Fwurg

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

Chancellor Acehtoo kept very quiet as the guards escorted people out from the main Senate Hall, including most of the official guards. Once they were gone, the Chancellor activated a suppression field, which blocked communication electronics and as a side effect, interacted with the shield that protected the open ceiling, making it opaque.

With the open view of the galactic core blocked out the room was dark and the very atmosphere impressed upon everyone that this was a secret meeting and that what was discussed here was not to be shared outside the highest circles of government.

Flanked by Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda, she began to speak:

"My fellow Senators,

I have taken measures to ensure the secrecy of what we discuss here. As you will soon understand, it is of the utmost importance that whatever is decided, we keep silent from the rest of the Union. As such, this meeting is covered by the State Secrets act."

The State Secrets Act was the law which allowed documents to be classified and information to be hidden for the security of the nation. It was not a very popular law as many in the Union believed that information should be open to promote trust and understanding, but sometimes keeping a secret was in everyone's best interest.

"We have concluded the investigation into the Skulldaran Industrial Incident.

I shall cut to the chase: after carefully investigating all the evidence, the Jedi have made a full report to me. I have sent my own people to verify their results and they have come to the same conclusion.

The explosion that caused the Skulldaran Floating Factory to be destroyed, killing over a hundred thousand souls, was initiated by an exotic matter charge. The exotic matter charge was hidden inside a vehicle engine and brought close to the engine before being detonated by an operative on site.

Our experts have traced the signature of the weapon to a neutron star in Sector 20 -7, which as you all know is firmly under control of the Hutt Families. "

The Chancellor stopped a moment to let these facts sink in.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Still the question remains... Who is responsible?
We have to investigate if this was a small terrorist cell or a declaration of war from the Hutt Families.

This attack can not go unpunished.
Is there any fleet movement on the side of the Hutt Families?
Are our fleets standby, Senator Bolv'ar can you elaborate on our current military situation?

[Nehket Aeka]

The veolian senator, Senator Nehket Aeka, rose from her seat.

"A simple question, before we continue this discussion.

What level of the state secrets act is invoked? Although I represent the Veolian Commonwealth, I must share this information with the Emperor. If this is not possible under the invoked level of secrecy I request to be detained after this meeting -- preferably by order of the Chancellor."

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

"The Union has no secrets from member governments." the Chancellor stated resolutely. "As such, we would never ask that a Senator keep a secret from their own government.

As representatives of your respective states, by informing you all, the Union also presumes to be informing your nation of the details of this matter. You may therefore of course follow whatever protocol is appropriate for informing your government.

To answer the Veolian Senators question more directly, of course you must share this information with your Emperor and his government - they will have to decide on their position after all." she clarified.

"We do ask however that you not discuss these matters with foreign nations, with civilians, press, corporate entities or anyone not normally privy to highly classified state secrets. I am normally a proponent of openness and transparency, but I am certain you understand why secrecy is necessary in this case."

[Fred]

Benard Byrnison: "The Enlightened Kingdoms are afraid that this might lead to another war. We did not join the Union to become entangled in a war...
What measures have been taken to protect the Union worlds from another one of those attacks? We demand protection!"

[Nehket Aeka]

"Although I am not sure what the future holds, you can be rest assured that this will not immediately lead to open warfare," reassured Senator Nehket Aeka.

Directing her attention to the complete assembly, she continued: "Even though two recent incidents appear to have strong ties to the Hutt Families we must be sure that this is not the work of a third party wishing to incite open warfare. I think it would be prudent to handle this investigation with care, finesse and stealth. It would not do to upset the Hutt Families before we have determined the actual instigators of this tragedy.

I join senator Ardios Eldrilith in his concern about our fleet disposition and possible manoeuvring of the Hutt Families. If the ministry of defence would be so kind as to update us on the situation, we could take steps to ensure the safety of our borders.

I propose that we send a small group of operatives to Sector 20 -7 to gain more information about the situation. Furthermore, I propose that we immediately send a delegate to the Slave Rebellion with a seemingly important message -- should this delegate be attacked or otherwise obstructed we will know that these happenings have some relation to our recent dealings with the Slave Rebellion. It seems to me that this might be the work of the Hutt Families, but we are not certain of this yet."

[Former Senator Bolv'ar of the Confederacy of Excaria]

"At this time, I do not believe we can assume anything beyond the fact that the Floating Factory was destroyed by a weapon originating from a Hutt Families system.

Personally, I find the timing, shortly after we formally refused to deliver Colonel Evan'iri to the Hutt Families, to be suspicious. It implies this act may have been one of revenge. If it was, the Hutt might very well be satisfied to leave the matter as is.

It is also possible this was an act by the Slave Rebellion. They have been known to use terrorist attacks to disrupt their enemies economy in advance of their military campaigns.

For all we know, this is a move by the Mandalorian Fleets, trying to get us to move our fleets towards the Outer Rim, so they can raid with impunity.

Regardless, be assured that the Union has ample forces to fend off any attack by any of these parties. Our fleets are strong and our enemies divided. What we need to do now is take time to establish what is really going on.

I therefore support the proposal implied by the Praetorian Empire and brought forward by the Veolian Commonwealth to send operatives to Sector 20 -7. I propose sending several independent groups of Jedi to investigate this matter. That way they can get to the bottom of things from multiple angles. I am certain they will give us the answers we need, and I trust the Jedi to be able to do so in a discrete manner.

Perhaps the Veolian Commonwealth can come up with a plan for their second proposal, the secret message to the Slave Rebellion?"

The Defence Minister seemed calm and in control. He was not worried, that much was clear.

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

"The proposal has been seconded. If there are no objections, I shall immediately ask the Jedi Council to organise a mission!"

The Chancellor looked around to make sure there were no objections.

[Fred]

"We have faith in the Jedi. They have the skills to inquire this information quietly."

[Nehket Aeka]

"The Veolian Commonwealth has no objections. I shall confer with my advisers before presenting a plan for the secret message."