WotH Chpt 13

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 13 ==
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===Contracts and Lawyers===
March 16, 3009 - Local Sector Trade Federation Headquarters
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"This contract looks good," I looked at the Neimoidian who was in charge of this sector of the Trade Federation's business enterprises. "But something feels off about it," I stared at the bug-eyed alien for a moment. "And, these pirates have been almost exclusively messing with the Trade Federation. Which means that you're not telling me everything."
 
"Everything that you need to be aware of is in the contract," The Neimoidian stammered. "It is all legal and within the guidelines that you yourself put forward."
"If my people die to a lack of information on this contract, I won't be waiting for the Republic to dole out justice," I stated firmly. "I'll be taking it into my own hands, and the courts won't be able to save you."
 
I stopped talking to stroke the handle of my sidearm for a minute, allowing the tension to grow for as long as I felt it was needed. 
 
One minute passed as I leaned on the table in front of me, looking over the paperwork once more as I sweated the Trade Federation executive out for a bit. 
 
Two minutes passed, and the Neimoidian had begun sweating while I allowed the silence to continue. eventually, I set the datapad down and simply leaned back in my chair and waited, I was going to get the information that was missing before I accepted this contract.
 
After five minutes of silence had passed, I stood up and began going through the motions of preparing to leave. 
 
"Wait," Klol Vendot said before I left the room. "There is some information that your forces might find useful."
 
"And what might that be?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. 
 
"This current pirate might have once been a member of the Trade Federation until a few years ago," Vendot spat out. "Since then, he has not only stolen from us but also the other people of this sector."
 
"So this is hush money," I realized. "That's why you wanted the pirates dead and why the salvage rights are so good."
 
"If this information leaves this room, the Trade Federation will come down on you with all of its might," the Neimoidian seemed to find his spine. "And I will personally see to it that your little group of mercenaries meets their end."
 
"As long as you keep your end of the contract then we'll keep ours," I replied. "We're not oathbreakers or contract breakers, after all."
 
"Then I suppose we are in agreement," Vendot said as he passed me the datapad again. "With our discussion now concluded, will you please review the contract one final time before we go about our respective business?"
"I'm going to call my lawyer and have her take a quick look at the contract," I said. "She's waiting on my ship and should be able to be here shortly."
 
"Given our own use of lawyers, I cannot fault you on that desire," the Neimoidian stuffed his arms into his sleeves. "Please, summon her so that we may go our separate ways."
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===Careful Apology===
March 16, 3009/7948 CRC, Beloria system, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories
"I apologize, Major," Knight Rowbroa bowed once again. "This is my first time visiting this world and as such, I mistook your base for the capital."
"We accept the apologies, but we're still not going to allow you to just wander the base unattended, if you want to have a look at the noncritical areas, then you'll have to be treated like every other civilian visitor, sign in at the gate, and follow your escort," Sheppard informed the Jedi. "Also, I'd recommend you not use a weapon to showcase what your position is in the future," Sheppard nodded at the lightsaber on the other man's belt. "The last time we encountered a weapon like that it was on a pirate. And I don't intend on any of us having to get replacement limbs anytime soon."
 
"I'll take that into consideration for future visits to worlds among the Outer Rim," Rowbroa smiled calmly. "I am new to being a Seeker and have yet to form the relationships that most Seekers build with the worlds that they frequent."
 
"What is it that Seekers are trying to accomplish?" Peterson asked, his arms crossed. 
 
"Our aim is to find those who are strong in the force so that they might be properly trained," the Jedi Knight explained. "Most Force Sensitives are not capable of the feats that are expected of the Jedi, and so they are instructed in the ways of the Force and then assigned to the Explorer Corps or the Agricorps, or one of the other areas so that their talents might flourish in the different environments."
 
"We'll need a lot more information before we'll allow anything resembling a permanent presence on the base," Sheppard stated. "Now, if you'll kindly return to your ship and make your way to the capital, we'll do some research and decide how to handle the Jedi Order as a whole in the future and how to deal with their representatives."
 
"Perfectly understandable," Rowbroa gave a small bow. "I thank you for your hospitality and hope to foster good relations in the future."
 
"Likewise," Sheppard, replied. "Likewise."
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===Dealing with Corruption===
Eriadu System, Seswenna sector, Outer Rim Territories
"We need to replace our Senator," Tarkin muttered to Gideon. "Our most recent anti-corruption investigations have revealed that he has been taking bribes from various factions that are not in line with what we have been trying to accomplish in the sector."
 
"Agreed," Gideon responded as a frown appeared on his face. "The discussion with the Count of Serenno did little to discourage the fears that we've had regarding the Republic."
 
"Eriadu and her allies have been supporters of the Republic and that which it stands for thousands of years," Willhuff stated. "But should this state of affairs continue then I am afraid that we shall have to see what options are available to us." 
"Governor, I have the latest reports from the bills that went through this past session of the Senate," an aid reported via the communications terminal. "Would you like me to send them to your personal datapad?"
 
"Yes, thank you," Willhuff replied. 
 
"Well, shall we review what the Senate has decided?" Gideon asked.
 
"I certainly hope that they have not ignored our funding requests yet again," Willhuff said with a note of frustration in his voice. "I nearly committed part of the ORSF to secure the rumored shipyards of Zonoma Sekot a short time ago."
 
"I am grateful that you allowed me to talk you out of that blunder," Gideon smirked. "It would have been disastrous to the Seswenna Sector and to Eriadu's reputation as a whole."
 
"Now, let us see what the Senate has decided," Willhuff opened up his datapad and a holographic text of the bills passed this session. 
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"So, not only are we not getting the funding," Gideon summed up what they had just read. "But the Chancellor, who promised to assist us, is allowing the Senate to investigate us for misallocation of funds."
 
"We don't get any funding from the Senate to fund anything with," Willhuff snarled. "We are able to afford the ORSF due to likeminded worlds on the Outer Rim deciding to contribute to the eradication of pirates."
 
"We have nothing to hide though," Gideon said with a grin. "So when they come to find this misallocation of funds, they will find nothing."
 
"Where was our Senator staying before we had him removed?" Willhuff asked with a raised eyebrow. 
 
"The 500 Republica," Gideon replied. "Why?"
 
"Sell the apartment and use it to build homes for those in areas where they are having issues with overpopulation in the cities," Willhuff smiled. "And find our Senator a secured apartment in the middle class areas of Coruscant, it is time that our representatives remember just which area of the Republic they represent."
 
"I begin to see why you decided to pursue this career," Gideon said to his brother. "There is much to do if we are to secure ourselves as a bastion for anti-corruption measures above and beyond what is to be expected."
 
"Their investigator is not named," Willhuff said as he glanced over the text. "I assume it will be either a committee of senators and representatives, or it will be Jedi, either way, we must be prepared."
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Chapter 13