Inappropriations [Invited Senators Only]

[Geneviève Lasedri]

It seemed as if the gears were turning in the Senate. Whether the cogs would comply--and whether the direction was correct--was a completely different matter. A streak of laziness in the government's highest-ranked had become greatly annoying to Geneviève. Some people simply could not think to do anything without being told. But senators were supposed to be adults, were they not?

Then again, there was a high concentration of teenaged representatives. Lasedri herself had been a mere twenty-three years when elected--and she was still older than the majority of today's most prominent politicians. What did that say about their Republic? They were at war, and not even the most dogmatic of the senators appeared so much as bothered. And that bothered Gen.

Money had been high on the list of topics discussed during the latest bill proposals--all but one being abandoned on the drawing table. But who was Lasedri kidding? Almost everyone in this political game was in it for money. She could fund another rebellion on the funds these politicians sucked dry for their personal gain. The Prime Minister had little care for capital, though. Instead, she wanted to squeeze her term of power dry for all it was worth. A name was more important than a few quadrillion credit chips.

And so she had selected three names from her list of the hundreds of 'galactic' senators--three of the most promising in action, or at least in image. This sluggish government needed a financial backbone. And only those with the spines to carry it would suffice. And while she had come in conflict with a certain one on her list, they had shown themselves to be capable of the queen she liked to see in a patriot. The other woman she trusted enough from encounters long ago. The third member--he had proven himself capable of proactive movement.

This was the unit Geneviève believed she needed. Thus, she called them into her office today. Whether they showed up or not was up to them, but one thing would soon be clear if they chose to ignore: Lasedri was not usually the most forgiving of individuals.

"Tell them they may enter on arrival," she instructed her secretary. The last thing the Republic needed was for its leaders to waste any more time.

[member="Aurelia Volcata"], [member="Alyssa Onasi"], [member="Macharius Solaire"]

 

[Cora Passek]

A simple message, a request really crossed Alyssa's desk. Truth be told it was a most unusual message. It wasn't everyday she heard from Geneviève, but then again they both shared ties from long ago. Perhaps she should have expected a request on occasion. Still it gave few details other than to meet with the Prime Minister in her office. And while she was a busy woman, there were simply some matters that you just made the time for regardless of whether or not you actually had it. This most assuredly counted as one of those times.

It took her only a short few moments to manage what business truly needed to be dealt with and head up to Gen's office. Walking in, she met the secretary who waved her on in. "Prime Minister, it's been a while." She said softly.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"It's from whose office?" Aurelia demanded of her parliamentary secretary, looking up over the rim of her reading glasses with quizzical green eyes. Surely she hadn't heard correctly; she was surprised to discover that the Prime Minister even knew her name, let alone wanted to see her. Unless... "Do you suppose it's a scolding? I suppose it was rather a pill to have responded the way I did in the debate." Her secretary shrugged and pointed out smirkingly that she started it.

"Right then. Calendar it." And so it was that the Senator from New Holstice was ushered into the Prime Minister's office by the Prime Minister's secretary. Senator Volcata looked around the office, taking it all in. Was it just her, or did the air smell just the tiniest bit sweeter here?

"Prime Minister," Aurelia said in greeting, inclining her head politely. If it was a scolding, best to get it over with. "How can I help?"

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

[member="Alyssa Onasi"] was the first to arrive, a familiar face in a way, although it had been years since they had last corresponded. "Indeed, it has been. I never expected to be on your plane." Alyssa had always been a bit more polished than Geneviève, perhaps rebellious in her own way but not quite as ostentatious as the current Republic leader had been in the past. She nodded at her old acquaintance's hat, realizing how she herself had acquired a taste for sunhats--such as the familiar floppy white one she was wearing now. She almost felt sentimental.

Senator Volcata entered the office only moments later, a hint of reticence seemingly evident to the Prime Minister. To be honest, she was not entirely enthused about the woman, but some things one would have to resign to for the sake of progress. Besides, Gen was more-or-less guilty of provoking the prior-noted insult. Hostilities were so far not present, and if Lasedri had a credit for every time a politician asked how they could help, she would be rather poor. "Your arrival time--not outright egregious." she smirked, a rare attempt at humor having escaped her lips.

"Thank you both for coming on short notice." The executive politician took to her chair behind her desk and motioned across the tabletop. "Please, take a seat."

Gen waited hardly a few seconds before proceeding with today's business. "I'd like to talk to you about money. It has come to my attention that we have bills being passed around, but the eternal question remains: From where do we acquire the funds? It's a rather annoying question, and I'd like to recruit you--and our third member, should he make it--to find the answer. We have a deathmatch going on with these damn Sith, and the last thing we need to be worried about is keeping our money under our mattresses."

[member="Aurelia Volcata"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Alyssa Onasi"] [member="Aurelia Volcata"]

A high pitched whine cried, nay, screamed the essence of death from the barrels of a massive gunship class chainblaster. Its target riddled with more and more holes to the point you could see out the other side. It was a good test but could be improved on. The speeds involved just created too much heat and something more active was needed to dissipate it than simple sinks. Macharius signaled to cut the gun. They were done here until they solved this problem. One of his aids came up from the side and signaled his attention. Mach removed his ear protection and met him half way. "What is it Jurgen. Urgent"?

"A priority message from Onderon Sir. The Prime Minister summons you to meet in her office next week. No details on subject or purpose. Shall I confirm with her staff you will be there and prepare for the trip".

"Well I can't turn down a summons. Do so Jurgen. And have the office know I'll be out a few days because of it". Mach pointed as a confirmation to go with it.

"Yes sir". Jurgen spun on his heel and marched away to carry out his orders. Mach thought him a good man, very capable at his job, disciplined, a little lacking in normal civilian ways but he'd get used to it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *​

​

Well it was meeting day. Macharius Solaire was dressed up in his usual black suit and white tie. Robes were not his thing, unless at the spa. Mach marched in to [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]'s office; after being allowed to do so. Security an such. As the doors opened he saw two other figures along with the PM, female, to the left and right of the desk. He recognized them as [member="Aurelia Volcata"] and [member="Alyssa Onasi"]. Never had they been formally introduced but he kept tabs on a many great things, and those you worked with were an important one to do so with.

"Prime Minister Lasedri. Senator Macharius Solaire reporting in per your summons". The right forearm crossed his chest up to the left shoulder, a greeting symbol and sign of respect Denonian's used.

 

[Cora Passek]

"Truthfully, I never expected it either. Not that I mind." Said with a smile. It was good to see a familiar face in the senate these days. Even if it was from many years past. At Gen's request she took a seat. Only sparing a brief glance to Aurelia before focusing her attention back on the Prime Minister.

A sigh soon followed, for she heard about some of the problems with recent bills, and the same question coming up. Funding. Truth be told, this was a project she actually had a keen interest in. "You don't have to convince me of the need or ask me twice. It's far too important a matter, especially if it continues to stall bills. It shouldn't be the most important question running through the senate. How are we to pay? There are far more pressing questions. Like if the Republic will still be standing at the end of this war." The old adage war is hell, certainly applied. And truth be told from Loronar, Alyssa had seen enough of the Sith already, with them sitting right in her backyard. Maybe if the question of funding was answered, then they could move on to more important and pressing matters.

"I'm sure we can find a way, to find the funding needed. I'd be happy to assist in any way I can." With that she glanced to their new arrival.

"Senator Solaire, please, come join us." She said motioning to the third seat beside her. "We've only really just begun. You've not missed out on much."

[member="Macharius Solaire"] | [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Aurelia Volcata"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Well, I am to please, Prime Minister," Aurelia replied with a pleasant smile. Two minutes and not arrested yet. Good sign. She took the proffered seat across the desk from the Senator and smoothed her skirts over her knees, her fingertips tracing the subtle embellishments in the fabric. She still thought it might be for a scolding until the Prime Minister began to talk about finances. This was a matter of some concern; if the Prime Minister needed a group to find cash, how bad were things?

"Forgive my ignorance, Prime Minister, but are you thinking of some measure beyond the usual budget and tax bills?" Aurelia sat up straight, lacing her fingers together on her lap. "Or are we talking about some other ways to create revenue? Are there natural resources we've not yet exploited, tariffs we've not yet levied? My concern with these possibilities is that they would require significant outlays of capital up front."

"Ah, good day Senator," Aurelia said, nodding a polite greeting to [member="Macharius Solaire"] and waiting for him to take his place before turning her attention to [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] and [member="Alyssa Onasi"].

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"Yes, please take a seat as well, Senator Solaire." Her committee was now officially gathered, and only steps away from being notarized as far as she was concerned. "We are discussing the financial integrity of our Republic here."

Lasedri leaned forward and keyed for the door to be shut, then continued with the tide of the conversation at hand. "I'm talking about appropriating every last wasted credit to the military or intelligence operations. And then I want us to find something else not as useful and determine a way to redirect that project's funding to the actual war effort as well." Given her lack of experience with her current company, the GRPM was not sure where they drew the line. But her line was becoming more lax by the day. At least she was aware that the senator from Denon was avidly in favor of more arms production. "I don't know how you would want to run this, but I'd push for some sort of campaign to levy more taxes. No tariffs. (That hurts our active treaties.) But the Republic cannot afford to let the people keep as much as it has been. What's an economy worth if we end up living in hell?"

[member="Macharius Solaire"], [member="Alyssa Onasi"], [member="Aurelia Volcata"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Aurelia Volcata"] [member="Alyssa Onasi"]

"Yes, good day all. A rather serious matter you wish us to discuss Prime Minister". Solaire headed round the back of Alyssa's chain to his own. He sat down, farthest to the right of everyone and settled in for some business talk. "Nothing since the Sith would see us six feet under. So if The Republic is to remain solvent, and fight the war. I can think of a few things on top of taxes and budget slashes. Both income of the citizens as you said and corporate taxes. They won't like it but if they haven't realized we've been losing so far, best educate them. To my ideas; we issue war bonds. The short to midterm we'll get a good cash flow so long as the public believes in the government . After the war, if we win, repayment can happen". It was a typical strategy for large wars. They needed money and the best way to get it was from peoples free cash on the promise of repayment plus interest. Solaire crossed his right leg over the other and leaned back. "The one I know you won't like, but I've mentioned it before. The Banks. Especially the IGBC. We're already borrowing money, we can borrow more. They need to see we'll be the winning side though. That equates to victories. I have friends on Denon with ties to the Mandalorians from our Omegan past. Who in turn protect Muunilist and Mygeeto. I could probably get a talk with the Banking councils. Secure us loans with low interest rates. These will see us the largest and quickest gains, but its all debt, necessary debt I believe though".

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Aurelia listened to the proposal from [member="Macharius Solaire"] and frowned thoughtfully. While it was clear that more funds were needed to prosecute their war against a resurgent Sith empire, the inconvenience of having to gain a majority was always at the forefront of their minds. The three Senators in this room might very well rescue the Republic from financial ruin, and in so doing put themselves out of a job. The three Senators in the room spearheading whatever efforts they decided to employ to fill the Republic's coffers would take the brunt of the public's fury, and other Senators who had simply gone along would have at least some measure of political cover. Was this reality the reason the Prime Minister had called for the people in this room?

Still, Aurelia recognized at once that it was the right thing to do, political risks aside.

"The people don't have to like it," Aurelia replied to Senator Solaire, drawing her shoulders up defensively so that she sat ramrod straight in the chair. "But I think there are ways we can persuade them. Your idea of war bonds -- inspired, Senator. It is high time that the people of the Republic stop seeing themselves as cargo, shuttled this way and that between Sith and Republic lines. In times of crisis, people don't want to consider themselves victims, they want to consider themselves soldiers, even if they don't pick up a blaster rifle."

She paused and canted her head to the side before continuing, the ideas coming to her just as she spoke: "We ought to pass legislation mandating rationing of important war materiel, including food, metal -- anything that the armed services can use. We'll give planetary governments the responsibility for enforcing it to avoid the costs. People will feel invested emotionally in an effort they see themselves supporting, and want to do more to ensure a favorable result. Victory bonds -- sponsor a soldier, or a unit, or a ship -- recycling drives. If our people feel they are a part of this war then they ought not to bristle too much at an uptick in taxation. It's not for useless social programs or corrupt Senators building things to name after themselves."

"As far as corporate tax goes -- well, shouldn't they pay for the privilege of operating in a free society that enables them to make profits? Perhaps we can set up some sort of exchange program. Donation of war materiel to earn tax credits -- something to make a tax hike more palatable?"

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Alyssa Onasi"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"I don't care if we rack up a hundred years' worth of debt if it means we actually survive to see the day we would pay them off." Not that she was insinuating it was anything more than a pipe dream for a government to ever break even. "War bonds are a good way to go. But, to be morbidly sincere, we can never rely on a voluntary contribution from the populace to support us completely."

The Prime Minister nodded in agreement with Volcata, smirking as if she knew a secret. "The only fault in your proposal is that I have made it before and received... hostility for being 'imperial'." Lasedri procured her datapad and pulled up the log of her Policy of Victory proposal. While they Senate had rallied behind her main detractor, that person had since been removed from the Republic and her influence was effectively smashed. If someone else were to bring a similar policy before the senators, perhaps it would meet more positive reception. "Then again, it's a rather different Senate from what it was--and that's a good thing as I see it. I dearly hope we've finally matured beyond infantile ignorance on wartime action.

"I can arrange immediately for you to have command over any and all capital we acquire in our attacks on the Sith. Whatever you do, you have my backing. Even if you make mistakes." Just not too big of mistakes. "I've discovered that people are quick to fault us for our blunders, yet hesitate to credit us for our victories. But we have everything to win now. They'll never forget us if the war is ours."

[member="Macharius Solaire"], [member="Aurelia Volcata"], [member="Alyssa Onasi"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

[member="Alyssa Onasi"] [member="Aurelia Volcata"] [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


Macharius' mind was running ideas while simultaneously listening to the others. Obtaining capital was just one of the problems they needed to surmount. Not that it was the largest hill to crest. The true challenge was effectively spending such funds, and turning whatever they spent it on to help The Republic win battles and ultimately the war. "If you think the Senate can be united to passing legislation like that, then we should bring such policies to the floor. Imperial like or not. Everyone needs to understand were in a struggle to the death. Our enemy won't hesitate to do what they need to keep the bomb factories producing. Forcing conscription on the population. I wouldn't call it lowering ourselves to their level rather than a necessity for the survival of the whole". Solaire produced his own datapad and searched up the policy Lasedri had been talking of to research the specidics latter. "I'm getting to far ahead though. We can talk policy after, or latter. This is still on financials right now". Mach tapped always at the pad, not making eye contact with the others but multitasking none the less. "Printing credits is another option we should peruse, have the banks manage the devaluation artificially and inflation from the central. This is illegal of course, a desperate option to peruse for latter if we run thin. Appropriated Sith capitol is best to be used for investing in my opinion, arms research, building factories, buying help wouldn't be a bad use either. Specialized mercenaries and assassins, not to forget to mention buying tech. You may not like it, plenty others sure won't. But I'm just making ideas we can use realistically and will produce results. I'm plenty willing to fight dirty if it means some red saber isn't to my neck latter".

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Aurelia frowned thoughtfully. She was familiar with the content of the legislation to which the Prime Minister was referring. "I daresay such legislation -- put a palatable way -- might receive a better reception. If you would permit, Prime Minister, I would be pleased to sponsor legislation on this topic. I believe that the Senate -- at least, many Senators -- have an idea of what the stakes are. Certainly they are clear to me. Perhaps another rendition of the legislation, coming from (if you'll pardon the observation, Prime Minister) a less controversial figure might gain traction with our Senatorial colleagues."

The Senator from New Holstice tapped her fingers against the embroidery of her skirt, canting her head to the side thoughtfully as she observed the Prime Minister. "Outright nationalization will be difficult, I'm afraid, but we'll have to see what we can achieve. I am curious as to what course of action you think we three can take, independent of the Senate? Whatever happens we will still need the approval and blessing of the Senate at large -- or is there some other mechanism of which I am not yet aware?"

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Macharius Solaire"] [member="Alyssa Onasi"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"I agree on all points," Geneviève said, approving of the proposals established by the present senators. "However, I would prefer to look into alternative capital to manipulate rather than our own." If these three were not aware of her plotting capabilities already, they would be presently.

"The Hutt Cartel is a good place to start. If we can reroute our 'finances' through their economy (I know--unsavory.), then we can not destabilize our own too deeply and take them down a few pegs on the galactic scale." The Prime Minister rested an elbow on the desktop and allowed her chin to fall upon her knuckle. It was about as casual as she got with political company. "This will require a generous use of operatives, obviously. But I think I can... arrange that.

"In the meantime, I'd like to see you form this renewed bill and usher it through the Senate as quickly as possible. Senators, I am officially handing you the financial reins."

[member="Aurelia Volcata"], [member="Macharius Solaire"], [member="Alyssa Onasi"]