A talk between two candidates
Tarkin was walking to one of the dinners that he usually gets his take out of food that he would eat when he has the chance. Normally he won't go for dinners or have takeout as he is more of a man that would prefer to enjoy the food when it is finished and served and eat in peace.
That would've been the case but since the announcement of Chancellor Binks's stepping down of office, there has been plenty of rush and panic in the senate as it declared an emergency election of a full week, as the historians would no doubt call this election the 7 day election of the Galactic republic or something that equivalent.
It was much a shock as there are many that would believe that Chancellor Binks would stay in government to handle the war, the citizens of the Republic would believe that's what he would do as he has to lead the Republic during the times of war.
But he has been informed by Chancellor Binks. Wrote he made the famous An announcement of stepping down as Chancellor, while he and the late Chancellor don't agree on some topics the two of them agree that they are loyal to republic and stability. After all the Chancellor has convinced him that the Republic is worth dying for.
Flash Back
Tarkin was walking towards the Chancellor's office as he is requested by the Chancellor himself for a personal meeting. After the "first Battle of the Galactic civil war" has ended he has much to discuss with the Chancellor as the war has started.
There are going to be troop movements, logistics and organizing battle lines against the Separatist onslaught and defenses that will need to be organized. The defence of key strategic planets is going to be crucial to the bigger picture as the officer corps are going to need restructuring to assign different generals to different battle fronts, for the enemy will not wait for the GAR to reorganize when they have a chance to strike deep into Republic territory.
He enters the office as he looks to see Chancellor Jar Jar Binks standing looking at the skyline of the bustling coruscant streets.
" Tarkin, please take a seat as I have an important matter to discuss with you that will change the very nature, of not only the war but also the Galactic Republic"
Tarkin nods for this must be a serious matter if Jar Jar Binks wants to have a private conversation with him in his office alone" of course Chancellor" he said as he goes to take a seat as he watched Jar Jar turn to look at him.
His movements were slow but deliberate as he goes to take a seat at the chancellor's chair, the mood was tense as what the Chancellor is talking about must've been serious.
Jar Jar Binks takes a deep breath before he said his piece" we birth know that my term limit is up, I am going to be stepping down as Chancellor of the Republic. The wheels of Democracy must turn even if there is a war that's going on right now"
It is much of a surprise for Tarkin" Chancellor Binks, this is a matter that can be taken lightly, we would need stable leadership in these times of crisis as there is a war that's happening. If you were to step down right now at this time the Republic will be weakened from a lack of leadership" he truly believed that Jar Jar Binks can be the leader the Republic needs during these times of crisis during the war" your the key person that can lead in these trying times"
Jar Jar chuckles as if amused by something that's funny" that's the point. If I was to be the chancellor of the Republic then I will be no more better then a hypocrite by not following my own example. That's why I wanted to ask you to run for chancellorship"
What Jar Jar said was unexpected, Tarkin knew that he is more of a military man and that he knows that even if he has experience with some politics under the chancellorship of Jar Jar Binks. There will be plenty of senators that would not accept him as he is of a military man and that he would be just likely to be seen as a person who would focus on military matters then civil ones.
" Chancellor, you know that I'm mostly effective as part of the military. You know more then I do that I focus on the defence and stability at all costs for the Galactic Republic, not some Bureaucrat behind some desks as I should be leading military operations then sit behind some desks"
He has made his argument clear and precise as he stated what he knows are his strengths and weaknesses. He is a man of the military and he is not the kind of man that can tolerate politics or division.
" I'm aware of that" said Jar Jar Binks as he nods" and that's why I wanted you to run for Chancellorship, you knew the dangers that this war will bring and you don't care about politics of others. If I'm going to be leaving my legacy to a civil war and simply retire peacefully then I need someone to safeguard the Republic"
Jar Jar Binks said with clear tone and no hesitation as he is going through with this decision " I know that I'm good at politics and legislation in the senate, and that I can rally the people together for a common goal for the betterment of the Galactic Republic"
He said as he gives a deep breath before continuing" But have you even checked my military record, the brief time that I was a general of the Gungan Army at the battle of Naboo was atrocious for it is a disaster. Honestly I didn't know how I survived that battle without getting killed, as that's the definition of a text book example of what not to do as even a tactician or an officer would do a much better job at that battle then I can"
He said with exasperation as if recounting that embarrassing part of his life before he became a chancellor.
" but that's not the point, I see that in these times of crisis that I will only badly affect the war effort with just my presence as chancellor. I need to give the Galactic Republic the Legitimacy that it needs to secure, the Confederacy of Independence systems will use anything to ensure that the Galactic Republic is not a legitimate government for the citizens. If I was to stay I will be seen as a chancellor that's hungry for power and that I won't let go of that power, but"
He gave a pause as if to give some emphasis on the but part
" if I am to step down now then I will deny them that advantage of their narrative of a chancellor who would not give up on power. I will show the citizens that I am stepping down from power to give way to let the wheels of Democracy turn, and that my time is up as it is time for the next Chancellor to take my place in these trying times"
He said as he stands up as he goes towards the window as he looks at the busy traffic of the busy planet of Coruscant " The wheels of Democracy need to turn, and it doesn't have to be you that is elected, it can be anyone that you see would do a better job then you can. In these times there will be leaders that will rise to the challenge. Check out the other candidates that run against you, and see if any of them have good potential to be part of your future cabinet. You already know of the history of the finance minister when he used to run for the chancellorship, so if you see someone that has potential but is not elected as Chancellor then please consider them in your government"
He said as he then brings out a bottle of Binks from a cooler that's nearby as he places it on the table and gets two glasses, he fills the two glasses as he has one for himself, and one for Tarkin" shall we have one last toast to my government"
Tarkin looks at the glass that Jar Jar Binks is holding for him, then at the Chancellor himself as he sighs" of course Chancellor" he said as he takes the glass that Jar Jar Binks has given him
The two of them raise their glasses as they gave a toast.
" All Hail the Galactic Republic!"
The two drank until the bottle was empty for it will be the last time the two would see each other as the Chancellor and the military minister.
End Flashback
He can still remember that night, much has happened since the announcement of Jar Jar Binks stepping down as Chancellor and the beginning of the new elections.
He has to coordinate with his constituents of his party and focus on the topics at hand. He has given plenty of speeches of his duty to the Republic and meet senators and give interviews.
It seems at first that he will be elected unchallenged, that is until a new candidate has risen through the ranks, and that one point is tied with him on the polls as the name of the Candidate is Orion Pax.
He is a droid docker as he is a droid who has applied to be the senatorial aid of Senator Trion Dorkon, he is one of the many droids that became sentient and under the laws about sentient beings. Those that expressed emotions and free will are sentient and are not to be treated as slaves, at first he seems to be a normal droid with beliefs of equal rights for droids and campaign for his senator.
It would seem that the said senator has applied him to be the Chancellor of the Galactic republic, at first it started out small as there are a few that voted for Orion Pax due to the influence or connection to Drokon Trion, but on the second to the third day he is starting to gain much influence to compete against him in the polls.
He has given speeches and rallies, about the unity of the Galactic Republic and the rights of Droids to coexist between droids and organic. He even has a slogan like "Till all are one" which certainly has some traction and has some voters believe he is a better candidate then himself, as some believe he will become a dictator if he is elected.
The third in the running is a Vulture Droid named Venari, as she has a good foundation but not the influence or backing, as it is starting to become widely known that the Seperatist Allliance employs the use of vulture droids, and that there are patriots and nationalists are against "electing an enemy of the Republic" to be chancellor. Well if she is going to be elected she is going to have to reassure the nationalists that she is not an enemy of the Galactic republic, though it would not be easy as he wishes her good luck non the less.
Orion Pax has support from those around him, D-16 was his bodyguard and chief of security and has defended Orion against plenty of assasination attempts on his life. And he has others that he can depend upon that will make up for his short comings in not having experience in politics.
In recent news there has been attacks that have happened to voters for his bid for candidacy as Chancellor that's caused by voters for Orion Pax. This has caused a scandal that has affected the polls and turns away voters from him to either himself or other candidates.
Tarkin has made sure to keep his own supporters or voters that vote from him to do anything rash that can repeat what happened to Orion's voter base, he even joined in on Orion's statement of not supporting any political partisan action against other voters for different candidates that are running for Chancellorship.
Right now he is going to be getting some lunch as he has finished his rally and speeches and will have to draft some plans for some campaigns.
He goes inside as the Dinner he has gone to have his lunch is the Dexter's dinner as it is rustic but a simple dinner that no one would expect him to go to, as his usual places for lunch and dinner are usually followed by news crews of different news agencies to get a scope of news and interviews of different candidates. Honestly he would much prefer he eat in peace and not be bothered to give the news reporters his time, as it is better to focus on tasks at hand rather then giving his view or what he thinks.
He looks around as he sees all walks of life, twi'lek, togruta, humans, all species of different origins and cultures gather. He may not connect much to ordinary civilians but he can acknowledge that this is what the Republic is fighting for, the rights of all sentient beings, the right to speech, to free travel, to find their own happiness.
He looks for his own seat before he sees an interesting being, a droid that's looking over some data pads next to him, he has the colour scheme or red and blue along with some steel outlines as he seems to be focused on reading on the data pad right now.
"May I sit here?" He said to the droid as he goes towards him
The droid looks up from what he is reading" sure" he said with a small smile before he gets back to what he is reading as Tarkin takes his seat.
The two would stay silent as Tarkin has ordered his own food they can hear the sound of hover vehicles and space ships outside, as the footsteps and movements of all citizens that live on coruscant can be heard.
" well then may I ask what were you reading?" Tarkin asked as he can tell that what the droid is reading is something that he has to focus on" you seem much interested in the topic"
" I'm reading about the previous droid uprisings and how they affected galactic history" said the droid as he looks at Tarkin as he puts his Datapad down on the dinning table" I need to try to understand the history of violence between people and droids, as some people believe that it is like in history when it comes to droid uprisings. They seem to compare to the partisan violence to those uprisings so I want to try to understand the history and context behind it so that I can make a correct understanding on what they see" he said as he sighs deeply" I mean sure that it is understandable that violence should not be the way to be elected, and that there are checks and balances along with proper procedures in voting. But in all honesty the voter riots is just simply wrong as voters should not be violent against one another, they should be civil and that civil disagreement has gotten way out of control"
Tarkin nods as he listened he has seen and read the news reports from paper and Screen as to what has happened in the voter riots, it started off simple that two people were in a disagreement about the two candidates between him and his opponent Orion Pax. It was at a bar that the two were drinking at as it went on they allowed others to join in on the conversation, as the debate started to become heated that there was much shouting.
There were some that tried to deescalate the fighting but it got out of hand that it spread to the streets, and the fighting have become violent that the bystanders have to call the law enforcement agencies. It was not something that should've happened as there were reported casualties of 30 people, 5 who were voters with 5 of his voters and 10 from his opponent's voters but the worse part was that 20 of them were not even involved in voting or haven't decided who to vote yet. It was very fortunate that the injuries were not fatal and that the 30 people will recover but after investigation it was started by the Orion pax voter who was a radial advocate of Droid rights.
It has shaken his voting block that it has lost him voters that were moderate, though it seems that his opponent is doing damage control.
Though the conversation started with the voter riots and the history of Droid uprisings, the two have a unique conversation, of different beliefs in what the Republic should be, the topic about the upcoming war and it's consequences to all walks of life and the policies that Jar Jar Binks has made before he steps down as chancellor.
It has continued on as the two discussed many topics until Tarkin has finished his order and has a drink of Binks he is going to finish.
" Well our conversation is decent between the two of us, and that maybe we should talk more when given the chance" he said as he raised his glass" it is nice to meet you, though I don't have your name yet"
The droid smiles as he raised he raised his own glass" honestly I wished I can have taste buds like you can, and by the way names Orion Pax and I can much agree with you"
It is a plenty surprise for Tarkin to know that he had a civil conversation with his political opponent in a dinner talking about droid uprisings and politics" well what a surprise, I am Wilhuff Tarkin"
He can see that Orion Pax was surprised as well" I didn't know that you would come to this dinner,I believed that you would go to one of the restaurants you visit"
" well if news reporters knew where I usual go to for lunch and dinner then they would be gathering at those places to want my time for an interview" he said as he thinks to his discussion with Orion pax, of what he knew before he met him in person and the now as he thinks back to the advice that the late Chancellor Binks would want him to check out the other candidates and see if they have the potential to do a better job as a chancellor then he would.
And in all honesty while Orion Pax may not have the political experience nor even the luck that the late Chancellor Binks has in his term as Chancellor. He has the potential to be a leader, he surrounds himself with those that know what they are doing and he is doing everything in his power to make up for his short weaknesses and short comings.
In some ways he is similar to Chancellor Jar Jar Binks and in other ways not so much
" well then, even if we are political opponents right now it is good to be of acquaintance with you" he said as he downs his drink in one gulp " after this election maybe I can consider adding you to my government once I won the election" he said with a smile as even if Orion Pax seem capable to be Chancellor doesn't mean that he will let him have it easy. He needs to prove that he has what it takes to be the Chancellor of the Republic in this time of war.
"Well then I will have to do my best to beat you on the elections as well" he said with a smile as the two stand up and gave eachother a handshake, they may be opponents in politics but they can respect eachother for what they believe in.
At that day the two went on their separate ways for the rest of the day they would focus on their respective political agendas and the upcoming debate between the two tomorrow, where the candidates would have a personal debate among themselves and it will be live on the news. The two popular candidates would give it their all for what they believe in the Republic and in what Jar Jr Binks believes in
(A/N: Alright this will be my first Omake in this Quest, as I made it to represent the thread and the Questers of this quest. It shows what I see from the beginning discussions on the Quest on the first day it was made, to the present day along with character building.
@Magoose I hope that this Omake I made is cannon when the vote is finished and that I hope it will give you inspiration for what you're creating. Cause your a great Quest master that made the Prequel and now the present Quest and I hope that you continue to do a great job of setting this quest up.
And personally I hope that Orion Pax is a possible option to put in the cabinet of Tarkin's government as he seems the kind of member to be for Diplomacy and bureaucracy if he is selected to be apart of Tarkin's government)
