HoloNet News Senator Victola Maroo of Humbarine Confesses to FWA Senate Leak

[The Storyteller]

The following is a recorded message sent from the Senate-issued datapad of Senator Victola Maroo of Humbarine to news and media outlets all over the galaxy.

The holo recording opens with a well-manicured human sitting behind a private desk in an apartment. For those that know the Senator, they would recognize what bits and pieces of the background showed up as the working space in his private residence on Coruscant. He was tired, but composed. He spoke, giving the following confession.

"Good evening. My name is Victola Maroo, Senator of Humbarine. I have been watching and participating in the political events as they unfold across the galaxy. I do see progress toward peace and prosperity across the galaxy being made, and for that I am thankful. Unfortunately, while positive steps toward that peace and a cohesive galaxy are being taken, it is important that the FWA, the New Republic, and the Independent Systems Consortium need to base this new relationship on truth and honesty. In that very spirit, I want to confess to a wrong committed by me that one of my colleagues has been wrongly accused of."

He took a deep breath and released the air before continuing. "The Senate and the Sector Rangers have been investigating the source of the leak of Senator York's plan to the media during a closed session of the senate. I can attest to the innocence of Senator York. I can do so because...I... am the guilty party. On the very datapad that I send this information to news outlets all over the galaxy, I sent the plan to a reporter whom I will not name. I will not name the reporter because of the unfortunate bullying tactics taken by the Sector Rangers in this case. This reporter did nothing wrong, and I fear that should I divulge who I leaked this information to, they would be next on the Rangers' list of targets."

He nodded, pursed his lips in a sign asking for forgiveness and showing remorse. "To Senator York, I want to apologize. I have let this carry on for far too long. My actions have cost you your seat in the Senate, and as such, Kattada has not been represented and your planet's voice has not been heard. For that, I also extend my apologies to the people of Kattada. It is no consolation, but I am terribly sorry that my actions have wrongly prevented your voices from being heard."

The senator leaned forward on his desk and clasped his hands together. "It is the heavy-handedness in how those in power treated the senator of Kattada that I feared coming forward for so long. And, because I know what the reprisals by the FWA and their leadership will be based on their previous actions, I hereby resign my position as Senator of Humbarine. I humbly ask for the President to announce my replacement as quickly as possible until a special election can be held for this vacancy. I do not wish for my planet to suffer the loss of representation like Kattada. I will be retiring into privacy for some days to come for self-reflection and self-improvement, but I will return to my planet soon to offer my apologies in person."

The senator sat back and took another deep breath. "I am terribly sorry for all of those who have been hurt by actions and my inexcusable delay in coming forth with the truth. I can only ask for that which I do not deserve which is your forgiveness. Thank you all."

 

[Soygun York]

York was coming out of a conference call in Thyferra when he was approached by a throng of reporters. The news had hit the net for for the better part of an hour, but York was tied up in his new personal office near the ISC building. The reporters and cameras blitzed York upon his exit of the building. They were wanting their opportunity to speak to him anyway seeing as how Kattada had changed allegiances over to the ISC. But now there was another hot button issue to speak about.

"Senator York! Do you have any comment on Senator Maroo's confession?"

York pretended to be perplexed. "Confession to what?"

"You haven't heard? Senator Maroo released a holovid to the news outlets taking responsibility for the FWA leak that the Senate and Sectors are investigating you for."

York lifted his brow, feigning ignorance. "I'm not sure how long it's been news. I've been on a conference call for the last couple of hours. I'll be honest, I don't know Senator Maroo. Who does he or she represent?"

"Humbarine. He said in his confession, and I quote, 'To Senator York, I want to apologize. I have let this carry on for far too long. My actions have cost you your seat in the Senate, and as such, Kattada has not been represented and your planet's voice has not been heard.' Do you have a response?"

York sighed and nodded. "Well, I would simply say that I am grateful for Senator Maroo's honesty and courage coming forward. That is a rare gift in politics today. The actions of the Senate and the Sector Rangers toward me have been embarrassingly heavy-handed for such a minor offense. They arrested me in the Senate chambers, if you recall...for a leak. He gave the reporters a knowing look that basically said, "You know how ridiculous this whole thing, right?" "They made a very clear statement to the other senators in the building that day- step out of line, just one tiny step out of line, and we will lock you up. So I very much understand the senator's concern, and I wish him no ill. Hopefully, this matter can be considered resolved, and I hope Senator Maroo is able to continue his public service."

"Do you think this shuts the door on the investigation against you?"

"It certainly should, shouldn't it?" York asked. "The entire basis for any investigation was that I leaked the plan. Now that we know that I didn't, that should be that, right? It should be an open and shut issue now." York chuckled as if in frustration and shook his head. "Look, the Sector Rangers have zip, zero, nothing. No evidence. They never have. They have no evidence to suspect me of anything. Just the hunch of a power-hungry Prime Minister. They never had a reason to investigate before, and I don't see how much has changed. They had no reason to investigate before. They still don't have a reason. Asking to the Rangers to allocate their manpower and resources thoughtfully at this point seems like a fool's errand."

"Is that why Kattada is aligning with the ISC?"

"It's a big part, yes. They punished us because I voiced an opinion in opposition to what they wanted, I rocked the boat a little bit, and....there were some smaller planets jumping on board," York said. "They didn't want me getting any more traction than I was already getting, so they shut me down, and they disenfranchised an entire planet because of it. I'm very hopeful that the ISC will be more transparent and open to real, honest discourse. I believe it will be, and I would recommend all smaller planets in the New Republic and FWA to give some consideration to their own alignment as well. You can have a voice, or you can bow to Coruscant."

More reporters started yelling questions over one another, but York started to walk through them with the help of some aids and security. "Thank you, I'm sure there will be full statements coming later on both of these issues," York would say as he pushed through until he jump into the back seat of a speeder and taken away.