HoloNet News BREAKING: FWA Senator Officially Proposes FWA Become the Foundation of New Galactic Senate

[Soygun York]

Spoiler: See York's Proposal Here

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"We interrupt your current programming to give you this breaking news. I'm Abi Gora and with me is political expert, Eekin Baskiv." a pink female Twi'lek said behind a news desk. Sitting beside her was a Mon Calamari who was also looking at the camera. "According to sources inside the senate building, Senator York of the small planet of Kattada officially proposed in the FWA meeting that the Free Worlds Alliance form the basis of the reformed Galactic Senate of what would presumably be a new Galactic Republic. According to our sources inside the chambers, planets that wished to join this new senate and republic would have to apply for membership and the founding members would have committees to oversee those applications."

She turned to the Mon Cal and asked, "Eekin, as a political expert, what does this mean exactly?"

The brown Mon Calamari took a deep breath and nodded sagely. "It is difficult to say, Abi. We really don't know how much support it would actually have in the FWA. It would certainly be a little unorthodox with such a collection of planets telling the rest of the galaxy that they would take it upon themselves to form the foundation of a body that is meant to represent and make decisions for the entire galaxy. I suspect that the systems outside of the FWA would not take kindly to such a self-appointment, but for the planets inside the FWA, particularly the smaller planets that don't often get a voice in galactic matters, they well favor such a move."

"Why would the smaller planets favor this, Eekin?" Abi asked.

"Historically, they have not had much of a voice," Baskiv said. "With fewer planets in the senate to start, they would have more opportunities to speak their minds on important matters. It is not surprising that a representative from a planet such as Kattada is the one making this proposal."

"And what about the larger planets in the FWA?"

Baskiv leaned back and forth and stroked his gullet. "That is where there could be significant blowback. They trade quite heavily to planets all over the galaxy. They may not want to upset the economic ties and supply lines they currently have in place. Because they are huge economic hubs, many of the smaller planets also rely on them for their own economies. Even if many of the smaller planets wanted to start this endeavor, they may get strong armed into voting against. Conversely, some of the more militaristic planets may be in favor. With fewer planets in the Senate, they may jump at the chance to have more control over military operations that may come up."

The pink Twi'lel nodded and listened before asking, "And what would this mean for how the FWA deals with Emryc Thorne?"

The Mon Cal rocked back and forth again. "Ah, yes, yes. He would be most displeased because pertaining to the rules of the senate, he would not have a seat."

"He wouldn't have a seat? At all?"

Eekin nodded. "That's right. Senators represent planets. He represents a leadership of a federation of planets and systems. He doesn't represent a single planet. Unless he could represent a planet as a senator, he would be on the outside looking in- as it pertains to actual votes. Obviously, he could still lead a federation of systems and planets that were in the Republic, but he wouldn't have a seat or a voice within the chamber itself. I suspect he would be strongly against because he already has put forth a proposal where he has equal seating in this new senate as the FWA members. What York is proposing leaves not only Thorne out of the chamber altogether, but it also means that the independent planets and systems that support him would have to apply for Galactic Senate membership. Even then, that membership request may be denied."

Abi asked, "Should the FWA go along with this plan and unilaterally create the Galactic Senate, would that make war more or less likely? We all know that the threat looms."

"Indeed," the Mon Cal said. "I would say it makes war with Thorne significantly more likely, but that may depend on this new Republic's relationship with the Jedi Order. It could make war against the Sith less likely. It will most certainly strain relationships with many independent systems, but it may also promote peace if many of those independent systems join the new Senate and come to the negotiating table. There are so many unknowns, and we will have to wait on reactions from the FWA representatives themselves before we know if the plan has any traction."

"There you have it," Abi said with a smile. "We'll keep you posted with reactions from FWA senators, responses by the people in their home planets, and of course, reaction from those systems who would not be eligible to be founding members. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming."

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was landing on Tatooine to continue his campaign. These days he traveled on a nicer transport and was generally always accompanied by Vrash and a few assistants. His own ship was back at the space station, and he missed it terribly.

An assistant had played for him the Holo coverage of Senator York’s proposal that had been presented to the FWA. Emryc’s ship landed and the exit ramp lowered and he had the assistant start to record him as he stepped out into the desert planet. Emryc could be seen in a suit, stepping out into the sands with a throng of impoverished people waiting to greet him in the background.

“Mr. Thorne,” The assistant asked as she recorded him, “What are your thoughts on this proposal and the political expert’s analysis?”

Emryc squinted in the sun for a moment before popping on a pair of sunglasses, “Well, I’ll have to keep it brief since I don’t have the luxury of wasting time rambling in a senate room all day long” He glanced over at the people that were waving in the background, “I’m here on Tatooine to hopefully lay down the foundations of a new job market that will finally help pull the planet out of poverty.”

He continued to walk, gazing ahead as he spoke, “While an admirable notion, it appears that Senator York has forgotten the very basis for the creation of the Free World Alliance. The Republic has shown itself to be a dangerous operating model several times over and he proposes returning to it. The fact that this has even made it into a Holo broadcast suggests to me that it is a sentiment shared by many Free World Alliance planets,” Emryc knew damn well that wasn’t the case, but the general public was stupid and they would buy it. The alternative and likely truth was that a closed door meeting had a leak, but Emryc wasn’t going to save the FWA by pointing that out.

“And this is rather unfortunate, especially the rather shocking undertones that hint towards a war with me,” Emryc scoffed at that and shook his head, “It appears that the Free World Alliance wants to very strictly control and dictate which worlds have a say, if at all. My proposal was for the Independent Worlds to be represented regardless of how big or small. Engaging with the FWA would be a courtesy, but certainly not a requirement for my platform to continue to exist. It’s clear that the FWA places no value in any planets outside of its borders.”

“And how does that make you feel, Mr. Thorne?”

He turned to look directly at the camera then, sighing, “It is very disheartening to see. It is a reminder that these people here today,” He kept walking as a child ran up to him. Emryc was unfazed, smiling down at the child and placing a hand on his shoulder so they both looked at the camera. Several more children ran up to join him, excited to be on Holo, “These men, women and children… it means that them having a voice in any sort of forum does not matter unless they are deemed relevant enough for the Senate to judge. Their lives do not matter to the Free World Alliance. I was truly hoping for that to change, but it’s clear that they would rather be caught up in bureaucracy than extend the hand of friendship towards the less fortunate worlds. They would rather return to making the mistakes they made many times before.”

Emryc’s eyes narrowed as he gazed into the camera, “If that is your answer, Free World Alliance, we do not need you. We will come together without you. We will thrive without you. We will persevere without you. We out here have long since learned to hold our own from being abandoned and forgotten, and we will come together without being forced to dance to the rhythm you set alone. Together we are united, unyielding and unbroken.”

“I am Emryc Thorne, and I am a man of action. I am a man of the people,” The citizens behind him started shouting and cheering, “And I stand for them. And I will stand for them with or without the Free World Alliance.”

The assistant sent that off into the net where it would circulate and become viral and make its way over to the Core.

 

[Caliban Drast]

While the Senate continued discussing behind closed doors, a storm was brewing outside. Caliban, doing his best to stay on top of things on the Senate floor, had sent his aides to do some damage control outside. One of his sharpest assistants, one who had put serving the people above career prospect and stayed on after the demise of his predecessor, was outside the Senate building. She was drowned by questions the moment she stepped out of the Senate building.

"Are the reports true?"

"Does the Senator support this proposal?"

"When is the Senate going to ratify the proposal?"

She ignored their questions, instead making a prepared statement that she and Caliban had worked on.

"Like everyone within the Senate chambers, I am not at liberty to share what is discussed within. All the Senator would ask for is patience. When discussing as sensitive a topic as this, the Senate must make sure that all sides of the argument are analyzed. That does not mean that they mean to act on every suggestion or argument that is brought up." She continued after a moment’s pause. "We will know soon enough what the Senator from Kattada might well have been playing devil’s advocate for an opposing argument to the formation of a Galactic Senate, it is for him to clarify. But I can assure you that many within the Senate do not share these sentiments. We do not intend to disenfranchise any planets who would seek to join to join such a body, and the Senator has every intention to work with them to ensure we face a brighter future. "

With that she stepped away, answering questions, but sticking to the same message.

@Isen @Sreeya

 

[Soygun York]

Patience, patience. York was listening to the responses to his proposal. Predictably, Drast came out on fire. So predictable. Exactly what York had anticipated. The Coruscanti Senator can't help himself but pitch a fit every time York speaks. York let a few others blow off steam or support the proposal. He wanted to make sure the press corps had been given plenty of time to arrive. After such time had past, Senator York calmly stood and walked out of the chambers to where the press was waiting with cameras and questions. When York stepped out, the news broke to him live.

"Senator York, is it true that you proposed the FWA creating the Galactic Senate amongst themselves?"

"Yes."

The press continued screaming questions, one rising above the rest. "Did you leak the proposal to the press, Senator York?"

York started laughing and shaking his head. "Leak? Where is all this coming from about a leak? That's how Senator Drast characterized it in the chambers. He tell you it was a leak? There was no leak. It was an official proposal in the middle of the damn chamber, right out in the open. One that he worked with me on over the last two weeks. We both knew that as soon as that proposal hit the datapads of every senator in the chamber, it was going straight to the press. You have any idea how many people are in the chamber right now? How many planets are represented? How many senators? Aids? It's a small planet in there! We had no intention of the proposal being secret. We wanted it out."

Again, the press chomping at the bit with one reporter getting his question in. "Are you saying that you and Senator Drast worked on this proposal together? One of his assistants just said that he and many others don't share these sentiments, and that he doesn't believe independent planets should be disenfranchised."

"First of all, nobody is getting disenfranchised with my proposal. By setting it up with the FWA first, we ensure that the new Senate rules are democratic in nature. Once the rules are put in place, planets apply to join. The only reason someone would be told they can't join is if they refuse to abide by the senate rules or are currently at war with someone already in the Senate. Once that conflict was over, they could reapply and get entry."

"Look, I don't know what game the senator from Coruscant is playing. We worked on this proposal together. Much of this was his idea," York said, showing some anger. Damn believable, he was too. "I don't know what he tried to set me up for in there. I know that I'm new to this political world. I come from the world of business. I don't cut my deals in the shadows. I make deals over a boardroom table out in the open. I grew up in an environment where your livelihood was only as good as your word. That's all I know. I knew this proposal would get out as soon as it hit the Senate floor. Drast knew it would get out as soon as it hit the Senate floor. Nobody with half a brain should expect it to stay a secret when you blare it out in a room with that many people who have direct lines to the press. It's ludicrous, and it's evidence that he's playing games."

"Why would he do that to you, Senator?" a question came from to his right.

York shook his head and shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe it's because I embarrassed him in an earlier session. I certainly hope he is not that petty. My guess is that he got cold feet and went to some of his puppet masters for approval and they told him to distance himself from his own proposal."

"What do you mean, Senator?"

"Coruscant, Corellia, Eufornis, Metellos and the like, the people don't tell their senators what to do. Their corporations do," York said, getting angrier by the word. "You think the corporations in Coruscant want to suddenly have to work new trade deals with all these independent systems to abide by whatever trade laws the new senate puts together or worry about tariffs? You think that all those ship building corporations in Corellia want to be told they can't sell to both sides of a conflict should the FWA be drawn into war? This is what this has come down to, my friends. Despite having no planet to represent, despite knowing nothing about this Thorne character, you have senators being told by their big money puppet masters that we have to give this man one of the big boy seats at the table. It's insane. And it's dangerous. But dear, god forbid, we hurt the bottom line of these corporations. Senator Drast will make damn sure they're protected, and to hell with the rest of us."

York turned around slammed the door behind him. He looked into the large, empty foyer save for Travix, his protocol droid. The droid lifted a small box of cigars, opened the lid, and asked, "How did it go, Senator?"

One side of York's lips turned upward in a smile as he took an unlit cigar and put it between his lips. "Damn it, Travix. I almost believed it myself."

@Sreeya @Wit

 

[Caliban Drast]

Felesin was about to head back in when she spotted the Kattada Senator step out of the senate chambers, and out of curiosity followed him. As he started speaking, her eyes widened. She couldn't believe what he was saying, with the straight up lies. So as he was prattling on, she stepped up to interrupt, to prevent him from leaving.

"I am sorry Senator, but Senator Drast has not had any communication with you since the events on Naboo, much less work with you on your proposal." That drew the attention of the reporters gathered around them, who were loving the prospect of a spicy story developing before their eyes. One or the other was laying, and they didn't much care who it was. "Miss al'Vere, are you suggesting that the Senator is lying? Are you denying his claims?"

Felesin stared down the Senator and replied with absolute certainty. "Yes, that is the case. Surely the Senator can prove that Senator Drast co-authored this proposal with him, there must be a paper trail, communications. Senator Drast's itinerary is an open book, we're willing to provide proof that neither Senator Drast nor anyone in his office had any communications with Senator York, surely he can refute that by sharing proof for what he says?"

She stared the Senator down and waited, the ball was in his court.

@Isen @Sreeya