Star Wars: Rising of the Union/The Senate

The Senate

“Couruscant?” Abeo spoke to himself in a hushed voice “But how?” “You were rushed here two days ago by the Republic Cruiser The Simitar. When a Remnant Star Destroyer destroyed The Saviour we feared all hands had been lost. It seems that you and your crew were the only ones to survive” ”My crew?” Abeo replied puzzled. “Yes, a few Republic Commandos”

After several hours Abeo was allowed to leave and roamed the Medical Facility. The first thing he did was to check up on his ‘crew’ and see how they were doing. He then went to the Canteen and got something to eat and finally went up to the observation tower at the top of the facility. The view was stunning. All around the ground was flat save the odd perturbing building. The New Senate building could be seen, as could the remains of the Emperor’s Palace. Further to his right the Jedi Temple was visible. Its five, curved towers made stick out from the rest of Coruscant, which followed a pattern of straight lines and cuboids. At the top of the centre tower Abeo could see the meeting room of the Jedi High Council. Also on the other towers were rooms for observation. Abeo always wondered what it would be like to be a Jedi, even though when he was young his father told him they were a myth.

Abeo rested in his accommodations for a while before drifting into a deep sleep. The world went silent in Abeo head. Nothing could disturb his peace. “Run Abeo, Run!” “No, don’t, I can’t live with out you!” “RUN!, RUN!” “No!” “Listen, go to the Senate, and tell them what you have found. Get them to destroy him.” “But what if they don’t listen, they might not believe me” ”They will believe you, they will, trust in the…” Abeo eyes opened. Once again, it had been a dream.

Abeo spent the next day contemplating over his dream, try to figure out what he as to tell the Senate. Who ‘he’ is. What they won’t believe. What could it all mean. Abeo went to the Canteen and meet several of the Commandos who had been released. He found out quite a lot had been reported on them and that they had quickly became overnight stars. It seemed that the destruction of The Savoir had became the Republics new war cry. Thousands had queued up outside the Medical Facility wanting to see the new stars. When Abeo was finally allowed out he was given an escort from the back entrance to the Senate to prevent him being swamped.

Abeo walked in through the massive sliding doors that opened onto the Senate inner courtyard, it was magnificent. All along the walls were long red banners with the symbol of the New Republic imprinted on the tops of them. The walls behind them were of two layers of glass with a waterfall in between them. The floor was greatly decorated with a map of the galaxy. Coruscant being in the centre everything spanned out from that point, near the edge was Kowak, his home. The map made it seem lush and it was coloured vibrantly. The planet of Ossus to was shown, its green land with massive oceans in some areas. Major cities stuck out in the colour grey all over the map.

Abeo was so caught up looking at the detail that he didn’t notice a small man walk up to him. Abeo admired the artwork, staring all around when his eyes looked upon the short man. He jumped with surprise. “Excuse me” the short man said “How may I help you?” “I’m…” Abeo replied “I’m looking for the main reception. I was told to go there by the head of he Medical Facility. He said I could be provided with accommodations before I meet with the Senate." “Ah yes, would you like to follow me Abeo” “What… How do you know my name?” The short man didn’t answer. The walked up the pathway and over the map of the galaxy. His foot landing firmly on the planet of Csilia, Thrawn’s home world. They reached a large desk with several persons of different species standing at them. The short man pointed to them and then walked away. Abeo stood there wondering where to go when a human from the far end of the desk stuck out his hand, catching Abeo’s attention. Abeo walked up to him and mouthed the word “Hello” “Hello, how may I help you?” The Receptionist asked. “My name is Abeo, I was told you could provide me with some accommodations.” “Ah yes, Abeo” He said while typing on his keyboard. “You are looking for accommodations are you. Well normally it would take several days to process refugees from the war, and I’m sure this is no exception” “Hold on!” Abeo shouted arrogantly, “I’m no refugee. I’m Abeo, the survivor of The Savoir and I was told by the head of the Medical Facility to come talk to you” Abeo shouted angrily “I’m sorry sir but if your persist in shouting I will be forced to eject you from the Senate building. I’m sure you would not like that being a refugee and so on.” “Damn it! I’m not a refugee, and if you even think of trying to eject me from this building I’m going to blow your head off.” Replied Abeo and a loud and angry voice. “I’m sorry sir,” the receptionist said as he called for two security guards “but you will have to leave” “I don’t think so” Abeo replied pulling out his blaster and pointing it for the receptionist’s head. Everyone in the room save the security guards fell to the floor and crunched into balls to protect themselves. The security personnel all pulled out their side arms. The front doors opened and in walked the remaining Commandos in civilian clothing brandishing blaster rifles. They ran to protect Abeo forming and tight square around him. They ready themselves to fire. Slowly the security personnel backed away out of the Senate building. “Please stay back. All civilians please stay back, this is not a drill” barked out the loud speakers in the Senate main courtyard. “Would all required personnel please report to your designated coordinates” it barked out again. Security personnel as well as several Republic troops had taken up positions outside and were stationed so that the entire front entrance was covered, nothing could get out. “Is there any way we can get in?” asked the Republic Commander. “The only way in is the front entrance, but they’ve got that covered” replied the Lieutenant. “Fine, what is it that they want” asked the Commander. “They want to speak to Senator Golan Zen. The Ossus representative here on Coruscant. It seems that these men may have survived the attack on Kowak three months ago.” “Refugees, hmm, then they may not know much about weaponry. Major, I want a squad of Commandos here at once. See if you can get me that one in the Medical Facility?” “Yes Sir!” replied the Major. “Lieutenant, see if you can get in contact with the hostage taker. I want to lull him into a false sense of security.” “Are you sure that’s safe. He may become suspicious of you.” “He won’t, trust me,” replied the Commander. After several more minutes a man draped in a brown cloak and hood walked in through the door to the Command Centre. He walked up to the Commander and, when facing him removed his hood. He was a tall man with dark hair. He removed his cloak to reveal a dark black uniform. On his belt he bore a Lightsaber suggesting him to be a Jedi sent by the Council. This took the Commander by complete surprise. “How are you, how did you get into this area?” he demanded in his attempt to look superior. “I have been sent by the Jedi Council took take control of the matter. The Supreme Chancellor has ordered you to relinquish control of your command to me.” replied the Jedi. “I’m sorry my Jedi friend but I will need written orders from the Supreme Chancellor if what you say is true. Although, since you do not have any such orders…” The Jedi stuck his hand into his pocket and rummaged around a bit before pulling out a sheet of paper and stuffing it into the Commanders hand. Reluctantly he opened the sheet of paper, read it and gave it back to the Jedi saying “ Very well, I relinquish command into your hands.” “Commander!” shouted the Major as he ran through the door “We have a problem.”

“Hey Boss,” asked one of the Commandos “Why exactly are we doing this?” “I’m doing this Mr. Fondar, because not because I want accommodations for us all, but because I want to speak the Senator Golan Zen about The Savoir incident.” “Ok Boss.” “Sir!” interrupted another Commando “were getting a message on the Communicator, should I patch it through” “Yes” Abeo shouted out. The Commando connected the communicator to the Senate speaker systems so that they could all hear. “Abeo” spoke a voice over the communicator “Abeo, my name is Kendo Shan. I am a Jedi for the Council and the officer commanding in this situation. I’ve decided to try and end this situation in a non-violent manner and with as little need for bloodshed. I want to hear your demands.” “Very well” Abeo responded, “Here are our demands. First and foremost I wish to speak to senator Golan Zen. Secondly I want full access to the New Republic military archives.” “May I enquire as to why?” Kendo Shan responded. “No you may not!” Abeo shouted demandingly. “Very well” Kendo Shan responded in an attempt to calm Abeo down, “It will take several hours to comply but I will do my best to meet you’re demands.” “Well I suggest you begin immediately then Master Jedi,” Abeo responded in a stern voice “Goodbye.” Abeo signalled the Commando to cut off the transmission.

“You’re not actually going to meet his demands are you?” asked the Commander shockingly. “Why not?” Kendo Shan responded. “Forget it. Major!” shouted the Commander. The Major walked through the door. “Call out the Special Forces, were going to take that building by storm!” “Yes sir!” shouted the Major. Just as he turned to leave Kendo Shan ordered him to stop. “We are not going to storm the Senate even if the only way to remove the hostage takers is to kill them. If anyone is going to infiltrate the Senate it will be a Jedi squad. Do you understand Commander?” “Yes sir!” replied the Commander, obviously annoyed. Kendo Shan pulled out a small communicator from his pocket and spoke into it. All the Commander could make out were the words “Jedi, Squad and Senate”. Shan returned the communicator to his pocket and turned to face the Commander. “Commander,” Kendo Shan ordered “Get Senator Golan Zen here immediately”

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