"Earth was always a fascinating place, its peoples and nations isolated from the galaxy at large and deviating from the norms of the galaxy. On one hand, they provided a fascinating study of both convergent and divergent evolution, how society in the nuclear age would operate, and the culture shock of realizing that you are not alone in the galaxy (and a large part of it is trying to subjugate you.) They always punched far above their weight, and their performance on the battlefield was something to be respected by their allies and feared by their enemies. So while their terms may have been a lot, with the role they played in the downfall of the empire they certainly deserved it."

- Mon Mothma

Chapter 13: Earth's Leverage

Author's note: Draven died in some comics but I'm not making that part of this canon. The events of Rogue One are slightly different as well, Jyn and Cassian escaped though everyone else in the strike team died. They now are some of Alliance Intelligence's top agents, and I do have to retcon a bit of Earth in Star Wars 1 where it was stated they both died. And they're in a relationship because it seems like everyone on this site ships them. I mean it isn't implausible…

Allia Mothma also isn't my character, she's from Londixx on Deviantart. I helped her create a backstory for her a while back and have a fair bit of it in writing. I might release that one day but who knows? It would help give a better backstory to the early rebellion and how it was founded and would probably tie in with some sort of Rebels rewrite.

Alliance High Command main offices, Mon Cala

The offices of the Rebel Alliance's government and military were once a government building on one of the few surface cities on Mon Cala. Since just after Yavin and when the planet had declared loyalty to the rebellion it had allowed the Alliance to use the world as their center of government.

Mon Mothma was in her office, reading various reports of new developments throughout the galaxy. While the mid-rim offensive appeared to have stalled several high-profile strikes looked like they might be able to reinvigorate the offensive. Admiral Eclipse had taken personal command of the offensive and if anyone could get it going again it would be her.

Her comms device blared and she remembered that she had a meeting with Earth's Admiral William Johnson. In such a short time one small world had accomplished so much, a single planet had conquered sectors worth of territory. That was a remarkable feat, and Earth was rapidly becoming a larger and larger ally to the alliance. Their martial skills were not to be underestimated and it was good that the Empire simply wasn't caring about them above a sector level.

The line soon connected with Johnson.

"Senator Mothma, it's good to see you again. I trust that the alliance has been well recently."

"You could say that Admiral, and I'd wager the same could be said about Earth."

"Indeed, in fact, Earth has made a discovery that is quite useful for both of us." He then went on to explain about the kyber crystals and the stigyum ones as well.

"I will consult with the Jedi on the matter but I know that they will be quite pleased with such a discovery. Do you intend to share the resources with the alliance?"

"Of course, for a price. I'm willing to have half of the deposits be made alliance territory if we get a few things like total intel sharing, joint operative training, tech transfers, and significant territorial and economic concessions from the empire once they are defeated."

"I can have negotiations to write out the specifics of the deal but that seems reasonable," Mothma said. "I hope that Earth isn't trying to become an Empire of its own."

"We simply seek to determine our destiny and become a galactic power," Johnson said. "Despite war austerity, the quality of life increases that the people we now govern have been quite receptive and now many of them fight alongside us."

Mothma chuckled. "I did not intend that remark to be serious. I know that you will treat the people in your world well. Though I do find it ironic that you don't have a planetary government yet have done so much despite that."

"I hope that soon we have one, I'd imagine that support for one will be significant once this war comes to a close. As long as we don't fracture it should be fine."

"What if your governments don't want it to be unified?"

"Then they are damned. However, they should take note that the UN's military is staunchly supportive of a planetary unification and that we can do it by force."

"I thought you believed that the military should be accountable to the public."

"This is one area where I will make an exception. A house divided cannot stand on itself. But I hope that I don't need to come to that." Johnson said.

"I hope so as well," Mothma replied. "I hope also that we can end this war quickly though I don't see how to do so."

"The new resources that we've acquired can help. I just hope that we can make use of them without the Empire figuring it out."

"That would work, but we need a decisive victory against them. Another Yavin." Mothma said.

"I don't know if we'll be able to do that, but Earth will certainly try."

"Very well Johnson. I need to get back to my duties for the Alliance but it was good speaking to you." Mothma said.

"Good to speak to you as well, Senator," Johnson said.

The line was cut and Mothma sighed. She was simply getting tired of this war. She had never wanted to be a part of such a conflict in the first place but she saw it was deeply necessary.

And it seemed that there was no end in sight.

At least they weren't losing. But they weren't exactly winning either. They might have been able to have a positive kill ratio both in space and on land but the Empire could replace ships and troops at an alarming rate that they simply couldn't.

Perhaps the stygium deposits would allow the Alliance to strike at the Imperial industrial core, which had been largely out of reach due to their heavy defenses. Sometimes special forces strikes had succeeded such as on Cymoon 1 but other times they had failed miserably.

She needed another perspective on this. Coincidentally, General Davis Draven walked in, who was just the man she needed. The officer was the deputy head of Alliance Intelligence, whose skills and experience in that field were only rivaled by General Airen Cracken, the head of Intel.

"You have something on your mind." He stated. Both of them knew each other well.

"I have some good news from Earth, they found a planet with stigyum and kyber on it. I'll have to talk to the Jedi about it but they will be quite pleased."

Draven had initially thought that Earth was too young for what it was getting into and its senior military leaders such as William Johnson exemplified that. But as he had learned more and more about them, he had seen that while they were young they certainly had potential.

"So what's the price?" He asked, cynicism crackling in his voice.

Mothma layed out what Earth wanted, and Draven chucked.

"Johnson or whoever came up with these terms is thinking long term. They want long-term power."

"So can you accommodate their intel requests?"

"Well that's Airen's matter but I don't think he'll have a problem with that. Human intel is one area that they are lacking, though their signal intelligence skills seem to be quite effective. And based on the intel operations in their history I think that they will be able to pull them off on a larger scale if they had the right training. They've already been doing some of the operations Alliance Intel does with their special forces so they've got a good base to start with. I'll talk to Colonel Andor and see if he can train some of them personally along with Captain Erso."

"Good," Mothma said. "What about intel sharing?"

"As long as that info is tight I don't see a problem. I think that their counter intel is incredibly strong on account of Earth being isolated from the galaxy. They might be more vulnerable in their occupied territories but I'll address that. And I don't think that Imperial intel has taken advantage of that." Draven replied.

"What do you think of the other terms?"

"All valid and reasonable. I think that they could demand a lot more if they wanted to but they don't want to sour relations."

"I'll get Leia to go to Earth and iron out the details. She's been in charge of a lot of military missions recently and a change of pace would help her."

"A change of pace might help you Mon, though I don't think it's realistic."

"No, it isn't." She sighed and looked at him. Their relationship was complicated, one that was initially filled with suspicion and distrust but that had grown into something much different.

But something for another time. They both had work to do.

"I shall return after your shift." He said, walking out of the room.

"Send my daughter up, I need to talk to her."

Mon replied.

A few moments later Ailla Mothma walked into the room. She had been a product of an affair with a mysterious scoundrel in Mon's early years as a Senator in the Republic. Her force sensitivity meant that she had been taken by the Jedi and was sent to an enclave that had survived order 66. As the enclave had been attacked by the rapidly growing empire, she had been the only one to escape and rejoined Mon on Chandrila. She had then become an agent of the nicest rebellion, helping insurgencies across the galaxy rise to challenge the empire while continuing her Jedi training in secret. Now she served as both a diplomatic official and as one of the Alliance's senior-most Jedi, essentially making her a general in the alliance's military.

"You asked for me, Mother?" She said coming into the room.

"Indeed, I have some good news for you and the rest of the Jedi." She went on to explain what was going on with the discovery of kyber crystals.

"That's good, mom." She said, "I'm glad Earth is giving us some of them."

"Indeed. I am going to send a diplomatic team to Earth to iron out the terms of the agreement. I'd like for you to go with Leia and the team of negotiators to see what that planet is like and help her iron out the terms." Mon said.

"Well, I'll be happy to help. Though I don't think many of the other Jedi will be able to make it considering they are mostly off on various missions. Luke should be able to though, and having both of us there will allow us to attempt to see if there are any force sensitives on that world. Though I do wish I had the help of Asoka or Kanan for this. Oh wait and I'll have to see if Ezra is available as well, since he and Sabine are back from Mandalore."

"I'm sure you'll do fine dear. Besides, they are needed for other missions."

"Indeed, if we can find some force sensitives there…" Allia's voice cut off. The Empire had killed or taken any force sensitives that they had found to be trained as dark-side adepts, so they were quite rare throughout the galaxy. A planet of billions of people that were untouched by the empire could have some.

"I know," Mon said quietly. It was one of many horrible things the empire had done and just another reason why they needed to be destroyed.