Chapter 53 - Interlude: The Confederacy strikes back I (1/2)
Council Chamber
Raxus Secundus
Confederacy of Independent systems capital world
Three of the most influential people within the Council were gathered for this meeting.
Shu Mai – the old Gossam, who had served as the Presidente of the Commerce Guild for years. Next to her stood San Hill, the Muun chairman of the Intergalactic Banking Clan, an institution that suddenly found itself under censure after one of it's leaders played an important part in the disastrous peace conference that saw Senator Amidala in a coma within undisclosed location and got a lot of the peace inclined Confederacy parliament members killed.
Last but certainly not the least was Trest Ilroth – the new Neimoidian Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Thanks to the way their hive mind worked, he was their undisputed leader, further his ascension to the position was a good thing for multiple reasons. Chief among them was that Gunrey's death had caused the Trade Federation to stop working until a new leader could be chosen and ȧssume the position.
The other reason was actually more important… Thanks to the way the Neimoidian hive mind worked, Ilroth was aware of his predecessor's dealings with certain Sith and deeply disapproved. Now he actually was in a position to do something, manly thanks to a fluke – the people who were supposed to be the next in line were not in position to seize power when Gunrey got himself killed thanks to being too busy running various errands for him. That very thought made Trest smile. Becoming a leader of his people and the Trade Federation thanks to his predecessor's hubris, now wasn't that some sweet irony?
”We're all here.” Hill spoke quietly. ”You called us here, Viceroy. I hope it's important.” The tall Muun's eyes bore into Tresk's own.
The Neimoidian stared back. ”Dooku was right about one thing, you know.” Ilroth mussed. ”The Republic senate is under the control of a Sith who is behind this war. Our dear Count just forgot to mention that he's the Sith's apprentice and running our side of the war for that man.”
That little bombshell made the other leaders stare at him with disbelief. After all, those were few of the Council members who actually weren't aware who they were really working for.
”Do you actually have any proof?” Mai asked after a few moments of deafening silence.
”I actually have.” Tresk smiled and pulled a small holoemmiter from a pocket in his traditional Viceroy pockets. ”My predecessor kept a record of few conversations with the Sith.” Ilroth activated the device and the three of them watched a few conversations between Sidious and Gunrey, the first dating as far back as the ill thought and planned invasion of Naboo.
The last was the Sith issuing orders shortly before Gunrey got himself captured and killed in that botched rescue attempt at Rodia.
”That puts the war in a new light. The madness that's been happening the lately...” Mai shook her head.
”I can confirm that the Sith ȧssisted in the creation of the Confederacy.” San Hill sighed. His colleagues stared at him at the admission.
”This is going to be good. Please elaborate.” Tresk waved at the Muun.
”The Sith have been in contact with the Banking Clans for decades. We had a mutually profitable arrangement, something we've come to review after what's been happening lately.”
”You didn't expect a Sith to betray you eventually?” Mai snorted.
”The mutual profit was great.” The Muun muttered sullenly. ”It makes no sense to nationalize our ȧssets within the Republic!”
”And this Sith of yours has the power to prevent it?” The Gossam female needled him.
”He's the kriffing Chancellor Palpatine, of course he can!” Hill snapped back.
”Palpatine.” Mai repeated in a flat tone.
”Him. Yes.” San grumbled.
”That's my conclusion too.” Ilroth added helpfully.
The Presidente ġrȯȧnėd and slumped back in her chair. ”It should be obvious with the benefit of hindsight, no? This senseless destruction of late? The wanton slaughter without purpose aside terror tactics? It's something that a Sith of legend should be doing. Then there's this third one – Veil.”
”He was unexpected.” Hill interjected. ”As far as I knew, there were always only two ever since we were first contacted.”
”It's the same for us… though until Naboo Gunrey believed that there was just one Sith.”
”So there could be even more waiting an opportune moment to reveal themselves?” Mai asked.
Two sullen nods answered her.
”Dooku will be arriving here tomorrow.” Ilroth added helpfully.
”He'll want to reaffirm his position as a leader of the Council.” Hill nodded.
”The Sith would bring us to run and after their latest shenanigans there won't be peace unless we win or lose our heads.” Mai sighed. ”I trust that none of you want to be tried by a Republic court for mass murder and anything else they decide to throw at us if we lose?”
”There won't be a trial if a Sith led Republic wins. Just a quiet execution.” Tresk interjected.
”Some of us know too much and the others could prove to be thorns in Palpatine's side once he's won.”
”Well, then we'll have to make sure that the Confederacy wins this war or we all hang.” Mai grimaced.
”That's easier said than done.” Hill stated.
”True. However, the new leader of the Techno Union will be arriving tonight. He might not be in the Sith's pockets or even if he's bought we should try making him a better offer.” Mai looked thoughtful.
”The four of us would have enough ȧssets to make change.” Tresk said. ”That might be enough to confront Dooku and survive.”
”It's a deadly gamble you propose.” Hill looked shifty for a moment.
”It's either that or we're all dead anyway. Do you really think that a Sith would reward us with anything but death once he has no more use for us?” Mai sneered.
”It doesn't make any business sense! We could still be useful.”
”You should have learned that by now, Hill. A Sith don't think like us normal beings.” Ilroth sighed. ”The madness of the last half an year or so should be a proof enough.”
=RK=
Techno Union Suites
Rexus Secundus
”I see.” Kleo Vombra, the cyborg chosen as the new leader of the Techno Union just a few days ago, rasped. He was a humanoid who had all his visible flesh replaced by cybernetics – making him look like a particularly advanced combat droid – which made it impossible to determine what species he used to be.
Those who knew him before the extensive augmentations would see little if anything left from the tall Zabrak in the hulking figure made of durasteel.
Vombra's artificial eyes scanned the three Confederacy leaders sitting in his guest suite – an almost sterile room which could be mistaken for a particularly high tech workshop. The only thing giving a lie to that distinction was the steel table in the center, surrounded by chairs that looked comfortable for those poor sods who were still mere flesh and bone instead of steel and cybernetics.
”That explains some of Tambor's shenanigans.” The cyborg spoke in mechanical voice, which nevertheless could very well express his exasperation. ”From the Union's point of view, my predecessor's actions on Ryloth were a pointless waste of resources with nothing of real value to gain.” And a lot to lose, he didn't add aloud. ”You're here for a reason, not to cry on my shoulder.” Kleo's photo-receptors scanned the Council members.
”We plan to move against Dooku tomorrow. If he's reaffirmed as our leader, the Confederacy will be done for.” Ilroth stated.
”We too as its leaders, you mean.” Vombra gave out a mechanical chuckle that echoed within the room. ”Did any one of you asked the relevant questions?”
”Can we win the war?” Tresk did so.
”We talked about it.” Hill nodded. ”While the situation is less than ideal, we have some untapped advantages.”
”The way we've all fought on the cheap so far?” Kleo asked. ”Using low quality droids and mere frigates as our main combatants?” The mere idea was an anathema for the Union's Foremans, yet they were somewhat content to pour more and more money into R&D, liquid ȧssets made free by not needing to produce armies of top of the line droids and fleets of better ships.
That was going to change – Dooku at least had a few decent ideas. What could those people offer the Union?
”True.” It was Mia who spoke this time. ”We've used only our security forces so far – granted we expanded them greatly, but that's it. We're well aware that when seeking to build them we were more interested by cheap good enough solution instead of what is best.”
”Can you afford enough of the best?” Kleo asked the most important question.
The three beings looked at each other, then Hill nodded.