As Lord Rusan strode the great halls of the senate chamber in a quiet but noticeable frustration, all the passersby moved aside in respect, not wanting to anger her further. All of the people in the building knew who she was, of course, but they didn’t dare approach her. The look on her face told them that at the moment, she was all about business. It all began that morning when one of her messengers awoke her to the news of a poll that was taken the night before. The poll was given to all of the senators, and it concerned the building of a super weapon for the New Republic. The results of the poll were shocking. Nearly 40% of the senators backed the horrible proposition. This infuriated Rusan because the Old Republic had seen events similar to this, and it seemed as if the senators were ignoring history and were going to make the same mistakes all over again. Luckily, the Super Weapon Creation Act would likely go to vote soon, and the opposition still held the majority of 60% needed to turn it down. To Lord Rusan, the rejection of this act was critical to the survival of the Republic. And much more than that, for reasons only Rusan was aware of, it was also critical for the Jedi Order.
The main senate building.
She finally approached the representative balcony in the great senate chamber that was reserved for Jedi delegates. Two other Jedi were there to greet her – Master Perel Buwat and Master Kureas. She stepped onto the floating senate platform. And indicated to the Chancellor that she was ready. The platform detached with a loud whoosh and slowly whirred towards the Chancellor’s post. “My Lord”, said Buwat, “the floor is now yours.” “Thank you, Master Buwat” replied Rusan. “Honorable representatives of the senate” she began. “I stand here before you now, as I have in recent times past, to dispute the passing of the SWCA. But I am filled with a sense of urgency today more so than any other days…because of the poll that was taken of you all the last night past. I must say that I am very displeased with the secretive manner in which this poll was given. But even more than that, I am horrified at the sheer number of advocates for the SWCA that the poll revealed. As a result of this, some suspicions have been aroused in me. I put this to you all right now. I believe there is one among you who is manipulating the other senators into voting for the act to pass. It seems that there is someone in this governing body who will stop at nothing to see it pass.” Immediately, a hailstorm of jeers and boos emanated form every corner of the chamber. Arguments even began to break out between senators of different systems. “ORDER” yelled the Chancellor’s aide, Dilt Hen. It took a few minutes for the chamber to regain a state of calm. “Proceed” said the Chancellor to Rusan. Before she could continue speaking, another delegate platform whirred into position before the Chancellor. “Master Jedi” said a female voice from the new arrival. “I administered that poll, and I must assure you that no malice was intended in the distribution of that poll. It was administered to simply get a feel for where the senate stands as a whole body.” “Well I have to say that I am relieved it was your doing, Ambassador Tewhi, but I still have my suspicions,” replied the Jedi Lord. “As I would expect you to” said Tewhi. She then turned to address the senate. “Now my fellow delegates…let us revisit the events which have brought us here to dispute this issue yet again today. The combined forces of an Imperial Remnant fleet and the Ssi-ruuk fleet defeated our own Republic Navy at Mon Calamari. Since then, conventional battles to regain the planet have failed…horribly. We have lost many good soldiers and many talented Jedi Knights. I regret that my negotiations with the Ssi-ruuk were violated on their part, but now it is time for us to act. The combined forces of Sith and Ssi-ruuk have a super weapon of horrible power. Shall we just remain passive and allow them to go virtually unpunished? We must heed the old adage of fight fire with fire…and build a super weapon of our own to combat the menace of the Sith and Ssi-ruuk. If we delay in this task any longer, I fear that more star systems will suffer the same fate as Corellia.” A mixture of cheers and jeers filled the chamber. “My friends” cut in Lord Rusan almost immediately. “Imagine if we were to build such a monstrosity. We would live in a galaxy where not one, but two weapons of mass destruction would exist. Was it not more than enough for the galaxy to handle when the Empire had its one Death Star? Did we not cringe when Admiral Daala showed up with the powerful Sun Crusher? And now, the Sith possess a super weapon in the form of a Star Destroyer. Should we build our own massive weapon, it would only be a matter of time before both would rip our galaxy apart. And that would constitute galactic xenocide, my friends. There wouldn’t be any victors in this war, only losers.” The chamber broke out into hundreds of conversations between various senators. “A point that has been well taken, Lord Rusan. But are we to stand idly by while the Sith conquer our beloved Republic, piece by piece” replied Tewhi. Rusan didn’t answer but merely shook her head in disappointment. It seemed to her that Tewhi was no longer listening to reason, but was focused on passing the act. She had to inform the Senate of the news that she was withholding…for the good of the Republic and the Jedi Order.
The main senate chamber.
“Chancellor”, she said, “if I may.” The Chancellor bade her to continue. “Before you consider which way to vote, my friends, I will leave you with vital information to ponder. If you pass this act when the time comes, I can guarantee you all that nearly half of the Jedi will leave the Order under the pretense of philosophical differences.” A shocked quiet came over the senate and the Chancellor. “Our mission is to serve the greater good of the galaxy, my friends. The building of a super weapon will make the New Republic no better than the regime that proceeded it in the eyes of many Jedi. Yes…these Jedi will consider the New Republic no better than the Empire should the vote pass. As you all are now aware…with the departure of that many Jedi, so too will go a considerable part of the New Republic’s security and defense.” The senate was still frozen with shock, and even the Jedi in the platform with Rusan were shocked. “I can promise you that the remaining Jedi and myself will stay top defend the Republic, but our strength will be miniscule against the Sith menace. Remember what I have brought to light before you all today.” “Lord Rusan”, chimed in the Chancellor, “I think it is best that you leave and we discuss this matter later.” Half-expecting to be dismissed, Rusan nevertheless took a respectful bow and rode the platform back to the representative balcony. She exited the balcony with Buwat and Kureas and strode the hall with a great anger showing on her face. As she reached the end of the hallway, she could hear the Chancellor’s voice booming over the intercom. “And now, on to other business at hand” said the Chancellor.
Later on that evening, Rusan was summoned into the Chancellor’s chamber. Rusan still bore a face of grim determination. As she walked in, she could see that the Chancellor wore a similar expression. “Please, take a seat,” said the Chancellor. Rusan obediently sat down on the large chair that stood in front of the desk. “First off” began the Chancellor. “let me say that you are the most esteemed and most trusted single person among my colleagues. I respect you more than any other person in the galaxy. But your comments earlier today…about a part of the Jedi Order leaving the Republic…is most unnerving.” Rusan nodded in silent agreement. “I realize that they were, my lord, but it is the flat truth about what has been conveyed to me. Many Jedi have come to me expressing their wishes to leave the Order if the vote passes. I just thought that the senate should be aware of it because after all it is their security and the security of the systems they represent that will be in jeopardy.” “Ah…a point well taken” replied the Chancellor. “I still would have preferred it for you to have come to me first and let me relay the message to the senate in a more friendly manner.” Rusan again nodded that she understood and agreed. “As far as the vote is concerned, I believe that your little speech today will scare many of the senators to vote against the SWCA. If and when that happens, we must devise a strategy to deal with the Remnant fleet that will appease them.” Rusan nodded again. “My lord, the Jedi tactical command is working on some new strategies to combat them. From what I know about the strategies, it’s my firm belief that they will get the job done.” “Interesting” replied the Chancellor. “Anything you can tell me of those strategies right now?” “Of course” replied Rusan. The major strategy is to turn the Jedi Order into a second army for the Republic. An army of force wielders is much more effective against the Sith than standard G.I.’s.” “You are totally serious about this,” asked the Chancellor. “Yes. When the time comes, I will authorize the creation of the Jedi army. These are desperate times, my lord. The Jedi will do whatever is necessary to ensure peace and freedom for tomorrow. With our army added to the Republic army, I believe that we can push back and destroy the Sith. After all, they only have a fleet comprised of space based forces and no army.” “I still cannot believe that I am hearing this. I am overjoyed that the Jedi will dedicate themselves to defending us in such a powerful way.” “Provided that the vote doesn’t pass” Rusan was quick to put in. “Yes of course” replied the Chancellor. “I will inform the senate of this plan at tomorrow’s hearing. I will then schedule the vote to take place a few days from now. I can assure you that this plan will persuade many senators to vote down the SWCA instead of vote for it.” “Let us hope so,” said Lord Rusan.
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