The First Contact War
Chapter 3
The Senate and the Council
22nd February 2622 Earth Standard Calendar, Commander Luke Sparrow meeting the Jedi Council.
"Pleased to meet you, we are Commander Sparrow. Grateful for saving master Skywalker and Senator Amidala we are. I am Yoda" Said the small green alien.
"It is nice to meet you master Yoda and the rest of the Jedi council. Master Skywalker has told me many good things about you"
"Yes it is nice to meet you too, but in the report master skywalker sent us, it says you have little to no knowledge of the force or mediclorians. Would you mind explain that?"
"No, of course not. We know very little about the force due to the fact we have never used or heard of it before we met you. After we took blood samples from the survivors of one of your ships to make sure we couldn't be affected by unknown illnesses, we discovered what you call Mediclorians. We found that our white blood cells treat them like an infection and attack and destroy them, thus preventing us from using the force"
"That is quite disturbing," said a pink alien with an oddly tall head.
"Most strange it is, to find life surviving without mediclorians, the Universe is truly mysterious"
"Anakin says that you, Ambassador Mori, Senator Amidala and himself drew up an alliance treaty? If I may ask, why not just join the Republic?" Said a human with brown hair, presumably Skywalkers master.
"Indeed we did draw up an Alliance Treaty but as for why we did not join the Republic. We voted unanimously to not join. We did so that as an alliance we work closely together rather than depend on the other, we can deal with problems we face our way with relatively little interference of an outside force. I know that seems a bit like a warmongering decision but really we just want to be left alone to do our own thing. But with what we heard the Separatists are doing, they need to be stopped sooner rather than later"
"That is understandable, you have just taken a major step onto the galactic map, it would make sense for you to want to be hidden and left alone"
"If it's okay I would like to ask a question myself," Asked Luke.
"That is fine"
"Why are there Humans in the Galaxy that didn't come from Earth, I read the report given by the Twi'lek but it still puzzles me?"
"Humans are the galaxy's most numerous and politically dominant sentient species with millions of major and minor colonies galaxy-wide. They are believed to have originated here, on the galactic capital of Coruscant; they can be found anywhere, engaged in many different pursuits. Since they appear to be identical to Humans on your Earth, they could have been a species of extragalactic aliens who transported early Humans from Earth to the Republic. Another that parallel evolution could have produced Humans in the galaxy as well as in your system"
"That seems likely; I'll send you a copy of the treaty we drew up"
"Appreciate this we do. Leave you may" With that Luke walked out.
"This is most disturbing; lifeforms that attack Mediclorians could be used to make a biological weapon against the Jedi" Said Ki-Adi.
"I agree, anyhow Master Kenobi, you and Skywalker are to go on a relief effort to Chistophsis to help Senator Bail Organa," Said a black Human
"Understood master Windu"
22nd February 2622 Earth Standard Calendar, Ambassador Ryuko Mori with Field Marshall Dommel and Senator Amidala meeting the Supreme Chancellor, Outside Ceremonial Office for Official Meetings, Chancellor's Suite, Republic Executive Building, Senate District, Galactic City, Coruscant.
Ryuko was nervous. She is just about to meet the most powerful man in the galaxy representing the UEG to him. She was very nervous.
"You may enter" she heard from inside the room. She, Dommel and Padme entered the room.
"Ah senator Amidala it is good to see you again"
"It's nice to see you again Chancellor"
"And you must be Ambassador Ryuko Mori and Field Marshall Dommel of the United Earth Government. I am Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, this "he gestured to his right "is Vice Chair Amedda"
"It is nice to meet you"
"The feeling is mutual"
"I hope you don't but we already drew up an Alliance Treaty without you. My government back on Earth have approved, all we need now is you're and the Jedi council's permission"
"May we see it? We'll look over it so it will take some time to do. Why don't we reconvene later"
"That sounds like a good idea"
Ryuko left the room feeling good at how things had gone so far.
22BBY The Supreme Chancellor conversing with the Jedi Council, Outside Ceremonial Office for Official Meetings, Chancellor's Suite, Republic Executive Building, Senate District, Galactic City, Coruscant.
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and Vice Chair Mas Amedda with Padme Amidala around the holo-projector in the centre of the office and the holo-projector had the holographic images of senators Organa and Chuchi along with Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu.
"They basically flat out refused to join the Republic?" asked Senator Chuchi sounding somewhat shocked at the news.
"Yes they made that perfectly clear, especially their head leader, the United Earth Government President Richards," said Senator Amidala.
"Why would they refuse to join the Republic, it would be their best way of defence against attacks from the Separatists," said Palpatine, confused at the government's decision.
"Their military and economy is small but strong and no one knows their location"
"Then why would they want to go on the offensive against the Separatists?" asked Master Mace Windu confused and he then said, "They only have five hundred and ninety ships capable of fighting in a war. With two hundred and fifteen on the way. And another twenty if the fourth and fifth Expeditionary Forces are made"
"They have discussed that part. According to a Commander Luke They are willing to deploy their entire Marine Corps and Expeditionary Force, half their fleet and eight army divisions" said Senator Amidala and she continued speaking, "They made the decision and are required it to be held by it if the treaty is signed but until they managed to build more ships that can carry their forces, they will need transport ships as their current ones aren't enough to carry all the men and supplies"
"So they expect us, to give their troops transportation throughout the galaxy? Do they even have the number of troops to wage this war?" asked Palpatine was taken aback and shocked.
"They just might, they have six hundred and eighty-five million men and women from their planets ready for war. That's only the Planetary Defence Forces. The Marines Are one hundred and seventy million strong and the navy is over one twenty-five million strong with over a million in the Expeditionary Force" said Master Windu.
"All those people from one hundred and fifty-two planets?" asked Vice Chair Amedda, now sounding as if this wasn't possible or real.
"Yes," said Master Yoda.
Palpatine looked shocked and looked at the ground and then regain his composure and turned to the others and said, "Maybe we should have the Senate decide on this treaty, but for now, I must say I might agree with signing this treaty."
The other looked at him, some looked shocked that he agreed with signing the treaty.
"Chancellor, why do you agree with signing it?" asked the Vice Chair confused and shocked.
"Because, if Masters Yoda and Windu and senator Amidala are correct about the fighting capability of the military forces of this government, then they could prove a valuable ally for us and could aid our own forces in pushing back the Separatists," said Palpatine.
22nd February 2622 Earth Standard Calendar, President Keith Richards of the UEG, on board the Earth Senate Station orbiting Earth awaiting Republic response.
In an office was High Field Marshall Fernando Garcia sitting at a desk with President Richards sitting on a chair that was against the wall.
"Are you sure you agree to take this task Fernando?" asked the President.
"Yes, I am sure Mr President. Someone has to make sure everyone from our worlds comes back alive," said Garcia with a small smile.
"Alright, I just only hope we don't go to war and lose. Most of the media is nervous this coalition," said Pullman grimly as he averted his gaze to the floor.
"But unfortunately the media, the public opinion is in favour of the coalition, if a little nervous as well," replied Garcia
"Yes, that it is." said the President, then he turned to face the general again, Richards then asked "One thing I also want to do is when the Republic's public asks me how did we get our FTL from Hell they'll even ask how we colonised over a hundred and fifty planets in five centuries."
The Field Marshall thought about it for a moment and then said, "I knew someone would ask that. I'll think they'll be shocked to see we just figured it out with no outside help, it almost still puzzles me that we were able to do it and all it took was one woman's lifetime of research to do"
Just then a beeping sound came off of Richard's own desk and it was the holodisk that was given to the general like many other holodisks that were given to various military and political leaders that were involved with the Government so they could stay in contact with the Republic.
"Who is it?" asked Pullman curious.
"Chancellor Palpatine, let's see what their response is." said Keith as he pushed the 'ACCEPT' key on the disk.
Inside the Senate building Coruscant Commander Luke Sparrow
Inside the walls of the Senate building was a makeshift platform with Commander Luke, Field Marshall Dommel and Ambassador Ryuko of the UEG waited with the Chancellor to enter the main room. Reporters from various newspapers and television shows conversed among their own groups and several news camera crews had their news cameras readied. Though they were not alone, a new group of people had added to the mix. There were also a number of Holo-Net crews who had already arrived in order to get news coverage on UEG (soon to be Orion Arm Government-OAG)-Republic Alliance Treaty being put forth and the introduction of a new race.
A group of Senate Guards then proceeded ahead of the Chancellor. They proceeded down a long hallway filled with the noise of the Senate Arena. The noise became more intense as they proceeded until they filed into the main chamber through the end of the hallway.
The noise suddenly erupted into a loud cheer that thundered throughout a massive two-kilometre dome containing Senators and Representatives from every planet. The sheer size of the place stunned Luke and the others behind him; their reactions were quickly hidden though. All along the top, a walkway traversed the entire way around. Descending to the bottom were rows upon rows of pods containing members of the Senate. He noticed Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan sitting with another larger group of what he assumed were Jedi all dressed simply in their robes.
The small bouts of cheering and applause he quickly realized was meant for the Chancellor as he walked onto a ramp and then entered into a pod that ascended from its platform to the centre of the convocation centre. He waved and smiled and the Senate returned it with applause.
Will suspected normally the Senate didn't cheer quite as loudly as it did on this occasion, that it was more of a show to the foreigners. Whatever the reason they were all gestured to a pod a that was waiting to be boarded by one of the Senate Guards. As the Chancellor took his place the Senate started another wave of applause for the newcomers.
He stepped on and the rest of the Human delegation filed on and proceeded to a position off to the side. On a screen, they could see the procession of the entire Senate.
"Welcome," he paused. His kindly and warm voice filling the hall amplified by the Speakers in his pod.
"Welcome, Senators, Jedi of the Council, and of course welcome – to our mutual friends in arms in the struggles against the Separatists' for which we have laboured so long to end!" he shook his fist to emphasize his point. He kind of reminded Luke of the orators back in the UEG.
"It is my humble desire that we, the Republic, welcomes you with open arms and embrace you as our brothers and sisters! We should not consider them the sons and daughters of scoundrels, of pirates, brutes, or barbarians but as our equals and part of our illustrious society!"
Luke frowned at that line. It only reinforced his sense of the distance from the rest of the Galaxy he saw. More applause and cheers went out.
"But most importantly we are here today to recognize the existence of life beyond our known galaxy! Today we welcome the Human race of United Earth Government of the Orion Arm as friends of the Republic!"
The Senate Arena was filled with more cheers and applause. Palpatine silenced them and they quieted. He paused dramatically.
"However, my friends, my fellow Senators, to every citizen and soldier listening in on today's broadcast, today it is my supreme duty to formalize our union as Civilizations in our mutual fight against an aggressor that has plagued us so…terribly and caused the deaths of our valiant soldiers and people"
"He certainly has a way of working the crowd," Luke said to Dommel, who looked over and nodded once.
"…an enemy," he continued, "which was once considered our own. But their own…selfish greed and ambition blinded them to the very ideals which we and the UEG have sought for since our formations for peace. But in the midst of their pursuit of peace, they were dragged into this war, of their own choice, to save our people from death! Already they have saved the ship that Senator Amidala and General Skywalker was on with only three ships against six separatists!"
As he finished with a yell, uproar of agreement filled the Senate.
"But they emerged victorious! They have since proved themselves by attacking those six separatist ships and with little effort and utterly crushed them!"
A louder cheer and round of applause filled.
"…and to show the Confederacy that the galaxy was wrong to deal with a so-called "new" race, this new race agreed to send men to aid our course. A testament to the power they possess, a power which and will triumph over the Confederacy!"
"He possesses great skill in oration," Dommel said to Luke.
"We have asked the United Earth Government, specifically their head of Military to tell us their story, to show us how life beyond our known galaxy existed. Please welcome Ambassador Ryuko Mori." Said Palpatine finishing soundly.
Roars of applause greeted the young Ambassador. The pod Luke was in moved upwards and took the same place that the Chancellor had occupied.
As it finished a light lit up the platform and he began to speak.
"Now, I'm not one for displays of oratory like your Chancellor here,"
Some laughs broke out at that comment.
"…but I will do the best I can. I am Ryuko Mori, and I represent the United Earth Government, while the military element of our government, the UEG Armed forces represented by Field Marshall Dommel. Our story used to be one filled with war. From the beginning, our accounts show an exorbitant, even horrifying amount of war that stains the pages of our progress. But that was put behind us centuries ago when we finally turned our attention to the stars and within decades had broken past the limits of our home planet and began to expand. But within that expansion, the old ideas of power, greed, and oppression began to take place, thus in that conflict forming what we know as the UEG."
She paused and cleared her throat.
"But finally we forget those problems and society progressed in leaps and bounds far beyond what we had done before. It was a Golden Age for the Human race until we were suddenly plunged headlong into a terrorist war with a minority group of colonist called the Insurrection. The Insurrection believed they were the voice of the outer colonies; this task was carried out, mostly, by the terrorist attacks. We were then hurled headfirst into a war that lasted decades, but one by one the worlds became horrified at the acts committed in the name of freedom and the insurrection began losing public support. Until thirty-three years ago when their last stronghold fell after a nearly ninety-year war. And now…today we wish to stand by you as allies, to ensure that those who have decided aggression is the answer are re-corrected in their belief that we may have peace and return to our lives. Thank you."
"The woman is always to the point." chimed Dommel.
Another roll of applause echoed throughout the two-kilometre dome as the pod settled down again.
"Thank you, thank you." Said Palpatine as the pod rose up again. "Thank you, Miss Mori, for your remarks."
"I would like to put forth a movement." came the voice of Senator Padme Amidala as the Chancellor finished rising to the middle.
"The Senate recognizes Senator Amidala from Naboo." Said a blue-skinned alien next to him.
"I move that as of today the Allied Species and the Republic enter into a state of alliance..."
So the next chapter will be about the lore of the United Earth Government (Orion Arm Government) and it's military strength and tactics.