<B><i>Coruscant T+9</b></i>

“It’s like a little fucking marble, so perfect and blue.” Kach couldn’t see who said it, but the swearing made him suspect it was Lieutenant Tiberius,


“Like Coruscant once might have,” Kach added drily, subtly hinting at the planets status as a political bastion for the League of Nations. The physical appearance of the planet didn’t interest him much – he had seen plenty of them in his time as a smuggler. At some point in his life he had come to realize the outer appearance of a planet didn’t matter much, only what lay on the surface.


It had been years since an Imperial war vessel had made orbit above Obroa-Skai. The Leagues old political center on Coruscant meant New Order traffic normally stayed clear of the planet. In his eighteen months as Governor of the Borderland Protectorate Kach couldn’t even remember dispatching more than three or four diplomatic shuttles to the world, and certainly never something the size of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer he had come on. He had chosen to leave his Super Star Destroyer at Kuat to avoid intimidating the League’s leadership – he was here on a mission of peace, not war.


If his assistants had done their job right, they would be expecting him.


“Hail Obroan control,” he ordered. “Let them know I’ve arrived and I’d like to meet with the head of the League of Nations.”

The notice that Grand Moff Thorton would be arriving had reached the League Assembly well after the League delegation to Sinsang had departed. Many other representatives had returned to their homeworlds to secure official support for this galactic summit from their respective planetary governments.

The League Assembly called to order in the face of the Grand Moff's imminent arrival was at scarcely a quarter strength, far too small to conduct official business. Coupled with the fact that many representatives present still harbored deep-seated resentments toward the Empire, it was not at all clear what would happen when Moff Thorton's ship(s) appeared in the skies above Obroa.

Irola Thane had remained as reserved as possible since Tirahnn's reinstatement. With Fearsons dead and the Jedi now controlling the core of his power group, there hadn't been much loyal dissent to voice recently. But the pounding in his chest told him he would have to speak up soon.

Thankfully, the representative from Carratos said it for him. “My brother never returned from Coruscant. Not a single family member of any League representative trapped on Coruscant by the Cree'Ar attack escaped that world. I do not trust any Imperial who enters our midst speaking of peace.”

“We don't know why he's coming,” the Ojom representative responded. “Regardless, we can't afford to turn him away.”

“If I see him, I'll kill him,” the Carratos man said bluntly.

“Well you're off the welcoming party,” Irola commented dryly. “Needless to say, I shouldn't be there either.”

“Then who?” The question hung in the air for a long moment, none of these "second rate" representatives prepared to meet an Imperial Grand Moff one-on-one.

“I will meet him,” a new voice intruded. The whole Assembly (such as it was) turned to the weak voice, the representative from Glee Anselm. “I will meet him,” he said again, a little firmer.

“The Coalition's assistance has biased your world,” someone spoke out, clearly against the idea.

“Then I will go with him,” the Ojom representative answered. “Ojom has been a firm supporter of peace with the Empire since before the move from Coruscant.”

“Just because Glee Anselm receives aid from the Coalition&#8213;” someone else began, but Irola Thane was quick to cut the representative off.

“No, that will be acceptable.” The whole room turned its attention to the Coalition representative. “Representatives Rook and Kassal of Glee Anselm and Ojom will meet the Grand Moff on the League's behalf. Are there any objections?" When there was no answer, the matter was settled.

The doors burst open and a messenger scurried through. “He's here. Obroa Traffic Control has cleared a shuttle for landing.”

The Nautolan glanced about excitedly, Representative Kassal finally stepping up beside him. “Shall we go then?”

The unlikely pair made their way to the adjoining diplomatic docks, contained within the same complex but well-removed from the League Rotunda itself. With the more influential and compelling members of the League Assembly away, neither Rook nor Kassal trusted many of the representatives to behave themselves with an Imperial guest, especially one of such influence.

With no real authority to make policy or extend petitions, the two League officials waited uncertainly as the Imperial shuttle glided onto its perch, the magnitude of this event overshadowed by the fear that a single misstep could have detrimental consequences.