Chapter 2. Elections
Once again life was returning to normal in the galaxy, the threat of the Yuuzhan Vong was over and now the elections for Chief of State could resume. Lando had gone to Leai asking if she would endorse him and help him with his election, but Leia had been distracted by the war and finding Anakin. She did point Lando towards Arden Core who would help him win the election.
Lando was on his way to Arden's office in the business district on Coruscant. He exited his speeder and walked up the steps through the lobby and took the turbo-lift to the fiftieth floor of the building. Arden had a corner office, it was very prestine and opulent.
A droid was with a female voice was at the reception desk, "Good morning I am…"
"Lando Calrissian…Arden is waiting for you sir please go in…"
The office was decorated in the Alderranian fashion, but the colors were different. Instead of the royal blues and silver, it was red and gold. "Lando Calrissian…It is an honor to finally meet you…" The Twi'Lek said.
They shook hands, "It is nice to meet you as well…"
"Please sit…would like some brandy…"
"Yes please…"
"Before we begin there are a few questions I must ask…" He said after taking a sip and setting the goblet down. "First have you cut all ties with Booster Terrick and the smugglers guild…"
"I have and I have liquidated all my unknown assets…"
"Good…what about Cloud City?"
"It is being run by a close friend looking after my interests…"
Arden sighed, "You will have to let go of that as well…You acquired Cloud City through less than reputable means and this election will get ugly…"
"I am ready…"
"Are you sure…Your opponents will dig up your past and flaunt it for the entire galaxy to see…If there is anything your wife doesn't know about tell her now…"
"She knows everything…"
"Why did you want to run?"
Lando sighed, "Because I feel that I have a second chance at life and…and I always wanted to put my hat into the political pot…" They talked for hours and to Lando it seemed more like an interrogation than an interview.
When they were done Arden stood up, "Well that is all I need…You are going to make an interesting candidate Calrissian…"
"Please call me Lando…"
"I prefer Chief of State Lando Calrissian…will the Jedi give you their endorsement?"
"I believe so…I have a meeting with Grandmaster Skywalker later today…"
"As soon as that meeting is over contact me…"

Lando left the business district in his private speeder for the Jedi Temple. When he arrived the Jedi were scurrying about doing one thing or another. Lando met with Luke in his private meditation room. "Lando!"
"Am I disturbing you?"
"No come in…"
"What has the Jedi stirred up like Mynock in a hanger…"
"We are searching for any surviving Vong with the force and we still haven't located Anakin yet…"
"Sorry to hear that…about Anakin…I have come to ask if I count on the Jedi for an endorsement…"
Luke sighed, "Lando…there is something I must tell or rather show you, but you must swear never to reveal this to another person…" When Lando agreed Luke stood up and placed his hand on Lando's forehead, "Relax…" Then he showed Lando everything in the force about the other timeline. When he was done Luke took a few steps back and sat down watching him.
"I can't believe it…" Lando managed to say.
"Everything I showed you has happened and could happened…"
"What does this mean for me?"
"I have no idea…In the other timeline you didn't go into politics…If you go into that office it could mean your life…Omas is spared because he is about to retire…"
"What about Jacen?"
"That has changed as well…He has left the order and married Tahirii…The force has way of balancing itself out…"
Lando sighed, "I am not deterred by this…Will you give me your endorsement?"
Luke sighed, "If the other members of the high council consent then yes…"

The entire council unanimously agreed and at the press conference Lando Calrissian announced his bid to run for Chief of State. Luke came forward and gave an endorsement on behalf of the Jedi Council. The Election wasn't as bad as Arden predicted, because of the recent war. When Arden conducted a poll six months later Lando was running neck and neck with Senator Serran Forn a Mon Calamari. Bel Garm Iblis had dropped out of the race and endorsed Lando.
The election was close and in the end Lando became Chief of State. "Chief of State Calrissian…Do you intend to continue the policies lay down by your predecessor or will you cancel the Unknown Region expedition…" A reporter asked at his inauguration.
"Yes the expedition will happen…
The next question was asked by a droid holo-reporter, "Chief of State…Many in the Alliance attribute the defeat of the Vong Empire to the actions of Ryle Norg…What do you say and do you believe he should prosecuted?"
"The law was broken and yes he should be prosecuted…Do I attribute the Alliance's victory to his actions…Our victory was attributed to many factors not just the release of Alpha Red…"
The gathered reporters barked out more questions, but Lando's Chief Aid pulled him away from the podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen no more questions the Chief of State has a busy day…"

Terroth:
Donovan was watching with the holo-news with Reckard and his apprentices. "I told you…"
"Yes but how do we get him out?" Reckard replied.
"Let me worry about that…" Donovan turned to Kindo, "Kindo contact our friends and find where they are keeping Ryle Norg…"
"Master you aren't planning on busting him out…"
He look at Jaddock, "Are you going soft on me Jaddock?"
He looked away, "No Master…"
"Good…I told you it is my destiny to to bring about order to the galaxy…You are either with me or against me…"