WotH Chpt 56

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 56==
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===Sideous's Preparations for the planned his Conflict===
Date: September 2nd, 3015/ 02.09.1954 CRCLocation: Chancellor's private Chambers, Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Galactic Republic
"It is unfortunate that they survived both attempts," Sidious muttered to Mas Amedda, but this is not a failure. No, this will stoke the fires that have already been burning in the hearst of both the Republic and the Confederacy. Leading them towards war in an even shorter time frame than I originally intended."
 
"The Republic would be on the losing end of such a conflict at first," Amedda cautioned. "I am uncertain as to how that would further your plans."
 
"The Outer Rim possesses the resources to fight a prolonged war. But they do not have the manufacturing capacity to do so," Sidious explained. "Unless the Confederacy allies themselves with the Banking Clans and Trade Federation."
 
"Which would be nigh impossible for them at this time," Amedda nodded in understanding. 
 
"Which will lead to a burning resentment of those who desire peace with the Confederation," Sidious smirked. "Yes, the future is not quite as certain as it once was, but the Grand Plan can always be… Adjusted as necessary."
 
"And what of losing Orn Free Taa?" Amedda asked.
 
"An inconvenience," The Sith Lord waved the concern away. "He was a blunt instrument, and while he may have been a useful tool at one time, now he is merely another to be sacrificed on the altar of the future empire."
 
"We must remember to disguise your meetings with Kuat," Amedda stood up to leave. "There are many questions that have been raised of late, I would not have us discovered."
 
"That will be handled shortly," Palpatine seemingly changed from a sinister figure to a kindly old man as he lowered his hood and smiled genially. "I have already secured the funds needed to further our agenda with them. When it is time, we will have a fleet to secure the Outer Rim."
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===Catching up on current events===
Location: Coruscant, Corusca Sector, Galactic Republic
I woke up to the sound of medical devices, the familiar noise of an EKG machine allowing me to relax a bit. 
 
"Ahh, Colonel," A Togrutan nurse greeted me as I blinked through blurred eyes at her. "You're awake!" 
 
"Anyone get the number of the bus that hit me?" I asked as I rubbed at my eyes, wincing at pain that radiated from several different places."Well, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a bus," Siri spoke up from the doorway she was leaning on. "Now, I think we need to have a discussion about Windows," she crossed her arms. "They're for looking out of, not falling out of…"
 
"I was thrown," I protested as the Nurse began running checks. "Believe me, I didn't go voluntarily," I watched as some tension drained out of my friend. "Now, how long have I been out?"
 
"Five days," the Nurse answered. "You were in pretty bad shape when they brought you up here. The Human body is not supposed to withstand anything approaching the sort of speeds that you endured before you interrupted your fall. Now, we're going to keep you for further…"
 
The Nurse's voice faded as I tuned her out. I knew that whatever she was saying was important, but right now I couldn't bring myself to care. I was tired, and after we got back from Coruscant, I was taking a vacation.
 
"Do you understand, Colonel?" the Nurse's voice broke through my thoughts.
 
"I understand," I replied, leaning back against the bedframe. "Now, can I get an update on what's happening with the negotiations?"
 
"Orn Free Taa is in the brig now," Siri replied. "We're just ensuring that all of our personnel are aboard and that the Hapans have the information they need to establish an Embassy with the Confederacy."
 
"I think I missed something," I raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember that being a part of our job here."
 
"Clay asked for us to remain until he had finished up with the Hapans," Lieutenant Sturn stepped into view. "Major Mathis is currently ensuring that he remains secure. And, honestly, given how successful it seems he is, we might have another ally soon."
 
"More allies is good," I closed my eyes for a minute. "What are our odds of persuading more neutral factions to join the Confederacy?"
 
"If you can persuade the Mandalorian People, then the current ruling faction will follow," Sturn shrugged. "They are nothing, if not democratic."
 
"Nevermind," I sighed. "I'm going to lay here, and heal up. When I'm done, I'm finding a beach in an extremely well guarded compound and staying there for a month. I'm taking a fucking vacation."
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===Diplomatic Expedition===
"So, I can expect a diplomatic assembly to arrive at Raxus by the end of the month?" Clay leaned back, his cane tapping on the floor as he spoke with Anita. 
 
"Ta'a Chume, the Queen Mother has confirmed that she would like to establish trade ties at a minimum to much of the rest of the galaxy. And given that the Republic has been… Less than open to such of late, she will accept an alternative."
 
"And your Daughters have been left alive?" Clay asked. "I know that the Embassy was closed for a time when the Jedi were expelled from the entirety of the Consortium."
 
"Had it been Master Windu who was present, such a thing would not have happened. But after what happened," Anita sighed. "My Daughters were considered tainted at first. But since they have proven themselves, they are considered a valuable part of the Navy."
 
"That is good to hear," Clay leaned back in his chair. "Is Ni'Korish alive? I have heard nothing of her in decades."
 
"There has been no news from the family aside from ruling edicts," Anita shrugged. "We are currently the strongest we have been in generations, and piracy has all but been eradicated."
 
"We're not quite there yet in the Confederacy," Clay replied. "But we are well on our way to ridding us of that plague among the stars. Our largest fear lies not with pirates at the moment. But instead, it lies with the Republic."
 
"That is the one reason that I believe an alliance would falter," Anita agreed. "The Queen Mother will not be favorable to an alliance should it drag us into a war with any faction at present."
 
"We're hoping it never comes to that," Cassius eased himself up onto his feet, leaning on his cane and looking at his old friend. "The Republic is sending along independent observers to ensure that we don't just execute the fat bastard. You and your representatives are invited as well if you wish to be present for trade negotiations."
 
"Who have the Republic chosen to send?" Anita asked. 
 
"Various Senators and their entourages," Clay smirked. "Which means they'll be beyond surprised at the size of the Confederacy's assigned quarters and staff for their elected officials."
 
"If I'm not selected, I may take some leave and travel with an old friend," Anita smiled in response. "Watching those sorts of upper class brats being surprised with reality is always enjoyable."
 
"Well, let me know if you manage to find the time," Clay began to exit the room, twin bodyguards in Powered armor falling in behind him. "We'll be leaving in six hours."
 
"I know where to find you," Anita replied. "You'll be in the thick of whatever mess you've managed to land yourself in this time."
 
"Always," Cassius turned and waved jauntily. "Always." 
 
Then he entered the elevator and was gone, leaving Anita to once again deal with the bureaucracy of the Republic by herself. 
 
"What's my next appointment?" Anita asked her secretary, the man jolting up and quickly closing out the Pazaak game he'd been playing. 
 
"Umm, you have a meeting with Eriadu, but that's not scheduled for another week or so," he stammered. 
 
"Good," Anita leaned forward. "Begin the paperwork for a travel request. We're going to see if we can't get our vacation paid for by the Queen Mother."
 
"Yes, ma'am," the secretary began typing rapidly. "Is there anything else that you need?"
 
"Ensure we get one of the faster and well armed ships. We're not taking any chances on this one," she paused. "And make sure that we've got some of the better looking girls. This is a chance to steal some of the best of their gene pool for our future daughters after all…"
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Chapter 56