Dac
"It's good to see you again, Colonel," Admiral Ackbar took his seat at the conference table beside Mon Mothma.
"Thank you, Admiral," Brandt said. For Ackbar things were simple: once a military man, always a military man. When Brandt had resigned his rank almost a year ago Ackbar had been furious. Apparently, he was getting over it if he was willing to sit at the same table and speak pleasantries, though Brandt sensed a good deal of turmoil in the Mon Calamari. Whether that had to do with the resignation or the purpose of the meeting, Bandt would have to wait to find out.
"I suppose you're interested to know why we've asked you here," Mon Mothma's glacially cool and modulated voice always hit the perfect diplomatic tone. Brandt nodded, asking her to go on. "Firstly, we wish to express our apologies at drawing you away from your work with Luke Skywalker. We are both aware of the importance of restoring the Jedi Order in the galaxy, and the important work the two of you have begun. But the New Republic, as young as it is, has already weathered many storms, but now they have seemed to gather force and return to us."
Ackbar continued for her. "Over the past months the New Republic has had to handle not one, but two Empires. One in the galactic north calling itself the Remnants, the other still based out of Coruscant. Our campaign towards the Galactic seat has come to a complete standstill militarily, and our supply lines have been under significant stress."
"That," Mon Mothma said. "Has a great deal to do with our lack of success on the diplomatic front. While many systems have left the Empire, very few have been convinced to form any sort of serious alliance with the Republic. At several worlds our emissaries have been flatly refused, or chased out by Imperial patrols lurking in the region. So far we've had very little contact with the self-styled 'Lord Commander' Hale in the north, but the Sith Lord who has replaced Palpatine is a more menacing threat."
Luke Skywalker had mentioned the man. Much greater in the force, Luke had felt the swelling disturbance in the force, the darkness that gathered in the core. On his way to Dac he had heard many rumors, among them that the Dark Jedi was actually a Sith, and was now as powerful as Vader had ever been. If it were true, the New Republic was right. They could not sit idle, and they would need his help, and Luke's help, if they were going to stand a chance.
Brandt sighed. "It all feels so familiar, doesn't it?"
"We cut off the head of the snake so the body could sprout two more," Mon Mothma agreed.
"We are in need of a diplomat and a warrior, Colonel," Ackbar said. "Someone who can grow the good will with the people of the galaxy, convince them to join in our righteous cause, and to protect them from the Imperial menace that persists throughout the core and rim worlds. Just today we've received confirmed reports of Imperial raids on neutral rim worlds that had refused the Empire's emissaries, yet with so little resources at hand, our battle fleets have been unable to respond to any of these distress calls."
"And what would you both have me do about it? I'm not nearly as powerful as Master Luke. I am no grand strategist in war."
"You are Jedi of the New Order. You're name is known, your valor in battle proven, and your dedication to the Republic undoubted," Mon Mothma said. "With your Jedi training, you could prove to be our most powerful weapon in converting the planetary governments in the rim to our cause."
"And you'll have help with the strategy. You will be attached to Captain Dorn's battle fleet. We've assigned him our best fighter pilots along with several frigates to support his flagship. Together you'll be able to safely press into the enemy's territory, whether to negotiate with the neutrals or bring the war back to this new Emperor. Preferably, both."
"You are needed, Brandt," Mon Mothma finished.
Brandt looked down at his hands, considered the request. The decision was not difficult. It was clear that his training must be postponed, that his presence was needed her, in the Republic once again.
"I am yours to command Admiral, Madame President."
TBC
