Grand Lord Regrad walked off the ramp with his personal guards. He had been right. Of all the races of the Galaxy, none were more varied, more ambitious, and more capable then humans. A human can do anything with the right mindset.

He was sure they would see great things from Joren, for good or ill, they would be great.

Slowly he walked, majestically, his four guards standing round him and constantly looking, seeking holes in the defence network. Huge, twenty-meter-high mechanoid suits, shaped like armoured Azguard warriors, began to land on the planets' surface. Marching like titains they kept pace at all time with the ambassadors.

Regrad streched his grey legs "I shall take a quick run, space travel always makes me feel cramped."

He moved off for a quick stroll, to give them time to contemplate this chain of events, and to incorperate it into his plans.

Jan Dondana was woken up by the call from the bridge.

"Sir we are reverting from hyperspace in five minutes."

"Thank you. I'll be right up."

Jan quickly changed back into his uniform and walked up to the bridge. When he arrived, the New Rebellion fleet reverted.

"Sir, we ahve intercepted a transmission from the planet, to the Mon Calamari Republic fleet. It says that Joren Arden ahs been promoted to the Chief of State of the Mon Calamari Republic."

"That has to be a first. A human leading a republic who's main species are aliens. Infact, I do not think there are a lot of humans in the republic at all. Joren Arden must have numerous friends in the Senate, but our records show that he has only done a few Senators some small favours. Well, it is not to us to question, it is to us to meet with him and congratulate him. Is my shuttle ready?"

"Yes. Rover is preped and ready. We have a co-pilot and two gunners already onboard. It's escorts are also ready."

"Good."

Jan walked down to the hangar, where a YT-1300 Transport and a Sentinel Shuttle were waiting. The YT-1300 Transport was Rover, Jan personal shuttle which he had flown for a long time. He had once been part of a shipping company, and that had been his ship. He had then bought it form the company when he left, and had modified it. Now he flew it himself, when he needed to go somewhere. The Sentinel Shuttle was it's main escort, with 10 Special Forces Troopers onboard, and 40 Rebel Troopers. Jan quickly ran onto Rover

"Are we ready to launch?"

"Yes. I already ran through the checklist. Everything is working perfectly."

"Excellent."

Jan lifted off and flew out of the landing bay of Peace. The Sentinel Shuttle followed him. Gold and Green Squadrons were waiting up ahead. Green would lead them down to the planet, while Gold would follow in the rear.

As they came down, Jan saw numerous airspeeders waiting, waiting to take them someplace. When they landed, after walking over to congratulate Joren, with Kamon, he walked to one of the airspeeders. A few of his guards were to go in the airspeeder with him, but most would stay here, and protect the shuttles. There were also numerous Defiance Hover Units, and a large number of troops. As Jan started to walk towards the airspeeder, A Mon Calamari wearing the uniform of a Master General stood up, and walked to a podium...

Jesmin Ragabag walked over to as podium, and tapped on the microphone, to get people's attention.

"Hello, I am Master General Jesmin Ragabag. Before we begin I would like to extend my congratualations to Joren Arden, as he is a very honarable human, and I think he will do well as the Chief of State. I personally support the decision of the Senate to choose him to be the Chief of State. I now bid you to climb into one of the airspeeders, so that you can be taken to the Diplomatic Office, where refreshements are waiting, and where the talks will begin."

Jesmin walked off the podium, and climbed into one of the military airspeeders, to lead the convoy of airspeeders. The airspeeder quickly lifted off, and waited, hovering in the air, waiting for the other airspeeders to lift off and to follow her to the Diplomatic Office.

"This is Alpha One, we are almost ready to depart. I want all troops ready. Watch out for snipers, imperial or otherwise. Anyone who looks suspisicous, watch them,a nd we readyt o stun them. Also, control the crowd that will undoubtably be waiting, to watch the leaders of the Coalition fly past."

"We copy Alpha One."

"Good. Alpha One over and out."

Jesmin turned off her com, and looked back. Jan Dondana's airspeeder had taken off, he was alreayd on his way to them when she had started to talk, so that wasn't a surprise.

Later, the airspeeders came to a swift landing outside of the Diplomatic Building. Another honor guard was waiting for Joren now outside of his speeder. Joren sat inside for a moment, looking back at Natalie. He felt her slip her own hand into his.

"Joren, it will be okay." She said.

He nodded, but did not smile. He felt as if he had the entire world sitting on his shoulders. It seemed as if the whole galaxy was watching him, waiting for a mistake.

"No fear, Joren. Strength and honor." He heard her say. He took a deep breath.

"Strength and honor." He said, opening the door and stepping out. The honor guards saluted him in unison as he walked past them, Natalie following behind. Joren saluted back and walked into the diplomatic chamber, where Kamon, Prince of Tholatin, Jan Dondana of the New Rebellion, and Grand Lord Regrad of the Azgaurds were seated. They all looked up at him as he entered the chamber and headed toward the head of the table, where a large holoprojector of the galaxy was prominantly displayed.

He took another deep breath and began.

"Again, I thank you all for coming here on such short notice. I have spoken witht the Mon Calamari Senate about certain issues that the Coalition has been faced with as of late. With the recent assaults on Ord Mantel, Kamino, and Mon Calamari, we have been weakened.

"We are also fractured, but not in the traditional way. We are a loose faction, held together by threads of alliances. True, we call ourselves a Coalition, but is that what we really are? Do we say that publicly, but yet still plot secretly?"

He pointed to the holomap, which was colored.

"The red represents the systems that have sworn allegiance to the Empire. The green marks the borders of the Outer-Rim Sovereignty, Vinda Corp. and the Ssi-Ruuvi Imperium. The blue, marks the territory of the Mon Calamari Republic, the yellow is the space held by the Tholatin Republic, the grey by the Azgaurds. And the current territory held by The Rebels has gone unmarked.

"I show you this because it shows that even though we call ourselves by one name, we are still independant of each other."

He looked at each leader in turn, before pointing to the red.

"We have been on the defensive for far too long."

He pressed several keys on the holoprojector.

"One of the issues I spoke to the Senate about is the possibility of a merger between the three prominent groups of the Coalition. The Azgaurdian Galactic Military is already prepared for such a move, as they have turned over the defense codes for their worlds. I have spoken witht the Grand Lord about this as well, but it was suggested to the Mon Calamari High Command that we come together, here, to discuss our next actions."

He paused and pressed one more key on the projector. The Blue, and Grey suddenly dissapeard to be replaced with just blue.

"As you can see this is what our territory would look like if we were to pool our own assests. I leave the decision up to you," He said to Regrad, Dondana, and Kamon.

"We have been on the defensive for far to long."

Kamon watched with great interest as Joren explained what was going on. The two factions, the Mon Calamari Republic, and the Azguardian Galactc Military became one single blob and formed a larger group. The Rebels were left unmarked for safety reasons.

Kamon sat back in his seat. He had plans for going on the offensive, but he would not have picked now as the right moment for it. TNO would crush him by himself and he knew it for obvious reasons. He would need the help of this new faction. Already the leader was talking of military action.

"I'm all for going on the offensive. It is time to take the war to the enemy other than fighting on our home territory. I have lost many people in the skies above Tholatin and now is not the time to lose more there. My people want to fight. We're pledging support."

Regrad reached deep within his feathered robes and drew out a meter-long sword made of a steel alloy. It was lovingly hand-crafted, and bore a look of aeon-long spledor. He placed it upon the table and spoke.

"We Azguards spent years in isolation. Our people knew nought but peace and truth. Then we found the galaxy. At first we thought it as 'your galaxy.' It was not our place, our home, our problem.

"But we were wrong. The galaxy is everyones' home, everyones' responsibility. And as such, it is our duty to free it from corruption and to honour it with our values and justice, our comittment and love, and in times like these, our blood and sacrifice."

He took the sword and ran his finger across it. A single drop of red blood dropped to the table.

"We are failing the galaxy. It is held by those of decadance and greed, or cruelty and of corruption. But no longer. We shall stand together, and no longer shall we fail the galaxy, we shall redeem ourselves its' eyes.

He put the sword, still with the single drop of blood, upon the table.

"You shall forever have the Azguards. We shall follow you to whatever end."

With that, he saluted, and sat.

Jan was a tiny bit startled by the method of the Azguadian response, but he waited until they were done.

"The New Rebellion joined the Coalition to fight TNO, and the other darksiders. Currently we are not fighting them, and I think it is time to change. We are with you, we agree. It is time to go on the offensive. The Rebellion will also join the new faction that the Azguards and the Mon Cals are making. Our planets are not indicated on the map, but I am sure that they will be able to help fortify the defenses of the new faction."

OOC:
Just for the record guys, Haven is in the Unknown Regions, near Farquak/Gernon/Farquak Junior and the Ssi-Ruuk territories. Abregado-rae will be off by itself, but we can probably get some more planets, linking it to Ando or something. Also, Abregado-rae is probably the best staging point against TNO that we have, cause it is in the core.

"Excellent." Joren said, turning to a window that showed a view of the whole ocean.

"You know," He said to the other leaders, "I never wanted this position. I never wanted to be the leader of the Republic. I didn't want the responsibility. But now that does not have to matter anymore."

He turned around.

"If we join forces, more completely, we can provide a better defense. This galaxy has been at war for a long time, and we have been right there with it.

"We have been instigating these wars as well. We have become just as bad as our enemies."

He looked at each leader in turn, pointing to the merged Mon Cal and Azgaurd space on the holoprojector.

"There are still more wars to be fought. We are all leaders, we are citizens."

He placed his hands on the table.

"And we are soldiers. Let us do that duty. All who wish to join us, in this galactic Coalition, can come to the planet Kessel in one month's time. I will have all the arrangements made." He said.

"For now, I have much work to do in my new function as Cheif of State. The Senate will be eager to hear what I have to say. And I thank you all for coming. Feel free to make yourselves at home on Calamari, and when you wish to leave, our ships will escort you."

He headed for the exit, two Mon Calamari following, as well as Natalie. Before he made his exit, he turned back to all in the room.

"Remember one thing, my brothers. What we do in life, echoes in eternity."


With that said, he left.





"How was the meeting, sir?"

Joren stared out of his window, on Foamwander City, not turning around to face Admiral Amer. He found it highly ironic that two days ago, he had been calling the Mon Calamari 'sir'.

"It went well enough. One more step to unity." Joren said, taking a sip of tea he held in his right hand, still not turning around.


"Unity? Almost forgot that word." Amer scoffed.

"All these years, all these battles...we have lost sight of what is truly important." Joren said.

"What is important, Joren?" Amer asked, dropping the formalities.

"Peace, justice, unity." He said.

Amer laughed.

"Really? And how will you accomplish these things?"

"With the Coalition. We are actually becomeing our namesake, a true unified force." He said, still focusing on the pristine waters.

"You sound just like Logan." Amer said.

"How would you know?" Joren asked.

"I was there." Amer said. Joren finally turned around to look at the Calmarian, "I was there the Rogue Empire came in and bullied us around. I was there the day the Praetorite Vong attacked us at Nal Hutta. I was there we were atacked by the Chiss, the Empire. We have been loosing wars since the day we came onto the galactic stage."

Joren took another sip of his drink. "I was there too. As a part of Intelligence. I recently got a letter from my mother on Corellia. They were driven from their house by stormtroopers, and had to flee. I had friends on Kamino, that I haven't heard from ever since the Empire took the world.

He looked back out the window.

"I'm tired of loosing. I'm tired of retreating." He said with a sigh.

"Then we should start fighting." He said, "Strength and honor."

Joren smiled, "Strength and honor."





Senator Milova looked up from his desk as three beings came into the room. All three were human.

"Senator Milova, I am Baruda Kosenki, these are my associates."

"Ah, Mr Kosenki. I am glad that you have come." He handed the tall human an envelope.

"These are the coordinates?" Kosenki asked.

"Yes. Arden announced it to the senate today. The coalition forces are meeting there. That is his planned itinerary." He looked up pointedly at Kosenki, "You have one chance. And if you fail..." Milova said, trailing off.

"Yeah I know, we don't know you."

"If you say anything, you will find out just how expendable you really are." Milova retorted.

Kosenki smirked and left the office.





"Joren..."

Joren stared at Natalie, who had her hands on her hips, and was looking at him with annoyance. He looked down at the uniform she had picked out for him, and shook his head no again.

"It is what they delivered." She said.

"Send it back, I'll just wear my commodore uniform."

"You are not a commodore anymore."

"I am at heart." He said, smiling.

She rolled her eyes and tossed the clothes she had been holding aside and sat down on a chair in his personal quarters. He threw on his comfortable military unifrom and stood in front of a mirror.

"Looks good." She commented.

"Yeah. But I just want this thing with the Coalition done. I have waited too long." He said.

"All in good time."

"Yes. But I am just a bit nervous as well. I mean we are actually doing this."

"It was you who started it."

"The merger, yes. But it was originally Teebo's idea."

Her expression became grim, "Any word on Emperor Teebo?"

"No. Intelligence has been searching for months, and there is no trace of him. He just...vanished."

"Nobody can vanish. He is out there somewhere."

"I hope so. Because it would make it alot easier if her were here." He said, heading toward the door. Natalie followed.

He headed to the communications center of Foamwander City. As he entered, every single tech in military uniform stood and saluted. Joren nodded a silent 'as you were' and they all returned to their duties. Jore walked up to one particular tech.

"What is the status of the fleet?"

"Task Force Three has reported that it is in route to Kessel. Also, the Pride of Calamari is in orbit, waiting for you."

"Good. Inform the, I will be on my way."

"Yes sir."

Every Azguard is two people. This is not widely known, not even to them. A human has two sides to his brain: Each for handling different things. An Azguard has two sides to his brain: one side has the everyday Azguard, a creature of gentle buffonery, comedic decisions, and good-natured fun.

The other side, the rarer and more unusual side, only surfaces in times of battle, stress, or great importance. This side is dedicated to the Azguards' survival and honour.

Now, usually the first side is in control, and the second only appears when nessecary. But a handful of Azguards have been blessed or cursed with what is called 'Right Braining'. That means that for some reason, usually constant immersion in battle but sometimes divine intervention, their first side has all but gone silent, to be replaced with the meticulous, commanding voice of the second. These Azguards are oft leaders, bringing their people to survival and the future.

Regrad is a 'Right Brainer'. He all but lost his sense of humour and fun on the scarred battlefields of Kraz, Hurok, and Vrakken. But despite this, he uses all of his mental power to defend his people and that of others. His instinctiv wish for survival has spread to encompass all beings.

And now, he knows, is the time. If this coalition survives, if they can unify into one, if soon they can stand up to those who oppresse them, they can send them back to the darkness, and leave the people to themselves, allow them their right to survive. And every day they lose more people are crushed underfoot by the empire's decadance.

That is why the First Fleet was racing to Kessel. That is why Regrad now sat in his quarters, looking at the blade which he had brought out at the coalition meeting. His one drop of blood remained encrusted on the blade. It was an omen. Of all the coalition, only his blood he had placed upon its' surface.

Humans were dangerous.They were oft corrupt, and though they could have the greatest good, they could have even greater evil. Mon Calamarians had spent generations around humans, and they were beginning to conform to them; they had even elected a human leader. Was this coalition going to bring justice, or was more Azguard blood going to stain the blades of war?

He could only wait, and pray.

Jan wasn't surprised by the fact that Commodore Arden, now the Chief of State of the Mon Calamari Republic, did not want or like his current job. Joren Arden did not seem to be a diplomate or even someone who wanted to be in power. Joren seemed to be a soldier, someone who wanted to get things done, but let other make the important decisions. Jan was surprised however that as Joren was leaving, with Natalie, Jesmin and another Mon Calamari, he turned back and said some parting words. It was not so much that he had said parting words, it was what he had said.

"Remember one thing, my brothers. What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

That sentence echoed in Jan mind for a few minutes. It implied that Joren was sure the Galactic Coalition would succeed, and in forming it, they would all become closer together, much like brothers. They would be a band of brothers.

Jan got up.

"I must leave now, the Rebellion needs me, but I hope to see you all at Kessel in one month's time."

Jan turned and walked out of the room. He took an airspeeder back to the landing pad, where he prompetly walked onto Rover. The troops that had come with him also walked onto their shuttles, and the shuttles launched. When they reached the Haven Light Cruiser, Jan disembarked, and walked to his quarters. While he was walking he clicked on his com link.

"Captain."

"Yes sir?"

"Bring us around and make for Jump Point Alpha. Then jump to Haven from there. I want us there as soon as possible."

"Yes sir. All the fighters and shuttles are onboard our ships. We are leaving right now."

"Good. I'll be in my quarters. If you need anything in the next hour, call. After that, solve the problem yourself. If you can't...your demoted."

"Yes sir. I understand, si-"

Jan growled as he turned off his com link. The captain was too busy calling him sir to actually do anything. Jan had known for a while that his bridge crew actually handled everything, though he hadn't done anything yet. Once he looked over the ship for who needed to be promoted, he would definately promote the whole bridge crew, and leave the Captain where he was. The XO was a maybe, he didn't do much either, but he was left in charge of the bridge while they travelled throough hyperspace, and there wasn't a lot a captian could do during hyperspace.

One month later, Jan was sitting in his office.

All who wish to join us, in this galactic Coalition, can come to the planet Kessel in one month's time. I will have all the arrangements made.

"Mirax, I have to go on a mission to Kessel. Tell Justice, Angel and DG01 to DG08 to be ready to go to Jump Point Beta, and then Kessel. I want normal fighter coverage. I also 24 K-wings and an extra 12 A-wings and 12 XJ X-wings."

"Yes Jan. Do you want me to look after the office while your gone?"

"No. You are coming with me. If you ever want to go into diplomacy, now is a good chance to watch how a simple meeting will go. Once you are ready, come to my house."

"Ok."

Jan saw her eyes light up at the end of the sentence, but he didn't nderstand it, so he just left the office. Once he was at home, he quickly packed a few things into a bag, including a clean uniform.

After a few moments Mirax arrived. She was wearing a skintight bra, that was zippered at the front, and a short, tight, leather skirt.

"I'm all packed to go."

"Please, come in for a moment."

Mirax walked in. Once the door was shut she dropped her bags quickly, and turned and walked quickly towards Jan.

"I thought you would never ask."

She lunged onto him and kissed him fiercly. Her hands grabbed his and placed them on the zipper to her skirt.

Oh @#%$. I forgot about her code. I haven't used it yet. She must think...

He quickly brought his hands up, and placed them on her shoulders, and created some space between the two of them.

"Mirax, I would love to continue, but I can't. This is just for business, I had forgotten about your code."

"Ignore business for a few moments. I want this. You want this. That is all that matters."

She brought her hands up to start undoing her bra. Jan quickly grabbed her hands.

"I'm sorry Mirax, but there is another thing that matters. The fate of the galaxy matters, and I need to protect the fate of the galaxy. I have to go to Kessel."

"All right. But perhaps onboard the ship?"

"I can't. You made the code to keep it a secret. If we spent a lot of time together in my room or your room on the ship, well, that wouldn't be very secret, would it?"

"No, I guess not."

"Exactly. When we are back on Haven, then it will be secret."

"I understand. But until then, I'll be waiting."

Jan walked over and picked up his bags.

"Do you want to go now?"

"All right. Your airspeeder just arrived."

"Thank you."

The two of them walked outside, where the man piloting the airspeeder hopped out and took Mirax's bags for her. He then walked over and climbed into Mirax's airspeeder, to bring it to thhe office. Jan climbed into the pilot seat, while Mirax went to the passenger seat.

Once they were on their way, Mirax started to wonder what they would be doing on Kessel that would be so important that the fate of the galaxy was at stake.

"So, what is our mission anyway?"

"We have to go to Kessel and meet some of, but hopefully all of, the leaders of the Coalition of Lightside Factions. We are discussing the possibility of uniting the Coalition of Lightside Factions under one banner, the Galactic Coalition. I know that both the New Rebellion and the Mon Calamari Republic will be there. I am pretty sure that the Azguards will also be present, but I do not know if the Tholatins will be there."

"Why aren't you sure about the Tholatins?"

"Because one month ago, at our last meeting, they were all for a strike, but they did not seem to be willing to join the united faction. I do think that they will be our most trust worthy allies."

"That is still good."

"Yes it is."

The two of them engaged in small talk until they reached Justice. They quickly climbed onboard. There they were met by the Captain. Brevet Captain Kit Galden. He had been handpicked by Jan a month before to be a XO onboard one of the ships, because of some of the history that Jan had heard about him. Apparentely he had been an excellent XO, so Jan had promoted him to the temporary rank of brevet captain.

"Glad to see that you've accepted the promotion and become a brevet captain like I suggested."

"Yes sir. If you will come this way, you will notice that everything is in perfect condition, as I demand. Who is the other passenger?"

"I am Mirax, Jan's secretary, and secondary diplomatic officer of this mission."

"I see. Have you ever been onboard a Haven Light Cruiser before Erisi?"

"No."

"Then let me give you a guided tour. Do you wish to come along as well Jan?"

"You know the answer to that. I have already been on the guided tour of the Haven Light Cruiser, but probably a different one then the one you are planning to give her?"

He gave Kit the look that said, 'Stay away form her, she is under my protection'.

"Anyway, I think it would be best if you showed us to our quarters first, then you can give Mirax the guided tour. I think she will find the bridge a most interesting place."

"Yes the bridge sounds facinating. And this ship does have a diplomate assigned to it right? Because if it didn't it would break a few rules, and you would be forced to have a very unfortunate incident, Captain."

"Yes, we do have a diplomate assigned to Justice."

"Good. Then I would like to meet with him or her, to talk about the role of a diplomatic officer."

"All right, I'm sure we would be able to fit a meeting with him into our guided tour."

Galden gave off a look of 'I surrender. I'll give her the normal tour'.

"Captain, give me a warning before we revert back to real space at Kessel."

"Yes sir."

Jan walked to his room, and then went to sleep. He would need all the rest the could get before they arrived at Kessel.


Four minutes before reverting at Kessel, Jan was woken up by the communications officer.

"Sir we have four minutes before we come out of hyperspace at Kessel."

"Thank you."

Jan quickly put on a clean uniform, and then walked to the bridge.

"I don't see Mirax, where is she?"

"In her quarters, but I expect that she will be here soon."

"Ok."

Four minutes later, when they reverted into real space at Kessel, Mirax still hadn't shown up. Only the Azguard fleet was there, but Jan expected that the Mon Calamari fleet would be arriving soon.

Mirax, please meet me on the bridge."

"I would, but even after the guided tour, I am lost."

"I see. Do you know where you are?"

"No. Oh there is another officer, I'll ask him."

A couple minutes later Mirax's voice came back.

"I am near the bow, at turbolaser 5. The officer pointed me towards the stern."

"Follow the hallway until you reach the hangar bay."

"Ok. I am at the hangar bay."

"Go to turbolift 15, it will take you directly to the bridge. Once you arrived we will wait here for the Mon Calamari fleet to arrive."

"Ok Jan. I should be at the bridge momentarily."

"Communciations, open a line to the Azguards.

"Grand Lord Regrad, it is nice to see you again. I'm surprised the Mon Calamari haven't arrived yet."