Fwurg

[Former Senator Bolv'ar of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"My fellow senators," the Chancellor started off "First of all, please allow me to apologize for my recent walking out of a Senate meeting. I am afraid my anger got the better of me, and I felt it was best to step out a moment to calm down and assess the best course of action.

When Senator Nehket Aeka so rightly raised questions about senate security, I had expected that the Head of Senate Security would be prompt in answering that an oversight had been made, that the responsible party had been let go and that this would never happen again.

Instead, we got vague answers about research being ongoing about unknowns and about back-doors that were still open, without any tangible results as to the purpetrators or their method of entry. It is my opinion that such an answer is completely and utterly unacceptable for a senior security chief, let alone one who is responsible for the security of the Union.

As a result, I felt I had no choice but to ask for the Head of Senate Security's resignation.

Additionally, at the suggestion of Senator Maria Latharion, I would like to propose some more fundamental changes to the way Senate Security is handled, so that this kind of failure will never happen again.

I would like to ask the Jedi to take charge of Senate security, providing their services as bodyguards in service to our senators and having them use their skills to investigate crimes such as this one. It is my belief that the Jedi will be able to provide far better security than the current Senate Security Forces.

I wish to make a law proposal for this, but first I call upon you for idea's, visions and opposition on this topic so that we may weigh them in."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"At this moment, the Jedi are an independent group of very skilled people. They may do as they like, as long it don't bring harm to the Union. Putting our security in their hands is risky in the opinion of the Consensus. When the Jedi decide, for one reason or another, to abandon the security, there is little we can do."

The senator paused a brief moment before to continue: "We think it is better to base our security on force sensitive people affiliated directly with the senate and the Union. These people can be equally skilled, with the proper training, but are less likely to abandon their post because their code said so.

We do think however, that it is wise to involve the Jedi with our security. It won't hurt to ask their order to amplify our staff. Speaking of which," Senator Tassar changed, rather abrupt, "is the previous head of security already resigned, and if so, who is our new head? Or do we have no head of security at all at the moment?"

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka waited until senator Danar Tassar said his mind, and then a few moments more out of politeness and to see if someone would have an emotional outburst, she did not like to be interrupted.

When no one seemed eager to speak, she stood.

"Fellow senators, I to take a moment to answer some of the questions implicitly posed by senator Tassar.

Senator Tassar puts forward the issue of affiliation, so let's start there. The Jedi are not independent from the Union. Their base of operations falls within the jurisdiction of the Union, and nearly all Jedi are citizens of Union, if not citizens of her member worlds. They, as all citizens of Union, are bound to certain laws, and a lot of Jedi are also bound to the laws of their home worlds. Next to this, the Jedi Council receives significant funding from the Union, and member worlds sponsor a multitude of training programmes proposed by the Jedi Council.

Without the support of the Union, the Jedi Council would have a difficult time operating within our borders, and as such, they have a certain affiliation with the Union. While I agree that the position of the Jedi is not clear within the current political system, putting our security in the hands of the Jedi is no more risky then putting our security with a failing security force. And the argument that they would abandon the security of their fellow Union citizens seems absurd, the previous security force could have done so as well."

Senator Nehket Aeka seemed very animated, and it was easy to see that this subject was very important to her.

"Senator Tassar, with respect to the suggestion of building up a security force of force sensitive individuals, I have to ask: why would we compete with the Jedi Council for the privilege of training such powerful individuals? We do not have the hundreds of years of expertise the Jedi do, and to presume that we can set up such a tradition seems far fetched. Would it not be better to bind the Jedi closer to the Union, to give them a reason to want to intertwine their interests with ours?

If we wish to set up training and a strong tradition of force use, let us try and do so for those individuals deemed to weak to become Jedi, but clearly stronger in the force than the average individual. We should not compete with the Jedi council , we should endeavour to cooperate closely and to bind them to the Union lest they drift away eventually.

Offering them the prestigious duty of senate security gives them influence on politics, and a reason to have a closer look at cooperating with the Union."

[Former Senator Bolv'ar of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"I would like to hear more opinions on this matter before I finalise and share a first draft of the new law. I feel it important to take everyone's views into consideration."

The Chancellor explained, but did not add further to the debate.

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Senators,"

Peinaili said

"I believe it is unwise to directly involve the Jedi in matters concerning our own security. It is the opinion of the Sundarian Government that the Jedi Order is more then capable, but should use their unique qualities to ensure safety and stability both within and outside Union territory and not concern themselves with the security of the Senate. We would however welcome their advise on the matter and make use of their experience.

I believe there is merit is Minister Nehket Aeka's proposal to consider our own security force, made up from force sensitive individuals not selected to become Jedi, perhaps trained by several members of the Jedi order. This would ensure adequate security for the Senate and create an opportunity for us to work closer with the Jedi order, whilst making sure their political influence is limited."

[Senator Harek]

“I agree with lady Peinaili de Montreve. The continues security of the Senate and faction offices should not be done by the Jedi. Their numbers are limited and their skills are better suited for other tasks.

This however does not mean we cannot ask them to help us. Let them investigate this matter and see what they can find. With the results we can together improve the security, whether or not this is with special training can be discussed at a later state.”

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I believe there is a role for the Jedi in handling Union security. We think that it should not be the task for the Jedi alone. If the Jedi could help with supervision and the training of gifted individuals that would be a great improvement already. "

[Nehket Aeka]

"Fellow senators,

It seems that some of my esteemed colleagues have misunderstood my reply to senator Tassar. My proposal of establishing our own security force of force sensitive individuals was mentioned purely in reaction to senator Tassar's proposal of competing with the Jedi Council for those precious few individuals that are truly powerful.

From your reactions to the plan of involving the Jedi in the Union, It appears to me that you are afraid of the independence of the Jedi. It seems you are afraid that they will somehow abandon you and your security."


"Let me ask you this: If you are so afraid, why do you tolerate these extremely powerful individuals in your midst?"


The veolian senator looked around in the senate hall, giving everyone time to reflect on their statements.


With a strong voice, the veolian woman continued: "There are three choices."

"The first choice: You are terrified of the personal power wielded by the Jedi, but will not do anything about it.

The second choice: You are afraid of the power represented by the Jedi, and fear their further inclusion in the Union will eventually lead to betrayal.

The third choice: We are not afraid. We welcome the Jedi in our midst, and involve them in matters of the Union.


I opt for the third choice. I am strongly in favour of asking the Jedi Council to take up the prestigious role of senate security. The Veolian Commonwealth trusts the Jedi Council. We sponsor the training of Padawan Shebi Ajava, and we trust the Jedi Council with the protection of our first empress. How can I not trust them with the protection of my own person?

Let the Jedi get to know our peoples, befriend our peoples, and love our peoples. And when the time comes, they will do their utmost to protect the Union, and by extension you!

Let the Jedi take up the duty of protecting the governing body of the Union. Allow them to grow close to us, make the Union their home as well as ours. And when the time comes, we can count on our loyal friends the Jedi, who do not fight with us because some code urges them to, but because they fight for their homes and families!"

[Maria Latharion]

Lady-Senator Maria Latharion had watched the meeting with a concerned look on her face, but after the veolian senator's last statement she looked a bit more hopefull.

Otherwise she remained quiet and composed.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"The difference between protecting your empress, and posing as senate security as I identify it is the following: Protecting individuals are relative short missions, while the senate security is an ongoing process. As far we, of the Consensus, know, the Jedi are very capable and trustworthy for missions, but are not doing ongoing duties.

The main issue here is that we, of the consensus, have a limited point of view in what the jedi do and what their codes are. Therefore we do not know what to expect and thus we are cautious.

I propose to ask one of the jedi masters to join the senate meeting, and lets hear their opinions and rules the jedi follow. When we, of the senate, have a clear view of how the jedi exactly works, we can make a decision funded on clear knowledge, instead of superstition."

The senator paused for a moment, but continued as he had the feeling there was something he had to make clear: "After hearing your opinions, and reviewing the opinion of the Consensus, I have the idea we don't know the jedi well enough, and therefore we are cautious towards them. So the best thing is to do something about that."

Senator Tassar had one thing left to ask, something Bolv'ar had ignored to answer so far. His question was therefore directly directed towards Bolv'ar: "As I asked before, chancellor Bolv'ar, is the previous head of security already resigned, and if so, who is our new head? Or do we have no head of security at all at the moment?"

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"An excellent suggestion Senator," Senator Peinaili said in response to the appeal made by the Senator of the Teprogrenaian Consensus, "we would welcome the view of the Jedi Council on this matter. "

She then continued to address the senate and returned to the point raised by Senator Nehket Aeka,

"Fellow senators,
I would like to return the issue raised by Minister Nehket Aeka and offer the opinion of the Sundarian Federation on this matter.

We strongly resent the notion that the Senate would show fear by choosing not to involve the Jedi Order in the matter of our own security. Senator Nehket Aeka is trying to advocate a stronger involvement of the Jedi, to which we are not against, but we feel it would send the wrong message were the senate guarded by Jedi. We should look for other ways to more actively involve the Jedi.

If we, as senators, choose to have our security handled by Jedi, what sort of message would we sent to other influential parties, both domestic and foreign, not to mention the impression we would leave on the populace. The Jedi are held in high esteem and are considered powerful individuals, thus having someone protected by a Jedi sends a powerful signal, either that person is in serious danger, or is on a mission of the utmost importance."

With this the Lady de Montrève clearly referred to the current protection detail for the Veolian Empress, who was on a diplomatic mission to the Slave Rebelion.

"We feel it would be wrong to ask the Jedi to provide security for the entire senate on a daily basis, it would not only damage the image the populace has of Jedi; it could also sent the wrong signal to other superpowers, resulting in rising tensions and possibly cause problems for our trade and diplomatic efforts."

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka stood once more, and still seemed to possess an inner fire that is very atypical of her.

"So, if I understand you correctly, senator Tassar, the Consensus does not know what to expect of the Jedi, and are cautious because of this. If this is true, could you explain to me how this relates to the Consensus actively sponsoring the training of your cyborg padawan? It seems to me that these are not the actions of a cautious group, but the actions of a group that wants to benefit from the power of the Jedi."

The veolian senator directed her attention toward the Sundarian representative.

"Lady de Montrève, we are on a mission of the utmost importance. We are the governing body of the Union, a superpower that stabilized this part of the galaxy. A superpower that supports 12 war fleets, and controls the Bozzy Spine. And we are a superpower that counts on the allegiance of our special operatives, the Jedi.

I fully agree that the Jedi are esteemed and powerful individuals, and that is exactly the reason they should participate in senate security!

Might I remind you, this whole discussion was sparked because someone broke in to the senate building undetected, left foreign substances in the building, and got out fully undetected. Our current security is not up to the task of protecting the senate from the vandals, let alone special operatives from other superpowers."

Senator Nehket Aeka turned to face the whole of the senate.

"Asking the Jedi to take up Senate security sends exactly the right message to the other superpowers: We know what we are doing; and we take our security, and that of our representatives, very seriously.

Do not forget that we are not the only superpower in the galaxy. Other superpowers have their own special operatives as capable as the Jedi. Maybe they don't use lightsabers, and maybe that are less publicly visible. But know this: when going to war, they would not hesitate to sent them on a mission to disrupt the Union by assassinating the Senate!"

[Atheos]

Atheos stood up to face the rest of the senators, taking his turn to talk. Then coughed once to signal his start and then went off.

"The way I see it, the Jedi are already intimately involved in the affairs of the union, and already cooperate on special missions such as the protection of the veolian empress. Their assistance in the protection of the senate then seems to me not a weakness, but the logical path to take. I value the senate highly and see it as the core of the union. It would cause great uproar if something were to happen to it, and with a security incident like this they could also have dragged in explosives. We do not want this.

We want the senate to remain secure, and we think the Jedi would significantly improve the security, more so than any other group the union could put on the task. Sponsoring a jedi ourselves, we see their unique and powerful abilities.

Lady de Montrève, I feel that if we involve the Jedi in the security of the senate then this would not hurt the esteem of the Jedi. They would be even more closely linked to the union. It is not so much desperation as it is wanting the best. I see it as an honour for all involved.

It would come as a sign that the Union trusts the jedi, and that they are full members of the Union. They already provide escorts, and handling the security of the senate is not a menial task that would degrade their status."

[Former Senator Bolv'ar of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"The second in command of the security forces is currently managing senate security until someone better is found. His predecessor is no longer employed by the Union." the Senator answered the earlier question.

"Shall I invite one of the Jedi Masters to come speak to the senate on this matter?" he inquired

[Nehket Aeka]

"I would like to hear the opinion of the Jedi on this."

[Atheos]

"I would also like to have a discussion with the jedi about this, their opinion should also be asked. I am sure there will be many questions from other senators."

[Jedi Master Screetor]

It took some time to arrange, but finally Jedi Master Screetor arrived at the senate building, taking the stand to speak on behalf of the Jedi Order.

"Senators,

The Jedi have worked with the Union since before Suma, Komès, Excaria, Bisidn, Meritonia and Heimgol signed the Declaration of Unity. Over the years we have provided security on missions, given advise and performed special operations for the Union.

Recent examples include the discovery of the perpetrators behind the attack on the Floating Factory, the discovery of new technologies and the escort of the Veolian Empress on a diplomatic mission to the Slave Rebellion.

The hopes and goals of the Jedi Order are to aid the Union in bringing peace and order to the galaxy where less than a century ago there was war and piracy.

Many of your worlds are already sponsoring the training of Jedi from your own worlds to help us achieve those goals. That training includes lessons to save and protect people from harm, investigative techniques to bring the guilty to justice and even the honing of precognitive abilities to pre-empt dangers before they ever occur.

Should the Senate decide to assign this duty to us, it would be our honour to use those skills to provide security for the Senate. We would carry out that duty to the best of our ability. In no means will our ability to carry out missions for the union be compromised by providing such security.

Now, are there perhaps any questions you may have that I can answer to help the Senate come to a decision?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"Jedi Master Screetor,

Let me start with expressing my high opinion of the Jedi and their work. It gives us peace of mind to know that the Jedi are looking after the security of our beloved empress while she is on diplomatic missions abroad.

We have asked you here to elaborate on the position of the Jedi council about taking over the security duties of the current senate security department."

"One of my colleagues", the veolian senator glanced at the Teprogranaian senator, "expressed a strong dislike of asking the Jedi to take up this duty because, and I quote him, 'when the Jedi decide, for one reason or another, to abandon the security, there is little we can do.' My colleague cited a lack of insight about the Jedi code of honour and the inner workings of the Jedi council as sources for his lack of confidence in the loyalty of the Jedi.

Would you please elaborate on these things to take away his fears?"

[Jedi Master Screetor]

"There are different teachings and different insights from different Jedi Masters and not all Jedi share the same views on every topic. It is therefore difficult to encompass the entire teachings of the Jedi in a short story or to explain the intricacies of our beliefs, although I would be glad to give a more detailed explanation outside of this meeting. ((OOC: Though only after we discussed it in the upcoming Write-a-thon))

However, I can give you assurances that the Jedi would not simply abandon the security of the Union any more than the current security staff would. As I said, we would see carry out our duty to the best of our abilities.

In the extremely unlikely event that the Union should make a total turnabout, and become a dictatorship devoted to war and inflicting suffering, of course the Jedi would have to step back, but we would do so in an orderly and controlled fashion, giving the senate time to install a different security force. In such a case, you would be no worse off than they are now.

Does this help alleviate some of the worries?"

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"Yes it does," the teprogrenaian senator said, "our, the consensus, biggest worries were that at this moment the jedi are only doing short term missions, and for that reason, we had no idea how the jedi are reacting on long term obligations. But as you said the jedi will gladly provide us with protection, we will be glad with the protection of the jedi."

[Nehket Aeka]

Looking at senator Tassar, the veolian senator said "We would also like to see the Jedi take up the duty of senate security."

[Former Senator Bolv'ar of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"If there are no objections, I will put this matter to a vote at the start of next turn."