Recess ((Open))

[Citrine]

Citrine, at first, wasn't sure how to react to the Chancellor. She wasn't often acknowledged on a personal level, even hearing her name was all too strange on Coruscant. She assumed that many had believed her allegiance in the senate was swayed. Of course, her people and her homeland was her priority, but she in no way, shape, or form, supported the Sith occupation. In fact, her power on the planet itself had been wavered strongly since then, but she rarely spoke of it, especially to the other Senators. She couldn't help but feel wary with the Chancellor, though his intentions seemed to be good. She had no real reason to, but she couldn't help but feel suspicious towards him. If her theory had been true, and the senate believed her to be corrupt, the chancellor approaching her would be all too strange. Maybe he had been approaching her out of sympathy?

"To you as well, Chancellor." She replied as she lifted her hand to shake his. Citrine curtsied and bowed her head slightly in respect to the man, but of course not enough to show weakness. "I would like to congratulate you, although i'm sure you've heard it from half the senate by now. You seem to be doing a fine job already, I am all too glad that the position was given to someone who willed it for just reasons. The last thing we need is corruption within the senate itself." She told him, trying keeping her small suspicions to herself. She was sincere in congratulating him, he seemed to be a good candidate, but because she rarely let her guard down, Citrine would have questioned just about anyone who had been elected Chancellor just now.

"What horrible news it was to hear about the assassination, I can only hope that we find the proof we need." She told him, bringing up the topic sincerely. Proof of the Sith's involvement of the assassination may be enough to get the farmers and aristocrats on her side. The faith Dantooine had in Citrine and the Republic were tarnished, and although the proof wouldn't get the Sith off Dantooine, it would be able to change the civilians opinions of her and the Senate.

[projectsunfire]

Araon walked quietly through the recessed session of the Senate. Some of the senators lingered in the Main Hall, while others would probably have gone back to their small estates here in Republic Center.

Are you alright Araon? Came Aay'hans rippling voice in his head. He continued to search the crowd of senators for someone who might have the information he saught.

I am fine Aay'han. Araon thought simply in response to the Crystals question.

Many of the Senators were dressed in their fine livery. It didn't help him much since the state of fashion here in the Galaxy had'nt changed much in the last twenty years. Many of the Senators wore colors of state. A few sashes of lordhood, and the occasional shiny medal or medallion distracted Araon's gaze momentarily.

The Senator of Dantooine seemed most closely related to this situation. He would want to start there. Araon stopped an older senator from Duros. "Good day Sir," He said.

"Master Jedi? What can I do for you?" He said his bright red Duros eyes shining.

"I am looking for the Senator of Dantooine. Can you tell me where I can find them, please?" Araon said his voice one of business.

"Cintrine Adare-Febrenaux? She's over there talking to the new Chancellor." The Duros pointed toward a young woman in simple white silks talking with the Senator Araon recognized from his Onderonian atire as Senator Baoont. "Load of foolishness if you ask me." The senator said under his breath as he turned and went back on his way.

So they elected Senator Baoont to Supreme Chancellor. Araon thought clearly in his mind. Politics always seemed to be the best way to slow down progress. Senator Baoont was close to Araon's age, yet he commanded great authority. Twenty five seemed an extremely young age for a Supreme Chancellor. Araon didn't like this. Something didn't smell right. He stretched out with his feelings, yet the force seemed quietted and calm.

Confident Araon strode forward quietly and stood a short distance from the pair of poloticians waiting for their conversation to diminish. He thought over what he would need to say in the meantime.

[Ardenator]

Aiden smiled, taking the young senator's hand in his own. He nodded his head in thanks, although he inwardly bristled at the suspicion that seemed to undertone her speech. It was to be expected, though. The entire Republic would likely suspect that a Supreme Chancellor of his young age would only serve as a puppet for the Core Faction that had gotten him elected. Always the worse luck! Oh well. Soon enough they'll all see how untrue that belief really is, he thought.

Or perhaps he had just imagined the hidden meaning in her statement. Who knew?

Best make sure that there are no suspicions, though, he supposed.

"Yes, corruption in the Federal government is becoming quite the problem these days. A problem I believe I will have to work to rectify. I am considering many different laws to thwart the its onslaught, but I was hoping for the opinion of another Senator. Perhaps you could look over my proposals, Madame Senator? I would be greatly honored." He actually had been planning such acts of a long time, and was simply waiting for some peer revision before presenting them to the Senate.

His face became grim as she mentioned the assassination. "Yes, it was horrible. I'm hoping that this bill is passed and executed quickly, so that we might rest a little more assured." He shook his head. "I don't believe proof will matter a great deal. Three-quarters of the Republic already believes it was the Sith, and the war-rage is at its highest. It wouldn't affect much either way. We're already in a war with them. War legislation and resolutions will be passed regardless. A conviction would only make the Sith seem even worse and serve only to strengthen our resolve. That is, however, a positive outcome."

He glanced to the side, catching the eye of a nearby Jedi. Strange, he thought, what's one of them doing around here? He motioned the Jedi over. Perhaps this would be a chance to win the friendship of the order. He needed as many allies as he could get if he were to survive long in this particular position. "Hello, Jedi, what can I do for you today? Please, make haste. We have to be back to the assembly area in twenty minutes to continue our deliberations." He offered a warm smile, awaiting the Jedi's reply.

[Citrine]

A small smile began to show as the Chancellor asked her for assistance. Usually such bills were discussed within the core faction, Citrine herself only ever received copies of new laws and amendments, as it many of the other outer rim senators. "Of course, I'd be happy to help." She told Aiden. The senator became very curious as to what the Chancellor had in store for the Republic. As it seemed, the new Chancellor had already thought deeply about the war at hand, the Republic was in luck. A well prepared Chancellor was exactly what they needed.

"Ah yes, I must say I agree with you. Although proof would be very beneficial for us, it won't end the war." She finished. As she spoke her last few words, she wasn't paying much attention to herself speaking, but in fact was distracted by Aiden's glances in another direction. Citrine, too, glanced over her shoulder curiously to notice the Jedi in the senate halls. "Would you be looking for your grand master?" She assumed, having seen her in the assembly before the recess. She had only hoped there wasn't an emergency, seeing the Jedi here at the senate building made her uncomfortable. Citrine began to fear that the knight may be carrying bad news with him.

[projectsunfire]

Araon's empathy and force abilities gave him clear signals of the Chancelors feelings. One of curiosity. That would be good. He'd talk with him next.

From the Senator from Dantooine Araon sensed fear. Not so strong as to be hatefull, yet worry seemed to dominate her feelings.

He slowly approached the pair of them and gave a low bow. After holding his posture a moment he lifted himself up and spoke in an annunciated tone.

"Chancelor, congratulations on your election. I am sure your new found seat of power will bring the republic to new horizons." Araon said diplomatically. His self retrospective eye almost laughed at the idea of him being diplomatic aside from useing his lightsaber, yet the situation was urgent. He needed to be as silken as Senator Cintrine's outfit. "I wish to speak with the Senator of Dantooine if I may. I do not wish to make either of you late for the continuation of this session of the Senate."

Araon bowed again to the Senator of Dantooine. "Senator?"

[Citrine]

Citrine listened as the Jedi knight congratulated the Chancellor. She folder her hands lightly together in front of her giving her attention to Araon. To her surprise, the Jedi mentioned he would like to have a word with her. The senators immediate thoughts of emergencies faded, a uncommon reaction for her. She simply assumed that if bad news were to be brought by the council, the Jedi who have wanted to speak with the Chancellor himself or his Grand Master to get the word out. His business with herself couldn't be more curious. Although Citrine couldn't think of a reason for the Jedi to wish to speak to her, she knew his reason would arise momentarily.

Citrine turned her attention to the Chancellor, bowing her head again slightly. "I shall see you in the assembly hall?" She told Aiden, her hands still clasped together in front of her dress. After her final word to the Chancellor, she made eye contact with Araon once more before stepping away down the hall. Senator Citrine passed a few senators as she walked, looking to find a place to converse a little farther away from curious ears. The two didn't need to go far to be able to talk without being overheard since a small cloud of sound lingering throughout the hall. Senators arguing, planning, and mourning, it wouldn't be hard to be drowned out by the many conversations going on at once.

Once the Dantooine Senator felt she were far enough away, she stopped walking and turned around to hear what he had to say, assuming that Araon had followed.

[projectsunfire]

Araon had walked beside Senator Cintrine as she made her way down the hall. The soft din from the other senators banter seemed to create a white noise that made for an effective shield. Though Araon had a contingiency plan in case things would be overheard. Regardless the Senator did not need to know more than what was necessary.

When she stopped and turned her gaze was met with the shadowed face created by Araon's hood.

"No ill news Senator. I have come in search of information." He smiled politely, and impressed a feeling of comfort upon the Senator ever so gently. He needed every edge he had.
((Senator Citrine may feel this as something along the lines of a comforting thought, or feeling. This is not a Jedi Mind trick either, this is part of Araon's genetic heritige from his Mothers side.))

"I wish to learn about your planets occupation and the events that lead up to it. Specifically involving Master Baum." Araon removed a Data Recorder from one of his belt pockets and switched it on. "It seemed that there were a few missing segments of the situation. Its a matter of Record for the Archives."

[Citrine]

Citrine nodded her head slowly as the Jedi assured her all was well, and he requested information from her. Not too long after he had spoken, Citrine felt a small flash of an insignificant memory play itself in her head.

"Did you make this for me?" She heard the familiar voice of a little girl in her head. She then recognized a a certain blba tree just outside of her estate on Dantooine. A small rock at it's side with a picture etched in it's surface. The memory lasted only a few seconds, in fact, Citrine didn't realize she even had a flash back until a minute or so after it had happened. Having only very primitive and soft impressions of the force, Citrine had only a slight understanding of it. She had assumed that the short comforting moment had been influenced merely by the Jedi's presence, complete unintentional.

The Senator looked down at her feet and smiled to herself until Araon spoke again. The Sith Occupation, but of course it was a topic on a lot of people's minds. Citrine's ears perked up at the name Baumm. It was a name she had heard numerous times by the administrators of Dantooine. Citrine's attitude changed as she thought about the Master Jedi, although she, herself, wasn't present at the time of the war, she was acknowledged before the minister's report had been sent out. She had never met the Jedi Master Baumm personally, but since the war, it had been agreed by many senators as well as Dantooine political leaders that he was responsible of disrupting the peace, whether Citrine disagreed with them had remained a secret.

"Very curious..." She contemplated. Senator Febrenaux had her own questions in need of answering, but a quick glance at the data recorder changed her thoughts. "The Jedi Master Baumm ordered an unnecessary attack on the Matale & Sandral Estates. The Sith rightfully owned this land, they were free to do as they pleased within their boundaries. Would you like to be more specific as to where your records are missing?" The senator spoke as if she were reading off the Khoonda Report itself. Her eyes told a different story, they gave off a feeling of doubt and insincerity. A record in the archives is exactly what I need. She thought to herself sarcastically. It is only unfortunate that the Ortolan had to pay for all of this. Citrine thought to herself in her head as she refused to make eye contact with the Jedi for long periods of time.

[projectsunfire]

Araon felt her fond memory unfold briefly, though he could not see it. If he had been given more training perhaps he could have actually looked into the senators mind. Would what he see be comforting or disturbing? Araon took a deep breath through his nose and exhaled softly to try and aid his focus.

A feeling of regret seemed to surface at the name of Baum. Perhaps the Senator felt the Master Jedi's fate was unjust. Now was not the right time to push his luck.

It is only unfortunate that the Ortolan had to pay for all of this. Araon heard it clearly in his mind. The thoughts of a human.

Perhaps his assessment was wrong. Causiously Araon turned off the recorder, with the snap of a button.

"Is there something that wasn't in the Khoonda report Madame Senator? Something the Jedi should know about?" His look was one of concern. He sensed no ill intentions from the Senator.

[Jenno]

Senator Kaio Duranara swore to himself as he stormed out of the chambers and into the caucous area. Nothing was going the way it should have been. The war hadn't even been officially declared yet, and already the Republic had lost two worlds and two of their most important leaders. Whatever happened to class? wondered the Bothan as he made his way around the halls. He had once had the displeasure of negotiating a settlement to a Gamorrean territory war, and even they had the decency to wait for the other one to strike back before hitting them again. Based off of intelligence reports from Khoonda and the Sith Industrailization Project, nobody had any clue what happened down there, and the refugees from Subterrel couldn't even make sense of whatever it was they had seen. Something wasn't right.

But Kaio was not a member of the War Ministry, or even of the Security or Oversight Commitees. He was an ambassador, and there so far hadn't been any diplomacy going on in the galaxy. Or, he thought, in the Senate. Never in history had a Spureme Chancellor been elected in such a short amount of time. Duranara's neck fur twitched. He himself had voted for Baoont, but not because he wanted him to win. Eyes were everywhere, and a vote against would do nothing to prevent the election.

Duranara found Baoont along the corridors and kindly requested an audience with him.

(Yeah, he's got something to say.)

[Citrine]

Citrine glanced once more at the recorder before turning her head to the side. She didn't trust the Jedi just yet, but none-the-less, a chance to help was something the Senator couldn't refuse. She had to choose her words carefully.

"When one believes strongly in his or her opinion, wishing to impress their truth apon an audience, one would not wish to bring up the flaws in his point." She spoke as quietly as she could without taking away the strength in her words. Citrine glanced over at the Senators once again, a few had already headed back into the Assembly very early. "When one isn't given a full truth, with no concrete proof of an opposing argument, they must rely on their peers words." She stated, once again spewing, although seemingly vague but meaningful concepts. "When someone holds the worlds only foodsource in their hands, their word means much more, this is why truths are never found." Citrine spoke without using exact names or events as a precaution.

"I am sorry I am unable to give you any recorded evidence, you must understand that my opposition of the Sith's government at this time will end in the loss of my job on Dantooine." Citrine told Araon becoming nervous and anxious with every passing minute. The Senator shuddered at the thought of losing her job. There were very few left in the Dantooine government who still had faith in the Republic, losing them would only ensure the Sith's occupation. "Very few were there at the Azjili Estate, one of which included your Jedi Master. Everyone had to rely on the second hand accounts of those whom were there first hand. Should someone of an opposing side, a senator perhaps, agree with their enemy, the Sith, on a matter, that matter is more easily decided. There is no doubt to me that your Jedi Master was there to help." Citrine told the Jedi, remembering a few of the Jedi Masters at the enclave as a little girl. She couldn't remember their names, which made her a bit upset, but Citrine could remember there faces as if she were speaking to them now. "Unfortunately my opinion is of no concern. There is much corruption in the Senate these days, to find a specific Senator that may have spoken on behalf of the republic would be very difficult, if it even were a Senator. If you seek answers, the war minister himself may have them, but of that I am not sure." Citrine continued.

"All they needed was a republican, and the other first hand accounts to agree against Baumm's behalf, and they had themselves another Jedi Master out of their way and a new planet for expansion. I am afraid I cannot help you very much Master Jedi...?" She finished, realizing she never got the Jedi's name.

[projectsunfire]

"An'mar, Senator Adare-Febrenaux." Araon said with a slight bow. "You may call me Araon." Araon lifted his head and gave the senator as reassureing a smile as possible. As he began to slip the recorder into one of his belt pockets his Hush V holo communicator beeped softly. "I believe you've given me the information I needed Madame Senator and I appreciate all your help. May the Force be with you." With another low bow, Araon departed from the Senator's presence and began the short walk to where he parked his Jedi Airspeeder.

His left hand reach down to his Hush V holo communicator and turned it on. A recorded message played back. The familiar face and body of Grand master Aneem appearred and spoke to him.

"Come to the briefing room here in the Senate we have things to discuss."

Araon halted his walk and looked up at the senate building in curiosity. Had the Council gotten wind of his plans to release Master Baum already? He placed the Hush V back in its holder and set out for the briefing room in the Senate building.

<<Moved to The Unrecorded Meeting>>

[Regnier]

Well, that hadn't been what Naboo's primary senator had anticipated. She hadn't seen Hale's giving up the election coming at all. Granted, she had figured him for the type that saw his place with his people first and foremost. Terek was no different. And she would have...well, probably done the same thing.

So, in the end, Sevrina figured she should have seen it coming. She'd still voted for the Corellian first, though. Baoont had been her second choice, though, but not because of pressure from outside, but rather in spite of it. He was a good leader, from what she could see, and he seemed down right determined not to be 'swayed' by under-hand lobbying. As well as smart enough. He had the potential to get things done, which was exactly what the Republic needed right now. Terek only hoped he had the willpower to keep straight.

Unlike the majority of the Senate, Sevrina Terek did not mill. Frankly, there was really only a few select individuals in the Senate she really saw purpose in speaking to, or even felt comfortable as such, and she knew there were very few that felt the same about her. None of which had she seen as of yet. No, the senator of Naboo wasn't well liked in the Senate and she knew it. That was what happened when you were a little infamous for persecuting the corrupt every so often, not because they were voting the wrong way, but simply because they were corrupt. Politics could be so...so like an academy. Instead, Terek simply stood off to the side of the room, watching the other Senators, the imposing armored Coruscanti standing a sparse few feet behind and to the left, his battle-marred face a perpetual glare over her shoulder.

"How do you deal with these...people so often? All I see are a sparse few iriaz in a room full of kath hounds, ready at a moment's notice to turn on each-other."

"I think you just described politics, Parias. Just remember that an iriaz can take a man down, if provoked."

"But still. More than half of these people are shaking with one hand and holding a knife behind their backs with the other. People like that don't last long in my kind of work. At least those that are arguing are openly hostile."

"You're absolutely right. They become politicians instead. Hmm..." Terek's eyes stopped wandering the room and instead started following a lone figure.

"What? Or do I want to know?"

"Oh, nothing. Just an old friend. Kaio seems a bit pre-occupied at the moment, however."

"The Bothan?" Parias asked in a sour tone. More so than usual.

"You have something against Bothans, too? Xenophobe." Sevrina replied, the corner of her mouth quirking up ever so slightly.

"Now that's not fair. I'm an equal opportunist, remember? I have something against everybody. Humans included. Especially, even."

[Jenno]

Kaio stood in a line behind seventy or so of the galaxy's most important leaders, all more than eager to make small-talk with the big man himself. Sadly, their small-talk was more important even than what Kaio had to discuss.

A week before the incident, Kaio had managed to secure a spot on Chancellor Vilmar's schedule to discuss the reintegration of the Mandalorian people, a topic he had been preparing to discuss for several years. Not many senators suported him, and fewer still truly cared about them. To most of the civilized galaxy, the mandalorians were as good as dead, and nobody had bothered to attend the funeral. Kaio knew better, though. He had researched the Mandalorian's final decades, and he knew that they had saved Telos, killed a sith lord, and eventually fought alongside the Republic against a common foe. The Republic needed the Mandalorians, and he had to convince them of that.

Following the Chancellor's untimely death, Kaio's space had been filled and now he had to lobby for a new spot, one which, by the look of the senators and the shaking hands, was going to have to wait for another day.

The Bothan turned away and shuffled through the growing crowd until he reached the edge of the hallway, where he at last spotted a familiar face. Senator Terek of Naboo. He crossed the room to where she spoke with a Coruscanti and attended a pause and greeted his old friend.

"Senator Terek. I trust our being called back so soon has not undone too much of the work being done on Naboo?"

[Ardenator]

(sorry about that! Still wanna talk to my char CB?)

Aiden watched as the Jedi and Senator Citrine walked away, shaking his head in mild annoyance. Even as Supreme Chancellor I still get stiffed, damn.

He turned towards the small crowd that has seemed to gather around him, dozens trying to speak with him at once. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a Bothan whom he vaguely recognized. Was he the first to request an audience just now? It didn't matter. Soon he was gone, replaced with ten other Senators seeking his ear. After a few moments of listening to lobbying and veiled demands, he had had enough. By his count it had only been about twenty minutes, but he was ready to go.

He turned on his heel and strode back towards the main chamber, motioning to his aide. Lifting a comm linked to the building speakers, she spoke.

"The assembly will begin again in ten minutes. Please begin returning to your seats."

[Regnier]

"Senator Duranara." Terek said with a nod. "Well, Valen's still a xenophobic ass, the Gungans still hate most of my people, and both sides are still contemplating starting a war. I believe this tenuous peace that exists will hold for awhile longer, however. At least a little while."

"No offense, but I've met your cousin, remember?" The Coruscanti interjected, a glower lining his face. Not that he really ever did much besides glower. "And he reminds me of an old squad-mate. The kind that always does something stupid that has massive repercussions when nobody's around to watch them. I'd say the Gungans will have flattened Demila's palace by the time we get back."

Sevrina shrugged as she cast a sidelong glance at the stocky ex-soldier. "Pay no mind to my ever-optimistic body-guard. He worked for Valen for a bit too long before he got traded off to me. And now I can't seem to lose him. Though with my luck, he's probably right." The Senator paused and pulled a stray strand of hair out of her face. Being the primary voice of Naboo to the rest of the galaxy was turning out of be one hell of a ride, between rulers that were determined to start a war they couldn't hope to win, a people with an army large enough to quite easily lay waste to your civilization that were quite ready to do so, and had done so in the past, and...well, the ands went on for awhile. "Valen's a good man, but by the darkest recesses of space, that man is not cut out to be a king. But at least I haven't received any transmissions from home yet. I don't think my cousin would bother notifying me if something happened, but I have a few friends that are very close to him that would."

Sevrina smiled. "So I suppose that was a very long way of saying no, though I would like to get back home as soon as I can. Just in case. There's plenty more to be done before any real progress is made."

She stopped and glanced out into the crowd at the Chancellor's announcement and grinned. "Seems our new Chancellor's had enough 'lobbying' for awhile. I suppose that limits our conversation somewhat, hmm? Never enough time to discuss the important things in depth. A lot like sleep."

"Plenty of time to sleep when you're dead."

[Jenno]

Kaio nodded as he watched the senators already filing into the chambers. They, too, would soon return and vote on the protection bill. The vote would undoubtedly be in favor, and the discussion on the Dantooine, Subterrel, and Alderaan incidents would most likely be ignored or postponed. The Core faction, for one, would love nothing more than to fillibuster for hours on end to prevent a discussion on Alderaan's political future. Alderaan was a Core world in every sense, and the Core Faction were determined to be the ones to make all decisions regarding it. All in all, the ambassador predicted that a much longer recess would have to be held before any real work got done. The next Grand Assembly, in fact. The Force only knew when that would be.

The furry politician faced his new old friend and grinned, though it looked more like a snarl. He'd been hanging around humans too much...

"Yes. I feel partially responsible now that I am involved in the affairs of your people, and so I hope you will accept my aid once again. We should discuss it, perhaps in my offices.... on second thought, it might be best if we went out. I've not left this building in days. What do you say, Senator? My treat?"

[Citrine]

"And with you as well." Senator Citrine nodded to the Jedi. I wish you the best of luck, Jedi. The senator thought as she watched the Jedi leave the building. As the senator walked back towards the small crowd, an announcement to return to the assembly was heard. The senator nodded to the Chancellor as she passed him heading back into the assembly room for the next order of affairs.

(( Forgot to add my ending statement. ^-^ ))

[Regnier]

Parias tensed slightly, but relaxed again quickly enough. Sometimes, he wished there was a translator for the body language of other species.

"Your help is always welcome, my friend. With the assistance of someone like you, we might be able to manage something of an acceptable end for both sides." Terek turned her head slightly and glanced at the man standing off to her side. "I think that's one hell of an idea you've got there, and you know me...I'm not one to turn down an offer such as that."

She chuckled softly as she watched a few more senators file past, some still trying to finish conversations. "And it's not as though they'll be needing us around here. Parias, stay here and watch my nephew. Remember, in my absence, he possesses Naboo's voice. Keep him out of trouble, eh?" The retired soldier's eye twitched and he muttered something foul in Dosh as Sevrina moved forward a pace and turned to face both the Bothan and the Coruscanti. "Well, my fine associate...have anywhere specific in mind?"

[Jenno]

Senator Duranara nodded at her acceptance.

"Good, good."

He remarked as the two found their way to the senate chambers once more. There was, after all, much work to be done before they were free to do as they pleased. Even though the outcome of the evening had already been decided, they still had to cast their votes to make it so.

"When this is all over, we will meet at the Ainsi Restauraunt. It's a bit out-of-the-way, but it is one of my favorites on this world. Dress nicely... our reservation is in precisely three hours. I trust you will not be late."

He paused at the entrance, making sure he was clear. This was not the time for ambiguity.

"I believe you are down that way, Senator Terek. I will see you inside, then."

And, with that, the Bothan made his trek back up into his repulsorpod, his message delivered.