Chapter 3

We are under seige! I repeat the planet of Gallonier is under siege! We do not know who they are or what they want. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. We have already surrendered yet still they do not stop attacking us. They do not respond to our hails nor do they give any mercy to civilians or the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz technology. It was too advanced for our defenders. We tried zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, but it was no use. They defeated our forces easily, insanely so. They have now zzzzzzzzzzzz bombarding of the planet with strange energy weapons, something we have never zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Millions are dead, and I have just received word that zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Communications with Sanc Prime has been unsuccessful, we have not been able to reach any source outside the system. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz have the power to disable communications over so large an area we don't know. It seems it is too late for us to receive aid, and I fear that Sanc Prime zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I pray that this courier is able to reach the Alliance, as you may be their only hope. Even now I see them, their terrible ships are approaching this zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I pray to you please help the Sanc zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

End transmission.


The holo message being shown before the solemn councils ended. The entire auditorium was silent as they all took in the depth of the messages meaning. Then a tall human in JADF officers uniform stepped up the auditorium's podium. He was a middle-aged man with long blonde hair and possessed a face of stern expressions. Still despite this some might confuse him for a much younger man. A ridiculously beautiful younger man. His face was grim as he bowed to the assembled councilors and continued his report.

"This message was received by one our holonet relay stations on the border of Sanc Union territory, the Andros system. And I apologize for the message quality. That is as good a doctoring as the tech staff could give us. The transmitting ship was destroyed upon receipt of the message. Further investigation has shown that the vessel was destroyed almost immediately upon arrival in the Andros system, and is laced with some interesting energy readings. Our tech staff has never encountered anything like it, I plan give a more in-depth report on their findings as time permits. Well that concludes the information I have to bring before you. It is now up to you of the Council to determine our actual course of action," he then paused for a moment, his face turning introspective. "But may I add, if we do decide to send forces to provide aid, I suggest we do it as soon as possible. In a situation like this time is critical. " With that said he then stepped aside as another person walked up to the podium.

"Thank you Admiral Zeshin, for your timely report," said the carefully controlled voice of Chancellor Min. And though she sought to control it too, her face was heavy with concern. This more than anything showed the rest of the Council how dire the situation was. Despite her age Chancellor Min was usually so serene and so full of potent energy, a far cry from the wary leader before them. It was known that Min's family immigrated from the Sanc Union and she still had ties there. The councils all knew she would want to help the Sanc, but they also knew it would come to a vote. And she was fully prepared to abide by that vote. "Well gentlebeings it seems that what we have before us is a particularly grave event, and while it might not seem so now, it is an event with the ability to impact our great state as well. Our neighbors in the Sanc Union have fallen under attack by unknown aggressors, and there is much we do not know about the situation," she said pausing for the moment. She made sure to sweep her gaze across the whole of the great auditorium before she continued. "What we DO know is that, they seem to be a race not yet encountered by anyone in this galaxy, be that as it may, their aggressive actions indicates to me their intentions. And so it is the purpose of this emergency session to decide if we should send a task force into Sanc space, to provide aid to our besieged neighbors the Sanc Union."

With that said the many Councils broke into an uproar, and the auditorium was soon filled with a staccato of voices, not the sound of unproductive bickering, but of serious debate. This went on for many moments as every Council conferred with their neighbors about the situation. Chancellor Min raised a hand to silence them, and they did so. After the last of the voices faded she nodded towards one member, it seemed she intended to hear each and everyone their comments. "Council Corr'ish."

Seeing his queue, Council Corr'ish stood, he was the Duro Council representing the Tiphai system. "Well as grave as the situation maybe my fellows, I must say I am hesitant to send our forces into such an unknown battlefield. I am more inclined to let that far away conflict sort itself out rather than embroil our forces in another galactic incident." As he finish a few echoes of agreement sounded out around him. This response did not surprise many, given the Tiphai system's reclusive behavior.

"I strongly disagree!" said the next speaker a human, She was the Council Chilat of the Eyrelan System. Home to one of Jenrai's major manufacturing concerns, mostly military in nature. "While you Corr'ish would have us hide behind our boarders, Sanc is being overrun. I am for sending aid to them. We should be looking down the line. What happens when Sanc is conquered, it is wishful thinking to believe these aggressors will be content with Sanc. They will look to us next! That is why I say we strike now and stop this threat! Rather than wait until later when they employ Sanc resources!"

"Hold Council," said another, it was Mianda, the Council from New Alderaan. "Unlike you Miss Chilat many of us do not feel so eager to send our forces into another war!" he barked. "You Ma'am and your system might be so eager to see us flex our military might, but I am not. And I feel many share my sentiments. The situation might not be as dire as you make it out to be."

"I'm sorry Mr. Mianda," said another, the Verillu Council Arora, "But I feel we can not sit by idly. As grim as the prospect of battle is, we must not cower from it. Those good people are in need of assistance. We here in this great nation have the power to help them, it is our right and duty to help them if we so have the ability."

More People rose up to voice their opinions. A Caamasi Council put his hands over his head as he stood up to calm his fellows. Soon the whole auditorium was again filled with the sounds of disagreeing representatives.

In response to this Council Kiish leaned back and put his feet up. It is going to be a long night.

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"Well Sir, how did it fair?" asked a concerned Lala Ru. The emergency session had ended hours ago and Lala had been waiting diligently to find out what the outcome had been. The Kaminoan had begun to wonder what was taking Council Kiish so long to return to his office.

"It's decided. Looks like we are going to mobilize our forces." Said a deeply tired looking Council Kiish, he entered his office, hands massaging his worn-out eyes." A large taskforce is being gathered to travel to Sanc, seems they are under attack and no one knows what's going on in the sector. I'm sure you've heard by now."

"Yes sir, the media's speed always surprises me."

"Well Chancellor Min felt it wise not to invoke a blackout, best to get this situation out in the public. Get other support behind it. "

"How bad does it look? I don't really know to much about the situation." Lala asked.

"That's the thing my dear girl, we don't to know much about the situation ourselves. There is no information at all available from the region. We have no idea what the situation is, that's one of the purposes of the mission. As for the attacking aliens we have no idea about them as well. Evidence points to them being an entirely undiscovered race or faction. Thought we definitely know this for certain, their intentions are not of noble origin. I'll fully debrief you on my info later. For all we know all of Sanc may have fallen to them."

"Terrible.........Sir does that mean we will be reporting back to our home system to report this turn of events?"

"Actually I won't be able to Ms. Ru," said Kiish, he seemed sullen and pensive with this admission. Finally he said, "I'll be going with them, the taskforce I mean."

"What?!" said Lala Ru, for once her usually emotionless face actually seemed surprised. "But Sir, you can hardly leave your post here. Who would represent our system in the Senatorium?"

"You would Lala Ru."

"But sir," she said with dismay, it was a long moment before she spoke gain. "I hardly think I'm ready to handle y.........."

Kiish raised a hand interrupting her. "Please Lala, have more faith in yourself. You can easily replace me here. I have incredible faith in your abilities to handle my position while I am gone. And you know you can as well." He paused for a minute as if deciding whether to say something, then he placed his hand on her shoulder as he looked up into her large eyes. "Look Lala I think now is a good time to tell you that I'm retiring from the Council, and I would like to have you replace me here."

"Sir I...........don't know......... what to make of this...of all this.." She said, she seemed a loss for words.

Kiish couldn't help from grinning, he had to admit he was enjoying this. It's a rare day when he gets to see his trusted assistant so flustered. "Lala I've been planning this for a while, why do you think I've had you doing more and more of my work these days. Surely you did not think it was because I was getting lazy" he said with a chuckle. "I've already talked with the Governor and his staff, they have no problem with you taking over my position. It's one of the reasons I volunteered to go along with the taskforce."

"I am honored everyone thinks I am up to the task sir. Its just a bit overwhelming to say the least," she admitted.

"Good then, looks like everything is in order here. When I get back we'll make things more final, you know new nameplates for the office and all that, " he said jokingly.

"I will try not to disappoint," she said, it seemed she had finally regained her composure, but she still seemed worried. "But Council Kiish I still don't understand. Why volunteer for the mission sir? Isn't that needlessly dangerous for you especially now that you are planning to retire. "

"I do understand that my dear, but I believe I can be of some use. It seems they will need an experienced statesman. Those militaryheads might do ok, but I know they are going to need some one good at negotiation and protocol especially where the Sanc Union is concerned, and I figure I'm just who the one for the job. But also this will be a chance for me to get out and do something 'exciting' for a change. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy my job here, and spending time with you of course my dear, but things can get extremely tedious after awhile.

"Maybe it's a mid-life crisis those humans talk of Sir." Lala said with a little mirth. Kiish pretended not to hear her, but couldn't help but smile at the suggestion.

"Any now I have to tell Bal and his mother. I can here my Ex now, 'Oh no your not going to dodge this responsibility you know.' And on and on it will go." Kiish said as he shook his head, "I mean bless her, but I shudder at the thought of facing her wrath again"

"She is right thought. But if you don't mind Sir, I wouldn't mind watching over young Bal while you are gone"

"That is very kind of you Lala Ru, I would really appreciate it." He said smilingly, it was a devious smile indeed. "Still knowing Bal, I can' help but wonder that you don't know what you're getting yourself into."

Lala Ru became quite as she looked out of the large wall height windows of Council Kiish's office. Eyes lost in the hypnotic skyscape outside.

"That's interesting," she whispered, " I had the same feeling about you Council Kiish…."