490. Meeting between the two parties
The next day, Speaker Sheev-Palpatine gave a speech in parliament. He once again expressed his hesitation on the war issue. He claimed that the door to peace is always open and he is still waiting for negotiations with Count Dooku.
"For compatriots in the same galaxy to kill each other, this is something I absolutely don't want to see." Palpatine emphasized this point again and again.
But in his speech, he still said that the current situation no longer allows him to continue waiting hopelessly like this, and he must make other preparations. Palpatine told those congressmen that he hoped to see the passage of "Military Creation Act". The purpose was not to increase his power or provoke a war, but to prepare Galactic Republic for the worst.
He also hypocritically said that once Count Dooku agrees to start negotiations and the negotiations go smoothly, he will not hesitate to terminate the bill and return power to Parliament.
The 'Loyalty Committee' he concocted in the parliament also began to work at this time, and the members of the group also began to build momentum for his actions. Under their publicity, Palpatine indeed became the person who worked for peace until the last minute.
The second vote on "Military Creation Act" will be held one week later in Galactic Standard Time.
Regarding this bill, the new Rim Faction Senator headed by Francis-Underwood and some Outer Rim Territories members who are still in the parliament expressed strong indignation. They claim that if parliament passes this bill, it will be a trample on democracy and proof that Galactic Republic wants to actively provoke a war.
Francis-Underwood even dropped the cup directly on Senate Chamber. He loosened his tie, pointed at Palpatine's nose and roared loudly, " If this reactionary motion is passed, it will be the darkest day in Galactic Republic 25000 history! Because today, you, a dignified Chancellor of the Republic, chose war!"
"I have repeatedly emphasized that peace is my original intention." Palpatine said with a smile.
"Then stop voting on this bill!"
"Unfortunately, in the end, democracy still has the final say."
"In that case, the day this bill is passed is the day we withdraw from Republic Senate!! Please remember, Sheev-Palpatine! It's you! It's you who single-handedly pushed Galactic Republic into war and division!!" Francis-Underwood shouted angrily, and then rushed out of the venue without looking back.
As he took the lead, many Outer Rim Territories members also stood up and left the venue to express their opinions.
Back in the office, Francis-Underwood took off his tie, straightened his collar, and asked his Chief of Staff Douglas-Stamp calmly, "What happened just now? I feel like I used too much force."
"I think it's just right in this situation, sir." Douglas nodded slightly, showing a somewhat sinister smile, "After you made such a fuss, even if we can't influence the overall situation, Palpatine will have to spend more energy to win votes."
"This is also the last thing I can do." Francis took off his suit and put on casual clothes, "I will leave Coruscant in the afternoon and return to Dawn Star Planet. I'm worried that if I leave late, Palpatine He will not allow me to leave completely. Our final declaration, Doug, is that as long as I am not around, Palpatine will not do anything to you." Francis-Underwood said.
"Leave it to me, sir." Douglas-Stamp nodded and replied, "An agent codenamed 004 already contacted me yesterday. Intelligence Department's Madam M will ensure my safety."
Meanwhile, Outer Rim of the galaxy, Luks Major Planet (Raxus Prime).
A flash of dazzling white light flashed, and the five 1,100-meter-long Kohl-class Battlecruiser left hyperspace and entered the planet's gravity well.
Tang Xiao is sitting on the main seat of the flagship with his legs crossed, his expression stern, looking at the planet in front of him through the holographic projection.
Sefrans-Tann is still standing like a soldier, with his legs standing straight like compasses behind Tang Xiao.
Also accompanying them are 10 Hiigaran-class battlecruiser, which is the fleet brought by Glosse-Shelbia in the name of Fourth Group.
There are already a large number of fleets gathering around this small planet.
Among them, there is a huge fleet composed of 1 Luukri-Hok-class battleship converted from a cargo ship, 10 Hiigaran-class battlecruiser and 5 Deceiver-class destroyer. The logo on this fleet shows that it is Trade Federation.
There is also a fleet of 30 Munificent-class communications frigate, which is the fleet of the InterGalactic Banking Clan.
Technological Alliance, Merchant Guilds, and Corporate Alliance also brought large-scale fleets. Their fleets were mainly composed of Defiant-class light destroyer and Munificent-class communications frigate.
However, this terrifying fleet that can easily sweep across an entire star region is gathered here not to fight, but to... sign an agreement.
The situation between Outer Rim Territories and Galactic Republic has reached this point. Many things have been brought to light, and there is no need to gather quietly like the underground party.
What's more, today's meeting is different from usual.
After the fleets of various corporate giants docked in their respective areas, representatives of each company took a shuttle and sailed to a giant enclosed space port in Luks Major Planet.
After getting out of the shuttle, Tang Xiao looked at the InterGalactic Banking Clan co-chairman San Hill who had also just arrived. They exchanged glances with each other and continued walking towards the venue.
The venue was not big. Count Dooku was already waiting at the door, and more than thirty people came one after another. That was all for this meeting.
Dawn Star Planet, InterGalactic Banking Clan, Merchant Guilds, Trade Federation, Corporate Alliance, Technological Alliance, Fourth Group, Semirres Planet, Yago-Dur planet, Geonosis and other planets with highly developed industrial systems and the heads of corporate giants are among them.
In fact, these 30 people are the only ones qualified to attend the conference among the thousands of galaxies in Outer Rim Territories that Separatist Movement can reach.
Seeing Sefrans-Tann following behind Tang Xiao, Count Dooku couldn't help but take another look. He smiled and said, "If I guessed right, this should be Chiss, right? It seems that Lord Tang Xiao is really powerful, and he can even find Chiss who has been in Unknown Regions and never came out. And..."
Count Dooku's face changed slightly, "It's still Force-sensitive..."