CHAPTER 3
A sleek, red courier ship dived into the complex network of flightpaths above Coruscant. It took an unbelievable amount of skill and years of training to successfully navigate Central Space, and the Approach Traffic Control Authority worked around the clock in order to ensure that all traffic went about its business in safety.
Aboard the ship, the radio comlink crackled into life as the crew awaited permission to land.
"Sienar GS courier vessel Red Planet, this is Senate District ATC," garbled a voice through the radio. "Permission granted to land on Platform Two Six Seven. Do you have droid-assisted navigation?"
The pilot, a tall, strongly built, dark-skinned human named Ayo Verna, replied to the transmission. "Roger, ATC, we have an Industrial Automaton astromech."
Astromech droids were a new invention. The P2 series was a large, dull grey cylinder with three treads for locomotion. It was slow and ponderous, but it greatly simplified the role of the co-pilot and navigator. The P2, being only a prototype, was very expensive and was thus rare, even in the large commercial fleets.
Ayo turned to his co-pilot, a young, stripy-furred Wookiee by the name of Yarualacciac. "Yarua, log Peetoo onto the ATC tracking web."
Yarua typed a sequence of machine code into a remote-control keyboard and pointed the device at the P2 unit parked in the vestibule behind the cockpit. The droid’s system lights flashed and its signal gong chimed to indicate that it was now on line.
"Roger confirmation of your droid’s connection," crackled the radio. "Enjoy the ride."
"Cheers," said Ayo genially, "over and out." He flipped off the comlink.
Ayo Verna was twenty-six years of age. He was the personal pilot of Senator Thraurrallgisc, the Senator for his home planet of Sorensia, and one who had vigorously campaigned for improved conditions for the galaxy’s workforce. The Red Planet was Thraurrallgisc’s official transport, and Ayo and Yarua were ferrying him from Kashyyyk to the Senate Chamber on Coruscant for an important debate that could make or break his future in Republic politics.
Senator Thraurrallgisc was an old, grizzled, black-furred Wookiee trade unionist that had been in politics for most of his adult life. Despite his age, Thrraurrallgisc still bore a babyish, somewhat cute appearance with with his wide, appealing eyes, but this did not hide the fact that he was blunt, dour, did not suffer fools gladly, and was firmly opposed to Supreme Chancellor Rhoufheigh’s policies. The senator had seen with his own eyes the poverty and hardship caused by the large corporations and the arrogance of the rich, and he bore a deep grudge against Lord Mandalore.
The crisis on Sorensia was deepening, and Thraurrallgisc was concerned for his people. MHG owned virtually the whole of the planet: the land, the sea, and the industry. Industry was the attribute for which Sorensia was famous.
The trouble began when MHG decided to streamline its Sorensian workforce, replacing its organic labourers with droids and computers. The planet’s capital city, Sheofe, was home to vast durasteelworks and starship yards famous across the Republic, and MHG had invested in an army of new, state-of-the-art 8D8 metalworking droids. These robots, according to MHG’s Public Relations Department, did not eat, sleep or strike. Additionally, they considerably lightened the wage bill.
Consequently, many millions of menial workers lost their jobs and their homes, unable to pay the extortionate rents charged by Mandalore. Homelessness in Sheofe had rocketed in recent months, the direct result of MHG’s "law of the jungle" attitude.
Thraurrallgisc stared out of the porthole at the rapidly approaching cityscape of Coruscant. Sorensia was on a knife-edge between restrained anger and violence, and the MHG-owned police had applied to the Senate for permission to declare a State of Emergency. This chilled the old Wookiee’s bones, for he knew that if MHG were to be given the green light, Mandalore’s cracktroopers would crush his comrades without a second thought. Many innocent lives would be lost in the carnage. He could not let it happen.
The small, red wedge of the Planet threaded its way through the skyscrapers. It was dawn, and Coruscant’s sun peeped through the forest of buildings, its light flooding into the cockpit and giving the faces of Ayo and Yarua a warn glow as they prepared to dock. The ship was under automatic guidance and there was little for then to do except sit and wait. The landing platform was visible ahead, lit by an array of lights as it floated in the morning mist.
The Red Planet hovered above the platform, and with thrusters firing, settled gracefully upon its surface. As the ship’s engines gradually slowed to a halt, the access ramp lowered and Senator Thraurrallgisc strode purposefully out of the hatch, closely followed by Ayo and Yarua. They were greeted by a large, powerfully built Wookiee who stood respectfully by a waiting air taxi. The large Wookiee bowed and uttered a soft roar of greeting to the old senator before turning to Ayo and Yarua and speaking in a distorted Basic.
[Grreetings. I trrust you all had a safe jourrney.]
"Thanks, Ralrra," said Ayo pleasantly. "It’s good to see you again."
Ralrracheen acted as translator for Thraurrallgisc and other Wookiee senators within the Senate Chamber. Wookiees were perfectly able to understand Galactic Basic, but they were physically unable to speak it. Instead, they communicated in Shyriiwook, which translated directly as "the language of the Tree-People". Ralrra, however, possessed a very rare speech defect that allowed him to speak the main language of the Republic, albeit with a strong accent.
Thraurrallgisc barked brusquely, motioning for Ralrra to stop dithering around and get into the taxi. He wanted to get the journey to the Senate Hall over with as quickly as possible for the less he saw of this urban blight, the better.
Thraurrallgisc marched into the taxi, closely followed by a sheepish-looking Ralrra, who was trying to engage his employer in conversation. Thraurrallgisc ignored him.
The air taxi sped away into the morning sun, leaving Ayo and Yarua to check over the ship’s systems. Ayo had been working as the personal pilot for Thraurrallgisc for nearly four years. He flew; maintained and cared for the Red Planet as if it were a beloved child, and this earned him deep respect and trust from his boss, whom he affectionately called The Guvnor. The 'Guvnor' rarely showed this respect, for he did not believe in revealing his emotions. To others, he was a bad-tempered, humourless, antisocial old grouch.
This no-nonsense attitude had earned Thraurrallgisc quite a reputation in the Senate. It was rumoured that he had once reduced a Supreme Chancellor to tears during a heated debate in the past, and he was seen as a good match for chancellor Rhoufheigh.
Thraurrallgisc had never had any close relationships, and the Wookiee delegates from Kashyyyk avoided him. He had been bullied as a child and regarded as a worthless buffoon during his youth. These past experiences of humiliation, apathy and rejection had caused him to distance himself from others. Thraurrallgisc became very outspoken in his views and made sure that he always had the last word. In his disturbed childhood, Thraurrallgisc was always defeated, but now he fought back.
Ayo Verna could sense all of this in the old Wookiee, even though the Senator never spoke with him about anything personal. The only conversations Ayo had with the 'Guvnor' were about the ship.
Prior to his indirect involvement with Sorensian politics, Ayo had worked for the Merchant Fleet until shortly after its break-up and privatisation by the Senate. He had begun at the age of sixteen as a General Hand, doing the menial work, and gradually working his way up through the ranks until he became a pilot. He had seen virtually every star system in the Republic and was popular with his superior. Ayo had hoped, one day, to command one of the large freighters as they delivered goods to and from all corners of the galaxy.
Just as Ayo felt certain about the future, the Merchant Fleet company for which he worked was taken over by the Neimoidian-controlled Trade Federation, which was acquiring subsidiaries one by one and vying with MHG for the lion’s share of the former Merchant Fleet. The two conglomerates had become bitter rivals, and this pleased Rhoufheigh immensely.
However, the increased competition did not please Ayo, for he lost his job, made redundant in a bid by the Neimoidians to cut costs. Instead of the thousands of pilots and ancillary staff on the Federation’s books, there was now just an army of droids. Ayo had every sympathy for the people of his homeworld for the same thing had once happened to him.
Ayo was lucky. After a period of unemployment, he was fortunate enough to be recruited by Thraurrallgisc, who had repeatedly campaigned against the sell-off of the old Merchant Fleet. He was grateful to the senator and felt indebted to him. The "Guvnor" may have been an old misery, but his heart was in the right place.
The Senate Rotunda was busy. Each delegate within the cavernous hall had their own speaking platform, which, on an antigrav mechanism, could be detached from its place on one of the thousands of galleries to float out towards the Supreme Chancellor’s central podium should the representative concerned wish to address the Senate.
The Galactic Republic had existed for thousands of generations, originating in the Core Worlds around Coruscant and expanding over the millennia as system upon system joined its benevolent society. In this age, the member worlds numbered into hundreds of thousands, and their respective senators had to be accommodated both within the Rotunda and in official quarters within the Senate complex.
Senator Thraurrallgisc and Ralrracheen filed into the Sorensian box. Ralrracheen, not sharing his employer’s apprehension to the forthcoming debate, calmly took a seat whilst Thraurrallgisc remained standing. The old senator was nervous. He was well aware that Mandalore and Rhoufheigh’s Commonwealth government was running out of patience with the trade unions. MHG had petitioned the courts and the Senate for permission to declare a State of Emergency, and his old adversary, Minister Whyteleafe, one of Rhoufheigh’s closest allies, had drafted a Social Security Bill that would effectively abolish the Republic’s Welfare spending. Thraurrallgisc, well aware of the hardship this would cause, had vowed to fight the smarmy Chandrilan to the bitter end.
The grizzled old Wookiee stood at the front of the Sorensian box, leaning on the railing and smoking a small, pungent cigarette of Alderaan herbs. He looked down at the other senatorial boxes and noticed that many senators were absent today, including many of his comrades in the Shadow Cabinet. Was the flu epidemic really as bad as the news reports had made out? Thraurrallgisc watched absently as his cigarette ash floated gently to the lowest level of the floor. A stern voice drifted over the assembled delegates:
"Would the Right Honourable Senator from Sorensia please refrain from smoking in the Debating Chamber?"
Thraurrallgisc growled a terse reply as he stubbed out his cigarette on the railing and flicked the butt over the edge. He took a seat next to Ralrra.
A bell chimed and a small, middle-aged woman appeared below. She was of a peachy complexion with a powdered face and dark, red hair. Dressed in a flowing, blue gown and matching bonnet, she swept across the floor to the Central Podium, accompanied by blue-robed Senate Guards and an entourage of officials. This was Levette Rhoufheigh, the leader of the Commonwealth of Free Worlds and the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic.
The Central Podium rose silently to its position and the assembled senators fell silent. Chancellor Rhoufheigh addressed the Senate.
"Right Honourable Senators of the Republic," twittered Rhoufheigh in a soft, childish voice that seemed inappropriate for one of such authority, ‘I thank those of you who are here for braving the flu and attending this meeting today. The first item on the agenda is a Bill put forward by the Right Honourable Minister for Health and Social Security, whom the Chair will now recognise."
A box containing the tall, effeminate and bearded Cip Whyteleafe floated out towards the Chancellor.
"Supreme Chancellor," said Whyteleafe. The dandified minister’s eyes sparkled as he waved his fingers to emphasise his words. "The Department of Health and Social Security has overspent by nearly two billion credits in the last financial year. This is due to the epidemic that is causing havoc here on Coruscant, as millions of people succumb to this flu that is spreading across the globe. I have liaised with MHG Pharmaceuticals, and they are working to provide a reliable vaccine to bring it under control.
"Naturally, this has cost the Treasury a great deal of money, and in order to balance the books, I propose that the Department freeze all welfare spending."
Senator Thraurrallgisc could feel anger bubbling inside him. Whyteleafe’s proposals were clear enough. He had paid Mandalore vast sums of money to develop a vaccine for a minor ailment, and was expecting the poor to pick up the bill.
Another box floated out into the void.
"The Chair recognises The Right Honourable Senator Barnes Pikle, Leader of the Opposition," announced Rhoufheigh. The Leader of the Opposition was one of the few remaining socialist Pandemo senators that included Thraurrallgisc. A large, muscular and warty cone set upon a mass of tentacles, Barnes Pikle was the representative of the Eling system. One of Pikle’s many warts unfurled, revealing itself to be an eyeless head. The head swayed upon its long, flexible neck as if to survey the Chamber and seek attention.
"I would like to ask the Right Honourable Minister how he proposes to deal with the ten percent unemployment levels outside the Core Worlds," said Pikle in a loud voice as a second head extended from its body, quickly joined by a third. It was unclear whether Barnes Pikle was a single entity or a collective intelligence. Its species was rare in the Galaxy .
"Benefit payments will be phased out," said Whyteleafe. "It would be up to jobseekers to either find work, or if they are unable to secure employment, seek help from either their relatives or from various charitable organisations."
Thraurrallgisc could hold his tongue no longer. He activated the beacon requesting permission to speak.
"The Chair recognises the Right Honourable Senator from Sorensia," twittered Rhoufheigh as Thraurrallgisc steered his box towards her. He worfled and barked loudly as Ralrra translated for the benefit of the others.
[This epidemic is little morre than a cough and sneeze. Why is Mandalorre being paid so much money? Surely he could fund the vaccine out of his own pocket?]
"I would have expected more concern from the Right Honourable Senator," said Whyteleafe, as he glanced around the Rotunda. "Although some races are unaffected, they can act as potential carriers. If it found its way offworld and mutated, the results could be catastrophic."
A box containing a petite, brightly-dressed female joined the fray.
“The Chair recognises the Right Honourable Senator Clarolla Font of Dowbekin,” announced Rhoufheigh.
"The Minister has not answered my Right Honourable friend’s question," said Clarolla as her box floated towards Whyteleafe. "Why are the poor paying for this?"
"A freeze on the welfare budget is the only way that we can claw back the money," said Whyteleafe.
Clarolla Font glared at Whyteleafe. “The Assembly of Dowbekin condemns the attitude of the Right Honourable Mister from Chandrila,” she said angrily. “The underpriveleged are not to be punished!”
Whyteleafe laughed patronisingly. “Perhaps the Right Honourable Senator for Dowbekin should come back to the real galaxy. My department is heavily in debt, a debt caused by this ongoing health crisis.”
Thraurrallgisc roared at length as Clarolla sat down angrily, her box retreating to its station.
[This is not trrue,] translated Ralrra. [The deficit is caused by prrofiteerring from the large corporations.] Ralrracheen was careful not to mention MHG by name, for he knew that Lord Mandalore would not hesitate to institute legal proceedings should his reputation be compromised.
Thraurrallgisc spoke again and Ralrracheen translated: [The Rright Honourrable Ministerr is being dangerrously irresponsible. He plans to underrmine the democrracy of the Rrepublic.]
Whyteleafe steered the Chandrila box out towards the centre of the Rotunda. "I’d like to remind the Supreme Chancellor and the Senate that we have put up with petty strikes and bone-idleness for long enough. It is time we brought the cheats and scroungers of this galaxy to heel."
Thraurrallgisc roared again. [The people of Sorensia have been bullied and swindled by their employers. They are not paid a living wage. They have tried negotiation but the management refused to listen.]
Whyteleafe chuckled at the two Wookiees, his belittlement causing Thraurrallgisc to bare his teeth in anger. "Why should they listen to workers who would down tools for silly reasons like there being no katsup sauce in the works canteen? The Republic has endured fuel blockades, power cuts and communications breakdowns for far too long and it’s got to stop!"
Thraurrallgisc’s patience with the smooth-talking Whyteleafe was wearing thin. He growled and roared at length. [Sorensia’s economy is underr threat. MHG arre intrroducing drroids into the factories and mass unemployment will rresult. What do you prropose to do about that?]
"Society doesn’t owe anybody a living," argued Whyteleafe, remaining calm as the Wookiee’s temper began to fray.
Another box floated out into the Rotunda, containing a trio of long-necked Quermians. "The Chair recognises Minister Serkas Grayborr, Secretary of the Exchequer," announced Rhoufheigh as the blandest-looking of the three red-eyed aliens rose to his feet.
"Oh yes," agreed the Quermian in a weak, lacklustre voice. "My Right Honourable friend from Chandrila is quite right. Why should we subsidise those who refuse to work?"
Thraurrallgisc thumped the railing with his fist and roared angrily, his howls echoing across the Rotunda. [Nonsense,] said Ralrra, [all being have a right to a decent—]
Whyteleafe interrupted the Wookiee. "Commerce and competition must not be stifled. This flu epidemic could plunge the Republic into recession if we do not recoup the money spent on its investigation. Other essential services could suffer."
Thraurrallgisc was struggling to contain his violent temper. He roared and howled at the Chancellor with such force that his voice became hoarse. He shook with anger.
Ralrra calmly translated the old senator’s outburst. [Delegates of the Senate, I condemn the attitude of this government. This Social Security Bill will do nothing than widen the gulf between rrich and poorr. Therre arre giverrs and takerrs in the Rrepublic, and the big conglomerates arre taking frrom those who can’t fight back.]
"Supreme Chancellor," pleaded Whyteleafe flippantly, "please respectfully remind the Right Honourable Senator from Sorensia that his remarks are not appropriate to the conduct of a Senator of the Republic."
Whyteleafe was deliberately trying to antagonise the short-fused Thraurrallgisc. He had seen the old Wookiee rise to the bait on countless occasions, often losing his temper and earning a humiliating reprimand from the Speaker. Thraurrallgisc began to speak. "Here we go again," Whyteleafe muttered to himself as the Wookiee’s protests intensified.
[Whyteleafe is a devious and cowarrdly individual,] said Ralrra.
(The speaker, a stern Falleen male, shouted at the Wookiees. "Personal attacks are not conducive to political debate. Please retract your allegation."
Thraurrallgisc retaliated angrily. [Who put the Ministerr up to this? Has he been paid by Mandalorre?]
‘The Chair does not recognise the Right Honourable Senator from Sorensia,’ said Rhoufheigh sternly. ‘Please return to your station.’
Thraurrallgisc thumped the videoscreen at the front of his platform, smashing the glass and cutting his paw. He roared so hard that spittle dripped out of his mouth. The fur on his back stood on end: his species’ ancient reaction to anger.
"If the Right Honourable Senator does not cool his temper," said the Speaker, "then he will be removed from the Chamber." Senate guards congregated at the Sorensian platform’s gateway on the gallery. ‘This will be your final warning.’
Thraurrallgisc sat down, shaking and humiliated, sucking the cut on his paw. The old Wookiee imagined himself as a young child, ridiculed and scorned by both pupils and teacher after getting an answer wrong in class. The Chancellor and the other senators patronised him in exactly the same way as his teachers had patronised him at school. Whyteleafe regarded Wookiees as savages: animals to be ruled. One day, Thraurrallgisc vowed, he would wipe that smug little grin from Whyteleafe’s face for good.
* * *
In the Public Gallery at the very top of the Rotunda, Darth Rakshas stood in the shadows, ignored by the Senate Guards. He watched the debate with interest, observing the actions and body languages of each and every senator, as if he were the conductor of a vast orchestra. The Senate was his orchestra.
The Dark Lord smiled. The Senate had not the faintest idea of the truth behind the epidemic that was sweeping the planet, and they were unaware that Koraetor Mandalore was watching them. He felt slightly perturbed about the Wookiee from Sorensia. He was a loose cannon that did not fit within the corporate objectives of MHG.
Rakshas allowed his mind to drift away to the maverick senator’s miserable, dirty homeworld, the seat of the problems being discussed below. Everything was going as he and the Collective had foreseen. The phantom virus was working well, offering a diversion whilst he worked on its "cure" on Despayre: a cure that would ensure his supremacy over the Trade Federation.
As for Thraurrallgisc, the Emergency Powers warrant would soon be on his desk, and his Hand would be helping his shocktroopers to restore order on the rogue senator’s dirty little world. If there was to be an uprising on Sorensia, then his armed forces were legally bound to quell it by whatever means necessary. The two Jedi assigned to the planet knew this. The law was in Mandalore’s favour.
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