Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Star Wars movies, shows, books, comics or games. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not for sale, or rent. The Mobile Armors, and later Mobile Suits mentioned in the story are inspired by the various Gundam shows. They obviously belong to their respective creators, and, or copyright owners.


Chapter 7

=FG=

Part 5

=FG=


hangar

orbital mirror Light Bringer

high orbit above Coruscant

Coruscant system

A communication device built into the arm-guard of Anakin's armor beeped quietly before anyone could begin to answer Madine's last question in detail. He raised his arm, and a small hologram came to life.

"Skywalker, what is the hold-up?! I know you can feel the suffering on this Coruscant!" A Twi'lek woman demanded.

"Master, ahem, Dr. Che, there are a few complications with the locals we need to straighten up first." Not-Vader sheepishly admitted.

"What did you do this time?"

"It's damn politics letting people die again for no good reason." The older Skywalker grumbled.

Han wasn't sure what to think or feel about that exchange. Someone berating Vader that way would have gotten themselves choked if not outright tortured.

"Master?" Luke asked in an odd, fascinated tone.

"We'll do our utmost to resolve the ongoing issues constructively, Doctor," Not-Vader promised, and the call cut off.

When you thought about it, this man had to be a version of Luke's father as well, if he was Vader's counterpart. Han grimaced at the very thought.

"This was Dr. Vokara Che, former Jedi Master and now an Imperial Knight serving in the Imperial Military's medical corps." Skywalker, the elder, admitted. "She's in charge of the medical personnel we brought."

Han honestly wasn't sure how to react to that proton torpedo coming their way. In one moment, these people presented themselves like proud Imperials, with all the kriffing madness that entailed. In the next, they sounded painfully reasonable. Then there was this. It could all be a performance. Han glanced at Luke, who had a worried expression on his face.

"Former Jedi?" Madine naturally pushed for more information.

"During his time as Supreme Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, my Master, General Veil, had the foresight and authority to modify certain contingency orders for the Clone Army." The Chiss woman proudly explained. "He saw certain contingencies as too inflexible and less than suitable for their intended purposes, including Order 66."

"The order to purge the Jedi," Madine noted. "Please elaborate." He pushed forth.

That was news for Han. Details were scarce back then, and he was pretty young too. Everyone used to know the Jedi betrayed the Republic and tried to assassinate the Chancellor right before Palpatine became Emperor. The details were scarce, with countless stories and legends surrounding those events. Back then, Han used to have more pressing priorities.

"General Veil modified Order 66 to require taking the Jedi into custody if at all practical, instead of neutralizing them all as a clear and present danger if the Order turned against the Republic." Astra did elaborate. "Various Jedi were captured alive during Order 66, or in its aftermath, or surrendered to face investigation by Republic authorities about their involvement in the coup attempt by the Jedi Order, elements of Republic Intelligence, and the Cathar. Dr. Che is among those cleared of all involvement with the coup. She, among others, joined the Imperial Knights after the foundation of the Federated Empire."

"It's the Empire's organization charged with training and policing Force Adepts," Not-Vader added.

"You mean there are other Jedi beyond you and Obi-Wan?" Luke blurted out.

"Obi-Wan still considers himself a Jedi, and several former Jedi are serving as fellow Imperial Knights. Alaya Secura is perhaps the most famous of the old Jedi you might be familiar with." The older Skywalker happily explained. "She was on the Jedi Council before everything fell apart for the Jedi."

The name meant nothing to Han. He might have heard it on the news back in the day, but he couldn't recall if it had happened. Looking at Luke, he didn't recognize it either. Madine, in no small part due to being the oldest among the three, might have known who the Secura woman was. He had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Twi'lek? Blue skin? I vaguely remember seeing her in the news during the Clone Wars. She was one of the Jedi used as an example during commando training if we ever had to go hunt a Jedi back when I was with the Empire." Madine revealed.

Han wasn't thrilled at the reminder that the chief of Republic Intelligence was a former Imperial special forces operative. Knowing the man, the revelation was likely meant to break somewhat the ice between their group and the new Imperials.

"Can we get back on topic? That Doctor, no matter if she's a space wizard like Luke here or not, is right. People on Coruscant need all the medical supplies they can get." Han decided that enough was enough. Madine could play his mind games later.

"I agree with Han." Luke quickly backed him, to his relief.

"As a goodwill gesture, I'll make the necessary calls to get the inspection teams in place ASAP." Madine relented. "Knight Skywalker, I would appreciate it if you join them as soon as the first team is in place."

"I will do so, General." Luke quickly agreed.

"We would appreciate such a development." Padme nodded in noticeable relief.

"It would be best that you contact Doctor Che and General Tano. The General is in charge of security for the medical mission." The Chiss offered.

"That might be for the best. I suggest we continue this meeting after we make the necessary arrangements." Madine naturally wanted to get more information and face-to-face time with these odd Imperials.

"This is acceptable. Perhaps another meeting here after we ensure the people of Coruscant receive the aid they desperately need?" Padme twisted the knife. "It wouldn't do to see more people suffer and die over unreasonable political stances."

Yes, he could see this being Leia's mother all right, Han thought.

A few minutes later, they headed back to the fleet with communications codes that should allow them to contact General Tano and the doctor. As soon as they were away from the mirror and could talk over short-range comms without being interrupted, any semblance of good mood Han had vanished.

"Crix, now you can stop being a complete bastard. Explain why there wasn't a proper diplomat on our side during this meeting!?" Han demanded.

"We have some leadership issues concerning this Federated Empire." Madine's voice came over the comm. "Politics had to rear their ugly heads at the worst possible moment. You, of course, wouldn't care to pay attention to politics unless they sneak up on you and hit you over the head!"

Han glanced at Chewie at those words. For Madine to speak that way, unless it was in private, he had to be under tremendous stress. His oldest friend let out a low inquiring rumble.

"I don't know, Chewie. Ever since I was in the Academy, more and more Imperials became proud of being slimy, evil bastards. Those who were all right, either died, retired or joined us. What was the last time we dealt with reasonable Imperials who weren't already with us or were more corrupt than Hutt port authority?"

"That was uncalled for, General Solo." Madine gruffly admitted. "Right now, our political situation is complicated. Factions are clashing for control of the New Republic and what it will become as more and more Core worlds eventually join us. Meeting Imperials we can't tactically ignore or who aren't raging madmen brought certain issues to a head prematurely. The kind we would best deal with when the New Republic is more established and secure. However, this isn't the time or place for that conversation."

Until now, Han has proudly admitted that he stood aside from the pool of Hutt slime that was politics. Besides, the Republic was supposed to be better than the Empire. As a general, even as unorthodox as he was, it was not his job to meddle in politics. You either had civilian control of the military or were a nicer warlord with a good reputation. Even Han knew the New Republic couldn't afford to be seen as yet another warlord faction. It had to stand above them and live up to that reputation.

Otherwise, what was the point of it all? Besides dealing with mad, power-hungry tyrants ready to burn the galaxy if they couldn't have it anyway…

"Politics, Chewie, they'll be our damnation," Han muttered darkly.

Speaking about damnation, he had to talk with Luke, preferably man-to-man. Jedi or not, meeting some of these people couldn't have been easy.


=FG=

Part 6

=FG=


Main hangar

Palpatine Class Star Destroyer Dauntless

Coruscant system

Old, if upgraded Torrent and ARC-170 fighters flew in a combination of an honor guard and escort formation, surrounding a wing of TIE fighters. They, in turn, cocooned in a protective umbrella the Lambda shuttle, Pellaeon rode to meet the different Imperials. Considering that this whole stunt was his idea, it was only fitting that he was the one to make contact and meet them face to face personally. In case of betrayal, it would be he who would pay the price.

During the last leg of the brief flight, the Captain entered the shuttle's cockpit to get a better look at the Star Destroyer they would land in.

At a glance, the shape of an Imperial I Star Destroyer was unmistakable. However, as they rapidly approached the ship, he could quickly notice various differences. The placement of the turbo-laser batteries was different, offering better coverage compared to the original mass-produced Imperial I's. Second, an obscene number of light weapons covered the ship's hull. There was no way this didn't compromise the armor, making the vessels easier to cripple, if not outright destroy, when its shields failed. On the other hand, with the number of laser cannons, obvious missile launchers, and targeting sensors all over the ship, Pellaeon pitied any fighter or bomber strike trying to damage it.

The ship's main hangar was where it was supposed to be – below it, in front of the armored bulge of the hyper-matter reactor. All kinds of weapon systems covered the belly of the ship, far in excess of what the Star Destroyers of the Galactic Empire regularly deployed.

As they approached the hangar, the honor guard split in a starburst. The TIEs' followed suit and spread, flowing below the Star Destroyer and recording all they could with passive sensors and optic cameras. The shuttle rapidly decelerated and entered the hangar, revealing a familiar and very different scene from what the Captain expected.

To the right, gleamed rolls of modified fighter types straight out of the Clone Wars. To the left, Y-Wing bomber wings and larger alien combat craft rose above their crews. Behind and beyond the small craft, he could see LAAT variants and assault shuttles, followed by walkers the Empire ceased to use shortly after the end of the war. There were also new vehicles – large, unfamiliar tanks and what might have been military transports.

The most significant noticeable difference was the blocks of infantry. At a glance, their various armor types had Clone Trooper and Mandalorian influence. Yet, they were all different and heavier than almost everything the Galactic Empire issued its troops.

All the soldiers and equipment paled compared to the two figures waiting to meet him. Instead of a white ISB uniform, a younger and very much alive Wulf Yularen wore a dark green uniform. It was a little different than the one used by the Old Republic. The woman wore a thick suit of armor that slowly shifted its color to try and roughly match the environment. She was a Togruta too. As if that wasn't a warning enough that things in the other Empire were different. Designating her as a General, the chevrons on her shoulders drove the point home.

"Permission to come aboard?" Pellaeon asked when the pair of familiar strangers approached and saluted.

"Permission granted, Captain." Yularen offered a sharp salute, followed by the woman, who looked oddly familiar. "Welcome aboard the Dauntless, flagship of this fleet. As you might know, I'm Fleet Admiral Wulf Yularen, Commander of this Fleet. This is General and Imperial Knight Ahsoka Tano."

"It's good to be here." Pellaeon smiled thinly, hoping that that would be the case by the end of the meeting. The possible implications of calling the woman an Imperial Knight were fascinating. Tano? He knew that name from back during the Clone Wars. However, he couldn't precisely recall the details. She might have been a Jedi, even.

"Please, follow us to a briefing room. We have a lot to discuss. Senator Skywalker and Knight Skywalker will join us after they conclude their talks with the New Republic delegation." Yularen informed him and turned around, marching back toward the far end of the hangar.

Pellaeon followed suit, leaving the pilots in the shuttle. He declined to bring anyone else with him in what might be a hound's ravenous' mouth until he was sure the new Imperials were friendly and reliable. Yularen led him to one of the pilot briefing rooms at the back of the hangar. The Captain looked at the assembled troops and vehicles on the way there. He took mental notes of all the differences between the models he knew from the war and the upgraded variants the Federated Empire used. There wasn't much he could say about the unfamiliar tanks and other vehicles – they looked formidable, but that was it. Until he saw them in action, Gilad could, at best, make assumptions.

The one thing he was certain about was that the troopers in the hangar were better equipped than anyone in the Galactic Empire save for the best of the best special forces units. If this was the standard across the board for their ground forces? Then the Captain wouldn't bet on the shattered Stormtrooper Corps and what was left of the Imperial Army against these soldiers in a fair fight.

The briefing room they led him to was reassuringly familiar. Hell, he had such compartments that looked almost identical on his ship.

"Take a seat, Captain. I'm sure you have many questions, and so do we. Question for a question?" Yularen suggested.

"The New Order your Empire represents. Please enlighten me, Admiral." That was one of the sticking points that could make or break the rough plan Pellaeon had concocted.

"After the assassination of Chancellor Palpatine by the Jedi, the Senate proved incapable of reaching a consensus or executing its duties. That was arguably the key point that gave birth to our New Order. The Republic proved itself a flawed failure that was already falling apart at the time." Yularen explained. "With the Senate incapable of action, a group of powerful local governments willing to prosecute the war, despite the recent fall of Corellia to the Separatists, took action. They sidestepped the Senate to elect a new Chancellor – Satine Kryze, the former Ambassador of Mandalore to the Republic. She proved capable and an outsider with no direct links to the powers in the Core, making her a viable short-term option. That, unfortunately, further fractured both the Grand Army and the Republic. Parts of the military and various systems either outright seceded or went rogue because they didn't recognize the ascension of the new Chancellor as legal." Yularen grimaced. "The following months were horrid, especially politically speaking. Long story short, realistically, the Republic was dead by that point. Those of us willing to continue fighting against the Confederacy had to face various hard choices. That eventually culminated in a summit on Coruscant that laid a new path for the future and ultimately guaranteed the end of the Republic."

"At its core, the New Order is simple. It is the promise of strength, order, and competent rule. Of doing what it takes to regain what we lost in the Clone Wars and gain access to the resources needed to fully restore the economy and repair the damages of the war." The Togruta, Tano, continued. "It's a pledge that we will bring back order to a fractured galaxy through diplomacy and military strength."

"I would like more details about your society, economy, military…." Pellaeon trailed off. What he heard so far sounded good yet was little more than a slogan, a generalization with little substance.

"In some regards, little changed from the time of the Republic. The Federated Empire has no desire to meddle in the affairs of its member states excessively as long as they meet their fair obligation to the Empire and the requirements outlined within the Imperial Constitution. In exchange, the Empire offers military protection, facilitates and guarantees free trade, and the flow of resources vital for the galactic economy." Yularen added. "That said, securing various parts of the galaxy is still in progress. We need to either bring systems back into the fold or secure exclusion zones where we're still busy containing remnants of the Black Rebellion." The Admiral finished. "Captain, please explain at length the idea behind your fleet's presence in this system and your goals."

"We're here to get the measure of your Federated Empire and see if it is a better alternative to the options we had before your arrival on the galactic scene." Pellaeon went straight to the point.


=FG=

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