The Safety of the Senate Act (OPEN)

[Terras Zordok]

Bill Name: The Safety of the Senate Act

Purpose: To take adequate measures before-hand in order to ensure the continuance of the Republic government and its Senate even if the capital of Anaxes is to be conquered by One Sith forces

Content:

Section 1 - Calls upon all senators of the Republic to leave Anaxes and return to their respective planets

Section 2 - Requests for further senatorial meetings, sessions, debate, and voting to take place using up-to-date hologram technology

Section 3 - Urges for the continued use of holograms by the Senate until the Sith forces are driven back successfully

- - - - -

"Senators," Alena began. "Ever since the start of my political career back in Coruscant, it has been far too clear to me just how vulnerable our Senate is. I firmly believe that the safety of the Senate, and stability of the Republic for that matter, should not be solely dependent on our military's ability to defend a capital planet within such close proximity to the Sith."

"I am suggesting through this bill that we spread ourselves across Republic space while we still have the opportunity rather than concentrate our numbers in a single capital planet, since the latter has the possibility of throwing our Republic into chaos and anarchy if the One Sith manages to invade and take Anaxes."

"Do not mark this as an act of cowardice. Remember that the Republic's fate lies ultimately within the Senate, and this merely allows us to continue the governing of our territory even if we lose Anaxes. In addition, even with passage of this bill, our commitment to defending Anaxes will remain strong as ever.

"As for senators whose respective planets have fallen under Sith control, I would like to invite them to go with me to Kuat." she stated.

 

[Torill Holgor]

Torill looks over the propose bill and shakes his head.

"Here I thought Senator [member="Alena Beswin"] the Republic's fate rested with the people we are sworn to represent and defend." "Did I miss a vote on a bill that made the people in this chamber the sole entirety of the Republic." "You should have more faith in the resolve of the men and women who swore an oath to defend this Republic with their very lives if need be."

Torill pauses.

"I do not support this measure and will not abandon the Capital on fear of death and leave these people to their fate should the Sith attempt an invasion of this planet." "Should such an event takes place.........."


Torill points to a relative outside.

"....... I shall be out there doing my best along side the soldiers and pilots of the Republic military to kick those fething bastards back off this planet." "Or die trying."

 

[Aurelia Saelari]

[member="Alena Beswin"], [member="Torill Holgor"]

Aurelia rose. “I get the impression, Senator Beswin, that you would make those orphaned Senators feel very, very at home on Kuat. Perhaps they would even reward your hospitality by forming a voting block you can use when everyone else is scattered to the solar winds.”

“And what of the Chancellor and the cabinet? Are they to be hermetically sealed somewhere so they cannot be attacked too? Is Anaxes to be abandoned entirely out of fear of what the Sith MIGHT do? No, this bill is absurd. How do we expect government to function if only by holocom? How are meetings going to be held? Would Senator Beswin contribute Kuat’s money to creating this virtual senator, complete with thousands of encrypted holocom lines so we can all be here?”

“This bill is wrong-headed. I don’t doubt Senator Beswin’s intentions are good, but this sends the wrong message and is entirely impractical.”

 

[Jessu]

"Senator Beswin, when Kuat is attacked, what of those with you? I agree to this - to an extent. Allow the senators to move to where they would find it most pleasing to them. I would think Junior Senator Balor would be more welcome on Carida with myself, as we both serve on Internal Activities committee. It is most wise for us to leave Anaxes and return to our own homes. The people may be upset at this news, but is it better to ask for forgiveness, or to leave the Republic in such a state that there are few senators left, if the One Sith invade?" He looked to Torill, "This is not about abandoning people to their fate, this is about keeping the Republic from shattering if they invade, for they will surely kill us all, and who then will lead us? Sure, we senators can be replaced, but learning the ropes can take years at best. I would not wish to leave the Repubic in such disarray." He spoke of hypotheticals, but the Sith was nearing, and it was better to be cautious and wary than foolish and ignorant.

[member="Aurelia Saelari"] [member="Torill Holgor"] [member="Alena Beswin"] [member="Faith Balor"]

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith thought about this greatly if there was anything she had learned the people need someone to stay with them, to show them courage and not disappear because they have the office to be able to do so.

"I do not think I could leave the people behind. Just because I hold an office does not afford me the luxury to escape a fate that the citizens cannot. My station, and that of my family often asks that we make decisions that are contrary to popular belief. I do not think it is wise to leave if the Sith come, escape maybe..but the people have to know we are on their side and no better just because I bear the title Senator."

She looked to Senator Ozio, "I thank you for mentioning Carida. As for me I would join my mother in exile if Anaxes were to fall, or come under attack. If that way were blocked then I would go to Carida" she nodded to him.

[member="Nitram Ozio"] [member="Aurelia Saelari"] [member="Torill Holgor"] [member="Alena Beswin"]

 

[Persephone Callas]

The ironies of ironies... is that the Senator of Hapes was indeed here ... via hologram! For once the woman was silent - amused- but silent. She did after all, happen to be on holiday on Hapes.

And for once, she wasn't argumentative. The more she could stay on Hapes the better.

"I see no problem with the Bill." she tossed out, waving her fan in front of her.

 

[Terras Zordok]

Alena waited patiently as senators around the chamber finished up with their rhetorics. There were sensible arguments, but Senator Beswin's stance on her bill had not changed.

"Senator [member="Torill Holgor"], I had hoped for a more logical argument. With all due respect, how much of a positive factor do you think a handful of senators remaining in Anaxes would be during an One Sith invasion? During the battle, valuable resources that could otherwise be spent on defending the civilians would rather be wasted on trying to evacuate the Senate. You are absolutely mistaken if you believe this bill is asking the Senate to leave the capital out of 'fear for death', senator. Whether you like it or not, the Senate is a central pillar for the Republic that holds together the commonwealth of our planets, and it is more than foolish to continue leaving it so vulnerable. I implore you to choose to be wise and with foresight, rather than be ignorant."

"Senator [member="Aurelia Saelari"], I know from my own experience that this is certainly practical. As being demonstrated by Senator [member="Persephone Callas"] of Hapes at this very session, hologram is a reliable and efficient technology that the Senate ought to utilize. Also, allow me to clarify for the last time, Anaxes is not being completely abandoned. We will absolutely fight our hardest to defend our capital if the One Sith are to attack. However, if they do attack and do succeed in conquering the planet and the Senate along with it, the Republic will quickly fall apart after having spiraled down to a state of disarray, as Senator [member="Nitram Ozio"] has pointed out."

"As for the planet-less senators, I simply felt compelled to offer them invitations in order to not neglect them. Ofcourse they can choose to go wherever they please." Alena stated, glancing at [member="Faith Balor"].

"Senators, I would like for you to carefully consider this bill. In no sense are we leaving the people behind. Rather, we would be condemning the trillions of lives in the Republic to anarchy and chaos if we choose to stay. Even if we do achieve victory eventually, and successfully defend Anaxes, the ongoing battle would have seriously hindred our ability to function. I would like to remind you again that attempting to evacuate senators during a battle would hinder military efforts. The situation and bill at hand is not one that offers you luxury of possible refuge from the Sith, senators, but rather calls upon you to do your duty. A duty as a senator to your respective planets and this Republic to do what it takes to do whatever is needed to ensure the survival of our republic. I ask all of you to consider choosing wisdom over ignorance. Let us choose wisely to act now, not admist an invasion."

"After all, as far as strategy goes, planning ahead is always a good idea."

 

[Wrath Hardin]

[member="Alena Beswin"]


Wrath was quiet for awhile, he just drank a sip of water from his cup and trapped the sheathed blade of his vibrosword against the ground as he contemplated. A whole bill for this sort of thing did seem a little silly in the old timers mind, you couldn't just force people to flee if they did not wish it. Of course, being a man of military background, he saw the logic in needing to keep the senate safe but a more reasonable alternative could probably be reached.


"​Senator Beswin" Wrath said, stroking a hand over his finely trimmed mustache, "I do appreciate your concern for my life and the life of every senator here, but a bill to force such a thing seems more of knee jerk reaction that could do more harm than good. Right now we need to show strength, not only to the people of the Republic but to the face of the Sith. What message does it send to our enemies and our people if we go running back to our homeplanets? People already doubt our ability to protect them, if we let them think we are so afraid for our own lives that we will hide in the safety of our mansions and bunker instead of meeting in person then how can we ever make them believe we can protect them?"

Taking a pause Hardin smiled "I do think you are onto something though, my fine lady. We need added security measures and perhaps to do that we must call for breaks of senate for regular updates on security here and to give us all the needed relief. During these breaks we can call a single random meeting of senate through holonet to make it difficult for espionage to trifle in our affairs. I think this may be more reasonable than simply retreating into the shadows like the Sith we fight, even though i'd love to get back and delight in some more Hakassi pies much more frequently than I do now."

 

[Serah Oricion]

[member="Torill Holgor"] [member="Wrath Hardin"] [member="Alena Beswin"] [member="Faith Balor"] [member="Persephone Callas"] [member="Aurelia Saelari"]

Yusan tapped his hand on the layout infront of him, thinking about it and speaking a moment later. "Question for you miss Beswin, what is the reason for picking Kuat? It puts a major industry and supporter of the republic at risk, why did you not think of the Hapes? or perhaps Manaan. A capital must be a sign of strength, but not necessarily strong itself... but i agree with your bill with the exception of the location... As for all of you that nay say this."

He turned his head to make sure he scanned over the entirety of the room. "Question for all of you, do you not realize the vulnerability that the capital is in, already we are cut off from the northern reaches of the Republic. All main hyperlanes are already being controlled as well, and all it takes for the Sith Forces to slow any chance of our main fleet helping our people who are stranded in the reaches is to stick some interdictors in our direct path, forcing us to take the time to go the long way around our own space to get anywhere. Staying at Anaxes will be the death of everyone here, as they can effectively close off the space around us without giving us any warning. After all, they some how infiltrated and got to our capital without us not even knowing, and now they are right on our back porch and you all act like we would be able to see them coming?"

 

[Terras Zordok]

[member="Memorial"]

"I never 'picked' Kuat for anything, senator. The only time I mentioned Kuat was when I offered senators who currently have no planet of their own to return to, such as Alderaan, to come with me to Kuat. You are mistaken if you believe this bill is one regarding capital-relocation."

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith nodded when Senator Beswin nodded at her, she understood what the Senator had been suggesting. Planning ahead, if there had been better plans at home would they be facing occupation as they were.

Would getting the Senators out save lives. As a Senator Faith had only a little value, but as a Princess she held a great deal of value as a bargaining chip for anyone who would think to use her in such a way. What would the people of her world say, or of any world represented here. Would they rally to have their representative removed from danger, most likely. They were not citizens of this world, they were representatives sent here.

Faith nodded, using this reasoning she could see where the Senator was making sense to have such a bill.

But what was the conversation about the Capital?

[member="Alena Beswin"] [member="Memorial"] [member="Wrath Hardin"] [member="Persephone Callas"] [member="Nitram Ozio"] [member="Aurelia Saelari"] [member="Torill Holgor"]

 

[Quietus]

Sitting quietly beside [member="Alena Beswin"] was her Jr. Senator, Pheraella Sanzio, a young, immaculately dressed woman of black hair and distinct lines who found it pertinent to garner her Senior's attention.

"It, perhaps, might be prudent to instead offer secure safehouses for the Senate to convene in the case of the Capital falling to Sith hands, rather than send everyone home. Emergency locations during times of war are a logical preemptive procedure."

 

[Terras Zordok]

[member="Faith Balor"] [member="Memorial"] [member="Wrath Hardin"] [member="Persephone Callas"] [member="Nitram Ozio"] [member="Aurelia Saelari"] [member="Lorelei Darke"]

Just as Alena was considering giving up, her Junior Senator suggested that instead of sending the senators home, they could offer secure safehouses for the Senate in cases of emergency. That seemed like a good alternative, that could still accomplish the same goal. Beswin nodded to Pheraella in approval. Her junior senator was well on her way to becoming Alena's successor.

"Junior Senator Sanzio has suggested that we devise emergency safe-house locations instead. Are there any suggestions for where these emergency locations could be?"