Sometimes it seems as if life takes forever to get from one point to the next. It certainly felt like that to Riyo.

The report on the financial status of the Grand Army of the Republic was met with a resounding Meh from the Senate. IT was frustrating, but to Riyo, it made sense.

There were more immediate concerns. Most importantly the war but also trade negotiations and more.

Riyo and her friends in the Senate were still trying to do something about the control chips. Mostly by taking clone guards with them on routine visits and having the chips removed. It ensured more free will and gave the scientists something to work on.

Through Padme, Riyo kept up with the behind the scenes news of the war. Atrocities seemed like a daily occurrence, even is some like the events on Ryloth were extraordinarily bad. Another invasion of Geonosis was undertaken. And much more.

For Riyo it was an endless wait.

She couldn't do much and any investigations she or Bail, Padme, or Mon Mothma tried to start were shut down by Ask Ask and his cronies.

Every time she was in 500 Republica, it felt as if she where being watched, monitored.

When she talked to Padme and Bail, they confirmed they too had the same feeling. They were too public, to ready for peace. And of course paralyzed by their positions.

In the end, it was up to the Jedi.

/\/\/\/\

Riyo and Padme had taken up having their meetings outside on the parklike grounds surrounding 500 Republica. After all, it was hard to monitor them if they kept moving. But still, it was a nice day.

Except for that thumping sound.

It was rhytmic and getting louder. The ground seemed to start to shake ever so slightly, vibrations coming up their legs.

As the sound came closer it became more and more obvious what it was. It was a show of power and force. It was the sound of soldiers marching. Each boot hitting the ground at the same time as so many others.

Padme and Riyo looked at each other before coming to stand near the wide pathway leading to the Senate Building.

Leading the way was Jedi Master Plo Koon and the Wolfpack, clones painted in grey fang patterns. Next was the 41st Elite Corps in green, lead by Luminara Unduli and her Padawan Barriss Offree.

Then came the 21st Nova Corps represented by Ki-Adi-Mundi and the Galactic Maries. Followign them was Aayla Secura and the 327th Star Corps, in their gold painted armor.

Master Yoda lead Obi-wan, the Negotiator, Anakin Skywalker, the Hero Without Fear, and Ahsoka Tano. Behind them came the entire 501st Legion in their white and blue armor and the 2nd Airborne, wearing yellow.

Finally, Master Mace Windu lead his 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps, mounted on their All Terrain Recon Transports – hunched two legged walkers for one person.

As the two Senator's watched, soldiers started splitting off.

Some of the blue painted troops came towards them. Fives, having been promoted to ARC Trooper came to stand in front of them. He had added shoulder pads and a kama to his ensemble and cut quite a striking figure.

"Senators, I am afraid that I am going to have to request you come with us."

"Where are we going Fives?" Riyo asked.

"Somewhere safe."

The two Senators exchanged glances and nodded. Fives started leading them towards another group of civilians. Behind them came the rest of the squad.

The young Pantoran Senator sighed, before murmuring quietly to Padme. "I guess they determined the puppet master."

"The Chancellor?"

"Who knows? This, however, is a massive statement. That was seven contingents of troopers and the Jedi who are the face of the war. You don't weaponize the Heroes of the Republic like this without reason or confidence."

"They must have disabled the chips."

"Or," Fives interjected, "They have been quietly working on this for a while and all the troopers have had their chips removed over time."

"Or that." Padme agreed cheerfully.

The two Senators fell silent as they added the next group of civilians and started walking towards a third group. Riyo noticed some of the troops were stationed by the doors and the 91st was patrolling the grounds.

Finally, they were told to sit on the grass and wait. As they did so, Senators, staff, and Senate Guards were all escorted out of the building and towards one of several seated groups.

The Grand Army of the Republic was living up to its billing.

Riyo leaned into Padme's shoulder and whispered. "If it is the Chancellor, we will need a replacement."

Padme blinked before nodding in agreement. "After."

"Anakin will be fine, we need a plan to keep the Republic from shattering after this military coupe."

"Anakin? What are you talking about?"

Riyo smirked, "You are terrible at keeping your relationship secret. Don't worry, I haven't told anyone. Though how the Republic doesn't know about such a golden couple, I don't know."

She paused, "A power couple like you two normally would be good. But Anakin just helped overthrow something and you are from the same planet as the last Chancellor, hard to vote for that ticket."

Padme didn't respond, outside of an involuntary nod.

"Bail would turn it down, he always complains about spending too much time away from Breha anyway. Mon Mothma and I are too young." Riyo muttered.

After a moment, Padme whispered back, "Yarua. He is steady, long serving, and the Wookies have always been loyal beyond reproach."

Riyo smiled, "I agree and if this is the Chancellor, we will put his name forward. After we ask if it is alright with him."

/\/\/\/\/\

Anakin growled, spinning his blue lightsaber as he moved for better positioning. This was taking longer than he expected. Four masters of lightsaber combat had entered the Supreme Chancellor's office and those four were being held at bay. A brown bag was on the floor near the door, silver poking out. Yoda's walking stick was left near the door as well.

A statue in the corner was smashed into pieces, and a hidden compartment for a lightsaber could barely be seen.

Nearby, Obi-wan and his green lightsaber waited in a defensive stance.

Yoda, Master of Ataru, was off to a side, looking for an opportunity, his green shoto blade held ready.

Master Windu, his distinctive purple blade held securely in both hands clashed with the Sith.

In the middle of the room, red lightsaber flicking against purple, Chancellor Palpatine's normally friendly face was contorted with rage.

"You are early." He growled, lashing out at Master Windu.

The Negotiator stepped in, batting the blade away allowing Mace to strike back – to find nothing but air.

"On the contrary," Obi-wan replied, "It seems we are a bit late to the party."

Anakin pressed in with his Djem Sou battering at the Sith Lord with little finesse, forcing the Chancellor into a defensive posture.

Yoda jumped forward, interrupting the defensive pattern and forcing the Chancellor to escape to the windows.

"Right you are to fear us. End your game we will."

"Dooku will destroy you."

Mace shook his head, lashing out. His blade was caught by the red blade, tiny sparks shooting out. "He was captured a week ago. And General Grievous was killed a few days later."

A snarl twisted the Chancellor's lips as he made a claw with his off hand and sent lightning at the dark skinned master.

Before it reached him, Yoda was there catching the attack with his bare hands and dissipating it.

The Chancellor pressed his attack, trying to push the two away when Anakin stepped forward. With a precise strike, the Chancellor lost both hands.

The master of the Republic, Sith, fell to the floor, knees dropping hard.

Obi-wan breathed out a long, held breath, before pulling two gauntlets to him from where they had been dropped earlier. He placed them on the Chancellor's cauterized wounds and locked them into place.

Obi-wan pulled a headband to himself and placed it on the Chancellor's head. "This device took a while, but it should suppress your ability to sense and use the Force."

Yoda placed his lightsaber on his hip and called his gimmer stick to him. "Officially removed from office, you are. Present our case to the Senate we shall."

/\/\/\/\/\

Riyo sat in the pod for the Pantoran Delegation, listening as the Jedi spoke about their investigations and actions.

Obi-wan Kenobi, known and respected by almost everyone in the Galaxy, represented the Jedi Order.

He walked the Senate through everything. From the strange order of troopers, to encrypted hologram calls to the Confederacy. From loans arranged by the Chancellor from everyone from crime lords to bankers. Loans to both the Confederacy and the Republic.

How they found proof of soldiers, Jedi and Clones, being sent into suicide missions intentionally.

How they discovered the control chips, including an order to turn the Chancellor into a Dictator.

Then there were the other crimes. Murder, assassination, kidnapping, trafficking, and much more.

In the end, the Senate only had one option. To vote to remove the Chancellor.

Riyo noticed that it was unanimous, but the number of votes cast did not quite equal the number of Senators in the room.

As soon as the Chancellor was removed from the room for trial at a later day, Obi-wan continued. "I want to thank you for your consideration and understanding today. The Jedi Order looks forward to continuing to support the Republic, and our democracy. We look forward to briefing the next Chancellor on the current military position and potential next moves. I, personally, want to thank the Senator from Pantora. It was her actions when a number of clone troopers were injured in a mission for Pantora that started these investigations. She found the first kernels of evil. For that, I am most grateful and I thank you for your kindness and generosity."

Riyo nodded and stood up, directing her pod to detach from the wall and float into the middle of the Senate Chamber. "I think you for your kind words, Master Jedi. Might I address the Senate?"

Obi-wan nodded, gesturing for her to go ahead.

Riyo took a deep breath, gaze moving around the chamber. "Fellow members of the Senate, today was at best unexpected. I have not been involved in the investigation for months. Still, even today, the war goes on. Today is not an end, it is a brief breath before our work continues."

She pause, looking down for a moment before staring at the droid recording the events. "I hope that one day soon, peace will reign again. That we will find common ground and common wisdom with our friends and enemies. That we will untie again into a Grand Republic that protects its citizens and allows for the freedoms we hold so dear."

Again she took a pause, before raising her voice. "However, today is not that day. Today, the blood of the brave troopers, the lifeblood of our Grand Army of the Republic pays for our security. Today those beings who have left home to volunteer in planetary defense forces, in the Grand Army of the Republic pay their blood to ensure we have the time to debate and discuss how to fight this war. The Jedi have not just been investigating, they have sent their best and brightest to fight and die for the Republic. We cannot turn away from the fact we are still at war. We cannot ignore the fact that we need competent, honest leadership for today and tomorrow."

She turned, looking around the Chamber.

"Senators, friends, there is much work to be done to reach a point where healing can begin. We need a leader who can dedicate themselves to fighting as necessary and diplomacy as reasonable. We need someone with the ability to find unity in this Chamber and across the Stars."

"I hereby nominate Senator Yarua of the Mytaranor Sector and Kashyyyk, as the next Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Senator Yarua has been a voice for those who suffer while being able and willing to act when needed."

Garm Bel Iblis pressed a button and his pod floated out before Padme or Bail could. "I second this nomination."

Yarua stood and bowed his acceptance.

A quick vote later and Supreme Chancellor Yarua took his position and ended the session of the Senate.

The applause was thunderous.