Chapter 74
Coruscant, Coruscant System
Corusca Sector
Having suffered through all four hours of Palpatine’s post-crisis address to the Senate, interrupted likely a half dozen times by thunderous standing ovations, Jedi Master Adi Gallia was not inclined to hear one more honey-dripping word from the Chancellor’s mouth. And yet, she must, as she watched the sun-kissed spires of the Jedi Temple approach.
The newfound bustle of the Temple’s wide corridors were not lost on her as she made her way to the turbolift, filled with thousands of Jedi Knights and Padawans recalled from far-flung frontiers to defend the Core from the recent Separatist incursion. Thousands of Jedi in the Temple, thousands of fronts on which the Confederacy of Independent Systems found a second wind. Thousands of fronts on which the Republic was being pushed back.
The Tholothian shook her head, tendrils swaying. Thousands of Jedi on Coruscant to oppose the Dark Lord of the Sith.
As soon as she entered the circular chamber of the High Council–filled in advance with the forms of myriad Jedi Masters–she ran the holorecording of the Supreme Chancellor’s recent speech. Around the holoprojection sat the Councilmembers Yoda, Mace Windu, Saesee Tiin, Shaak Ti, Plo Koon, Stass Allie, Kit Fisto, and herself.
“Today, we stand in the wake of a monumental victory,” the holoimage of the Supreme Chancellor declared, “Separatist treachery! Treason in our own space! Against all odds our brave defenders, the soldiers and fleets of this Republic, have delivered a decisive blow to the enemy! The Separatists saw to sow fear into our ranks, to turn us against each other, but out Core–our people and our spirit!–remain intact! We have triumphed! A triumph of unity, courage, and unwavering resolve!”
There was an applause, so loud and roaring it drowned out the sound of his voice–and when Palpatine realised it wasn’t going to stop, he paused to let it run its course. A course that went on for far too long. Droid cams buzzed around the Great Rotunda to highlight the more well-known of the Palpatine-aligned factions, before coming full circle and closing in on Palpatine’s thirty-metre-tall podium to linger on the two dozen human naval officers who were standing just below the summit, clapping enthusiastically.
“I offer my deepest gratitudes to those who stood on the front lines, on behalf of us all. To these men and women, these heroes of the Republic, who faced the most fearsome Warlords of the Perlemian and prevailed. Their bravery and sacrifice has paved the way for the continued safety and preservation of this great galactic community, and for this, they will forever be remembered.”