Chapter Three: The Brush Fire Wars

[Akirapryde]

CNN News Report: Year of Elections
Coruscant News Network
Broadcast from Coruscant
Date: 2920 AOK (Six Months before Chancellor Syrdash’s End of Term)
 
Bail: “Good evening to all the citizens of the Galactic Republic. I am Bail Organa.”

Sinya: “And I am Sinya Lefe. We bring exciting news that is coming out of the Republic Senate. Just moments ago, the Chancellor’s office reported that Chancellor Syrdash will hold elections in six months for any challenger that wishes to oppose her leadership. For months, concerns have been growing that the Chancellor would oppose the upcoming elections. While legally, the Chancellor is permitted to run for a second term, it had been tradition for the Chancellor to step down after their first four-year term.”
 
Bail: “A tradition that our previous Chancellor had broken. Up to this date, Chancellor Syrdash had been using her limited Constitution powers as Chancellor through ‘Chancellor's prerogative’ to help navigate these trouble waters. If it had not been for her leadership, the Republic would have been drawn in to the Jedi War in the Outer Rim.”

Sinya: “No one can deny that the Chancellor has been using Chancellor’s Prerogative to bypass the Senate on many key issues. It is this very issue that has many Senator’s worried. Because of this concern, there are two bills working their way through the Senate. Both bills, if passed by the Senate, would prevent the current Chancellor to run for re-election. The rationale behind these bills is that Chancellor Syrdash is currently finishing the incomplete second term of late Chancellor Sephon Tirrel. As this would have been his last term allowed by the Constitution, a growing band of Senators are attempting to force Chancellor Syrdash out of office.”
 
Bail: “A cowardly move because those few Senator’s know that there is no viable candidate that could hold a Candle to the leadership that Chancellor Syrdash brings to the table.”

Sinya: “I would disagree, Senator Finis Valorum, the senior delegate from Veccacopia. Senator Valorum has a long record in the Senator. He has served in many Committees as well as played key roles in breaking up corruption rings. And even though he is not a former or current member of the Jedi Order, he has gained their official support for Chancellor.”
 
Bail: “Senator Valorum!” he scoffs, “The Senate will not elect a Chancellor who has not been a Jedi. For over six thousand years, NO Chancellor has won election who was had not been a member of the Jedi Grand Council. Mark my words, it won’t happen!”

Sinya: “Senator Valorum has multiple contacts in the Outer Rim. Contacts that he could use to help…..”
 
Bail: “Contacts? More like entanglements! You don’t create that many connections and not owe someone something!”

Sinya: “Bail, I have watched you over the past three years pick apart the integrity of numerous good people. Yet, you have not once mentioned how you have been invited to special functions hosted by the Chancellor’s Office. Don’t you think you owe the people of the Republic the truth?”
 
Bail: “Sinya, I wouldn’t expect someone from the Outer Rim to understand how real news reporting works.” He turned to face Sinya, “We create trust with our government through reporting the truth. Take the unbelievable reports of Lord Sembla running off with an underaged girl. That is hardly the truth. Because I have been so truthful in my reporting, the Chancellor entrusted me with the truth. And just today, she cleared me to make this truth public. Lord Sembla and his Padawan, were ordered to the uncharted regions to hunt down the dangerous criminal, Orchid! As we speak, the Chancellor has called an Extraordinary Session of the Republic Senate. In this Session, she is explaining the special mission that she had ordered Lord Sembla on. So, now tell me why you feel that my special functions are reason to be concerned by our viewers?”

Sinya: “I…um….I wasn’t aware….”
 
Bail: “Yes I know. So, while you are trying to attack my own credibility, the Chancellor’s own son. Lord Sembla is risking his own life. The Chancellor has ordered her own son, to hunt down one of the Galaxies most dangerous criminals. If more Citizens from the Outer Rim would just make a little sacrifice, than the Chancellors job would be a lot easier.”

Sinya: “Bail, it’s not like that.”
 
Bail: “Sure it is. As we speak, the Chancellor’s own representatives are meeting with members of the OPA. Where is your Valorum!? Oh wait, I know where he is. I just saw him two nights ago trying to gain political support for his bid for Chancellor. See Sinya, that is the difference between those of the Outer Rim and those of the Core Worlds. Those like Chancellor Syrdash try to resolve problems, not use them for political gain.”

Sinya: “But Chancellor Syrdash is from the Outer Rim, and Senator Valorum’s world of origin is Coruscant!”
 
Bail: laughs “Sinya, Bail may have been born on Coruscant. But from what I have seen, He has forgotten what it means to be Core. And Chancellor Syrdash has proven time and time again, that her priority is the Republic! She has really been a leader of the people.”
 
Sinya: “Bail, Valorum has the future of the Republic in his mind. I have heard his speeches as of late. He fears a war in the Outer Rim. He wishes engagement with the worlds of the OPA. Just like what the Chancellor has taken. But he also feels that a military build-up only fuels fear in worlds that see the OPA as a more viable option.”
 
Bail: “Senator Valorum would throw open the gates of the Republic and allow the invaders in. Unlike you, Sinya, I am not going to use this public service channel to forward my own political views. I will speak the facts. And those facts are this. Chancellor Syrdash has chosen a position of strength and open, insightful, dialog with the OPA member worlds. She even had plans to speak with the Terrorist Graff Tirrel. Unfortunately, due to personal family matters that meeting had to be cancelled. The Chancellor had expressed her disappointment that that meeting had to be cancelled, but is hopeful that the other meetings will prove to be fruitful.”
 
Sinya: “Senator Valorum has championed the Fray Reconstruction Act in the Senate.”
 
Bail: “An Act that will never be accepted by Fray. Woven within that Act is the complete demilitarization of Fray and marking Fray as a Demilitarization Zone.”
 
Sinya: “That language was placed in to the Act by the Senate Security Committee after Valorum stepped forward and started to champion the passage of the Act. Like many senators, he directly opposes that provision. Yet, forces within the Senate Security Committee refuse to remove the provision. Doesn’t Chancellor Syrdash have allies on the Senate Security Committee?”
 
Bail: “She does, but that doesn’t mean she will use her position to thumb the Senate to her will. That would be usurping the democracy of the Senate. And Sinya, I am ashamed that you would even suggest such a thing.”
 
Sinya: “Damnit Bail, that is not what I meant and you know it!”
 
Bail: He turns back to Sinya, “Sinya, control yourself. We are live, and our viewer deserve a respectful level of professionalism.” He turns back to the cameras, “while you are bringing yourself under control. While the Chancellor herself opposes, the provision placed in to the Fray Reconstruction Act, she also accepts that the people of Fray badly needs the funds within that Act. Only because of this, does she support passage of the Act. She has made this clear in several speeches before the Senate. The Act contains a treaty with the OPA that will match the Republic’s marking of Fray as a Demilitarize Zone, and honor the complete Demilitarization of this vital world. A treaty that others had said was impossible. Yet the Chancellor could negotiate this treaty through her representatives. Once more, proving her skill as a viable and strong leader of the Republic.”
 
Sinya: sighs heavily, “The Fray Reconstruction Act will only be tossed back in our faces by the people of Fray. I can’t see a scenario where they will give up their weapons and trust on the Republic and the OPA to protect them. Senator Valorum has already hinted at this. Still the Senate is pressing forward with this vote.”
 
Bail: “We are out of time, so I would like to offer our thanks and support to Chancellor Syrdash. For all her work in keeping us safe. Thank you, and may the Force be you, Chancellor.”