Post by Jolia Var on Feb 12, 2020 3:08:56 GMT
"Ord Mantell should be a jewel and a breadbasket among the planets of the Galactic Republic." Tren Keree launched into the platitudes as a matter of habit, turning and looking over the assembled rabble before him. "Instead, for as little as we seem to be considered by the galactic community at large, we seem to have attracted an undue amount of attention. Attention and blame." The attention of the audience was rapt, as the Duros took eager notes of everything Keree uttered.
"We have long tolerated the blame of the Republic for matters beyond the control of the average Ord Mantellian, but we will tolerate it no longer. We played no part in the recent hostilities between Sith and Republic, yet when leaders -- nominally in league with the Republic and endorsed by them -- were corrupted by Sith influences, it was not the response of the Senate to help us -- the people who were most keenly affected by the corruption, but rather to punish us." He sighed, wearily, and looked around. "And it was not our decision that led to the power-hungry greed of a Republic admiral to sell off the Mantellian defense wing of the Republic fleet, but our trade routes are now those suffering from neglect and piracy. Again, however, this is supposedly our fault."
One of the older humans -- one of the few present -- raised a hand, cutting off the next layer of invective that Keree had planned. "If we had representation independent of our sector, we might be able to avoid dealing with these egregious issues in the future. However, the Senate has long grouped us with two dozen other planets, all more embedded with their cronies than any Mantellian has been since the Mandalorian Wars."
Keree nodded. "Agreed. And I propose the following. First, we are granted the right to a separate senator, and as many representatives as would cover all of the major species on Ord Mantell. Second, we will be allowed an independent militia and navy patrol force, to be funded with taxes and levies previously granted to the Republic. If they cannot maintain it for us, we will not be paying them for it. And finally, if these demands are not met, Ord Mantell will withdraw from the Republic."
"We have long tolerated the blame of the Republic for matters beyond the control of the average Ord Mantellian, but we will tolerate it no longer. We played no part in the recent hostilities between Sith and Republic, yet when leaders -- nominally in league with the Republic and endorsed by them -- were corrupted by Sith influences, it was not the response of the Senate to help us -- the people who were most keenly affected by the corruption, but rather to punish us." He sighed, wearily, and looked around. "And it was not our decision that led to the power-hungry greed of a Republic admiral to sell off the Mantellian defense wing of the Republic fleet, but our trade routes are now those suffering from neglect and piracy. Again, however, this is supposedly our fault."
One of the older humans -- one of the few present -- raised a hand, cutting off the next layer of invective that Keree had planned. "If we had representation independent of our sector, we might be able to avoid dealing with these egregious issues in the future. However, the Senate has long grouped us with two dozen other planets, all more embedded with their cronies than any Mantellian has been since the Mandalorian Wars."
Keree nodded. "Agreed. And I propose the following. First, we are granted the right to a separate senator, and as many representatives as would cover all of the major species on Ord Mantell. Second, we will be allowed an independent militia and navy patrol force, to be funded with taxes and levies previously granted to the Republic. If they cannot maintain it for us, we will not be paying them for it. And finally, if these demands are not met, Ord Mantell will withdraw from the Republic."
The response was immediate and heated, both with approval and distress. A number of those present looked around, concerned, some coming off their rickety benches and bales with outcry, while their colleagues were leaning forward, pleased with what they heard.
"The point of this is not punitive, but it is proactive, for the problems of the Republic are not our own -- except for those they create for us."