Draft Passed

"Perhaps everyone is a bit curious about why Master Qui-Gon was resurrected. Back during the Battle of Naboo, the Republic had no soldiers, so only our Mandalore could rescue Naboo, and it was at that time that we saved Master Qui-Gon."

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn did not die back then; he was saved by us Mandalorians. Furthermore, he saw through the true nature of this war, choosing to let go of the rigid and outdated rules of the Jedi Council. He chose a more direct, effective, and merciful path: faking his death, directly intervening in future wars, stopping conflicts through physical means, and protecting the weak."

Cort rested his hands on the podium and proclaimed loudly.

"That is what I want to say. The nobility of the Jedi Order is beyond doubt, but their command system is no longer suited for this galaxy-wide total war! Let the Jedi do what they do best—as the vanguard, as the spiritual pillar, as a special assault force! And return the command of large-scale legions to those officers who have received professional training for it, to those more efficient and standardized command systems. Together, they will become the most powerful army of our Republic!"

"Just as I have always said, my draft is not meant to strip the Jedi of their power, but to liberate their combat strength! And even more so, to let our soldiers shed less blood!"

"Now, tell me, will you continue to cling to old dogmas, watching our defense lines broken one by one, watching our soldiers sacrifice in vain due to improper command? Or will you choose reform, choose efficiency, choose victory?"

The hall fell into a brief silence, followed by an outbreak of enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Senators from the Outer Rim and Mid Rim, who suffered greatly from the threats of war, were the first to stand up, followed by representatives related to the military industry. Finally, even some Core Worlds senators who originally held reservations were conquered by these irrefutable battle results and Cort's highly inflammatory remarks.

"Voting begins," Chancellor Palpatine spoke up at the right moment.

The result was without suspense.

The "Grand Army of the Republic Modular Reform and Command Devolution Draft" passed with an overwhelming majority of votes.

This meant that Cort Vizla was not just a nominal strategic advisor; he would truly hold the power of reorganization and command over parts of the theater of operations for the Grand Army of the Republic. Furthermore, Mandalore's military system would be officially embedded into the Republic's fleet, and the Republic's fleet would be swallowed step by step, becoming Mandalorianized step by step.

After the meeting ended, in the Chancellor's office.

Palpatine personally poured Cort a glass of fine red wine from Naboo.

"Brilliant, simply brilliant, Cort," Palpatine praised sincerely, "You utilized Master Qui-Gon's resurrection not only to dispel people's doubts about the Mandalorian army, but also cleverly pushed the Jedi Order into an awkward position, forcing them to accept reform."

"This is all for the Republic, Your Excellency," Cort took the glass, gently swirling it, "The Jedi are too tired; they need rest, and we also need a more obedient and efficient army to end this rebellion from the Outer Rim, isn't that so?"

Palpatine burst into laughter.

"That's right, more efficient, more obedient. You always manage to speak right to my heart."

He walked over to the window, looking out at the bustling night view of Coruscant.

"However, the Jedi Council might give you trouble over this. They won't let the matter of Master Qui-Gon rest easily."

"Let them come find me," Cort took a sip of the red wine, "I am no longer that child who would be turned away at their door. Besides, Master Qui-Gon is now a man of Mandalore and a free person."

As soon as Cort walked out of the Senate administrative building, his path was blocked by a group of robed figures.

Led by Mace Windu, several Jedi Masters such as Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and Plo Koon lined up. The surrounding Senate guards tactfully retreated into the distance. Spider immediately stepped forward, his hand resting on his blaster, but Cort raised a hand to stop him.

"Master Windu," Cort smiled, "If you are here to congratulate me on the bill passing, then I accept the sentiment."

"You know why we are here, Cort," Windu's voice was grave as never before, staring intently at Cort, "Qui-Gon Jinn, he is still alive, and he has been working for you."

"Correction, Master," Cort waved his hand, "He is working for peace, for protecting the innocent. Mandalore merely gave him a platform to realize his ideals, a platform free from the shackles of stale dogmas."

"He is a Jedi Master! His destination should be the Temple, not becoming a Commander of your private army!" Master Ki-Adi-Mundi couldn't help saying, "You concealed his life and death; this is a deception against the Jedi Council!"

"Deception?" Cort didn't understand why they would say that.

"Back then on Naboo, who judged that he had 'returned to The Force'? It was you! Who put up obstacles in every possible way when he raised objections and wanted to train Anakin? It was also you! I saved him, healed him, kept him from dying on Naboo, and allowed him to save tens of thousands of lives on Ryloth—is this deception?"

Cort took a step forward, staring down Windu.

"Master Qui-Gon chose to live in seclusion in Vadir and chose to join the 'Way of Unity' because he saw another possibility of The Force there—a possibility unconstrained by dogma that could truly balance light and dark, and save the common people! You should ask yourselves why a wise Master like him would choose to leave the Temple, instead of coming to question me."

"The Way of Unity... What you call balance is playing with fire, Cort. Did you let Qui-Gon touch the Dark Side?"

"The Force inherently has no good or evil; it lies in the human heart. Have you never touched the power of the Dark Side, Master Windu?" Cort said indifferently, "Master Qui-Gon understands what the true The Force is better than any of you. If you don't believe it, you can go ask him yourselves—provided you aren't bringing lightsabers to purge the house."

"We will go," Master Yoda's voice came from behind, as that short green figure slowly walked over.

"Qui-Gon's choice, we will confirm it ourselves. If he strays from the Righteous Path, we will guide him back; if he is not free, we will bring him back ourselves."

"A wise choice, Master Yoda," Cort bowed slightly to Yoda.

"Mandalore's doors are always open to friends, but I must remind everyone that the current Qui-Gon Jinn is no longer that Jedi who only knows how to take orders from the Council. He is not only a powerful Force user, but also a highly respected general of the Mandalorian army."

Having said that, Cort took Spider and strode away through the encirclement of the Jedi Masters.

Watching Cort's retreating figure, Windu clenched his fists.

"For how many years has he been challenging our bottom line? He has been trying to split the Jedi Order, constantly preaching the power of the Dark Side, and even corrupted Qui-Gon. Years ago, I actually thought he was our friend."

"No, Master Windu," Master Yoda looked in the direction Cort had left, "He is demonstrating a possibility—a possibility we have never imagined."