Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
So, I've gotten some reviews regarding the Terran Jedi Order. Now, they will actually begin training as Jedi at a very young age, much like the other Jedi. However, they will be more like Gray Jedi, and also similar to the Imperial Knights from Star Wars Legends material, based on what I know of them. That little debate last chapter was too foreshadow how the Republic's ideaology will clash a bit with Terran ideaology. You'll get the details of the final deal in the beginning of the chapter.
Also, multiple people have expressed skepticism or displeasure about me making Force sensitives exist on Earth. I don't see why that's a problem, as it's never been stated that the Force is restricted to just the Star Wars galaxy (which, in this story, will be the Andromeda Galaxy, the closest Spiral galaxy to the Milky Way).
Let's go.
Chapter 5- The UN Security Council
Anakin sighs a bit as he walks with the other members of the Republic/Jedi delegation into the Oval Office. The meeting with the UN Security Council is scheduled for tomorrow, but they have a meeting now with President Bush to discuss his request for them to train a Terran Jedi Order.
As they enter the Oval Office, President Bush looks up from some papers he's reading. "Ah. Friends. Come sit down," he says. Mace leads the way as they all walk forward and sit down before President Bush's desk.
"So, I understand you have an answer for me regarding my request for you to train people from our planet to be Jedi," President Bush says.
"We do. We feel we can't train a Terran Jedi Order like you want. But, we have a compromise," Obi-Wan says.
President Bush is still for a moment before folding his arms. "I'm listening," he says.
"We are willing to train people from your planet as Jedi, but from a very young age as we train Jedi back in our galaxy. In the meantime, we will have several Jedi permanently stationed here on your planet. Also, in order to help stop the Sith should they come to this planet, we are willing to train a select few people from your planet in lightsaber combat. A small ship is already on route from our galaxy, carrying with it twelve lightsabers taken out of storage at the Jedi Temple," Obi-Wan explains.
President Bush sits there, quiet, as he looks at them all. After almost half a minute, he finally responds and says, "Very well. I'm not the most pleased with this arrangement. But I think it's clear this proposal is not your first choice either. I don't think we'll be able to get any better than this. If you're actually willing to go through with this plan, then so am I. I only hope the rest of the members of the Security Council are similarly willing to cooperate with this plan."
"If they are not, then we will figure out what to do from that point on," Mace says.
President Bush nods, then says, "Very well. I believe our business is concluded here. After your meeting with the Security Council, we can talk again. In the meantime, I have other business to attend to."
"Leave you to it, we will," Yoda says before the group stands up and slowly exits the Oval Office.
"Well. That went better than I expected," Anakin says.
"Indeed. I expected him to be more hesitant," Bail Organa says.
"Well. At least President Bush is on our side. Now, we just have to convince the rest of this world's leaders," Ahsoka says.
"Yeah. We've already finished the easy part. Now comes the hard part," Anakin says.
(The following day, New York airspace)
Anakin sits back against the wall of the helicopter. He, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, Mace, Yoda, Bail, and Captain Rex are all on their way to New York City, the site of the United Nations Headquarters. Their meeting with the Security Council is set to take place in an hour. After the meeting, they will take a few days to receive word back from the other 14 countries represented on the council, before speaking to the rest of the UN in a week's time.
"What do you think about this, Master?" Ahsoka asks.
"Well, we'll see, Ahsoka. But I do know it may be harder to convince this Security Council than to convince President Bush. But, I do know, that one way or another, we're not gonna let the Separatists take this planet," Anakin says confidently.
"Be patient, Anakin," Obi-Wan says.
"I know, Master. But we can't let the Separatists take this planet because some countries may not be willing to work with us," Anakin says.
"I know. But, we don't even know if any countries will be opposed to us yet. If there are, we'll figure things out," Obi-Wan says. Anakin just nods in response.
"1 minute out!" the American pilot calls from the cockpit. Just a minute later, the helicopter sets down. The doors open, and the Republic/Jedi delegation climbs out of the helicopter.
The Jedi, Bail, and Rex stare at their surroundings, getting their first look at New York City. The towering skyscrapers surrounding them remind them a little bit of Coruscant. And right ahead of them are several large buildings, surrounded by several hundred flags.
"Welcome to the Headquarters of the United Nations," one of the soldiers that flew with them says.
They're quiet for a few moments before one of the other guards says, "Follow us." The handful of guards then escort them across the lawn and into one of the buildings. They make their way up through the building until the guards lead them into a smaller room.
"You all will wait here until the meeting. An aide will come get you when its time for you to enter the meeting," one of the guards says. Bail nods in acknowledgement, and the guards leave them.
For the next hour, the delegation waits patiently for the meeting to start. Finally, after an hour of waiting, an aide walks in. She looks around at them all and says, "They're ready for you."
The delegation all stands up and follow the aide into another room. As they enter the room, they realize it's much larger than the first room. In the center of the room is a massive desk in the shape of a half circle. 15 men are sitting in front of them. One of the men sitting has the American flag next to his name. The others have other various flags beside their name. The Republic/Jedi delegation has been briefed on the various members of the council. They recognize the flags of the four other permanent members; the Soviet Union, China, Britain, and France. They take a moment to recognize the flags of the 10 temporary members, which at the moment are Ivory Coast, Zaire, Zimbabwe, Yemen, India, Cuba, Ecuador, Austria, Belgium, and Romania. The various representatives are mainly focused on Ahsoka and Yoda, a bit shocked at their appearance despite knowing some of the videos are aliens.
"Please state your names for the council," the American representative says.
"Jedi Master Mace Windu," Mace says.
"Jedi Master Yoda," Yoda says.
"Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," Obi-Wan says in greeting.
"Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker," Anakin says.
"Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano," Ahsoka says.
"Senator Bail Organa," Bail says.
"Captain Rex of the 501st Legion," Rex says.
"Thank you," the American representative says.
"Please tell us all why have come to this planet," the British representative says.
Obi-Wan speaks up. "We come from the peaceful Republic, in your neighboring galaxy. The Republic has fostered peace and democracy for thousands of years, and the Jedi Order has protected peace in the Republic for thousands of years. However, for the last few years, we have been at war with a group of planets who call themselves the Separatists. The Separatists are led by the Sith, the ancient enemies of the Jedi, who seek to dominate the galaxy. We recently discovered that the Separatists are searching this galaxy for you. We got here first in hopes of forging an alliance with your planet and to protect you from the Separatists," he explains.
There is silence for a few moments, then the Soviet representative speaks up. "Can you provide proof to back up your claims regarding these Separatists?"
"Yes. We have prepared some information for you regarding our claims about who the Separatists are, and some of the atrocities they have committed throughout this war," Anakin says. Ahsoka and Rex walk forward and distribute the various information packets, which they put together with help from some White House aids.
The representatives of the various countries open the packets, taking several long minutes to skim through them, stopping at various things that catch their attention.
Finally, the representatives begin to look up from the packets. "Do you truly believe that the Separatists are after our planet?" the British representative asks.
"We first learned of their search for you after intercepting a transmission saying they had come to this galaxy while searching for the source of strange signals. We followed the same signal, and discovered this planet. Should the Separatists find you as well, they will stop at nothing to subjugate your world," Mace says.
"How are you so sure?" the Romanian representative asks.
"From what we can already see, your planet, as well as other plants and moons in this system, are rich in resources that could be valuable to the Separatists. As the only inhabited planet in this system, their first goal would be to subjugate you, to remove any possible resistance to their conquest of the system," Obi-Wan explains.
"What is the Republic willing to offer us?" the Soviet representative asks.
"Well, if you are concerned about this, we do not intend to take over this planet, or force you to join the Republic. The latter is up to your leaders to decide," Bail says placatingly.
"Our ships in orbit have brought with them a surplus of blasters, with which we intend to begin equipping your armies in preparations for the Separatist attack. We will also help your weapons companies learn how to make blasters on their own. We are also willing to lease to you a certain number of ships to use to defend your planet when we are forced to pull our forces out," Obi-Wan says.
"We are also willing to help build and train a Terran Jedi Order. We will search out force sensitive infants and toddlers, and should their parents be willing to allow it, train them as Jedi. In the meantime, we have made an offer to train a dozen people in the art of lightsaber combat, to help us combat the Sith should they come here," Mace explains.
"We would strongly advise you take our offer. Trust me when I say you won't be able to hold off a concentrated Separatist invasion for long," Anakin says.
The council is quiet for several long moments. Finally, the Chinese representative speaks up and asks, "What does the Republic ask of us in return?"
"Not much. We simply ask that that this world be willing to help us in the Clone Wars by contributing soldiers to reinforce us. Not many, but enough to help us out a little," Anakin explains.
Again, the council is quiet for several moments. Finally, the American representative speaks up and says, "I think we've heard enough for now. I say we release our guests, and report back to our countries." There are murmurs of assent among the various representatives.
The American representative looks to the Republic/Jedi delegation. "We are clear to leave. Thank you for your presentation," he says. Mace nods on behalf of the delegation, and they slowly exit the room.
"Well, that went well enough," Rex says.
"Now we just see if they'll cooperate," Obi-Wan says.
(Four days later)
Anakin smirks a bit as they pass over the coastline just a few hundred feet below. It's been four days since the meeting with the UN Security Council. Since, then, he's gotten rather bored. Today, he finally convinced the Air Force generals to let him fly in one of the Air Force's fighters. They wouldn't let him fly one, but they would let him in the backseat of one. So, less than an hour ago, Anakin had stepped into the backseat of a fighter known as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, of the District of Columbia Air National Guard, with one of the most experienced pilots in the squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Logan Brooks. Anakin had found all the flight gear he had to put on rather cumbersome compared to what he was used to, but didn't argue.
Lieutenant Colonel Brooks had already showed him some of the F-16's agility, which had impressed Anakin. Now, they had just flown over the American coast east of D.C., heading out over the Atlantic Ocean.
"How are you enjoying yourself so far, General Skywalker?" Lt. Col. Brooks asks cheerfully.
"I'm loving this, Lt. Col. Brooks," Anakin responds.
"Alright. We're out over the ocean now. What do you say I open this baby up? Show you what she can do?" Brooks asks.
"Sure thing," Anakin says gleefully.
"Alright. Hold on to something," Brooks says. He then descends to just about a hundred feet above the waves before punching the afterburner.
Anakin grins brightly as he feels a lurch in his gut as the fighter jolts forward from the extra thrust. A few moments later, they can hear the sound of a sonic boom as the jet blasts through Mach 1.
Anakin looks out of the side of the canopy, and watches the waves race by at incredible speed. He gives a laugh of joy at the feeling of speed. Then, he feels his gut sink again as Brooks pulls back on the stick and the F-16 pulls into a climb. Again, Anakin laughs for joy as he watches the F-16 rise into the sky, accelerating further past Mach 1.
"Enjoying yourself, General?" Brooks asks with a smirk.
"You bet!" Anakin responds.
Suddenly, the F-16's radio crackles to life. "Lt. Col. Brooks, this is base command. Can General Skywalker hear me?" a voice calls over the radio.
"Affirmative," Brooks responds.
"I have orders to deliver this report from General Kenobi. Apparently, the UN Security Council reconvened today. Despite reservations on the parts of some of the governments of some of members, and even though some almost voted otherwise, the vote of the Security Council was unanimous to formalize alliance between Earth and the Republic," the voice responds.
"YES!" Anakin cheers, followed a moment later by Brooks, though less loudly.
"The Security Council will present their verdict to the rest of the UN in three days. After that, preparations for war will begin in earnest," the voice says again.
"Awesome. Thank you, sir," Brooks says. He then glances back at Anakin and says, "Well. Good to hear I'll probably be fighting alongside you soon, General."
"You too, Colonel," he says.
"Well. We had probably be getting back to base soon. But, let's take a few minutes to enjoy this thing," he says, throwing the F-16 into several rolls, making Anakin grin.
And, I'll end there. Not my best chapter, but I hope it wasn't too bad.
I hope you like my compromise regarding the Jedi. I figured that the Jedi, at this point, would refuse to train anyone too old, but that President Bush wouldn't relent in his desire to have Terran natives who could fight the Sith. None of the men trained in lightsaber combat will be Force sensitive, as you don't have to be Force sensitive to use a lightsaber, as evidenced by General Grievous, Finn, and others from Star Wars Legends material I've heard about. Obviously, the Terran Jedi will eventually evolve beyond what the Republic's Jedi Order is, but that process will be slow.
I know the whole UN meeting may have seemed a bit rushed, but I didn't want to make this chapter too long. Also, I hope you all agree with the vote being unanimous. I get the feeling, with how the Republic would have presented the threat of the Separatists that the members of the Security Council would be willing to cooperate in favor of self preservation. Now, there may be some countries who won't comply with this, but in general, all of Earth is going to be uniting against the Separatists. Also, as for the countries I named as temporary members of the Security Council, those were all actually members of the Security Council in 1991.
So, it's still November at this point in the timeline. My plan is for the Separatist attack to take place in the first few months of 1992. After that, Earth will continue to aid the Republic throughout the rest of the Clone Wars, and remaining chapters will draw on the Clone Wars show and Revenge of the Sith.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I hope you'll leave a review, and stay tuned.