Star Wars The Clone Wars; Balance

Chapter Fourteen: Influence

"Pantora in peril! The newly elected Chairman of Pantora, Baron Papanoida, is caught in a deadly political game. The Trade Federation has blockaded Pantora and suspended all commerce with the system. Isolated from the rest of the Republic, the people of Pantora are beginning to rally against the Senate, who have seemed unsympathetic to their plight.

"To make matters worse, Count Dooku
has come forward, offering aid if Pantora joins the Separatist alliance. Chairman Papanoida has dispatched Senator Chuchi to Coruscant with the hope that she can motivate the Senate to act in favor of Pantora before Lott Dod can legitimize
the blockade."

In Coruscant, Senator Chuchi stands firmly for her people, surrounded by hundreds of senators firmly standing upon her beliefs. Sid explains the position of the Federation.

"The Trade Federation is neutral in this, but Pantora must pay its debt before we can resume commerce with the system." He said, and Chuchi berates him.

"That is a lie. It is well known that the Trade Federation is aligned with the Separatists!"

"Slanderous! We are not Separatists simply because we do business with them. How many times must I remind you of the Commerce Treaty of 1647? The Trade Federation is neutral." He explained, Chuchi moves her hover stand to the center to let the entire senate lay eyes on her.

"I beg the Senate to listen to our pleas. Ignore the Trade Federation's
feeble attempt to paint this as a domestic financial issue and allow us to resume trade." She pleads, the council goes back to verdict and they all retire for now. Senator Padme, who was also watching catches up to Chuchi.

"Wait! Senator Chuchi. I wanted to compliment you on your speech." She said.

"Thank you, Padme. The Trade Federation doesn't frighten me." Chuchi says with pride, "I just wanted to let you know
that there are many of us in the Senate that support you and Pantora in these difficult times. I know the Separatists have approached you to offer their help. Please do not take it. The Senate will force the Trade Federation to resume trade." Padme pleads with her to stay strong, Chuchi gives her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, Senator. There's no way that Pantora will ever have dealings with the Separatists. We'll always be loyal to the Republic. The Chairman of Pantora has just arrived. I must go brief him." Chuchi leaves, and Padme heavily considers what could happen if Pantora fell to the sepadist.

Inside the Jedi temple, (Y/n) and Obiwan prepare to square off in a training duel once more. The Blades hum in the distance and (Y/n) took a single step to attack, but they were quickly cut off by a message. (Y/n) stopped as a clone entered the halls.

"Sir! There's something you have to know.." he says.

(Y/n) and Obiwan walk the halls of the Senate building.

"So..Someone has kidnapped Chairman Papanoida's daughters." (Y/n) mutters, "seems like a Jedi issue." (Y/n) said

"The Jedi can't get involved. This is a job for the local authorities." Obiwan replies casually and (Y/n) frowns.

"I'm not so sure local authorities can handle it. The Separatists are putting a lot of pressure on Pantora to join them, and  this blockade may give the Pantorans no other choice." He said, "Senator Chuchi is a ... very good friend of mine." (Y/n) said, and Obiwan relented.

"Fine. With the Separatists involved, I suppose it gives Jedi cause to investigate. Go help Senator Chuchi, but don't get in the way of the local authorities." Obiwan said.

"You...Aren't you going to help?" (Y/n) asks, puzzled.

"You said the Senator was a... "very good friend of yours." Obiwan says in air quotes with his fingers, "I presume you'd like to handle this situation personally, besides  I need to go back to the Jedi Temple and make sure the Council doesn't find out
about your little expedition." He says, (Y/n) nods and runs off to the Senator.