"We would have to bring everyone into this; trying to keep some people out would only end up hurting this alliance," Lavality said and sat down. "How many of the clans do you suspect will oppose us joining the Confederates?" she asked.

"Probably all the same ones that opposed us joining the Coalition." Naosha said with a sigh.

"If they bother being vocal about opposing it in the first place." Trazu muttered. "The majority of the Clan's that opposed it have fallen silent."

"And of those the majority of them are either warrior clans or science clans that dealt with weaponary and combat. I don't have an exact number, but I believe it's roughly 7% of our total population. Not much, but remember it took less then that during the Separatist Movement to get us to where we are now and that 7% percent is just of those that have gone silent and were against joining the Coalition. Who knows how many are 'quietly' opposed and are just bidding their time..."

"And unlike what I did in my organization to get rid of the rogue elements that caused my people much pain, we can't do that with your people," she sighed and looked down at the table.

"Is there 'any' way to convince the warrior clans to agree? I ask because my organization lost a lot of good mean during the movement, not that I'm blaming you, we fought for what we believed in. However, right now our numbers are low and we don't have the strength currently to fight in the event the empire comes a-knocking at our door," she said.

"I can offer a place for the warrior clans within my organization, they would be able to fight and hone their skills. Of course, they would have to abide by the rules of the organization..." Lavality said and shifted her gaze toward Trazu. "However, this is only if they desire a change of pace, I know this might not be what you want, but it would probably be better than having them sit around and start getting ansy," she smiled.

"That's a possibility, but I'm not sure it will work." Trazu admitted. "The biggest reason many warriors opposed this change of direction is because we are hunters by nature. We live for the hunt, the battle, the kill and it's not something we can just 'forget' so easily."

"Many remember too well the so-called 'Golden Days' when oru people were allied with the old Empire." Naosha added. "Where we were allowed to basically do what we wanted, as long as we didn't interfer with Empire interests. Come down from that 'high' of extreme freedom has been very difficult for many. Plus many warriors are strictly loyal to the Clan they were raised and trained in, so getting them to work for someone their leadership is opposed to would be like asking a Wookiee to take a bath."

"There's the thing with the Wookiees as well." Trazu added sadly. "Many, even some within our own Clan, are stil uncomfortable if not adimently opposed to being allied with the Wookiees, mainly due to the bad blood that had passed between our two races for centries."

"Unfortunately I fear there well always be some that think the only good wookiee is a dead one." Naosha folded her hands in front of her face. "Your suggestion is still worth a try. However I won't be holding out hope that many from the opposition will answer your call."

"Sadly, some of the wookiee's do feel the same. Tzhali told me it took him quite awhile to convince the tribes to see his point and even then it's been rather rocky, but they seem to be going along with it and trust his position," Lavality said.

Collasping her hands on her lap, she took a brief moment to stare at a painting above the door. "So, can we consider this 'merger' of sorts complete?" she asked.

Naosha nodded. "As mentioned before it can be some time before it will be 'official' on our end, but I do not foresee any real problems with getting the rest of the Council to agree to this merger and dropping our membership to the Coalition." After a brief pause she said. "I think it's time we return to the meeting with Corise."

Rear-Admiral Lucerne idly reclined in his appointed chair in the conference room. Glancing at his chrono, the Kashan officer grasped one of crystal goblets from the table and took a sip of the mineral water. After the meal, such a drink was useful for clearing the palette; at least according to the epicurean circles within the galaxy. While Corise didn’t buy into that philosophy of thought, he did appreciate some aspects and innovations of it. A muted chime surrounded throughout the room, and Corise noted the guards and conference room personnel assume more rigid and/or professional postures. He himself set down the class and straightened up within his seat. Less than a minute later, the doors whisked open, admitting in the Serendivius officers after their brief stay in their own ships. The younger Lucerne genially smiled at their presence, and raised his goblet in a toast to them.

“Welcome back, esteemed guests.”

"Thank you Admiral," Lavality said and stepped aside to allow Naosha and Trazu in.

One week later…

Brandenburg, Genon

Pro-Consul Christina Thorn stood in front of the podium and displayed a dazzling smile for the holo-camera.

“Gentlebeings of the galaxy, the Contegorian Council is pleased to announce the new membership of three valuable states into the Confederation. From hereon, we will have to the privilege to walk alongside Wookies, Trandoshans, and members of Serendivius as brothers and partners within the Confederation. There is no doubt from within the Council that their worth should not be underestimated by any of our citizens. For the Wookiees have proven their strength and resilience against great foes that many think the Confederation could not stand against; for the Trandoshans have fought in many wars and captured many a wanted criminal. But perhaps the most we can learn from them is in their mutual reconciliation. For we must learn from their example, that it is not only the physical strength and actions that support a culture, but its morality and ideology.

However, let no being see that this is one-sided relationship between the Confederation’s new members and its older members. There is much for us, the Confederation as a whole, to offer to these new members. But perhaps more importantly, there is much for us both to learn and gain from each other; whether in economics, military experience, technology, and so forth…”

The End