Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
For those wondering why I'm getting these up so fast after I mentioned I was busy with a paper, I decided to go ahead and write the remaining chapters quickly so that I didn't have the thought of them distracting me.
Let's get to it.
Guest: I'll show some of Jaina and Jacen's childhood later on in an EU story.
Sectrooper: I'll think about both of these ideas
Guest: If you're talking about the Intergalactic Cold War between the Alliance and Empire, yes there is going to be a story set during that time.
Chapter 83- Treaty of Terra
(June 1, 2019, Naval Station Norfolk)
In the Council Chamber of the Admiralty, Grand Admiral Zambellas walks over to the podium, looking over the plan for the swearing in ceremony. This is a day that has been somewhat contested by some within the Admiralty, but Obama has agreed to allow the swearing in.
One of the other admirals, Admiral Greenert, walks up to Zambellas. "I hope we don't end up regretting this," he says. He's been one of the ones who's been on the edge about this appointment.
"I agree it's a bold move. But the President has ordered it, and Pellaeon's knowledge of the Empire and of the galaxy will be of great use to us. And he seems to be an honorable man. I think this will work out for the better in the end," Zambellas responds. Greenert just nods before walking off.
Zambellas looks out at everyone gathered around, namely other officers and some reporters, and calls out, "If I could have everyone please sit down, we will begin."
Everyone moves to take their seats. Once Zambellas sees that everyone has been seated, he says, "Everyone, I would like to welcome you all today to a very special swearing in ceremony. This is certainly a unique occasion. We are all gathered here today for the swearing in ceremony of Gilad Pellaeon into the Terran Starfleet."
Pellaeon walks into the room on this cue. He is no longer wearing his old Imperial uniform, but rather the white service dress uniform of Terran Starfleet officers. However, since he has not yet commissioned, he has no rank insignia on his uniform yet.
Zambellas steps forward and faces Pellaeon. He says a few introductory words, then says, "Please raise your right hand and recite after me the Oath of Office."
Pellaeon raises his right hand. Zambellas then says, "I, state your name."
"I, Gilad Pellaeon," Pellaeon responds.
"Having been appointed as an officer in the Terran Starfleet," Zambellas says.
"Having been appointed as an officer in the Terran Starfleet," Pellaeon repeats.
"I solemnly swear that I will support the Charter of the Terran Alliance and defend it and the people of the Terran Alliance from all enemies, foreign and domestic," Zambellas says. Pellaeon then repeats it.
"That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same," Zambellas says. Pellaeon repeats it.
"That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion," Zambellas repeats it.
"And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office which I am about to enter, so help me God," Zambellas says. Pellaeon repeats it.
Zambellas smiles slightly. An aide then approaches, bearing a pair of four-star rank insignias. Taking them, Zambellas then steps forward and pins the ranks in place on Pellaeon's uniform. He then takes a step back and extends his hand, saying, "Welcome to the Terran Starfleet, Admiral Pellaeon."
Pellaeon takes the offered hand and shakes it, and everyone watching stands up and begins to clap politely.
Zambellas speaks a few words to end the ceremony, and then the ceremony concludes. However, as all of the attendees file out, Zambellas turns to Pellaeon and says, "Stay here, Admiral. I have something to discuss with you."
The two officers wait until everyone has left the room. Zambellas then motions for Pellaeon to sit down.
After a moment, Zambellas says, "Gil, I have a mission for you. Now that the war is over, we're working on hunting down the few remaining Imperial remnants and searching for missing Imperial forces. One in particular concerns us. We recently discovered evidence that the Emperor's personal Super Star Destroyer, the Eclipse, may not have been destroyed as we previously thought. Add to that, some time before the Battle of Endor, we received intelligence about Imperial expeditions to find a planet in the Unknown Regions. The planet was known as Exegol."
"Exegol. I have heard that name before. The Emperor assigned me to help look for it at one point some years before the war," Pellaeon says.
"I'm a bit surprised you have. It didn't seem like it was common knowledge among the Empire. We only found out the truth about it after consulting the Jedi Council. Apparently, it is an ancient fortress world of the Sith located in the Unknown Regions, with its location and path to it a closely guarded secret even among the Sith. However, it seems that the Emperor may have been looking for it. We believe that there is a chance that fleeing Imperial forces may have gone to the Unknown Regions, searching both for the Eclipse and Exegol," Zambellas says.
"Why are you discussing this with me?" Pellaeon asks, though he already has a guess why.
"We are launching an investigation into these rumors, as well as a definitive effort to locate Exegol. We are concerned about what could be hidden there, and want to destroy any secrets of the Sith still hidden there, as the Emperor clearly thought it worth his time to look for the planet. President Obama knows that you know a fair bit about the Unknown Regions, and you're clearly somewhat familiar with the Imperial hunt of Exegol. We have gathered what intelligence we can about where Exegol is in the Unknown Regions, which unfortunately is not much. President Obama and Grand Admiral Thrawn want you to take the battlecruiser TAS Hood and attempt to find the way to Exegol, and, if you can, find out if the Eclipse is in fact intact," Zambellas says.
"Why not ask Grand Admiral Thrawn?" Pellaeon asks.
"Thrawn knows much less about Exegol than you do. He will also be busy helping us in establishing a relationship with the Chiss Ascendancy and searching for the threats his people believe are hidden in the Unknown Regions. You know more about the Unknown Regions than almost anyone else besides Thrawn. We believe you are the right man to lead this expedition," Zambellas says.
Pellaeon is quiet for several minutes. Finally, he says, "Very well. I will accept."
"Good. You will depart in three days," Zambellas says firmly.
Pellaeon nods once, then stands up along with Zambellas. Pellaeon salutes Zambellas, who returns the salute. Pellaeon then turns and walks out of the room.
(June 21, 2019, New York City)
Obama turns another page, quickly going over it. Across from him, Plo is also going over similar papers. They are taking the time to review this document before the signing ceremony.
"How much longer do we have?" Plo asks.
"About 10 minutes," Obama says. Plo just nods.
Today is an important day. Today, in the Assembly Hall of the Terran Alliance General Assembly, the Treaty of Terra will be signed.
The Treaty of Terra has been under consideration and in the writing process since the start of the year. Knowing that the war was drawing to an end, the New Republic and the Alliance decided to write up a treaty that would lay out the terms for relations between the various allied powers of the war. Originally, it was written between the New Republic and the Terran Alliance, however, over the following months, the Hapes Consortium and the Mandalorian resistance had become signatories as well. Finally, after contact wad finally established with the Chiss Ascendancy around the time of the signing of the Galactic Concordance, the Chiss Ascendancy had also become a signatory of the treaty.
The treaty was extensive, and covered a number of areas. It began by establishing formal alliance between the various signatories and the Terran Alliance, promising Terran military aid to them in the event of war, and the same from the signatories to the Alliance.
The treaty's second main section dealt with allocations of war prizes from the Empire. The treaty outlined which of the various parties would receive which war prizes. Most of the military equipment and vessels captured from the Empire including the Lusankya, would be given over to the New Republic, with some going to the Hapes Consortium and the Chiss Ascendancy, and a few to the Terrans. Anything determined to have taken from the Mandalorians would be returned to them. Knowledge of secret Imperial technology would be shared between the signatories.
The third major section of the treaty dealt with trade agreements and diplomatic relations. It provided for the establishment of Terran embassies on the capital worlds of the Chiss Ascendancy, the Hapes Consortium, and the New Republic, and embassies of the three powers to be built on Earth. In the same section, it outlined the trade deals between the major powers, certain goods that were off limits to trading, standard currency amounts for use in trading, and how trading would be conducted. It also gave the Terrans rights to certain resources on certain planets within the Andromeda Galaxy.
The fourth major section dealt with military matters. It laid out the structure for sharing military information between the various signatories, as well as certain limitations on military power in time of peace. It also laid out the terms for the sharing of military technology. It also included a clause stating that the Terran Alliance would not share its secrets of nuclear power and weaponry, not the extent of its cyberwarfare capabilities, as the Alliance still considered themselves too small to give up those secrets of its defense.
The fifth major section was perhaps one of the most contested sections by members of the New Republic Senate. It dealt with the territorial boundaries within the Andromeda Galaxy. The treaty specified that the Chiss Acendancy and Hapes Consortium would maintain their borders as they stood. The treaty mainly dealt with which territory would be given to the New Republic and the Terran Alliance. The treaty specified that for the most part, the New Republic would have control over the rest of the Andromeda Galaxy. However, certain portions of the Andromeda Galaxy would be given over to the control of the Terran Alliance. The portion least contested was that the Terran Alliance would be given control over Sith Space, including the planets Korriban, Nathema, and Dromund Kaas. The Alliance would maintain outposts throughout Sith Space and monitor it so that the planets within would cause trouble again. In addition, the Alliance would be given control of the various sections of Wild Space, including the planet Teth, which would be its main trading base in the galaxy, and Zakuul, another former Sith world. The Terrans would also be given control of the Arkanis sector, which included Tatooine. A few other worlds within the Outer and Mid Rims were also given over to the Terran Alliance, or had declared their wishes to join the Alliance. These worlds only numbered in the single digits, but included such worlds as Naboo, Christophsis, Saleucami, Kamino and Ossus. It also stated that the Terran Alliance would hold custody of the planet Mandalore for 5 years before beginning to return it back to the Mandalorians. Many Senators had opposed some of these worlds being given over to the Terran Alliance, but Mon Mothma had approved of it, and most of the Senate had approved of it.
The last main section dealt with diplomatic representation between the Republic and the Alliance, as well as the correlation between the Jedi Orders of the two galaxies. It established for a representative of the New Republic to be present in the Terran Alliance General Assembly, and a representative of the Terran Alliance to be present in the New Republic Senate. It also provided provisions for the Terran Jedi Order to train the New Jedi order of the Republic, and communications between the two orders.
The treaty had been in writing for months. After months of work, it was decided that the treaty was as good as it could be given the situation, and the date for the singing was set for the day of Earth's summer solstice, June 21.
Obama and Plo are taking a few minutes prior to the signing ceremony to finish going over the transcript of the treaty one last time to ensure that nothing is amiss.
Finally, Obama's vice president, Joe Biden, walks into the office. "Mr President, it's time," he says.
Obama nods once, and he and Plo stand up, following Biden out of the office. The two then make their way to the Assembly Hall. Entering, they see the entire General Assembly, as well as several New Republic Senators, several Mandalorians, and representatives from the Hapes Consortium and Chiss Ascendancy. On the stage at the front of the room are a series of chairs for the signatories. Sitting in them are Mon Mothma, Luke, Prince Isolder, Bo-Katan, and a Chiss known by his core name Formbi.
Plo walks over and takes his seat as Obama walks over to the podium. Looking out over everyone who has assembled, Obama begins to speak.
"Ladies and gentleman, guests from two galaxies, I welcome you today to the Terran Alliance Complex here in amazing New York City for this historic day. Today, the Terran Alliance and her allies have come forward to sign the Treaty of Terra. This historic treaty has been considered for many months, and will set the stage for the future of both of our galaxies and the peace we hope will reign for the forseeable future," Obama says.
People clap as Obama pauses his remarks. Obama continues to speak for several minutes about the treaty and the hopes of the various signing powers going forward.
Finally, he says, "And now I ask for our honorable signers to come forward."
Mon Mothma, Luke, Isolder, Bo-Katan, Formbi, and Plo all stand up from their seats, and they, along with Obama, gather around the table where the signing copy of the treaty is lying.
Mon Mothma is up first, signing on behalf of the New Republic. After Mothma steps away, Luke comes forward, signing on behalf of the New Jedi Order.
After Luke steps back, Prince Isolder comes forward to sign the treaty on behalf of the Hapes Consortium, signing with a rather elegant flourish.
As Prince Isolder steps away, Bo-Katan steps forward. Taking the pen, she signs on behalf of the Mandalorians.
As Bo-Katan steps back, Formbi steps forward. Taking the pen, he signs at the bottom on behalf of the Chiss Ascendancy.
Finally, it comes down to the two Terran representatives. Plo steps forward and signs on behalf of the Terran Jedi Order. Finally, Obama steps forward, taking the pen and signing his name on behalf of the Terran Alliance.
Obama rests the pen down, and then takes the time to shake everyone's hands up on the stage. Obama then makes his way over to the podium. Looking out over the assembly, he declares loudly, "I hereby declare that the Treaty of Terra has been ratified!"
Everyone in the hall gets to their feet, clapping and cheering. Obama smiles, and after a minute, declares, "On behalf of the Terran Alliance, I say: We have taken one large step towards lasting peace. But the journey is not over, and we will continue to preserve peace wherever it is in jeopardy!"
More cheering and clapping fill the hall, and Obama smiles, filling with gratitude and pride that he has finally seen the end of this war, and that peace may finally be achieved.
(June 22, 2019)
"And sir, the last order of business we have for you today. We wanted to bring this before you for your final approval before we officially submit the order," Zambellas says as he hands the packet to Obama.
Obama takes a look at the packet. He already has a feeling of what it is, and as soon as he opens it, it is immediately confirmed.
The packet is a small paper written up detailing a submission for an order for a second Freedom class Super Star Destroyer, with a possibility for a third in the future. Given how effective the Freedom had proven in combat, the Alliance decided it was probably time they get to work on building a second, especially given the reports they had received from the Chiss Ascendancy about the level of severity some of the threats they believed existed in the Unknown Regions posed. The report asks for a second Freedom class vessel to be built, with some updated systems and the addition of a few more railguns to her armament, with a proposed entry into service in late 2025, and possibly entry into service of sometime in the mid 2030s for a possible third vessel.
Obama reads carefully through the report, focusing on the details regarding the ship's construction. Finally, he looks up at Zambellas and says, "I think the report was very well prepared, and your argument for the ship is solid. I think we should go ahead with the order." Zambellas smiles slightly, knowing that with a second Super Star Destroyer in their fleet, the Terran Starfleet will truly be a force to be reckoned with.
And, I'll end there.
For those wondering, the oath Pellaeon recited, the Oath of Office of the Terran Starfleet, is based heavily on the Oath of Office given by new officers in the US Navy
So, some of you may have been surprised to see the Chiss Ascendancy present here. As I obviously explained, the Terran Alliance, thanks to Thrawn, has established a relationship with the Chiss, and were able to get relations to a place where the Chiss were willing to sign the treaty. I may do an EU story showing the building of the relationship between the Terrans and Chiss, and show a lot more of Thrawn. Also for those wondering, I do plan for Thrawn to still be alive be the time of the sequel trilogy story.
I also hope you like the terms of the Treaty of Terra, as well as which planets have been given over to the Terran Alliance. I think we can all agree that after everything they've been through, the Terrans would demand some territory in the Andromeda Galaxy as compensation for all they've sacrificed.
Now, next time will show something that may make people a little sad (nobody dying, I promise), and set up at least one EU story, specifically one I've been heavily planning out. It should be up rather soon. Until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned!