7Okay everyone, I think I have most of the major plot bugs worked out...Sorry for the wait, and as alwyas, thanks for your continued patience and support.
On to the next chapter!
"Is everyone present and accounted for?" Bail asks, surveying Mon and I seriously.
I look around; the student council is currently comprised of just the three of us-I hope more students join soon. After all, we can hardly make fair decisions with only three people's viewpoints.
"Yep, I think that's everyone." Mon Mothma replies, flipping her strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder.
"Okay. Does anyone want to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous session?" Bail questions.
"I," I reply.
"I second that." Mon agrees.
"Great," Bail says, flashing a smile. "Now to business; I've been hearing rumors that principal Palpatine will be returning to school for this year."
"Wait a minute...Isn't he supposed to be, you know, dead?" I wonder. As a child, my parents often regaled me with stories of the lengths they'd had to go to in order to protect our welfare. The fact that his name is popping up now, after all this time, is deeply disturbing.
"That's what I thought." Bail replies. "However, people are saying that he's been recovering in his own private medical facility. I don't know what from, but apparently it was pretty serious."
"What could possibly be so serious that you'd have to be in the hospital for seventeen years?" I ask, puzzled.
"I'm not sure..." Bail admits. "In any case, we need to be prepared in case he does return. If these rumors are true, he may take drastic measures to retake control of the school."
"So what do you suggest we do? We obviously can't just let him back in here; you've heard of all the horrible things that happened when he was principal here years ago. Do you really want to risk repeating history?" Mon demands, incredulous.
Bail raises a surprised eyebrow. "I wasn't finished. I know we can't let him in here again. That's why I'm proposing we start a rebellion."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Think of it as a smear campaign of sorts: we dig up as much dirt as we can find on this guy, and then, when the time comes for him to take the position, we expose him for who he really is." Bail suggests.
I'm all for keeping Palpatine out of office, but we're so few now...there's no way we'll be able to make any kind of difference with a group this size, no matter how loud we scream.
"That sounds risky." I admit, the stories Dad has told me in times past about the awful things Palpatine has done to those foolish enough to attempt to cross him jump to mind, unbidden and unwelcome, and I feel cold, and scared, and insignificant in the face of Palpatine's abilites.
I can't let it show, so I put on my best Sabbac-face and grit it out.
"We don't have nearly enough people to make ourselves heard." Mon says, and I can't help but agree with her. "We need more people."
No...what we need is an army.
No sooner has this thought crossed my mind, then the janitor's knocking on the door and pointing at his watch.
"Sithspit, we're gonna miss the bus!" Bail says, the edge of panic creeping into his tone as he begins to gather his things. We'll discuss this more next week. In the meantime, try to get as many people on-board with this as you can. And remember: we all have sacrifices to make. Even if you hate somebody's guts, ask them to join anyway, because their input could be what gives us the oomph we need to make the school board see reason and select a new candidate for principal."
And then, Bail's grabbing his stuff and scooting out the door, Mon and I on his heels as we race for the bus stop outside of school.
I know, short and a little dry to read, but I have to establish the political aspect of the story before I can write the more exciting parts like the Kessel Race next chapter! I apologize once again for the extended wait, and please don't forget to Review.
May the Force be with you,
~Ink