Unification by Inarae

I owe a huge apology (and thanks) to everyone who read and reviewed this earlier. I use a computer w/ a Japanese operating system, and apparently FF.net removed all formating when I posted it from it. Since I was used to posting w/ no problems from my other computer, I didn`t even check. . . Thanks for telling me folks. Sorry for the inconveniance. (And thanks for reading anyhow!!!)

Disclaimer: Star Wars and everything associated with it belong to George Lucas, and probably others. I am just playing make believe; I have no intent to offend or infringe; please forgive my intrusion on your playground.

For the purposes of this story, I am regarding as cannon the original trilogy (SW:ANH, TESB, and RotJ), as well as the first three books written by Timothy Zahn, with the exception of Thrawn not dying at the end. All other professional works and the new movies may or may not be referred to; I am not ensuring that I remain true to them.

***************************************************

Another meeting concluded, another treaty signed, and now the elegantly dressed leaders took their theoretical ease in the theoretically informal ballroom, while armed soldiers in Imperial and New Republic dress uniforms stood smartly at attention along the walls. Mingling was one word for what they were doing. Conspiring, investigating, and eavesdropping were others. All done perfectly politely, of course. Grand Admiral Thrawn was undoubtedly enjoying himself immensely, although his expression of knowing amusement wasn