Resting on the senator's desk, the holocomm projected two small images, one of Vanara Kayl herself, the other of a Devaronian male.
"You accepted our friendship, Senator Kayl--and credits; it's time you paid us back." there was tension in the man's voice. "All we want are the housing projects you promised out people. Now."
"Your people will have to wait their turn like everyone else" the image of the Senator crossed arms, speaking with thinly disguised contempt. "I owe you nothing; if you continue pushing me, I'll destroy you all."
"I wondered if the recording was forged, Senator" the Jedi's tone was very calm, reaching to skip ahead to a more damning sequence. "But it is a call placed directly to your office. More than one, actually."
"You extortion attempt has failed; my people are pushing back your little army as we speak" in the recording, the Senator does not bother hiding her gleeful spite. "It's over."
"Nobody breaks a deal with us, Senator" the Devaronian spoke with cool anger. "We'll have what we want, one way or another."
"And once we knew the codes, it was simple to keep watch for more calls" the holocomm flew from the table to Idilan's hand as the Senator made a move to grab it. "Care to explain yourself, Senator?"
"I... did what I did to secure my position in the Senate, Master Jedi" Vanara Kayl was careful with her words, and understandably so, having direly underestimated the Jedi. "Good intentions can only take you so far; my main adversaries have self-serving interests, and they also had much more money and influence than I had. When those gangsters approached me, I accepted their donation, and I'd do it again."
"You learned nothing then, Senator" now Idilan's tone showed some annoyance, to say the least. "I don't believe the Guild had the best interests of the residents of the Old Galactic Market in mind when they asked for housing projects, but you really believed you could double-cross them and not face any consequences?"
"I did what I did for Coruscant. I took those criminals' money and used it to help people in need" her tone was not pleading, but not too far from it. "You hold the power to ensure my success. Let me finish healing this world. Please destroy that recording."
"And what will you do when the next gang comes offering you money, Senator? Or when the Guild comes up with another vengeance plan, will you seek another Jedi with more lies and half-truths?"
To that, Senator Kayl had no immediate response; her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I am giving you a chance to come clean to the Senate and the people of Coruscant" continued the Jedi, in a softer tone "before I make these recordings and my testimony public."
The Senator winced at those words, but after a few moments, nodded. "I won't force you to go public. I'll call an emergency meeting in the Senate. Tell them the truth. Let them decide."
"It's for the best, Senator" Idilan nodded back. "Let the people of Coruscant decide if they were betrayed" the Jedi let out a sigh. "For all that it's worth, good luck."
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"You accepted our friendship, Senator Kayl--and credits; it's time you paid us back." there was tension in the man's voice. "All we want are the housing projects you promised out people. Now."
"Your people will have to wait their turn like everyone else" the image of the Senator crossed arms, speaking with thinly disguised contempt. "I owe you nothing; if you continue pushing me, I'll destroy you all."
"I wondered if the recording was forged, Senator" the Jedi's tone was very calm, reaching to skip ahead to a more damning sequence. "But it is a call placed directly to your office. More than one, actually."
"You extortion attempt has failed; my people are pushing back your little army as we speak" in the recording, the Senator does not bother hiding her gleeful spite. "It's over."
"Nobody breaks a deal with us, Senator" the Devaronian spoke with cool anger. "We'll have what we want, one way or another."
"And once we knew the codes, it was simple to keep watch for more calls" the holocomm flew from the table to Idilan's hand as the Senator made a move to grab it. "Care to explain yourself, Senator?"
"I... did what I did to secure my position in the Senate, Master Jedi" Vanara Kayl was careful with her words, and understandably so, having direly underestimated the Jedi. "Good intentions can only take you so far; my main adversaries have self-serving interests, and they also had much more money and influence than I had. When those gangsters approached me, I accepted their donation, and I'd do it again."
"You learned nothing then, Senator" now Idilan's tone showed some annoyance, to say the least. "I don't believe the Guild had the best interests of the residents of the Old Galactic Market in mind when they asked for housing projects, but you really believed you could double-cross them and not face any consequences?"
"I did what I did for Coruscant. I took those criminals' money and used it to help people in need" her tone was not pleading, but not too far from it. "You hold the power to ensure my success. Let me finish healing this world. Please destroy that recording."
"And what will you do when the next gang comes offering you money, Senator? Or when the Guild comes up with another vengeance plan, will you seek another Jedi with more lies and half-truths?"
To that, Senator Kayl had no immediate response; her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I am giving you a chance to come clean to the Senate and the people of Coruscant" continued the Jedi, in a softer tone "before I make these recordings and my testimony public."
The Senator winced at those words, but after a few moments, nodded. "I won't force you to go public. I'll call an emergency meeting in the Senate. Tell them the truth. Let them decide."
"It's for the best, Senator" Idilan nodded back. "Let the people of Coruscant decide if they were betrayed" the Jedi let out a sigh. "For all that it's worth, good luck."