WotH Chpt 31

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 31 ==
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===Declulation of a new Nation===
January 1st, 3014/7953 CRC Coruscant Galactic Senate
"Oppressed citizens of a once free galaxy, I am Count Dooku of Serenno. For most of my life, I served as a Jedi Knight, and for a time, on the Jedi High Council as well," the hologram of the man stood tall as he seemed to stare through everyone watching.
 
"I dedicated my life to the pursuit of peace and justice, undertaking countless missions and risking my life for the sake of what I thought was right. I have protected people and communities, and brought many criminals, pirates, terrorists, tyrants, and corrupt individuals to justice," Dooku paused to allow the information to sink in, the Council chambers remaining deathly quiet.
 
"And yet, it was not enough, no matter how much I attempted to do what was right, I was being thwarted by the very institution that I trusted to do the right thing. The Galactic Republic, and its senate, have become a pale reflection of what it once was! The Senate mired by corruption and decadence. The Senators pay lip service to the people they are supposed to serve while they whore themselves and their people out to the highest bidder!" Dooku's fist slammed down on the podium in front of him.
 
"They allow you, their own people to suffer from lawlessness, piracy, abuse, and injustice while they lounge in luxury on Coruscant.
 
The Republic has created layer and layer of bureaucracy, which is enormously expensive, stifles your voice, and makes even the simplest aspects of governing frustrating and ineffective.
 
They have rid themselves of their military, forcing the Outer and Mid Rim worlds to fall into chaos, and the hyperlanes to be overrun with pirates. And to make things worse, they have punished and ridiculed the systems that try to militarize in self-defense to prevent those very same pirates from harming them.
 
To make matters worse, the Republic has stifled the local economies, it imposes extreme taxes that are only made worse by the sector and planetary government taxes. And yet, those taxes do not go to pay for your safety, or to secure your liberty. No, those taxes pay for the Senate's lavish lifestyles, the Republic's bureaucracy, and the whims of the highest bidders.
 
The Republic has such contempt for you, the people it was created to serve, that they refused to even consider voting on the recent Financial Reform bill. And the Senator that drafted the bill was even assassinated by those who favor the status quo.
 
The Outer and Rim worlds are slaves to the Republic in all but name. And the Jedi often enforce that slavery, whether they are mislead or not, they have all too often been the boot on the slaves' neck. I myself have been mislead by the Senate when I was a Jedi, as I trusted those in power to look out for those who they were supposed to serve.
 
I was wrong. The Jedi all too often enforce the will of a Republic that has ceased to be anything but a bloated corpse and shadow of itself."
 
Dooku stopped and looked out at the crowd that was assembled in Raxus, the people flanking him standing still as if they were statues.
 
"From this day forward, I declare that we will build a new government that addresses the Republic's failures, with core values that reflect that of the people of the Republic. Until this government has become fully established, I will personally see to it that the Hyperlanes are patrolled, and that piracy is curbed.
 
But do not be alarmed at what will soon happen. The Republic cannot allow you to break off and be free to self-govern, for if they do, they lose all of the power that they have accumulated over the generations.
 
Today, we throw off the yoke of those who claim to be representing us, today, we decide to stand up and declare our freedom. Today, we separate ourselves from the bloated corpse of the Republic. And should they decide to send people after me and mine. I say let them come and throw themselves on our swords. As for me and my house, we will stand. You may join me, or you may decide to stay with the Republic, the choice is yours."
 
The Senate chambers erupted into noise as everyone began speaking over each other, the calls for Order from Mas Amedda doing nothing but encouraging the frenzy.
 
"The Councils should be informed of this," Mace Windu glanced at Yoda from their private booth.
 
"Already know, they do," Yoda replied as he turned his chair to leave. "Broadcast across the galaxy, this was."
 
"I will issue a general recall order," Mace stood to follow.
 
"Only prove him right, you will," Yoda shook his head. "Strongly believe this, Dooku does."
 
"The galaxy is at a shatterpoint," Windu sighed. "But I do not know how it will break."
 
"Trust in the Force, we must," Yoda and Windu boarded the speeder and signaled for the droid to take them to the Temple. "And a decision to make, we have."
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===Wheels that turn behind Announcement===
 
"Thank you for lending me your talents," Dooku looked at me from his desk. "Should you decide that the mercenary life is not for you then you may consider speechwriting."
 
"I think I'll stick to shooting things," I chuckled. "It generally doesn't give me the same headache."
 
"Ferus is reporting that the Senate's response is about what we expected," Siri Tachi reported as she entered. "And we've received a number of responses from Outer and Mid Rim worlds since we published the details of the government we intend to form."
 
"Good," Dooku replied. "The Tarkins of Eriadu have privately indicated that they wish to see how we do before joining. As have some of the other worlds that have been greatly affected by the Senate's corruption as of late."
 
"The Republic doesn't have anything to respond with militarily at the moment," I looked at the two Jedi. "But that can and will change. They've got a greater industrial capacity then we possess currently. So we need to begin building up now. If it comes to a war, we're going to lose once they bring all of their might to bear. And the PDFs aren't going to be enough. Not when you've promised to patrol the Hyperlanes."
 
"I have some people working on that," Dooku agreed. "Should they prove to be successful, we will have the core of a capable navy."
 
"I've said my piece," I looked around. "If that was everything you needed, Count, then I'll be back to my troops. Raxus is a hotbed right now, and I don't want to have to pay to get some people out of prison."
 
"You have done as I asked, Colonel Hull," Count Dooku smiled sadly. "Go take care of your people."
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===Headline Interlude===
*– "Serenno throws off the yoke of the IGBC in battle of the ages!-- 7948CRC Outer Rim Publications
 
*– "Mandalore renegotiates deal with the Banking Clans even amidst terrorist attacks!" 7948CRC -Coruscant Information Network
 
*–"The ORSF counters a massive pirate attack intended for Sullust. Sullust fully opts into the ORSF in response, setting aside long-held rivalry." -7949CRC Eriadu General News
 
*—"Count Dooku called to stand trial in response to actions taken against pirates and slavers" 7949 Outer Rim Publications
 
*— "Marksman Mercenary Company and Manufacturing continue to grow with latest defense contracts." — Bounty Hunters Monthly
 
*— "Executive Security Solutions forms in response to the Outer Rim's cry for more protection, the competition in the mercenary market grows more fierce!" — Business Insiders
 
*-"Tension builds as Outer Rim begins building up planetary fleets without Senatorial approval." -Coruscant Information Network
 
*—"Senator Jheramahd Greyshade drafts a bill to address and fix the financial crisis!" — Outer Rim Publications
 
*—"Senate refuses to vote on the Financial Reform Bill! Mass Protests happening throughout the Mid and Outer Rim!"— Holonet News Network
 
*– "Outer Rim petition to receive funds for industry and critical infrastructure is struck down, while taxes are increased. Leaving many worlds to struggle as their cost of living increases." Business Insiders
 
*–"Droid prices skyrocket as the Outer Rim purchases massive groups of construction and refurbished B-1 droids from the Trade Federation!" Outer Rim Publications
 
*-"Kuat Drive Yards restricts sale of ships to the Outer and Mid Rim in recent push to derail potential piracy." –Coruscant Information Network
 
*-"Sullust begins reactivating old shipyards and designs as planetary defense fleets increase while Rendilli Stardrive begins to reactivate and fund new shipyards among the Outer Rim."-- Holonet News Network
 
*-"Senator Greyshade found Dead in his quarters! Jedi are dispatched to investigate as the Outer Rim begins protesting once again!" –Outer Rim Publications
==Note from the Author==
*; Author's Notes : This is a time skip. I'm letting you know that now, even though I'm putting dates in this chapter. You'll find out what happened to Obi-Wan and Anakin later. Also, I may have slightly altered Chapter 30 to better reflect the previous chapters. 
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Chapter 31