The war fought within

CHAPTER 4: ONLY THE BEGINNING

As he walked through the battlefield, Thiurate was starkly reminded of the brutality of war.

"What is the point in this?" he asked a nearby soldier, his voice heavy.

The soldier looked at the devastation around them, then back at Thiurate. "I don't know, sir," he replied quietly. "I don't think any of us know."

Thiurate turned away, making his way to a transport that would take him back to the capital ship. Once aboard, he exited his armor and walked directly to the bridge.

"Jump to light speed," he commanded, "to Courosaunt."

As the cruiser vanished into the shimmering folds of hyperspace, the Chancellor couldn't help but wonder how this brutal war would ultimately turn out.

Lost in thought, the ship suddenly exited hyperspace, settling into orbit above Courosaunt. Three hundred guards stood at attention on the landing pad, awaiting their arrival, alongside forty senators.

CHAPTER 5: THE INTERNAL WAR

Senator Amadalla stood before the gathered assembly. "Thank you, Chancellor," she began, addressing the room. "My proposed end to this war is simple: all clone production must be stopped. It is only furthering war and chaos."

The Chancellor's voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding. "Let me ask you this, Senator: if we stop production of clones, will USOF stop production of droids?"

Senator Amadalla hesitated. "Well, no, but—"

"Then why should we stop?" the Chancellor pressed, his gaze sweeping across the senators. "This Republic is weak because we refuse to act while our enemy ruthlessly attacks and kills civilians. Have you been in active combat, Senator?"

"No, Chancellor, I have not," Amadalla admitted, "but I know that to stop suffering is to stop war, and—"

"—and to do that," the Chancellor finished, his voice rising, "we must annihilate the enemy!"

The senate room erupted in a wave of thunderous cheers and applause. Senator Amadalla looked visibly upset by this fervent display.

"We will now hold a vote for the immediate action of open war and the increase in troop production," the Chancellor announced over the clamor.

The vote was cast. The motion passed overwhelmingly, 178 to 12.