WotH-2 Chpt 21

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 21 / Book 2==
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===Request for Aid===
Date: 11.09.7975 CRC (Coruscant Reckoning Calendar)Location: Bakura, Wild Space
"The ORSF doesn't normally come out this far into Wild Space or the Unknown regions," Commander Garoche Tarkin looked out the viewports at the planet below. "I am surprised that you asked for us to help instead of asking the Confederacy of Independent Systems."
 
"The Confederacy is trading with us," Suna Palak replied. "But we are still loyal to the Republic as long as they are willing to continue to provide us with assistance and exploration here. That is why we appealed to both the Senate and made a request of Governor Tarkin."
 
"I have brought the small fleet as you requested, but you didn't give us many details about what it is that you fear."
 
"There have always been threats to us," Suna shrugged. "The Unknown regions are full of strange threats and unknowns. Usually, our system defense forces would be enough, but our outer patrols have vanished, their reports never arrived, and several of the merchants we deal with among the Unknown Regions have seemingly ceased trading with us altogether. The Bakuran legislative body has decided that we should reach out to the Republic or members of the Republic for assistance."
 
"The Republic has been slow to respond of late," Tarkin scoffed. "Were my father not so steadfast in his loyalty, I would have suggested that he apply for membership of the Confederacy as others in the Outer Rim have done. As it stands, many members of the Republic have petitioned us to assist with providing security in addition to their usual defense fleets."
 
"As we have," The Cathar nodded in response. "And we are thankful that the Outer Rims Security Forces have responded both quickly and in force. We have agreed to all of the terms and conditions in the contract and will begin selling our repulsor tech to you at a sharp discount."
 
Garoche simply continued looking out the viewport for a few moments before turning to her. 
 
"I will need full reports on your system defenses as well as anything that you may have from the patrols that went missing," He stroked his chin. "This may be simple piracy, or it may be something more sinister, we will be unable to find out until we have conducted a thorough investigation."
 
"Commander Tarkin," an aid stepped forward. "There's a holo-com from the governor of Eriadu. It's been marked as urgent."
 
"Pardon me," Garoche bowed to the Bakuran representative. "But I'm afraid I must respond to this. I will return afterwards and complete my initial analysis."
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(("Commander,")) Wilhuff's hologram nodded at his son. (("I understand that Bakura is facing pirate problems?"))
 
"I am uncertain as to what they face," Garoche replied, his brow raised in thought. "But based on what I have heard, I believe that we will require more than the three ships and handful of star fighters I brought with me."
 
(("You will receive what you ask,")) Wilhuff responded. (("Despite the Bakurans willingness to work with nonhumans," the human's face scrunched in disgust. "They export some of the best repulsors in the galaxy. We need to secure those resources if we are to continue in our efforts."))
 
"The non-humans have been more helpful of late than the entirety of the core," Garoche pointed out. "Those who have dedicated themselves to assisting us and the rest of the Rim are performing beyond expectations."
 
(("A pity that we must rely on such auxiliaries,")) Wilhuff sighed. (("But such are the times. Commander, figure out what it is you need and submit it for review. Admiral Zsinj has been granted more funding for an expansion to our forces."))
"Can we afford that?" Garoche asked. "I thought the Republic vetoed the tax breaks they promised."
(("We must unfortunately spend that which we do not have,")) Willhuff replied. (("Our membership grows, and despite my mistrust of many, they have backed our efforts in both the Senate and contributed funds where they were able. I should have never trusted Chancellor Palpatine's promises after his world's pitiable performances against the Trade Federation's blockade. But I digress. Continue with your mission, and maintain contact in the event of an attack. We will route what we can spare to assist."))
"I will do so, Governor," Garoche responded. 
 
They both knew what they wanted to say but were too locked into their positions to say it out loud and so the communication ended in silence.
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===Standing Your Ground===
Three local weeks later…''
"Urgent communique from the Indomitable!" 
 
"Go ahead," Garoche stood in the center of the bridge. 
 
"Commander, our Starfighter squadrons are down, our engines have been hammered and we're about to lose power. I'm sending all of the scans and data we've collected in a burst transmission along with this message." 
 
"Captain, we are en route, we will relieve you," Garoche replied.
 
"All hands prepare to repel boarders!" an alarm sounded. 
"I'm afraid it's too late for that, Commander. We'll do our best to hold out, you prepare Bakura from whatever this is."
 
With that, the feed cut off, leaving the bridge of the Bastion in silence.
 
Garoche took a deep breath and centered himself before turning and beginning to issue orders.
 
"Lieutenant, begin analysis of the scans and transmission, I want everything that was happening in the background and on screen looked over for information. Ensign Star, begin transmitting the information to headquarters, they have more people to look over everything."
 
"What are you going to be doing, Commander?" 
 
"Sending in the reinforcement request and coordinating with the Bakuran government," Garoche replied. "We have a responsibility to those under our protection. We'll not abandon them now."
 
With that, the bridge turned and motion began, the crew of the Bastion beginning to move through stations as they carried out the orders of Commander Tarkin. 
 
"And now we see what the Core really thinks," Garoche muttered as he stepped into his office. "Or if the Republic sinks underneath the weight of its corruption."
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===Senatorial Sections: Part 1===
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====Relations between Friends and Allies====
Date: 07.11.7975 CRC (Coruscant Reckoning Calendar)Location: Senate Building, Coruscant
"We may be friends and allies here," Senator Iblis looked around the conference room of his office. "But none of you see what is going to happen shortly. If we do not stand against the tax increases then the entire Republic is in danger."
 
"Garm, you know that I am in favor of promoting peace on all sides," Bail replied. "But with the loss of so many worlds to the Confederacy and the Mandalorian Federation we must find new sources of revenue."
 
"The Mid and Outer Rims have been taxed into oblivion," Garm sighed. "The tariffs will only drive us closer and closer to the failure of our government."
 
"What would you have me do?" Mon Mothma asked. "We are the only institution that has stood the test of time and have brought peace and prosperity through the millenia. If we do not institute the tariffs, then we flounder as our bureaucracy slows with the lack of funding."
 
"Cut taxes, cut tariffs, and cut spending!" Garm slammed his fist on the table. "You cannot continue to treat the rest of the galaxy as if they are unimportant, because with the loss of access to the Outer Rim's goods, you'll find that costs of everything will go up."
 
"I care for the plight of the Outer Rim," Mothma replied. "They have languished for far too long under tyranny."
 
"Yes, the Republic's tyranny," Garm sagged in his chair. "I know that you value peace Mon, but if you continue down this path, then we will end in disaster. For the Republic and everyone else."
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====A Decision has been Made====
"Senator Amidala," the hologram of Queen Jamillia greeted her with a smile and a nod. "I am glad that you took the time to speak with me."
 
"I serve the people of Naboo," Padme replied. "And I always enjoy speaking with a friend."
"Unfortunately, it is business that we must speak of instead of as friends," Jamillia sighed. "The Gungans and local governments have come to a decision."
 
A pit seemed to open up in Padme's stomach as she swallowed and answered.
 
"And that is?" She asked.
"Naboo will remain in the Republic until Chancellor Palpatine has served out his term," Jamillia frowned. "Then, if our people still languish under the burden of the excesses of the Core when they previously refused to help us. Then we will secede."
 
"They are certain of this?" Padme asked.
 
"They are," the queen replied. "And after seeing the data, I have been forced to acquiesce."
"I understand," Padme replied. "I will do my best to represent our interests until my time to serve is completed."
"Both you and Representative Binks are the voices of our people to the Republic and the Galaxy, I have faith that you will do that to the best of your ability."
With that, the hologram winked out, leaving Padme to consider the news and how to move on from here.
 
Sitting back down, she lifted her datapad and glanced at her highlighted notes.
 
The Republic was once again heading into war. Only this time, they didn't even have the same excuses from the Mandalorian Wars. The Republic had no military, only industry and planetary defense forces. The Judicial branch was hamstrung at every turn, and despite her best efforts, the people of the Republic suffered under the burden of excess taxes. All in the pursuit of the luxury that the Core offered.
 
She now understood why the Eriadu had sold their senator's holdings in the 500 Republica and forced their senators and representatives to live in standard housing. It was all too easy to forget how other people lived when you towered above them.
 
With that thought passing through her mind, she stood and made her way to the wardrobe. Stripping off her usual clothing and replacing it with a worn, roughspun tunic and cloak, a holdout blaster tucked behind her right hip.
 
Sometimes she needed to see, to remember exactly what it was that she was trying to accomplish, who precisely she was fighting for the rights of. Those people were not up here in the clouds and high towers of Coruscant.
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====Is it a poison pill?====
Date: 15.11.7975 CRC (Coruscant Reckoning Calendar)Location: Senate Chapters
"We must begin sending aid to the Yards of Kuat and other Core manufacturers," Risi Lenoan's seat floated around the Senate Chambers. "The Outer Rim's shipyards are beginning to take business from us, and as our yards flounder, so does the economy of our region and of those around us."
 
"Kriffing idiots," Garm Bel Iblis muttered as he watched the proceedings. "Competition is what we need here, not to spend more government money on projects that will only fail. It's just basic economics."
 
But he could see the sheer number of people who agreed with the initial proposal and knew that it was likely going to be pushed through.
 
"We now recognize the Senator from Rendili!" Mas Amedda's voice echoed through the chambers.
 
"Rendili believes that such a radical spending bill would be a gross misallocation of government resources," Dominic Starr's voice was calm. "The markets should be allowed to regulate themselves without government interference. All we will do with such spending is cause our own people to suffer. Both here in the Core as well as elsewhere."
 
"You only say this because Rendili profits directly from the Confederacy of Independent Systems!" The Trade Federation delegate protested. "Should we also get into your ties directly to pirate groups like the Marksman or the so called "Executive Security Solutions"."
 
"Order, we will have order!" Amedda broke them off. "We now recognize the Senator from Corellia."
"People of the Republic," Garm stood and began to speak. "We face dark times ahead of us. There are a few choices before us, but we must make the right ones, lest we plunge our great nation into darkness. Ahead of us, lie two paths. One in which we allow our economy and the markets to do as they will, for them to self-regulate. The other is one where we involve ourselves in that which we know little about. Where we dictate to those who run our economy how things will go. I, for one, have been a successful businessman in the past. But I make no pretense of knowing exactly how things will go should we fund either option."
 
He paused, the senate floor hanging in silence.
 
"However, there is one thing that I do know. Our own bureaucracy is bloated, we consume taxes and tariffs with little to no results to show for it. We should be cutting back our own spending, cutting those taxes that burden our people and finding other ways to ensure that all of our people's flourish. This bill, though," Garm slammed his fist into his podium,. "Is a poison pill that is coated in stimulants. It will no doubt boost things for a time, but in the end will kill us. But we have heard enough talk today. Now let us vote, and see if this is indeed our poison, or if it is something else that will kill us."
 
With that, he sat down and watched as the voting began, his speech had swayed more than he suspected it would, but it was not enough. As Garm stood to leave, he glanced back at the voting lights one last time and felt an intense sadness come over him as both Alderaan's and Chandrilla's voting lights shifted in favor of the spending bill.
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Chapter 2-21