Chapter Text
‘Dreaming the impossible dream? Or so it seems for now at least.’ (It really could be poetry?)
“Senator Chuchi. May I have a word?” Mon Mothma was right behind Riyo after the somewhat chaotic of a shouting match mimicking a supposed Senate meeting finally over. The whole thing having turned out to become a total fiasco.
“Of course Senator Mothma.” Riyo motioned for the other Senator to join her a little farther away from the crowds of other partakers leaving the meeting. Far away from all those prying ears.
Checking no one was paying attention to them, much, Riyo activated the scrambler she had installed on her wrist comms after, well, since the incident on the lower levels of Coruscant some time back. Making sure nobody could listen in to their conversation.
“I know this did not turn out too well…” Mon started.
“Mon, we’ve known each other a long time now, so you can cut the pleasantries. We both know what this was. A total disaster!” Riyo had tried to push the Clone Retirement Plan addendum. The one she had drafted herself and would be giving the clones at least a severance pay along with an opportunity to apply to any other governmental job if they so desired. Alas to no avail.
“I hear you and I agree with you. The Senate simply does not care. It’s an additional cost. It is all they see after Tarkin’s little display of the costs of clones against conscripted soldiers. And if they can simply kick those clones past their service age out without much ado, they won’t really care what happens to them.” Mon wasn’t sugar coating things either.
“So, thanks for your service. All you did for the Republic and this Empire and yeah bye. Hope you’re feeling good. Try to make it out there will ya!” Riyo stated sarcastically a litany she saw the current plan be as.
“It seems that way.” Mon wasn’t too happy about this either. Nor were to other of their supports. The rest of the Senators? Well, they were either scared or did not care.
“So, that’s it then? We simply look on when they march the clones out through the gates and wave our sobbing sad goodbyes?”
“No, no we don’t.” Mon already had an idea. As why else talk about this now. “I have some… funds.” Mon glanced around, the paranoia for all working inside the Empire very much present.
“It’s alright Mon. The scrambler will encrypt any conversation within a five metre radius.”
“Well, I know you are working with… let’s say friends to help other… friends.” Mon was still worried though and not wanting to spill too much in the exact terms, just in case.
“Yes.” Riyo knew all about Mon’s involvements too. Having accidentally landed on a conversation she was not supposed to hear. Hence her own scrambling device used now whenever sensitive matters were conducted.
“Well, some of my, friends… have connections to some funds which could be easily redirected without too much effort. For a while at last.” Mon was clearly taking a page from Rampart’s book on this one. And why would she not?
“So, we could send some of that the… c.l.o.n.e.s way?” Riyo sounded hopeful, albeit spelling and whispering the last words. Yeah paranoia was a constant. And there was good reason for that too.
“Yes. But we need to route said, funds, through several channels and well, guess your friends, can be trusted on this one.” Mon wasn’t really asking knowing Riyo trusted her “friends”.
“They can. They are all the same.” Again, not admitting to anything specific just in case.
“Well then. Until such time, if ever, the Senate will pass the addendum. We simply have to improvise. The funds we have available to be used right now.” Mon had a small grin on her face, the cloak and dagger game on for sure.
“You are serious about this?” Riyo had to ask to be sure. Having been burned so many times already.
“I am.” Mon assured her friend.
“Then, let’s get the balls rolling. Before it is too late.”