Rising up from a Nobleman to Intergalactic Warlord!!
Chapter 230

“Not going to lie, but you should have done that months ago.”, I stated, dispersing the intense aura I was emitting. “Doombots, seek out the remaining traitors and eliminate them. Do not harm any innocent bystanders.”

<Understood.> (Doombots)

Phasing out of reality, my obedient subordinates set off to carry out my directive. Walking over to the Jedi, I helped them back onto their feet and apologized for not giving them any forewarning. Given the circumstances, none of them held it against me, as it was a necessary step in the rebuilding of the Galactic Republic. While the Jedi were willing to accept what happened, not all the senators were.

With Palpatine’s betrayal still fresh in their minds, many drew similarities between me and him. Members of the Militarist faction stared warily at me, fearing I was the next conqueror to attempt to seize control of the Republic. Noticing what was going on, several senators who knew me stood up to quickly quell the rising tensions.

“Lord Stark is absolutely right. We should have arrested and tried our traitorous colleagues when Palpatine’s treachery was brought to light.”, Padme spoke, surveying those present. “Instead of seeking justice, we swept the matter under the rug to prevent the Galactic Republic from fracturing further. Our inaction cost the Republic five star systems and trillions of innocent lives.”

“As much as it pains me to say this, Senator Skywalker speaks the truth. Even though the traitor Palpatine has been dead for months, his ambitions lived on through his followers.”, Satine chimed in. “Look around you; the senators my brother-in-law killed were the reason we have gotten hardly anything done for months now. No matter how much we debated and made compromises, they consistently obstructed our efforts. I abhor bloodshed; everyone here knows that, but in this instance, it was warranted.”

Heeding the words of their colleagues, the senators were forced to face a bitter truth. The drastic personality changes their deceased colleagues underwent after Palpatine’s death were not caused by residual brainwashing. Without a central leader to keep them in check, their façades had slowly slipped off, revealing their true nature.

“Lord Stark has been a stalwart ally of the Galactic Republic and its people from the very beginning.”, Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora asserted. “Unlike Palpatine, our galactic allies and the Jedi Order respect and trust his judgment. I see no reason for us not to do the same.”

“He has done more to help our people in the past few months than we have in decades.”, Senator Eraash Vi of Shili remarked, rising from her seat. “We were only made aware of Palpatine’s treachery because of Lord Stark’s intervention. Each of us here is alive today because Lord Stark saved us when the Senate Building came under attack. Our people are safer today than ever before because Lord Stark has the Hutt and Orion crime syndicates on the run. While his immense power is undeniable, he has consistently utilized it to protect the innocent.

(AN: I could not confirm who the senatorial representative of the Shili system was, so I went with the one article I found. If you know who it is, please let me know so I can fix it.)

Seizing the moment, Anakin and Obi-Wan stepped forward to give their full report to the senators.

---Thirty Minutes Later---

Using audio logs, pictures, and videos to show the aftermath of today’s battle, many senators were understandably distraught. Those who had previously dismissed the Devilukeans profusely apologized after understanding the reason for their anger. Having been misled by their deceased colleagues, the Senate finally accepted responsibility for their inaction. Swearing to fully reimburse the Devilukean Empire, King Gid accepted their apologies with a satisfied smile.

“There is one more thing we need to discuss.”, King Gid said, getting serious once again. “Right, Anakin and Obi-Wan?”

“Correct…”, Obi-Wan acknowledged, clearing his throat. “At the very end of the battle, Victor managed to capture the entities who had been leading the Hive Fleet. This will come as a shock to you, but we were able to converse with them telepathically. Victor negotiated a temporary ceasefire with the Tyranids as a whole.”

Jumping to their feet in disbelief, the Senate Chamber quickly descended into chaos. Having heard the Tyranids attacking the Algrand Empire had mysteriously retreated for some unknown reason, they were startled to learn that was my doing. Asking me to share everything I knew about the Tyranids, I readily did so as a gesture of good faith.

“So, Lord Stark, what can the Republic do to assist with the agreement you made?”, Chuchi asked.

“While I appreciate the sentiment, there is nothing you can assist with directly. The Necron race is over sixty million years old and wields technology far greater than the Ancients.”, I said, “That said, I may require your assistance once the dust settles. While I would like to believe the cerebrate can be trusted, we would be fools for not having a contingency plan. In the event they turn on us afterward, it would be reassuring to have reinforcements on standby.”

Understanding my concerns, King Gid and the Senate agreed to have a sizeable force on standby. Thanking them for their assistance, I pivoted to another area that required their attention. Inquiring about any signs of further retribution from Dahl, the senator could not think of anything.

“To our knowledge, the Dahl Corporation has completely left this region of space. Do you suspect that may not be the case?”, Padme questioned.

“Since you established a good relationship with some of their competitors, there is a good chance they will retaliate in some fashion.”, I replied. “Dahl has done so on multiple occasions with other groups in the past.”

“Come again…”, Chuchi remarked, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. “I… I thought the Dahl Corporation was just a large weapon manufacturer.”

“Ah…”, I said, looking around at all the perplexed faces. “You did not run a background check on them, did you? Let me guess, you took the word of a ‘reputable’ weapons dealer?”

Nodding their heads slowly, a long, pained sigh escaped my mouth. Rubbing my temples for a moment, I advised them to start running detailed background checks on anyone they contracted. They were horrified to learn how predatory the Dahl Corporation was after hearing how it rose to power. Grateful to be rid of them, a sudden realization came to one of the senators.

“I highly recommend performing a thorough review of our former colleagues. There is a chance they might have still been privately negotiating with Dahl behind our backs.”, Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan suggested.

Agreeing with Organa, the Senate immediately approved his recommendation. With the matter temporarily settled in their minds, senators began leaving the chamber. Feeling like they were downplaying the potential threat to their sovereignty, I gave up on trying to convince them of the danger.

While most senators and their staff quickly left, Senator Chuchi, Senator Vi, and former Senator Orn Free Taa’s aides came to speak with me. Running ahead of the senators, the two Twi’lek women grabbed hold of my arms and expressed their people’s gratitude toward me. Sharing heartwarming stories of families I had reunited, they slowly wriggled their way closer into my personal space.

“Lord Stark, on behalf of the people of Ryloth, we would like to extend an invitation to come visit our planet. While the festivities may not be up to your usual standards, the Twi’lek of Ryloth would still like to properly thank you.”, the Lethan said, puffing her chest out with a smile.

“Please say you will consider visiting us!”, the emerald-skinned Twi’lek pleaded, playfully biting her lower lip.

“My family and I would love to pay Ryloth a visit. As I have five Twi’lek women in my harem, I am sure they will be interested to learn more about their heritage.”, I spoke, showing the two women photos of our ongoing vacation. ‘Take the hint, and back off…’

Looking at the photos, the two women began giggling with delight before politely excusing themselves. Scurrying away like mice, they quickly disappeared out the door, leaving me with a sinking feeling my visit would be quite interesting. Putting the matter aside for now, I turned to the two senators and thanked them for their assistance earlier.

“Hehe, well of course, I could not leave Ahsoka’s boyfriend out to dry. She would never let me here the end of it if I had.”, Chuchi laughed before getting serious. “I do not know much about you, but Ahsoka insists you are a good man. Please continue treating her well; she is one of only a few I consider a dear friend.”

“I swear to you, I will do my utmost to support her in every possible way I can.”, I assured the senator as a smile crept upon my face. “Since you are clearly a close friend of Ahsoka, can I get your opinion on something?”

Nodding her head, I withdrew the handcrafted wedding ring I planned to propose to Ahsoka with in the near future. Taking one look at the ring, Chuchi covered her mouth and began jumping up and down excitedly. Giving her immediate approval, the senator was certain she would be overjoyed to receive it. Thanking Chuchi for her opinion, I turned to Vi to make a request.

“In my homeland, it is traditional for the man to seek approval from the woman’s parents before proposing. I know Ahsoka has had little interaction with her parents over the years, but I was wondering if it would be possible to meet with them.”, I said, unsure if it was even possible to track them down.

“It should be fairly easy for us to locate her parents for you. We keep detailed records of the Togruta children who are taken in by the Jedi Order.”, Vi spoke with a warm smile. “While you are on Shili, could we potentially arrange a meeting between our queen and you? She would like to personally meet the man responsible for the safe return of many kidnapped Togruta.

“Of course, I do not mind meeting with your queen.”, I agreed, exchanging a firm handshake with her.

Thanking me one last time, they bowed their heads and departed with their aides. With my job done here, I bid farewell to the Jedi and Gid before returning to the mansion.