In the Galactic Republic before the Jedi Council assumed executive and legislative powers from the Senate?, a powerful branch was the Scout Service?. The Council wisely appointed one of its members to represent it in sessions and there are signs that it is beginning to coordinate with the needs of the other branches of government as opposed to the old sector-by-sector budget formulas. Sargis Kalpak?, the present Officer of the Unknown Parts, is trying to mold a resisting bureaucracy to move activities more fluidly in response to changing demographics, trade routes, military needs, and commercial necessities. An initial period of calm in his tenure has been followed by a flurry of activity and bureaucratic clash as he is taking on the old Service with only a few ardent supporters. To the surprise of many, he is succeeding admirably in his goals and the Service has begun taking a more "customer friendly" approach that has been well received by outsiders. The scouts themselves are not as appreciative.