Open The First Session

The Storyteller

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"The Senate comes to Order, Order!" The Speaker's staff clung in unison with his voice, as he forced the Senate to order. The talks had not even begun, yet a certain few Senators, mostly of the Populist party, had come into bickering with members of the Centrists seated more towards the Centre. The change in leadership was still fresh on everyone's mind, as were tensions over recent policies. Even now, under the watchful eye of the speaker, complete silence seemed unattainable. With a sigh, the man began proceedings.

"The Senate comes to order for the first session under our new Supreme Chancellor Alexander Xerxes. This is an open session, numerous please may be brought before the floor." As he ended the sentence, numerous voices arouse again, as it seemed that the arguing would resurface in the chamber. Stomping down with his staff once more, the Speaker showed the congregation, that he was not yet finished. "I shall remind everyone, that it is the custom of the Senate for any particular speaker to address the Senate only after he has been granted the floor, and alone. Remember the seats on which you are seated and the responsibilities that come with it! Whilst this is an open session, the Populists have petitioned for a discussion of the legitimacy of Supreme Chancellor Xerxes' last Executive order, and with the required amount of signatures, their submission shall be the first talking point of today's session."

After that, he turned towards the new Supreme Chancellor: "Chancellor Xerxes, you have the floor."
@Braden
 

Alexander Xerxes

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It had been only twenty four hours, since he had last been in this chamber. Last time it was full of applause and congratulations, now it was full of naysayers and people who only wanted to stall progress. Would this be the same for the rest of his term, the Populists trying to crash down every idea he had which didn’t sign up to Raycom’s idealistic view of what the New Republic should be.

Alexander was sure even without seeing the signatures on the petition that Raycom was the man that orchestrated its creation. He had already tried to hammer down any notion of standing against the Jedi during their campaign. But that had failed, it seemed that he and the Populists could not see that the people wanted peace and if the Jedi being banned from their space was the price, Alexander would pay willingly.

Wiping away any anger from his face Alexander turned to look at the speaker with a smile before standing. “Thank you Mr Speaker, Honourable Senators, I did hope that our first session together would be one to focus on progress and moving forward, but alas that does not seem to be the case.”

Alexander turned towards the direction of the Byss pod, though not looking directly at Raycom he pointed his words at him and those around him who supported this petition. “Honourable Senators, I have full legal right within my executive powers as your Elected Supreme Chancellor, to take any actions I believe are in the best interests of the safety of the New Republic and its citizens. The removal of the Jedi Order from our Space, Is the first step in ending this prolonged war against the Sith Empire that threatens the well being of our citizens. As such, I believe, as do my council and fellow members of the party, that this action is in the best interests of the safety of our people and is thus fully legal under my powers as the Supreme Chancellor.”

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Caliban Drast

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Caliban had voted for Xerxes, he had simply done more to convince him before and over the course of the election process, leading up to the debate. That did not mean he fully agreed with the man in every matter, and he was most definitely not one of his supporters. He was simply here to serve the people he represented, and if that lead him to oppose Xerxes, well then that was exactly what he would do. And hearing him speak today, in response to the questions put forward by the populists, Caliban had to wonder if he had simply picked the lesser of two evils.

"While you are right in assuming the legitimacy of your executive order, this body also holds the right to question and reject any such order. We are a democracy Chancellor, and you represent this body just as this body represent every single being in the Republic. And while many may agree with the action you have taken, it must represent the ideals and beliefs of this body. And as such can be put to the vote." He paused, taking a moment to observe Xersex, trying to get a read on the man. "You are right that peace would benefit us greatly, but let me also remind you that there have been no open conflict between the Republic and the Sith Empire in years, but for the actions of your predecessor on Denon, who also used his powers in a questionable manner to do so. But you are right, we do not want war with the Sith, our people want peace. Yet they ask me a simple question for which I have no answer, if the Jedi are not allowed on our worlds, why are the Sith allowed more freedoms than them? The same Sith who burned two planets, attacked both Corellia and Coruscant, and have committed numerous atrocities that far outweigh anything the Jedi might have done."

By this point it was evident he was no longer speaking just to Xerxes, but rather to the entire Senate. "When the Jedi were banned from Coruscant, there was no need for anything similar for the Sith because we were technically at war with them. If the Chancellor proposes ending this war with the Sith then the terms of this order will need to change. The Sith, are no more welcome on our worlds than the Jedi."

He stopped and turned his attention to the speaker, and at a gesture his aide sent a document to the speaker's pod. "I hereby call upon the Senate to vote to not only ratify the validity of the Chancellor's executive order, but to first amend it with the modification that it apply to both Jedi, and Sith."

With that he gave the speaker a bow of his head, and took his seat.

@ThisIsHowLibertyDies @Braden
 
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Raycom Hedarial

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Hedarial sat in his pod in a gloomy mood, annoyed by the deafening arguing. Yet, when silence came and the Chancellor spoke, it turned out to be even worse. Being the prime opponent of the Hynestian, this executive order was against anything he stood for. Yet, when Senator Drast of Coruscant began to speak, he found himself one of those that applauded. At least the Senator presented a more agreeable offer than the initial order.

After Senator Drast yielded the floor, Hedarial rose in his pod and placed himself behind its podium. With a determined expression, he looked towards the seat of the Chancellor as he began his speech.

"Mr Speaker, Honourable Senators. I wish to remind you all, that irrespective of the Chancellor's assertion regarding his competencies, the office of the Supreme Chancellor is not eligible to take any action his person deems in the best interest of the republic. We are still a parliamentary republic, and not only does all power the Chancellor holds derive from this very assembly, no, further it has its borders."

There was an ice tone in his voice as he continued: "I would argue, that the expulsion of a thousand citizens is no action a single man can lawfully decide on. Not least because it happened in complete contradistinction to our citizens' rights, but also because of the massive expanse such power would leave for misapplication!"

He leaned forward, looking through the ranks of Senators, and then spoke on: "I shall repeat myself, from another session, back then about the attack on Denon. This action will not blow away, and our Chancellor will not be the only one to feel the repercussions. And if the Chancellor acts again in an equally incautious and inconsiderate fashion, then the people will hold us, Senators, to blame as much as him. We are setting a dangerous precedent if we allow this action to pass uncontested. If we sign off this action as legally unobjectionable, we can never be able to stop a chancellor from expelling a thousand citizens, no matter who they might be. If all that is needed to expulse that many beings are Executive Orders, then I fear we can never stop the office of Chancellor from extruding whomever any Chancellor may dislike, unregarded of their rights as citizens, or their offices. The conclusion of This session reaches further than this one simple Executive order. It will decide what powers the Chancellor shall have, and if there is even a need for this assembly."

He paused, collecting himself and looking once more to the centre seat, and the Chancellor. "Now I am not suggesting, that my respectable peer and now Chancellor Xerxes would abuse these powers further, and expel Senators in his opposition, or certain groups with rather ill opportune voting behaviour, but whoever may reign in his wake could prove himself capable of doing just that. We need to keep the rules of our democracies readied for any eventuality, and there have been tyrants born from the Senate handing individuals too much power in the past. Democracy is a fickle thing, and needs to be protected at all cost."

He leaned back, folding his hands, and clearing his throat, before ending his small address. "I thus suggest, not to ratify this Executive Order, and instead conduct a bill through this Senate, thus showing the galaxy and our republic where the power lies."

"I understand that the people have decided the Jedi must go, but they need to be expelled lawfully and humanely, and in a way that does not erode the core principles of our democracy. There should be a larger timeframe for their exodus so that they can get their affairs into order, sell any personal property, and not be forced to run like a hunted dog. The Executive order would have its time end tonight, and I know that many Jedies are still struggling to get away, and are forced to leave their things behind. This unnecessary cruelty does not need to be inflicted upon them. Further, like my esteemed colleague Senator Draft, I petition that both Jedi and Sith be included in such a bill. If our Chancellor names them to be two sides of a coin, the principle of equality would make any legislation making an arbitrary difference between them illegal, and I doubt our Chancellor means o suggest that the murderous Sith are any better than the Jedi."


Ending with a challenging look to the centre aisle, Hedarial yielded the floor.

@Braden @Wit
 
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Alexander Xerxes

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Alexander was looking at the Populists so did not at first see Senator Drast’s pod detach itself and move towards the centre of the room. Turning to face the man, he gave him the same cheerful expression he gave towards Raycom and his allies. Caliban had a few good points and a few that Alexander wished to reply to straight away but he knew the ebbs and flows of this great chamber and would need to at least await Raycom’s statement before he could reply to either man.

The co-current ban of the Sith was something that had occurred to him at the time, but at the time he wrote such an executive order his prime directive was to secure peace with the Sith Empire. Creating an Executive Order banning them from New Republic Space could and probably would only cause more tension on the Peace table than was required right now. However if the Senate wished this, then he would be happy to bow to this request, this was as Caliban said a Democracy and allowing the Senate a little win in this manner would hopefully give them the reassurance that this Executive Order thing would not be a constant.

Then came Raycom and his rant about the rights of people who have only brought pain and misery down upon the Republic. Alexander was sure that if the Sith were within the Republic’s border he would probably fight for their right as well, even if they did bomb this very planet. He stared at the Senator from Byss with a blank expression, years of being tormented by the Sith gave him the ability to blank out from all abuse and foul words thrown in his direction and then act as if none had come at him. Finally Hedarial finished his sermon and sat, Alexander gave him a smile before turning to the room.

“Thank you Senator Drast, I indeed do not hold Executive Orders handed out by this Seat as above the Senate. However the initial petition put towards me was questioning the legitimacy of my Seat and so I answered accordingly.”

“In response to your request to amend the executive order to include Sith as well as Jedi, I have no qualms with doing so. As you said at this current moment we are at war with the Sith so there is no need to create such an order and my initial response was to deal with the Sith’s legality within our system once I have secured a peace with Empress Andruil. But I will of course bow to the Senate's wishes in this matter.”


Moving his head back slightly towards the side of the Populists he continued. “Senator Hedaral, are you saying that I do not have the power as invested within this Seat to protect the people of the Republic? Has this changed since I took office yesterday? Am I no longer the head of the executive branch? Am I no longer its Commander-in-Chief? If so, then please point me to whichever vote was taken to strip this Seat of its strength to make a difference within this galaxy and protect our citizens, for I was not there. These powers were invested within this Seat, within our constitution to allow the New Republic to take action when the Senate would take months to deliberate its next move. I remind all here that hardly a step was taken within this chamber whilst this Seat sat empty. A lack of action which led to dozens of systems leaving our chamber for that of the Consortium. Would you have all the threats to our peace and prosperity sat within these silent halls for months before someone plucked up the courage to call a vote?”

“But. But. As we are all aware all Executive Orders can be brought to this chamber if so deemed to discuss their validity and if deemed unworthy cast out. As we are today! So Senator’s Hedarial’s fear mongering over the potential misuse of this power is again just fear mongering. I have enacted one Order which I, and I say it again, also my council and party, believe will be in the best interests of the safety of Our Republic.”

“I will always open up my policies to the Senate Floor, we are a Republic, we must discuss items of great interest and desire. But we cannot be a floundering pool of mindless fish that do not act because we cannot look past our differences to agree upon a solution to every problem.”
Alexander pointed at the two sides of the Chamber, the bickering parties which were as much to blame for the state of the Republic as the Sith or the Jedi.

“I ask you this, I am due this very week to meet with Empress Andruil to discuss the peace between our two governments. Yes, I will be throwing my life into the hands of the Sith to protect the people of this Great Republic. What would you have me go to her and say? That we will probably, maybe, throw out the Jedi, but I don’t know when or how. She has seen the length and delay it takes to push items of contestment through this Senate. Would you, Senator Hedarial, Drast, Vaisra, agree to a deal where you know there is a chance the otherside cannot deliver what they have promised? If the Sith are as wicked and vile as you claim then I believe they will not.”

“I acted in the best interests of the Trillions of Republic Citizens we serve in the aim to avoid catastrophes such as Denon, Taris, Fireere and Kashyyyk happening within our borders. Not to worry about the speeders and houses of the Jedi Order. These items will be held in trust by the Government, until such a time that we have discussed the full terms of the Peace with the Sith Empire and are able to plot a successful future for our Republic. I would invite Senator Hedarial of the Populist Party to lead any committee arranged to subsequently deal with any Jedi property as they deem appropriate.”


@ThisIsHowLibertyDies @Wit
 

Raycom Hedarial

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As the Supreme Chancellor delivered his rantings, Hedarial calmly listened. His head cocked, he absorbed the words of the Chancellor and endured both biting remarks directed towards his person, blatant pandering to potential listeners and empty excuses. This speech would merit the reaction of another prominent speaker. Some senators would surely see the need to react to this monologue. Yet as he waited for a man to rise to the challenge, no one seemed to do so. A gloomy silence came over the Senate, with members of the populists looking to Hedarial for direction. Those on the opposite side did much the same with their respective party leaders. Sighing, Hedarial rose and took the few steps to the podium.

"Honourable Chancellor, let me clarify my position. Your office must defend this republic through all means available to its position within the bounds of our laws."

His hands gripped the podium tighter. "Yet you are not the law! You are merely the incumbent Chancellor and are bound to maintain the basic principles and rights written down in our constitution. The official act of the Executive Order is no tool to circumvent the Senate and is subject to the rule of law, the principle of egalitarianism and constrained by legislation. It has to be used pointedly and precisely when needed and should fit within the bounds of our laws."

He let his gaze wander through the halls. "What good is this Senate, the most sacred of institutions of our democracy, if it is left unconsulted when laws are drastically changed? No precedent gives the right of displacement to our Chancellor! There is no law allowing the seated Chancellor to show utter ignorance of our most basic Citizen Rights and Fundamental Principles of the constitution in his actions!"

He looked at the Supreme Chancellor again. "This question's resolve does not apply to this case alone! It is a case for the freedom and liberty of all the people of the republic! And do you pretend what you will, if power without laws may make laws, may alter the fundamental laws of our republic, I do not know what being he is in the republic that can be sure of his rights or anything he calls his own!"


He relaxed on his podium, and his tone eased. "I do not mean to imply that our esteemed Chancellor would willingly corrode our state of law, clearly this Executive order was born out of an overwhelming desire to act, yet it is not proper for constitutional amendments to occur exempt from the due process here in the Senate. The Executive Order is a tort! Should we allow it to pass, we will legitimise the circumvention of parliament and the disregard of our constitution. It would then be perfectly legal for the Chancellor to pass any legislation and have it effective until validation by the Senate regardless of any prior legislation!"

He addressed the room once more, his gaze wandering: "I do not see this danger in the incumbent. I believe our honourable Supreme Chancellor merely intended to act swiftly and fulfil his pre-election pledge. Yet, I do not know whether any of his predecessors will be equal in their character. One does not need to be a student of history to know, that tyrants' rise eventually were conducted corrodes. It is our duty as Senators to stop this from happening."

Pausing, he then refocused on the Chancellor. "I do agree, however, that any bill regarding the aftermath of the Jedi's expulsion will require their belongings handled. I would be honoured to lead any such commission. I would certainly wish for such an addition to the bill."

With that, Hedarial yielded the floor, hoping that now Senators would dare to voice their opinions. He understood party loyalty, and supporting the candidate one voted into office, but that couldn't go as far as directly undermining the Republic, could it?

@Braden @Wit
 
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Vaz

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Vaz had been listening to the back and forth between his fellow senators, mostly he had been sipping his tea and pondering the discussion at hand. The Senator from Byss, @Raycom Hedarial had taken the time to point out a matter that likely hadn't crossed many minds in this hall, while Vaz would never support stripping a free citizen of their property and expelling them from the Republic, he maintained that allowing the Jedi to remain within Republic borders any longer than absolutely necessary was a recipe for disaster. Then, and idea popped into his head...

As he announced his intent to take the floor, the speaker called his name followed by the world he had been elected to lead. Fellow Senators, while I share @Raycom Hedarial's apprehension toward allowing Executive Orders to come in abundance and unchecked we need to identify that that is not what is occurring here, the Chancellor issued one such order that the majority of his campaign was based upon, it was this foundation that saw him elevated to the position he now holds, in effect the vote to elect senator @Alexander Xerxes was in a way, and at its root, a vote to approve this motion of the removal of the Jedi.. Vaz explained.

I believe the Senator from Byss said it perfectly, we do not see the danger of abuse of power within the elected Chancellor Senator Xerxes, as such we would be remiss to sit here and interrupt the progress he is not only willing to, but capable of, making. A fear of what may go wrong must not hinder us from our duties.

I do share a concern about the personal property of the Jedi, I believe the Senator from Byss would be an excellent candidate to lead a commission for the handling of formerly Jedi property, I would like to add that in addition to such a commission I believe it should also be the responsibility of the commission to ensure the safety of the Republic is respected, and that all Jedi are in fact complying with the order. Given the immense physical power of these individuals, I would suggest, to be on the safe side, that a large scale military operation is added to the commission to ensure it's compliance, I would hate to see additional innocent lives lost to a war with more rogue Jedi..
Vaz added.

@Alexander Xerxes' meeting with the empress was news to Vaz, even though this was what progress looked like, he couldn't shake a sense of dread that washed over him since he heard of it, the thought of losing yet another Chancellor bounced around his mind. I have full confidence that this Chancellor, the one we, and the people of the Republic, elected stands capable of doing what needs to be done. And Senator @Raycom Hedarial I will stand here and promise you that should we determine that his office is being abused we will meet like this again to discuss it, until then, until there is a consensus that the power of that chair is being abused, I feel the need for this meeting, and what I'm sure will be many to follow, are needless... Vaz said, he couldn't help but feel this whole attack on the Chancellor's first order of business was simply a jealous reprisal for having lost the election himself.

With that Vaz stepped back from the microphone, and returned to his tea as he awaited the next Senator to speak.
 

Caliban Drast

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Caliban had been quiet for a while, letting the others speak. But as time went by he had to speak up, there was just too much being put forward that he simply could not put up with. In the past he might have been polite, or diplomatic with his rebuttals. But time had changed him, time and years and years of exasperation at similar antics from the power hungry fools who called themselves Senators.

"Senator Hedarial," he began, addressing the senator from Byss first, "a vote to ratify is an opportunity for those opposed to this motion to do just that, oppose. If it fails the vote the Chancellor's executive order is null and void. I will not allow the Senate's time to be wasted discarding the order that the Chancellor has already signed, to just bring it back later under the guise of a new bill so that you and others can claim to be in charge." The motion that the Senate do things just for optics was abhorrent to him, and he was not going to back such tomfoolery, no matter who stepped forward with it. Sure, he understood the reasoning, it was all a game. But not to him.

He then turned to the chancellor. "Chancellor, are you going to the Empress to end the war, or to sell the Jedi to her? This law should have no impact on any conversation you might have with the leader of the Sith Empire. This motion came about because it was what our people wanted. The populace of Coruscant was sick and tired of Jedi and Sith throwing their weight around and putting their lives at risk, which is why I outlawed their presence on Coruscant. Not because it would appease the Sith, but because it was what the people wanted. What our constituents wanted. You serve them Chancellor, not the Empress. So yes, if the motion to ratify your executive order fails then you will go to the Empress and tell her that the Jedi are still welcome within Republic territory."

Finally he turned his attention to the Senator of Kuat. "And Senator Vaz, might I remind you that we are not at war with the Jedi. They are not criminals, and till they commit crimes within the confines of the Republic they should not be treated as such. Despite their shortcomings, they have always carried themselves in a lawful manner when asked to do so. Even the Grandmaster herself complied and walked out peaceful when asked to leave the Galactic Senate. Building a military force to deal with the Jedi, that is the sort of extremist view that I will never get behind, and this body as a whole should also distance itself from. We're here to govern the Republic, to make it a better place for those we represent. Not to persecute and hunt down those that live here. Even if they are Jedi."

Having said his bit, or rather his bits, he took his seat once more. He was sure that would not be the end of it, but he wanted to see what response his words would get.

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Alexander Xerxes

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Alexander was growing tired of this ‘debate’ it was half the reason he had signed the executive order instead of putting a bill to the senate, for it only to be caught up in the semantics of the rival political parties. Action was needed within the early days of his Chancellorship, there was more than enough time to spend debating the their, there and they're of every decision the Republic should make in the future.

“Honourable colleagues, I believe we are getting nowhere. So I say we let democracy decide. Let us put it to a vote, firstly to ratify the executive order banning all Jedi from Republic space.”

“Secondly to add an addendum to the executive order adding members of the Sith Order to the ban list. Finally to agree to the creation of a committee headed by the Honourable Senator for Byss, to liaise with the Jedi Order about any property its members have within our borders.”

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Caliban Drast

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"Coruscant votes in favor of ratifying the ban with the inclusion of the Sith. But votes against the creation of a committee at this time."

 

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Jin had been observing the proceedings with mild disinterest. He’d already approved Alexander’s plan to ban the Jedi from Republic space. After disrupting his production lines on Fondor with paranoid nonsense about a Sith attack, they needed to go. He would not have them roaming the Core flexing whatever authority they believed they had or deserved, especially when their presence invited further conflict with the Empire.

War might have filled his pockets, but it was time for peace. For a chance to make new deals, and with new friends.

He smiled, and as the proposal came to a vote, Jin made his opinion clear: “Fondor votes in favor of ratifying Chancellor Xerxes’ executive order, including the first addendum.” Banning the Sith might make things difficult for smoothing relations with the Empress, but he figured whatever tensions would be born out of today’s session could be resolved behind closed doors. “Also, I support the idea of returning lost goods and property to departing Jedi, but not when it is overseen by a overcomplicated committee and a known Jedi sympathizer.

Fondor votes against the second addendum. That is all.” Finished, Jin leaned back into his seat, understanding now that his vote had carried the Chancellor’s order into law, ending the Jedi’s iron grip on the Core for good.
 

Alexander Xerxes

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It took time, but slowly the votes came in. The amendment had been passed, Sith were now also banned from Republic Space. However the small olive branch Alexander had held out to Raycom had not only been battered away by the senator but by the Senate itself. “Honourable Senators, thank you for your voices today. We will seek to amend the Executive Order in due haste to also ban the travel of members of the Sith Order within Republic Space. I hope now we can move on to brighter conversations about the future of our Republic.”

The rest of the Senate session continued as expected, a few finance bills were put forward, some were accepted, most rejected. It was time for a new Republic which needed stronger actions than increasing budgets by zero point two percent.

____
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