Geneviève had gotten primped and chosen a much brighter outfit than usual (She had also inserted a brown-tinted contact lens over her scarred iris so her eyes might match.), establishing a casually classy image that would appeal to the people of the Republic who seemed to judge more on appearance and less on the values presented by the orator. A shame that so many might judge a book only by its cover--but there was nothing one could do about it.
Lasedri had arrived in person, just as Alderaan's exiled senator and the senator of Iktotchi, and she nodded to the other brunette to acknowledge her and grant respect for such an act of confidence. The Republic needed confidence.
Stepping up to the plate, the rather unexpected candidate for Chief of Senate initiated her speech.
"Hello, Republic," she began, glancing around at the somewhat sparse audience gathered in the building. "I'm Geneviève Lasedri of Chandrila, if you were not familiar with me before. In truth, it has been quite some time since I presented myself in this manner.
"I'm not going to question the beliefs of the others running for this, as I think they have expressed themselves well enough before you. I'm sure we are all aware of the crucial decisions ahead of us, and the serious impact that this election will have on the future of your Republic." The Chandrilan pursed her lips, gauging whether the collective silence that had infected the entire building since the beginning of the entire presentation had altered its meaning somehow. There was a feeling of great fear all around. "I do, however, want you to question the faith of the others--and myself, naturally.
"What has gone largely ignored is how we have gotten to this point already. The Senate has been stagnant for a long time, under the leadership of many who are currently in charge. They would rather argue over the ideals of the Jedi Order--which, last I checked, was the responsibility of the Jedi Council--and neglect the importance of a standing army of regulars. They have done nothing but lazily react to whatever was thrown at the Republic, save for Senators [member="Alyesa Organa"]--who was left to watch her own world burn--and [member="Vaudin Miir"]--who, as he has previously said, valiantly fought in several instances of conflict with this very enemy we have grown to fear and hate." Again, she nodded to the two she had mentioned.
"I'm here because I don't have faith in the current leadership, and I'm fairly certain the majority of the people of the Republic do not, as well.
"What I do have faith in is that the Republic can succeed. But that success will not come if we continue to do the same thing over and over again. The Sith have been able to push their way through our worlds with little retaliation, and what strategy was utilized at the counterattacks on Alderaan and Empress Teta was the very same strategy that had condemned us when we were removed from those worlds in the beginning of this war." Geneviève offered a sympathetic glance at Organa and the rest of the representatives from Alderaan.
"The Sith are murderers and they don't deserve our respect. And if you need some emotional sob story, then I can tell you that I am deeply afraid of my world--which is by far in more danger than those of the senators present who still have their homes--falling under the boot of the Sith, as it is not even an hour's hyperspace jump away from Sith space.
"This entire war is personal--for you and for me. Don't you dare let anyone lie to you and say otherwise. You need someone who takes this personally to get the job done. I promise that, if I might have the honor as your Chief of Senate, I will hammer for a merciless surge into the heart of the Sith worlds, so that they will not go any further into mine and yours.
"I will campaign for a complete focus on production of new and decimating weaponry for the Republic military, and for a newfound emphasis on intelligence gathering--the lack of which has been brought to my attention by our very own generals, who have pointed out how we have been taken by surprise every time the Sith have attacked.
"I know I've never shown myself to be a political presence to the Republic before. But if I am only here for a season," she closed, "then let it be due to my incompetence at managing bureaucracy rather than being killed because no one else wanted to fight hard for me and you.
"Thank you." And with that, she lowered her face and quietly abdicated the platform.
