T-minus 7: The Rebel Alliance
"I admit it: In those early days I had trouble playing by the rules. Of course, ultimately I learned to return salutes, use the proper phrases, demonstrate respect for my superior officers, and generally behave like a model Rebel Soldier. But I continued to have real problems with the system of promotion. If it had been up to me, medals would have been handed out to everyone who went out to battle the Empire. There wasnt one among us who wasnt deserving; not one among us who wasnt qualified to lead."
The Collected Journals of General Han Solo.
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Luke Organa looked at the assembled men within the main control chamber that used to be the bridge of the Indomitable cruiser that was now the Rebel Base on Raxus Prime. His father, Bail stood near the holographic display board in the center of the room with his aide Master It'kla and General Obi-wan Kenobi, alongside General Airyn Cracken, head of Rebel Intelligence. Jan Dodonna stood near his friends Adar Tallon, Sagoro Autem, Pashna Starkiller, and Vanden Willard. Rebel spy Kyle Katarn sat near a pretty woman by the name of Jan Ors near the front of the room, and besides her was now Rebel trooper Davin Felth and Corellian smuggler Han Solo. Besides them was Han's partner Chewbacca. They all stood when the central door opened to admit Admiral Ackbar, and Chandrila ambassador Mon Mothma, one of the main leaders of the Rebellion.
"Thank you all for coming." Luke said, smiling a tired looking smile. His training with Master It'kla had been very difficult these past few days, and he was physically exhausted. But this mission was important. "As you all know, our victory at Yavin has considerably caused Emperor Palpatine to re-name the Rebel Alliance to be a major threat. He has called forth his Grand Admirals. A fleet of all of them together is a threat we cannot possibly face with our fleet as it stands." he nodded to Admiral Ackbar, who rolled his eyes in response. "Its true. We have my people providing capital ships as quickly as they can be produced, but if the Grand Admiral fleet decides to hit my homeworld, they could destroy our ship building facilities, and virtually destroy my people."
Luke looked around the room, and then faced Mon Mothma. "We will need all the assistance we can muster. We will need ships, supplies, weapons and more soldiers." he turned to face the two Jedi. "General Kenobi has stated that he has been able to contact three other surviving Jedi..." he looked down at the names. "Master A'Sharad Hett from Tatooine, Master Qu Rahn from Socorro, and Master Olee Starstone from Chandrila. They have agreed to meet us and join with our Jedi compatriots to assist the Rebellion. But we will need more help. Ive called you together to assist me to find Garm Bel Iblis, and General Marek."
At that first name Mon Mothma looked uncomfortable, and Jan Dodanna tried to comfort her. Fortunatly, Chewbacca asked a question, which Luke looked to Han to translate. "Chewie wants to know when Olee Starstone will arrive. Seems he used to know her during the Clone Wars."
Obi-wan Kenobi looked to the assembly and said "She will arrive within a few days. She has been working against the Empire since its inception in her own way. Now she will have support with us."
Chewie nodded, pleased at the news. Han looked at his partner a little concerned. Chewie was one of the major reasons he had stayed with the Rebellion, and the fact that the Old Man was paying him alot of credits to take Leia to some swamp planet in the near future was lucrative as well. Sure Solo, keep telling yourself that, he thought to himself. Trooper had decided to stay with the Rebellion and become a spy like Kyle Katarn.
Kyle Katarn raised his hand to ask a question. Luke acknowledged him and Kyle stood up to speak. "Sirs, Garm Bel Iblis left the Republic because of words between Mon Mothma..." he turned to face the Senator from Chandrila. "I mean no offense, my lady. But Bail Organa is here, and he has come up with a compromise between your two idiologies... and I understand that General Marek is at a place called Rancor Base, but no one seems to know where that is located."
Bail Organa nodded. "Which is unfortunate, and as for a compromise, yes, I have come up with one. With the presence of the Jedi to assist our forces, we now have a chance to bring back the Republic. We will need Garm for this battle, and especially Marek. He will be pleased to have more Jedi in the Rebellion. I know it will be difficult, my lady... but please. Think of our cause. Apologize to Garm... and ask him to return."
Mon Mothma looked at the kind faces of General Kenobi and Master It'kla, who both nodded. "We will assist you as best as we can, my lady." Master It'kla said serenely
She finally acknowledged their request. "I will do what is best for the Alliance. Luke Organa... your mission is approved."
Luke smiled and looked to Han. "Han Solo, it is my honor to bestow apon you the rank of Captain in the Rebel Alliance. I request your assistance in this endeavor."
Han looked around the room and sighed. "Might as well... I got nothing better to do." He was secretly pleased to be given an official rank, made him feel important... and hopefully Leia would be impressed.
Luke smiled. "Thank you my friend. Kyle, you and Davin will go to the Corellian system and begin our search. Garm hasnt been gone long, and hopefully we can find him quickly." he paused and looked around the room. "Admiral Ackbar, we will need more capital ships, so Ive requested negotiations with the Kentarians, the Givin, the Mandalorians and the Bothans. If we can get them to join us, they will have enough capital ships to provide your impressive capital ships with much needed back up." Admiral Ackbar nodded, and smiled. "I would gladly assist you in opening negotiations with the Kentarians. They are an honorable people." Luke nodded and turned to face the others. "We've won a major victory against the Empire. Now we need to hit them even harder."
The leaders of the Alliance all nodded, and Luke closed his eyes. "May the Force be with us."