Chapter 123: Declaration Of War
~~~(POV: Satele Shan)~~~
~~~(Location: Senate Chambers, Coruscant)~~~
"Now isn't the time to be standing around anymore! Every single day The Sith Empire gets stronger, and we get weaker! We can't stand by and watch as our Republic burns!!"
I watch the debates happening from the viewing seat I have. The only tasks I'm doing anymore are attending these debates and talking to Senators. Nathen was right, and I've already admitted it. But seeing foolish and blind I've become has helped me.
The Senate is a failure... And The Republic is suffering because of it... My duty as a Jedi and Grandmaster of the Jedi Order is to protect The Republic and represent The Senate.
"The Republic is being drowned in Fear..."
There are no options left. Something must be done, and one of the reasons I'm here today is to help push this debate forward.
"You're a blind fool and idiot, Senator Farrico! The Republic and The Sith Empire are in a truce, and the worlds they have attacked is on their borders!!"
Expanding borders every day.
That argument alone shows how much we need to change. And the Jedi I once was would never do this, but it's time that I change. I have changed. And I'm going to help as many people as I can, just like how Nathen helped me.
I get up from my seat, move to the pod's controls, and move to the center of the room. Taking the spotlight forcibly from The Chancellor. Saresh isn't happy about my move, but everyone is silent as I look around the room.
"In my fighting guerrilla wars the last year, I've seen a lot of terrible things... But what's happening in here... It's worse than all of that put together..."
There is a tense silence around the massive Senate Chambers.
"From this moment onwards, The Jedi Order is directly taking control of the war efforts. We'll be waging war against The Sith Empire."
There are roars of approval and disapproval coming from all over the room, and my eyes lock on Saresh. Seeing the disbelief.
"The Jedi will not force anyone to take part in this war if they don't want to. But I ask that anyone willing to fight come forward now and declare your alliance to The Jedi Order in this new war."
Dozens of pods instantly come forward and make their way toward me, and others slowly and surely follow.
"The Senate will exist and continue to exist. But The Jedi and its allies will have total control of the military. No longer will agendas and fear grip The Republic. From today, War is Officially Declared on The Sith Empire."
There are more roars of approval and disapproval, and even more, pods come forward to join me. Saresh is fast to take control again, and hovers above, looking down on us.
"I don't know where you think you got the authority to do this from, but The Jedi have no power in The Senates decisions and The Republic. What you're doing right now is considered treason."
She's not wrong, but I'm doing what must be done. I'm doing what Nathen would do.
"Chancellor Saresh. What The Jedi Order and I are doing is considered treason. But if we don't do something soon, there will be no Republic. Which is why I'm doing this. If you wish to stop this, you'll have to fight against The Jedi and our allies."
The people in the pods that have aligned with me instantly back me up. Not a single person backs out. In fact, even more, people join with me.
Saresh has no idea what to do, and one day, she'll understand why I had to do this.
~~~(POV: Nathen Opal)~~~
~~~(Location: Personal Ship, Hyperspace)~~~
Nella is desperately gasping on the training floor and is drenched in sweat. And as she takes the much-earned and needed break, I'm watching a recording of the events that happened earlier today.
Satele really did it...
She changed.
I reach out through The Force and give her a wave of support. But I cut it off from there before she can respond. But I know she got it.
"I wish I could've seen this live..."
I can feel Satele's stress right now. But I also feel her resolve stronger than ever.
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