To Secure the Blessings of Liberty

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Geneviève's coat served for more than symbolism or personal style on today's venture to Chazwa, the Republic's new capital world. They had arrived in this world's winter--perhaps appropriately so.

Aboard her modified CR90, the Prime Minister would initiate the conversation of the government's imminent takeover and retrofitting of Iritsa's civic facilities. The Corellian Corvette was docked near the center of the sprawling spaceport that was the first indicator the commercial importance of the planet's capital, seconded by the monstrous warehouses visible just a few klicks to the west. Many of those storage buildings would most likely be transformed into military barracks and ammunition depots, though they would need to be careful about disrupting the economy of their hosts. Military bases hardly ever paid the bills for citizens.

According to the holoprojected map feeds she had been scanning, the world was no longer so much a military world as its past had seen it, though its other structures were quite suitable for moving into without much trouble at all. Warehouses abounded, and the world of sports had not neglected to expand to this world either. The spacious, indoor limmie arena had been scouted out for the Senate Security Act's purposes and found ideal to serve as the temporary Senate headquarters, provided some extra defensive extras were constructed inside and about the premises.

The Prime Minister took her seat at the head of the glistening white conference table, gaze immediately directed towards the undoubtedly most informed member of their committee with regards to what was already available to them and what would need to be improved upon. "From what I've understood, Senator Colen, your world has had an honorable history as a fortress world in many past wars. Currently, it appears that it's not quite the bastion it may have been in those wars. However, I have much faith that it will serve us well with proper treatment.

"I'd like to remind ourselves that we're to spare most of our funds to the military setup. I think we can all agree that ours and the locals' security is paramount, and if I catch anyone dressing up their quarters on the Republic's credit, I won't forget it." And she had a good memory.

"So--first things first--would the Senator of Chazwa like to make his economic recommendations to start us off? We'll be relying on your expertise on housing and cultural procedures in order to formulate our decisions for the most part."

[member="Danny Colen"], [member="Cecily de Demici"], [member="Aurelia Volcata"], [member="Sankt Yora"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Aurelia echoed the concerns of the Prime Minister. "Perhaps it will do our Senators well to live in the relative discomfort of a barracks for awhile. Give them some perspective of what our men and women in uniform are going through on a daily basis. Nonetheless, I should like to advise everyone that plans are already in place to move Republic security and defense equipment and materiel from Onderon to Chazwa. Now that it is no longer the capital, Onderon is an insignificant locale that doesn't justify the expense and opportunity cost of the resources we have defending it." Aurelia paused and offered an apologetic look to [member="Cecily de Demici"]. "Strategically speaking, that is. Obviously Onderon is a significant location for other reasons. But we must allocate resources where they will be best used."

"Bearing that in mind," Aurelia said, turning her attention back to [member="Danny Colen"], "Forgive the interruption, Senator. Please, go on."

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"], [member="Sankt Yora"]

 

[Danny Colen]

Danny had come dressed in his usual suit, the winter of Chazwa being so familiar to him that he didn't need a coat. In fact he seemed to welcome the cold, it brought back some nostalgia of his childhood days running around the streets and causing mischief. Although those days were long gone, and he now sat in probably one of his most important meetings yet, a reminder of the good times were always a comfort. He could not dwell on it forever though, there was business to attend to.

"I won't lie, Prime Minister, we haven't needed to use our defenses ever since Republic space expanded so much that we were no longer near it's edge." Once a fortress world of the Republic, Chazwa was now a shipping center. "However, with equipment already coming from Onderon there will be no trouble in restoring the world to it's former defensive status." He gave a small nod of thanks to Aurelia, mainly for reminding the committee about the incoming equipment.

"For those who don't know, Chazwa has become something of a trade haven. Since we're on the Perlemian trade route, alot of freighter traffic comes in and out, allowing our manufactured goods to be sold and exchanged all along Republic Space. The trade route is a popular super-hyperroute and while that brings its economic advantages in helping fund this project, it brings a security problem. The trade route originally ran all the way to Coruscant. Now, since we all know Coruscant is the Sith homeworld now, having a hyperlane as big as the Perlemian trade route connecting both Capitals is a risk. If we're talking about security, then it's not just on planet security we need. The Hyperlane will need more patrols and checks, and whilst we don't allow traders to come here from Sith Space, the only planet capable of monitoring the traffic coming directly into our space from there is Carida. I'm no military expert, but a higher security presence along the hyperlane would be vital in my opinion."

"As for on-planet security, most of the old defensive structures and prime locations were replaced by warehouses and some factories. Over time the majority of these have already relocated closer to the spaceport further north, therefore the cost of using the southern areas for defense purposes again would be minimal. Relocating people wouldn't be a massive problem, as most of the working class citizens still live in the area called the Clog. It's a residential district that still has a perimeter wall from our unfortunate days of in-fighting. As for the upper classes, they tend to choose the Stones which hasn't got as much defense itself, but is generally a more open and modern looking place. While Senator Volcata's idea of living in the barracks for some time is good, eventually there will need to be proper homes for our personnel. I'd recommend the Stones as a place for Senators to house their private quarters. As for a temporary headquarters for the Senate as a whole, one of the sports arenas would probably suit best, provided there was sufficient security put in place. Eventually though, I could see a permanent Senate building being constructed at the Gold Plaza, which is the closest district we have to a political one."

"Whilst Iritisa's districts have expanded to almost blur the lines between them, there is still adequate room for security on each districts borders to allow for a spread of defenses across the city. Although like I said, main headquarters would be built over the southern warehouse district." Once had finally finished relaying his ideas to the committee, he took a breather. His hand reached for the glass of water infront of him, bringing it up to sip. When he placed the glass down, he looked around at the people gathered. "Any questions, or concerns, about anything i just said?" He had gone over the basic ideas of what he envisioned to be the best way to return Chazwa to it's former state as a fortress world, but there was still more to discuss. It was best to take it one step at a time.

[member="Aurelia Volcata"] [member="Geneviève Lasedri"] [member="Sankt Yora"] [member="Cecily de Demici"]

 

[Cecily Demici]

"No offense taken, Minister Volcata," Cecily regarded her colleague, [member="Aurelia Volcata"] , kindly despite her disdain for the sympathetic glances, "Onderon was a temporary home for the Republic, that is how it was planned, that it is how it was built... with the intention of eventually moving back to Coruscant or to more easily evacuate in the case of another attack. We are more than capable of handling ourselves in the absence of Republic forces."

Cecily was taken aback by the proposal to withdraw to Chazwa when it had been made without the consultation of the Cabinet, but given the seriousness of the situation, she could hardly be offended that Onderon was seen as vulnerable. It was true, in a few fell sweeps the capital city of the Republic could be reclaimed. Still... she wondered if the One Sith would view this as a concession of weakness.

This matter resolved, she turned to the Senator of Chazwa himself to gain further insight into the move.

"On the matter of accommodations, I would personally raise no significant qualms with staying in the barracks... this is war, after all, hard times have fallen on every Republic citizen and we must show solidarity. However, if Chazwa is to remain the capital until we have retaken Coruscant, we must make for more permanent arrangements than what we had on Onderon."

"I suggest we put in place a plan to completely renovate the entire planet... it could be seen as a Republic-wide effort to update the infrastructure of all our subsidiaries, but the point is, we would have a new Galactic hub. Chazwa is perfect for that given it is practically the most desolate and useless little planet in the galaxy... save Hoth, and the Republic, unfortunately owns quite a few little pebbles."

"We start with Chazwa and once that is done we move on to the next wasteland until every planet in the Republic is brought up to speed. I could open up negotiations with the various banking conglomerates, secure some long-term loans... Aurelia could put a tax-hike on the menu for the Senate, and we ourselves a new Galactic infrastructure that will completely eclipse the One Sith."

This meeting was only about Chazwa, but why stop there? In Cecily's opinion, if you were going to do something, it better be big.

[member="Danny Colen"], [member="Aurelia Volcata"], [member="Sankt Yora"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]