Meeting the Chancellor

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald had awaited this day for months. Since he’s announcement he hadn’t spoken with the Chancellor. Today he would finally get his chance. He didn’t know what to expect. They were old friends but he wouldn’t likely be very happy with Donald’s decision. He like most of the Republic didn’t want to believe anything was wrong. Also Donald had a tendency to use to much force to quickly. Donald knew that and he knew that the last thing people wanted was a war. But the galaxy had moved on and the war was coming to them. He loved Aiden like a brother but he wasn’t ready to lead the Republic in a war. If he allowed his term to run out it might be too late and he wouldn’t be able to get the preparations moving. The Media storm didn’t like to acknowledge the fact that Donald and Aiden were close friends. Or remind people that Donald had once saved his life. So when the news of the meeting took place they all pretended to be shocked. Donald hoped Aiden didn’t pay any attention to it and it would be a friendly meeting. He greeted the guards at the elevator with a smile and they nodded. The elevator opened and Donald stepped him. As the door’s opened revealing the Chancellor’s office Donald smiled,
“Aiden, it’s been far to long my friend.” he walked towards the Chancellor’s desk and added, “We have much to discuss. I do hope we both can keep an open mind in this.” Donald stood in front of Aiden’s desk looking trying to read his features. The military had taught him many things, and he would pay attention to every detail. What Aiden said might not be what he felt and what he felt might not the right choice. Donald would keep his cool no matter what and he would show the galaxy and Aiden that he was ready.

[Ardenator]

Aiden reclined at his seat, waiting for Donald to come. He was tired, he was hurting, and fed up with it all.

He had been elected on the promise that he would do everything required to keep the Republic safe in this time of peril. He had supported a maximum-force response to the Sith and Mandalorian threats, and the beefing up a various internal agencies after the rash of assassinations. Again and again he had tried to get the legislation passed, but again and again the Senate would block it. Then he had been kidnapped by a Sith Marauder, miraculously surviving the encounter. Even then the Senate wouldn't budge. Nothing was getting done, and they had settled on an uneasy truce with the Sith Empire, which everyone with a brain knew wouldn't last.

Yet they refused to prepare for the day when it would fall apart...

Now he was starting to take the blame for the Senate's inaction, when he was the greatest supporter of action. Even his closest friends in the Senate had turned against him.

Usually Aiden would be angry. Enraged, even. But now he was too tired to care anymore, too tired of trying. He'd wanted to change the galaxy, help the Republic. He wanted to do great things, and now he would go down in history as the most ineffective Chancellor ever.

Donald walked in, and Aiden nodded at him. "Take a seat." He waited, then sat up, meeting the man's eyes. "I wish you hadn't done that. Together we could have worked to fix things. We could have spurned the Senate into action. Now you've cut those in support of Republic action in half, and the corrupt Senators have full control." He sighed, and sat back.

"So what do you want now?"

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald nodded and could tell Aiden was unhappy, but he was still reasonable. Donald sighed and looked to his friend trying to think of what to say,
“I didn’t mean it to be this way my friend. I know this isn’t all your fault, but I feel this was the right move. You have lost the fire of your early years. You haven’t lost your passion for the people but the ability to do what you want has fadded. The Republic needs action and you have lost the support of the people and the Senate. Change is needed and we are the Republics only hope. I would like us to be partners still even in this situation.” Donald sat down into the chair resting his arms on the chair. The view was of the city was magnificent but the man before it was sad and tired. Donald didn’t expect him to put up much of a real fight. He wouldn’t go down a coward though. He wouldn’t want to be in Aiden’s position and he would never allow himself to become it.

[Ardenator]

Aiden shook his head. "You want to work together? All right. I'm activating my power of assembly. Tomorrow I will call a special session of the Senate, in order to fully address all threats to the Republic, foreign and domestic. The session will not end until I'm satisfied that we have done everything possible to alleviate the situation. If you want to help, you can speak up there, and help rally the Senators to pass the legislation that needs passed. They'll do it, one way or the other, because I'm not letting them leave that chamber until they do. Whether you want to help or you just want glory, you can get either if you help out tomorrow, and leave this no-confidence bullshit until after we actually help our country."

[Daren & Donald Kail]

"If I wanted fame and glory...I would have stayed in the military my friend." Donald said with a hint of humor, "Honestly this whole plot was to make the senate wake up. My call for it might prove enough to move them. If it is, I will withdraw my vote of no confidence in your leadership to prove my seriousness in this. I don't doubt you as much as I doubt them. You have tried but failed my friend. It's not your fault but you still feel the blame. For that I am sorry. The media has your side anyway, they call me a warmonger." Donald shrugged and laughed, "Prehaps I am. Never the less. This session should work, I will not mention my vote of no cofiedence I won't bring poltics into it. This is a matter of far too great improtance." Donald nodded feeling he had gotten his point across. He didn't want Aiden to feel that this was a attempt to gain fame or power. This was Donald's last attempt to save the Republic he loved so much. he never would have done this under any other circumstances. He hoped Aiden would listen.

[Ardenator]

For some reason, Aiden believed Donald. He was direct, and to the point. None of the pussyfooting, none of the lobbying, none of the asking for favors or money. He just wanted to get things done. And maybe they could.

He nodded. "Sounds good. I'm glad we see the same way. It will take a united front to get what we need done."

He stood, and offered his hand. "We'll do it, together."

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald smiled and shook Aiden's hand, "It's been far too long since we had worked together my friend." He shook it frim and looked him in the eye. It wasn't the shake of a Senator, it was the shake of a military Admiral. Old habits die hard. Donald trusted that Aiden ment buiness and he would keep to his word. Donald had no plans to do anything against Aiden, he could do things just as well as Donald could. He would just let him try, if it worked then Donald would remain Corellia's senator. If not...then he'd countiune down the path he created. Aiden wouldn't be happy but hopefully he wouldn't be bitter. He was happy they were on the same page now he would only have to maintain the unstable relationship. Donald chuckled with a thought,
"Is that really all you have to say to me?"

[Ardenator]

He nodded, smiling for the first time in days. "Yes, much too long, old friend."

He smirked at the man's last's words, and gave him a roguish wink. "Hey, you were the one that came to see me."

He sat down, still smiling. "Thank you, though. For everything."

(sorry, at a loss for words lol)

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald smiled and looked to the Chancellor, "I have a couple plans in placed if we can aquire the funding to get the military to twice it's current capasity in a month at the most. The details don't matter just that their trustworthy and the ships will be ready. Also I fear that Alderaan is too weak, I spoke with it's senator and she seemed worried about it but not nearly enough. They will be hard to convience but I think she's on our side. Prehaps she shall recruit more for our cause." Donald then responded to the thanks, "Thank me? I am the servant the Republic I'm just a soldier following orders. I'm too old to hold a gun so I hold a pen. Until I'm too old to hold that." Donald said with a small smile. He didn't like ageing but he accepted it. He wondered if the Republic could accept it's next part of life. or would it just die and fade away forever?

[Ardenator]

He nodded. "We'll try to get all the military and research funding we can. We have to over double military size and strength, and reinforce all worlds, especially those on the Outer Rim. You should send me a copy of those plans, so I can look them over a bit before the session."

He shook his head. "I'm thanking you for not being corrupt, and actually trying to serve your country. So many don't these days. It's sad."

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald nodded, "The Republic is corrupt...but corruption is the price for democracy. The Sith is total corruption if we were lucky they would have a power struggle but I fear if they do the leader who would emerge would be far too powerful to oppose. The Republic isn't ready for war. Not in supplies or in moral. I know how to win battles, I know how win wars and save lifes. I cannot do it without the full support of the Senate and the military ability. As the Military's spokesman they have told me what they need. Now the deal I have made is not offical or on paper. If you have anything recording this session I suggest you turn it off because this is stickly confidental." Donald looked sternly to Aiden, he wanted to trust him but this was risky. He wanted to help Aiden but this was too important to take a chance on.

[Ardenator]

Aiden shook his head. "It doesn't have to be corrupt. There was a time when it wasn't. If we could just get the proper legislation passed... But the Senate would never curb it's own power..."

He nodded, and reached under his desk. A click sounded as he flipped the switch on his recording device. "There, you may speak freely, Senator."

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald smiled as he heard the click, "Now as you may or may not know. There is a company I substantial stock in, Corellian Enterprises. This company is ran by a friend of mine named Julius. He is the Prime Ministor of Corellia. He and his company have the resources and the manpower to create a large fleet in a month. Maybe even a week if we really rushed it. He has assembled a massive amount of ship parts. Not completle crusiers but their parts. Whenever we give him to the call he can have these assambled into a new fleet for us. We would have enough ships to guard our planets and engage the enemy. This would give us a fair advantage. We'd just need the men to run the ships and the money to pay for the company's expenses. There is no catch because none is needed. Julius and his company makes alot of money and we get alot of ships. Also since this fleet can be put together so quickly. We can hold off making them until we need them. So the Sith will be surprised and cannot use the excuse that we were prepareing to attack them. If war never comes he will sell off the parts to whoever needs them. I think it's a fair deal and he should allow him to do his work. He's already got the parts ready...just awaits word of payment." Donald smiled hoping Aiden would like the idea. Donald didn't care that this plan would also make him rich. He wanted to protect the Republic and this plan would do that. He though now would also be a good time to mention...,
"I have also enlisted a small mandalorian unit to our cause. They will work for us for fair payment and I trust they wouldn't betray us for the Sith. Mandalorians are honorable and wouldn't doublecross us. They would be very useful if war comes. I have been making as many preperations as possible." Donald relaxed a little, he had gone over everything he could think of for now. Hopefully Aiden wouldn't tell anyone of Julius's fleet. The fleet must remain hidden or it would be total war in a day. The Sith would never allow the Republic fleet to match their own. It had to be done in total secret...

[Ardenator]

Aiden nodded. "I like it. In fact I already have a plan ongoing just like it. We're using OmniCorp's defense fleet to secure our Outer Rim worlds and prepare an attack on the Sith. With this company's fleet, I'm sure we can do it. We should begin preparations at once."

He snorted. "You know the Mandalorians have rebelled, right? They've taken Mandalore and Concord Dawn, and intelligence says they're about to go for the rest of the systems in the Mandalore Sector. All Mandalorians are enemies of the state. They can't be trusted."

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald nodded in agreement with the first point but he felt strongly against the second, "I was a soldier once so I understand their viewpoint a little better. Our prievous agreements were so supressing the only thing they could do is Rebel. I think it would be a good idea to try to get them on our side. They already don't like the Sith...if we could unify with them. Become a stable alliance if we go to war we could win. We could defeat the Sith. What your saying is foolish and absolutism. We cannot deal in absolutes for we are the Republic and not the Sith. Listen to reason for what your asking is to not only fight the Sith, but the Mandalorians. Two wars against the best fighters and military minds in the universe. I don't know anyone who would not even try to get the Mandalorians on our side. They are honorable and they would never betray us if they didn't feel betrayed themselves. I believe this and would take full responsability if they did otherwise if a deal was made." Donald hated talking about this. It was one thing he wasn't one hundred percent on. He trusted the mandalorian he talked to but the rest might not be as trustworthy...unless he threw honor into the equation. When he did he found a way to convense them. He had to try.

[Ardenator]

Aiden sighed, and rubbed his eyes. He was so tired...

How had things come to this? Donald was right, of course. The Republic was between a rock and a hard place; facing a war from without and an uprising from within. They couldn't stand like this.

But what could they do? No option seemed good for the ailing government. They were damned if they did, and damned if they didn't. He shook his head. No, they couldn't put down the Mandalorians and push back the Sith at the same time. They would have to try diplomacy.

Aiden nodded. "Very well, then. Donald, I'm appointing you my Chief Diplomat regarding the Mandalorian Clans. Put together an Envoy and go to the Mandalorian Sector. Make whatever deals you feel we need to to get the Mandalorians on our side. I'll defer to your judgment. Sound good?"

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald thought the request over then nodded, "Yes, we should try to be diplomatic. I think they will trust us over the Sith. Hopefully they will be men of honor rather than credits. I know of their teachings and if they follow them we shall be fine. The World has moved on so they might have become as corrupt as the Sith. I think I could make a good deal with them, but it would invovle them controlling Concord Dawn, the other planets they now possess. Maybe another agreeable planet, They are great fighters. If we could get them on our side it'd be well worth it. I'd allow them to have their own branch of the military. They would only answer to me or some other offical and they would act on the will of the Military and Chancellor. This way they feel like they have freedom...and they would have freedom. That is the previous deal's problem. We took away their freedom of course the revolted. It was like taking away a farmers animals, they would fight for them. So the Mandalorians have done." Donald nodded to the Chancellor. It was the only option, plus even if the deal didn't work it should the Mandalorians that the Republic is willing to negotate. That might be all they need.

[Ardenator]

Aiden nodded. "Yes, they deserve freedom. I want them to have full control over their own rules, sovereignty as outlined in the Constitution of the Republic. I want to give them seats in the Senate for Mandalore and Concord Dawn, too. They should have full representation and a say in how they are governed. Make sure they know that the Republic realizes it's mistakes, and is sorry. We can give them reparations, too, if they see fit. Let's fix this problem."

[Daren & Donald Kail]

Donald nodded, he believed Aiden would agree to this deal. That is why he brought it before him instead of the full Senate. Some Senators still held grudges against the Mandalorians. Many of Donalds friends had been killed by Mandalorians but at heart Donald was a soldier so he couldn't hold a grudge against them. He smiled to the Chancellor,

"This is a very good desision. I believe if they are wise and levelheaded they shall agree to this deal. It is very good for them. I will find who is in charge and meet with him as soon as possible. The Mandalorains won't be easy to deal with, they might see this as a sign of weakness and try to attack us. We have to be reasonable, but not desprate. We need them to feel like it's a good choice for them. We also in the same time show no fear in them denying the deal. We must be strong, and fearless. If we can balance that then together today we have made the Republic safer then it was when we woke. When I return we should hold a massive calling of the senate to discuss this. I think the Mandalorians whatever their choice will answer me quickly." Donald took a sip of water and looked out into the city's lights. Beautiful as ever...
"Anything else to be discussed?"

[Ardenator]

Aiden shook his head. "That is all. Depart at once. The sooner we can get the Mandalorians on our side, the better. The Sith are going to be bad enough. The Republic cannot stand long with all our enemies united against us. Undoubtedly the Sith are sending the Mandalorians emissaries as well."