WotH-2 Chpt 20

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 20 / Book 2==
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===Talk of Succession===
Date: August 15, 3018/08.15.7957CRC (Coruscant Reckoning Calendar)Location: Serenno, Confederacy of Independent Systems
"Uncle will be returning soon," Vet glanced at her brother as they combed over the last of the reports. "Do you think we have stewarded well?"
 
"I think that there is still more we can do for our people," Adan replied. "We are the heirs of Uncle Yan. He has entrusted us with much in his absence and I would honor that."
 
"And you have done well," Yan Dooku stepped into the room. "I am grateful that you were both willing to accept the responsibility. I am aware that your mother and I do not get along. But I would remain as family with those who I have left."
 
"Mother enjoyed acting as regent," Adan shrugged. "But I do not know if it is for as noble a reason as I once believed."
 
"Something you will learn as you grow in knowledge and wisdom," Yan stroked his goatee. "Is that someone may have many reasons for doing something. The one that you see is not always the one that they are operating off of. But the results may yet be the same."
 
"Now come, the both of you! There is much happening in the galaxy and I would not have you uninformed of events that involve you and your sister."
 
Vet exchanged a glance with her older brother who just shrugged and stood to follow their uncle, leaving her to catch up, her skirts clutched in her hands.
 
"My time as Head of State in the Confederacy will end in less than two years," Yan said as they entered the hall with the large emblem of House Dooku on it. "I intend to retire beyond simply that post."
 
The Count paused and faced them, his gaze piercing to their souls.
 
"The Countship will pass onto you, Adan," Yan stated. "This time is not simply for you to Steward, but to prepare you for the responsibilities that you will be required to uphold."
 
Yan gestured for them to take seats in the Great Hall with him. 
 
"When I retire, I will be sworn to you. For War or for Peace, my sword will be yours as long as I have breath," Dooku inhaled and paused. "I am an old man, Niece, Nephew. I will eventually fade away into the Force as those before me have. I would prefer to spend my last days learning that which I never had the opportunity. But the future is ever in motion. None, not even the very wise know all ends. And I fear that my part in this is not yet over."
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===Cutting the Deal===
Date: October 17, 3018/17.10.7975CRC (Coruscant Reckoning Calendar)Location: Beloria, Independent System''
"Whelp, I'm actually surprised," I looked at the newly completed shipyards through the viewport. "I expected it to be overbudget and delayed."
 
"Well," the Rendili representative shrugged. "We are overbudget, but that's because we paid extra to have them hire more so that it could be completed sooner."
"What do I owe you for the overbudget?" I asked.
 
"Nothing but two of the bays for the next six months," the representative replied. "We are currently under contract to build more ships than we have yards. You've dealt fairly with us, and we value our good reputation with you. We need the yards while we wait for the Sullustians to begin spinning up production."
 
"You're not worried about the competition?" I raised an eyebrow.
 
"No," he laughed. "We are Rendili, we produce some of the greatest ships in the galaxy. Our craftsmanship and costs are hard to beat. We can afford to spend extra to have two more bays from your yards while we reopen old shipyards and expand our current ones."
 
"I guess that's it then," I shrugged. "I'll go get a contract for the two bays drawn up."
 
"There is more to discuss," he grinned. "We don't just want to rent your yardspace. We know you've begun manufacturing starfighters. Our own talents do not lie in that area. But we can recognize an opportunity when we see it. I'm authorized to spend as much as it will require to expand production to outfit every single one of our new ships with your starfighters. Rendili's fate is now tied to that of the Confederacy as yours is. We will see it endure, or we will all fall together."
 
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===Reassurance of Friends===
 
"So, that was interesting," Sheppard said after listening to the recording of the meeting I had with the Rendili representative and looking at the contract we'd drawn up. "You think we should go for it?"
 
"I think it'll ensure that our finances and equipment concerns are gone for the foreseeable future," I replied. "The Potential downsides basically come with us not being able to be contracted by Kuat for the next thirty or so years."
 
"Kuat and the Trade Federation weren't going to try and hire us anyway," Sheppard chuckled. "The Federation for obvious reasons, and Kuat because they are so far in bed with the corruption of the Republic that it would take a miracle to break into that market."
 
"Then I guess we're partnered with Rendili even more than we were before," I sighed, signing on the datapad and sending a copy of the completed contract to the representative. "Now, what's this I hear about you retiring?" 
 
"Unless a war springs up in the next year or so I want to step down to the reserves like Peterson," my XO nodded. "I want to settle down, start a family. I'm not getting any younger and the older I get the harder it'll be to do that. Besides, aren't you looking to start a family with Siri?"
 
"I am," I replied. "But I'm not going to be stepping down from my position for a great many years. I have a feeling that I'm going to be needed here, in this position."
 
"Just remember," Sheppard stood up from the other side of the desk and brought me into a bro-hug. "Peterson and I aren't gone, we're still Marksman. You need us, and we're right back into the thick of it with you. Retired or not."
 
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===Headlines===
*"New Shipyards are constructed in the Outer Rim! The Separatists prepare for war!" Coruscant News Network 17.10.7975 CRC
*"Members of the Senate Trade Committee warn against putting more tariffs on goods from the Confederacy. Expert analysts insist that an economic collapse is imminent." Business insiders 08.11.7975 CRC
*"The Trade Federation begins to consolidate its holdings and swings the bulk of its industry behind the Republic after the pirate attacks from the Marksman Mercenary Corporation!" Galactic Inquirer
*"Droids will take our jobs! The Trade Federation will replace all of us with droids! Just you wait and see!" Melvin Star, Infowars Weekly
*"Senate barely passes bill to prop up local shipbuilding with monetary aid after recent resurgence in Outer Rim Shipyards. Senator Bel Garm Iblis had this to say about it.'This is a mistake of the highest order. The Free Market would have ensured that those who were prepared for this would survive. The small businesses that once thrived under our Republic will now falter under the weight of the new taxes that will be imposed on them to support this new stimulus. Mark my words, this will simply drive more worlds to be empathetic to the Confederacy. We will regret this bill in its entirety.' Independent Journalists of the Core. 11.11.7975 CRC
*"Mandalore begins rebuilding its military, the surrounding systems petition the Senate for a judicial response in fear!" Coruscant Information Network
*"The Slave Trade has been utterly shattered in the Confederacy! Head of State Dooku to issue address on the first of the year addressing the Confederacy as a whole." Outer Rim Publications
*"ORSF attacked by unidentified vessels! Senator Tarkin Petitions the Senate for an aid package to no avail. Governor Tarkin hires the Marksman Mercenary Corporation to assist with combating this new threat!" Eriadu General News
*"Holonet goes down in sections of the Outer Rim as unknown forces begin pushing in from the Unknown Regions. More to follow." Holonet News Network
*"Executive Security Solutions grows as lucrative contracts with the ORSF are offered up to various mercenary commands." Bounty Hunters Monthly
*"A Senate Committee to investigate corruption in the court systems has been created. The head of this committee, Bail Organa of Alderaan has opened up all documentation so as to preserve transparency." Independent Journalists of the Core
*"Confederacy of Independent Systems representative elections are held on 02.04.7976 CRC. New representatives will be sworn in on 03.15.7976. Head of State Elections are to be held on 04.07.7676 CRC with the new Head of State being sworn in at the beginning of the year." Documentation on Confederacy Elections published by the Executive Branch of the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
*"Chancellor Palpatine is Reelected for a third term! His campaign promises a much needed stability in these troubling times." Coruscant Information Network.
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Chapter 2-20