Chapter 71 - Interlude: Intelligence woes II (1/2)
ONI Cruiser Unto Dawn
High orbit above Coruscant
Officially, director Yle was observing the effectiveness of an upgraded scanner born from the cooperation between SIB and ONI. The real reason why was in space was to meet Fell along with a pair of Jedi and a prisoner who was still supposed to be days away from the capital.
The test itself was real and would be commencing in a few minutes. Meanwhile, the two directors, the Jedi and their prisoner were seated around a small table in a briefing room and listening to Dooku's story.
Marik ġrȯȧnėd when the former Jedi finished.
”I would require him to go through a proper interrogation but I've done my homework. We're likely to get much less out of him than you. How credible is that story?” Yle asked.
”As far as we can tell its the truth as he knows it.” Kota nodded at the crippled Count.
”That certainly is a lot to swallow.” Fell murmured. The Twi'lek rubbed her forehead and ġrȯȧnėd. ”If this is true we've all dropped the ball.”
”What do we do now?” Marik frowned. From all things to fall into his ŀȧp, this armed thermal detonator took the prize. ”If your concerns are valid, even solid proof won't be enough. Oh, we can use it to back our narrative, but it won't be sufficient to remove Palpatine from power.”
”The best we can hope for is that Veil and that Zash woman are new actors and there was just one Sith Lord working against us until recently. I know its unlikely given all the circumstantial evidence, but even that would be bad enough.” Ivon said.
”We had more time to digest the information and reached similar conclusion. In the end its immaterial if Veil told the truth and appeared just a few months ago. He's obviously working closely with the Chancellor and now we have another Sith who revealed herself.” Windu gazed intently at the directors. ”If the Force is on our side for once, that's all – three Sith controlling the Republic. Perhaps more waiting in the shadows.”
”They've successfully discredited you people, though some of you did their work for them.” Fell grumbled. ”When everything goes to hell, we won't have much popular support.”
”We?” Marik asked hopefully.
”I've given an oath to the Republic, to democracy. Granted, there isn't much of the latter, but that might very well be the Sith's influence. Looking at the Chancellor's actions with the expectation that he wants to build an Empire, they do look quite sinister, I'll grant you that.” Ivon nodded.
”I don't think they trust each other. Not at the beginning anyway.” Marik voiced his thoughts. ”Veil was the one who pointed us at possible irregularities at the Chancellor's office and was the one pushing hardest for a massive increase of Palpatine's security. It all looked obvious a few months ago...” Yle trailed off.
”He can't be out playing Sith with so much rotating security around.” Fell chuckled.
”That makes sense.” Windu frowned. ”We might be able to use it.”
”Let's be frank, this is going to be a do or die op.” Marik stated. ”We need to cover our bases and act before the Sith. At best they will wait until the current crisis is handled before moving against the Jedi. Once you're out of the game, removing them from power will be much harder if possible at all.”
”That's our belief.” Kota nodded. ”We're certain that the Clones will support Palpatine.”
”He was the one to really commission the army after all.” Dooku added his two credits.
”Why is he here still?” Fell asked.
”He's a dead man if his Master wins.” Windu stated the obvious.
”I hope you don't intent to use him. Doing so would destroy any support we might gain otherwise.”
”We dismissed the idea because of that.” Kota reassured the directors.
”Just make sure the rest of the Jedi don't jump the gun. I'll talk with Sylvaris and try persuading her to help us.” Marik said. ”We need a plan. Simply walking up to Palpatine and trying to arrest him won't work.”
”Perhaps...” Ivon smirked. ”I have an idea...”
=RK=
Senator Sylvaris' residence
Coruscant
It took Marik a few days to sound off some of his most reliable agents and Kota helped ensure that they were genuine in their dėsɨrė to protect the Republic at all costs, before he could be reasonably sure that he had somewhat free hand to act. ONI being on his side helped too, with a few of Fell's agents running interference.
That's how he and Kota ended up talking with the Cathar senator and few of her closest allies. The presence of Mon Mothma of Chandrila was the biggest surprise. That would have concerned Yle if he didn't know why the woman hadsupported Veil after he became Mandalore. Chandrila was preparing for any eventuality. It remained to be seen how willing they were to act.
”That's the situation.” Kota finished explaining the bind they found themselves in.
The Senators looked uneasy at each other.
”That's what I tried to warn you of all along!” Sylvaris announced almost gleefully.
”You did.” Mothma conceded. ”I've had qualms about both Palpatine's and Veil's intentions from the beginning. While at this time I'm not ready to offer open support,” the Senator raised a hand, ”I'll lay the groundwork in case we fail.”
Mothma looked at Kota. ”You're afraid that the Sith have planned this war for a long time. They have to expect that you will attempt to stop them.”
”Yes. Windu and I believe that they will use our actions as a pretext to destroy the Jedi. That or manufacture one when they're ready and that has to be soon. They've shown their hand. My personal belief is that Crimson blindsided them or they would have acted against us already. The Republic is on borrowed time.” Kota confirmed.
”Then you know there's a very real chance you'll fail.” Mothma told him.
”We know. There was a discussion about just leaving, but doing so would mean abandoning the Republic and our duty.” Kota took a deep breath. ”We'll do everything we can to stop the Sith.”
”Good. That does you all a credit.” Mothma nodded. ”However in case you fail, we need to be prepared. Otherwise the Republic will be lost and there might be decades if not centuries before its restored.”
”You plan a rebellion.” Marik got it first. ”I think I can release some agents to aid you in that before we go loud. I'm sure director Fell can do the same.”
”Any ȧssistance would be appreciated.” Mothma nodded.
”Can you count on your support?” Kota looked at the rest of the Senators in turn.
”We won't suffer a resurgent Mandalore or another Sith Empire.” Sylvaris declared. One after another the remaining Senators voiced their agreements.
The Jedi nodded.
Shortly after they left, two of the Senators suffered unfortunate accidents. The transport of one malfunctioned and it slammed in the side of a space-scrapper. The other stopped to pick up dinner and ended up with a severe infection requiring his hospitalization. The Bith soon fell into coma and never recovered.
=RK=
Intelligence woes III
=RK=
Location classified
Coruscant
The conspirators gathered into the living room of an ordinary apartment in one of the thousands space-scrapers on Coruscant. No one paid much attention to the sparse old furniture and just sat around the table in the corner of the room farthest from the covered windows.
”Good news I hope?” Director Fell asked.
”I've been able to keep a lid on things so far.” Master Tiin nodded. ”There shouldn't be any accidents before we're ready.”