Chapter 38
The United Nations Headquarters, New York City,
Today several important figures from allied groups across the galaxy would be meeting. Johnson sighed as he adjusted his dress uniform, preparing to meet with Mon Mothma, Karla Illustrious, and Zut Gorky. Secretary-General Pierre has insisted that he come to the meeting, and as much as he would deny it there was good reason. He knew Gorky and Illustrious better than perhaps anyone who lived on the planet, and would be in the running for his knowledge of Senator Mothma.
That didn't mean he liked it though. Johnson wasn't a politician, and certainly didn't want to be one. He had been interested in the subject as a teenager in the time before he was recruited into the fleet. He had generally grasped that it was a field for people who put their financial interests and those of their wealthy donors above serving their constituents. He understood the need for dealing with politics to make sure the war went well, but this was a task that had been left to Secretary General Pierre.
Nevertheless there wasn't anything that he could do. Pierre was the commander in chief, and his word was final. But at least the people he would be ones he mostly knew, which would make things easier to an extent.
The spacious conference room was only occupied by a few people. Secretary General Albert Pierre, Mon Mothma, Karla Illustrious, Zut Gorky, and himself.
"It's good to meet you, Moff Illustrious." Mothma said, shaking the slightly younger woman's hand. The two exchanged greetings before the leader of the Alliance spoke again. "There is a clear reason that the Alliance stayed out of your territory. Despite being an Imperial officer, you served your people first and gave them prosperity and stability that other sectors did not give them. I can speak for both other members of Alliance High Command and myself that despite your allegiance that we respected you and what you did for your people." Mothma said. "At several points, we even wanted to sway you to our cause, but any mission inside your territory would be difficult and we always had other pressing concerns on the other side of the galaxy."
"I have had sympathy for your cause, but I believe that it is my responsibility to do the best for the people of my sector above all else." Illustrious said. "And for a while I thought that the Empire was serving the sector better, I knew it would come to an end. That's why if I am to be blunt, I created a cult of personality around myself. As much as I dislike having such power over the people of my sector and this might be reprehensible, I would rather this than have the Empire have the same control that they currently have over them. It also means that I was able to ensure their loyalty over that of the Empire."
"I agree, I would rather have them support you than the Empire." Mothma said. "As I have said to the leadership of Earth in the past, you all have the opportunity to directly join the Alliance itself. All of you have powerful assets and capabilities which we could really use."
Illustrious thought for a moment. "Wether we knew it or not, the Tibannas Sector was under the oppression of the Empire." She said. "And many of the people are not partivally interested in joining the wider alliance. So for now, no." She said.
"The same applies to the Free Confederacy." Gorky said. "I know that many of my members see your Alliance as a reincarnation of the Republic, and would be vehemently opposed to membership in it. So for the meantime, time, no." The old Admiral said.
"Earth's position is unchanged from the last time we spoke." Pierre said.
"Very well." Mothma said. She has been under the impression that they would decline her offer, but it at least was worth a try.
"However, I still think there's much we can gain from each other in other ways." She said, turning to Illustrious. "As I have heard, you have a lot of Tibanna gas for sale since you are at war with the vast majority of your buyers. And it fortunately is a commodity that the Alliance always needs. Perhaps we can arrange a trad e deal." Mothma said.
"I would be willing to discuss such an agreement." Illustrious smiled.
The four leaders of their respective groups talked about a number of other topics, including I telegram intelligence sharing, coordination of military plans, and arms sales from Earth and the Free Confederacy to the Alliance. Soon the conversations had mostly ended, and Secretary General Pierre, Gorky, and Illustrious left the room temporarily, leaving Johnson and Mothma alone. Through the glass doors they could see several other people, some of the aides and advisors from Earth, Gorky, Illustrious, and the Alliance were conversing. Both of them could see Princess Leia Organa arguing with Captain Han Solo, though neither could tell what they were arguing about. Johnson remembered that he had seen them arguing before, and wondered if it was common in their relationship.
"Those two seem to argue a lot." Johnson observed.
"This looks tame compared to some of their more heated arguments I've seen." Mothma replied.
"There is an expression on Earth that they argue like a married couple." Johnson said. Mothma chuckled at the comment.
"Alliance High Command is sure that the two will either kill each other or fall in love." She said. "If they disliked each other he would not be her bodyguard and pilot l."
"I could see that." Johnson said.
"Some of the members of high command have been discussing your age. A few have doubts that you are an effective leader of your fleet." Mothma said.
"Well they can talk to me about that if they want, and I am willing to step down if they find a better candidate from this planet." Johnson said snarkaily. "Who in particular?"
"General Draven is the main person who believes that you are too young to hold command. Reekan is undecided but sympathetic to Draven's cause. Ackbar has vehemently defended you, and I have as well."
"Well thank you. I don't understand their criticisms, the Alliance has a number of officers in high ranking positions that are fully capable of performing their roles, such as General Syndula and Admiral Eclipse." Johnson said. "And what have I done in particular that they don't agree with?"
"A question I asked Draven, which he did not clearly answer." Mothma said. "He went on about how young you were and inexperienced with such large and complex operations as you would be pulling off in the future."
"Well he might be right." Johnson said. "But no one here is really sxpericaned. We all are doing the best with what we've got. Is there any way to convince him to econsider his views.?"
"I have some leverage against him." Mothma said. "Im sure he will shut up about how inexperienced you are once I pull that on him."
"What kind of leverage?"" Johnson asked.
"Not something I will disclose." Mothma said. "You would make a good politician if you ever retired from your fleet."
"Unless the war ends or I become unfit to carry out my duty, I won't be retiring." Johnson said. "If the latter happened I don't think I'll be in a position to enter politics."
"Perhaps you won't," Mothma said. "But you would be quite effective in that field."
"I don't know if I want to," Johnson said. "I don't particularly like the field. It's full of people who just want power or are serving their own interests above those of the nation and its people."
"That's exactly why you should enter it," Mothma replied. "You aren't beholden to self-interest William Johnson. You do what is right and necessary."
"Maybe one day." Johnson sighed. "It isn't guaranteed but also is still a possibility. But we still have a war to win first."
The End
Author's note: This story is finally finished after being over two times the length of its prequel! I'll talk more about who I am, other parts of my life and things I'm interested in and what I'll be doing next on my profile page. (Something that I've desperately needed to update since it has basically no content. I'll give a way a few details about my next plans for writing and even perhaps some rough and speculative dates for when a sequel to this will come!
If anyone wants to make art for this series, whatever it would be please pm me. My skills in that area are essentially nonexistent, so if someone would be able to help there you would have my eternal gratitude (and a shoutout in the fics) so contact me if you are interested.
