Great New Republic
"These our not our enemies. These are people who wanted back their freedom, equality, and opportunities that only a Republic could provide. These are people who, like you all, went through enormous struggles and could no longer stand for it. The leaders, members, and supporters of the Rebel Alliance are not our enemies. They are fellow Republic citizens who were willing to stand up for change. But I do not condemn any of you that stand here before me, for we were all silenced harshly by then-Emperor Ducau Zaoku. It was Ducau Zaoku who brought upon violence and terror throughout the Galaxy, he who lied to trillions in the name of justice. Well, Ducau Zaoku is gone and there is nothing to fear. We can make things far better than what he light-heartedly promised years ago. I understand that not every single damn star system in the Galaxy wants to be a part of the New Republic… I truly understand that. No one should be forced or subjugated to joining our alliance. As President, we will not look down upon neutral or independent systems, we will not cast away rebels who were fighting for freedom."
Serinna Vylantis smiled as she concluded her echoing speech in a cathedral-like colosseum on the planet Rendili. Hundreds of thousands were cheering and expressing their joy loudly, chanting Serinna's name. There were all sorts of peoples that made all sorts of journeys to come see Councillor Vylantis give her speech. She had become the new center of attention in the New Republic, and the Inner Council was slowly being casted aside.
Serinna Vylantis - Corusca Hall - Coruscant
"Madam Councillor, we have President Gial Ackbar on a private transmission, ready to convene with you." said the young human man as he quickly, and closely, followed his boss. The man was Serinna Vylantis' right-hand man, as well as her scheduler. He was always with her, ever since her first day as Senator.
"Oh good, let's get this meeting started. I'm anxious to meet with him." said Serinna, with her heels clicking as she walked down the pristine hallway of Corusca Hall. Her and her team of staff were making their way to the main conference chamber. This would be the first, private, meeting between the New Republic and the Rebel Alliance.
Two Republic, armored in blue, guards opened a wide door for the Councillor and her small staff, and they proceeded into the conference chamber. It was a relatively small chamber, circular, and multi-leveled. Serinna walked down the steps towards the end of the room at a platform where two chairs sat empty. One had a hologram projector in it, and Serinna sat in the chair across from it.
Technicians set up the connection, and her staff sat in the seats above, watching intently and carefully. Silence fell on the floor, and Serinna crossed her legs, waiting as the transmission was trying to connect. Her fingers tapped the top of her bare knee, noticing the nail polish starting to chip away.
The projector let out a single wailing sound, and a hologram of Ackbar appeared, sitting in the chair. Serinna smiled,
"President Gial Ackbar, good to finally speak with you."
"And a pleasure to meet you, Councillor Vylantis."
Leia and Luke
"I can't believe you're here. What's going on? I've been shut out from any news." exclaimed Leia, looking up at her taller brother. Luke glanced over his shoulder, noticing Han that was staring at his beautiful sister. Leia looked past Luke, staring with wide eyes at the smuggler. She slightly pushed Luke to the side, and the nineteen year old boy could sense that the two had some sort of connection.
"Han?" spoke Leia nervously, looking at Han that stood at the top of the steps of the prison cell. He still wore his stormtrooper armor, but Leia could only focus on his face. He had become more handsome, his jawline was sharper, had longer hair, and darker eyes.
"Yeah." Han couldn't help but let a chuckle slip out, "Long time no see, Leia." He walked down the steps, and Leia approached him, giving a long hug. She rested her head on his chest,
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
"Well, with all the things happening in the Galaxy right about now, I'm not the least bit surprised." smiled Han, "We should probably get going, I'm sure reinforcements will get here soon." Luke and Leia agreed, and stepped out into the corridor. There they met Chewbacca who was introduced to the Princess, and they headed down the hall to the turbolifts. The turbolift door opened, and everyone got inside, and they descended, heading towards the hangar levels.
Obi wan Kenobi
The old Jedi Master swiftly made his way into the shield generator chambers, walking out across a long catwalk bridge as two stormtroopers just left on the other side, going in a different direction. The graying man looked to his right, where massive pylons and columns of advanced technology powered the Death Star's shielding systems. There was a narrow walkway to the tall columns, and he quietly rushed across it. He didn't look down, but could sense that below him was what looked like an endless abyss of darkness, going all the way to the Death Star's southern pole.
The experienced man looked at the controls, noticing a large lever. With the reliance of the Force, he knew that he had to pull it down, and press a few more buttons on its side to successfully shut down the shields. A loud whirring sound that got quieter and quieter blared from the columns.
Obi wan Kenobi walked across the small bridge to the main catwalk, and back towards the main corridor, where he headed for the hangar. He could sense that his path was clear… suspiciously clear. He expected more from such a massive military installation, battlestation matter of fact. He felt a bit cold, and could feel a chill down his spine. His mind was clear, focused, and concentrated on the Force, trying to sense what exactly he was feeling.
But the wise man did not need to think hard, he suddenly knew what he was feeling. Who he was sensing. Someone he lost to the Dark Side not long ago, his greatest friend.
Serinna Vylantis and Gial Ackbar
"I don't expect you to believe me, Gial," said Serinna solemnly to the hologram of Ackbar, "but Zaoku is truly banished. He was sent to Arkania by the order of the Inner Council."
"I am not so sure about that. The Inner Council has been pawns of Zaoku." grumbled the fishy President of the Rebel Alliance. "They've been at his side for over a decade." Councillor Serinna Vylantis crossed her legs, and placed her hands atop her knee that was just barely covered by her dark red skirt. She wore a dark red blazer as well, complimented by a white blouse and silver circlet upon her head. It was an honorary circlet made of pure platinum and encrusted with large diamonds from her home planet of Parchuverda.
The dark skinned woman looked at the crystal clear hologram of Ackbar with a smile,
"Gial, I will be President of the New Republic. I am forming a platform that will portray your Alliance as freedom fighters that had the opportunity to go against the evil Emperor Zaoku. Recent feedback and responses from numerous systems from all over the Galaxy show that former-Imperialists are changing their views on the Alliance."
"That is somewhat reassuring," contemplated Ackbar, "but I must speak with my advisors. I am not ready to compromise my ideals and throw my allegiance to this New Republic."
"What will it take for you to join? What can I do to also show the people of the Alliance that I will not betray or neglect them."
"Your broadcasted speeches only go so far." chuckled Ackbar, "I really don't know. I know how busy the Inner Council is, especially with this galactic government transition."
"Let me come to Yavin 4."
"What?" blurted Ackbar with surprise, staring at Serinna Vylantis with his golden eyes.
"I want to visit your base on Yavin 4, or at least the remains. I think if you came as well, it could seal the trust between the New Republic and Alliance."
"How would your colleagues think of you? They were staunch supporters of destroying the Syndicate, how can I know that they will not feel the same for the Rebel Alliance?"
"This is not their business, Gial. Khen Su is drowning on Kamino, trying to stabilize its economy, Vataris is on Onderon preventing another civil war from erupting, and the others are working with former Senators on setting up the new galactic sectors. We are entering a new era, we truly are. Not like what Zaoku lied about." explained Councilor Vylantis. Ackbar sighed, looking downward, away from Serinna's deep brown eyes.
"Alright…" spoke the Alliance President, "I shall notify my fleet to move out of the Yavin system."
"I'll do the same with the Republic Navy in the area." smiled Serinna, "I am eager to meeting with you in person. Together, we will mold the future of the Galaxy."
