There is no enmity more terrible
than when the like strives with the like,
driven by identical ambitions and equal strength.
***
A brand-new corvette CR-90, recently launched from the shipyard and bearing the Senate emblem, stood proudly on the landing pad in front of the main political forge of the Galaxy. Technicians were finishing their final preparations before takeoff. Near the lowered ramp, accompanied by two droids, stood two young women: one in exquisite white-and-red attire, the other dressed more modestly in shades of gold and blue.
Riyo Chuchi was chatting animatedly with Lily Rin, a senator from Byblos, when Senators Dylana Dio and Gunn Krutal approached them.
"Sorry for the delay," they said in turn.
"No worries—our ship leaves in thirty minutes," Riyo smiled. "But now that we're all here, maybe we should board?"
"Great idea. Let's continue our conversation in the wardroom," Lily Rin agreed. "Has your luggage been loaded?"
"Oh, I don't have much stuff. I prefer to travel light," Chuchi replied modestly.
Dylana Dio spoke slowly, almost thoughtfully.
"How fortunate that we were assigned this transport. At least we don't have to worry about pirate attacks."
"The Chancellor cares about the safety of senators. Not everyone can afford to have their own starships, so the Senate Security Service purchased two dozen of these corvettes," Lily Rin explained.
"I think pirates would be smart enough not to attack a ship bearing Senate insignia," Krutal said dismissively.
The ship's captain met them in the corridor.
"Senators, we are departing in twenty minutes. The route is Byblos–Denon–Argaaf–Enark–Pantora. The luggage is loaded, and the Senate guards are on board. Are you ready?"
"Absolutely. We'll be in the wardroom."
"Have a pleasant flight," the captain said, saluting before hurrying off.
***
Seated in the corvette's wardroom, the Pantoran listened dispassionately to the senators' chatter. They were all traveling to their homeworlds: some for vacation—the recent Senate sessions had been tense—and others to report to their planetary governments. Fortunately, Chuchi had both reasons.
The Pantoran Assembly wanted to hear her report, and she had something to please them with…
After that speech, her popularity rose noticeably. Many senators approached her to express their support, and, as the apotheosis of the event, she was invited to an evening gathering at the home of Lorian Maverick—a senator counted among the hundred most influential politicians in the Senate and, moreover, the unofficial leader of the faction that supported the Chancellor.
Riyo gladly accepted the invitation, fully aware that she would no longer be able to establish a dialogue with the Loyalists, having effectively opposed them. Even so, she decided it was worth it.
Several dozen senators attended the gathering, and later Chancellor Palpatine himself joined them. There, in a more informal setting, she managed to speak with him directly. The Chancellor even promised her that he would try to help in Pantora's defense. At the very least, he would arrange for one of the tracking system stations to be placed—if not on the moon itself, then on the icy, lifeless Orto Plutonia, around which Pantora revolved. It meant her homeland would no longer be defenseless—at least not entirely.
Rin asked Riyo what she thought about the crisis on Belasco, and the young Pantoran joined the conversation.
***
Outside the window of the small but richly decorated office stretched a landscape typical of Pantora: the grayish-white blanket of snow covering the ground; vapor rising above sparse marshy areas that appeared as clearings against the uniform background. Underground springs ran hot here, melting the snow around small lakes and puddles. In the distance stood slender rows of low trees—no more than a meter and a half tall—with large, dark-green leaves. Their branches were heavy with grayish-red blo'ku fruits. The night's snowfall had dusted the leaves, but neither snow nor frost could harm these plants. On any other world, such a scene would be truly fantastic—but not here, not on Pantora.
The door opened without a knock, and a young Pantoran entered the office. He walked over to the desk, sat down without hesitation, and asked:
"Did you call me, Father?"
"Yes, Cal. I need to have a serious talk with you," said Chi Cho, Supreme Chairman of the Pantoran Assembly and head of the Cho clan.
"Hm. Let me guess—you've chosen another candidate for me to marry? Which one is it this time? You know, I'm tired of this. I understand the reasons, but there's a limit…"
"This time it's more serious, son."
"Really?" The young man smiled faintly. "So—who is she?"
"…"
"No! Are you kidding me?"
Chi Cho remained silent, his expression grave. Cal could see that clearly.
"No… let me ask you something," Cal continued. "Why the hell have you been interfering with us?!… all this time?"
"I care about the welfare of Pantora and my family. I would rather die than allow our future to collapse. How dare you accuse me…?"
"Well, I am your son, aren't I?.."
As he left the office, Cal paused for a moment at the door.
"You don't admit that I was right from the start, do you?"
Notes:P@treon: /SadRaven
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