Sublight Drive (Star Wars)

Chapter 74

Coruscant, Coruscant System

Corusca Sector

Having suffered through all four hours of Palpatine’s post-crisis address to the Senate, interrupted likely a half dozen times by thunderous standing ovations, Jedi Master Adi Gallia was not inclined to hear one more honey-dripping word from the Chancellor’s mouth. And yet, she must, as she watched the sun-kissed spires of the Jedi Temple approach.

The newfound bustle of the Temple’s wide corridors were not lost on her as she made her way to the turbolift, filled with thousands of Jedi Knights and Padawans recalled from far-flung frontiers to defend the Core from the recent Separatist incursion. Thousands of Jedi in the Temple, thousands of fronts on which the Confederacy of Independent Systems found a second wind. Thousands of fronts on which the Republic was being pushed back.

The Tholothian shook her head, tendrils swaying. Thousands of Jedi on Coruscant to oppose the Dark Lord of the Sith.

As soon as she entered the circular chamber of the High Council–filled in advance with the forms of myriad Jedi Masters–she ran the holorecording of the Supreme Chancellor’s recent speech. Around the holoprojection sat the Councilmembers Yoda, Mace Windu, Saesee Tiin, Shaak Ti, Plo Koon, Stass Allie, Kit Fisto, and herself.

“Today, we stand in the wake of a monumental victory,” the holoimage of the Supreme Chancellor declared, “Separatist treachery! Treason in our own space! Against all odds our brave defenders, the soldiers and fleets of this Republic, have delivered a decisive blow to the enemy! The Separatists saw to sow fear into our ranks, to turn us against each other, but out Core–our people and our spirit!–remain intact! We have triumphed! A triumph of unity, courage, and unwavering resolve!”

There was an applause, so loud and roaring it drowned out the sound of his voice–and when Palpatine realised it wasn’t going to stop, he paused to let it run its course. A course that went on for far too long. Droid cams buzzed around the Great Rotunda to highlight the more well-known of the Palpatine-aligned factions, before coming full circle and closing in on Palpatine’s thirty-metre-tall podium to linger on the two dozen human naval officers who were standing just below the summit, clapping enthusiastically.

“I offer my deepest gratitudes to those who stood on the front lines, on behalf of us all. To these men and women, these heroes of the Republic, who faced the most fearsome Warlords of the Perlemian and prevailed. Their bravery and sacrifice has paved the way for the continued safety and preservation of this great galactic community, and for this, they will forever be remembered.”

Dressed in robes of deep red, the colours of the Republic, Palpatine continued.

“In recognition of the service, we must honour our heroes accordingly–” another raucous cheer, “–In my capacity of Commander-in-Chief of our Grand Army, I hereby announce that the Star of Coruscant will be awarded to Admiral Honor Salima, whose command over Rendili kept our fleets unbroken and indomitable. To Captain Terrinald Screed, Captain Jan Dodonna, and Captain Sagoro Autem, whose distinguished conduct filled our brave spacers with impeccable resolve, I proudly award the Cross of Heroes. To Commander Adar Tallon and all of his fearless pilots, I award the Medal of Valour. And finally, to all the brave fighters who took part in this campaign, they will be honoured with the Crescent of Service, a symbol of the Republic’s gratitude for their service.”

Adi Gallia muted the holorecording just before a second standing ovation applauded the liberal bestowment of military accolades. She casted a look across the gathered attendance of Jedi Masters.

“I see no reason to disagree,” Master Kit Fisto said, “Our soldiers have fought well, and the Republic is unbroken. Rewards are due, are they not?”

“These are awards not seen since the days of the Old Republic,” Master Shaak Ti murmured to herself softly.

“It is as Master Yoda says,” Master Saesee Tiin leaned forward and knitted his fingers together, “This is a show of force. For the Separatists. And also for anyone who may oppose him.”

Master Mace Windu straightened at that, “How can you be so certain?”

“It is to show he still possesses–and maintains–the support of the Grand Army,” Master Plo Koon crossed his arms, “And that the recent Separatist incursions have not soured that relationship–or at least, as it appears.”

“There’s a bright spot in this affair,” Adi Gallia felt the need to point out, “Admiral Honor has been vocal, to some extent, about our instrumental role in the victory over Rendili. In fact, I had the liberty of reading a draft of this speech, and ‘all the brave fighters who took part in this campaign’ was originally supposed to be ‘all the brave troopers of the Open Circle Fleet, who struck the decisive blow against the Separatist forces.’ Honor Salima may not be the most… endearing… character, but apparently she is at least fair.”

“I do see why this is an issue of concern for us,” Master Windu grunted.

“Palpatine is a danger to the Republic,” she retorted, “Surely you can see that? He has only concentrated more and more power in his own office since the start of the war!”

“And he had promised to surrender all of them once the war is at an end.”

“However!” Palpatine’s voice cut through the budding debate, “Honoured senators, my fellow countrymen… while we celebrate this victory, we cannot allow ourselves the luxury of complacency. The war continues. The threat remains. But let this victory serve as a message–a message to the Separatists, to their leaders, and to all who would challenge this Republic: Try as you might, we will not falter!”

“We have driven the menace from our home! With every battle, with every siege, we are one step closer to restoring peace across the galaxy. We will continue to fight, not because we seek war, but because we seek its end. We will fight until every citizen of the Republic can live free from fear and tyranny. We will fight until every world, from the light of the Core to the spiral arms of the Outer Rim, is safe!”

“Applause,” Adi murmured, just as it happened. Because she had been there.

“So I ask you, as representatives of your people and guardians of this Republic, to stand with me. Stand with our brave soldiers, with the loyal fleets defending our skies, and with the citizens who long for peace. And so I will look to you, as our citizens look to us, to author a new spirit in Coruscant, in the Core, throughout the star systems where the light of democracy continues to shine. Let our victory at Rendili be a beacon of hope, a promise that the Republic is strong, and that together, we will prevail, so that we can look forward to another thousand years of peace, and another thousand beyond that, and so on, until war itself is stamped out from our just domain!”

“That’s enough,” Adi Gallia said just as the Senate broke into another extended applause. She deactivated the holoprojector, to nobody’s objection, “This victory has given him the boost in the polls which he desperately needs, and now he’s milking every ounce of worth he could from it. Palpatine is dangerous; he is shoring support again. He fooled us once the first time; damn us if he fools us a second time.”

“Intentions against him, you have?” Master Yoda asked.

“I do,” Master Gallia confirmed, “Demand he surrender his emergency powers. This is the best chance we’ll get. If we wait until the war is over, it’ll be too late by then. We do this, and not only will we preserve the democratic institutions he perseveres to erode, but we will also strike a severe blow against the Sith Lord in the Republic.”

Mace Windu raised an eyebrow, “You believe the Chancellor is a puppet of the Sith?”

“He can only be,” Plo Koon supported her, “Palpatine does not need this much power to manage a war. The Republic is a mighty vessel, yet he wishes to steer it alone, because, as he claims, it is necessary to fight the war. The Republic has fought much worse than the Separatists, with much less. Palpatine is either power-hungry, or gathering it for someone else–either way, he must be stopped.”

“Planning this for a long time, you have, together, hm?” Master Yoda looked up at the two of them.

“We have,” Master Gallia saw no reason to lie, especially before the Grandmaster, “And we have allies. Despite what the HoloNet might lead you to believe, not all the senators were on their feet. Many are sceptical of Palpatine, even in the Core; Alderaan, Chandrila, and Humbarine being the big three.”

“You are certain,” Mace Windu demanded, “Of Palpatine’s ties to the Sith Lord?”

“We are,” Plo Koon leaned back, “The evidence, though circumstantial, is too much to ignore.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The only reason they did not outright say that Palpatine was the Sith Lord was that it was still a little too unbelievable–not to mention outrageous. The Dark Lord of the Sith, being the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, under their collective noses, all along? There were many proud figures in the Jedi Order. Proud, conservative figures. Adi Gallia was under no illusions that she was a radical, in the perspectives of many of her peers. It was fortunate she had somebody of as high-standing as Master Plo Koon to support her sometimes outlandish claims.

Yoda fell silent for a moment, then said; “Speak with the Supreme Chancellor, we must.”

“If there is one point in which I agree,” Master Windu nodded gravely, “Our deference to him must come to an end.”

“Increasing, the power of the dark side is. The source of this war, the Sith are,” Yoda turned slightly to regard them all, “Rooted out, this Sith Lord must be.”

“Rooted out, and eliminated.”

There was a vibration beneath her cloak, and Adi Gallia snuck a peek as the Council further discussed their course of action. It was a message from Barriss.

‘Found the mole.’

?

Plans never go to… plan.

That was one reality Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was extremely well-versed in, daresay more than any man alive. He had made a lot of plans in his lifetime, after all. Plans to seize the megacorporations, plans to seize the Republic, plans to seize the galaxy. It was the Grand Plan. His plan. The only plan that mattered.

But it was not perfect. It never was, and was never meant to be. The Grand Plan evolves, it was a living and breathing thing that changes and adapts to the circumstance like a writhing serpent, feasting on the dark side of the Force. That was the way of the Sith, as it has been for one thousand years. Lurking in the darkness, stalking the galaxy, biding its time, and striking when the moment was right and its prey at its weakest. Palpatine guided the serpent–subtle, precise, binding it to his will. Tiny, minute movements that adapted it to the situation of its prey.

Even the best-laid plans can become ensnared by the unexpected, however. There were moments when the galaxy shifts too rapidly, too viscerally for a single move, a single nudge, to realign the serpent’s eyes. And in those moments, the serpent must react carefully.

The Confederacy of Independent Systems, a puppet regime, was no longer bound by its strings. Darth Tyranus’ alien apprentice, that Sev’rance Tann, has gone rogue, as Sidious had feared. The Chiss girl now wraps the Separatist State around her fist, forging her own empire from the fires his Grand Plan so carefully kindled. And the Dark Lord of the Sith admired her for it.

I should have discarded that aged and brittle Dooku, and chosen her as my apprentice. She is far more capable than he is. She is younger, brimming with untapped potential the dark side could unlock. She could have been my grand general, the iron fist of my New Order.

Alas, that door was shut to him. Sev’rance Tann was no longer a candidate for apprenticeship–she was a rival. The order she now built threatened his own, and Sidious briefly entertained the thought of paying Raxus Secundus a visit. If only the crisis in the Core did not demand every moment of the Supreme Chancellor’s attention.

As for Tyranus… as for Dooku… his usefulness is drawing to an end. Pitiful creature, thinking he is still a part of my New Order. But Palpatine was nothing if not resourceful, and even discarded pieces could still prove themselves… valuable. Count Dooku still controlled half of the Separatist State, and with a masterstroke, Palpatine may as well slaughter three birds with one stone; shatter the Confederacy, dispose of Dooku, and purge the Jedi.

All with a single sentence. In the privacy of his suite, the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic smiled to himself. The Grand Plan of the Sith was a snake, writhing and coiling, changing its plan of attack but never losing sight of its prey.

That privacy was broken by his staff aide Sly Moore, tall and ethereal in her Umbaran shadowcloak, appearing by the doors and informing him of unexpected guests.

“Chancellor,” she informed him, “The Loyalist Committee seeks some of your time.”

The Chancellor suppressed a frown, “My day is never so full that I can’t take time to confer with members of the Loyalist Committee. Leave us, Sly, and don’t allow us to be disturbed.”

“Of course, Your Excellency.”

Stepping aside, Sly Moore gestured the gathered senators into the circular office. It was the usual three–Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and Bana Breemu. No three senators have been so outspoken against him as these three–thorns in his aside. No three thorns in his side are so powerful and influential he couldn’t simply just remove them. And thus Palpatine was forced to entertain and placate them time and time again, for together their caucuses master a not insignificant fraction of the inner worlds.

Ah, but there is one thorn even larger than these three. Jedi Master Adi Gallia. He could gnash his teeth at the mere mention of her alone. To organise a coup right under my nose! Not to mention all the instances she toyed with him in her relentless search for the Sith Lord. Palpatine had an inkling suspicion she knew the truth, but simply lacked the evidence to act on it.

The Tholothian must be eliminated, sooner than later.

But there was also another emotion that came to him; excitement. The thrill of the game. For so long he had played a one-sided game of dejarik, with no opponent capable of opposing him–or even knowing they were playing. For once, he had met a capable adversary–dare he say rival–in Adi Gallia, and it aroused his eagerness to play once more.

The Supreme Chancellor showed none of his thoughts as he patiently waited for the three senators to take their places, with Bail Organa settling down in the seat directly opposed to his, before speaking.

“So, what matters have brought you to me on such a glorious afternoon?” he asked from his chair, “I can’t help but sense a certain urgency…”

“We’ll come directly to the point, Chancellor,” Bail Organa said, “With your third four-year term drawing to an end, we wish to discuss the abrogation of some of the measures that were enacted in the name of public safety. And, ultimately, the surrender of your emergency powers, as is right.”

Palpatine gazed at Bail over steepled fingers. “Our recent victory has made you feel so secure?”

“Not at all, Chancellor,” Mon Mothma interjected, “You know as well as we do that many Core Worlds demand the Sector Armadas remain to guard the Core–despite the likelihood of another Separatist incursion being infinitesimally small. The matter remains, however, that the increasingly rampant authority being vested in this office is making many of us feel even more insecure than the thought of any renewed Separatist threat.”

“Three years ago, Your Excellency, you vowed to give up your emergency powers once the war is at an end,” Bana Breemu continued, “And yet, you make no signs of upholding that promise.”

“Well, my dear Senator, the war is nowhere near an end. In fact–”

“Many of us in the Senate and Loyalist Committee wish to see a… gesture of goodwill from this office,” Bail Organa pressed a palm on the table, “Despite the support you see in the Rotunda, many are once more highlighting concerns about this issue, now that the Separatists have been driven from Coruscant and the Core, which of course affects the smooth running of our Republic. Repealing some of your more… drastic laws will do much to smooth over these frictions.”

“The Enhanced Security and Enforcement Act in particular,” Bail continued. “Specifically those measures that permit the unrestricted use of observation droids, and searches and seizures without the need for warrants or due process.”

They are testing me, like I am some wild animal. Prodding me to see whether Adi Gallia’s words prove true. Whether the coup she claims is necessary is truly necessary at all. A minor setback.

Palpatine leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he regarded Bail Organa with a practiced, measured gaze. His expression remained serene, almost fatherly, as if the very idea of these concerns was a familiar and manageable nuisance.

“I see,” he said slowly, “Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that the war is far from won, and I, for one, am not entirely satisfied that traitors and terrorists are not a continued threat to public safety. The Enhanced Security Act is needed now more than ever, as Separatists in the Core are emboldened by the invasions of the Perlemian Warlords. Coruscant herself was attacked, as you all know, not just by the Bulwark Fleet but by Separatist terrorists from within.”

Palpatine let the words settle, his gaze shifting between Organa and the other senators, gauging their reactions. They were troubled by his argument–he made a good point, they recognised that. But of all the acts passed in recent times, the Enhanced Security Act must be the only one they could convince enough of the Senate to back the rescindment of, as it was the most overreaching and pervasive. Not to mention it threatened the private dealings of many of the senators themselves.

“The Enhanced Security Act…” he paused again, letting the air grow heavy with contemplation, “I assure you, I have always regarded it as a temporary measure, enacted solely in response to the extraordinary threats we face.”

“Supreme Chancellor–”

“–However!” Supreme Chancellor Palpatine cut the senator off, his eyes gleaming with understanding, “I serve the Republic and its Senate. Introduce a measure to repeal in the Senate. I will accept whatever outcome ensues from a vote.”

“Will you remain impartial during the debates?” Bana Breemu questioned sceptically.

“You have my word.”

“And these amendments to the Constitution–” Mon Mothma started to say, pushing harder after seeing him acquiesce.

“I view the Constitution as a living document,” Palpatine interrupted, “As such, it must be allowed to expand and contract according to circumstances. Otherwise, what do we have but stasis. And was it not stagnancy that led the Republic to the deplorable state it is in now?

“If we can be assured of a certain… exhalation of power,” Bana Breemu allowed slowly.

Palpatine grinned faintly, “Of course.”

Nevermind. Not sooner than later. It must be now. Palpatine pressed a hidden button beneath the table, and Sly Moore opened the door, signalling that the audience had reached its end. The three senators stood up as one, in varying states of satisfaction at the productivity of the meeting. They left briskly.

“Sly.”

“Chancellor.”

“Prepare my shuttle. Discreetly, of course.”