it, “We see no other recourse but to force the Supreme Chancellor to stand down and surrender his post, and end this terrible conflict by making a conditional peace with the Confederacy of Independent Systems.”
Duchess Satine’s eyes widened. Perhaps she had expected them to be in favour of continuing the war–and she was not incorrect, to an extent. Adi Gallia and Plo Koon were only in favour of continuing the war to the extent of Dooku’s downfall. In fact, her words had prompted a swell of support from the gathered assemblage–the war had taken its toll, and even the most hawkish character among their number had to admit it may be high time to cut their losses–bar one.
“That is easier said than done,” Senator Lexi Dio cut in severely, “Palpatine’s corruption runs deep. Can we truly say no senator in this room hadn’t made deals with his office that we shouldn’t have? The Executive Body is his, as is the Judiciary Body and all the courts. Half the Legislative Body–the Galactic Senate–is in his pocket. I doubt we will even find enough supporters for a vote to impeach him. The words you speak are large, Master Jedi, but where is the impetus behind them?”
…And that was where the kicker was.
“While we would obviously prefer a bloodless solution,” Adi Gallia saw no reason to mince her words, “We have considered the very real possibility that the Chancellor may refuse to surrender his powers peacefully. Without the courts or the legislation, there would be no legal way to remove him from office.”
“So you would… consider an illegal way?” Senator Bana Breemu raised an eyebrow, “How so?”
“War.” Master Plo Koon’s heavy tone felt like a sack of boulders falling over their heads, emphasised by his breathing apparatus.
War.
“You would have the Republic rip itself apart?” Mon Mothma was aghast, as were many.
“Tell me your honest feelings, Senator,” Master Plo pressed hard, “Should the war end in a Republic victory, with Separatist worlds taken and subdued–do you believe the Supreme Chancellor would surrender his emergency powers?”
“He must!” the Senator from Chandrila protested, though all could tell she was convincing her own self more than them, “He made an oath!”
“And if he does not uphold that oath, Mon?” Bail Organa asked gently, “Would any of us have the power or influence to force him? It is as the Master Jedi said; we wouldn’t have the courts or even the legislative power to do so. Palpatine has the Senate divided. Our caucus would be sizable, but it wouldn’t be enough.”
“At which point,” Adi Gallia hammered down, “Does the Republic cease being a republic, and begin being a dictatorship? From my perspective, it already is. But if you want it to be official, simply wait for the war to end, and I guarantee all of you, the Supreme Chancellor would declare himself on for life. And with the courts, legislation, and even the media–it would be completely legal.”
There was a shaky breath. Adi Gallia reached into the Force, felt the atmosphere, and felt it favourable enough to continue. The perks of being a Jedi are paying off in spades, she thought humorlessly, yet I’m using them to foment a civil war.
“Civil war is a possibility, ladies and gentlemen,” she insisted, “Whether it becomes a necessity depends on the Supreme Chancellor. But in the case it does occur, we must prepare for it. This civil war–it will not be about whether to tear down one man, but about the very survival of the Republic itself. It is about how much democracy is worth to all of you, and whether it is worth shedding blood over.”
It was a difficult decision, matched by similarly difficult expressions. At this point, Adi Gallia might have said something along the lines of ‘sleep on it’, except she needed their answers now. Adi needed to know in no uncertain terms who she could consider her allies and enemies, even more so if Palpatine was listening, as he too would decide who were his enemies from this dialogue. Letting them go to ‘think on it’ would only invite unsurety and further complications.
If they declared their support to the rebellion in this quasi-public setting, then they could be trusted. After all, it meant they had thrown in the bet. There was no taking it back. Similarly, if they didn’t… vice versa. But for that to happen, somebody needed to break the mounting tension and take the first step.
Senator Canny Bertar’s beak clicked, “I have decided.”
Half a hundred heads snapped to who may be the most powerful person in the room, representing a quarter of the Core Worlds.
“Should this hypothetical civil war occur,” the Mrlssi said slowly, “The Tapani Federation and her Freeworlds would be willing to offer military access through Tapani space. However, we will not pledge our fleets to the fight. As we speak, we war with the Tombmaker on the Rimma Trade Route. We can afford nothing to fight a second front.”
“But you will not attack our fleets in Tapani territories?” Plo Koon questioned.
“We will not,” Canny Bertar confirmed, “We will, however, attack any Executive fleets that trespass into Tapani space. That is the most we can pledge.”
The most you can pledge? Adi Gallia had not the mind for warfare, and thus prodded her partner for his decision. Master Plo Koon urged her to accept. This is nearly everything we can hope for, she suddenly found herself thinking, a quarter of the Galactic Interior off-limits to anything Palpatine can muster.
As for the political implications, Adi Gallia realised the Tapani were simply taking up the age-old practice of fence-sitting until a victor became apparent. By offering military access to one side and not the other, however, they were clearly declaring to the galaxy which side they favoured. And that was enough for Adi Gallia. Because that was tantamount to support. And when a quarter of the Core Worlds supported a cause, the rest tended to follow suit.
“The Council of Neutral Systems supports this cause,” Duchess Satine was next, “Though I personally oppose conflict, I will allow the signatories of the Neutral Systems to pledge their fleets at their own discretion. Similarly to the Tapani, the Mandalore Sector would give Jedi fleets full access as well.”
Before anybody else could pledge their support however, Queen Neeyutnee of Naboo hampered the growing momentum with a sharp– “Let us not be hasty. We speak of deposing the current Supreme Chancellor, but what of the post-war galaxy? Peace with the Separatists? Would they even be open to a conditional peace? After everything they’ve done?”
“They would,” that, Adi Gallia spoke with so much confidence the Queen of Naboo was taken aback.
“Truly?” Mon Mothma stood up, “How can you be certain?”
“My spies tell me a schism is brewing in the Separatist State,” she informed the assemblage, “Count Dooku and General Tann are currently locked in a power struggle over control of the Confederacy. Dooku is an idealist, as you may all know, and peace with him would prove difficult. General Tann, however, is a rationalist, and only seeks a favourable outcome for the Separatist State, which would be–”
“It’s existence as an independent polity,” Bana Breemu finished, “In which case the cards would be in our hands.”
“My thoughts exactly, Senator.”
Queen Neeyutnee tapped her fingers against her throne, before finally rising to her full–short–height. Her youthful age was apparent for all to see, then, and it was admirable how such a young lady had held herself against politicians twice and thrice her age.
“In this case,” the Queen smoothened her robes, “I pledge Naboo and the Chommel Sector’s full support to this cause, along with all of her fleets and armies. The institution of democracy in the Republic is a sacred thing, one held for twenty-five millennia. I would not let it end because of a single power-hungry brute. I am ashamed to call him my countryman, and thus in my capacity as Queen of the Naboo, I hereby disavow Sheev Palpatine, and banish him from Naboo.”
The dam had been broken, and soon the tide of support and withdrawals started making themselves known. Uyter, Ithor, Taris and Feenix all pledged their support, as did Ikotchon, Allanteen-VI, and Hosnian Prime. At the same time, the delegates from Alsakan, Fedalle, and Commenor quietly left the premises, unwilling to openly air their disagreements in a chamber so heavily favoured to one side.
“Humbarine would be willing to pledge her fleets,” Senator Bana Breemu spoke over the commotion, “If not for that the Chancellor’s military reforms had seen them subsumed into the Sector Armadas. Our defence is left entirely at the mercy of the GAR.”
“I agree with the Senator from Humbarine,” Bail Organa clenched his fists gravely, “Many of the Core Worlds are no longer garrisoned by their own fleets, and instead those attached to us by the Republic Navy. I fear this is as Palpatine had planned for; we simply have no ships to offer.”
“I beg to differ,” Master Plo told them, “You have ships–they are simply spread across the Sector Armadas.”
Adi Gallia hastily followed up, “As the face of the Jedi Temple, and on behalf of the Order, I will publicly demand that the Supreme Chancellor surrender his emergency powers and vacate his office for a new election to take place. I will air all of his corruption and his treason, including the communiques he had with the Separatists in order to further his own profit from the war.”
She tactically paused, studying the various expressions at the outrageous claim that the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic of all people was communicating with the Separatists for his own gain, “It is following this declaration that I hope all of you will make your own announcements. Declare to the Republic and to the galaxy. You are all popular leaders of your homeworlds and sectors; it is why you are present in this dialogue. Decry the dictator; urge your countrymen to protect the Republic and its values.”
“Chancellor Palpatine would see uprisings across the Republic,” Plo Koon finished, “Mutinies in every Sector Army would arise. Octavian Grant would declare his neutrality, setting a precedent. The Second Sector Army is commanded by Jedi, and will support the cause. The Governor-Generals would realise which way the winds are blowing, and either sit out of the conflict or pick a side. Thousands more worlds not represented here today will flock to the cause.”
“It is my most solemn hope,” Adi Gallia said truthfully, as she met every attending member in the eyes, “That the Supreme Chancellor will realise that should he decide to fight this war; there will be nothing left of the Republic for him to rule over. And he would stand down.”
“...Do you think,” Queen Neeyutnee asked softly, though in the silence every syllabus struck like a drumbeat, “That Sheev Palpatine is that kind of man?”
No. I think he’ll get news of this meeting and panic, and communicate with Dooku to somehow turn the situation to his advantage. There will be the nail in his coffin. Rampant corruption is one thing; definite proof of the most grievous of high treason is an entirely different beast. There would not be a soul in the Republic who would support him then.
“I pray that he is.”
Comments
KnightofTempest
Well, the stuff for the Clone Wars Era Mandos didn't come from Traviss, it came from Dark Horse Comics. The same guys who brought us stuff like that Battle of Jabiim made a storyarc where a Defective Clone wound up awakening some of Jango's Memories and founded the Mandalorian Protectors. They fought for the CIS, and wound up on the losing side
elsicava
fair point. in truth, i haven't read a single one of Traviss' Mandalorian novels (i grew up with TCW), or any Mandalorian novel at that, so i don't know a single thing about the pre-TCW Mandalorians. Same thing with the Vong or whatever. I haven't touched a single NJO novel so I literally don't know what everyone is talking about. Other than whatevers on the wiki that is.
KnightofTempest
I mean, you've used stuff from elsewhere that got retconned by TCW, like Sev'rance Tann, so I was sort of hoping you wouldn't use the retcon.
Marcin
Wait... come to think off. What happened with the minefield ????
elsicava
You say that ("TCW Mandalore Retcon") as if SD isn't a TCW fanfic. It's a TCW fanfic--there have been several discussions and even threadmarks on this topic on SB. This isn't even the first time Duchess Satine or Neutral Council is mentioned in-story.
TyrTheFallen
I believe he did so after he died with the Empire in the Battle of Jakku.
Mrsean22
Well if Plo can rule lawyer the terms so can Rain. Very conveniently didn't tell the Jedi about Order 66. Though I Imagine this was part of Rains plan to make sure things were pretty even between the Jedi and Palpatine.
The Stars Align
Yes, but in a moment of delicious irony, a radical Jedi faction is actually attempting a coup against the elected chancellor. This is the case it was legitimately for. And it while it would cripple the immediate war potential, it would win the republic civil civil? War. If he gets dooku to start a separatist civil war at the same time, and then ally with him, we could look at a very weird galactic war
Brend
Plus, Palps is in control of the Media.
Basil Harpham
Wars make people get shit done as do depressions.
StarBat
.... oh god Order 66 is still in play.
FuschiaKnight
Also, did Corellia and some of the other sectors described previously, like Caamas, also end up declaring for this plan?
Hailhound
I love how the two factions are almost splitting and recombining
Hailhound
I know as Star Wars fans we want the “good” guys to be friends, but that’s not the reality. And that’s part of what makes this story amazing. There is a clearly visible war, but each side has its own internal war and is allied with a faction of its nominally opposite side. People are complex, politics is complex, and both sides must take actions they don’t exactly like to further what they believe is best.
elsicava
That's a good point. Sometimes I mix them up. I'll review my previous chapters to keep it consistent. Thanks.
Hailhound
I don’t at all see Plo as having backstabbed Rain. They had a temporary truce for a moment, and after it a working relationship. But they still both were officers in opposing militaries, and when they both showed up at the same battlefield did you expect them to just not fire upon each other? Their accord was/is secret (note that Adi didn’t mention that they knew the separatists would accept piece because she had met with a high up leader) and they had to fire upon each other to keep that secret. It was regrettable for both (Adi mentions that in this chapter) but she felt no regret. It would have been one thing if Plo had after the meeting decided to singleminded hunt rain down, but he didn’t,
FuschiaKnight
I want to ask, given the previous depictions of Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, might it not be more accurate to switch which one is the rationalist and which one is the pacifist? Bail for example was in favour of Republic worlds just responding to the Arrowhead Raids by raising shields and turtling, while Mon Mothma was described more explicitly as a member of the loyalist committee; or is it perhaps the case that those positions are also downstream of their respective stances? Also, I was wondering, given that Corellia and Caamas were mentioned in the previous chapter discussing this, were they present here and willing to pick a side? Caamas has a reputation akin to Satine but stronger, and more established as respectable, and Corellia is, along with the Tapani, arguably the hegemon of the Southern Core. Given the stated concerns of executive overreach, the Corellian sector and Garm bel Iblis should be natural allies, though perhaps the Corellian delegation is off planet ever since invoking Contemplanys Hermi.
FuschiaKnight
Oh Plo Koon and the other commanders at Rendili, and even the people privy to the casualty lists are probably well aware; but the navy and the executive are disinclined to contradict the narrative of glorious victory, given they desperately need to claim a W, and the Jedi have other concerns.
Apotheosis
You know, I do believe Palpatine to be the sort of person to prefer the republic burned to the ground then outside his control
PearsMan
I wonder how the force will come into play to balance things out, bad winning before good does it’s like poetry in Star Wars it happens time n time again.
Marcin
Huh... everyone seems to forget the fact the Coalition forces gave lumps as much as they taken. Not to mention they achived victory, they recovered the new warships and secured further production. Counting the Hydra and Calli out is a wishful thinking :D
Cade
Excellent chapter, thank you! I do hope that Rain and Plo Koon meet again on the battlefield, only this time Rain actually defeats Plo, his little backstabbing trick, though understandable, has left me wanting Rain to finally cement a real victory over Plo now, one that the galaxy can actually bear witness to. Anyways, can’t wait for the next chapter - thank you!
Jackson Andrews
honestly, i think it fits more here in this version then it does in that one.
KnightofTempest
And you using the bad TCW Mandalore Retcon lost me. Seriously, it was stupid then and Filoni knew it, he's since publically apologized for it.
nugitoBambino
Thanks for the chapter! Excellent as always. Also impressed that Satine was written so reasonably. She's usually one of my least-liked characters in canon and fanon. Ya know, because she's like the definition of cultural appropriation.
Asharzal
Like I imagined Rain as some kind of farmer with Calli being the dominant housewife, giving him a lecture while carrying a babe in her arms.
Ника Ви
Thanks for the chapter!
Kana
nice chapter, thanks
BigBillyWilly
The wholesome ending. My headcanon ending.
BigBillyWilly
I imagine the conversation between Sidious and Dooku going something like this, "Darth Tyrannus, the plan is failing! Where are you? Why are you not answering my communications!?" "Believe it or not, Dooku isn't at home, please leave a message at the beep! I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone, WHERE. COULD. I. BE!? Believe it or not, I'm not home!" Seriously though, nice update and looking forward to more!
InsertNameHere
I think the fact that the separatists are now in a much stronger position then in the movies means that order 66 would basically hand the separatists the win due to all the chaos that would occur in the republic. Not to mention anakin hasn't joined the darkside so the clone troopers would have a much harder time storming the jedi temple
Mrsean22
Well looks like Admiral Honor survived her ship destruction. Palpatine is making sure Admiral Honor supports him. Which makes sense seeing cracks are appearing. Pretty interesting that Plo doesn't believe Rain is dead. Has seen Rain pull some crazy things before. So him escaping isn't a crazy theory. Even if Rain was dead Tann would go through with the deal because wants to focus on Dooku. And here we go. The makings of the Republic civil war is here. Some obviously are worried about a civil war but others are seeing the writing on the wall with Palpatine becoming a dictator legally. So they have to either make a stand now while they have the chance or risk not doing anything and Palpatine not giving up his power at his strongest. Jedi are banking on Palpatine getting in touch with Dooku. If it works Civil War would happen but be more Even. Palpatine probably still got a few cards up hus sleeve even if he's revealed.
Asharzal
You know I had this funny thought about Rain, Calli and a bunch of their followers being stranded on a far off, isolated primitive world and having to make do. And when a decade or so later someone finds them expecting two warlords hungering for revenge, they are instead just a married couple living a simple but quiet life, already having a kid or three.
Straven
Well worth any wait. Ty for the delightful read.
Trasen56
I guess we remain in suspense if Calli is truly dead. Hopefully not, but it doesn't seem hopeful
Duke of Coffee
"Execute Order 66."
Duke of Coffee
The Republic civil war seeds start to sprout. Can't wait for Palpatine panic screaming.
Duke of Coffee
What happened to Calli Trilm and the rest is in the next chapter? 😀
Dav
Thank you, your story is one of the few things I actually look forward to each week.
Docnox
What would be fantasticly in character and politically sound, the Seps under tann fully voicing support of this movement and pledging to pull back into a cease fire while while the matter is voiced in the republic senate
The Stars Align
This is great. It’s just so beautiful to see the Sith conspiracy going sideways, Dominos falling. Really looking forward to palpatines counterplay. Sideous is no slouch, and has a few cards left to play. Important: Did rain warn his treacherous Jedi „Amigos“ of order 66?
Kevin Neely
Commander Cody, the time has come.
NyaaMe0w
Anikin will have to make a choice between his old friend Palpatine in the senate or his colleages in the jedi order and also his wife. Looks like Palps will loose a future apprentice.
twentytoo
in today political climate its hard to believe something like this would move so fast. if this was the real world someone was screaming "fake new", or trans-vestigating the jedis . even with all this "Proof" there would be a bunch of corrupted judges giving him a million pardons and justifications. LOL
axel jensen
all parties are not just fanning the flames at this point, they might as well be dumping barrels of napalm into the fire, this can only end in a very spectacular explosion, now just need to see who doug a fire trench and who didn't.
Aaron V.
TFTC. My only key worry right now is that Palpatine in legends has a notable amount of hidden fleets and currently is in possession of the Shadow Blade. I'm looking forward to the next chapters.
Trailblazer
And the first action of the Republic Civil War has begun! After almost 7 months of waiting, the Civil Wars arc has arrived.
Nathan Ganesan
It's getting fuckin spicy.
Man-O'-War
This chapter was excellent and I can’t wait for the “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” from rain
elsicava
Sorry about the super late chapter. Thanks for reading this week's installment.
