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PRELUDE

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<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Coruscant<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



A dark figure stood on an enclosed observation deck, overlooking the many buildings that littered the landscape. Twilight was falling and shadows seemed to dance across their sides. The illumination of transports, large and small, created strings of light throughout the open spaces, as if linking each building together.


Behind him, on a rather large panel a face appeared.


A recording.


The man's voice was rather gruff, as if a commoner's and yet, laced with power; with strength.


The man was accustomed to being heard.


The setting was dignitarian, as aliens of every sort mingled about. The figure's carefully trained ear picked up on several conversations, most meaningless...not meant to be captured for posterity.


All.. but one.


A simple phrase in a captured piece of conversation but one that spoke volumes.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "Coruscant is dying.."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



The jewel of the old Republic and Imperial Center of the Empire, the planetary city seemed to fall on hard times.


The costs incurred in maintaining such a world was considerable since it served no purpose in this "New" Republic other than to house a cadre of soldiers and a few shipyards..


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Fodder<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, the man thought, hands clasped behind his back.


The man on the screen, paused before words were uttered.


The double doors of the room, opened with a slight hiss and another person walked in. By the loud click of his shoes, by the sharp exhales of breath, by the slam of a datapad on a conference table in the middle of the room, the figure new the newcomer was angry. Very angry.


The man turned to face the visitor, his gaze steady and his voice calm, he said, "Have a seat Senator."


"I'd rather not!" the man tersly replied, his fists curled into balls. "Who ARE you?"


The figure smiled enigmatically. "A concerned citizen."


He walked over to the table and flicked a switch, the man on screen began to speak.


A speech that took place on Corellia.


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">"Greetings, beings of the galaxy.

I almost do not know how to begin. The news I bring today is the most terrible I have ever had to bear. But it is something no one is safe from... not any more.

The people of the galaxy know me as Gash- a name I took as a Sith. This dilutes your trust for me. As does Xylon Hexyra's similar history as a Sith. But I am not a diplomat, and this is not a diplomatic address; I have nothing to hide.

A battle has begun; a battle I fear will become a war. A battle I know will become a war; it is something I cannot stop. The Force cannot stop it; not even an Eclipse Star Destroyer can stop it. Not the might of the New Republic, nor that of the Empire, can stop it..</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


"Truth," the figure said, pausing the speech. "A war is coming. But the players are determined by the leaders." He turned to the Senator, his gaze piercing. "Tell me, Senator. Who are the players in this war that this great leader speaks?"


"Empire and Republic" the Senator said, his anger cooling as the question bounced around in his head.



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Give the good Senator a mental exercise. Give him bits of the whole and allow him to arrive at a conclusion on his own..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"The Battle of Dantooine was quite a few months ago, Senator. You would do well to ask our Fleet Commander where this war with the Empire is?" The man chuckled slightly, "If the Empire was going to strike in response to escalate these.. hostilities, don't you think they would have by now?"



"You make a good point. Imperial arrogance would have compelled them to act by now, IF they were."



"If this leader's insight," the figure made the word sound like an obscenity, "is not based on common sense and experience. What is it based on?"


"Well..." the Senator started but the figure continued to play the recording.


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">"..and I fear that this catastrophic conflict which is to come has been long prophecised.</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


"And there you have it, Senator. What Republican policies have been shaped by, what Republican boys have died for," the figure's eyes turned sad, "What the Republic suffers for.
A occult obscessed fanatic emersed in the borish writings of ancient times. He allows denizens of centuries past dictate the future of the Republic."


The Senator's cheeks stung, "Surely, Xylon Hexyra wouldn't..."


"Of course, Senator." the figure smiled, cynically..but lapsed into silence.


The voice of Searthen "Gash" Jiren was heard throughout the room.

<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">It has begun already, with a battle over the Imperial world Dantooine. There are no winners in war, and this battle was no exception."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dantooine. The Empire's greatest tragedy...the Empire's greatest triumph.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">But matters which cannot be avoided are coming to a head. The New Order and the New Republic are at odd's end. We have been fighting under different names and leadership for nearly a hundred years... as many of you know, that battle at Dantooine was provoked by the Imperial assaults on the worlds of our allies, the New Alliance. Our response was intended as a distraction for the New Order forces, to draw them away from the civilian-filled T.N.A. worlds. It worked... but the cost..."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->



"As if the targets of the Republic did not contain civilians as well...A cost indeed, fearless leader." the figure hissed out pausing the speech once more. His eyes turned to the Senator and he fired out, "Do you want to know what really happened, Senator? What this 'Battle of Dantooine' cost us?"


The Senator's eyes were tired with the rage he'd been holding in and the figure began to augment that rage with his next words.


"It took me a long time to sort out.. unanswered questions, incomplete reasons. But eventually the truth does come out."

The figure began to turn back to the massive plexiglass windows as he stared upward, toward the stars that became visible in the growing darkness.


"Our leader makes no reference to The Rogue Empire. No reference to Chaddwick Fearsons. In all this time, who was Fearson's greatest enemy?"


"The Alliance.." the Senator whispered.


"The Alliance Wars, as this Emperor calls them, were many. How many reports came across your desk detailing the destruction, the cost, the rerouted trade lanes because of the constant war between these two?"


The figure stretched out his hand toward the monitor.


"Did our fearless leader mention anything of Fearsons? Did he mention how The Rogue Empire orchestrated these attacks on 'civilian controlled TNA worlds'? Did he mention how The Rogue Empire then switched sides and allied himself with the Republic against the Empire furthering our war efforts, our war sacrifices? Did Jiren fail to mention how, after Dantooine, this 'emperor' CONTINUED HIS ATTACKS AGAINST THE ALLIANCE!! WHERE WAS THE REPUBLICAN INDIGNATION THEN? WHERE WAS THEIR SUPPORT OF THEIR ALLIES THEN?"

The Senator, suddenly weak, sat down, his hands running through his hair as he desperately tried to think.

"The attack on Dantooine, the signal of this so-called 'war', was indeed a distraction. A distraction to the New Republic as our ally got picked to pieces. Perhaps Corellia was just too tired of conflict."


The figure sighed his voice nearly breaking, "Where was the support?"


And then the figure turned sardonic.

"Perhaps 'Master Jiren' forgot to read that part of his prophecy. Or, perhaps, that piece hasn't been found yet. Maybe an alien bug erased the life saving words on the ancient stone it must have been carved on."

The figure turned somber, "You would think, Senator... You would think, that with as much military might we boast of, with as much military might that Gash Jiren and Lord Hexyra command at whim, we would have been able to protect the dying embers of the Alliance. Joren Logen tried to salvage what he could by dissolving the government and fully integrating the Alliance into the Republic."


"That's right!" the Senator cried out. "I was one who signed the petition for the merging. It was our finest hour! WE were truly a republic then!"


"Were we? I wonder, Senator. I truly wonder." The figure sighed as his eyes left the stars. "Tell me, what Alliance worlds enjoy the protection of our great Republic? The warmth of her wings?"


The Senator opened his mouth to recite that portion of the Republic charter.."Kessel, Stassia, Sernpidal, Selonia, Wayland.." he started.


"Ah, Senator. But what of Obroa-Skai? What of Myrkr? What of Admiral Logan's capital and home, Almania? Even our Fleet Admiral Logan's homeworld could not be saved."


"But.. shortly thereafter, Mon Calamari was liberated from under the The Rogue Empire." the Senator fired back and the figure smiled.


"Yes. Almost too coincidental wasn't it? The Republic does nothing and allows three worlds of the Alliance to fall under Fearson's attack while, shortly thereafter Mon Calamari joins the ranks of the 'privileged'."


The figure smiled bitterly, "One wonders if the Calamari truly know that their precious freedom in this 'Republic' was bartered, nay bought by the blood of three worlds. One truly wonders how they would react."


"NO!" the Senator's voice found force. "That.. that is not what happened. It couldn't have happened like that!"


The figure paused. "Then what do you say to those Alliance worlds who see their brother and sister worlds enjoying the freedom of the Republic while they toil under the control of their enemy? What do you tell their children when the parents whisper in their ears that someday, the New Republic will come and rescue them. What do you say, Senator?"

The figure raised an eyebrow and he moved closer, "Can the Republic afford the expense of such a liberation?"


The Senator then remembered his anger. "No.." he whispered.


"Leia Organa Solo did not approve your bill did she?"


"No.." the Senator from Coruscant whispered, his voice nearly breaking.


"Her unilateral exercise of her powers as Chief of State put the funds, those necessary funds you were asking for into something else?"


"I.. I wasn't asking for much. Coruscant is dependant on the outside! We could afford the infrastructure when we were the capital of the galaxy, under the Old Republic and then as the Imperial Center. But now? What is Coruscant?"


"A vacation spot for Corellian dignitaries. An attraction to historical societies. How many petty powers have taken her? From Repubican to Imperial, Sith to anarchy.. and she's survived them all...only to ossify?"


"Exactly!" the Senator cried, "We have real needs! We have real problems! This planet was designed to be supported by others. THAT was Republican thinking! We've been nothing to the galaxy for so long that our reserves have finally run dry."


"Do you know how much it would cost the republic to heat, feed, and simply to carry out the excess wastes of Coruscant?" the figure shot back.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The dear Senator is replaying his speech in his mind.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Of course it's expensive! But it wasn't like I was asking for a lump sum credit voucher! FRELL!"


"So what did she..they ...spend the money on?" the figure asked, suddenly interested.


And the Senator turned dark, his eyes becoming intense. "I wondered that too. I wondered what was more important that children dying in Republic streets...starving or going blind in the absence of light."


"And?" the figure prodded.


"Classified." the Senator replied, barking out a harsh laugh. "They wouldn't tell me! ME.. why MY children in the lower districts were not to have running water!"


"Classified.." the figure whispered to himself.


"Oh...but I found out.." the Senator suddenly said, smiling.


The figure flipped a switch and the speach continued, interupting whatever the Senator might have said next.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Draw him out... let his impatience bubble..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">"The coming war is one which will span the galaxy. No being can avoid it; the theatres of war will not just be the endless abyss of space, but your planets, your streets, and your homes. The New Order and New Republic are not just singular entities, but mammoth powers made by the alliances they wield. I...

I will speak no more ill of my enemies. They can be as respected as I; while their allies, the Sith, are the wielders of powers I cannot condone, the Empire earnestly fights for their beliefs. But their beliefs are ones I do not share, and their oppression is not one I will allow to be forced upon me. So I cannot promise you, the beings of the galaxy, anything- that our fight will be easy, that victory will be ensured."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->



"And how much will this make believe war cost, Master Jiren?" the figure asked of the recording. "How much will these prophecies have us sacrifice this time?.. these mysterious writings that only you can interpret? That only you can find?"


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">"But I can assure you this. If the Empire gains victory in this battle, the battle it started, then another age of fear and darkness will be set upon the galaxy. My battle is not with any being in this galaxy who does not belong to the Empire itself; I have no desires for conquest. The Empire stands against freedom, galactic friendship. Their claim of a desire for peace and a united galaxy is true, but a peace on their terms; a peace which comes of the people of the galaxy enslaved under their flag. Even ancient human scriptural writings warn of the error of this... peace under one flag is not peace. Absolute power only brings oppression.

People of the galaxy, I call on you... the New Republic does not ask for you to indulge in violence. We do not even ask your assisstance. Our quarrel is not with you. But do not stand up to be counted with the Empire- for our quarrel is with them.

Factions of the galaxy, I call on you.... you have a choice to make. A choice different from the beings of our galaxy. In the end, the war will come to you, even if you do not go to it- and you must choose. I cannot ask you to commit forces; but when the Empire comes, do not give in to their intimidation. You are not alone; the New Republic defends all those who stand up for justice and freedom."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


"Except, of course, if our enemy has a more desirable planet than yours. We might then barter your souls. But it's ok... It was prophesied a million years ago.." the figure started to laugh.


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">"I cannot promise you anything more than that. You who rejoiced with the fall of the Empire must now fight to keep the freedom you earned. I will not threaten those who do not assisst us, and I will not persecute them: I only warn them, warn them that the Empire brings only good will for itself.

"I do not know how this will end. But it has begun. And it is will continue. How it ends, only you can decide."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


"So prophecy is worthless after all.." the Senator whispered the words the figure wanted to hear.



The figure pulled out a chair opposite the Senator and sat down. Looking at the man cling desperately to some form of sanity, he asked gently, "What was the money spent on?"


The Senator drew a hand into his clothing and pulled out a datapad. "Since Coruscant's induction into the Republic once more, I have managed to make quite of connections within many 'places'. And even those connections proved fruitless. Whatever is happening here, it is classified at the highest levels. The Senate is blocked out! The Senate!"


"Checks and balances be damned?" the figure mused.


"I wanted to know why I was being denied. I had to know, why Leia Organa Solo overrode my bill. It was rehersed. It was expected to pass! I had lobbied the necessary support! And then, Wham! Out of the blue, the Chief of Staff sits up, opens her mouth, and weeks of work totally vanish. You best be damned I am going to get my answers!"


"And?" the figure asked, reaching for the pad.


"The only fruit of my labors I have to show for my work, my efforts, is one word."


"One word?"


"Yes."


"My curiosity is eating me up, Senator. That one word?"


"Chiss"


The datepad scrolled down and some sort of device appeared.


"It looks big." the figure muttered, "What is it? A weapon?"


"No...It..." The Senator seemed to hesitate, as if not knowing which was worse, the shame or the embarrassment.


"..it melts ice."


"Melts ice?" the figure responded, an eyebrow raising. "For the Chiss?" he pointed to the datapad, "Where is it located?"


"I was not able to find out." The Senator's eyes then widened slightly, as if remembering something. "There is a rumor I heard that Mr. Jiren has Chiss blood."


"That too?" the figure responded, chuckling. "I am sure if you give him enough time, he will find kinship with most every creature in this galaxy."


The figure stared at the Senator for a moment, in contemplation. "So, your funding for Coruscant's care was diverted for an ice melter?"


"I was assured that funds would be readily available in the next quarter."


"How many will have died by then?"


The Senator's eyes burned at the thought. "Too many." He took on a rather intense look, "Whatever is going on, whatever this classified project is, it is taxing the Republic. Not only Coruscant feels it."


"Money's being diverted?"


"Not just that.. resources too. And the weird thing is that strange materials have been cropping up in various shipbuilding locations. Metals we've never seen before.. Shipments with no origin points listed. It's very strange."



The figure paused a moment, and then switched off the recording. Jiren's face disappeared.


"Enough of my eccentricities, Senator. Enough of my theatrics. I supported your election through honest though anonymous means because I believe that you have the Republic's best interests at heart. I believe that, with the right information, you could do great things in the fight for our citizens. I will get you the money you need because, quite frankly, you need it more than ice melters."


The Senator's eyes widened at the offer but then narrowed. "In exchange for what?"


"Exchange?" the figure mimicked as if astonished such a thing were even thinkable. "I want nothing from you!" he said vehemently.


"You have need of the funds. The need is legitimate. I have the funds. What more be said?"


"But.." the Senator started, looking at the screen where the recording once played.


"I love the Republic, Senator. I want to see it succeed. And from my obscure vantage point, I can observe it objectively to ensure that success. Because that dream can be so easily corrupted..so very easily. Look at the Old Republic. We cannot afford to walk around blind again. We must be sharp. We must be vigilant. We must learn to unmask that which would tear the Republic apart."


The figure leaned forward. "Senator. Without that insight, we are all doomed."



Suddenly, the man rose to leave, the Senator rising with him. "The funds will be made available when you need them, though not in the usual manner. You will be contacted with details."


"I do thank you..? I never did get your name."


"Anonymity is preferred Senator. In due time.." The figure took one more whistful look at the dark Coruscant sky and then started to move toward the door.

"Before I go, however, I would like to leave you with one question..."


He walked back over to the table's edge and entered a series of codes. Gash Jiren's face appeared once more.


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">"The people of the galaxy know me as Gash- a name I took as a Sith. This dilutes your trust for me. As does Xylon Hexyra's similar history as a Sith. But I am not a diplomat, and this is not a diplomatic address;</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


"Do you believe he is no diplomat? Do you believe he is no politician? After so sucessfully maneuvering the Republic?"
The figure laughed. "But to my real question..."



<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="green">a name I took as a Sith...


This dilutes your trust for me....


As does Hexyra's similar history as a Sith...


dilutes your trust...


I took as a Sith...


as a Sith..


a Sith..


I have nothing to hide....


I have nothing to hide....


I have nothing to hide....</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->



The figure smiled sadly. "Tell me, Senator, who truly controls the Republic?"


And with that, he left the Senator to stare at the frozen image of New Republic's Fleet Admiral and Leader of Rogue Jedi Order.


The door closed behind the figure leaving Coruscant's darkness, the only companion for the Senator's thoughts.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> It's almost too easy..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

OOC: Well, use my name, use my planet, get my involvement--like it or not.

A three-dimensional hologram of the world, Csilla, floated in midair before that very same Gash Jiren. Sections of the world were highlighted in a mild blue, denoting those still within the frozen encasing of an ice age. Slowly, that blue was being eroded...

But there was another color upon the display, one which brought a good deal more hope; an orange tint, sparse, but spreading. Where the Chiss were living on Csilla for the first time in nearly fifty years.

Something which made the entire project quite worthwhile. Gash's voice spoke through the darkness which served to make the hologram clearer, his accent sounding quite Imperial--a voice which given Gash's now infamous history as a Rogue Jedi, didn't quite fit the face.

"As you can see, the project is continuing quite on schedule." Gash glanced around at the gathered Joint Chiefs of Staff, a congregation of the greatest military and semi-military leaders in the Republic. "Even, a little ahead of schedule."

'And the diversion of funds will continue how much longer?' One of the men asked, General Quasarr. 'I could use them in my defense of the outer rim.'

"Only two Coruscant months and a day to go, General. I will redirect an RJO Torpedo Sphere or two your way in the meantime."

'Thank you, Admiral.'

"If there are no other questions, we ought to call this meeting ajourned--it's late, and I promised my nephew to cook something Asthentian for him." Gash said with a slight smile.

One that faded when a voice--from the back of the room, not at the table--spoke. The voice of a familiar Senator... one not invited to this meeting. 'And what of the funds you've diverted to this project without our consent? What do we care for Csilla--what do we care for a species few of us have even met?'

Gash frowned. "Was the promise of the Republic not to help those in need? We are giving these people their homeworld back--do you need a reason to do that?"

'Yes, I do.'

"The cost was paid 50% with Rogue Jedi funds which I garnered from the war coffers of the CSA, and 50% with those of the Republic--funds we could easily spare. To compensate, taxes were raised one percent."

'Without the consent of the people--'

"Is this a democracy or a Republic, Senator?!" Gash said, his voice booming through the chamber. "There have been few protests. If you'll remember, the Senate chose to trust me, on this matter, as I have seldom led you wrongly in the past."

'Trade has also gone down 2% in accordance with the tax raise. Everything is effected by your negligence.'

"My negligence? I am the one fighting to ensure that a billion families will have their homes back, and you are accusing me of negligence? Someone has been reading Imperial propaganda."

As Gash spoke those last two words, a confusing feeling rolled off the Senator... an odd feeling. 'Don't play your word games with me. The Republic deserves to know where their funds are going.'

Gash shrugged marginally. "So be it. We'll address the senate about our endeavour and our results, and the news should spread to every corner of the galaxy."

'Sir?' Spoke up one of the Vice-Admirals. 'Wouldn't that compromise Csilla's delicate security?'

"It's not as if we'll be handing out location codes for Csilla and Vyrnaliq. Just because I tell you we're helping to save Csilla doesn't mean you'll know where Csilla is... but we'll present some kind of proof to the people. Allow one member from three prominent Coruscant news agencies to travel to Csilla--without seeing the co-ordinates--and record what they see. Someone we know and trust."

'Yes, sir.'

"If that is all, and we have no more questions from uninvited guests," Gash said, glancing at the Senator, "Then we can be on our way. Good night, gentlemen."

There was a general rumble of response as Gash stood, throwing one more look at the uninvited Senator. He still didn't believe Gash's intentions were pure...

Someone had convinced him that the Asthentian Admiral's intentions were darker than they appeared.

Someone had convinced him very, very well.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Months Later..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Jiren had done it again, damn the man.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



The figure noted with slight agitation as Coruscant's premeir Senator informed him of the debacle that came about due to the brash efforts of a younger, less experienced junior Senator. Senator Vreen.

Coruscant's ambassador, it's protector had taken the figure's words to heart and continued to toil with the crumbling of the former capital world.

He had taken the figure's words to those whom he thought could ascertain their value and act.

As it turns out, Vreen did act.


He confronted Jiren at the military leader's own meeting.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The fool!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The figure had turned certain victory out of even that though. The catch phrase used to fuel the extreme measures to keep Coruscant's caretaking organizations well funded.

The public though remained quite impotent through the Chiss Project.


For, who really cared about a former capital world...but the inhabitants.

To anyone else, the former capital was typical. To the inhabitants though, it was their heaven.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Now, it was their hell..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Searthen Jiren's great quote, the double meaning creating an air of ambiguity that served him well.


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color=green>"Is this a Democracy or a Republic, Senator? There have been few protests. If you'll remember, the Senate chose to trust me, on this matter, as I have seldom led you wrongly in the past."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


When the figure had heard that, he laughed. Jiren was indeed a politician despite his "common man", huckleberry persona. The man was a hunter of the highest degree.

The influx of more voters from the Chiss world countered the increasingly apathetic voters of Coruscant and Jiren's proposals went unchecked, unbridled, and unrivaled in the Republic.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> as they have before..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


That was months ago..




*


Coruscant's premeir Senator walked into the darkened chamber as if defeat hung upon his shoulders.

"Your protege is finally, politically finished is he?" the figure asked, his back to the Senator.

"He was a good man. An idealist."


"His family was killed by the Sith, Senator. Your revelation to him regarding Jiren's past consumed his being and he singularly tried to remove the man from power."


The figure turned to the Senator.

"I asked you to be careful who you talked too. I asked you because it's "mavericks" like these that work against us in the long run."


"I needed his funding to further politically solidify our party for the reconstruction of the planetary government. Without which, the oversight committees would not have been a reality."


"Yes, tighter control over the moneys coming into and going out of Coruscant was a necessity."

"But why? Why did you threaten me by pulling <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> your<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> financial support if I pushed for oversight committees to regulate military spending. It's obvious the current structures in place on Corelia are not working."


"The current structures merely record the New Republic Military's use of funds rather than justify or disallow their expense." the figure agreed.

"Then why?!" the Senator shouted. "I could have saved him! With my support, Vreen might have been able to..."


The figure shook his head. "Senator. I know Vreen was your friend. But his goals and ours differed."


"I fail to see how.."


"Vreen was going after Jiren. You and I aren't. You and I have one goal..and one goal only. The prosperity of Coruscant."


"But if...if Jiren is Sith.. controlling the Republic from within.."


"All we have are theories, Senator. You know better than that." the figure chided.


"Besides, there is another reason why you had.. you HAD.. to leave Vreen to his fate."


"And that is?"

"He conspired with Senator Jereck Musaile."

Coruscant's Senator gasped, "Musaile?"


"Yes. Both a tragedy and a triumph of sorts."


"A triumph?"


"Of course, Senator. Jiren had begun to make the New Republic dependant upon RJO decisions and actions. In the end, Musaile's bid for control over RJO pushed the New Republic into a war it was not ready for..

How many people lost their lives?

How much damage was done to the galaxy?


In the end, Thrawn controlled the Republic more than the Senate. We were all puppets, Sir. In supporting Musaile, Vreen also cast his lot, however unwittingly with, Thrawn's conquest of the galaxy."

"A Chiss conquest," the Senator concluded.


The figure smiled grimly, "Ahh yes, the name that seems to be the result of our troubles here on Coruscant, whether directly or indirectly."

"The political upheavals after Thrawn's defeat were staggering as you well know. Separation between the Rogue Jedi religionists and the New Republic State became the order of the day and with good reason.

The Old Republic was protected by the Jedi! The Jedi! It was protected and not dominated by them... and certainly, not by rogues."


"It is said that Xylon Hexyra died near Hapes."


"Along with the bulk of the New Republic's Fleet, yes." the figure sighed and sat down. "Senator, I truly wonder what benefits the Jedi still possess for the Republic. Truly I do.

Of those who possess the power, more than half turn away to follow paths more suited to their personal ambitions. Of those that remain true to the old code of protection, more than half of those end up with positions of complete control telling those without such powers, that we cannot be trusted. That we cannot be trusted to rule ourselves, to find the answers ourselves, that we cannot grow! That we need these mystical babysitters to hold our hands for us."


"True.." the Senator sighed, "but what has this to do with Coruscant?"


"Everything." the figure stated.


"Corelia's New Republic has failed, Senator. Failed completely. The resurrection of the Republic can only be done here on Coruscant. But to bring that about, Coruscant must be strong.

Strong, secure, ..and powerful.


Only then will the complete anarchy that has plagued Corelia be expunged forever."


"And how do you propose to do that, Sir?" the Senator laughed harshly. "You are, as you say, a concerned citizen. Tell me then, Mr. Citizen, how you will bring about what I and others in my office have failed to do despite our best efforts?"


The figure could see the dream dying in the Senator's eyes.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The man no longer believes in the system. And no wonder for what has the system ever done that was worthwhile in anyone's eyes?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



Foundation Laying 101 - Build your base from the failures of others and turn their energy to your advantage.



"I am just a citizen, Senator. But I am one with influence."


"Since our last meeting there have been fifty new oversight committees formed in various departments of the Planetary Civil Government. Committees designed to keep tight control over our already waining resources. It is no secret that Coruscant consumes more than it can bring in economically.

You scored a very big victory for Coruscant when those committees were formed."


The Senator grunted. "I was dubious about the list of names you provided for committee membership but they have all proven extremely capable. But, Sir, so what? So Coruscant can control what comes in and what goes out of it's planetary borders? So we can regulate taxation, export and import fees better and shave off excess waste in energy, money and our dwindling resources? Our resources are STILL small, what little we have saved or improved upon is quickly comsumed. What good are regulation committees if, in a year there is nothing left to regulate?

No new businesses are coming in because Coruscant smells of decay. Our civil engineers are underpaid, overworked and leave the system for higher paying jobs on Asthentia. Older businesses are leaving the system because it's too cost prohibitive for them to resource levels needed to maintain buildings in the private sector or pay out of the way shipping costs to move products <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> into<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> the Republic worlds.

Without the seat of government here, there is no need for private organizations to maintain a presence and so they move to Corelia where their lobbying and money can do the most good.

And the city cannot afford to maintain it's expansive landscape..

Already, some lower levels are being closed off but soon, our entire world will grow dark."


The figure smiled.

"The Committees Senator were the beginning. Why should prosperity be visited upon Coruscant if there is no existing framework to use it to it's fullest potential? YOU have created that framework, Senator. Now allow me to bring the prosperity.


There is a conglomerate business organization that is interested in relocating to Coruscant. Their revenue alone will not turn Coruscant's slide into a reversal overnight but they will be merely the beginning."


The Senator seated himself, leaning closer, clearly interested.

"While you were working on the reshaping of our civil government, I was working on the business end of it. I would like you to meet a woman named Jenice Arliss, of Arliss Industries.

This sets the groundwork for the bigger fish."


"Who are?" the Senator asked, clearly hooked.


"Cryonics Industries to name just one."



"Cryonics? THE Cryonics Industries?"


"Perhaps a meeting with Tenloss himself, Senator." the figure smiled.


Suddenly a light sparked in the Senator's eyes. A spark that made his hope all the more transparent.


"But what of the New Republic?"


"Sir, with those Committees in place, Coruscant controls everything that goes in and that goes out of it. When prosperity comes, those committees will also keep the decay and anarchy of the New Republic out. With Coruscant prosperous, you had better believe that Corelia will take action. It would be in Corelia's best interests to keep Coruscant hungry.

However with Prosperity will come... "


"Strength.." the Senator concluded.


"With strength comes security. With strength comes power of influence. And so by default, order will rise from the anarchy. In time, the Republic will find that if they wish to prosper, they must ..they must follow Coruscant."


"YES!" the Senator breathed, hope flaring in him like a raging fire.


Then the Senator became troubled. "What of the Jedi? They might resent..."


The figure smiled.


"Leave the Jedi to me, Senator."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> With troubles at home after Thrawn and Musaile, Jiren's hands will be too full to worry about the Republic.

And with Hexyra dead..[hopefully], the board has been cleared...


only time will tell though..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->