**Chapter 566**
**Scene 1**
**The Salt Eagle Pub, Coruscant**
The Salt Eagle was louder than usual tonight. The massive stuffed Corellian eagle hanging from the ceiling seemed to watch over the packed crowd with silent judgment. Lil Holbal moved between tables with practiced ease, pouring drinks and collecting credits while the giant holoscreen on the far wall dominated every conversation.
The Galactic Herald was broadcasting live from recorded footage of Quell.
"…and here we see the aftermath of what military analysts are already calling one of the most decisive Republic victories of the war," Marcus Skidder announced, his voice grave yet excited. "Our cameras captured this ship graveyard stretching across the mountain ranges of Quell. These vessels — many of them advanced Separatist capital ships that would give even a Kuat Mandator a run for their money — now lie broken and burning."
The footage showed sweeping aerial views: dozens of destroyed Lucrehulks, Providences, Recusants, and Munificents scattered like fallen giants. Some still smoldered, others had broken apart on impact, their hulls torn open and spilling debris across the rocky terrain.
"Salvage operations are already underway," Skidder continued. "Dozens of independent and private company vessels have descended on the wreckage. Representatives from Sienar, Corellian Engineering, and even some neutral parties are competing for choice pieces. Experts estimate the total value of recoverable materials could reach into the trillions of credits."
The camera zoomed in on a particularly massive Lucrehulk half-buried in a mountainside, its spherical core cracked open like an egg. Small salvage shuttles swarmed around it like insects on a carcass.
"General Dagon Marek's forces continue to press their advantage along the Hydian Way," Skidder added. "With Quell secured and the Corporate Sector reeling, many are asking: how long until the Separatists lose their grip on the Outer Rim entirely?"
**Scene 2**
**Bail Organa's Private Quarters, Senate Quarter, Coruscant**
Bail Organa bowed politely to another senator who had just arrived at his quarters on Coruscant. While not located in the prestigious House of the Five Hundred, it was nonetheless in the Senate Quarter of Galactic City. However, it was more spacious than, say, Padmé's quarters and could accommodate far more sentient beings. Today, in fact, was such an occasion.
After confirming with the protocol droid that the last guest had arrived, the Alderaanian hurried to join the assembled group, who had settled on the couches in the main hall. This 'gathering' was not spontaneous; quite the contrary — Bail believed it was long overdue. Signaling the droids to serve drinks, the Alderaanian rehearsed the speech in his head once more, and, exchanging glances with Mon Mothma and Amidala, he cleared his throat and began to speak.
"I am delighted to welcome you all to my home. Thank you for accepting the invitation despite the looming festivities. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year, and I hope it will be far better than the outgoing one, which has been fraught with so many worries and sorrows; that we will finally be able to end the war, and peace will return to the Galaxy. Indeed, I don't need to explain that this is precisely why we have gathered here today."
"The moment has come, Bail," said Garm Bel Iblis, the Corellian senator, rising from his seat.
A respected and charismatic politician known for his liberal views on upholding the right of worlds to form a central government powerful enough to be meaningful, Bel Iblis was one of the earliest opponents of Palpatine's expansion of powers following his election as Supreme Chancellor. In an attempt to stem the political crisis and the growing Separatist movement, Bel Iblis frequently spoke out in the Senate against the secession of worlds but unfortunately after the Naboo terrorist attack Corellia joined the war effort.
"Palpatine has gone too far," the Corellian had a habit of pacing during his speeches, and now he was parading near the window. "If I had any illusions about him ten years ago, they've now vanished like sand in the wind. We've come to this! The Constitution, unshakable for centuries, is being rewritten to suit the Chancellor; he's practically usurping power, placing his people in important positions, allowing him to push through the laws and decisions he wants. But even that isn't enough for him, and now he's decided to meddle in the affairs of the military and the Jedi!"
"We can't allow Palpatine's influence over the military; it would give him tremendous leverage over the public... and the Senate," Far Zang, Senator from Sern Prime, seconded him. He was a close friend of Iblis and supported him in his opposition to Palpatine. Far Zang was also the unofficial leader of a small group of senators representing the Republic's outer planets. Among them were Tanner Kadaman of Alviria and the tall humanoid Des'sayn, whose world was currently under siege by the Separatists. Both were present at the meeting and nodded their heads in approval.
"The Chancellor is a true politician, and knows how to charm his interlocutors," Nii Alavar, the Lorrdian senator sitting next to Amidala, smiled faintly from beneath her hood. "Besides, many see in him exactly what they want to see. It's no wonder his supporters are numerous."
"But those who oppose his policies are growing in number," countered Tendau Bendon, senator from the Ortega sector. "This meeting is clear proof of that."
"The Jedi are no more pleased with what's happening than we are," Amidala said, "but they can't influence the situation. Under the current circumstances, it's somewhat... difficult, despite their best efforts."
"Forgive me, Padmé, but... There's a growing belief in the Senate that Jedi are unfit to lead troops," Bana Breemu took a leisurely sip from her glass. Everyone knew that her home planet, as well as other systems in the Hambarine sector she represented, were ravaged by fierce fighting until General Dagon Marek eliminated the forces, which Palpatine is now using as the golden boy of the Republic symbol.
"Foglafen," Kedorian Devel Bronk squinted, his eyes a little narrowed. "The successes of the first months in Ufa are irrelevant, and new victories are not available. The war is dragging on..."
A young black man sitting on the far couch rose from his seat. It was Gideon Danu, the Senate representative of the planet Kuat.
"I may be saying something trite, but... Prolonging the war benefits many. As you know, since ancient times there's been a legal conflict whereby the Kuat Corporation has its representative in the Senate, and the planet itself has its own senator, which I currently am. Although my word means practically nothing, and policy is determined by the head of the corporation, Onara Kuat. And as long as she receives multi-billion dollar contracts, she — and a couple hundred other worlds — will support the Chancellor's policies."
"I take it you don't agree with that, since you came here?" Amidala asked.
"Yes. I understand perfectly well that the war will end sooner or later, and then... who will need all these ships? Who will maintain such a huge army? And why will we need it after the war? Production is currently on the rise, mothballed shipyards are reopening, production is being modernized, additional personnel are being hired — twenty-eight thousand specialists were hired this month alone. However... How long will this boom last, and won't it give way to a recession after the war is over?"
"Palpatine isn't such a simpleton," Iblis said, leaning his shoulder against the column. "I don't think he could have convinced such morons as Kuat or Maverick with just words... So they must have some kind of guarantee."
"Do you believe that after the end of the conflict, Palpatine will refuse to relinquish power and will try to rely on the army?"
"Quite possible. Look, he's already starting to influence them, gaining authority, whereas Jedi aren't particularly popular in the army... With rare exceptions, but that doesn't change the essence."
"Palpatine won't dare engage in open confrontation," Amidala declared. "But he could very well use it for political purposes. And then... What can we do to counter him?" Mon Mothma frowned.
Bail, catching her signal, stood up resolutely.
"We must join forces, putting aside our differences. We must form a united front to demonstrate the decisiveness of our actions."
"Are you suggesting we move from words to action, Bail?" Vurk Schwett Concurkill raised his occipital crest.
"Exactly. We must act, otherwise we risk losing the initiative forever."
"We'd be more at peace if the Jedi were on our side," Ivor Drake said, glancing warily at Amidala.
"The more time goes by, the more they realize the Chancellor loves power too much to give it up. When the time comes, they will undoubtedly support us," the Naboo woman replied firmly.
"But what can we do? The Chancellor's party is very strong, superior to ours. More and more independent senators are switching to his side. And frankly, this benefits the planets that supported him. You don't have to look far for examples: Pantora. That girl Cho, who until recently was a third-rate senator, is now considered practically the leader of Palpatine's cabal. And, as if by chance, Pantora is now very well guarded. And for some reason, the Separatists give it a wide berth."
"Furthermore, we shouldn't overlook the possibility that a schism could occur within the Jedi ranks, similar to what happened when the law establishing the GAR was passed. Some Jedi clearly side with the Chancellor," said Nii Alavar.
"Are you referring to Dagon, the Hero of Naboo, defender of Kashyyyk, rider of Krayt Dragon, storm god of Jabiim and now general of the death fleet?" Brimu asked. "I believe his units are still engaged with Felucia? Do you happen to know when he will be finished?"
"No, I don't know," Bail replied. "But I know Palpatine supported him at the meeting, and his appearance in the Chancellor's box at the Opera House shouldn't be discounted, so I wouldn't be so sure we have the Jedi's support."
"But wait, the latest successes on Kamino and Rodia..."
"Yes... I feel sorry for Farr... He, of course, stood up for the rights of his planet, and did what he thought was right, but being poisoned is not the best end..."
"I heard the Jedi are in trouble on Malastare. And rumor has it the Dugs are ready to cancel their fuel supply contracts if the Republic doesn't manage to drive the CIS off the planet in the next few days," someone said.
Far Zang raised his hands in a placating gesture.
"Yes, we can't overcome the Chancellor's excessive power, but we can demonstrate to him that opposition to his methods is growing and expanding. Perhaps this alone will convince him to soften his tactics."
"I don't think words will convince him," Iblis snorted.
"Then we should prepare for the worst case scenario," Organa snapped. "What do you mean?"
"We must be prepared to defend ourselves," the Corellian began pacing again. "I intend to recommend to the Corellian government that they begin modernizing the fleet and army, since we have been drawn into the conflict, albeit indirectly, despite the 'Hermi Contemplation' clause."
"Dear Garm, I don't think that's a good idea," Padmé shook her head.
"I hasten to disagree with you," said Quarren Tundra Domeya, representing the progressive Quarren in the Senate, shaking his head. "We must protect ourselves. Protect our rights. Protect democracy."
"War is a fitting pretext for such events," Mon Calamari Meena Tills agreed. "Besides the fact that we need to defend ourselves from the Separatists, there are many reasons to create additional defense forces, effectively subordinate to planetary governments, not to the Moffs many of whom are Palpatine's henchmen. Of course, all of this must be organized as transparently and legally as possible — we don't want to create grounds for accusations, do we?"
"And yet, these must be the most extreme measures," Amidala declared after a long pause. "We cannot go down that path... But frankly we weren't left with much of a choice. So... I'm participating in this, but I'm asking for your assistance in negotiations with the Separatists."
"I think it's always good to have a backup plan. We'll help you, Senator Amidala," Shea Sadashassa said.
Bail breathed a sigh of relief. He and Mon Mothma had barely managed to convince Amidala of the necessity of such a step, and until the last moment it had been unclear whether the Naboo woman would be firm in her decision. But now there were no obstacles.
"Then let's discuss the specifics," Organa exchanged glances with Iblis. "I think the royal family of Alderaan can afford several hundred frigates to guard the planet."
"Well, Corellia can afford much more," the Corellian smiled in response. "And also help those in need. Within reasonable limits."
Bronk looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. "I suppose calling ourselves Loyalists would be too inflammatory?"
"Then..." Mon Mothma raised her glass, "We need something neutral, but at the same time — serious... Perhaps the Alliance?"
"Pretty good. For the Alliance!" Far Zang replied.
"For the Alliance!"
The quiet but resolute toast echoed through the room as glasses clinked together. The seeds of resistance had been planted.