<font color=green>She frowned at the terms. It would be obvious to most that Mercy, where it her decision, would turn down what the Empire laid out.

But this was not her decision. This was a matter that could be agreed upon by the Supreme Commander only.

"Admiral, Gentlemen, shall we contact the Supreme Commander, then?"

The Admiral stood. The female was a betetr diplomat than the men she was with.

He bowed courteously.

" There is an independent console you may use. We will leave the room, if you so wish. Or, you may return to your shuttle and do so from there."

<font color=green>"Thank you, Admiral. I see no problem with doing so from here."

The Imperial Admiral nodded, and the contact was established. Mercy, speaking quickly, described the Imeprial terms, and there was a long silence as the Supreme Commander considered all that had been said...

... the symbol of the Galactic Defence Initiative, long recognized across the galaxy, fades from view, to be replaced with the crest of LFX Industrial...

... a man, clad in an all-black suit cut along the lines of a military commander's steps up to the podium and begins to speak...

"People of the galaxy. Today is both a day of joy and a day of sorrow. Today, we celebrate the end to a war that could cost us all millions of lives, and to see those deaths averted is a pleasure indeed. I would like to take this oppertunity to thank the New Order for their chivilry and willingness to end the bloodshed that occurs now. I have just ordered my ships across the galaxy to stand down, and reports indicate that Jutraalian, Trade Federation, and New Order vessels are doing likewise everywhere.

"I would also like to announce the full and complete meeting of Imperial Terms of Surrender. As of this date, the Galactic Defence Initiative surrenders to the New Order and Jutraalian Empire. Our troops will be commenceing immediate disarmarment of those worlds to be placed under Imperial or Jutraalian control, and evacuating and all civilians who wish to leave those worlds.

"I also have some sad news to convey... today, the Galactic Defence Initiative will be disbanding. We have merged with LFX Industrial, a private firm, and Admiral Drayson will be commanding their defensive fleets. For those people on LFX planets, I am sure that Mr. Ashar will take good care of you.

"I, personally, am stepping down from GDI/LFX. I will be, for a time, returning to Daron V, and I then plan to accept the Empire's offer and join the ranks of the Empire. I do believe that, while their, as you would call it, 'excuse' in this war was wrong, their motives remain true, and perhaps as an officer of the Empire I can bring a positive change and do what I failed to as Supreme Commander; bring peace to the galaxy.

"To follow is a list of all GDI ships that will be surrendered to the Empire, as required by their terms."

... Dxun's words cut off as the screen is replaced by a long list of the dead, on all sides...

The Admiral smiled.

" The surrender of all Military Forces and the Government of the Galactic Defense Initiative is hereby accepted by the Imperial High Command and the government of the Galactic Empire. I will send word of your compliance to the Grand Admiral and the rest of the General Staff.

" In the mean time, I would invite Dxun Isstal here to Carida so he and I may meet and discuss another, less diplmatic, formality of the surrender."