Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 158, page 160 - "Friends"
Senator Dasana's jawline suddenly tightened, his teeth clenched together, making a slight grinding sound.

Padmé's heart sank.

She should have known that Mina would not hold back at the negotiating table just because of their past friendship.

In fact, she had indeed anticipated this, and even made some preparations.

Deep down, however, she still clung to a sliver of hope that she wouldn't have to face such a difficult situation.

“We demand a modification to the Republic’s first demand,” Mina said in a steady voice, yet with an undeniable weight. “Before the establishment of the demilitarized zone, the borders must be restored to the state of the 1444th day of the Great Resynchronization Calendar.”

“Absolutely not!” Bell Organa’s reaction was surprisingly quick.

Given his usual composure, this was by no means a rash impulse.

The date Mina was referring to was the day the two governments officially launched the peace process.

At that time, although the fighting had generally subsided throughout the galaxy, especially on the Peremia trade route, it was far from over.

On the Separatist side, the fleet of the Osara Sector had just completed its assembly in the Emberlin system when it immediately lifted the Republic's siege of Nansri and killed Jedi General La'an Tick in the battle.

Their morale was high, and they launched a counter-offensive along the Yugoslav shipping route, even besieging the Republican forces under Colonel Gentis in Atahox.

On the Republic's side, the Eighth Sector Army launched a fierce offensive against the Northern Separatist strongholds after the ceasefire was announced, capturing the disputed Dantuin and Ode Trasi.

General Vanto later defended the military by saying it was a helpless move to "avoid losing all previous gains".

However, the true target of this demand was undoubtedly the "Hundred Days Offensive" launched by Jedi General Rhys Alric on the Rima trade route.

Ignoring calls for peace, she unexpectedly achieved a victory against overwhelming odds in the Battle of Mays, followed closely by the Eighteenth Sector Army, which swept across the entire Crown World of Indupalan.

At this moment, her troops are at the gates of Salust, while Eliad's outer ring security forces have taken the opportunity to liberate the entire Seswinner sector.

Due to the Crown World of Dupalan, Salust, and Seswina sectors.

These three combined almost represent the core economic engine, industrial center, and military power of the southern Milky Way.

General Alriquez, and even Embryne and Vanto, may be legally blameless in their actions.

But as Mina implied, continuing to conquer and seize territory when the dawn of peace has already appeared is indeed morally reprehensible.

However, the resistance to getting the Republic to give up such a strategically valuable star system would be unimaginable.

“No?” Esu Rossinu raised his eyebrows, his tone full of provocation. “Senator Organa, you can’t propose sharing the cake while secretly cutting off the biggest piece for yourself before the actual distribution… You should understand the principle of not biting off more than you can chew.”

Padmé sighed inwardly. How she wished she could ease the tense atmosphere, but this was one of the bottom lines that the Republic delegation could not back down on.

On the one hand, General Rhys Alriquez and her "Hundred Days Offensive" had long been portrayed as a heroic legend through the holographic network, especially after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Kolumex, the Republic desperately needed such a victory to boost morale.

On the other hand, the deeply entrenched forces within the Senate would never accept the loss of the newly liberated Seswinner Sector, especially since Eliyadu was the foundation of such a powerful political group as the Tarkin family.

“We cannot compromise on this issue,” Bana Brim leaned forward slightly, her voice low and filled with helplessness. “Senator Sheila Page-Tagin will never agree, and the Speaker of the Supreme Court cannot afford to lose her support.”

Senator Tarkin of the Seswina District is one of Speaker Palpatine's staunchest core supporters and a key figure in maintaining the stability of his government within the Outer Ring District's legislature.

“I don’t have a good impression of her,” Senator Dasana muttered, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. “But I have to admit that she and senators like Orn Frey Taa are crucial to preventing more Outer Ring sectors from seceding from the Republic. And that doesn’t even consider the uproar that could erupt from openly suppressing a media darling, if…”

His gaze swept briefly, almost imperceptibly, over the Jedi Knights standing to the side before returning to the table. "If General Aleks reacts strongly, the combined influence of the Jedi Order and the Republic Navy could become a very troublesome force."

“I firmly believe that the Jedi Order will not allow that to happen,” Bail Organa said firmly.

“But the situation with the navy is a different story,” Dasana insisted. “The ‘Hundred Days’ Offensive is a major victory they’ve longed for. The Tarkin family alone is enough to put pressure on the government, and if you add a powerful figure like General Oswald Teschke…”

Padmé took a deep breath, straightened his back, and all hesitation vanished from his face, leaving only the calm and decisiveness characteristic of a diplomat: "Unfortunately, we cannot compromise on this point. The Republic insists on its original demand that the demilitarized zone be established based on the current line of actual control."

Mina leaned back in her chair, gracefully crossing her legs. Her previously gentle gaze sharpened into a razor-sharp one: "In that case, we withdraw our request. Please allow us to make some modifications and propose an alternative."

“Of course, Congressman Bontri,” Padmé softened his tone at the opportune moment.

As the separatist representatives gathered again to discuss new counter-proposals in hushed tones, Padmé keenly caught the subtle, knowing, sly smile playing on Terreka Bremark's lips.

This former Republican senator clearly understands why her adversary is struggling diplomatically; after all, she has personally experienced Sheila Page-Tagin's tough stance, which is intolerant of any loss of interests.

During this brief break, Padmé bent down to organize the records on the data board, her fingertips tracing across the cold screen.

She almost ignored the extremely faint electronic buzzing behind her, and the deliberately suppressed commotion coming from where the Jedi were gathered.

“Jedi masters, is something wrong?” Padmé only realized that this was probably not an ordinary conversation when Bel Organa asked with concern.

She turned around, and her gaze met that of Ryan.

Raine was staring intently in the direction of the Jedi, his eyes dull and lifeless, as if they held a bottomless weariness.

“The situation is still unclear, Senator,” Obi-Wan said, arms crossed, his gaze following Anakin’s hurried departure. “Anakin has just received an urgent communication from Coruscant.”

"Emergency communication?" Padmé's voice betrayed a hint of tension.

“Yes,” Pro Kong’s voice was low and heavy, “it could not have penetrated the shielding and interference set up on his holographic communicator unless it was extremely important.”

"Do you know who sent it?" Padmé unconsciously gripped the edge of the data panel.

“It’s very likely the Chancellor himself,” Obi-Wan speculated with certainty. “They have a very close relationship. There are very few people who can contact Anakin so directly. If it were the Jedi Council, they would usually contact Master Prokon or me first.”

“Hey,” Ahsoka nudged Scout beside him with his elbow, his voice brimming with the excitement of discovering a secret, “Did you hear that? Master Skywalker and the Supreme Chancellor are friends!”

Scout shushed him, leaning forward slightly. "Can you be quiet? I'm listening to serious business."

"Haha, I'm so curious about that."

Ahsoka's heart was in turmoil.

My master and the Supreme Council Chairman are friends?

When did this happen?
How come I had no idea?
A series of questions flashed through her mind.

(End of this chapter)