Remember When

[Officiant]

Remember When... ​

I met Aren Krass, what was it? Twenty years ago? Yes, it was his first day in the Senate and he had picked an interesting time to join our ranks. The Antar-Gyndine conflict had just ended with the Jedi intervention and Antar joining the Republic. It had alarmed many in the Senate and renewed calls for a standing army. Still, others were grateful that the Jedi had taken such an active role in the conflict. On the very same day that Aren entered the Senate he stood up and became irate at the Senate's complacency at the issue of its own security. Back then the Sith threat had just become known to us again, they were still lurking in the darkest recesses of their tombs, their eyes glistening in the light every so often. I was hardly alarmed at a few lingering sith lords on ruined worlds, but Aren saw things differently. It seemed like he saw everything differently in fact.

He was young and abrasive, petulant and verbose. We were opposites in almost everyway and yet I was drawn to him, not instantly or strongly at first but he stood out. It was something every Senator tried to do but with Aren it wasn't simple posturing. I knew that from the moment he first spoke on the Senate floor...

 

[Prudence]

Remember When... ​

I met Aren Krass, what was it? Twenty years ago? Yes, it was his first day in the Senate and he had picked an interesting time to join our ranks. The Antar-Gyndine conflict had just ended with the Jedi intervention and Antar joining the Republic. It had alarmed many in the Senate and renewed calls for a standing army. Still, others were grateful that the Jedi had taken such an active role in the conflict. On the very same day that Aren entered the Senate he stood up and became irate at the Senate's complacency at the issue of its own security. Back then the Sith threat had just become known to us again, they were still lurking in the darkest recesses of their tombs, their eyes glistening in the light every so often. I was hardly alarmed at a few lingering sith lords on ruined worlds, but Aren saw things differently. It seemed like he saw everything differently in fact.

He was young and abrasive, petulant and verbose. We were opposites in almost everyway and yet I was drawn to him, not instantly or strongly at first but he stood out. It was something every Senator tried to do but with Aren it wasn't simple posturing. I knew that from the moment he first spoke on the Senate floor...

20 Years Earlier,
Krass's first day in the senate also happened to be the first senate session after the Antar-Gydine crisis. The Senate was sitting in complacency, listening to Chancellor Vatara drone about the current state of affairs after the crisis, and some general patting themselves on the back for the "valiant work" that they all did by deploying the Jedi, and launching sanctions. Krass was sitting in the Corellian Senate booth listening intently to what was going on. There were little pipes about how if the Republic had a judiciary branch perhaps they could have helped, but the general consensus was that they had all done well. Until the Senator from Corellia spoke on the matter.

"There were only eighteen civilian casualties. Thankfully the Jedi Order was able to intervene in the crisis before it got further out of hand. Eventually the conflict subsided when trade sanctions were threatened, brave actions on the behalf of the Galactic Se-"

"If you'll forgive me for my interjection, Vice Senator, none of your actions carried even the remotest form of bravery. Each one of you who vote against the creation of a Grand Army, or against Republic intervention of any kind besides lobbing a Jedi at the target, are spineless cowards. You're not brave. You're complacent. If any of you paid attention to history, you would understand this threat that is the sith, it doesn't go away because you beat it into submission. They will be back, and when they are, if you don't rid yourself of this complacency then we will face a worse fate than we did the last time the Sith invaded."

At this point the Vice Chancellor had called for his platform to hover infront of the Rotunda and the senate was stunned into silence. A moment later the silence broke with shouts, cheers, boos, and roaring conversation. Even the Vice-Chancellor's clamoring for order did little to quell the growing roar. Krass moved his platform back to its starting place, having finished his tirade.

 

[Officiant]

Senator Viechelin Farrs, the all powerful, all feared and/or all respected Senator from Thyferra leaned forward in her seat in Thyferra's privileged perch in the Senate hall. In her decade in the Senate she had heard many outbursts by ideologues or provocateurs, though they usually possessed obnoxious personalities to suit their contrarian or arrogant views. Viechelin couldn't speak to this man's personality but she didn't like how he thought how he could just walk in to the Senate and insult the administration and consensus she had attached herself to and had helped to put in power.

"I wish to speak with him." Viechelin said, turning her head slightly to her aide while keeping her eyes trained on Corellia's senate box. "Bring him to the box after the end of session." Most Senators, especially the junior ones, would not refuse her summons. She trusted her aide to discretely impart the necessity of Senator Krass' acceptance of it however.

 

[Aren Krass]

The session continued once the Vice-Chancellor regained order. He gave a curt recognition of Krass's 'speech', and then continued the business meeting. There was little left to discuss, and few others spoke.

Once the meeting was over an aide was sent for Krass, and he was asked to meet with the senator from Thyferra in the Theferrian box. Krass did as he was asked, walking gracefully, but also powerfully, towards the political box, ringing the door chime when he finally arrived.

 

[Officiant]

The door opened to reveal Viechelin's Chief of Staff, a short, middle aged woman with short blonde hair and discerning eyes. "Senator's expecting you." She said in a crisp but slightly comical accent. She gestured to Viechelin, still sitting in her chair looking out across the big empty senate hall.

@Aren Krass

"That was quite an entrance on your first day." She mused as Senator Krass approached her. "Though I think all young Senators seek to instantly cut themselves out from the crowd, you certainly tried to." Viechelin said as she watched the Senator from Raltiir and the Senator from Brentaal IV discuss something in the lower hall.

@Aren Krass

 

[Aren Krass]

Aren stepped through the door, meeting Viechelin's Chief of Staff. He was about to ask if she herself was the senator, but was then directed farther in to see the actual senator herself. Aren nodded and walked farther into the box, stopping beside the senator's chair as she spoke. Aren let out an almost snort as he processed her words

"My dear Senator, I believe you're mistaken about my intentions. Had I wanted to make a 'Grand Intrance'. I'm afraid you're incorrect. Had I wanted to make a grand entrance, I would have gone about it entirely differently. Whether or not I'm cut out from the crowd isn't a concern of mine, it will happen all on its own. No, my speech today was the honest truth. If it ruffled your feathers, I do apologize as it wasn't my intention to personally insult anyone, instead to light a fire. I love this Republic, as much as I'm sure you do. I will do whatever I can to keep it safe, including alienating all of my peers if I have to."

 

[Officiant]

"Patriot... how refreshing." Viechelin whispered in an aside to herself. "Is that why you joined the Senate? King and Country or some version of it?" She asked with a slightly bemused smile though she knew he could not see it.

 

[Aren Krass]

Aren gave her a sly smile "Is that what you think, Senator Viechelin? That I joined for King and Country? Or did I join for the power that it brings me. Which is it? Am I a patriotic idiot? Or a power hungry sociopath?"

 

[Officiant]

Viechelin looked up at Senator Krass. "Tell me you didn't feel it when you first walked into the chamber." She said, standing up from her seat. "The electricity, the roar of the crowd, the energy of an arena..." Viechelin turned to the Corellian man. "Everyone who is here wants to be here, one way or another. They want power, they want wealth, they want influence, they want to change things, this is an arena that so many aspire to and if you don't wish to be here, you won't last. If you want any of those things I mentioned but don't have the right mentality for the political process, you don't last. And if you don't know how to play the little games of power, how to negotiate, how to ingratiate yourself with others, you won't last either." Viechelin moved to leave the Senate box, leaving Aren to ponder what she said. "I suggest you take some time to listen, observe, learn the ins and outs of this place. You'll be able to do far more for whatever cause personal or otherwise brought you here if you know the right people and earn their respect."

"Oh and one more thing." She said, turning before passing through the doors. "Your speech today put a target on your back, the Vice-Chancellor and the Supreme Chancellor are not stupid people, I should know I've been with them every step of the way. I suggest you reserve the personal barbs for your fellow Senators, they'll take it marginally better." Viechelin smirked, something she rarely did.

 

[Aren Krass]

Krass listened to her speech, and nodded along with it at parts.

"I certainly felt the electricity. I do understand what you are saying. Fear not Senator Farrs, this is where I want to be, and I have the skills to survive here. Thank you for the advice, though. I will make sure I watch my back. Should I invest in better security?"

The senate provided their own 'Senate Guards' but Krass had his own security as well, and wasn't particularly worried about any politicians with a case of butthurt.

 

[Aren Krass]

8 Years Later

​

Aren stood at the speaking platform inside of the Great Senate Rotunda, finishing his closing argument. He hammered his hand down on the podium that he was standing behind as he delivered a particularly powerful part of his speech. He was speaking on an economic approach that would strengthen trade in the core, as well as begin a branch outward towards the Outer Rim in an attempt to strengthen a galactic economy. It was something that he and Viechelin had worked on for months. He spared a glance at his partner before continuing.

"It is for this reason, good senators, that I implore you to back this bill. Don't be dissuaded by corporate greed and the credit pinching attempts of the core worlds to hold onto their every credit. Strengthened galactic trade is ultimately something that is good for every planet in this republic. Core worlds profit from sales, Outer Rim worlds profit from advanced technology and jobs. It is a win win situation, and one this governing body needs."

The vote was quick, and landslide. Their bill passed, despite staunch opposition as far as speeches were concerned. Krass began leaving his senate box, traveling towards Viechelin, a grin plastered on his face.

 

[Officiant]

Viechelin smiled as she walked out of her box, catching Aren's pace as she looked her arm in his, jubilant at their shared political victory. "It was politically convenient, it was morally right, how often do the two go hand in hand?" Viechelin was positively beaming at the euphoria of such a historic bill to bring about an economic boom in the Outer Rim that would strengthen ties between worlds thereby improving the whole Republic while also helping its poorest and most troubled citizens. "It's not often my work on behalf of the poor, the sick, and the hungry comes together so neatly as my obligations to the Duopoly." Viechelin said, clutching Aren's arm even tighter, practically hanging off of him as they both nearly skipped down the hall with the momentous occasion of their bill's passage. Smiling and waiving to Senators, luminaries, charity organizers, business and government officials that had traveled from across the Republic to see the bill's passage, Viechelin relished such a feeling that she had not had in a long while, allowing people to see a more relaxed and jubilant side of her personality.

"They're here because of us Aren, we did this." Viechelin whispered, her voice spilling over with pride and accomplishment.

 

[Aren Krass]

Aren gladly locked arms with the woman as they walked. "I can certainly agree with that. Times in which my moral stances and my political ones align are quite rare and very cherished." Of course, though, he didn't really value morality. Should he need to make a decision that conflicted such things, he wouldn't so much as hesitate. Regardless, he enjoyed helping the less fortunate when he was provided such an opportunity.

"They are. We just improved the quality of life for trillions of beings, and began what could be the strengthening of the Republic. I couldn't have done it without you, my friend. So how shall we celebrate?"