OOC Note: This is the beginning of a series of five planetary takeovers which will introduce Fellex and the Dragonne Republic into the Galactic Coalition. However, this does not mean at the end of every takeover the planet will be entirely under the control of the GC, for that will not happen until the end of the last takeover. Instead, each takeover will deal primarily with the planet to be taken, and will be used as the takeover thread for meeting board requirements. At the end of the fifth and final thread, all five planets will be integrated entirely into the Coalition. I hope this is acceptable, since it was the best compromise I could come up with to satisfy both the story I wanted to write and the ban on multiple-planetary-takeover threads. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the read.


Odiso Septimus
Dragonne Republic


It had been years since anyone had been interested in the five planets stuck in the outer reaches of the galaxy, beyond Tattooine, which itself had once been described as the planet farthest from the bright center of the universe. Well, actually, one could not say that no one had been interested, for such a statement would not be entirely accurate. But the planets of the Dragonne Republic were of little military significance, therefore when wars and battles of galactic significance were being decided, the small republic was ignored. At least, ignored by those interested in military matters only. For there were those who were economically interested in the planets, for it was on these planets that the only source of the materials used in Riedran Crysteel could be found. The Crysteel, besides its value as a decorative item, also was believed in some areas to be a ward against the Jedi or the Sith (depending on where you lived). The Dragonnes, of course, cultivated this rumor as much as possible, then raised the prices. It wasn't their fault that they had a monopoly on the material, was it?

Of course, due to this market, as well as the bi-products of it (such as their excellent manufacturing sector and their thriving mining business), the Dragonne Republic soon was able to stand on its own without the aid of a galactic power, and so it existed for over two hundred years. Generations passed, and the Dragonne Empire remained the same, or nearly so. But with the passing of time comes change, and around the Dragonnes the galaxy itself changed. The Galactic Empire rose and fell, the New Republic took its place and subsequently fell, and now it seemed that the New Order had taken the New Republic's place. The difference was that the Dragonnes were this time caught between two powers.

During the first war between the Galactic Coalition and the New Order, the Dragonnes had managed to stay out of harm's way. Being part of neither government, they survived the war relatively intact. During the second war, if one battle could be called a war, they also remained safe. Now, however, it seemed that the Coalition was destroyed and the Empire was moving to snap up all independent systems near the Coalition's borders. Certain elements in the Dragonne Republic recognized the imminent threat and resolved to remain free of Imperial control, no matter what opposition they faced.

One of these elements was Secretary of Defense Fellex Hague, a fifty-two year-old politician who had seen the rise and fall of the Empire, the New Republic, and the Coalition and who knew that change was coming, one way or another. On this day, as he sat in his office, his brown skin glistening with sweat - the climate control had broken, and maintanance hadn't yet fixed it - he was drafting a letter to Prime Minister Regrad, the head of the Galactic Coalition, petitioning for entry.

What was interesting about this petition was that the order had not come from the Senate of the Dragonne Republic, but from the Premier of Odiso Septimus, Fellex's homeworld. Of course, it did not make any difference to Fellex, since the Senate very well could have asked the Premier to draft the request. Fellex would follow the order regardless. What was strange was that there had been no Senate vote on the issue.

If he had to guess, Fellex would have said that the request was from the Premier alone, without the Senate's knowledge and certainly without their approval. The Senate was full of old coots who had no notion of current galactic politics. They had no idea how great was the threat posed by the Empire. The Dragonne Republic had survived several wars already, including the wars with the previous Empire, Palpatine's Empire. Mostly they did this by staying out of the way, by not getting involved. But the New Order was entirely different. Palpatine was willing to let slide those worlds that did not conform to his rule, but did not give him any trouble. Daemon Hyfe was not.

But certain individuals in the Senate could not see this, because the Empire had always left them alone; why should things change now? In particular, Senator Barion Olson was adamantly opposed to any overtures towards either the Coalition or the Empire. Of course, Fellex had obtained information -- of dubious credibility -- that Olson was actually working for the Empire, as a plant inside the government, doing everything possible to sway them towards accepting Imperial rule.

Nevertheless, his seemingly moderate position was very popular, not only in Senate, but with people of the five member worlds of the Dragonne Republic. Or, at least, with four of them, and that was plenty to have a majority in the Senate. Only on Odiso Septimus was the popular support in favor of joining the New Coalition. This is not surprising, as Odiso Septimus was the only world that had ever endured the full brunt of Imperial rule. For two years, just before the fall of the first Galactic Empire, white clad Stormtropers had roamed the planet. The people had vowed, "Never again."

It did not matter to them that the ruler had changed, or that the oppression of the Empire had grown less, or that some imperials even seemed concerned with honor. As long as the white clad Stormtropers walked, the people of Odiso Septimus would fight them. And so Fellex, who himself was from Odiso Septimus, drafted the request with pleasure.

At long last, and after several drafts, the letter itself was finished. With the recent humiliation of the Coalition, and its fragmentation, Fellex had no doubt that the petition would be accepted. His only concern was what the Senate would say.

Gujauv
Dragonne Republic


"And so, due to the encroaching threat of that evil that is the New Order, or more plainly the Empire, I have therefore petitioned for entry to the Galactic Coalition."

Premier Joseph McClain of Odiso Septimus had been speaking for some time, harping as he usually did on the dangers of the Empire. Most of the members of the Senate were bored out of their minds, simply waiting for him to finish so that they could hear whatever it was he was proposing and vote it down, as they always did. The votes were never even close; as a matter of fact, usually it was McClain and a few other 'warmongers,' as they were dubbed, against ninety percent of the Senate. This proposal, though, woke even the most comotose of listeners, for it was not a proposal but a declaration.

As McClain spoke these words, the Senate chamber erupted with noise, the shouts doubled in volume by the echos. A majority of the Senators from Etusoe and Gujauv were in stringent opposition to any such proposal, while the Senators from Uzaramad and Odarus were divided nearly evenly. Those from Odiso Septimus, of course, were overwhelmingly in favor. The arguing continued for at least five minutes before the President of the Senate managed to bring the governing body back under control.

Senator Zharkadh Azhadh of Uzaramad, the currently-serving President, eyed McClain suspiciously. "You do mean, of course, that you propose that we as a Republic petition for membership into the Galactic Coalition."

McClain smiled and shook his head. "No. I mean that I have sent a letter to Prime Minister Regrad, requesting that the Dragonne Republic be granted admission into the New Coalition. The Empire comes..."

He didn't get to finish. Barion Olson, of Etusoe, rose to his feet and interrupted McClain. It didn't help McClain's case that he was a boring speaker or that Olson was one of the most charismatic Senators in the body. Neither did it help that Olson was a born politician. But the final nail in McClain's coffin was that Olson espoused the majority opinion, or seemed to do so.

"The Empire? The Empire has no interest in the Dragonne Republic! There is nothing we can do for them. We are not in a strategic location, we have no rare military resources. Why would they be interested in us?

"No, Senators," he continued, now addressing the entire body, "Mr. McClain is simply a fear-mongerer. He wants you to think that you are in danger of the all-powerful Empire because he is in bed with the Coalition! He would rather see your tax money, and the money of your constituants, go to fund the Coalition's fruitless and needless wars with the Empire than to put food in your childrens' mouths. He would rather you live in poverty while his pockets get lined by the trade that his businesses would be able to do with the Coalition! We don't need them; we are economically self-sufficient. The Empire does not threaten us. It is they that should be begging us to join, not Mr. McClain here begging to join them.

"One must ask why he wants us to join them, if not to line his own pockets with credits. What has the New Coalition ever done for any of its member worlds? Took their money, their resources, and wasted them, thrown them away needlessly in battles like the one at Bilbringi! We have no quarrel with the Empire! Why should we give them cause to take notice of us?"

President Azhadh nodded. "An excellent point, Senator. Not to mention, Premier, by requesting membership in the Coalition without the approval of this Senate, you have violated the Constitution you swore to uphold upon taking office, and you flirt with treason."

Olson immediately continued, "I'll go even farther, Mr. President. I will say that Premier Joseph McClain is a traitor!"

Senator Lithuwan, one of the 'warmongers,' stood and shouted, "You go too far, Olson!"

"I'll go farther than that!" Olson retorted. "Take a look at the Empire today? Do you see the genocide of Palpatine? Do you see the oppression of the first Galactic Empire? No! You see an autocratic rule, certainly, and you see a strong military, of course. I will say that the Empire of today is not the Empire of the past, and it will not be again! They simply have a different point of view! So why does the Coalition wish to fight them?"

McClain, finally losing his cool (which was Olson's intention the entire time), screamed across the Senate floor, "You sound like one of their puppets, Olson! Go back to your masters, you cur, and tell them that the people of Odiso Septimus will not stand for Imperial rule! We will never bow to them! We will destroy our own planet first!"

The Senate chambers fell silent. McClain had gone too far, and everyone knew it. They also knew that the death blow would follow, momentarily, and everyone waited for Olson, who stood triumphantly grinning, to speak. "You would destroy your own planet?" Olson said slowly. "And all your constituents, what do they say about that? I'm sure none of us want to bow to the Empire, but we do not wish to bow to anyone. Not even your precious Coalition. And we will not.

"Senators," Olson said, "let us come to a vote on the matter. Let my vote be recorded against Mr. McClain's proposal to join the Galactic Coalitin." A chorus of agreements were heard around the room. "I further propose that we establish an independent committee to investigate Mr. McClain's dealings with the Galactic Coaliton and to determine whether Mr. McClain is indeed guilty of crimes against the Dragonne Republic."

The offices of John McClain on Gujauv were small in comparison to his larger complex on Odiso Septimus, but they were nonetheless magnificant. On at least one point Olson and McClain could agree; the Dragonne Republic, and its member worlds, were economically self-sufficient. These offices had been a gift of the Dragonne Government to the Premier of Odiso Septimus, but the people themselves had lavishly furnished them. And so it was that McClain and Fellex reclined in relative external comfort.

Internally, though, only one of them was at rest. McClain was agitated, and rightfully so. It was not every day that one was accused on the Senate floor of being a traitor to the Republic, and an investigation was serious business. It meant the opening of all secret files, the invasion of the Dragonne Special Agents into his personal life. It meant that he would be watched every moment, all privacy stripped from him. When he had taken the oath of office, he had expected the loss of some privacy, for public officials were more heavily scrutinized than the general populace. Nevertheless, this type of investigation essentially eliminated any Constitutional rights to privacy or freedom that he had. He would have to be very careful should the vote go against him.

The vote. McClain wondered how it would turn out. The vote to join the Coalition had gone as expected, a landslide against McClain; few were willing to stand with an accused traitor and themselves be accused. The Senators from Odiso Septimus had been in favor, and one or two of the more warlike Senators from Uzaramad had voted for the proposed application, but the rest had followed Olson. Now, Olson had convinced the Senate to vote on an investigation of McClain, and it was entirely possible the committee would be formed. McClain had been asked to leave the Senate Chamber during the proceedings, and Fellex had gently escorted him out. Now they waited.

"Caf, Premier?" Fellex asked, sitting back in one of the comfortable leather armchairs gracing the far side of the Premier's office. McClain, who sat with his head in his hands a few feet away, briefly glanced up and shook his head before returning to his posture of worry. Fellex shrugged and poured himself a cup of the hot brew, relishing its scent.

"You played right into his hands, you know," he continued. "It doesn't take much to get the Senate worked into a frenzy, and Olson is the expert at reading the mood of an audience and working them. Your announcement gave him the opportunity to do exactly what he's been planning since you were elected."

McClain still sat silently, the weight of the accusation still pressing upon him. Fellex paused for a moment, then, when no response was forthcoming, said, "Premier, you know as well as I that this investigation is a political ploy to get you out of the way. The only thing they might find is our investigation of Olson, and that is buried so deep that it's very unlikely to surface, even for the DSA."

McClain lifted his head at that point. His face was downcast still, but he managed to muster the energy to ask, "And have we found anything yet that could be used as a counter?"

Fellex dodged the question. "Sir, it's probably not the best idea to accuse anyone of anything at this point. Even if the vote does go badly for us, accusing a popular Senator of a crime is just going to make you look worse, and it will not hurt him in the least. If we caught Olson in conversation with the Emperor himself people wouldn't believe it; they would simply say that we engineered the recording to throw mud at Olson. He's untouchable right now."

McClain's head fell again. "I just cannot believe that they would accuse me of treason."

Shaking his head, Fellex took a sip of his caf and leaned forward. "Sir, Olson is using this to try to crush your spirits. He's trying to keep you out of the way while he concocts some plan of his own. I say no matter how this vote comes out, we do what we originally planned on doing. You need to be a leader here; the people cannot see you like this. If they do, the only image they will receive is that of guilt. You cannot afford to look guilty."

The door to the Premier's chambers opened with a whoosh. Two blue-clad Guards entered, followed by a young Senatorial Page. "Premier McClain?" he asked.

McClain sat up, his face taking on the facade of a leader again. "Yes?"

"Sir, the results of the vote are in. President Azhadh sent me to fetch you."

Nodding, he rose. "Secretary Hague? Shall we go hear whether I'm to be investigated?"


Dragonne Senate Chamber
Gujauv


President Azhadh rapped his gavel thrice on the podium and called for order. Not that anyone was speaking anyway, but formalities of ceremony did have to be followed. The short president glanced to the gallery, where Fellex sat next to McClain, then over to Olson's seat on the floor. He sighed. This was already a rough day.

"Senators, the votes are in. Be it hereby resolved that Premier John McClain of Odiso Septimus, having been accused of treason by Senator Barion Olson of Etusoe, shall be investigated by a special committee of the Senate and any and all individuals said committee wishes to employ, within the realm of the law of the Dragonne Republic. Premier McClain will furthermore be barred from the Chambers of the Senate of the Dragonne Republic until said investigation is complete. The resolution is passed by a vote of eighty-two Senators for and sixty-eight against. This resolution is hereby committed into law, and shall be executed with all haste." He rapped his gavel again.

It was done. A look of horror passed over McClain's face, but it quickly turned to anger as Olson's face turned towards him, mouth twisted into a smirk. Fellex's hand on the Premier's arm was the only thing that kept him from leaping from his seat, rushing down the stairs to the floor, and ripping that conceited head from the Senator's shoulders. Despite his urge, though, he quickly regained his composure and stood. Turning regally, he strode through the doors at the rear of the chamber, Fellex following behind. As they left, the last thing they heard was the Senate beginning to deliberate once more on who would sit on this temporary committee.