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[JJ Johnson]

NABOO- GALACTIC BUGLE SHOWROOM

​

JJ Johnson would be seated in his comfortable chair behind his nice desk. A very comfortable sofa and arm chair beside him as he waited for his guests to join him. He had a heavy hitting guess in the form of Senator Soygun York. Of course, the diplomat was able to have his security staff bolster what he already had at the Bugle with their own to ensure nothing would go awry. Senator York would be held in a most luxurious waiting area until he was called to the show.

Smoking his expensive cigar, JJ would blow a perfect ring into the air. "Hoffman! How much longer til we start!"

"JJ, you're the star of the show, we can start whenever!" Hoffman would say, seemingly materializing out of nowhere. He even set down a full glass of scotch for the Editor-in-Chief.

JJ would glare at Hoffman "What are you looking for, a raise?! Get out!" JJ would yell as he reached for his shoe. They were deadly, after all. Hoffman, of course would scurry for cover. "Alright! Let's get this show on the road!" He would get relaxed as the camera started to record. Leading to the theme of the Galactic Bugle.

​

"Good afternoon Buglers!" JJ would say between a puff from his cigar. "Now as you know, I don't normally do interviews! I pay other people for that! But this is going to be one of those special moments where I just could not sit by! We have not one high profile and energetic guest for tonight! The man in question has all the swagger that the Senate building could hold! Ah-ha!" He would laugh as he leaned back in his chair, pulling the cigar from his mouth to take a sip of scotch. Following the sip, he would take another puff, followed by another perfect smoke ring.

"Bane to Senator Caliban Drast and possibly the Achilles heel to Prime Minister of the Frauds With Agendas, give it up for Soygun York!" Hoffman would be clapping loudly nearby the camera as would the small but approved audience sitting in the crowd. A small live band would play whatever entrance song each man wanted upon entry.

Timed perfectly, the staff with York would escort him to the entry just as his name was called out, a spot light moving to shine on him.

​

@Isen @Sreeya

 

[Soygun York]

York's smile looked great in the camera. He could be a movie star in a different universe. His body language oozed confidence, yet he had perfected his smile and facial expressions that falsely portrayed humility. He waved to the live audience and as he made his way to his seat. He would extend his hand to JJ if he would take it, keep smiling, and then turn to the crowd. He would give another humble wave to the live audience before sitting down.

He casually threw one leg over the other and managed to position himself so that he appeared to be giving his full attention to both JJ Johnson and the crowd simultaneously. It was a unique skill, but the socialite had decades of practice of making everyone seem important.

"Mr. Johnson, thank you for having me," York would say. He would offer a big smile and say with a laugh, "Not everyone wants to hear what I have to say these days." This would be an obvious jab at the FWA keeping York out of the discussions with Thorne which was happening simultaneously as the show. "But, seriously, thank you for the invitation. The F.W.A. are trying to take my platform away, so I appreciate you giving me such a large one across the galaxy. The F.W.A. continues to act in secrecy, meeting behind closed doors and making decisions for every planet, every system, every inhabited moon across this galaxy. The old power structure in the FWA, it's sort of like a secret society, and they're actively trying to rid the body of the senators that don't toe the line of the Prime Minister and power planets like Coruscant." He would shake his head in dismay and frown. "When I was appointed to be the senator for Kattada, I expected the F.W.A. to be a beacon of democracy, fairness, and justice. That's what we're all told, right? Imagine my surprise when I got arrested for speaking out against the power planets and in favor of the regular guy and smaller planets. And this whole "leak" nonsense. We all know that's not why I was arrested. They've already said they don't have any evidence about me or my office being the source of the leak. And they won't, because I wasn't."

@Rhogar

 

[JJ Johnson]

Even JJ would clap at the entry, the man just oozed an aura of cool. He would take a pull from his glass of scotch. "Senator York!" he'd grip his hand firmly, surprisingly so for a man of the media. "Can we get you anything?! Water, juice... scotch?" he asked with a grin as he shook his own glass. "Hoffman!" he'd shout off to the side.

Once more, Hoffman materialized at the other side of York, pushing a cart with various bottles of spirits, water, even juice. "Here you are! Make a choice!"

He would let Soygun start off his speech and he would nod in approval as the eloquent man spoke. The man was a trained politician and very charismatic. Those were the ones to definitely watch out for. So JJ would nod in agreement with some of the comments and even through in a guttural "Mhmm.." mid-cigar puff.

Once there was an obvious break, JJ would speak again. "Ya know, when the Buglers started calling for this interview, I could hardly believe it! And even after a little bit, even I got fired up! We may not always agree on what you say here at the Bugle, but the way you say it! And the reason you say it! Those are things we can respect! So thank -you- for making time out of your busy schedule to come here, today!" JJ would grab one of his fancy cigars and then offer it to Soygun. "Might as well take advantage of not being in the Senate Chamber, ah-ha! But I will tell you what! The increasing number of closed door discussions happening at the senate building is alarming! Don't the people have a right to know?! Sure, they learn about the decision, but they don't hear about all the under the table deals made to make these things happen!"

He would pause long enough to take another puff from his cigar. "And even if you, or Drast, or the Prime Minister herself 'leaked' knowledge of what was being discussed, a full on arrest and suspension from your position as a planet's representative seems to be a bit overboard! Ya ask me, I think they're just getting their witch hunt on! Bar ya, until they can find something to even use against ya! I heard they didn't even give Kattada a vote for their last big meeting!"

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

No doubt about it, York liked him a good cigar. For some comedic relief, the plebs love comedy, York would pull his own cigar case out of his pocket, pull out a cigar and trade it with the host. "I'll trade ya," Soygun said with a grin which drew some laughs from the live audience. He pulled out his lighter and lit the cigar given to him by JJ, nodding as the host spoke.

"Heck no, Kattada didn't get a vote!" York said. "I'm the only representative Kattada has in the FWA, and they won't let me in the building. But what you're hitting on is exactly the reason the FWA has a public relations problem. And I don't mean what most people mean by public relations- people's opinion. Their public relations problem is they don't want to have a relationship with the public at large. The power brokers, the powers that be, they don't care about the general public. They don't care about people like you or people like me, the folks in this audience and the 99.99% of the folks watching at home."

He leaned back and shrugged. "The fact of the matter is that the people in the galaxy aren't stupid. High brow politicians like Senator Drast and the current Prime Minister think that the people in what they call "flyover systems" can't see what's happening or that they aren't paying attention. But they are, and that's why you are seeing support for Emryc Thorne even on planets and systems inside the FWA."

He took a puff and blew out a plume of white smoke before continuing. "This is a good cigar, by the way," he said with a smile, getting a few chuckles from the audience. "But the FWA is being led by hubris. They think they're smarter than everyone else, but I think they're about to learn a rough lesson. I have a feeling that Thorne ate their lunch at the negotiating table, and now that he has a permanent seat at the big boy table, he's going to keep on feasting."

@Rhogar

 

[JJ Johnson]

JJ would laugh at the trade and as a good host would even put out the cigar he was working on, to save it for later. Before he did so, however, he would use his current cigar to light the new one. Taking a few starting puffs, he'd blow out some perfect rings. "There are three people I trust in this galaxy, York: My barber, my cigar guy, and my wife to spend all my money! Ah-ha!" he would say as he slapped the table. The last quip would pull a laugh from the audience. "This was a good trade."

He would pause to let York say the rest of his peace, just the pure distaste in his mouth showing as York explained the current state of things. "Despicable! And I am sure they had no problem removing Kattada's vote because in their minds, the little planets don't have much sway! But they are going to be so wrong, once the Independent Systems start to get up and running!" he would take a sip of his scotch before speaking again. "Now I'm sure, most politicians have hands in businesses and corporations, it's just the way they get enough sway and support to speak for a planet! It's how the game is played! Now, I love the uhh.. hypocrisy in pointing out your families association with businesses! They had to team up to pick on a guy from a little world, and I promise you that we could find more than a few skeletons in the closets of the Senators from bigger worlds!"

"The people aren't dumb! Look at Corellia and Coruscant! Two of the biggest names in the galaxy and they have the highest crime rate, highest terrorist attack rate, and highest corruption! You got the Sector Ranger Chief in the pocket of the Jedi, who have been behind or involved in several attacks on both planets, and have also been doing some disgracing stuff! And despite all the damage or attacks, F.W.A and the Republic haven't even started to mobilize an army to combat the growing Sith threat! But, they can take time out of the day, to accost you and yours and use something so weak as a leak to investigate you! People are not dumb, they see what's going on and they are protesting in the streets! There is even a group forming to fight for your freedom!" He would pause again to take another long pull from York's cigar, it was definitely high end and JJ could appreciate that.

"So is this one, have your cigar guy call mine!" he said with a laugh of his own. "Oh you already know that Thorne is going to put the whole of them in their place. He's got the political advantage! They do anything to the kid and he's a Martyr! Already, he's got maybe a dozen systems rallying behind him, and from what I hear, even a few F.W.A Worlds are looking to jump to him! Come to think of it, maybe Kattada should jump over to his side of the drawing board, I'm sure it would be far more beneficial to a smaller system and, there won't be a smokescreen of mega corporations and -their- agendas!"

As he spoke Hoffman would hurry over with a holo device and set it on a table between the two of them, searching for the live broadcast of the senate meeting.


@Isen @Sreeya

 

[Soygun York]

"...They had to team up to pick on a guy from a little world, and I promise you that we could find more than a few skeletons in the closets of the Senators from bigger worlds!"

York would chuckle at shake his head. "This isn't about corruption. I've been a senator a handful of months at best. They know there is no corruption. They've admitted that they're trying to use the case against my father to discredit me. The classic guilty by association thing, a sins of the father thing. No, this is about a new senator from a small planet stepping on the toes of the established powers. This is bullying, plain and simple."

After a few more words from JJ, including a comment about the cigars, a man came running over with a projector showing the senate meeting with Thorne live. Soygun laughed and shook his head.

"Watch this, JJ," York said as he took a long drag of the cigar. "I got arrested for a leak I wasn't responsible for and fighting for the people to see what what was happening behind closed doors." He exhaled a long white billowing cloud and cocked a sideways grin to JJ and said, "Thorne will ask for the same thing, and they'll reward him by giving up their strategic, power advantage in the negotiations and by giving him one of the most powerful seats in the galaxy."

@Rhogar @Sreeya

 

[JJ Johnson]

"Corruption on their part then!" JJ would say with a laugh. "Oh I hear you about fighting for the little people! It's the main mission of the Galactic Bugle. I face ridicule, death threats, and even attempts on my life getting the truth out there! It baffles me that they are using the scandals circulating your father to hold you down! Guess we're all screwed because of what some of our fathers did, aye?!"

As the holo fired up, he glanced at York. "See? They arrest you for thinking you leaked information, you addressed it, then boom! Now, they know they're under fire and so they gotta start opening up the doors! Either way, this is a win for you!" He would take a long pull on his cigar as one of the political advisors to the Coruscant news began to speak.

"With Mister Thorne demanding the stage to be open, the Senate have seemingly agreed to do so! Perhaps it was a subtle jab at them for how they handled the York affair!"
​

The image would shift to Thorne, giving his first impassioned speech where he brutally dressed down the Senate:

“The proposal to allow all worlds to have a seat in the Senate is a model that has failed time and time again. I would hope that the esteemed Senator of Kuat,” His gaze flicked towards that direction, “Would have observed the history of the Republic and the inefficiencies that led to the formation of the Free World Alliance in the first place. Furthermore, it would appear that Senator of Kuat has not been keeping up with the trends in the galaxy.”

Emryc looked around the room, “In case anyone else is still in the dark about this, the Independent Systems have already vocalized that they would like to form into their own government. The wheels are in motion for a consortium made up of independent worlds. The Independent Systems Consortium would elect officials to represent entire quadrants and sectors. This is because it’s absurd to try and force planets that have always operated vastly differently into the constraints that would be largely driven by the Free World Alliance. Many planets have extensive issues and their own hierarchies to work through, and they are much better served if they are given a chance to elect a sector representative who can then relay the wishes of the people to the head of the Consortium who will then be the single voice on the Galactic Senate. Tell me which makes more sense, the head of the Consortium and a few select representatives sitting at this table or thousands of individual diplomats that are already disadvantaged due to having no political knowledge or acumen?”

He looked over at the others in the room, none of them having had any especially decorated careers. Out of everyone here, he was the only one that consistently remained in the media and entirely transparent about all his efforts. Independent worlds were rallying to his cause and his actions spoke volumes. If the Senators here didn’t see that, it wouldn’t matter, because now the galaxy could.

Emryc turned to look at the Senator of Byss, “In case you haven’t noticed, public opinion of the FWA is the lowest it has ever been in recent years. If anything, you should be giving me reassurances on how Independent Systems are better served by partnering with you. In the time of conceiving the Consortium, my campaign has established stronger relations with critical planets like Naboo, began the efforts to create more jobs for the people of Tatooine and clean up crime, built new trade opportunities for Bespin, ensured that Vratix once again had power on Thyferra, aided Bothwaui with their massive AMS problem, began to help Gydine find their footing as a major ship industry again. It's clear that we know how to actually solve problems and work as an organized system."

He paused for a moment before continuing, “In contrast, the FWA worlds have continued to have attacks from the Sith. Crime continues to run rampant. The Jedi and Sith war has been going strong directly in your turf with no signs of stopping. The Chief has thrown his lot in with the Jedi,” His gaze flicked to Max, “And this is the same group that has been rumored to abandon their own planet because they couldn’t stand up to the Sith threat.”

Emryc looked back at the Senator of Byss, “So tell me, Senator, what have you done for your planet or Independent Systems that warrants the need to appease to you on the topic?” He sharply looked at everyone else in the room, “What have any of you done? The FWA has been entirely reactive. I will not subject the Independent Worlds to the same, and that is exactly why they back me for what I stand for. That is exactly why I am here in this room in front of you. That is exactly why they trust me to do this. That is exactly why I'm not afraid to boldly state that I represent Independent Systems as they're watching right this moment because they are proud to have me do it."

He finally looked back at the Senator of Kuat, “So, Honorable Representative Horatio, let me give you a suggestion for the proposal you are really putting forth here. Option one is that we allow the Galactic Senate to exist at all and if so, it would include a seat for the leader of the Independent Systems Consortium and a seat for Jedi or option two, you remain as you are today, which is the Free World Alliance. Because the Consortium is forming with or without your permission. The Independent Worlds will never conform to a FWA driven agenda.”

The impassioned speech would pause as JJ grinned over at Soygun. "So then, Senator York! Where would you land on this most recent dress-down of the Frauds With Agendas?"

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

York watched closely as Thorne gave his speech. What York realized is that Thorne was significantly better than anyone in the FWA at framing the debate. Don't answer the questions asked, repurpose the conversation to something that works in your favor and then ask rebuttal questions It was impressive. But what Thorne was offering was in direct conflict with the the message York was spreading. Thorne was wanting fewer voices at the big boy table. York wanted small planets to have the same voice as the larger, more powerful planets. But what Thorne had masterfully done is give the appearance that his plan was good for the unheard voice- because he was framing it from the position of the independent systems which currently had no voice. Any voice was better than no voice. This would require a savvy answer on York's part.

"Ultimately, I think the FWA will side with Thorne. They desperately want to be seen as progressive, as caring, thoughtful for the whole galaxy. And that's good. The FWA should be all of those things. But, we should remember that we were elected or appointed by our planets to represent our individual planets and to do what was best for the FWA. The FWA holds the most important cards- the core worlds. Whether the independent systems want to admit it or not, their economies rely on their relationship with the core worlds where the overwhelming majority of commerce in the galaxy is done. Thorne is acting as if he is the one negotiating of strength, but he's not. The FWA controls the core and nearly all of the Inner Rim. We should be dictating the terms, not Thorne."

York sat back and crossed his legs casually, continuing on his cigar.

"The problem that the FWA has right now is that they are more interested in coming to an agreement than they are coming to a favorable agreement for themselves. At the end of the day this is a negotiation, and that is problematic because as negotiators for the the FWA, they are extremely weak. They are prey animals, and I can tell already that Thorne is Loth-wolf. The FWA is about to be eaten by Thorne. Full chomp."

@Rhogar