Tag:
Adron Malvern
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Draconis Sederius Wolf
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Kana Dhar |
Hester Shedo
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Chikako Liona
Word Count: 3,668
A city ringed by a wall of spears.
The proverb was as old as Ra'Katha itself. Peace did not come to those who did not have the might to enforce it. Whatever ideals, whatever precious beliefs beings clang to, the fate of the many was decided by the few with the will to do so. Before they had become an Empire of trade and grown fat on wealth and commerce, Ra'Katha had too waged the art of war. And even when the Ra'Kathan Empire had become one of the most powerful trade conglomerations in the Outer Rim, pirates and mercenaries soon learned that an Empire not founded on conquest was not automatically a small target.
Bastille likened the Presidium to his young, impatient, and war-hungry captains and advisors in the
Kemotat. It had been they who had urged him not to accept the Confederacy with open arms but to wage war against the Southern Systems. They were young and thirsty for blood, betrayed by their youth and naivety. It had been the reason that Bastille had not listened to them. But he had found the same sort of thirst with these members of the Presidium. The Vicelord, an outcast from a culture that only knew how to wage war. His Exarchs, who drank from the tainted sorceries of the Dark Side.
Bastille did not believe in war for war's sake. But he was no pacifist. He understood that there were times when every being, every man and woman must pick up the
Amankh and march into battle to fight for their home and their freedom. And now was beginning to become one of those times. While others cried of the rising threat of Imperialism, Bastille saw that as naught but warmongering. The Sith-Imperial Civil War was on the other side of the galaxy and for the time being? They were not a threat.
But however, there was another rising threat, and this time closer to home. The
Bryn'adul, genocidal and primitive savages who wished nothing more than to see the entire galaxy burned. For so long they had been a backwater people, a threat minor enough that regular pirate gangs easily eclipsed them. But now they were waging a warpath through the galaxy. They'd already cut off what had been neutral Ra'Kathan trade lines along the Outer Rim to the galactic north. And if left unchecked, they would soon be on the doorstep of Ra'Katha itself.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Confederacy, this Joint Session of the Viceroyalty is hereby called to order." The words of the aging but veneered Speaker of the Viceroyalty rang clear throughout the chambers, unassisted by any vocal amplification technology. With his mere unadulterated voice, he commanded the entire floor.
"Today our session has been brought to discuss a Bill drafted by The Presidium. Bill AF-920-1, as it stands. Now, Exarch Malvern to deliver the bill."
Bastille's head was resting on one hand, tilted as his elbow sat against the armrest of his seat in the chambers. He was flanked by two guards of the
Aran'kha, who stood silently as they kept their vigil over their
Kemotar. As the speaker ceded the floor to the young Exarch, Bastille turned his head to face the podium at which the Exarch was standing, intent on listening to what the King of Illyria would have to say.
"Viceroys of the Confederacy," the Exarch began, clearly enunciating each of his words as he spoke.
"The time for change has come."
"It is time The Confederacy take steps to secure ourselves as a unified front. As we move forward we must never allow cracks to form in the great Bulwark we have crafted to defend
our worlds. It is time for The Presidium and the Viceroyalty, the State and the Planets to join together to better The Confederacy as a whole!" his words were spoken with a forceful passion as if they were not supplication but a declaration. A single eyebrow raised, but otherwise, Bastille remained expressionless.
"This Bill, the VISION Act," a ping on the comms device installed in front of his seat displaying the contents of the bill perfectly lined up with its announcement.
". . . will declare that a portion of the Confederate Armed Forces and Defense Budget will go directly into the betterment of the Confederacy's future. Any citizen who devotes four years of service to the Confederate Armed Forces Support Division will receive a Confederate Scholarship equal to the cost of advanced or trade schooling for the skill they will utilize in the service of our Confederacy."
Bastille cocked his head. This was an interesting ploy, no doubt. And one that he, for all of his venerated foresight, had not expected. But that did not mean that the proposal was an inherently foolish one, either.
"The VISION candidate must undergo a medical examination, to be paid for by the Planetary government who is sponsoring him," the Exarch continued.
"If and when he is found fit for military service, he will be enrolled in the program. Schooling will be completed before any active military service can be performed. After the schooling is completed, the candidate will be slotted for four years of consecutive service. Following the end of his service that individual will be returned to his home planet, where he may return to the planetary workforce with a full education, practical workforce application, and military experience."
"With this act, we hope to boost the power of our Defense Force while also empowering and educating the workforce. The Presidium hopes to target the less fortunate. Those who are unable to afford Planetary trade schools and advanced schooling. This gives them a road to proper education and a means to better themselves without relying on an advanced aid budget. The floor is now open for deliberation. Thank you." The Exarch began to wind off from his speech and Bastille discreetly glanced at his chronometer. It was still so early in the day. That meant that he would have ample time to sit and listen to the 'deliberation' that his enlightened colleagues would have to offer.
To no one's surprise, the Viceroy of Teyr -- the bloated, overzealous, and almost fanatical fool that was Draconis Sederius Wolf -- was the first to speak. With Viceroy Wolf, it was easy to guess what would come out of the man's mouth: either praise of the Confederacy or praise of himself. The only similarity was that often both were based on little actual fact, highly exaggerated, and an absolute bore to listen to. After the floor had been given to the Viceroy, who had taken of his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of the white-collared shirt he wore underneath to bare his forearms, stood and began to address the chambers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, Viceroys, Exarchs, and Vicelord, it is I, Viceroy-Elect of the Surric System. Firstly and foremost I would like to congratulate our office of the Presidium for bringing a bill such as this forward to the greater Confederacy," he began, and Bastille made a checkmark on a mental box.
"I have felt that such a thing was needed for quite some time, and so I shall voice that Surric stands behind this bill one hundred percent."
"However," the Viceory paused with the obvious intent of adding emphasis to his next words,
"I feel that more could be done. This of course would be up to the various planets and systems to implement, but as many of you know the people of Surric have had a system like this in place for quite some time. I, of course, speak of our complete system of grants, service, and schooling that has been implemented to ensure the best and brightest are available and placed where they can do the best possible work." Bastille could barely suppress the rolling of his eyes. He himself was quite patriotic of Ra'Katha, almost to a fault, and he was definitely known for it. But he at least had the decency to refrain from subjugating the rest of the Viceroyalty to a lecture of the specifics of Ra'Katha's inner workings.
Nevertheless, Viceroy Wolf bullishly continued charging through his speech.
"The easiest method, which is currently suggested, allows for military service to be served in exchange for university education and transfer into civilian life to allow our great men and women in the Confederate Armed Forces to be as successful as possible. This covers a wide variety of jobs, from transportation, mechanics, engineering, scientists, doctors, and most greatly security, both physical and electronic. That being said there are gaps in this system, and while I feel that it might be more difficult to address them across the Confederacy, I can suggest how Surric has approached this. After each student has graduated primary schooling, allowing for the same access of knowledge across each resident of our system a test is applied to judge each person's aptitudes. What they are physically and mentally good at. This allows for us in the Surric System to offer them not only jobs in the military that suit each person's strengths but the government and even offer apprenticeships should they forego government service entirely." The Viceroy didn't seem to be pausing for breath, and the words washed over Bastille like a rare morning wave of humidity during Ra'Katha's winter seasons. Suffice to say, they were fleeting and left little impact.
"This allows for each resident the chance to either work in government fields that are outside of the military's purview, such as civil engineering, geological corps or even working in civil administration, or government-sanctioned agricultural corps. Or, as this bill would hope to encourage, military service with whichever branch most suits them. This allows for our residents a chance to earn their citizenship, and a chance at university level learning while also giving them access to practical training that would put them far and away ahead of their peers that do not have the same experience. This gives them the practical knowledge to make them more successful, and the theoretical knowledge needed to expand their horizons and make them even more successful down the road. Or to put it more bluntly, not only know how something works but all of the why's behind it." Wolf paused once more, seeming as if to let the weight of his words sink in, although there was little weight to be sunk.
"To summarize, Surric shall be for the passing of this bill. And while I feel it could be expanded to allow for more opportunities for all, I feel this is a step in the right direction. I would strongly advise my fellow Viceroys of this glorious Confederacy to support this bill as well but to also take further steps to increase the opportunities in their systems. Speaker, Exarchs, Vicelord, and fellow comrades I thank you for your attention, and yield the floor," the Viceroy concluded, bowing to the assembled Viceroys before taking his seat. As expected, the Viceroy had wasted his time on ramblings before giving the answer that everyone had expected: the vote of the Surric System's representative, as usually, would be enthralled to the Presidium. But if Bastille had to grant anything to the Viceroy, he knew that Wolf was a man of fierce loyalty and devotion to the Confederacy.
He may not like his politics, but should the time come that the Confederacy was fighting on the home front? Bastille would be able to trust that Wolf would do his part, if not exceed it. But he would not have time to ruminate more on the Viceroy from Teyr. Another face had stood up, and this one much more of an ally to Bastille's cause.
“Honorable colleagues, Exarchs and Vicelord, the people of Rishi wish to convey a concern in moving forward here," came the ringing voice of a feminine speaker. It was the red-skinned Viceroy of Rishi, Kana Dhar. She identified as a Sovereigntist, the same movement that Bastille had begun to foment among like-minded peers, though they as of yet had unfortunately had little interaction. Her voice paused, before she continued, a stronger note of confidence in her speech.
“While Rishi values and respects the basis of where this bill stems from in providing a free path toward self-improvement among certain Confederate citizens, Rishi fears this would place the Confederacy on a path toward simply becoming an Empirical War Machine unlike the bastion of hope and freedom we see now. Rishi’s concerns are that this may, in turn, be morphed and construed in the future to simply bolster the military might of the Confederacy and press a heightened power out against the rest of the galaxy."
"Further, Rishi also holds concerns that by limiting this educational grant to simply those people who enlist or commission into the service of the Confederate Armed Forces would be unfairly alienating many of those who call this body their home. There are many out there that will not pass medical examinations to serve no matter the level of their desire to do so. Instead, the military might of the CAF would find itself inflated with a number of recruits that have no passion to serve, but only to receive the education." Bastille had to confess that he knew little of the tragedy that had swept Dhar's planet, but he sympathized with the entreaties she was making. As he began to think more and more about it, he was finding himself balking at the idea of encouraging such heavy emphasis on the armed forces when there were other sectors in the Confederacy, military and not, that deserved their fair share of young minds.
"Rishi would propose that the Confederacy consider these concerns and quite possibly take after what we have done on Rishi and developing a budget in which every citizen is afforded the opportunity to further their development through way of an undergraduate degree of a secondary advanced schooling, or a certification from a trade school free of financial obligation. Rishi combats such abuses in the system by obligating those taking advantage of this program to maintain a certain average throughout all courses or be mandated to reimburse the cost in full for requirements not met," the Viceroy continued to explain.
"This system has worked for Rishi and is inclusive to much more than the few that can make it in the armed services."
"I thank you for your attentiveness to our concerns and I yield back the floor.” There was a sense of humility and plainness that served as a fresh of breath air in the otherwise dense of hidden motives that were within the chamber, and Bastille found himself appreciative of the simple but foundationally-secure stance that Rishi had decided to take. It would only be a matter of time to see what the other Viceroys would have to say.
And who next to speak but the dashing, entrancing, Hester Shedo. The politician that had captured the hearts and reproductive organs of every being that found themselves attracted to female humans. Rumors were more abound with this enigmatic woman than there were sands on Ra'Katha -- some said that she'd killed her own husband just so that she could assume his position of power. Others whispered that she had seduced the Vicelord himself and was using him to pass her own policies, or that it had gone vice versa. Either way, Hester Shedo was not one that should be underestimated.
And so, when she rose to speak, Bastille turned, intent to listen to what the Viceroy of Scarif would have to say.
“Most Excellent Viceroys, Esteemed Members of The Presidium," she began. Was Bastille the only one who was beginning to grow tired of the repeated phrases of decorum? It was something that Bastille was beginning to wonder. Sure, he understood why it was in place, but you could only be called excellent, honorable, or esteemed so many times before it began to lose all meaning.
"The motion brought before us today delivers on the key tenets of both the Articles of the Confederation and the CIS FIRST policy. It would move to ensure continued and sustained excellence in the personnel of our proud and honorable armed forces as well as expanding the brilliance of our STEM colleagues, in both private and public institutions across the CIS. The fiscal cost to the planetary administration surely pales in comparison to the cost of not encouraging active participation in service, both military and educationally. Can we account truly the worth of expanded recruitment of technological, medical, and engineering personnel to serve alongside our armed forces, the best the Galaxy has to offer?"
"My people on Scarif have seen the benefit of expanded technological advances and investment in infrastructure. We have gone from a holiday resort to a leading research exporter, home to some of the CIS’s finest military personnel and soon to be home to millions of migrants, seeking a new life in the Confederacy of Independent States."
"I commend the Exarch and The Presidium for their forethought and look forward to working out the finer details of implementation at the committee and departmental level. I yield my remaining time to the floor.” It was another bout of praise for the Presidium, something that was becoming commonplace from Shedo, although she at least had the sensibility to keep it short and succinct. Bastille was beginning to suspect that this would not be one of the more contentious meetings of the Viceroyalty, and most representatives were choosing to remain silent and make their own decision without adding to the deliberation on the floor.
But Hester would not be the last to speak. After her, a new voice rose to the floor, at least new to Bastille.
"Fellow Viceroys and planetary leaders, all prior speakers have made very good points about this new policy," the young Viceroy of Tythe added.
"Much like your own worlds Tythe would very much benefit from such a bill, not just in the military sense but also from STEM research and other technological progress, something constantly needed there. Since the three proceeding members have spoken on such points I agree with and I don't see much point in wasting peoples times and repeating talking points".
"Similar to Viceroy Wolf, Tythe will be in favor of passing this bill, but with the hope that it can lead to more developed systems to allow a greater variety of programs. Thank you for listening." Compared to the Viceroy from Tythe, Hester's relatively short speech seemed to be a three-act opera. Yet Bastille could appreciate the brevity in the Viceroy's tone and the no-nonsense manner that she went about in it. Soon, it would be time for him to make his move. But not just yet.
As the floor quieted, the Speaker of the Confederacy once more rose to address the chambers. His Twi'leks hung down from his head, unmoving, and his face was wrinkled with great care. He might only be a ceremonial figurehead that presided over meetings of the Viceroyalty, and some might even consider him not a true player in the 'game' of politics -- those who saw it as a game, anyways -- but the Speaker was a symbol of unity in a chamber where there was usually little.
"Now," he addressed the floor in his ever-commanding tone,
"As the Office of the Presidium has set this bill forward, will any Viceroy submit the bill to a vote? Will any second? And a third?"
Bastille took a moment to look around. No Viceroy had yet moved to stand.
And so he did.
"My fellow colleagues of the Viceroyalty, and any else who may be viewing this session," Bastille began.
"We are living through trying times. This is an undeniable fact. Terrorists have incited incursions within our borders. Enemies within and without wish to see the Confederacy and the ideals that it stands for toppling and fall to be replaced with the chaos of anarchy or the oppression of autarchy."
He looked around the room. Faces of all species, shapes, and sizes. Each representing a planet in the Confederacy, each representing millions if not billions of individual sentient beings. Not statistics. Not cannon fodder.
"As one of my colleagues said earlier, this bill that Exarch Malvern has presented is a step in the right direction. The education of the Confederacy's next generation should be of the utmost and paramount concern to the Viceroyalty, both in this chamber and in our respective systems."
"But equal to the evil of ignorance and stagnation is the evil of militarism. Our armed forces comprise mainly of droids built so that our children do not need to make the sacrifice to defend the Confederacy. This bill, whether or not it seeks to, would conscript millions only for them to be murdered halfway across the galaxy in conflicts that are of no relevance to the security and prosperity of the galaxy. As for other matters, more scrupulous -- such as the requirements for the planet in question to pay for the medical evaluation of whatever cadet they choose to sponsor -- it raises more complications."
"I cannot in good consciousness vote for a bill that will result in the deaths of the children of the Confederacy, to use the promise of an education to garner more sacrifices for intergalactic political squabbles. But I will say this; should this bill be rejected, I am prepared to offer a counterproposal. An initiative that provides education to all, not gatekeeping it with requirements of military service. I say leave the fighting and dying to the droids while letting our children have the chance to grow up in a more safer and secure galaxy that we have created."
"And that is why," Bastille concluded,
"I motion for this bill to be submitted to the Viceroyalty for a vote. I yield the rest of my time," he said, nodding to the speaker and taking a seat.
Darth Metus
. "I believe this can be the beginning of a new focus." He told the man, pulling the glasses from his face and neatly tucking them into a pocket within his blazer. "The galaxy will shift to martial and educational might, we need only take advantage of our own resources." He said, more to himself than to anyone else around him. 
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