Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Star Wars movies, shows, books, comics or games. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not for sale, or rent. The Mobile Armors, and later Mobile Suits mentioned in the story are inspired by the various Gundam shows. They obviously belong to their respective creators, and, or copyright owners.

Chapter 6

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Part 3

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Mon Calamari Cruiser Mon Remonda

Coruscant system

"There are more ships here than we had against the second Death Star!" Han whistled when the tactical plot updated with dozens, upon dozens of friendly IFFs.

He struggled not to fidget in his command chair, feeling uncomfortable and out of place in his brown and blue New Republic uniform.

Han Solo, going from a lowly smuggler to a General in command of a fleet, who would have thought?

"We are no longer the Rebel Alliance, but a proper government!" Captain Onomda answered in his bubbling voice. "We're all respectable now." The Mon Calamari offered Han a large, disturbing smile.

"That stings, Captain," Han said after biting off the curse that first came to mind. Respectable? That wasn't him, was it? Yet, here he was, in charge of a partially assembled fleet meant to go hunt down that sleemo Zsinj.

"I call it as I see it, General. What do you think we are about to swim into?" Onomda asked.

"An Empire from a different past? Half the galaxy disappears in a flash of light, replaced by the stars only know what? That's way beyond what we get paid to deal with, Captain. Give me an Imperial Warlord or ten to deal with!" Solo boasted. "Dealing with them is at least something simple and straightforward." Or a Hutt or two like Jabba, Han thought. Then he might get rescued by a Princess again, instead of this.

Solo shook his head and looked around, doing his best to appear respectable, whatever that meant. He missed Chewie, who was back on Kashyyyk, helping settle matters over there, after they liberated it from the Empire. The Imps might have got the clue that they should make themselves scarce and stay that way. Nevertheless, Trandoshans and other assorted slaver scum kept being a problem.

"General, Home One is hailing us. Admiral Ackbar wants to speak with you, sir." The young communications officer announced with awe in his voice.

Kids, these days, they were so impressionable… Han's mind came crashing down at that thought. When did he begin thinking of himself as an old man? Was it all this responsibility he was struggling with?

"Patch him through!" Solo used his Corellian bravado to hide how he felt.

"General Solo." Ackbar's large head appeared in the main holo-tank.

Was there a hint of amusement Han could hear in that bubbling voice? He knew this particular Mon Calamari found it hilarious that a smuggler like him was not only a General but had to try and live up to the rank for various reasons.

"Admiral Ackbar." Solo nodded, and smiled, trying his best to be properly professional. He wondered if it was obvious how awkward he felt.

"Our scouts just confirmed that the Federated Empire fleet will arrive within the hour. Of equal concern is a large Imperial fleet moving in the direction of Coruscant. They already bypassed Xorth, so unless they decide to make a close-in blockade, they're coming here."

"That's why you called us." Han voiced his understanding.

"Correct. More reinforcements are on the way. However, there is a limit on what we can pull back to Coruscant without leaving worlds vulnerable to the predations of beasts like Zsinj." Ackbar confirmed.

"What's the plan?" Han forgot his issues, focusing on the task at hand.

As a smuggler, he knew the Rebellion's strengths very well. You never fought if you could help it unless you had an overwhelming advantage, or your back was up against the wall. The two Death Stars and Hoth were prime examples of the latter. In two, out of three cases, it was a great deal of luck, and as Luke would call it, Force mumbo-jumbo that carried the day.

Hoth should have been what happened against the Death Stars. If you were sane, you wouldn't get into a cage fight with a huge, angry Wookie. Doing so was a good way to get your hands torn out!

"We'll divide the fleet into two task forces. TF Solo, with you in command will face the Imperials coming from Ixtlar. I'll command the rest of the fleet and if it comes down to it, will deal with the new Imperials. You've been briefed on what to expect?"

"Don't send snub fighters against the enemy, keep them and all the bombers as a defensive screen. If it comes down to facing the newcomers, it's going to be an old-fashioned slugging match." Solo said.

More like a knife fight, Han thought. The best way to fight those was by shooting the other bastard. Otherwise, you were both liable to end up either as corpses on the ground, or bleeding out in the hospital.

"That's the basic issue. Don't get too close either, or those missiles they so love can cripple your ships. You should concentrate on a medium to a long-range gun duel. Once their shields fail, it would be only a matter of time before we get magazine detonations crippling their ships." Ackbar let out a gurgling noise. "That said, we'll try to talk first, before turning this system into a graveyard. Ideally, you won't have to deal with our new problem."

"That might work on your side, Admiral. What am I supposed to tell our Imperials? That they're lost and should go search for their Imperial Center somewhere else?"

"You'll ask them politely to go home. If they refuse, make sure they do not interfere with the negotiations." Ackbar somehow said that in a dry, deadpan voice.

"I'll be the height of politeness, Admiral, sir!" This time, Solo was unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "I might as well invite them to dinner and ply them with all the Corellian Ale I can get my hands on!"

"If that's what it takes." Ackbar smiled at him. "Take care, General Solo! Today we might decide the fate of the galaxy."

"No pressure then. All right! We'll do our best to keep our uninvited guests entertained."

"May the Force be with you, General Solo." Ackbar nodded once, deadly serious, and cut off the channel on his side.

"I would prefer having another friendly fleet here…" Han muttered to himself. "Well, people, you heard the Admiral! Helm, take us deeper into the system facing the hype lane leading to Ixtlar. Patch us into the perimeter sensor net, or at least whatever part of it is under Republic control."

Han itched to call Home One and talk with Leia, however, he knew she would be busy preparing to meet the new Imperials. It couldn't be easy for her, especially after what he gathered from their broadcasts.

When did the galaxy cease to make sense?!

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Part 4

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Bridge

Home One

Coruscant system

A gesture had Admiral Ackbar's mobile seat rotate so he could look away from the tactical plot and back to the arguing politicians.

"It doesn't matter if we were mistaken about the Federated Empire, or not now!" Fey'lya barked in frustration. "They've been obviously in contact with the Warlords, and our agents were in no position to figure it out in time! How else do you explain this? A coincidence?!" The Bothan's holographic image paced angrily across the bridge.

"It pains me that I have to I agree with our paranoid colleague." Sian Tevv's translated voice came over the speakers. "It might be a coincidence. Those happen. We can't assume it is. Fey'lya's opinion makes sense."

"Between the aid convoy, its escort, and the Imperial fleet coming at us, they might have the forces to take control of Coruscant." Ackbar allowed. "Militar

ily speaking, win, or lose, offering a battle here will be a strategic setback. We still control only twenty percent of what used to be the known galaxy, and forces aligned with our ideals contest about ten more percent!" The Admiral waved a hand in frustration."We can't afford a bloody victory here and now! It will weaken us too much, while a loss…." He trailed off. "And make no mistake, a fight here will be bloody. We know the Federated Empire's military will fight even against unfavorable odds. Captain Pellaeon is leading 'our' Imperials, and he is one of their best. His forces will be highly motivated, and as well trained as he could arrange. Do I need to spell the implications to you?"

"Our liberation of Coruscant was a symbol of hope for the whole galaxy! A sign that the Empire can and will be defeated! We can't afford to lose it so soon, if at all!" Leia countered.

"Can't we try talking first? If nothing else, in case the Federated Empire attacks, they will lose any claim to the moral high ground. From what I recall after reading certain after-action reports, it was our forces that shot first at Cal-Seti." Skywalker's calm voice sliced through the tension like a lightsaber, giving Ackbar a glimmer of hope.

"Bah, it's Imperials. The sane ones already defected to us, or are in no position to do so. Either that or their esteemed colleagues murdered them for not being murderous enough!" Fey'lya scoffed. "They won't negotiate as long as they believe they have the advantage!"

"Let them strike first! Let them reveal their true nature, for the whole galaxy to see!" Kerrithrarr's hologram roared, all the way from Kashyyyk, where he was still busy dealing with Trandoshan-related issues.

"That might work. We broadcast our negotiations throughout the holonet, for everyone to see." Fey'lya nodded thoughtfully and offered the Wookie a fanged smile. "That's a great idea, my esteemed colleague! Someone make it so!"

"I have to agree with him for a second time today." The Sullustan councilor pointed out. "Why is he the voice of reason?"

Ackbar didn't miss how Mon Mothma tiredly glanced at the Princess and Skywalker. If she hasn't been as exhausted as she appeared to be, the Chancellor might have been subtler.

Then again, even out of the water, his large eyes helped him take in all kinds of details that members of many other species might easily miss.

"Hyperspace wake detected. A large group of ships will soon leave lightspeed!" The specialist overseeing the Hyperwave sensors reported.

"Time's up councilors. My vote is we talk." Ackbar declared and turned his chair around to watch the tactical display.

While it was closer than it should have been, the vote passed. Talking it through it was.

"We're receiving telemetry from the perimeter sensors. Multiple ships are leaving lightspeed right now!" The primary sensor operator reported.

The tactical plot began refreshing rapidly. With every passing heartbeat, more and more amber symbols appeared on it.

'Here we go again,' Ackbar thought, hoping this wasn't a trap like Endor.

The Mon Calamari's large eyes focused on the tactical plot, taking in the numbers and confirmed classes of the arriving ships. The reports by the scouts that observed them from a distance didn't do this fleet justice.

A spearhead of Imperial Star Destroyers led

the way, flying in a wedge formation, followed by a spread of Victories. More Imperials surrounded the core of the fleet, flanked by their own smaller Victory consorts. A significant number of Venators formed a final defensive ring before the presumably unarmed ships they protected.

The resolution was less than ideal at this time. The Republic controlled only a fraction of Coruscant's outer perimeter sensor network. That was due to the need to locate, access, and reprogram every single one of the hundreds of satellites it contained. It was still enough to recognize the lightly blurred forms of Bacta carriers. There was nothing you could mistake for the eight huge Baleen heavy freighters trailing off veils of attached containers.

Finally, there were five Acclamators at the back of the fleet, covering what looked like close to two dozen fleet supply vessels.

There were also at least a hundred escorts of multiple types.

"That's no relief fleet, that's an invasion force!" Fey'lya snapped as soon as he processed what was the images in the main holo-tank meant.

"The sensor grid is receiving a hail from the Imperials," The communications officer dutifully reported. "I'm pretty sure it's omnidirectional and about to hit the holonet… yes, the net's picking it up."

"Put it on a screen!" Ackbar instructed.

"Greetings, people of Coruscant. I am Senator Padme Skywalker, diplomatic representative of the Federated Empire, the recognized successor state of the now-defunct Galactic Republic in our part of our merged galaxy."

Anyone paying attention had seen that face and heard the voice associated with it over the past few days. Despite the scars maring her face, the woman many once knew as Padme Amidala, looked quite good for a dead woman.

"We come bringing relief supplies to Coruscant, including large amounts of Bacta and food. While the Federated Empire would have hoped to greet our new neighbors in the spirit of peace, and mutual understanding, the reality of this age makes this difficult. Indeed, we're here in part to send a message, and to make a point. Unleashing biological weapons on populated worlds, pointless murder, and terror, go against everything the Federated Empire, and the New Order we uphold stand for! We can not, and will not tolerate such crimes against sapient life! The likes of Warlord Ysanne Isard have no place in the peaceful and secure galaxy we're building!"

The earnest way Senator Skywalker spoke, had everyone muttering, and glancing at their own Skywalker. Yet, all anyone could see on the young general's face was a look of stunned longing.

"To the representatives of the New Republic holding this system. I honestly wish I could greet you in peace, as people who against all odds try to preserve and restore the ideals of democracy and self-determinations. Yet, the actions of your military at Cal-Seti already put everything you proclaim to stand for under question. Your general Hudsol led an unprovoked attack upon a world that came to us for protection. After the Galactic Empire, no, the Warlords vying for its empty throne, abandoned Cal-Seti and its people, it wasn't the New Republic that came seeking knowledge of the situation and offering aid. The Republic task force came to take that world, caring not for the will of its citizens and military governor, and in the process, executed an act of war against the Federated Empire."

Two piercing, furious eyes stabbed into the camera, and the souls of everyone watching.

"The New Republic attacked our military, killed our soldiers, and invaded our world, caring not for the fate of its citizens. Beyond offering aid to the people of Coruscant, and making a point to all Warlords tearing this part of the galaxy apart, we're here for another reason. We're here to address the unprovoked attack by New Republic forces!"

"The Federated fleet is on the move! Their vector will put them above Coruscant, just beyond the gravity well limit."

"And outside the effective range of most weapons, the defense platforms have," Ackbar concluded.

"Sir, we've got more hyperspace wakes incoming! It's our Imperials!"

"The timing couldn't have been worse if we knew for certain they coordinated it!" Organa's angry voice echoed for the first time on the bridge today. "Do you still think they want to talk, Luke?"

"Senator Skywalker is willing to talk." Skywalker offered a boyish grin. "A lot at that. She also reminds me of one former Senator we all know…" He trailed off at the scandalized look Organa gave him.

As if anyone didn't already know the truth! It was painfully obvious how the woman from the past, General Skywalker, and Representative Organa were related.

"The imperial fleet is transitioning now. We have at least thirty plus Star Destroyers of various types, and at least twice that number of escorts."

"Admiral, we have to act now!" Fey'lya demanded.

"Do you want me to ensure we're at war with the Federated Empire, while there still might be a chance to avoid one?" Ackbar snapped at the councilor.

"We're already at war!" Fey'lya shot back.

"If that was the case, those ships would be forming into attack formation, coming for us, instead of acting as escorts!" Ackbar pointed out. "We can still talk!"

"They're waiting for their Imperial reinforcements! It's obvious for everyone to see!" Fey'lya argued.

"That remains to be seen." Ackbar tersely answered.

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Federated Empire Relief Fleet: Mother of Mercy – Hospital Ship; 4 Bacta Carriers with 600,000 tons Bacta on board each one; 8 Baleen Class Heavy Freighters carrying food, and all kinds of relief supplies; 20 fleet support ships;

Escort Fleet: 10 Palpatine Class SD, 30 Victory Class SD, 10 Venators Silencer MK III Variant SD, 15 Venator carriers, 5 Acclamator MK IV Assault Ships carrying 1st Coruscant Shock Division with attached elements; 121 light escorts of various types.

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