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May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)

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TerrisH said:
and I just had two weird thoughts concerning shatter point.

the first was Lady Ciaran using shatter point on the death star (or some other suitable super weapon)

the second was her using Shatter point on the Senate building(in its entirely), when the senate is in session (including the palatine). perhaps during his deceleration of Empire before them. A final #@$@ you should she lose but personally escape the collapse of her organization?
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Meh, that's as effective as burning down the reichstag. The senate building wouldn't be rebuilt in that case.
 
The Invisible Hand was also one of Grievous's flagships during the Clone Wars. We might want to give him that ship for hilarity sake.

What Thrawn needs is something similar to the Chimaera. Maybe we could steal an Imperial I-class for him? Those things existed around the end of the Clone Wars. For what is Thrawn without an Imperial Ship to call his own?
 
veekie said:
IF the point was in that section
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Presumably, every bit of Mn'ggal Mn'ggal would have a shatterpoint. Every living being presumably has one, and isn't each part of Mn'ggal Mn'gall its own being, and thus would have a Shatterpoint on it, whilst also at the same time it's all one creature with one mind, and thus breaking one Shatterpoint of the creature would destroy the entire creature since presumably they're all intrinsically linked?



On another note, just remembered something.. Revan was so skilled and strong in Force Sense, he was able to sense people from across the galaxy.. I just had a thought, but if we were able to improve our skill to that level in Force Sense, couldn't we potentially combine it with Shatterpoint? Use Revan-like Force Sense to sense somebody's Force Signature from across the galaxy, and then exert Force pressure on their shatterpoint?

On the topic of skills Revan was skilled at, I wonder if Farsight would be useful. Admittedly, it seems to be reasonably similar to our future manipulation reroll thing... or well, there's a bit of overlap between the two.
Jedi and Sith skilled in this technique were capable of detecting when friends and apprentices were in danger, examining details of past events, and predicting the probable outcome of a stated course of action. Farsight could also be applied to combat, allowing the practitioner to glimpse moves his opponent may make, as well as outside forces that might affect the battle.
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Also we have HK-47 as a hero unit, best at intrigue and martial.... our guys are getting good. Rumor mill will be interesting this turn, and the frustration of the CIS at having some of their ships hijacked by the Onderons.
 
Nah, if Ciaran used Shatterpoint on the Senate Building during Palpatines declaration, what would probably happen is....

"...On second thought, let's not vote to become an autocracy. Those never end well."

"Agreed"

Palpatine: "What"
 
Jesus Christ. I. Am. An. Idiot. I just realized. Look at the title of this Quest. Then at the ship we just stole. "May the Invisible Hand be with you" indeed.

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

(Disclaimer: I don't know if anyone mentioned this earlier in Quest and I missed it.)
 
Kaioo said:
Presumably, every bit of Mn'ggal Mn'ggal would have a shatterpoint. Every living being presumably has one, and isn't each part of Mn'ggal Mn'gall its own being, and thus would have a Shatterpoint on it, whilst also at the same time it's all one creature with one mind, and thus breaking one Shatterpoint of the creature would destroy the entire creature since presumably they're all intrinsically linked?
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if it was that easy it would have been killed a long time ago. It's one galaxy-spanning creature, so shatter point would point towards it's weak points, like say a planet it's using to build up ships or something.
 
Is the Malevolence still around? It was also Grevious' Flagship for a while.
 
Unless it's been destroyed it should be around. We haven't interfered with the planet that it was built at.

Unless the Quarren's currently control Mon Calamari then the group that built it, the Providence's and the Recusant's still joined the Separatists, I don't think we have done anything to Minntooine or Pammant. Which were the organization's shipyards.
 
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(Omake) Dossiers: Anti-Palpatine Senators (Canon)
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    • Dr. Snark said:
    [X] Shadow Meeting: Seti has pointed out that his comrades in the Senate who stand against Palpatine aren't truly aware of what he's capable of, and has suggested that you set up a covert meeting to help rally some of the more prominent figures like Bail Organa or Garm Bel Iblis. Reward: Anti-Palpatine faction's major members meet with you and Seti
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    A/N: As promised, the dossier/briefing omake on the anti-Palpatine senators we will be meeting.
    A/N 2: Geez that was exhausting. This somehow turned into 7k words. For reference, the 'Executive Summary' is at the bottom.


    Dossier In Depth, Pt. 1: Anti-Palpatine Senators​

    "Back from your visit to Genian, Lady Ciaran?"

    "As you see," she replied distractedly from behind her desk.

    "And was Talesan Fry all he was purported to be?"

    Ciaran finally looked up, frustration etched on her face. "Oh, the man is a genius, no doubt there. And we did catch the spy, so kudos there. But honestly, however, bold an innovator in his field, 'Taly' is quite... conservative in his personal dealings."

    "I'm afraid I don't follow."

    "The man's a professional paranoiac, and it got even more apparent after we caught the spy in his organization -- his vice-president, no less. We were basically evicted from the premises shortly thereafter. I get the impression he might be slightly more willing to trust Obi-Wan and Siri, but only because he's worked with them before."

    "Ah. Time to schedule a follow-up visit, then?"

    She chuckled, the tension flowing off her shoulders. "You know me so well. But not just yet -- I imagine another visit on the heels of the first would just cause more problems. Far better to make our approach gradual, like taming a wild gualama. Hmm. PR-1, remind me to schedule that second visit in, say... two months? Yes, two months should do it."

    "As you wish, Lady Ciaran."

    "Oh-- and make sure our Seeker teams check into Fry's background. Some of those stories he told were interesting, and I got the distinct impression he wasn't telling the complete truth -- especially as regards his dealings with the Corporate Alliance. There may be something there."

    "I shall send them a note."

    "Thank you, PR-1. Now, was there something you wanted?"

    "Indeed, Mistress. I'm afraid I've blocked off the next two hours--"

    "--Oh, tell me it's not another sector briefing!" Ciaran groaned.

    "Very well, Mistress."

    "Pardon?"

    "I mean, no, Mistress, it's not."

    "Oh? What is it, then?"

    "Lady Ciaran, I've seen your schedule for the next week, and between your Force training and our consolidation of those Black Sun systems, you will really have very little time before you must depart for the meeting you arranged at Seti Ashgad's suggestion."

    "Yes; and...?"

    "Lady Ciaran, do you even know who it is you're supposed to be meeting?"

    "Ah." She blushed. "I was planning to read up for the meeting while en route?"

    "You were planning to 'just wing it', weren't you."

    "Yes?"

    "As you have so often done in the past."

    "If it works..."

    "Pardon, Lady Ciaran, but do you recall the original reason I was brought into your employ?"

    She glowered at the droid.

    "As a social secretary, precisely. You yourself observed with surprise how much your high-society acquaintances cared about minuscule details in behavior, or specific tastes in fashion -- and I am a protocol droid."

    "Fine. You've made your point."

    "Indeed, Mistress. To that end, I have set aside the next two hours to brief you on the main members of the anti-Palpatine faction of the Galactic Senate. Here's your briefing packet, along with dossiers on each of the leaders you'll be meeting."

    Chi Eekway Papanoida - Senator from Wroona (wealthy & strategically important tradehub in Inner Rim), member of Loyalist Committee - good bluffer and confrontational with strangers, but a patient, empathetic peacemaker among known allies.

    Bail Organa - Senator from Alderaan (political capital of Core faction), original member of Loyalist Committee, chair of Senate Security Committee (intended by Palpatine to supersede Loyalist Comm.) - honorable statesman and loyal to Republic & Jedi, moderate anti-militarist.

    Giddean Danu - Senator from Kuat (Kuat Drive Yards, Core), member of Loyalist Committee - outspoken anti-militarist despite two separate recall efforts by Kuat director, member of Rim faction, notable ally of Jedi

    Garm Bel Iblis - Senator from Corellia (Corellian Engineering, Core), inactive Senator due to Corellia's neutrality - harsh critic of Palpatine and militarist faction, but organized private army to help Republic in Mid Rim, political maverick

    Fang Zar - Senator from Sern Prime (Colonies), member of Loyalist Committee, leader of 'Republic Group' - public reputation (even among allies) as plain-spoken idealist, but is in fact highly cunning.

    Lexi Dio - Senator from Uyter (Mid Rim) - original member of Loyalist Committee - major humanitarian, anti-militarist and member of Rim faction , sympathetic to CNS, under immense threat of assassination.

    Mon Mothma - Senator from Chandrila (Core), member of Loyalist Committee - youngest Senator in galactic history, anti-militarist and member of Rim faction, immensely charismatic, daring, and politically savvy.

    Tendau Bendon - Senator from Ithor (Mid Rim), member of Council of Neutral Systems - outspoken anti-militarist (pacifist)

    Onaconda Farr - Senator from Rodia (southern Outer Rim), member of Loyalist Committee, chairman of Senate Action Subcommittee for Corellian Trade Spine Defense - family friend of Padme, Rodian patriot briefly persuaded to join Separatists, currently mis-apportioning GAR defenses to protect Rodia

    Nee Alavar - Senator from Lorrd (northern Outer Rim), member of Loyalist Commitee - exceptionally gifted in reading & analyzing body language due to Lorrdian culture's emphasis on 'kinetic communication'


    Silya Shessaun - Senator from Thesme (northeastern Outer Rim), member of Loyalist Commitee, member of Council of Neutral Systems - childhood friend of Padme, champion of poor & working class, very loyal to Republic

    Bana Breemu     - Senator from Humbarine (eastern Core), member of Loyalist Committee -- anti-Palpatine, but too cautious to be useful

    Padme Amidala - Senator from Naboo (southern Mid Rim), original member of Loyalist Committee - humanitarian and anti-militarist (despite voting for Military Creation Act), but far too trusting of Chancellor Palpatine

    Orn Free Taa - Senator from Ryloth (southern Outer Rim), original member of Loyalist Committee, leader of Rim faction - notoriously corrupt hedonist, but well-intentioned, friendly with Palpatine and Amedda despite political differences

    Ciaran stared at the pile. "That... is a lot of paperwork."

    "It is fortunate that I am here to assist, then."

    "How did you even pull all of this together? I mean" Ciaran fished one packet out of the pile, "this is a solid inch thick, on flimsiplast, for a single Senator from" she flipped the cover open "Wroona? Really?"

    "I commandered your A9G Data Analysis droid for assistance, but all of that information came from our Abyss Watchers archives."

    "Really?"

    "Have you forgotten, Lady Ciaran, just have many intelligence-gathering assets we have in place around the Senate? We've been conducting surveillance of the Senate District and attached starport for nearly fifteen years, in addition to the full-scale wiretaps we've been running for the past year. Our security teams have been periodically contracted by Senators over the past ten years, and just last quarter we expanded our operations drastically to the point where we essentially run security for the entire Senate. Yes, it's no surprise we have access to a lot of information."

    Ciaran was a bit preoccupied with the paper in front of her. "...Huh. Did you know this Senator has been privately exploring what steps would be needed to remove Palpatine by military force?"

    "...That's not where I intended to begin this briefing."

    "Well, did you?"

    Chi Eekway Papanoida​

    Had he lungs, PR-1 would have audibly sighed. He still gave a valiant effort, despite his lack of them. "...Senator Papanoida, correct? Yes, Mistress, I would have mentioned it -- our security teams caught a look at her scribblings before she shredded them. Chi Eekway is a Pantoran native, and daughter of Baron Notluwiski Papanoida -- former playwright, turned entertainment mogul, current Chairman of the Pantoran Assembly, and reputedly at the head of an information network as far-reaching as the Bothans'. Thanks to his influence and business dealings on Wroona -- a strategically vital Pantoran colony world on the lip of the Inner Rim -- the Baron secured a Senate seat for his youngest daughter, and uses his connections to foster her political ambitions, even securing her appointment to the Loyalist Committee."

    "...I've heard Padme mention that before."

    "Truly, Mistress? Yes, Padme is another member, one of the most prominent in fact. The Loyalist Committee was originally an advisory body, appointed by Chancellor Palpatine during the early days of the Separatist Crisis, intended to cleanse the Senate of corruption and promote loyalty to the Republic. Of course, given what we know now..."

    "Padme was supposed to be a patsy?"

    "Worse than that, Mistress. The Loyalist Committee was originally comprised of ten members -- five apiece from the militarist and anti-militarist factions back when the key issue before the Senate was the Military Creation Act. While the Committee was intended to root out corruption, one of the first appointees was a Senator notorious for his corruption. Likewise, while the Committee was designed to purge the Senate of Separatist influences, another original member was someone discovered to be funding Separatist droid factories out of his own Senate expense account."

    "...So the Loyalist Committee was intended to discredit Padme?"

    "And the other members, yes, it appears that way. In addition, it seems that Palpatine has been using the Committee to keep a close eye on his political enemies -- most of the leaders of the anti-Palpatine faction in the Senate are members of the Committee, members he appointed."

    "Damn. He's good at this."

    "Yes, Mistress."

    "...Anyway, back to what you were saying about Senator Papanoida?"

    "Right. You can peruse the rest of the dossier at your leisure, but in brief, Chi Eekway is well connected, well respected, and very secure in her patronage. She represents a strategically vital trade world near the Corellian Trade Spine and two other hyperlanes, and wields quite considerable 'soft power' thanks to its military and economic importance. In private circles, she's highly empathetic and a respected peacemaker, but among strangers she can be quite frank and confrontational, and a skilled bluffer when called upon. As evinced by the scribbled musing we saw, it may be that her public persona comes most naturally to her, while her patience and conciliatory nature is the result of training. Further details you can find from your reading."

    "Thank you, PR-1. Was that all for her?"

    "Indeed. Though, if you look at this dossier" PR-1 passed another packet across the desk "you'll find information about her close friend and fellow Loyalist Committee member, Senator Terr Taneel. She represents the isolationist Senex sector in the Mid Rim, but is described as quite a cosmopolitan and idealistic. Our security teams have observed that Senator Taneel may be a little wary of Chi Eekway's political ambitions, though I'm not sure she realizes how much of that amibition comes Baron Papanoida. I doubt Terr Taneel will be in attendance at the meeting, but it may be worthwhile to bring the dossier along just in case."

    "All right. Who's next?"

    Bail Prestor Organa​

    "As my original agenda began with Senator Organa, we'll turn to him next. Here's the dossier, for reference. Bail Prestor Organa is widely considered one of the great statesmen of our age. He was the chosen successor of Bail Antilles, who resigned his seat after losing the Chancery Election to Sheev Palpatine. Like his patron, Senator Organa has also assumed effective leadership of the Core faction, though that has mattered significantly less after the Separatism crisis."

    "...I'm sorry, Core faction?"

    "I understand that your efforts would have been more focused on business matters at the time, but surely you must have heard about the two main parties during your evenings with Coruscant high society? Yes, the Core faction, originally led by Bail Antilles, which favored a stronger central Republic government. They were opposed by the Rim faction, which forced a more federalized system of local control, and was originally led by a Senator Ainlee Teem of Malastare."

    "I recognize that name..."

    "Yes, Antilles and Teem were the two leading candidates to replace Finis Valorum as Chancellor during the Naboo crisis, with Teem considered a slight front-runner due to Valorum's ties to the Core faction. However, then-Senator Palpatine leveraged public sympathy for Naboo to present himself as a compromise candidate to the Inner Rim swing systems, and eventually swayed enough votes from the rest to secure the election. Antilles stepped down, Organa stepped up, though the Core faction has seriously splintered in the decade since due to the Separatist Crisis, the Clone Wars, and Palpatine's own chameleonic persona."

    "I can only imagine."

    "Indeed. At any rate, Senator Organa was basically the first name on anyone's mind for the Loyalist Committee, due to his commitment to duty, lack of corruption, and loyalty to the Republic, and sure enough he was one of original members selected by the Chancellor. After war broke out, he was actually selected by Palpatine to serve as the head of the 'Senate Security Committee' -- I suspect Palpatine intended for this new group to supersede the Loyalist Committee, but Senator Organa did not let his ambition grow too freely, so Security Committee stuck strictly to its explicit mandate of protecting the Senate, without assuming the implicit authority of protecting the Republic. It was, incidentally, that very Committee that investigated and vouched for our own Senatorial Security Systems, that led to our being hired by so much of the Senate."

    "That was Organa?"

    "Indeed, though doubtless he remains unaware of the favor he did for us. Now, as for his politics: he still considers himself a member of the Core faction, and supports a strong and central government, but in the context of strengthening the Senate, not the Chancellor. He's also spoken out against the Militarist faction, though at Senator Amidala's urging did vote for the Military Creation Act when the war was first breaking out. At this point, he's generally considered a moderate, and is probably the most widely respected politician besides Palpatine himself."

    "...I wonder if we could push him as our candidate to eventually replace Palpatine as Chancellor? He sounds like precisely the sort of person who wouldn't use all of the levers of executive power that Palpatine's has amassed for himself."

    "And the sort of person who would happily retire to a private life after the job is done."

    "Well that does sound promising. Is that all you have for Senator Organa?"

    "Yes, Lady Ciaran."

    "All right, who's next?"

    Giddean Danu​

    "That would be Senator Giddean Danu, Mistress. He is the Senator representing the Kuat sector in the eastern Core. He was appointed to that position by Onara Kuat, principal director of the Kuat Drive Yards and head of the Kuat family. Director Onara sought to appoint someone malleable to the position, but Senator Danu has proven anything but -- Danu has in fact made quite a reputation for himself by his outspoken opposition to Chancellor Palpatine and his Militarist agenda."

    "...But he represents Kuat -- a military shipbuilding corporation?!"

    "Indeed. So it's no surprise that Director Onara has sought to recall him on at least two separate occasions we know of. It's a far greater surprise, rather, than Senator Danu still retains his position. I'm told it was Onara's nephews who ensured he kept his position. Specifically they pointed to his remarkably effective advocacy for local control against Senatorial interference."

    "But Kuat is in the Core...."

    "Of course, Lady Ciaran; the two parties are hardly exclusive to one zone or the other. They're merely named for where their base of greatest support lies. Due to its corporate interests, Kuat has long been a member of the Rim faction, at least when it suited them."

    "Interesting. Was there anything else?"

    "Not particularly, though I would note that Senator Danu was on very friendly terms with then-Senator Ashgad, despite representing rival shipbuilding companies. He's also an outspoken friend and supporter of the Jedi Order, even when the Order has been plagued by scandal."

    "...All right. Who's next?"

    Garm Bel Iblis​

    "That would be Garm Bel Iblis, ma'am," PR-1 passed the flimsi-packet, "the Senator from Corellia in the southern Core Worlds."

    "Ah. Him."

    "I see you've heard of him."

    "How could I not? Young and charismatic Senator, who led Corellia and her neighbors to declare their neutrality in the early days of the war -- and then he doesn't even bother to contact us to join the Council of Neutral Systems?"

    "To be fair, Lady Ciaran, Corellia's neutrality was based on a long-standing provision within the very treaty that Corellia originally signed to join the Republic so many thousand years ago. That law -- Contemplanys Hermi, or 'meditative solitude' -- has very specific provisos, and proactively seeking out membership in the CNS would have violated those restrictions."

    "...So you're telling me that if we wanted him to join the CNS, we would have needed to approach him first?"

    "Yes, Mistress."

    "And you didn't think to tell me this earlier because...?"

    "My own grasp of Corellia's situation was cursory at best until I was compiling this dossier."

    Ciaran grimaced in frustration, pressing her fingers into her temples and pushing her head back into her lounging chair.

    "I may be capable, Lady Ciaran, but I'm hardly omniscient." Poor PR-1 tried to explain.

    "Yes, PR-1, I know. It's just that so much time was wasted when we could have had Corellia as an ally all along."

    "It is fortunate, then, that no more time need be wasted."

    Ciaran looked up, "How so?"

    "Corellia will no longer be so constrained after you've made contact, and by my reading of the Contemplanys Hermi, your upcoming meeting with the Senators, Garm Bel Iblis among them, would in fact qualify."

    "And they'll be free to seek CNS membership at that point?"

    "Indeed, though I imagine the question would be adjudicated to ensure compliance with the treaty. But yes, that does seem probable."

    "Excellent! So, what else do I need to know about Senator Iblis?"

    "Senator Bel Iblis, ma'am, and quite a bit actually. Despite being an early and fierce opponent of the Military Creation Act, the Senator has organized several private militias to defend Corellia. And despite declaring Corellia's neutrality in the war, Garm Bel Iblis has financed his own private fleet to assist Republic military operations down the Corellian Trade Spine, in the Mid Rim. I'm told he's become a fairly competent strategist, though he is especially gifted as a tactician."

    "Put him in a room with Thrawn, then?"

    "I'd rather not. Like Senator Danu, Garm Bel Iblis has advocated for local rather than centralized control -- by Senator or by Chancellor -- and for that reason has been an outspoken critic of Palpatine, one of the few who is not a member of the Loyalist Committee."

    "Interesting -- why is that?"

    "I suspect it has to do with Garm Bel Iblis being rarely in attendance for Senate meetings. All that said, but Senator Bel Iblis is a bit of a character, ma'am. He was an idealist and patriot of Corellia, but his recent efforts in the war have made him a pragmatist it not a cynic, and his treatment of both major factions has rubbed quite a few senators the wrong way. I suppose the best way to describe him might be as a 'political maverick'."

    Ciaran shook her head. "Well, forewarned is forearmed, at least."

    "Indeed."

    "Anything else?"

    Fang Zar​

    "No, Mistress. The next packet for your perusal is that of Senator Fang Zar, who represents Sern Prime in the southern Colonies."

    "That... is a lot of hair."

    "A Sern custom, I believe."

    "Fair enough. What do you have for me?"

    "Senator Fang Zar is quite an odd case. On the one hand, he's a widely respected leader of the anti-Palpatine movement, most often described as plain-spoken and idealistic, almost naive. On the other hand, thanks to our wiretaps and security infiltration, we've determined that he is in fact the leader -- or, at least, a leader -- of the secret society called the 'Republic Group.' We don't know much about the Group's membership -- we have the names of two other Senators, as well as a Jed Sentinel who works in the technical division, but little else -- though we're more confident in our intel about their purpose. The Republic Group was founded early in the Separatist Crisis, seeking to uncover evidence of Separatist influence within the Senate. We suspect that they were the ones who fed the 'List of 245' to Onaconda Farr, and originally discovered the buried transmission channel that Vyn Narcassan accidentally unraveled."

    "...the buried what now?"

    "Vyn Narcassan was the head of the Cybersecurity Mission Desk for the Senate Bureau of Intelligence when -- working after hours and off-book, he apparently stumbled across an incredibly well-encrypted comm channel that self-destructed as soon as he tried to examine it. He went public, arguing that the channel was evidence of a conspiracy stretching into the highest levels of the Galactic Senate... except he didn't have any proof except his own word, since the node destructed and he was supposedly working alone."

    "You think he wasn't?"

    "We know he wasn't, but we haven't been able to pin down the identity of whoever was helping him. However, we 'strongly suspect' the Republic Group was involved, given their activities around that time." PR-1's inflection made it obvious. "I can hardly imagine how miffed they must have been, that Narcassan tried to grab all the glory and undercut their more methodical investigation."

    "I'll say. So the Republic Group suspects -- Palpatine? Or perhaps someone working for Palpatine -- of corruption on an unprecedented scale, given the secrecy and security measures around that comm node."

    "Indeed."

    "So, drop a few hints, and perhaps we can point Fang Zar in the right direction. Between this and Skirata's Null ARCs, we have our eggs in quite a few baskets.... Anyway. Was there anything else?"

    "Only that Narcassan was eventually pressured to resign, largely due to a Senator Ronet Coorr of Iseno, who also sits on the Loyalist Committee, whose homeworld received a major supply-port contract from the GAR shortly thereafter."

    "So, Coorr was bribed?"

    "Naturally."

    "Any idea who?"

    "It'd be easy enough if we had access to those Republic Treasury records."

    Ciaran glowered at him. "Thank you, for reminding me. So, we can pretty easily guess, but no proof?"

    "Yes, Mistress."

    "All right, then. Who's next?"

    Lexi Dio​

    "If you'll take up this next dossier, we turn to Senator Lexi Dio, from Uyter in the eastern Mid Rim. I actually mentioned her in my last briefing, as she is a strong proponent of your humanitarian work, especially with refugees."

    "Ah, yes. Has Uyter expressed any interest in joining the CNS?"

    "Not yet, though with Onderon joining up it shouldn't be much longer. Plus our work in the Kashyyyk system has made us very popular with the Republic-friendly worlds and Senators from that area. Except for Senator Paddie, of course, but that's just him."

    "Senator who?"

    PR-1 barely paused. "Senator Ister Paddie of Sermeria, in the Expansion Region just south of Alpheridies. He's a prominent militarist, who apparently has a 'past' with Senator Bel Iblis. Suffice it to say, he bears Corellia a good deal of 'ill will', which made him a fierce opponent of Corellia's efforts to remain neutral, which made him a fierce opponent of your own Neutral stance and your support of the CNS."

    "Oh."

    "Fortunately, the people and ruling powers of Sermeria do not feel nearly the same way, but it may take time and effort to force a recall, and until then, Senator Paddie will keep Sermeria out of our sphere of influence."

    "Do see if we can't speed that process along."

    "Yes, Mistress, though I would point out you've already mostly done it. Thrawn's victory at Onderon has given us quite a bit of credibility in the region, and weakened the Separatist position and its control over the local hyperlanes considerably. It may not be immediate, but I do expect to see Senator Paddie recalled, at least within the year."

    "Excellent."

    "Even better, Senator Paddie is one of the strongest supporters of Chancellor Palpatine in the Expansion Regions, so his recall should hinder Palpatine's political maneuverings as well."

    "...That is better. Thank you, PR-1."

    "You're welcome, Lady Ciaran. Back to Senator Lexi Dio? Yes -- she was an early and public opponent of the Military Creation Act, even after Senator Amidala announced her support for it."

    "Really, now."

    "Yes, though I'm not sure whether that's an indication that she was a pacifist or that she simply didn't trust the Senate with the power of a large standing army. She is quite a high-profile face within the Rim faction, and distrusts the stronger centralized government favored by Palpatine. She was selected as one of the original ten members of the Loyalist Committee, before its membership expanded with the war."

    "Interesting. Anything else?"

    "Only that our security teams have intercepted more assassination attempts against her, than a half-dozen other high-profile Senators put together."

    "...Someone really wants her dead, then."

    "Indeed, Mistress."

    "Make sure we assign her extra protection, just in case."

    "Already done, Mistress." At Ciaran's expression, PR-1 explained. "You've employed a very competent group of people, Lady Ciaran. When the agents you put in charge of the Senatorial Security Systems noticed how much she was targeted, they committed more resources to ensure she was protected."

    "Oh. Excellent then. Nothing else?"

    "No, ma'am."

    "Very well, who's next?"

    Mon Mothma​

    "That would be Senator Mon Mothma, of Chandrila in the northern Core Worlds. Here's the dossier, and here's the--"

    "Wait, it says she was the youngest person to ever serve in the Galactic Senate?"

    "That's right."

    "But... the Senate was founded almost twenty-five thousand years ago! How can she be the youngest ever?"

    "Quite simple really. When the Senate was first established, the constitution of the Republic required that Senators be no younger than 30 years old. Over the succeeding millennia, that age limit has been decreased, largely due to pressure from the Mid Rim systems like Naboo, which have a custom of electing children or adolescents to positions of power. A decade ago, the Senate once again lowered that age limit -- and within the year, Senator Mon Mothma had secured her election at the tender age of 19."

    "Huh."

    "The Senate actually lowered the age limit to 18 shortly before the start of the Clone Wars. Of course, with war waging all over the galaxy, no system wanted to risking giving power to intemperate youth, so no one has yet beaten Senator Mothma's record."

    "You make it sound as though Senator Mothma were herself intemperate...."

    "Not at all. Daring, certainly, and with all the charisma of youth, but her political savvy and influence outstrips every other member of the Loyalist Committee, save perhaps Senator Organa."

    "Really now? Even savvier than Padme?"

    Perhaps it was his new Deception Routines, but PR-1 had evidently learned how to inflect. "Oh, yes, Mistress. I do look forward to your meeting -- the pair of you would get along like a house on fire."

    "...PR-1?"

    "Yes, Lady Ciaran?"

    "Sarcasm is disturbing when it comes from a protocol droid."

    "Inflection is soooo interesting."

    "All right, that's enough. What do I need to know?"

    "Yes, Mistress. Like the other anti-Palpatine figures, Senator Mothma is generally considered a member of the Rim faction, and a noted anti-Militarist. Due to her early entry into public life, she has few ties to family and no known romantic entanglements. This has made her more free to speak out against Palpatine and against the most powerful elements of the Militarist faction, with little regard to her own security. It is fortunately that Senator Organa persuaded her to hire our security teams, as Senator Mothma receives more death threats -- though far fewer attempts -- than anyone save Senator Dio."

    "Good to know. Nothing else?"

    "No, Lady Ciaran."

    "All right, who's next?"

    Tendau Bendon​

    "One of our own, actually -- Senator Tendau Bendon, of the Ithor system in the northern Mid Rim, that lately joined the Council of Neutral Systems."

    "He has a seat on the Loyalist Committee?"

    "Sadly, no. However, as an Ithorian, he is a widely respected voice for peace and reconciliation, and a noted opponent of Palpatine's militarism."

    "Well, he is an Ithorian. He wouldn't be their Senator if he were otherwise."

    "Indeed, though by the same logic Tendau Bendon is their Senator precisely because he is such an effective advocate for peace."

    "That's not the same logic."

    "No, Mistress?"

    "No. That's the inverse. Or converse. I forget which."

    "Hmph. I had hoped you wouldn't notice."

    "See -- I can learn things too!"

    "Yes, Mistress. Of course, Mistress."

    "Was that sarcasm?"

    "No, Mistress. Of course not, Mistress."

    "Dammit, snarked by my own protocol droid. Was there anything else?"

    "Yes, actually, though a minor item of interest at best. Senator Bendon's was one of the few votes that actually supported former Chancellor Valorum when the Senate held a vote of No Confidence."

    "...Do we know why?"

    "Not yet, though I can certainly have our people do more digging."

    "As long as it doesn't interfere with their other duties."

    "Yes, Lady Ciaran. I shall make a note of it."

    "Very well. Who's next?"

    Onaconda Farr​

    "I believe this is one that you would call 'a doozy'. Onaconda Farr is the Senator from Rodia, in the southern Outer Rim. He is also a longtime family friend of Senator Amidala, dating from the time her father Ruwee Naberrie served as President of the Refugee Relief Movement. Senator Farr was a key ally and patron of Mr. Naberrie, and invited him on multiple occasions to address the Senate from his repulsorpod."

    "Really? I wonder why she hasn't mentioned him."

    "...I'm not sure they're on speaking terms at the moment."

    "Oh?" Ciaran sounded dangerous.

    "In a moment. Back when the Loyalist Committee was formed during the early stages of the Separatist Crisis, Senator Farr was rather mightily miffed that he hadn't been selected for the Committee. We have security footage, actually."

    "...Remind me to watch that sometime."

    "Oh, I shall. Now, what should transpire, but that Senator Onaconda Farr receive an anonymous information packet containing names, dates, wire transfers, and all manner of other evidence that two-hundred and forty five members of the Senate -- ranging from Senators, to staff, to security personnel -- were actively conspiring with the Separatist movement. As I mentioned, we believe this was the product of the Republic Group, though it's possible some of the information originated with us, and that Senator Farr received it from Senator Amidala, who received it from you...."

    "Oh, Padme..."

    "At any rate, Onaconda Farr released this information, which became known as 'The List of 245'. The most prominent name on the List was of course Senator Havriso Looruya, of the Yir Tangee system in Colonies. Senator Looruya was accused of using his Senate expense account to invest in Separatist droid factories in a number of systems. A Judicial Department investigation confirmed it, Senator Looruya was formally disbarred and expelled from the Senate... and Onaconda Farr got his seat on the Loyalist Committee."

    "Huh."

    "Given what we know about the Chancellor -- that he intended the Loyalist Committee to discredit his opponents and keep them in sight -- this appointment makes sense in retrospect, but at the time it was the talk of the Upper City. Senator Onaconda Farr was a strong supporter of the Republic and of the Military Creation Act, but he was a prominent and frankly vicious critic of Chancellor Palpatine. His appointment to the Loyalist Committee won a lot of goodwill for the Chancellor, as the Senate saw Palpatine as going out of his way to be fair to those who slung mud at him."

    "...again: damn he's good."

    "Indeed. But this is where it gets interesting. Despite his supposed rock-solid loyalty to the Republic, Onaconda Farr was at heart a Rodian patriot, and in the early days of the war, the Galactic Senate was far more concerned with taking care of the Core and Colonies than it was in defending some backwater system in the Outer Rim. Again and again, Senator Farr appealed to the Senator for humanitarian and defensive aid against a recent surge in 'pirate' raids, and again and again he was denied."

    "...Don't tell me."

    "Of course -- Onaconda Farr was approached by Count Dooku, who promised food & supplies for Rodia, along with anti-piracy patrols to ensure the planet would be fed. In exchange, Rodia and Senator Farr would join the Separatists. In addition, Onaconda Farr was pressured by the Trade Federation to sell out Senator Amidala when she arrived on an aid mission shortly thereafter."

    "What?!" Ciaran erupted.

    "Yes. Senator Amidala was captured and imprisoned, at which point Viceroy Nute Gunray arrives and orders that Padme Amidala be sentenced to death. Still held a grudge over the invasion of Naboo, apparently."

    Ciaran beckoned PR-1 to go on, though not in so many words. She mainly communicated through clenched teeth, rigid neck muscles, and glaring eyes. And while her eyes were hidden behind the mask, PR-1 would later swear that Lady Ciaran's glare was quite visible. Somehow.

    "Our Seekers aren't entirely sure what happened after this point, but Senator Amidala was apparently saved by an unidentified Jedi, Senator Farr learned that the pirates had been hired by the Separatists to begin with, turned on the Trade Federation and single-handedly captured Viceroy Nute Gunray, just before the Clone Army arrived in force to rescue them both. Senator Amidala covered for Onaconda Farr's betrayal, saying that the two of them had arranged this all along as a trap for Nute Gunray, and Senator Farr was able to retain his seat and influence."

    "What."

    "On the other hand, as I said, Senator Amidala was less than pleased to be betrayed by her 'Uncle Ono', and the two haven't been on speaking terms ever since."

    "I should hope not!"

    "Indeed, Mistress. After his return--"

    "Wait. One thing -- did you say she called him 'Uncle Ono'?"

    "Yes, Lady Ciaran. She was quite young at the time."

    "Oh that is hilarious. I'll definitely remember to tease her about it next-- oh, darn it, that would have been perfect to bring up on Genian."

    "I understand, Mistress. Shall I finish with Senator Farr?"

    "Of course."

    "After his return -- a triumphal return, in fact, thanks to his capture of Nute Gunray, Senator Onaconda Farr secured an additional leadership position as chairman of the Senate Action Subcommittee for Corellian Trade Spine Defense--"

    "A mouthful, that."

    "--which is officially responsible for securing the defenses of worlds along the Corellian Trade Spine and its main spurs. Unofficially, due to some bureaucratic snafu or other, it is also responsible for defense along the Corellian Run and its spurs, including Rodia."

    "...But those are two completely different hyperlanes!"

    "Indeed, Lady Ciaran, which is why I say it must have been a bureaucratic snafu. To put it briefly, Senator Onaconda Farr is responsible for apportioning the Republic's primary defensive fleets and emplacements across the whole southern half of the galaxy, from Corellia to the Outer Rim."

    "What."

    "Indeed. Better still, it appears he's been again playing games for his homeworld's benefit."

    "What?!"

    "To be fair, Rodia is very much on the front lines of the war, sandwiched between Hutt Space and the Neimoidian Space around Drunkenwell. However, Senator Farr's determination to fortify his homeworld has left some of the Core and Colonies worlds perilously underdefended, including Corellia, Humbarine, and Hosnian Prime. If Chancellor Palpatine wished for a stunning Separatist victory to give the Republic a 'shock to its system' and boost its militaristic fervor, he could't ask for a better set-up than the southern Core Worlds right now."

    "Bozhe moi..."

    "...Was that Mandalorian? I didn't know you spoke--"

    "I don't. Asajj picked it up from the clone commandos, I picked it up from her, move on."

    Nee Alavar​

    "Yes, Mistress. The final Senator who's likely to attend the meeting is Nee Alavar, the Senator from Lorrd in the northern Outer Rim."

    "...You've mentioned Lorrd before?"

    "Yes and no. I highlighted it in your briefing packet, but I did not speak of it directly, as my attention was focused on Bimmiel and the Gree Enclave. Lorrd is one of the largest trade hubs along the Veragi Trade Route, and is especially renown as one of the largest educational centers in the Outer Rim. It's also known for being rich in Lorrdian gemstones, which can be used as lightsaber crystals to boost various Force abilities such as battle precognition."

    "...And you didn't point this out at the time?" Ciaran looked flabbergasted.

    "In my defense, the Gree Enclave has a literal Fountain of Youth."

    "Ah. An embarassment of riches, then?"

    "Precisely. At any rate, Lorrd is known for something else as well -- namely, their culture. While the planet is populated by baseline humans, Lorrdians have developed an extremely idiosyncratic culture, with a language that relies solely on gestures, expressions, and posture."

    "So... body language?"

    "Precisely, Lady Ciaran. They call it 'kinetic communication', but it boils down to the same thing. They are all specialists in picking clues and cues from another's body language, and Senator Nee Alavar is quite possibly the most skilled of them all. Small wonder she was one of the first and most vocal opponents of Chancellor Palpatine, even when she first knew him as junior Senator from Naboo."

    "Oh."

    "Yes, Senator Alavar is exceptionally perceptive, though therein lies the danger. If she is at the meeting, she will read you, she will understand you, she will learn your secrets. She can be a powerful ally -- or a dangerous enemy."

    "...I see. Thank you for the warning, PR-1. I believe I will be spending a good portion of the trip there in meditation."

    "You're welcome, Lady Ciaran."

    "You said Nee Alavar was the final Senator likely to attend the meeting -- were there others you didn't mention?"

    Everyone Else​

    "Oh, several. Silya Shessaun, for instance, is another Senator from Neutral Space, from our own Thesme sector, and a childhood friend of Senator Amidala's when they were both Apprentice Legislators together on Alderaan. She's a child prodigy from a working-class background, who uses her position to champion the poor and underprivileged. Duchess Satine persuaded her that the poor and underprivileged are those most hurt by war, which is why Thesme was willing to join the Council of Neutral Systems, but Senator Shessaun remains quite loyal to the Republic. I'm not sure whether to classify her as officially part of the anti-Palpatine faction, but she is certainly skeptical of the Chancellor's amendments to the Galactic Constitution."

    "Interesting."

    "Another name of note is Bana Breemu, the Senator from Humbarine, an industrial ecumenopolis in the eastern Core. Senator Breemu does belong to the anti-Palpatine faction, but her public reputation is as a moderate who just happens to be friends with the rest of the anti-Chancellor faction. She is excessively cautious, and has opposed her allies' efforts to bring other Senators in their confidence, opposed any move to consult with the Jedi, even opposed making any public opposition to the Chancellor at all."

    "...Well, she sounds useless."

    "That's probably accurate, ma'am. Speaking of useless, I should also mention the Senator from Naboo, Padme Naberrie Amidala."

    "...You did not just say that."

    "Unfortunately, I did, because it's true. Senator Amidala is a noted humanitarian and outspoken anti-Militarist, despite voting for the Military Creation Act at our urging. Despite all that, she is far too trusting of Chancellor Palpatine's good intentions -- no doubt due to their shared experiences during the Invasion of Naboo. Thus, however strong her friendship with many of the anti-Palpatine faction, she cannot be considered one of them."

    "Fortunately, Lady Ciaran is on the case."

    "Indeed, ma'am." PR-1 said dryly.

    "Don't think I won't remember you calling her useless though."

    "Didn't cross my circuits."

    "You do not get to say that about my bestie. Even if it is, maybe, in this very specific circumstance, possibly true."

    "Indeed, ma'am."

    "Was that all?"

    "No, there's one last Senator I wanted to mention, lest it catch you by surprise. You will recall that, following then-Senator Palpatine's election to the Chancery, his opponent Bail Antilles resigned his Senate seat to let his successor, Senator Organa, take over the Core faction. The same was true for the Rim faction -- Senator Ainlee Teem did not resign his seat, but did step down from faction leadership. He was succeeded by Senator Orn Free Taa of Ryloth, who had been one of the first to throw his support behind Palpatine."

    "...And you think he might be invited to an anti-Palpatine meeting?"

    "That's precisely my point, Lady Ciaran. Senator Taa is a mass of contradictions, and if you'll pardon the expression I do mean that literally. He is enormously fat, quite possibly the fattest member of the Galactic Senate -- a feat all the more impressive considering how many porcine and pachydermoid races are represented by the Senate. He's so fat, he's one of the only Twi'leks in the galaxy to develop four lekku rather than the usual two. He's so fat, his mother--"

    "PR-1." Ciaran called sharply.

    "Yes, Mistress?"

    "Enough." Ciaran paused. "Were you really about to start a 'yo mamma' joke?"

    "Not at all, Mistress. He really is so fat, his mother--"

    "No. You know what, I really don't want to hear it. The fact that he has twice as many head-tails, just to contain his body fat, is far more information than I need. Was there a point to this?"

    "Yes, Mistress. My point was, Senator Taa may be notoriously... corpulent, and just as notoriously greedy and corrupt, but by all accounts and by our own observations it appears he does genuinely care for the well-being of Ryloth and of the Galactic Republic. Likewise, he became and remains the leader of the Rim faction, despite his early support for both Palpatine and Mas Amedda -- he was in fact the one who nominated both to their current positions, Amedda for Vice-Chair and Palpatine for Chancellor. Senator Taa remains on friendly terms with both, despite strong public disagreement with their efforts to centralize power in Coruscant. He was a strong advocate of the Military Creation Act and has a reputation as a militarist, despite working closely with the anti-militarists on the Loyalist Committee. As a Twi'lek, Orn Free Taa is known for his absolute and visceral hatred for slavery in all its forms... yet he is also a strong supporter of funding the cloning facilities at Kamino."

    "Huh."

    "For all of these reasons, he is one of the most influential politicians, precisely because he's able to work with Senators across multiple aisles. I bring this up because it is possible that he might be invited to the meeting, though that's hardly likely given his proximity to Palpatine. It's far more likely, however, that he will be absent, but that a big part of the conversation will revolve around him, and questions of whether he can be 'read in' to the anti-Palpatine movement. Senator Taa may be a lecher and a hedonist, but by no means would he stand idly by if Palpatine were kidnapping Senators and dumping them in far-away penal colonies."

    "...I wouldn't think so. Though honestly I have no idea what to think about him."

    "Perhaps it would be best to form your first impression when you first meet him, then?"

    "That sounds... yes, that seems like a good idea. Was that all?"

    "Well, there were a few other names I could mention--"

    "Really." Ciaran said flatly.

    "--But I think it would be best to end this now and leave you to finish the reading in your own time."

    "Yes. Yes it would."

    Chi Eekway Papanoida - Senator from Wroona (wealthy & strategically important tradehub in Inner Rim), member of Loyalist Committee - good bluffer and confrontational with strangers, but a patient, empathetic peacemaker among known allies.

    Bail Organa - Senator from Alderaan (political capital of Core faction), original member of Loyalist Committee, chair of Senate Security Committee (intended by Palpatine to supersede Loyalist Comm.) - honorable statesman and loyal to Republic & Jedi, moderate anti-militarist.

    Giddean Danu - Senator from Kuat (Kuat Drive Yards, Core), member of Loyalist Committee - outspoken anti-militarist despite two separate recall efforts by Kuat director, member of Rim faction, notable ally of Jedi

    Garm Bel Iblis - Senator from Corellia (Corellian Engineering, Core), inactive Senator due to Corellia's neutrality - harsh critic of Palpatine and militarist faction, but organized private army to help Republic in Mid Rim, political maverick

    Fang Zar - Senator from Sern Prime (Colonies), member of Loyalist Committee, leader of 'Republic Group' - public reputation (even among allies) as plain-spoken idealist, but is in fact highly cunning.

    Lexi Dio - Senator from Uyter (Mid Rim) - original member of Loyalist Committee - major humanitarian, anti-militarist and member of Rim faction , sympathetic to CNS, under immense threat of assassination.

    Mon Mothma - Senator from Chandrila (Core), member of Loyalist Committee - youngest Senator in galactic history, anti-militarist and member of Rim faction, immensely charismatic, daring, and politically savvy.

    Tendau Bendon - Senator from Ithor (Mid Rim), member of Council of Neutral Systems - outspoken anti-militarist (pacifist)

    Onaconda Farr - Senator from Rodia (southern Outer Rim), member of Loyalist Committee, chairman of Senate Action Subcommittee for Corellian Trade Spine Defense - family friend of Padme, Rodian patriot briefly persuaded to join Separatists, currently mis-apportioning GAR defenses to protect Rodia

    Nee Alavar - Senator from Lorrd (northern Outer Rim), member of Loyalist Commitee - exceptionally gifted in reading & analyzing body language due to Lorrdian culture's emphasis on 'kinetic communication'


    Silya Shessaun - Senator from Thesme (northeastern Outer Rim), member of Loyalist Commitee, member of Council of Neutral Systems - childhood friend of Padme, champion of poor & working class, very loyal to Republic

    Bana Breemu     - Senator from Humbarine (eastern Core), member of Loyalist Committee -- anti-Palpatine, but too cautious to be useful

    Padme Amidala - Senator from Naboo (southern Mid Rim), original member of Loyalist Committee - humanitarian and anti-militarist (despite voting for Military Creation Act), but far too trusting of Chancellor Palpatine

    Orn Free Taa - Senator from Ryloth (southern Outer Rim), original member of Loyalist Committee, leader of Rim faction - notoriously corrupt hedonist, but well-intentioned, friendly with Palpatine and Amedda despite political differences

    Dr. Snark said:
    Time to put some heads together then. (To be continued in An Alliance In Shadows)
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    • Huh, Guess what ? Invisible Hand originally belonged to our old pal Nute Gunray. ;)

    @Dr. Snark Has the Invisible Hand been upgraded by Dooku yet ? In canon he upgraded the comms and sensor and turned it into his mobile propaganda spewing machine and called it the "Wizard's Tower".

    If he did, I imagine, he would be quite cross with Tann for losing it.
     
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