2007-10-31 - Senate Introductions, Again

This building is a wide, low circle of silver durasteel, overlooking itself with four floors of balconies. On every balcony flags of the Republic hang red and sharp next to flags from all over the galaxy and soft subtle light from hidden alcoves gives the place a feeling of quiet that it rarely sees.
Further back the balconies are supported by great heavy columns, obscuring the towering walls in shadow. The space is enormous: capable, at a glance, of holding more than a hundred thousand sentients comfortably. The balconies themselves are unfurnished.
Down the middle of the bottom floor a dark red carpet runs from the main entrance of the building, across the long floor to the foot of a well-lit white dias. Upon the dias is a light silver chair, and on its high back is the sigil of the Republic. Behind it a vertical slash of glass rises up like a wild brush-stroke to break the continuity of all four floors of the balcony: the building's only window.
The bottom floor descends in four circular steps, making a sort of stage of the lowest platform. This cylindrical recession is well lit with white lamps set in the step above it, and the red carpet spreads here to fill the circle in the center of the room.
Despite the building's size, it is always crowded. Senators and bureaucrats come and go from here at all hours of the day and night. Informal debate and political scheming fill the hall when legitimate government does not.
The Honorable Senator Antilles from Corellia enteres the Senate. After a quick scan to see who is and who isn't present, the Senator heads to his usual seat close to the floor. Several Corellian allies await him with information or to seek his counsel.
Tarkin is seated at the place assigned to Merr Sonn, calmly reading files on his datapad.
Antilles stands and addresses the presiding officer. "Mr. Presiding Officer, I request recognition to be heard before this Senate for not less then two minutes."
The Presiding Officer: "without objection ... The Honorable Senator from Corellia is recognized for at least two minutes."
Tarkin looks up from his reading, fixing his eyes on Ksar.
"Thank you, Sir." Turning to address the whole chamber. "My fellow Senators, by now we have all heard of our Honorable Friend's response to my pledge to donate the credits we have approved for relief on Ord Mantell. Our Honorable Friend has pointed to the difference in wealth between Corellia and Ord Mantell as a reason, saying that Ord Mantell has not been aided enough. And yet, our Honorable Friend has not been forthcoming with the aid he has already personally pledged to me. Setting aside the destination of the credits we have approved, our Honorable Friend has threatened to tie up the motion's eighty thousand credits in Senate procedure and debate. Just this evening, as we have all watched, our Honorable Friend has decided to squander his own system's wealth on a whim of justice, to keep three deserving criminals from the punishments they most justly deserve.
"It is my submission to the record here this evening, that our Honorable Friend is no longer deserving of the esteem which so many in this body grant him. It is my submission to this body, that our Honorable Friend is pilfering the dignity and authority of this body by holding his own selfish ideals above good sense and the common good. My friends, it is my submission to this body, that Senator Organa of Alderaan be denied our support in his effort to keep this Senate from doing what needs to be done."
Among other various senators here is Shili's senator, Senator Ohl. She remains expressionless through the words given by Senator Antilles and afterwards affords glances to several places.
Tarkin is speechless, literally open mouthed.
The Corellian bloc gives a standing ovation as Antilles yields back the balance of his time and sits down.
The Presiding Officer reads something from his terminal: "The Honorable Senator from Merr Sonn is recognized."
Tarkin rises from his seat to address the gathered senators. He raises his open hand in a call for silence, "Gentlemen, the defense of our peoples is no longer sure. Pacifism and appeasement have failed. All of you know of the events on Corellia, Ord Mantell, and now Sienar. Police forces and warships are powerful defensive assets, yes, but they are not enough."
He looks around the senate chamber before continuing, "Material and soldiers are not enough. The Jedi are few in number. We must establish an agency to investigate criminal elements so that attacks against the republic can be prevented. Our brave soldiers and Jedi Knights cannot be expected to do their duty blindfolded. We must know where to send them, where to protect, and if the force is willing prevent the battles from ever taking place."
Even with his Sabbac face on, Antilles' eyebrows raise a little as he listens to The Honorable Senator's speech.
Tarkin finishes his speech, "We must ease the burden on the Jedi and on our sons and daughters." He returns to his seat. Senator Ohl turns to several of her retinue and comments something, the meaning of which is lost to anyone beyond her retinue but the observable reaction being a few smiles which quickly fade.
Antilles rises again and heads towards where a page has spotted Senator Ohl. "Senator, a word please?"
"Of course," Vulhel replies, standing a giving a nod but keeping her hands to her midriff. One of her retinue gets up and extends a hand, offering his seat, one next to Senator Ohl's.
Antilles waves the aide to sit down. "I'm afraid I don't have time to chat. I just wanted to say hello. I hope you're settling in fine here on Coruscant. If there is anything you need, please let me know."
"Thank you, I will. I appreciate your concern, Senator," Vulhel replies, giving another nod and not turning away as of yet.
The Corellian bows. "Please excuse me."
Category:October 2007 RP Logs