Corusca Hall Main Chamber - Coruscant

The octagonal building in the Capital District of Coruscant was seeing hundreds of people flooding its doors and halls. Councillor Serinna Vylantis was holding an informational speech about what exactly happened in the recent days about Zaoku's banishment. Selected citizens from Coruscant, and other galactic regions, were invited; as well as a myriad of planetary leaders, and former and new Senators.

Councillor Serinna Vylantis was new to the Inner Council, but was the best speaker out of all of its members. She was guided to the main podium in the massive chamber, where spectators were taking their seats in the balconies and hovering stands. The other Inner Council members sat in the front row on her right, getting a perfect view of the Parchuverdian woman.

The dark skinned woman stood straight, looking out the groups of viewers, even noticing the hovercams, where her speech was being broadcasted across the New Republic, even outlying systems in the Alliance,

"People of the New Republic, I come before you today as an ally, and friend. We all witnessed the departure of Ducau Zaoku. There have been numerous rumors on this action, and I am here to clear those rumors." Vylantis looked around, looking at each of the diverse faces, and none of them were from the military, "We saw a few years ago how desperate we had all become. The Syndicate was on the verge of toppling the Republic, something that would spell literal disaster from Coruscant to Mon Calamari. The Senate did its job in electing a new Chancellor upon Tamara Karsguard's death, and they chose who they thought would be the most responsible person. Reorganizing the Galaxy into an Empire was the idea of the Inner Council, yes, but planted in its mind by Ducau Zaoku. His true nature was soon revealed, one that was caring and dark. Fast forward nine years, the Emperor announces the founding of the New Republic. In order for a safe, smooth, transition, he placed all powers in the hands of the Inner Council, temporarily." Vylantis grasped her podium, speaking clearly into the microphone, "The Inner Council lost two members during this process, causing what many think is heavy unbalance. Centrists claim that the Outer Rim is consolidating their power, and Populists scream back saying no it's equality. Wherever we go, wherever we look, someone claims unfairness and insubordination. Therefore, in a unanimous vote, the Inner Council has voted to eliminate the Office of the Chancellor. An office that would be for one's lifetime, and would essentially promote a dictatorship." the crowd applauded in approval, and looked at Vylantis as she continued,

"I am running for President because we need to keep fixing the Republic. We need to fix a shaky government, we need to fix a crumbling infrastructure that is a problem in over five hundred thousand systems. Together, we will fill the Galactic House of Deputies with entirely new Representatives, we will dissolve the Inner Council; which has only promoted an oligarchy. Only together can we bring forth positive change. Zaoku managed to defeat our enemies, but only did so by hurting ourselves in the process. With a clear view of the future, let's do it together." the crowd erupted into a cheer and joyous applause for the Councillor.


Grand Moff Tarkin

The balding Grand Moff of the Outer Rim scratched his chin, watching the holo-TV in the command center of the Death Star, alongside Darth Vader, and a few other military governors. Tarkin looked at Vader, still hearing the sounds of applause and cheer from thousands,

"We must be watchful of our actions. Serinna Vylantis will become President, and will tear down the great military that the Emperor has established."

"Her arrogance will see to another war." added Vader with a deep voice, "We can not afford to lose the Death Star."

"Indeed. We must act quickly before the elections conclude. I shall contact Grand Admiral Snoke to discuss this matter." stated Tarkin. Across the command center blared a beeping sound, and Vader could sense the nervousness in an officer rise. Tarkin and the Sith Lord turned around, seeing an comms officer come up to them,

"Sirs, our tractor beams have caught a Corellian freighter. It is being brought to hangar A113."

"It could be Rebel sympathizers that were trying to find refuge on Alderaan." smirked Tarkin.

"I shall go deal with them." said Darth Vader, knowing deep within himself who was on that ship. The presence of an old friend was loud and clear through the will of the Force. It wouldn't escape his mind, and he needed to end it.


Luke Skywalker

Hangar A113 - Death Star

The Millennium Falcon was brought into a small hangar on the Death Star, and a single stormtrooper squad went to investigate. Only two troopers went into the freighter as its ramp slowly opened, walking confidently into the ship.

A few moments passed, and the two stormtroopers came back out to meet its squad of three other troopers,

"It's all clear." stated one of the troopers to the squad leader.

"Alright, let's get back to command." replied the squad leader. The stormtroopers headed for the nearest doorway to a wide corridor, and the last two stormtroopers quietly hid to the side near a pile of crates. The squad continued forward, and the last two troopers took off their helmets. Luke and Han looked at the Millennium Falcon, and called for Obi wan, Chewbacca, and the droids to come out from the ship's lower compartments.

Obi wan quickly made his way to Luke and Han in their stormtrooper armor, and 3PO and R2 rushed over to meet up with them as well.

"I'll lower the shields so we can get off this station, and you two go find Leia." said Obi wan quietly.

"Alright, sounds good. She must be on the detention level." stated Luke, "Artoo, can you locate her?" the astromech scuttled over to a port on a control panel on the glossy wall, inserting his mechanical arm. It spun from side to side as he gathered information. He then projected a hologram of the Death Star, and a blinking red light showed where the sole prisoner was located.

"Nice!" said Luke excitedly, but also quietly, "Let's go." Luke put on his helmet and so did Han, he was about to rush down the hall, but Obi wan grabbed his wrist,

"Luke, be careful. Mind your surroundings." he said with raised eyebrows.

"I will, don't worry, Master." Obi wan Kenobi let go of his padawan, and watched as he, Han, and Chewie continued on to the nearest turbolift. Obi wan then looked at the droids,

"Well, let's go shut down these blasted shields."


Grand Moff Tarkin

"You will go against the will of the Inner Council, Grand Moff." spoke an audio hologram. Wilhuff Tarkin stood in the conference room alone, at a blue light where he spoke to Grand Admiral Snoke; the interim supreme commander of the New Republic Navy. "Only together can we break away from the New Republic and their corruption."

"Aren't you worried that the Inner Council will just use the Army against us? A good majority of the Army are clones, and are tied to the Inner Council."

"They are tied to the Senate." corrected Snoke, "The Army serves and protects the Galactic Senate. And as of right now, there is no Senate. They have no one else to serve."

"Serinna Vylantis has staggering power and support in the Senate, they will do what she commands." snapped back Tarkin, "I do not have enough confidence in you to pull this off."

"You have a planet-destroying battle station, Tarkin." grunted Snoke through the flickering hologram light, "Bring it to System 66 and our fleet will be formidable and invincible. We must muster together forces, for now is not the time for war against the Republic."

"You do this, and we will be declared rebels, or even worse; separatists. We will be caught up in war the day I reach System 66. I know those in the Inner Council, they didn't like the fact that us Grand Moffs replaced them during the Empire. They do not like me at all, and will go after us all."

"I control the entire Republic fleet. I have already 45% of all ships at or en route to System 66. With no fleet, the Republic will have no means of fighting. You have to trust me, Tarkin." said Snoke, and Tarkin closed his eyes shortly. He sighed then opened his eyes, resting his hands on the cold table in front of him,

"Fine. I will bring the Death Star to you…"


Luke Skywalker

Luke, Han, and Chewbacca casually walked down the black floored corridor into the detention level of the Death Star. Chewbacca had cuffs on his wrists, so his appearance wasn't too suspicious as they passed by other stormtroopers. They got many looks as they made it to the main control area for the detention level, and Han rushed over to the control panels.

"Hey, what are you doing?" asked a stormtrooper in a scolding tone. Han raised his pistol and shot the trooper. He then shot the security cameras, and the turbolift controls at the sides of the room.

"Everything all right up there?" spoke another stormtrooper through the intercom, and Han quickly replied,

"Uh, yes, just a turbolift malfunction but everything's fine now, thanks." he didn't get back a reply, and Han glanced at Luke. He then shot the control panel after he saw where Leia was, and directed Luke down the hall. "I'll keep an eye out, go get your sister."

Luke uncuffed the mighty Wookiee, and he ran down the hall to the cell where she was. He stopped in front of the closed door, sensing her presence in the Force. He could feel her sadness, so much sadness. The helmeted teen opened the door and stepped in, seeing Leia laying on the hard bench in her cell. She quickly got up with a straight face,

"The hell you want now?" she suddenly stopped talking, and looked at him curiously. She could sense something different about the trooper, and he finally took off his helmet. Luke looked at his twin sister with clear eyes, and she was shocked to see him. She jumped to her feet and hugged him, squeezing him hard. She squeezed her eyes shut, and tears ran down her face,

"Luke… I never thought I'd see you again."

"It's okay… we're gonna be okay."


Corusca Hall

Government Banquet

Serinna Vylantis

"We are ready for a woman president, Councillor. We are ready for you to take the helms of supreme, democratic, leadership." smiled an older female senator, a Twi'lek woman that wore a long fancy gown. She stood with other alien senators, each holding flutes of champagne, in a banquet hall for a late-night dinner for high-level government members. There were glittering, silver, chandeliers hanging from the ornately painted ceilings, portraits of old Republic leaders on the walls between the platinum trimmed windows, and long tables filled with platters of foods and drinks. The Twi'lek woman was speaking with Serinna Vylantis, who was taking advantage of the event to campaign for the presidency.

"Oh, as am I. The Galaxy hasn't had a female head of state in centuries." said Serinna, nodding her head. The Councillor wore a golden gown with her black hair pulled up into an intricate array of braids, and wore large diamond earrings. Most people saw her dressed professionally, however, tonight she appeared like royalty. The event, after all, was to celebrate the end of the Empire, and banishment of Zaoku. Most of the people attending were alien government officials from all parts of the Galaxy other than the Core. Many Core world leaders were still hopeful of the return of the Empire… and Zaoku.

"We are all so relieved that you ridded the office of Chancellor." stated another official, a Nautolan man wearing a blue suit and had dark green skin, "We feared it would just be a continuation of Zaoku's reign…"

"Ah yes, it was non-negotiable." nodded Vylantis. She felt someone touch her arm, and turned her head. Councillor Khen Su had touched her arm, to get her attention,

"Pardon me, senators. Councillor Vylantis, may I have a moment with you?"

"Khen, of course." said Serinna, walking off with the Kaminoan after leaving the group of older alien senators. The two walked off into the large dining hall to a part that wasn't so crowded. It was near an array of large windows that overlooked the spacious landing zones beneath the Corusca Hall perimeter.

"You are about to become the most powerful person in the Galaxy, are you ready?" asked Khen Su, taking a sip of his drink, and looked out the window.

"Part of me is… and part of me isn't." sighed Serinna, "I have the Rebels to deal with, and to convince we aren't enemies anymore."

"That leads me to my next point." said Su, turning to face the woman who was far shorter than him, "We haven't had any responses from the military."

Serinna quickly gulped more of the alcohol. She looked out the window herself, not wanting to discuss it.

"Did you hear me?" asked Su.

"Yes, Khen. I heard you." she responded hastily, "One problem at a time, okay?"

"The Galaxy will see you as a fucking joke, an illegitimate president, if you can't even maintain order over the military. What's your plan?" asked the Kaminoan in a scolding whisper.

"They will comply."

"Tarkin and Vader have not responded to any of the Inner Council's requests to bring the Death Star to Coruscant. Grand Admiral Snoke just went M.I.A.. Things are falling apart fast-"

"I'll have it under control." responded Serinna.

"How? What exactly are you going to do? Hope the Rebels help us?" Serinna only stared at Su for suggesting that. Khen Su widened his eyes, and shook his head, "Oh no, no, no, no… you can't be serious."

"Listen to me, it's the only way to gain their trust." whispered Councillor Vylantis, "To show we're on the same side - against Tarkin and Vader. Snoke took most of the Navy, who knows where the fuck they went?"

"So you plan to just absorb control of the Rebel fleet? Do you realize how imperialist and authoritarian that looks?"

"Do you have a better idea, Khen?" Serinna raised her eyebrows, and the Kaminoan didn't say another word. He, in fact, did not have another solution to the huge problem in front of them.

"Well… you'll need an experienced comrade at your side." he said, with an exhale, "Maybe I should run as Vice President." the two leaders simultaneously took a sip of their drinks as they looked out the window.

"You're too cold and unlikable." noted Serinna bluntly.

"Not wrong…" agreed Su, "I fucking hate people." Serinna looked up at the Kaminoan,

"I'll create something for you, once I'm President." the female Councillor held her flute with both her hands and let out a sigh, admiring the night skyline of Coruscant, "Khen, we're gonna make this Galaxy work the way it's supposed to. The two of us. Something bigger and better than ever before."