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Chapter Twenty Four Seated
at his desk, focusing all of his energy on his pending presentation and looking
over the half dozen data pads at the same time, Meklin Suul is somewhat startled
when his comm unit sounds with a screech. “Yes?” “Sir.
The representatives from each of the governmental agencies have arrived, and I
have given them the documents you requested.” “Good,
please see to it that the refreshments are brought in right away, and send them
into my office.” “Yes,
sir.” “Oh,
one more thing.” “Yes?” “Remind
me to change the alert for my comm.” “Will
do.” With
a sly grin, he stands up and slowly speaks the words, “Show time.” Mek
stands at the projector, watching as each of the representatives from the
various agencies within the Corellian government all come strolling in,
completely unaware of the true nature of the meeting. Putting on his most
political face, he clears his throat to gain their attention and says for all to
hear; “Welcome everyone and thank you for coming. However, I wish such a
conference could be held under more peaceful and prosperous times.”
As he begins to activate the projector, one of the members of the
assemblage speaks up. “And
I wish we could be told what is of such importance, that we should travel in
secrecy, and then given encrypted files,” said the Minister of Trade, who was,
in Mek’s opinion, a rather snooty man of little magnitude. “I
apologize for this level secrecy, but these are dangerous times, when very few
can be trusted. The password for you files is the word Gundark, Minister.” He
said abruptly.
“The way we fight each other is horrible, town fights town, province
fights province, planet fights planet, and each government prepares for war.”
All eyes briefly glanced at one another, knowing his words to be true.
“It almost appears as though someone or something is trying stir up a tempest
in our very midst.” He held up his hand to cut off a protest from the
conceited Trade Minister. “And what could this threat have to gain from our
pounding each other into inconsequential atoms? .
Think about it, gentlemen.
If we are all fighting each other, then we are all weakened and they can
then pick off the weak, and make even greater profit from our misery by playing
one against the other. And the further we allow ourselves to be weakened, the
more they can loot and pillage our people. Or they could even attempt to gain
control of our limited governments. It would be utter Chaos.” All
mouths had fallen silent, and all eyes were glued to him. “That is why I have
called you here under this veil of secrecy; to propose to you a Corellian Sector
alliance of free governments. A common central governmental agency would be at
the heart of this alliance, where each planetary government sends their
representatives, so that each government has a voice in rule of the Sector. Out
of this body, one member will be selected to lead the body.
This will be used to set policy in the Sector for all to follow, as well
as help to set up trade, settle arguments between member governments, as well as
provide a common strong military force to protect and serve the every planet in
the Corellian Sector.” The
trade minister can sit still no longer, “You expect us to bow to some central
government and give up our control over our planet?” “Never,”
replied Mek with a strong sense of determination.
“This body is for the people and made by the people. The body would
serve to protect shipping and help member worlds find a common ground to solve
problems they have with one another. It would also help to protect those than
cannot protect themselves. We would also make certain that member worlds would
have free access to trade with all others, without having their shipping lanes
fall prey to pirates. “We
can also use this authority to form a strong central military, to be used in
protection of our people from those that wish it harm. If a member world is
threatened or attacked, then all member systems would go to the aid of the
planet.” “So
would how much would each member world have to spend to keep this protection
ring going?” Asked the skeptical Trade Minister. “Minister,
this is not some protection ring. This is for the good of all. It will keep us
safe.” Then Mek switched to a language the minister would be fluent in, “It
would keep trade and commerce going as well as keeping us safe. The amount of
money that this union would provide and put into the economy would be well worth
any cost. And we would not have to spend much, if any, to start it and keeping
it going. Most worlds already have fleets, and are spending more to make them
and maintain them. It would be just uniting our forces, to help insure more
money would keep continuing to flow through the Sector.” The
old and graying Security Minister finally spoke up, “Money is good and all,
but what happens if we commit our fleet to protect some other system, and we end
up being attacked while it is away? Or worse yet the battle goes badly and we
lose our entire fleet. Then how would we protect ourselves from the attacker?” Mek
took a deep breath to calm himself, “We would not need to send our whole fleet
off, just a small amount. Look at the numbers. If we have 10 member worlds, and
we each send a tenth of our fleet to help, we are still well protected. We also
can build more ships, if we think that we need more protection. It would stand
to make all members safe and prosperous. Just by having the combined fleet many
or our current potential threats will never surface, because they will know that
we have the might and power to stop them. That is why I have brought this to
you. For the good of all people I hope you will consider it. Are there any other
questions?” When
no other hands came up, or voices raised. He stepped out from around the podium. “I
will be available if you have any questions or comments later on. You will find
my comm frequency at the end of the information I have given you. Please read it
and take it to heart. The Strength of our planet, and the economy of the entire
Sector lay in your hands, gentlemen.
Think well, before making your final decisions...”
Making his way for the door, “I shall leave you to your thoughts and to
discuss this amongst yourselves.
Good day, gentlemen.” Stepping
through the door to the side room of the conference chamber, Meklin Suul reaches
for the earpiece handed him by his communications officer.
“They aren’t wasting any time, sir.
They started in on each other the moment the door closed behind you.
Creator: Jedi_Knight_Birr (Mac)
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