The Drums of War

[Octadar Kithar]

“Any evidence to the contrary?”
He would simply ask
He had played it smart. He wanted the Senator to give evidence to the Hutt’s warmongering, and bloodthirstiness by pretending to not know of a Hutt Navy. He did of course know of one, and he would reveal it later. But for now, he would play along with the... Dumb Octadar tactic. Not great.

 

[Trenton Kaizer]

While at first a useful conversation seemed to be showing signs of starting, the typical bickering between a few of the more outspoken of the Senators once again devolved things down into a shouting match of the same old lines. As each spoke Trenton's eyes darted between them, taking in their words even if he didn't want to. It was his job, after all. When a lull in the conversation finally fell, he knew it was finally time for him to say something. Other arguments had already gone out about this situation so he had to take a different tack with this one. Something more personal. After all, his world was one directly affected by the current Hutt incursions.

"I suppose for me the choice is a simple one. I don't envy going to war, I dislike it as much as anyone does, even Senator Pax. I even helped end a civil war recently, with the aid of others who also dislike conflict. However, war has come, whether we like it or not. It's been here for the last five years, just in a form that it seems many of us aren't willing to consider it as such. My world was attacked by the Cartel, my people cry out for justice, for action. If we are to go to war, which I will vote for in accordance to the will of Chandrila, then we should at least do what we can to control the battlefields and mitigate the loss of life that will happen. A war is not something where we send every able bodied man to the front line and hope for the best. If handled in an intelligent manner, something our Chancellor would know something of, then even if there is loss of life it would be far less than what many would think. Even less so if Senator Pax's fleet is established soon as well." His face became a bit more stern, though, as he looked at the other Senators after a moment.

"On the subject of what other actions could be taken to prevent war, I have yet to hear a concrete, planned alternative from anyone wishing for an alternative. Wishing for something or waiting for another to put forward a plan to follow isn't something that's going to happen. This is reality, if you want to change anything you have to exert your will and change it yourself. Having knowledge of how your aggressors operate as a government or organization also helps. We have been under attack for half a decade now, yet not once has anyone put forward a plan for diplomacy or an alternative despite speaking of doing so in these hearings. You don't need the Chancellor's permission or those of your colleagues to put forth motions to be voted on, just like Senator Pax and Senator Todan did. If you have an alternative, create a detailed plan and put forth a date for the motion to be heard and debated. Until then, this course is the only one that has been put forward and it shouldn't be delayed or stopped just because someone didn't have the foresight of doing something different earlier. That is all I have to say on the matter." He knew his words wouldn't sit well with some, but he didn't care. They needed to be said regardless. Senator Antilles had plenty of time to actually do something instead of complaining about this vote being forced on them. He'd made his choice by not acting.

 

[Pyotr]

Yes, let’s vote for war and, once someone has a detailed plan for an alternative, then they could revisit the issue and cancel the war right? The stupidity in the room was palpable, and Pyotr had enough. Standing up, he called out to Senator Antilles, “Senator! I will be boycotting this vote. We are but two voices against the tide of ignorance, and we are drowning in this sea of idiocy. I, for one, will see about going to speak with the Hutts myself. This conflict requires a scalpel, and every senator in this room is demanding a hammer. Vote without me, I will not be named as a voice that allowed millions of my people to die.”

At that, Senator Sokolov of Coruscant left.

 

[Darwin Mortenson Antilles]

"My world was attacked by the Cartel, my people cry out for justice, for action." Darwin visibly rolled his eyes as the Senator of Chandrila continued his speech, talking about how a wide-scale conflict was a good idea if the loss of life could be mitigated. Darwin was hardly shocked when Senator Pytor took his leave of the Rotunda, abandoning the room and taking 50% of the common sense represented with him.

And then finally it came, the attack stating 'you could have done it yourself' - one the Senator had been waiting for, and as he rose to his feet, he tapped his cane on the ground and spoke "There is a man of action," Darwin gestured to the leaving Pyotr "...not vitriol," a gesture was made toward Senator Kithar who sat preening in his pod "...we have tried, we have made ovations to this House that have been ignored, no actions taken, as more powers are sapped inward to the Chancery, and despite some of my peers, I have always operated under the assumption that, should any action be taken against the Hutts, it must actually be voted on," he raised a fist, shaking it agedly "...we do still live in a Democracy after all. If every member of this chamber went gallivanting about the Galaxy making promises to other worlds of support that had not been run by this House, we would be more of a laughing stock that we already are!" he shook his head with exasperation.

"At no point has it ever been made known to Junior Senators that we can table bills, indeed - when we have attempted to amend bills it has been ignored, even today as we attempt to make debate of one, limits to such debate are imposed. Senator, we are not a revision committee for the Chancellor!" his voice rose to something of a tumult, and he decided to place the Senators words to a test "But, let us see if there is truth to what you say - I call upon the Chancellor to suspend the vote for 24 hours, and to enable time for a robust alternative to war to be tabled, for a vote itself. Only then, once that alternative has been explored and placed before this Chamber, must we vote on a enabling a conflict of such scale." Darwin addressed the Chancellor now.

"Or perhaps you shall claim it to be to late? Perhaps it shall be claimed we should have acted sooner?" his question was rhetorical "Maybe, newly floated into your throne, without the approval of the Chamber you seek to lead, Chancellor," he made direct reference to the manner in which the Chancellor was elected "...you would once again seek to deny the wishes of this Chamber, so you can push untold numbers of men and women into a conflict, from which the Republic may never recover?"

Darwin remained standing, as he turned to address the rotunda "Senators, I give you now an alternative - as has been asked of me," he spread his arms wide, in appellation "...this, is your chance to do the right thing - I beg of you all, compel this Chancellor to act, command a suspension of this Chamber, and give me the time for which I have asked to finalize a proposal, that could save the lives of millions." he remained standing, hoping for the brave Senators to see sense, and force the Chancellor to grant the request made of him.

"In each of you there is the sovereign power of this Republic, and I ask you all to use it now." his voice rose, almost shouting "You must not sit idle, we," he gestured to himself then outward to the room "...must force this Chancellor to listen to the people he professes to lead, and take a stand - my friends, act today, and you may well save tomorrow."

 

[Octadar Kithar]

Octadar would think. Hmm. Not a bad idea. 24 hours couldn’t possibly hurt. And to be honest, whether war or peace would come, they would have to discuss some terms anyway. So he rose.
“The idea... Is sound. In those 24 hours, this should give us plenty of time to muster the Army and Navy, and prepare for a war, so that if negotiations fail, we are not caught on the hop. If those 24 hours are up, with no result, then there will be all out War, with no complaints. This will but our forces time to reposition if negotiations fail, and if they succeed, then they can simply stand down.”

 

[Vincent Deryck]

The Supreme Chancellor shook his head, resisting the urge to rub his temples at the headache he was starting to feel. "Your motions to delay have already been denied, Senator Antilles. Despite what I said earlier, you persist in trying to dominate the conversation and derail the proceedings. There will not be any delays in the vote and as your time discussing the same talking point is done, Senator. Guards, remove Senator Antilles from the Chamber. He has said his piece, and when he calms down he may participate in a different hearing." He knew that this move may seem unpopular, yet he would live with the consequences. Darwin's constant arguments were making it impossible for others to chime in about the topic at hand, instead having to deal with the attacks the Senator was leveling against them. The Senator's mic was cut and the guards quickly came to escort him from the room. They would not lay a hand on him if he came quietly, yet they would restrain and drag him from the room if he fought back. Once he was gone, the Chancellor turned the room back over to the Senators to finish discussing before the vote would be called. There wasn't much time left, yet still enough for debate.

((OOC: This is getting out of hand. This kind of reply spamming isn't allowing others to chime in about the issue at hand.))

 

[Darwin Mortenson Antilles]

"Guards, remove Senator Antilles from the Chamber. He has said his piece, and when he calms down he may participate in a different hearing." the Chancellor made his proclamation known and Senator Antilles (who stopped sitting down once the Chancellor spoke) allowed his disgust to be heard - for it was plain now for all to see. "This is an outrage! How dare you prevent a member of this Chamber from speaking!" he shouted, as the guards approached. "You hold this Chamber in utter contempt, and I shall not be silenced on a matter as grave as this."

His stance clear, Darwin refused to leave, and would need to be escorted from the Chamber. The guards, every diligent in their duties, did not hesitate, and as his pod was recalled to its docking point, they walked up and requested that he leave. Darwin, naturally, refused - and was forcible dragged from the chamber.

OOC - Other people have had 14 hours to post, a fact which has not stopped Black Noise, Anzat, Nef and G. Jamie from posting. I do not think blurring OOC needs to move a plot onward should disrupt IC attempts to delay a vote, after all, this is a political role-play. Anyone with a Senate character could easily have posted, and they simply have chosen not to, that is not in any way, my fault. I commend those who have posted for doing so.

You cannot call a debate in a political setting, especially one as important as this, and then get cross when peoples characters act accordingly to the measures proposed.

 

[Kurt Greyson]

.

Kurt had arrived late to the vote, partly because he was tired and not in the mood for it, but also due to traffic. He stepped onto his balcony in time to watch as Senator Antilles was forcibly removed from the Chamber, screaming the whole time. It reminded him of the time a good portion of the Senate called for Mori Valorum to be fired, which was just another instance in which the government simply could not be bothered to get along. No matter what Chancellor they had, someone would always be disenchanted.

He took a seat and watched the proceedings, but stayed silent throughout. When the time came, he pressed Nay and walked out.

 

[Pyotr]

Anger had not totally gotten the better of Sokolov, or rather, it had until he was passed in the halls by the Senator of Bestine, shouting back at him “Get back in there and damn well vote Nay! Don’t let them have it without a fight!” So that’s exactly what Pyotr did. He walked back in to his booth, calmed cast his vote of Nay, then calmly left.

Actions spoke louder than words, and it would be his actions that lead his discussions.

 

[Vincent Deryck]

It seemed that the damage had already been done. Senator Antilles had effectively killed any other conversation about the vote by shouting down anyone that decided to disagree with him. Still, the time for talk had ended, so now it was time to vote. "With the passage of time for discussion, it is now time to vote on whether the Republic should declare war on the Hutt Cartel. One thing I would like to bring up are the votes already placed. Normally I would not count them as the rules of this hearing were clear, yet for a decision of this magnitude I shall count them just this once. I would like to remind those Senators that already voted, however, that in the future voting out of turn will not be tolerated. There is an order to the proceedings for a reason. Now, vote Yay or Nay, as usual." The Chancellor activated the voting pads for the other Senators. This had the makings for a momentous day. Not even Senator Antilles could stop the vote now.

((OOC: Voting starts now. I'll take the votes already placed for this one because it's an important vote, though in the future things may not be so lenient if not communicated ahead of time if there's an issue OOCly posting in the correct time frame. The time limit for this vote is 24 hours, unless more time is needed which will be determined at that time.))

 

[Numenius Pax]

Numenius had kept himself quiet.

He hadn't said a word as the debate raged on and people made a scene. This was supposed to be a very serious debate about something that would effect their entire galaxy for the foreseeable future. He took a deep breath and swallowed thickly.

He had made his decision already.

Yay.

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

Nicolás watched as the Senator of Bestine was escorted from the chambers. He bit back a laugh, knowing the man was acting as nothing more than a grown child. His speeches were elaborate, boring and utterly unnecessary. He gave little time for other Senators, which made up the far majority of this chamber, to speak as he went on and on, desperate to delay the vote or to piss on the image of the appointed Chancellor, a man he was slowly starting to agree with. Once Senator Antilles was finished with his spiel, Nicolás shot back, making his voice known at last. “Outrage? Representative Antilles, you have prevented most of the Senate from speaking with your desperate attempts to filibuster. The only man left in utter contempt is you.” He waved a hand. “Good day, Junior Senator.”

Once the man was gone, Senator Cormond slipped back into his seat, regardless of applause or further outrage given his biting words. There was still a choice to be made and a vote to be held. There was a growing problem that demanded a solution.

The Hutt Cartel. It was a taint on the galaxy and a force that could not be trusted. Although Nicolás had made a private deal with Nem’ro the Hutt on a separate occasion, whatever notion of loyalty to the Cartel had died a long time ago. When he met Senator Pax, when he realized he no longer needed Nem’ro to seize Brentaal and the Hydian Way. To those who may have been suspicious of his corruption, Senator Adasca in particular, he figured they would be surprised at his next action. Because with the flick of his hand and the press of a button, he cast his vote and nodded to Numenius with a smile.

Yay.​

 

[Aurora Adasca]

Aurora had remained silent during the debate. She had time and again made her stance on this issue clear, and she made it clearer—albeit silently—by glaring up at Senator Cormond as she hit the Yay button on her Senate pod. Corruption in the Republic needed to be rooted out, whatever the means. And she was bound and determined to see that through to the end, on whichever world it planted its seeds: Alderaan or Brentaal.

 

[Octadar Kithar]

Octadar had already voted Yay. There was nothing else that was needed to be said

 

[Trenton Kaizer]

Trenton had nothing else to say, just as he had relayed earlier. Senator Antilles' desire to shout down everyone else's discussions certainly didn't do him any favors and while he agreed that the man should be dragged from the proceedings he still wondered how the rest of the galaxy would see such a thing. There was no winning, in that regard. He pressed Aye, following the will of the people of Chandrila. If war would come, it had to be done intelligently.

 

[Vincent Deryck]

And so it was done. The Senators opposed to war, who had spoken out about, had voted as expected. They were outdone, though, by their peers. The motion had passed. War had just been declared on the Hutt Cartel. Their mobilization had only just begun, yet it also seemed that besides for the subtle, terrorist attacks the Cartel had been doing their own fleets and soldiers hadn't yet been rallied. That would be a further discussion for the war councils, though. "The time for voting has ended. The majority has spoken, War is now declared against the Hutt Cartel. Senators, your task is done. This emergency session is now over. Everyone in the Republic who is watching this, prepare yourselves for the road we have chosen. We are adjourned.

/Endthread