"Yes sir, I understand." Joren said.

The hologram of Joren Arden's superior officer. Admiral Amer, shifted visibly.

"The Azgaurd, Rebellion, and Tholatin leaders must arrive in three days. I need you to prepare the meeting and make sure they get to Mon Calamari without difficulty or harassment. The Pride of Calamari is to go to the rendezvous and escort the leaders to Mon Calamari. " The Calmarian said to him.

"It will be done."

"Good. I have things to attend to, Mon Calamari out."

The hologram winked out, and Joren turned to the viewport, off to his left. The world of Farquak turned slowly before the huge Mon Calamari ship. Joren saw little droid ships moving to and fro around the planet, building transmitters, jamming satelites, communication arrays. Their job seemed so much more simpler. He would gladly trade his.

He was the only human commander in the Mon Calamari command structure. He had worked hard to get where he was, but promotion oppertunities came very rarely.

Ironic that the Mon Calamari could be so much like their enemies at times.

He had been promoted to Commodore when Emperor Teebo had dissapeared. Joren had been charged with finding the elusive leader, and had been at it for quite some time.

He had made his official report two days before, noting that the Emperor's wherabouts were unknown, and that Republic Intelligence had come up with no leads. The High Command had been furious, saying that no leader of a galactic faction could simply dissapear. Joren had been the unfortunate recipient of much scorn at his inability to find Teebo.

He had been removed a head of Intelligence and been placed in temporary command of the flagship, Pride of Calamari for diplomatic duty.

He sighed.

He knew his superiors viewed him as incompetant due to his being human, and not Calamarian. It was he who had proposed a council of coalition leaders to discuss the current state of their alliance. And because of his inability to locate Teebo, it was he who had received the duty of escorting the leaders to the meeting.

He sighed again, and exited his stateroom, and headed for the turbolift. When he entered the bridge he headed for the helm.

"Set a course for these coordordinates." He told the helm operator, handing him a datapad. The helmsman began to input a series of calculations into the navicomputer.

The Pride of Calamari's operations officer handed him a datapad with the flagship and it's escort's current status.

Everything was ready.

He looked up at the helm.

"Helm, when the navicomputer is ready, signal the fleet and head to those coordinates."

He got an acknowledgement, and then he went back to his reading.





"The young Commodore acknowledges?" The Calmarian Senator, Milova, asked.

"Yes." Admiral Amer said,.

"Do you trust a human?"

Amar looked at the senator, "We are not the Empire, Senator. Joren Arden is a capable commander, human or otherwise. I would take him over some Calmarian or Quarren Admirals."

The Senator smiled.

"How much do you trust him? Or how far do you trust him?"

Amer scoffed, and turned his back on Senator Milova to look out at the pristine blue waters of Calamari.

"What did you wish to see me about, Senator Milova?" He asked.

"With Teebo's dissapearance, there is a leadership opportunity wide open. There are some favorates, including your little human friend."

Amer nodded, still looking out at the surface of the waters, "Yes I know. But I doubt he will do anything."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I know him. Joren isn't the power-hungry human some think him to be. If he makes a play for the leadership of the Republic, or the military, he will do it out of good intentions."

Milova aughed shortly.

"Perhaps you have spent too much time training him. Perhaps a different field of expertise?"

Amer turned back to Senator Milova.

"Are you trying to separate Joren from my command?"

"This is a Mon Calamarian republic. And it should be rightfully ruled by a Calamarian. Joren is one of the up and coming commanders in the military. Those who control the military control the fate of this government. Joren Arden my not be emperor, but he could use his supporters to gain control of the fleet."

Amer nodded in understanding.

"So you think I will help him do that?"

"Actually, yes."

"Is that why he was removed as head of Intelligence?"

Milova merely smiled.

"You want the title for yourself, Senator Milova?"

"I want what is best for the people."

"Arden is a servant of the people. He does not want to rule."

"Perhaps. We must talk again sometime."

It was clearly a dismissal. Amer nodded and began to leave the Senator's office. But as he exited, he heard Milova say something.

"The government, like the Coalition, is fractured with the loss of Teebo. There are those who wish for the title, are you on the right side, Admiral?"




"Sir, there is no sign of the other vessels."

"Well, we are early." Joren replied to the sensor tech, "Let me know when they arrive."

"Yes sir."

Joren left the bridge and retreated to his office, located at the rear of the expansive bridge. The previous commander had left nothing but a desk, a few chairs, and the bed. Joren had noted, with some amusement, that it doubled as quarters for the commander. When you walked in to the office, the little sleeping quarters were through a door, off to the left.

He went to the bed and laid down. He had not been sleeping well as of late. As head of intelligence, he was able to make a few friends in high places, one of them Teebo himself. Teebo had even given him two commendations and one citation for exemplorary service.

And with Teebo's dissapearance there had been somewhat of a power vacuum in the upper ranks. Joren's name had been circulated by the media as a possible successor. There were others, as well. The Calmarian senate was in an uproar over Teebo's vanishing, and they were still debating a possible sucessor.

Joren had refused to comment to the media, only saying that he was merely a servant of the people. But nevertheless, the rumors still circulated.

This was why Joren had suggested to Amer that the Coalition leaders meet to discuss Teebo's dissapearance and the current state of the Coalition. Perhaps that would help.

One more step towards peace he thought as he drifted off to sleep.

In the absence of Teebo, another, less likely candidate for leadership came in the form of Reep Kreegon. He was a nervous, twitchy Mon Calamari who had, nevertheless, held the role of defender of Mon Calamari when the Empire made their most recent bid for galactic control.

He had wanted to tell people that he had done little in that battle; it had been the Azguard High Lord called Regrad that had lead the combined coalition forces to victory, not him. But the existance of the Azguards as a galactic force must be kept secret, so he ended up being thought of as a brave man, which he certainly was not.

He was currently sitting in the Azguard Embassary on Mon Calamari, a tall building with gothic spires. Inside a man called Yolem, a retired Planetary Governor, was doing something odd. He stood in the middle of the room, on one leg, extending his arms and humming a song in a low voice. It was one of their countless little religious rituals, of what significance he did not know.

The Azguard finished, and sat down. "They will come" He assured Reep. "We have had much trouble of late in our sector of space with Furen Raiding Parties, they oft slow our leaving." Sitting across from him, Reep fidgeted uneasily.

"Well, it'll be on my head if they don't show, they know, that right?"

"Yes, they are aware, we are a people of our word, admiral. We always keep it," He gave him a meaningful look over his spectacles "Even at the cost of our lives, as has been proven in the past."

"Yes" He said "Your' Right" And so they waited for the fleet. It would come.

Onboard the Tholatin-class Star Destroyer Invincible

Kamon sat on the bridge of one of the Republics fast strike vessels. Designed for the purpose of hit and runs on enemy fleets and bases, the Tholatin-class had yet to serve in a battle. Kamon chose the Invincible because he knew the captain from when he was a child.

"Eric, how long to reversion?"

"Just a few more minutes. I've already taken the liberty of having the fighters prepared for screening patterns and recon as soon as we come out."

"Alright. That's good. Have you seen Malaya?"

"No. I haven't seen her since we left. My guess is that she's probably down in her quarters or the mess hall."

"She may have gotten lost. The Invincible isn't like any other Star Destroyers. Her layout is a lot different."

"Good point. Well, reversion time."

Coalition Rendezvous Point

The Invincible came out of hyperspace and the Rapyir fighters quickly spewed out of the hangar. There were only thirty-six of them, but Kamon was sure that would be enough. The Invincible's sublight drives kicked in and they shot towards the other Coalition forces.

"Coalition forces this is the Tholatin Republic Star Destroyer Invincible. We're on our way in."

Kamon nodded to Eric and was glad it had gone smoothly thus far. It would have been bad if they had been ambushed on the way out. Kamon told Eric to call Malaya to the bridge.

"Malaya, would you please come to the bridge? Follow the red arrows."

Onboard the Haven Light Cruiser Peace

The path to unity is a long one, but the path to peace is longer still.

This was one of Jan Dondana's favorite sayings, and now he would hopefully see the path to unity take a large step forward. The Coalition had called together a meeting, a meeting that would hopefully bring around a change. The Coalition would hopefully become more then just allies, they would become one government. Jan walked onto the bridge.

"How long until we come out of hyperspace at the Coalition Rendezvous Coordinates?"

"Five minutes."

"Excellent. What is the status on our force?"

"Peace is at full operational capacity. Our escorts are likewise ready."

"Good."

Jan knew that he had nothing to fear from any one the Coalition members, but the possibility of a New Order strike was not out of the question, so he had ordered four Defender Gunships, 12 XJ X-wings and 12 A-wings to accompany him to the Coalition Rendezvous Point, and then on to Mon Calamari.

Jan felt the jolt as Peace and her escorts reverted from hyperspace. The Defender Gunships had come out of hyperspace in perfect formation, forming a square around Peace, with half a squadron of fighters at each corner as well.

"Coalition Members, nice to see you again. Are our friends the Azguards meeting us here, or at a later destination."

Jan was impressed by the fire power that the Mon Calamari Republic had brought here. He had originally expected them to just bring an MC-90 with a couple Firewind Light Cruisers as escorts, but instead they had brought the most powerful vessel in the Coalition Navy, the Viscount Star Defender, most likely fully loaded as well.

Well, if the Imperials try somehing, they will probably be surprised as well, so it looks like we won'y have to worry about much.

Malaya heard the voice over the intercom system

"Malaya, please come to the bridge. Follow the red arrows."

She looked around, and sure enough, a minute red arrow was pointing straight ahead. "Well, that was easy," she muttered to herself. She walked ahead, keeping her eyes on the wall where the red arrows would eventually take her to where she needed to go. Within a few minutes, she found herself staring at a large bridge.

She spotted Kamon, and immediatly apoligized. "I'm so sorry I was late. I didn't... ruin anything did I?"

Malaya's long red hair was neatly tied back into a braid, and her pale face looked even paler in the room's lighting. She looked to be about 16, but was mature and looked eager to do whatever she was told to do.

"What do you need me to do, sir?" She ased Kamon, while nervously grasping her robes.

Just as they said they would, the Azguards had come.

A huge fleet, decked out for war, roared from hyperspace in a blast of light. First came small, twenty meter long mechanoid suits, each toting a huge rifle and each eerily resemballing an Azguard Warrior.

Next came a group of small Nebulan B-2 frigates. Their odd shape pleased the Azguards to no end. After came a mineature group of Corellian Gunships, which sped round the slower vessles like tiny fish in a sea of darkness. Then the Star Destroyers, like arrow heads their gleamed, each a terrible weapon of battle.

Finally, a pair of Behemoths beyond reckoning, the Yunos Class Command Ships. Five kilometers each, they were the second mightiest warships in the coalition.

This gargantuan escort flew towards the Viscount. The bay doors on the underbelly of one of the Yunos's, Wrath Of The Gods, opened, and a small, private shuttle emerged, delcate like a flower and beautiful in design.

A pair of Mechanoid Suits disengaged from their formation and followed the shuttle until it arrived safely at the Viscount.

___________________________________________________________

Pride of Mon Calamari-Bridge

The doors to the bridge opened. Four Azguards in ceramonial armour entered. Then came two attendants. Finally the Azguard High Lord sweeped gracefully into the room.

He was grey skinned, like all of his kin. His fingers were long, and delicate-looking, he was tall, and his face angular. A tightly cropped matt of tan hair, weird and alien in appearence, crowned his head. He wore a ceramonial gown, adorned with symbols and finery.

Regrad, Grand Lord Of Azguard and Her Territory, extended his hand in greeting, and smiled.

Kamon smiled at her.

"You didn't ruin anything. It's easily understandable as this is your first time on a Tholatin-class Star Destroyer. As the name sounds, we designed them ourselves."

He looked over to communications momentarily. The communications officer looked at him and nodded. Kamon used the Force to talk to Malaya for a moment since his comm was on.

Malaya, first rule of working for the Republic: Don't call me sir or sire or Prince. Just call me Kamon. Anyway, you'll assist in the negotiations and such. That's why we're here. Please take one of the extra seats for the moment.

"I'm not sure as to where they are going to meet us, Jan. Perhaps the Mon Cals know. They have the closest ties to them. By the way, like my ship? I do believe this is the first time anyone outside the Republic has seen one of these."

Malaya grabbed a peice of paper from a pocket in her robes, and hastily wrote down:

I don't have the force... soooo.... I think this is fastest. I've just always been told to respect those older than me or in a higher rank by calling them sir... but from now on I'll just call you Kamon.

She tucked a renegade strand of hair behind her ear as she slipped the note to him.

Master General Jesmin Ragabag stood inside her office looking out. Out of the three possible people that were candidates for the job of the Emperor, she felt that she stood a large chance, because she had been in the Republic for a long time. She had participated in the Second Battle for Ylesia, which she won, but was forced to retreat to defend Bimmissaari. She had taken part in the Battle for Bimmissaari, which she would have one, had Emperor Teebo not forged a peace treaty with the Jutraalian Empire. After this she had gone off and become a mercenary, but the Senators knew that she had been following her sense of duty, to protect the galaxy from the Jutraalian Empire, and by defeating the Jutraalian Empire, she would take down a threat to the Mon Calamari Republic. She hadn't actually succeeded, but she had organized the Battle for Farquak, and the Development of Gernon, both which were successes, and brought information on the Ssi-Ruuvi Territories and the Unknown Regions to the Mon Calamari Republic. She also had information on the Chiss, thanks to the relations between the Farquak Empire and the Sovereign Chiss Empire. Now she commanded the army of the republic, but also had enough expertise in the navy that she could command the navy as well, making her an excellent option for Emperor.

Not that I want the job anyway, it would cause too many headaches, and I don't think it would serve the people very well. The idea of a new government, something like a Galactic Federation, or Galactic Coalition would be much better, and it would allow the Coalition of Lightside Factions to join under one banner, as one united government, with a small council in command, a council of a few people, sort of like what the Farquak Empire was, but with no leader, just some people that voted on what to do and what not to do. That is the way a true democratic government should work. There shouldn't even be an Emperor or a President or whatever you wanted to call it. Oh well, I can't decide on these things, I can just try to serve the government and the people as best as possible, which means giving the leaders of the Coalition as much protection as possible. We do have a Gencore Two Shield Generator, but that won't protect them from a ground strike, if the Imperials have material here already. I'll need all the Defiance Hover Units and a lot of troops protecting them. I should call it in now.

"I want all Defiance Hover Units on planet to be at the Foamwater Military Landing Bay now. I also want numerous airspeeders ready to take the Coalition Leaders to the diplomatic office, and 10 military airspeeders covering them. I want troops on high alert at the docking bay and at the Diplomatic Building. I want fighters to protect the shuttles that the Coalition Leaders send down. Every one better be ready, or you are doing refresher duty for a week. Move."

Jesmin turned off her com unit.

Now all I have to do is wait, and hope for the best.

OOC:Looked up the stats on your Tholatin Star Destroyer, and unfortunatelyyou never got your approvals.

IC:

Jan smiled as the Azguardian Fleet appeared just after Kamon suggested contacting the Mon Cals to find out.

The first bit of irony for the day.

"I don't know if it's the first time anyone outside of the repbulci has seen it, but it is the first time I have seen one, and it seems to be a very impressive ship, much like a larger version of our on Defender Gunships. A ship designed to be fast, to hit a target and then run. I see the Azguards are here now, so lets go and great them. They brought an impressive fleet as well."

The New Rebellion fleet sped up as fast as the Tholatin Star Destroyer could go, which was 20 MGLT. Both the Haven Light Cruiser and Defender Gunships could go faster, but they decided to arrive near the other ships at about the same time, if the Tholatins went to full speed.