Open Onderon A New Chapter, or Plans to Write One

[Phanius Moore]

Moore sat down as Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl spoke, doing his best to keep his face impassive as the Wookiee commented. He did not agree with the man's sentiments about the Jedi, an Order which, thus far, had not exactly done a brilliant job in stopping successive worlds from falling to the Sith Empire. "And what an excellent job they've done Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl." Moore said, sarcasm heavy in his voice. "From what we have seen they have done nothing bar antagonise the Sith and bring embarrassment to us all. I do not believe the grievance of the Sith Empire was every with the Alliance, indeed - they have made it clear from the beginning that this was a provincial religious dispute between their Orders."

He turned his attention to Prime Minister Belasi "And, Prime Minister, we do of course need our own army. Yet we should not be doing so just to throw ourselves into a religious dispute. But I find myself confused, Prime Minister. How exactly have I 'disrespected' the ISC? I have met the ISC once in person. I have never spoken out against them, or their members. Prime Minister, you would do well to have your aides brief you a little better on such matters, otherwise, you shall only make a fool of yourself." Moore continued.

"Once again, I propose we remove this religious Order, the Jedi, from our borders, and approach the less-centralised ISC - a government I believe to be closer to our core values than the New Republic."

 

[Korre Belasi]

"Senator Moore, again, please do not purposefully misinterpret my words. I did not address you specifically." Korre's tone remained neutral, but it was clear she was fed up with her words being purposefully twisted to better suit his point.

To the greater Senate, she would turn to say, "I say again, the Sith will continue to attack our worlds regardless of their Jedi affiliation, it is only a matter of when and where. Wayland had no Jedi temples. Taris had no Jedi temples. The Sith invaded regardless."

This is exactly what she meant. They really needed a Speaker of the Senate, so that they could be forced to stay on topic. "But the Jedi are not the topic on hand. You have all heard my arguments for this. I want us to centralize ourselves through this potential merge so that we are better equipped to combat the Sith forces without the necessary help of the Jedi. We should be able to fight the Sith with our own powers. We should not be forced to listen to the demands of terrorists to keep our people safe. If you have not already, please express your stance on beginning negotiations to merge with the NR."

tags: @llamallove @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl did not like the idea of merging with the New Republic, but they were voting on the decision to begin talks with the New Republic; more details of the once-unfathomable merger would provide a clearer picture in the coming weeks, and the Wookiee would be able to closely observe and influence the proceedings in order to ensure the most favorable outcome for the Free World's Alliance.

"Kashyyyk votes in favor of beginning talks with the New Republic about a potential merger" the Wookiee said, solemnly tallying his vote so that it turned green on the large screen.

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[Hergalor]

The old Jedi and Sith debate. Wonderful. "Agreeing to dispense of the Jedi now is tantamount to surrender. Which is not an option." The FWA cannot have foreign bodies, Empires that have committed genocide within their borders, dictate the terms of their diplomacy. "However useless the Jedi have proven themselves at defending the FWA's territory is meaningless - the FWA should be able to protect itself. With or without Jedi. I am no friend to the Jedi Order, and I have few ideological qualms with the Sith Empire. But this is a referendum that we must pursue with cooler heads. If we throw them away right now, we signal to the entire galaxy that we are the weak, easily-influenced political body they already believe us to be. Even if the Empire were to end its war against us, all we would have done is proven that we are incapable of making our own decisions and defending ourselves."

It was a risky plan. The Free Worlds Alliance risked losing its entire national identity by joining with the New Republic. The Centrists could form a voting bloc powerful enough to excise the errant homesteaders of the Free Worlds Alliance completely from power. Hergalor's tiny kingdom of Taanab risked falling to the wayside, disappearing into the sea of newcomers to their government.

However, there was a caveat. Where there was great chaos, there was great opportunity. The New Republic still held the bulk of the worlds across the Perlimian Trade Route - Core Worlder markets that he personally despised, but saw the economic value of. If the New Republic and the Free Worlds Alliance were joined, perhaps that would open the path to lucrative trade agreements that could outlive the war. The core worlds could also provide a tax base, easily exploitable, that Hergalor could funnel into the 'charitable and humanitarian activities' of the Taanab Agroecological Cooperative. Perhaps, if the New Republic joined, TAC could expand its terraforming operations to all of the war-torn and environmentally ravaged planets within their shared borders. He could push for an emergency appropriations act, collect money to put right into TAC's pocket...

All for a good cause, of course. His hologram flickered back to life as he spoke yet again. "Taanab votes yes to this proposal. We are like ants - might only when unified and in numbers. If we wish to have any hope of defeating the Sith, we will need the New Republic's aid." He paused, briefly, brushing away a flake of dead skin that formed under his eyestalk. His next words would need to rally the dissenters.

"Many of you may fear joining the New Republic. Our old allies, against the old Empire. Our exploiters, under the reign of the Old Republic. The Core's outsized influence still sends shivers down our spines, I know. But the Republic is in dire straits. A great number of their planets have defected to the ISC as it stands. And while they might not want to join the two-front war against Mandalore and the Sith, I'm not certain either of those groups feel the same. Together, and only together, we can form a bond of mutual prosperity that will survive any storm. Together, and only together, we can decisively end this conflict." That, he was not so certain of. An army could serve as a deterrent, yes. But unless this army started to win battles without the aid of the Jedi, there was no guarantee that peace would be possible. "We must take back our worlds, in the name of the honorable Senator Starros, may he Rest In Peace. We must strike wherever possible, using whatever means. This war escalates, and it will draw the whole galaxy in, some way or the other." The ISC's vaunted neutrality rested on their power. A growing economic, military, and industrial powerhouse. While they would likely remain outside of the conflict, war had to be a strain on diplomacy everywhere. And losing their support as a Senatorial body could have terrible implications for the fate of the FWA.

His last words were aimed at the woman herself, the Prime Minister. "Prime Minister Belasi. This is a bold proposal. As is the proposal for a new army. It is understandable - you were elected to take action on the Sith." He put his hand to his chin - a gesture that meant nothing in Ithorian culture, because they don't have chins. But, to the rest of the group, he hoped this body language would signal thoughtfulness and intellect. "Our worlds continue to crumble, and the Jedi run amok. It is not your fault alone, we all share the blame." As disunited as they were, it often felt like there were only three or four senators who took their whole Alliance seriously. "But the buck must stop somewhere. If the New Republic were to join us, you would represent their planets. Thus, I nominate you to lead this delegation. Consider it a test of your leadership. And if this experiment fails, as many of ours have..." His eyes narrowed. "The Free Worlds Senate will be left in a difficult position."

His hologram fizzled out of life after his statement. He'd read about the results of this vote in the morning, more than likely.

@lizziie @SlagathorTheUnknown @Nor'baal @llamallove

 

[Cassian Graves]

Allying the Jedi Order and merging with the New Republic were two strikingly different propositions, and yet the two issues had been amalgamated over the course of their discourse, as if one was dependent upon the other. Had not the Supreme Chancellor himself voted to expel the Jedi Order from senate chambers—this very chamber, to be exact? The New Republic and the Jedi Order were no more unified than the Free Worlds Alliance was these days, especially with the passing of Emil Ro.

To hear Prime Minister Belasi speak of a merger with the New Republic was... concerning. Blue eyes studied the Prime Minister from across the chamber, wondering if her motives were as sincere as she portrayed them to be. Korre Belasi was the fresh-faced politician from Belasco with more interest in humanitarian efforts than politics, but now, at last, she spoke as a true politician.

Did she truly believe the New Republic was their only chance at survival, or had ambition finally grabbed the Belascan by the throat along with the rest of them? With Emil Ro dead, the office of the Supreme Chancellor remained vacant to this day. Perhaps she imagined herself as his successor.

Or perhaps her were motives were exactly as she portrayed them: noble. Only time would tell.

Cassian did not like the idea of merging with the New Republic, the government that opposed the very essence of the Free World's philosophy and beliefs. It was the same old story—when war and tragedy struck, leaders expected you to give up your freedom for safety. Would this merger benefit the Free Worlds in the long run?

Someday—probably not in Cassian's lifetime—this war would run its course. What would be left then? Why exchange one autocratic government—the Sith—for another?

The core worlds were hardly any better off than the Free Worlds Alliance these days either. What had they to offer? A hemorrhaging economy? A deteriorating credit? If anything, the deep rooted differences in ideology would only make the Free Worlds Alliance that much more dissentious. If they couldn't agree now with one another, how did the Prime Minister expect them to come to any kind of agreement with New Republic Senators?

The Zeltron exhaled. Regardless, his vote was moot. The ayes had it. What was the harm in talking to the New Republic? Core Worlders did love the sound of their own voices, after all—it would probably never amount to anything. The least Cassian could do was give Prime Minister Belasi the benefit of the doubt for now, and see what happened.

"Onderon votes yes," he stated simply, adding in a grave tone, "Provided that after these negotiations with the New Republic, Free World senators reconvene for another vote. We cannot truly or in good conscience decide upon this issue without all of the logistics laid bare."

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