The logo of CNN splashed across the holo. "We take you now to the Royal Palace outside Ta'a Chume'Dan"
The image dissolved to show the Queen Mother wearing a resplendent green dress. Her hair done in the latest fashion. She stood on the steps of the palace, speaking to a crowd of gathered reporters. "My people mourned the death of King Hakan and Senator Graves at the hands of the Sith. Long have our two great societies been neighbors...collaborators, even, within the Free Worlds." Charlotte pitched her voice high, shaking her head sadly. "But the Free Worlds have failed us. Onderon fought alone when the Sith came...Isolated and outmanned." Tears shone in her eyes, threatening to run down her cheeks. "I vowed to make amends. A promise I made to King Weylin personally." Her voice rose and fell. "While we mourned the death of his father, the Sith came again." Charlotte placed her hands on the podium.
Her knuckles white. "It became clear then that we can rely on no one but ourselves. The King and I have entered into a historic defense pact. Our joined fleets will patrol the space between the Hapes Consortium and Onderon. Should either fall under attack, the other will respond in force. Our militaries will work together to ensure our peoples safety. Finally, we will each open a permanent embassy in the others capital to further strengthen our bond. We will never be so exposed again." She let her eyes harden.
"We have long been proud members of the Free Worlds Alliance. Free to choose our fate. That will never change but it is clear that too many of Free Worlds no longer have our best interests at heart. They care more for Jedi than their own members and so we must defend our own. We must look to each other." Charlotte looked into the holocams. "I invite any others to join us in making our borders safe and fighting for the Free Worlds...not the Jedi." The press conference ended.