Chapter 7 - Political battlefield (1/2)

Hosnian Prime was a very multicultural and vibrant city in the core of the Hosnian system. After the official victory of te New Republic over te Empire, this planet had been chosen as the new site where the Republic would have its new capital. As such, Hosnian Prime became the new center of economy, commerce, education, arts, culture and politics. The planet was always so active that many would see people and vehicle roaming in its entirety all the days and night every day of the year and as you can imagine, the bussiness and clientele were always coming and going. One of those high-end and luxurious restaurants was ”Erin's Golden Spoon” and they had gained a good reputation in the capital through years of effort and excellent service to all their customers paying attention to the most minimum details. This night was no different and you could see the staff coming and going with a dignified and professional aura while smiling and attending every client with the best of their abilities. After all, they understood the basic idea that you must serve your clients with your absolute best, otherwise, you could only blame yourself for going out of bussiness. When the doorman took sight of a very luxurious ship coming their way, his instintcs told him that they would have very important VIP's to attend today.

- ”Sir”- he said through his intercom- ”we have another VIP coming.”

- ”I'll be there in a minute”- answered the boss- ”remember to give the best of services.”

- ”Understood”- he said and immediately he called two ȧssistants to receive the person personally and give time to his boss to appear.

The ship landed in the designated area and soon the doors and stairs lowered down letting the people inside walk to the doorman. It was a couple which consisted in a dignified and refined lady in approximately her sixties but whose features transmitted great wisdom and fortitude. Next to her a young and strong man who was serving as her escort. The doorman and the attendants bowed to the customers and guided them to the entrance where the boss of the establishment was already waiting with a big and sincere smile.

- ”Senator”- he said while bowing profoundly and looking at one of his most important clients with joy- ”you honor this humble establishment with you presence...”

- ”Alaster...”- said the woman with great eloquence and security- ”I have told you many times that this kind of welcoming is just wasted in me. I come here because of your great service but I think everything has a limit.”

- ”Our customers are the most important”- said Alaster smiling at her with great passion- ”but some of them require more attention and you re definitely in that group, Senator.”

- ”Hehe... You are a sweet talker as usual, Alaster”- she said smiling warmly at the owner of the establishment- ”I would like to know if my ”friends” have already arrived.”

- ”One of them is waiting for you, Senator”- said the owner without prying much on his customers' bussiness which was another reason why this establishment was very popular among politicians and bussinessmen- ”Please, permit me to accompany personally.”

- ”Thank you for your courtesy, Alaster”- said the Senator following the lead of the boss.

- ”No, no”- said he while guiding them- ”it is my honor.”

They were taken to the third floor of the establishment which was reserved only for VIP customers who wanted privacy and safety while also the highest class delicacies and service.

- ”I'll take my leave here, Senator”- said Alaster with his ever obsequious tone- when you are ready to order, just press the bell and we will attend you with promptness.

The senator nodded and Alaster left the area with the waiters and waitresses that were accompanying him. The escort made sure none was in the area before knocking and opening the door for the senator who thanked him and entered with graceful steps. As soon as she entered she saw her loving and loyal friend sitting down while drinking a ċȯċktail on the table.

- ”I'm sorry I'm late”- said the senator changing her way of speaking to a more familiar and casual tone- ”I hope you didn't have to wait too much.”

- ”We're both old enough to know that some minutes make no difference in comparison with all the years we have lived”- replied her friend with a strong but playful tone- ”Also, you know the rules... since you came after me... the bill is on you.”

- ”Oh my...”- said the senator pretending to be shocked while looking at the woman in front of him with disdain- ”since when have you become such a miser?”

- ”Since I have to use every credit against the First Order”- said the other person with a serious tone.

- ”It's great to see you, Leia”- said the senator hugging her best friend and feeling a warm emotion in her ċhėst.

- ”I'm very happy to see you too, Mon”- said Leia Organa who was sincerely joyful to see her loyal friend and ally Senator Mon Mothma.

The two women separated and saw at each other eyes with the streght of a friendship that only time and difficulties could forge.

- ”You did a good job, Taslin”- said Leia looking at the man who had accompanied and protected her friend- ”I hope you didn't find any problem on the way here.”

- ”Nothing to report, General”- said Taslin Brance who was a major in the Resistance and one of the most competent officers under Leia- ”Senator Mothma made the task very easy and I even learned many tricks from her.”

- ”Bah! He is exagerating!”- said Mon Mothma smiling at his comment- ”did you teach the members of the Resistance how to flatter now?”

- ”I wish I could”- said Leia laughing- ”God knows we need more charming fellows, but Taslin is a special case. Let's sit down while waiting for the rest.”

They sat down and started to talk about the meeting they will have today and its importance for the future of the Republic.

- ”I'm sorry you had to cancel your retirement” said Leia taking Mon's hand and souding really apologetic.

- ”You don't have to”- said Mon patting Leia's hand- ”we're both born diplomats, Leia and we both know that politics one never really retires and just takes prolongued vacations until he or she finds something new to complain about.”

The three of them laughed and Leia knew she had a good point. She knew that they would probably continue their political careers until the end of their lives.

- Plus- said Mon looking at her friend teasingly- you're the one who started with the now popular trend of politicians returning to the public eye.

- Well, someone had to fight the new threat- said Leia- and since they youngsters were not doing anything I supposed it was up to us to show them how to fight! What were they expecting? That I knitted sweaters while the First Order destroyed everything we had built until now?

- I don't know- said Mon shaking her head- I've heard you do a superb crochet and I still have that shawl you made for me!

- Hah!- said Leia having her cheeks a little red- ”if by doing crochet we could defeat the First Order, I'd do sweaters and shawls the whole day.”

- You never change, Leia- said Mon taking a sip of her drink that Taslin had kindly served- and that's a great thing... how's Han?”

- ”Well... Han is Han”- said Leia smiling at the mentioned of her husband- ”if I can't stay still in a place, then you can imagine him...”

- ”Well that's true”- said Mon smiling also while seeing the change in the eyes of Leia when she mentioned Han. Such a sweet look- ”I can't really imagine him living a calm retirement.”

- ”You can say that again”- Leia said and she looked like a teenager talking about her problematic boyfriend- ” I had to tie him down to stay in a place and he would still be on the move... he was even happier than me when we decided to start the Resistance... it was like watching a kid with a new toy.

- ”I'm sure he has been of great help”- said Mon feeling a little jealous of Lei that had such man by her side- ”I thought he would oppose your return.”

- ”Hah! He knows me better than that”- said Leia showing a proud face- ”He knows I would have done it even if he didn't want to... I respect his decisions so he'd better respect mine...”

Leia smiled again like remembering something nice and started to sip her glass again. Mon knew that Han Solo was the only man who could deal with Leia and also Leia was the only one who could deal with Han Solo but in the end, after fights and discussions, they would always reach an agreement and they both would respect it. After so many years and experience so many difficulties and happiness together, Mon could not think of a better team to lead the Resistance.

- ”But I couldn't have done it without Han and Luke”- said Leia sighing- ”they both do their best and I must also do my share, don't you think?”

- ”You still don't have news of him?”- asked Mon Mothma with a serious face.

- ”Not yet”- said Leia with a sad smile that transmitted her worry- ”I know he's in problems but I sense he's still alive. I would know otherwise.”

Luke Skywalker, Mon Mothma still remembered that young boy who had led the Rebel Alliance to victory and she had personally witness his transformation from a typical pilot to a valiant general with misterious powers and skills. Mon Mothma had heard about his dissapearance two years ago and how the First Order had taken advantage of this which showed how much the Resistance depended on Luke.

- ”We'll have to wait for news from Poe and Lor San Tekka...”

- ”I've heard many good things about Poe Dameron”- said Mon trying to change the gloomy environment.

- ”He's the best pilot I have after Luke and he's my most trusted aide”- said Leia- ”But don't tell Han I said that and no offense Taslin.”

- ”None taken, General”- said Taslin smiling- ”we all know the capabilities of Captain Dameron. He has proved his worth to all many times.”

- ”Ding... Senators...”- said the voice of Alaster by the intercom inside the private room they were- ”your guests have arrived and I will guide them to you.”

- ”Thank you, Alaster”- said Leia using her diplomatic tone- ”please bring us the special Smorgasbord that your establishment is so famous for.”

- ”At once, Senator Organa”- said Alaster who felt very proud and honored by her words- ”It will definitely not dissapoint you.”

- ”It's time”- said Leia looking at Mon and they both grinned fearlessly.

- ”Another battle to win.”

- ”Just don't be so hard on them!”

- ”You should follow your own words.”

- ”You're the kind and understanding one and I'm the direct and harsh one, remember?”- said Leia accomodating her clothes one last time.

- ”We should change roles one day.”- said Mon Mothma smiling.

- ”Not today”- said Leia looking at her with a serious look- ”This meeting is too important.”

- ”I know”- said Mon Mothma and she also put a serious but courteous face.

After some minutes they could hear the steps coming from outside the door and they even could hear some voices that did not sound very pacific. Leia and Mon just smiled since they knew this would happen and the door was opened revealing four people in which two of them seemed to be very agressive to each other. Leia and Mon stood up and greeted the newcomers.

- ”Good evening, Senators”- said she using her typical diplomatic tone which was respectful but not subservient- ”it's a pŀėȧsurė to see that you arrived well.”

- ”I'm also very happy to see you well, Senator Organa and Senator Mothma”- said Amilyn Holdo ignoring the other party while showing a bright smile to the other two women. She had come with a female bodyguard who just nodded behind her- ”this would be a very joyful situation if not for the presence of certain disgusting people in the room with us.”

- ”I greet the two ladies in front of me”- said Senator Ransolm Casterfo who just smiled warmly at Leia and Mon while being impervious to the comments of Holdo- ”just ignore the vulgarities of the female next to me.”

- ”What did you say?!”- said Holdo whose face showed a great fury and seemed to be about to throw herself at Casterfo in order to kill him. However, the bodyguard of the man advanced in a signal of warning.

- ”Senators, please”- said Mon Mothma- ”we are here to discuss common ground topics and to enjoy a meal. Please, let's leave our differences and sit down.”

The two senators looked at each other and they sat down with their bodyguards standing behind while remaining alert. Soon after, the servants of the establishment entered and placed many dishes and delicacies in front of the politicians who could not help appreciate the skill and cared the cooks has put on them. Once they had finished serving the food the servants went away reminding them to call them if they needed something.