Star Wars: From the Clone Wars to Starfaring Heroes

Chapter 288-290 - The Stars Take Their Place (Part 4)

Deep in the shadows of Coruscant, special forces are advancing silently.

Shakti walked at the front, her sapphire lightsaber gleaming in her hand.

Her steps were as light as a bird skimming across the water, each step precisely avoiding the debris on the ground.

Its head twitched slightly, catching the most subtle vibrations in the air.

At a fork in the road, she suddenly raised her hand, and the entire squad froze instantly.

“There’s a data terminal running,” she said in a low voice, barely audible in the quiet corridor.

Captain Dane frowned and stepped forward: "It might be a trap."

“There is no danger,” Shaktie said calmly.

Two probe robots silently slid into the room, their red scanning beams crisscrossing in the darkness.

"Safety."

The operator reported.

In the room, a lone data terminal flickered in the darkness, like the only firefly in the darkness.

“The power comes from the lower level,” Dane checked the readings. “Nine floors below, there’s a still-operating hangar.”

Shaktie pressed the communicator: "Target area detected."

“Received.” Adi Gallia’s response was concise and to the point.

When they arrived at the hangar, Orek's team was already in position.

Commander Valiant looked up at the massive hangar door: "Can it be opened?"

Dane fiddled with the control panel for a moment: "It was last turned on four months ago. Back off."

The gears hummed softly as the gate slowly rose, revealing the night sky over Coruscant.

The parliamentary district in the distance was brightly lit, like an artificial sea of ​​stars.

“The lubrication is very good,” Valiant commented. “This place has been in use for a long time.”

Just then, a message came through the communicator: "A turbine elevator that is still running has been detected, going straight to the sixth floor."

The elevator car was packed with soldiers and Jedi; the air was so heavy it was almost palpable.

As the elevator doors opened, two deep red figures blocked the way... The Royal Guards stood like two statues at the end of the luxurious corridor.

“We are on official business,” Shaktie said, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"The Speaker does not see visitors." The guard's reply was equally cold.

Commander Valiant stepped forward, his blaster rifle ready: "You have your orders, we have our mission. Either get out of the way, or we'll take action."

The guards did not move.

Adi Gallia could feel the tension building up, like a taut spring that could snap at any moment.

She exchanged a glance with Shaktie, who nodded slightly.

Just as the two Jedi were about to speak, the suite door opened smoothly with a hiss.

The two Royal Guards paused for a moment, then stepped aside.

He let us in.

"Shakt said in a low voice."

The assault troops advanced cautiously, with the Jedi leading the way, their lightsabers ready even though they weren't activated yet.

Behind them, ARC soldiers spread out, their movements precise and orderly, their rifles scanning every shadow and corner.

The intelligence officers lagged slightly behind, their data tablets and scanners aimed at various objects and surfaces.

In the center of the group, Master Yoda strolled leisurely, humming a little tune.

This penthouse suite is a luxurious symbol of power and wealth, with its multi-level loft overlooking the dazzling night view of Coruscant.

Floor-to-ceiling windows extend from the floor to the ceiling, and endless lights from the city planet flood the room.

The luxurious furniture was arranged in a pleasing, staggered manner, and a faint exotic fragrance filled the air.

In the center of the room, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine stood with his back to the intruder, gazing at the city view outside the window.

He had his hands behind his back, his posture relaxed, almost casual, which made people feel at ease.

“Masters,” Palpatine said without turning around, his voice steady and composed, “what wind has brought you here… so unexpectedly?”

The Jedi stopped a few steps away. As always, Shaktie spoke first: "Supreme Chancellor, we have reason to believe that the security here is under threat. We are here to ensure your safety and to investigate potential threats."

Palpatine slowly turned around, his expression calm and his eyes deep. "Threatened? In my own home? I find it hard to believe, Jedi Master."

“Nevertheless,” Adi Gallia said firmly, “we must investigate thoroughly.”

In this cat-and-mouse game, their eyes met, and they understood each other without saying a word.

Adi Gallia had to admit that, given how well the operation was going, she was becoming increasingly unsure who the cat was and who the mouse was.

ARC soldiers began to spread out within the suite, taking up various positions.

Their boots clicked on the polished floor as they vigilantly searched for any signs of danger.

A soldier gestured to Valiant, who nodded and walked towards the second floor of the attic.

Behind them, another turbine elevator brought in the next batch of soldiers.

The Speaker's gaze briefly followed the soldiers before returning to the Jedi. "I must say, this is highly unusual. I believe you have every reason to barge into my residence uninvited."

Shakti calmly met his gaze. “Yes, Speaker. The investigation leads directly here, and we need your full cooperation.” Palpatine’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Of course, masters, I have nothing to hide. Search as you please, do your best.”

His words, though seemingly friendly, carried a subtle provocation, putting Adi Gallia on high alert.

The Force surged in the room, dense and chaotic, foreshadowing potential danger.

Just then, Master Yoda stepped forward, pointed his staff at the Supreme Chancellor, and said, "We have questions for you. Will you answer them?"

“Of course, Jedi Master!” Palpatine’s tone was relaxed, almost mocking, but his gaze remained fixed on the Jedi, observing, weighing his options, waiting for something. “So, how can I help?”

“…Supreme Speaker,” Master Adi Gallia said, one hand unconsciously reaching for his lightsaber, sensing Captain Dane right behind him, “may I ask if you have been to the Industrial Zone in the past six months?”

……

Meanwhile, another battle is unfolding in the rotunda of the Galactic Council.

Mon Mosma stood in the anti-gravity pod, facing thousands of members of parliament.

Suspended cameras swarmed around her like bees, transmitting her every expression to the entire galaxy.

A parliamentary capsule slid in from the opposite side, and Senator Aske Ak of ​​Malastar's three eyes burned with rage: "This is sabotaging the war! The leadership of the Supreme Speaker is our guarantee of victory!"

Mon Mosma could feel the weight of countless gazes, but she stood firm.

Shouts of anger, shock, and indignation pounded against the walls of the parliament hall.

“You…” Mon Mosma pointed at the council members, his voice rising again, “you will do nothing! You will let him slowly dismantle the remnants of the Republic until only his personal empire remains!”

Her words echoed in the hall.

Deputy Speaker Mas Ameda slammed his ceremonial staff on the ground, his voice echoing throughout the hall: "Quiet! We need quiet!"

The sound of the scepter striking the ground, like the hammer of judgment, silenced all protests, support, and arguments.

“A motion has been proposed by a member of the Chandrila Council,” Ameda announced, his voice steady, though a slight twitch in his braid betrayed his unease. “As Vice-President of the Galactic Council, I propose an immediate vote on the motion to ‘relinquish emergency powers and resign’ of Supreme President Palpatine.”

Mon Mosma took a step back, and the hover cameras spread out, scanning the faces in the countless hover pods and recording their reactions.

An unsettling silence fell over the hall, broken only by the faint hum of the hovercraft adjusting its position.

Mon Mosma stood in his hovercraft, his hands tightly clasped behind his back.

Her expression didn't reveal her emotions, but her mind was racing.

She has done everything she could.

These words, these accusations, these demands... were not only meant to persuade the lawmakers, but also to ignite a flame in the hearts of the citizens of the Republic watching the live broadcast from afar.

When voting began, the ambient lighting in the hall was dimmed slightly.

As each member of parliament submits their decision, the results appear in real time on the built-in display screen of each hovercraft.

Mon Mosma's gaze swept over the vote count results.

Initially, things went as expected... the staunchly loyalist planets unanimously opposed it.

But to her surprise, cracks appeared in the loyalist camp.

Some planetary senators who usually support the loyalists hesitated before the vote, while others were moved by her words and switched their support to her.

Even several core worlds... planets she thought were completely under Palpatine's control... lit up with lights of support.

For a fleeting moment, hope stirred within her.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the situation can really be reversed.

But when the last vote was counted, the truth became clear. The holographic vote count stabilized, and the numbers froze.

Mon Mosma garnered far more support than expected, but it wasn't enough.

The majority remain loyal to the Speaker of Parliament; the majority remain loyalists.

The deputy speaker's voice broke the silence: "The motion has not passed. The Speaker of the Supreme Council retains his emergency powers, and no further action will be taken at this meeting."

A murmur rippled through the hall, but it was not as loud as before.

Mont Mosma took a slow, deep breath, his face showing disappointment and disdain.

She ignored the gloating glances, smug expressions, and dejected looks.

She saw Bana Brim shake her head and leave the council chamber;

Canney Berthal was seen speaking quietly to his assistant;

Seeing Fang Zhar rush out of the hovercraft in a panic.

She exchanged a meaningful glance with Bell Organa, realizing that things had reached a point where action was imperative.

“Is there anything else to add, Representative Mosma?” Representative Jenny Hanuk asked, her face displaying an inscrutable expression.

Mon Mothma sighed softly: "This solemn institution has revealed its true face to the entire galaxy. Chandela will no longer participate in parliamentary affairs and will not attend any hearings in the future."

After trying all other methods, before the questioning grew louder, the Chandella MP quietly retreated to his seat and turned to his two aides behind him.

She avoided the listening range of the hovering cameras and spoke to them in a low voice.

Their efforts to save the republic through democratic means failed, and were defeated by the democratic majority.

Adi Gallia is right; when faced with an elected dictator, they must consider unimaginable options.

“Prepare the Gallia Declaration and keep the spacecraft ready,” she said as she met up with the security team at the door and joined the members of parliament leaving the parliament hall. “We will leave Coruscant tonight.”

P.S.: This was edited out to save my life; please forgive any inconsistencies in the council's narrative.

(End of this chapter)