Open Galactic Senate Chandrila Assembly of the Galactic Senate

[Korre Belasi]

Spoiler: OOC NOTE (please read)

This thread is only open to anyone who is a member of, or is associated with, the Galactic Senate (New Republic, FWA, ISC, Jedi council).

Chandrila. Rolling hills, calm seas… it was a beautiful planet with a rich history. Its capital, Hanna City, was also the location of today’s assembly of the Galactic Senate.

Security had been ramped up as representatives from each nation--the New Republic, the Free Words Alliance, and the Independent Systems Consortium--made their ways to the Senate building. Some had arrived a week’s time in advance to prepare their speeches and gather themselves, while others were just now entering Chandrila’s atmosphere. Even representatives of the Jedi Order had been spotted, making their way to the Senate building through growing crowds of reporters. Security was posted at several points, maintaining distance between the arriving representatives and the curious citizens of Chandrila. More were stationed just inside the building, helping to conduct health screenings for any who enter and making sure no weapons were being brought into the House.

Korre, FWA representative for Belasco, had been on Chandrila for only two days. Most of her time had been spent prepping her proposal and trying not to be too nervous about speaking in front of such a large audience. One hundred people would hear her voice, herself included, alongside the billions and billions of citizens of the galaxy through the cameras which would livestream the assembly. She would be the voice of her people, and a voice for the FWA. But she had no more time to dwell on that; the assembly would begin soon enough.

The Chandrilian Senate Chamber was modeled after the one on Coruscant, though much smaller as it only needed to house a hundred or so pods. It was a semicircle with sections dedicated to members of each representative group, and had ten seats for ambassadors of the Jedi Order, thirty for the New Republic senators, thirty for the ISC governors, and thirty for delegates of the FWA. The semicircle is centered around a raised platform with separated pods for the leaders of each representative group. There existed a few additional pods at the bottom that could be brought into use should someone not specifically involved with any political group be brought in to speak.

Korre made her way to the chamber, passing by a man prepping one of the cameras that would soon be used to livestream the assembly. Datapad in hand, she ascended up into her assigned pod and joined the section of FWA delegates. Arriving representatives would have about half an hour before the start of the assembly.

( Assembly agenda can be viewed here.)

 

[Caliban Drast]

Seated in his assigned pod, Caliban swiped through documents on his datapad as he waited for the proceedings to begin. He had a copy of the proposed agenda on hand, and he couldn't help but let out a smile as he read one that was of particular interest to him.

"You know," his aide spoke from besides him, a playful smile on her face, "I wonder where some of these fools learned how to govern. Some of this doesn't even have any legal precedence, much less make sense." So she had noticed the item as well. Caliban just shook his head, and continued reading. "Don't call our fellow representative fools," noticing the raised eyebrow, he smirked, "even if it is the truth. Be polite."

It was now her turn to shake her head, before returning her attention to her datapad. Caliban put his own datapad down and relaxed back into his seat, watching patiently as the chamber started filling up. At the very least they were keeping things exciting.

 

[Nicolas Clément]

Time to go get right in it and jump back in the political arena. A lot has changed following his vacation to the resort beach planet Iloh. It was funy while it lasted, but all good things must come to an end. Quite a bit has changed while he was gone, quite a bit of it not quite in the favor of the Free Worlds, so theres a lot of work that needs to be done. But a good thing is that Nicolas can appoarch these with renewed drive and purpose, fresh and ready to go.

Nicolas took his place in his post, he was wearing a nice suit and tie, as usual, looking crisp. His protocol droid staffer gave him the agenda, which Nicolas would take a look through it and he would widen his eyes at one of them. Well, someone in attendance really has it out for Senator Drast. Does the Galactic Senate even have jurisdictionto do that? He wondered. Nicolas would almost begin to chuckle with how absurd it is.

Now then, soon the galactic senate session will begin, Nicolas is once again ready to be the voice of New Alderaan.

 

[Emil Ro]

Emil entered the Senate chambers on Chandrilla as inconspicuously as possible, ducking around senators and aides who were huddled together, socializing before the august body was called to session. He slid into his pod at precisely the moment his own aide, Joost, a plucky young lad from the southern hemisphere of Balmorra, appeared and handed him a thin datapad with the meeting's agenda already pulled up.

Emil took a brief scan of the items and frowned, glancing back up at Joost, who only shrugged. "Don't look at me. I didn't write that one."

"Naturally," Emil said. He patted the seat beside him. "Well, hop on in. This is likely to be entertaining if not productive."

He rested the datapad in his lap and leaned back as everyone finally began to take to their pods. Joost sunk into the seat next to him and opened up his own datapad to take notes for him. Emil suspected he would be typing a lot today.

 

[Eumi Redrish]

Eumi entered the Senate Chambers on Chandrilla not too long after the Senator from Balmorra, her Telbun Aide closely following alongside her. The two moved in silence, the dark-skinned Senator from Kuat seeming to float into her assigned pod to take her seat, her long off-white dress elegant but made in the traditional style of her planet with a long dark purple sash draped over her shoulder. Her pink hair had been done up in a tight and elegant braid, the bulk of which was wrapped around the crown of her head while two long sections of hair had been allowed the freedom to frame her delicate features.

With a hum, she lifted her datapad and began reviewing the items up for discussion today. The wheels in her head were already turning, and as she waited for the session to officially begin, she would switch her datapad over to the secure chat interface to discuss the items with her pages and the Principal Director.

She wanted to be sure she was well prepared.

"Vilkinar, what do you think of these items?" She asked her Telbun, her stylus tapping lightly against her datapad as she tried to think of any angle that may be played by her fellow Senators. "I don't like that most of them were submitted by the FWA and ISC."

@Rhogar

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

While she walked in the hall of the Senate building, Sibyl couldn't stop thinking about the years that she spent on Chandrila studying for her career as a politician. Even with her despising the Chandrilans as a bunch of peace-loving fools with foolish political visions, she couldn't stop the feeling of nostalgia for being in this beautiful planet again. Even with her disliking the Chandrilans, Sibyl needs to admit that their planet with its calm seas and green hills is one of the most beautiful that she visited.
"You are so quiet. What are thinking about?" said her C4T-Series Protocol Droid, named Dongwa "Usually at this point you would be greeting other members of the Senate and then doing snide remarks about their clothes and appearence after they go away."

Sibyl smiled for her droid, Dongwa knew her so well "I was thinking about the years that I studied here in Chandrila and the places that I used to visit in Hanna City. If there is time after the assembly, we can go to the opera house. I heard that the Squid Lake is being played there." That ballet in particular was her favourite "Also, I don't make 'snide remarks', I only say the truth. Isn't my fault if diferently of me, there is some people that have a terrible taste for their clothes." That was true, she would be always impecabbly dressed all times, especially in public. At the moment, Sibyl was using a long golden dress, which was very, very expensive and after being used in this assembly would end inside her closet, never to be seen again.

Before Dongwa could say anything more, they arrived in the Senate Chamber and entered in the pod assigned to the Senator of Brentaal. "Hello, Senator!" said her aide, a young man called Tristodd "Here is your Datapad with a copy of the assembly's agenda" he said in a cheerful tone that make Sibyl remember how annoying he is.

She smiled to Tristodd saying "thank you", took the Datapad and sat to read it, while Dongwa curled in the floor near her. Sibyl quickly read the topics that would be discussed today and some of it made her raise an eyebrow in disbelief. That act didn't go unnoticed by Dongwa "I suppose that you found something interesting"

In this moment the pod started to ascend, heading towards the section reserved to the Senators of the New Republic. "Well if by 'interesting' you mean that the person who proposed some of these topic is very naïve and perhaps even fool, then yes." Sibyl answered Dongwa while smirking.

The pod finally reached the New Republic section and while she waited for the assembly to begin, Sibyl thought if something truly interesting would happen during it.

 

[Vilkinar Redrish]

The Telbun aide walked faithfully at the Senator of Kuat's side, a staff in hand as he walked. His dreds had been dyed to match the sash worn by the Senator and he bore a handkerchief that matched her hair. He was very much so thankful that the Telbun of now could actually wear fashionable clothing and not the god awful robes of the past.

He would ease himself into the pod to stand at her side, speechless until spoken to. He would then look over the items on the list, silent for a few moments as his gaze washed over them. "When number five comes up.. you should second it. It would go hand in hand with what they tried to do to Senator York before you took office. At the very least, it will remove the heat the New Republic is getting. With the recent elections, Drast was the only one running, and many of the old Senators have been replaced. This sends the message that we do not support the weakness of the Old Guard. You play the angle that the old were corrupt and lax, you set the tone that new generation of Senators can make a difference." he'd say, his voice lowered as he handed it back.

"All in all, it should be a very heated list.. Many of the FWA and Republic will try to block the anti-sanction laws based on how the vaccine rollout is handled."

@Tess

 

[Raz Chak]

Every time he entered these places, whether it be the Republic's Senate or the Galactic Senate, the guards told him to remove his weapon. And every time Raz made a point of arguing with them. It had gotten to a point where the guards sighed every time they spotted the old Caridan approaching the building. At least in his mind, he thought he made pretty good arguments, but these soft-hearted Chandrilans weren't having any of it, and his aides were worrying over him being late, so Raz conceded once again.

After being disarmed and left completely defenseless, the senator made his way to join his associates. The fine black suit and red tie he was forced into put the old man in a combative mood, and he could only scowl and grumble in displeasure to himself as he made his way slowly to his pod and sat down. Aides constantly tried to help the crippled veteran move about, and he repeatedly fended them off, even swinging his cane once or twice and threatening to hit someone. Finally finding his seat, Raz pulled out his datapad and reviewed the agendas of the day. He couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow in curiosity at the... wording of some of them.

"This should be interesting..." The senator muttered to himself before looking out at those who had already gathered. He maintained a neutral expression as he took in everyone's face, trying to put names to all the faces. Keeping up with the Republic's Senate was hard enough without having a whole other political body to track. But he would give it his best shot. It was about time the Republic started throwing it's weight around. Some people had been too happy to sit back and relax during these sessions. No more.

 

[Tortus Graa]

Senator Graa would arrive a few paces behind Senator Chak, and though he had decided to leave his blaster outside, he still had the stun baton built into his cane. The security would stop him with one of the leads informing the guards to take the hidden weapon. Same thing every session. Not today, Petey. Graa would lean heavily on his cane and offered his best smile, the whiskers working double overtime.

"Senator Graa, we're going to need to take the cane, sir."

"What? You wouldn't part an old veteran from his walking stick, would you?" He would ask, almost appalled. He would look back to the civilians watching the exchange as well as the media. "I'm afraid I cannot make the hike to my pod without it.." His aides would try their best to either look innocent or not to laugh.

Both guards would glance at each other "Alright.. Go ahead sir."

"Thank you boys.." Graa said weakly as he really laid on the act, putting some extra limp in his walk and a shake in the arm holding the cane. One of his aides would even move to help him walk. As he passed one of the guards, he'd give them a pat on the shoulders before heading off towards his pod.

After they were long out of the eyesight of the guard station, Graa would shake off his aide. "Unhand me. You clung for far too long, boy." As he passed the Caridan's pod, he would offer a nod. After another ten minutes of walking, he would reach his pod and ease into his seat.

"Here is the-" the lead aide would begin, only to be silenced by an upraised hand.

"Hold on.. This isn't right. You. Temp. Move our pod beside Senator Chak's."

"I'm not su-"

"The Senator of Corellia has already said she won't be here.. So that is where we will go. Thank you."

With a grumble and a sigh, the pod would leave its positioning and after about five minutes, due to the pods being slow as all hell, they would slide in beside the Carida pod. "Senator Chak! It is good to see you again!" He'd then turn to his lead "I'll take that list now, my boy."

@Reyn

 

[Julia Hipori]

Julia didn't like feeling outnumbered.

Yet here she was. Scanning the room, she consulted her datapad and saw that she was, from what she could see, the only ISC representative here. Typical, she thought, sitting down in her pod and taking another look at her datapad to consult the agenda.

Dominated as it was by items put forward by the 'Free Worlds Alliance', Julia had a feeling this would be an interesting meeting.

"What's the guessing they'll want the ISC to stop saying we'll be vaccinating our civilians first, and they'll want a 'Senate Wide' approach?" she asked her droid. A rhetorical question, the Droid nonetheless gave her a clipped statistical answer which she duly ignored. "Seems like the Senate want's to restrict ISC sovereignty through limiting our foreign policy options as well." she muttered to herself, as she read down some of the other items "And, with no legal recourse to actually do so."

Julia leaned forward and activated her pod.

"Point of Order." her voice echoed around the room.

"There appears to be some confusion. For the purposes of the record, I would ask the Speaker to confirm which specific powers the Senate is seeking to envoke should the measures being voted on today pass."

 

[Carrick]

The Galactic Senate was not what he had imagined it would be back when he had made some inquiries about it's meeting back when he was a senator for Tinnel IV. It only really met to deal with truly 'important issues' he had been told and it was only now that he was a part of the ISC that he was able to really be a part of it. He wasn't sure about some items on the agenda but he was cautiously optimistic that there would be something of worth accomplished today.

He hoped he would not be proven wrong but as he settled into the pod assigned to him, he considered his position as he eyed the senators and governors and other, similarly named, representatives. His pod didn't need to move to be closeby to the one occupied by Hipori and he took a moment to send her a ping on her datapad to set up a chat with her that they could add the other ISC members to when they arrived.

To better seem like they were in sync.

'If there was any more tension between the FWA and NR, it couldn't be cut with a lightsaber.' he sent in the chat without looking at the woman directly.

Which powers indeed.

He was already regretting not spending the day speaking to representatives from shipyards.

 

[Jade Archer]

Governor Archer quickly found her seat on the ISC side of things, ice-like eyes looking down at her notes and the agenda for this session of the Galactic Senate. A wry curl of her red-painted lips as she double checked them all. How ironic it seemed, to the woman from a planet where crime families held no small degree of power, for a proper government to put forward a punishment that seemed like something the infamous Preef Callo would enact.

The only thing missing was shooting the senator in question, but her cynicism reminded her that wasn't necessarily off the table. It was like the Free Worlds were trying to start trouble with the New Republic. If this discussion went badly, the ramifications could be far-reaching indeed. Did the New Republic even have the legal ability to seize private property like that?

Numerous trade and foreign policy issues on top of it all. All just a matter of the different factions vying for control. Not so different from her home, actually. Perhaps she'd fit in with politicians better than she'd thought?

Her eyes turned up from the agenda to the gathered members of the Galactic Senate, traveling to Governor Hipori when she asked a very relevant question. For the moment Jade kept her mouth shut and simply listened for the answer.

 

[Galek Ordalos]

Galek sauntered into the Senate Chamber not long after the ISC Secretary of Defense, surrendering his blaster pistol to security before making his way to the pod that had been assigned to the Governor of Indupar. As per usual Galek dressed in the finest attire money could buy for the occasion, having arrived in a finely tailored navy-blue suit with gold buttons, an embroidered sash laid across his shoulder. He was trailed by two senatorial aides to assist him, each hand-picked from his home world and each carrying datapads in their hands.

Once comfortably settled in the plush cushions of his pod, one of his aides presented their datapad to him. “The agenda for today’s session, Your Highness. There are some.. Interesting topics up for debate.”

“Oh?” Galek spoke with a hint of amusement, dragging his finger across the surface of the datapad to scroll through the list. A quick glance proved that the aide was not exaggerating. Trade and the AMS taskforce both came up, as well as a very interesting proposal for a joint military pact. The promise of a unified Galatic effort was bold, but the Induparian knew better than to not be skeptical.

When he finally located that particular item on the list, the prince almost looked dumbfounded, his mouth slightly agape and eyes widened slightly. After a few moments he finally pried his eyes up from the datapad, looking to his aide. “The FWA brought this to the agenda?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Stripping a Senator of both their elected seat, and their personal assets? Based upon what legal precedent, pray tell?”

When the aide simply shrugged in response, Galek shook his head. “..As if there wasn’t already tension between them and the Republic." He shrugged a bit. "If nothing else, this is bound to make an interesting debate.”

 

[Naeva Rue]

The FWA was in a much different position than it had been years earlier when the NR was still part of it. Tension had grown between the two and the ISC had come into existence as well. This formal session of the Galactic Senate had several things to debate over put forward by all three of its government bodies. Prime Minister Naeva Rue suspected things might get heated this time around.

She would be one of three at the top of their respective governments to preside over this session of the Senate. As usual she took her place at her desk, assistants nearby to take and pass up notes. Keen eyes kept a close watch on the others in the chamber and trained ears listened for the buzz of conversation. Mainly it was between senators and their staff until a representative of the ISC spoke up to address a point of order.

Naeva wondered how the NR voting body was going to handle a request for one of their senators to have their private assets liquidated. Numerous items regarding inter-galactic trade and even vital military treaties were on the table. The Senate had a long session in store for them. One she hoped would have the least contention was about the vaccine for AMS. It wasn't a very strong hope.

With the point of order question by Governor Hipori it seemed the debates were already about to begin. Prime Minister Rue folded her hands neatly in front of herself on the table. Now wasn't the time to speak herself just yet.

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Normally a very punctual man by nature, it was a bit out of character for Emryc to be one of the later arrivals at a Galactic Senate meeting. Truthfully, he wanted to catch the tail end of a rivalry game between the Ryloth Rancors and the Tatooine Krayts. He could see the seconds ticking by and penalty after penalty delayed things further.

The tall half Sephi adjusted his suit jacket as he strode into the hall, running his hand idly through the side of his head to flatten a few strands of hair. He had bolted on his way here and couldn’t make that obvious.

The President of the ISC walked over to join his constituents, taking a seat. He gave a cursory glance over the agenda items. If there was shock or a sense of being appalled at any of it, it did not reflect on his face. Silver gaze flicked up as he turned to nod in greeting to the other governors before looking ahead at the other parties.

 

[Soygun York]

York was there, mostly overlooked because he didn't make one of the grand entrances he was known for. In fact, he wanted to fly under the radar. He was sunk into his chair in his pod, one leg flopped over the other, his arms crossed with a hand covering his mouth and chin. Every so often, one of his aids would lean over and ask a question which would be answered only with a nod or a shake of the head.

The agenda was...interesting, and he had an opinion on a few of them. He expected some of them to gain traction, though he was perplexed that the second agenda proposal came from the ISC. York certainly wasn't in favor of that. Hopefully the leaders of these three coalitions would want to keep their economic powers in place. Good luck with "sanctions" discussions to be done later after you gave every planet free reign to trade with whoever they want.

Many of the proposals were dangerous, but he was hopeful that the senate would come to that conclusion on their won with York having to point those dangers out. Secretary Hipori seemed to want to take the lead, if not in the most diplomatic tone. York couldn't be too annoyed. He was much the same when he started his political in the FWA. The Drast proposal...York just released a single chuckle into his hand and shook his head slightly. Wouldn't that be an interesting turn of events?

York kept his eyes straight ahead or into his datapad, neither making eye contact or recognizing others that walked into the room. If he had to make a statement, he wanted maximum impact.

 

[The Storyteller]

The Speaker​

---

Spoiler: OOC NOTE (please read)

- Agenda items can be added here until the 4th.
- Though Senate is now in session, anyone with a character within the NR/FWA/ISC may still join.
- Have fun :)

"Point not well taken,"

A pod would rise from the floor and center itself between the four pods designated for the faction leaders and the greater Senate. Within it stood the Speaker, a middle-aged woman who would be serving as the mediator for tonight's assembly.

"Governor Hipori, please hold your concerns until the Senate is in session."

With that, the Speaker would turn to face the Senate Chamber. At her signal, the cameras drone would begin to circle the Senate chamber. One focused specifically on the Speaker as she began with the night's proceedings.

"All items on tonight's agenda have been transferred to your pods. Items will be addressed in order by a representing member of the sponsoring government. Once all items have been addressed, additional proposals may be brought to the floor."

In the Speaker's right hand was a staff. After she finished, she hit the ground with it three times in succession, marking the beginning of the assembly.

"Senate is now in session. First order of business: the ISC lobbies the Galactic Senate to make it illegal for the FWA to block trade to the New Republic from planets outside of the FWA, no matter the state of relationship between FWA and the New Republic." Her eyes would shift to the ISC section, waiting for the representative responsible for the proposal to rise to make their argument.

Spoiler: tags

@lizziie @Wit @The Good Doctor @Mockingjay @Tess @LouJoVi @Rhogar @Reyn @Nor'baal @Nefieslab @Mr. Teatime @Altaris @Sreeya

 

[Korre Belasi]

For the half an hour between when she arrived and when the Speaker signaled the start of the assembly, Korre had continued to prepare her spiel. It was not until Governor Hipori called a point of order that she bothered to check the agenda list. Two ISC proposals... one Republic... then those from my- oh my. Korre blinked and squinted at the proposal made by her fellow FWA representative, Senator Graa. Well, I could get behind that first bit but... The proposal seemed a bit extreme. She wasn't worried about it passing, but she was a bit worried about the tension it would--was already!--creating between the FWA and the New Republic.

Korre sat back in her seat to wait for the ISC representative to argue their proposal. She agreed with the premises of the proposal, but the wording made her a bit wary. Hopefully the representing governor would expand upon that a bit.

Oh, this is all so exciting! It was her first Galactic Senate. She hoped to make a good impression and make up for the damage caused by her predecessor's indifference. Plus, she had a proposal on the agenda for later.

 

[Julia Hipori]

Julia sighed as the Speaker dismissed her point of order, due to a matter of procedure, and then started the session.

As the session started, she activated her microphone.

"Point of Order." she smiled.

"Whilst I see we're all very eager to get started, I would like to confirm for the record, now that the Speaker has started today's session, which specific powers the Senate is seeking to envoke should the measures being voted on today pass." she repeated her question.

 

[Carrick]

Hipori certainly did not like to have her questions avoided it seemed but that was something that anyone who had met her would be able to expect at this point. She was a rather strong willed woman, if somewhat abrupt – abrupt enough that she immediately cut across him before he could speak his first proposal.

Carrick made no sign that he was annoyed, merely waiting until she had finished speaking before leaning forward slightly to speak into his own microphone.

“If it would please the Senate, I would ask that the Speaker addresses the concerns of my esteem colleague before we move onto the first item on the agenda.” He smiled fondly, “I think we all know it’s better to have these things confirmed before we begin discussing anything further.”

And better that Hipori had her answer before she tried to interrupt him and anyone else who was asked to speak before her. After giving the Speaker chance to address Hipori’s concerns, Carrick would make ‘eye contact’ with the camera drone that floated in front of him, broadcasting his face to the other senators and to the general public.
However much of the general public watched political holonet news of course.

“Trade between systems is one of the fundamental elements of Galactic government, one of the first things to bind planets and systems together into sectors, into trade lanes and into the systems from which our great bodies take their inspiration from.” He began, explaining himself before focusing on the proposal itself, “Which is why I want to start the discussion today to have it be illegal for the FWA to form a trade blockade on the New Republic. Currently the relationship between the two bodies may make this protection seem unnecessary…”

Or not.

The current political landscape had the two blocs opposing each other on much.

“But I would have it formalized as a crime with a look to prevent a creeping rot that set into the Old Republic; where planets and whole sectors could be blockaded, at least semi-legally, until they were forced to submit to any requests due to the suffering of their people.” He frowned ever so slightly, “Currently the New Republic is almost entirely surrounded by the FWA and all major trade lanes go through the FWA – a trade blockade would starve millions within the New Republic, particularly the very developed core worlds.”

He shook his head.

“Let us here, now, stand by virtues of common decency, duty to our peoples and a desire to see ourselves profit immensely; and make it illegal for such a trade blockade to be placed. What level of punishment for breaking said proposed law should also be established here today, I believe.” He confirmed before bowing his head slightly and taking a step back, “Thank you.”

If the FWA stood against the proposal it could, potentially, be seen as them basically accepting that they were likely to use such a tactic in the future. Pointing out the consequences and how much power the action could have over the New Republic was risky in that it would remind the FWA that they, currently, had such a blaster bolt to fire. It was also less risky because now the general public also knew that the FWA could do that – and that by doing so they would condemn millions to death over ‘petty’ political squabbles.

For Carrick, it was another chance for the ISC to ensure that its own trade with the New Republic would not be interrupted by any potential struggle between the New Republic and FWA. All while including a focus on the betterment of the people of the Galaxy, something of a founding principle of the ISC.