Desperate Measures/Prologue

"I don't know how much sooner I can push the vote, my friends," Vice Chancellor Vero Corruss fretted. "The absence of the Kuati and Alsakani delegations threatens the legitimacy of any election."

"So much the better to vote sooner rather than later, then," Loworr Dubb suggested, her Ithorian double mouths adding resonance and a sort of bass gravitas to her words. "Before Alderaan and Corellia pull their delegations as well."

Tem-Fol-Rytil did not glance at Nawsa Arodion, the High Council's Human Corellian member, though some of his fellows did. Nawsa offered no commentary herself, but Tem-Fol-Rytil could feel the Vice Chancellor's angst.

"That's another thing. The wrong vote could fracture the Senate further.  The last thing we want is more Core Founders making demands on the Senate."

"I know Senator Ik'lakt fairly well," Nulu Thini offered, his long-fingered hands folded in his lap. "And I know Senators Antilles and Rose respect her. I'll speak to her and see if she could mediate."

Vice Chancellor Corruss looked as though the Bith had thrown him a lifeline; some of the stress furrows in his fur flattened back down. "I'd be most grateful, Master Thini. Senator Antilles hasn't been very responsive—probably following King Organa's instructions—and Senator Rose…er, I'm given to understand she's…conveyed Corellia's position to the Council…?"

Some of the Jedi Masters shifted; none of them were entirely comfortable with the way Corellia had used Mali Darakhan as its messenger, but it was the wrong moment and much the wrong company for that discussion. "Nevertheless," Mon Calamari Master Mar Towla replied in his throaty voice, "to the point of the legitimacy of the election, it's less important how Corellia votes than that Corellia votes."

"That's…that's true, I suppose, taken alone," the Vice Chancellor said. "But if Corellia is dissatisfied with the result of the election…"

He trailed off, but Nulu Thini raised a hand. "I'll make sure Senator Ik'lakt understands the implications," the Bith soothed. "Though I'm very much mistaken if she hasn't grasped the situation already."

Tem-Fol-Rytil could tell the Vice Chancellor was not convinced, but he nodded anyway. "As you say, Master. Then, as if the election wasn't enough, there's the matter of these naval distributions…"

"Master Cazars and General Darakhan are both highly capable commanders," Nawsa ventured.

"Of course! But that's my concern.  If they're both to be directed at Lord Aresh…well, shouldn't one of them be sent to the eastern front?  Darth Saleej—"

"Darth Saleej—and Darth Hokhtan, for that matter—are dangerous enemies, but Admiral Ok-Majan and Master Narfulk are more than capable of holding them at bay." Tairni Tre'go leaned forward until the frontmost of her Zabrak horns almost pointed the Vice Chancellor's way. "The Corsin strategy will work, Vice Chancellor."

"Well, yes, it all seems very well thought out. But surely Darth Saleej will target Taanab again too?"

"Admiral Ok-Majan and Master Narfulk are prepared for the possibility. If necessary, Master Bnodd can respond with additional forces."

"And we can not allow Lord Aresh to gain traction now," Mar Towla observed. "Not when Elata and Darakhan have devoted such effort and made such sacrifices to wear down his resistance."

"But what of the southern front, then?" Corruss asked. "My Intelligence briefings about Lady Gasald are growing more despondent by the day."

"We've not forgotten Gasald, Vice Chancellor," Nawsa assured him.

"Senators Rose and Lambed have broached the idea of preemptive action—seizing Allanteen before Gasald can get it. And you know, some of the Security Council seem open to the idea—"

"It would be a mistake," Tairni Tre'go said firmly. "If we call Gasald to the fight without the resources, we risk a defeat that leaves Duro and the Five Brothers more open to defeat. Gasald will not reach the Core, Vice Chancellor."

"Yes, but if she makes the first move on Allanteen—"

"You must trust us, Your Excellency," Tem-Fol-Rytil said, raising a hand. When they all looked at him, he added, "Please do not believe anyone is more committed to the eradication of the Sith than the Jedi."

"Of course not, Master Rytil," Corruss replied in a placating tone.

Tem-Fol-Rytil allowed the abbreviation without comment. "You have our word, Your Excellency, that the Jedi Council will bear all these concerns in mind when nominating a new Supreme Chancellor."

Tem-Fol-Rytil chose the style Your Excellency rather than Lord Speaker deliberately, and Corruss clutched the rod of the Vice Chancellor's office that he had carried in with him, seeming barely conscious of the movement. Topped with a golden statuette of Sistros, it symbolized the Vice Chancellor's authority, and even acting as Supreme Chancellor, Corruss had not abandoned the rod. Tem-Fol-Rytil sensed it grounded the Vice Chancellor when he had it in hand.

"I confess I will be relieved to turn the podium over to another," Corruss said. "Governing procedure and wrangling the chamber is one thing, but the entire galaxy…"

"We know, Vice Chancellor," Nulu Thini said softly. "Too well."

Nodding, the Gados got to his feet. "Good day, Your Graces."

"And to you, Your Excellency," said Tem-Fol-Rytil.

Vice Chancellor Corruss left the meeting room, his staff thumping softly on the floor. Beyond the door, a dozen Blue Guards awaited him along with Raina Kaivalt, who wore combat-ready pants and tunic that were nonetheless fashionably cut, with a cloak over her left side and a stoic expression on her dark face. She fell in at Corruss's side with a bow but not a word, escorting him from the building.

Loworr Dubb watched him go, then said, "Fears that he might grow too attached to his office seem unfounded."

"He's more familiar with Senate procedure than most beings alive," Nulu pointed out. "He's an exceptional administrator. But that doesn't necessarily prepare a being for the many complexities that attend the Chancellor's office now."

"Nothing but a lifetime of study of the Force could prepare a Chancellor to guide the galaxy through this conflict." Mar Towla sighed. "At least he didn't broach the non-Jedi Chancellor subject again."

"Which doesn't mean the senators haven't," Nulu pointed out. "The longer the Senate goes without the leadership of the Jedi, the more it becomes accustomed to our absence. And in these times, that sets a dangerous precedent."

"What of this business with Alderaan?" Tairni asked. "If King Organa withdraws his delegation…"

"That won't happen," Nulu assured her. "He's grieving, but he understands the importance of the Republic standing united, and Senator Antilles will listen to Refni. I'll speak to Jerex myself, if it comes to that."

"Nulu is right—once a new Supreme Chancellor is elected, the Republic can coalesce around a center again," said Loworr Dubb.

"And that brings us back to the central question," Mar noted.

The six Jedi Masters fell into silent contemplation, each wrestling with thoughts under the guise of meditation. Tem-Fol-Rytil had not lied to Tirien Kal-Di; he had spent many nights awake since Phnyong's murder, weighing the innumerable concerns clamoring for the Jedi Order's attention. Other beings often believed that Cerean brains allowed for faster and deeper thinking than other species enjoyed, and from what he had sensed of others thoughts throughout his life Tem-Fol-Rytil thought they might have been right, but he was also cursed with the blessing of seeing every side of an issue, and weighing the many angles of the impending election felt like having his own personal Senate chamber debate in his head.

Eventually Tairni Tre'go rose. "I need to teach my class. Add appointing a new Battlemaster to the list of tasks we're neglecting."

A few of them laughed, though there was no accompanying ripple of humor in the Force as the Zabrak left. Loworr Dubb left them in silence and Nulu followed; Mar gave Tem-Fol-Rytil a searching look, but Tem-Fol-Rytil shook his head slightly, and the Mon Calamari slouched out.

Nawsa Arodion gave him a dry smile. "An easy solution eludes us still."

"I suspect Corellia considers its solution both simple and elegant."

The Human woman's eyes tightened, and Tem-Fol-Rytil was reminded of the old saying that Corellians had rocket fuel for blood; for every ninety-nine moments when she radiated the tranquility of a Sage Master, there was a hundredth when her dark eyes caught fire and a wise man held his tongue. "Jendaya should have come to me directly. Trying to get to us—to me—through Mali…"

"Senator Rose acted on the Diktat's guidance, I'm sure."

"Another being who should have come to me."

"Their unfortunate choice of methods doesn't necessarily undermine the wisdom of their counsel."

Nawsa held his gaze for a long time, and Tem-Fol-Rytil gave her time to process. "Many Republic worlds are running out of patience with Corellia's recalcitrance," she said at length. "Pleasing Corellia could aggravate a dozen other major powers."

"No solution is perfect. Phnyong wasn't a perfect Chancellor."

Nawsa bowed her head in grief. "Phnyong was a greater Jedi than I'll ever be."

"And Ogan Broze led the Council in a way I can only admire and aspire to, but we can't recall them to this life. We can only carry out the Force's will with the instruments left to us."

Raising her head, Nawsa nodded, but she rose without another word and left the room. Tem-Fol-Rytil took his time in following her, allowing her to gain some distance and go whither she might to ponder the situation, but he found Mar Towla and Nulu Thini waiting for him. Both bowed.

"Will you walk with us, Grand Master?" Mar asked.

Sighing internally, Tem-Fol-Rytil nodded. "Of course. What's on your mind, friends?"

Mar gestured down the corridor with one flippered hand, and they walked for some ways. Tem-Fol-Rytil sought a moment of meditative peace as he waited for them to speak. They came to a grand staircase overlooking an indoor garden where Initiates carefully watered and fertilized the plants, and Tem-Fol-Rytil tried to draw in strength from the life that fed the Force until Mar Towla spoke.

"Great danger would attend Nawsa's elevation to the podium."

"I don't disagree, but what danger do you foresee?" Tem-Fol-Rytil asked.

"Rumors have spread of Aresh's involvement in Chancellor Phnyong's death. The appointment of a Human Chancellor after the Anaxes debacle could embolden Humanocentrists within the Republic and weaken the trust of non-Human worlds."

Tem-Fol-Rytil looked at Nulu. "Do you concur, Master Thini? You know the Senate better than either of us."

He sensed the Bith's powerful mind at work, calculating the factors. "The Republic's defenses are unlikely to hold if Corellia withdraws its forces to the Corellian sector alone. But if the Expansion Region and the Inner Rim lose faith or believe the Core Worlds have wrested control of the Republic from non-Humans, they may lose the will to resist the Sith.  If Nawsa does ascend to the podium, it can not appear that the political will of Corellia put her there."

"The Jedi can not be seen to be subject to the control of any system," Mar growled.

"But neither can the Republic be seen to be subject to the Jedi," Tem-Fol-Rytil replied. "We must guide the Republic through this time; we all know the Senate can not appreciate the full scope of the threat the dark side poses. But we are servants of the Republic, not its masters."

Mar and Nulu nodded, but said nothing, and Tem-Fol-Rytil asked, "What of Elata?"

"Elata is a thousand times more valuable on the bridge of a destroyer than in an office," Nulu said without hesitation. "Phnyong was a great Chancellor, but he would have failed utterly against Aresh and Seldec. The Force has blessed us all with great gifts, but not all with the same gifts.  The Chancellor must be able to balance the prejudices and priorities of the sectors."

"And govern all facets of the Republic," Mar added. "A shrinking economy, resource transportation and distribution, means of production…the Chancellor's obligations as Commander-in-Chief are only a single facet of a complex gem."

"She has military connections with Corellian officers," Tem-Fol-Rytil offered. "Perhaps enough that Corellia itself would be content with her election."

"The Republic administration has numerous appointed positions to be filled," Mar replied. "Surely some could be given to Corellians. First Secretary, perhaps."

Nulu's mouth puckered further. "At the expense of isolating Kuat completely."

Tem-Fol-Rytil raised a hand. "Those are matters for our new Chancellor. I intend to meditate on this matter further, and I urge you both to do the same."

He thought Mar Towla would have added more, but the Mon Calamari master understood the gentle dismissal, nodded his bulbous head, and left them. Nulu Thini lingered only a moment longer.

"I won't detain you if you wish to be alone, Grand Master," he said, "but this discussion of mediation and collegiality brought something to mind. I'd like your permission to consult on this question with some Jedi whose opinions I value—Jedi whose discretion we can trust."

"Of course," Tem-Fol-Rytil said. "I think it the summit of arrogance to believe we alone among Jedi can have worthy ideas. Truthfully, I've done the same myself.  Which Jedi did you have in mind?"

"Master Ofnari, certainly. Masters Jembrunz and Hiffil and, if I can contact him, Master La'altac.  Woorp Luum is only a Knight, but I always find his political thoughts insightful.  Oh, and my former Padawan, Slejux."

"A worthy assemblage indeed."

"Whom did you consult?"

"There's some overlap between our lists; I suppose the most notable absence from yours is Tirien Kal-Di."

Nulu lowered his great domed head. "I had not thought of Tirien—to my discredit."

"It's understandable given the circumstances, perhaps, but whatever other wounds he may have suffered, he's lost none of his intelligence."

"Where I might find Tirien just now?"

Tem-Fol-Rytil frowned. "Do you know, I haven't seen him recently. I wonder where he is?"