CHAPTER THREE
The battle against the Sith lasted only an hour. Although Krotan's unit suffered a few casualties, his men and the Jedi were able to overpower the Sith, who, much to Jacen's surprise, threw down their weapons and admitted defeat. Although they at first did not trust the Sith, the Jedi decided that, since they had no way to tell whether they were lying, they had to take the Sith in either way.
Once all of the Sith were restrained, Plun Kil took out a handheld holoproector and contacted Sien Sovv, Supreme Commander of the Galactic Alliance Defense Force and member of the current Triumvirate.
"We have defeated the Sith, Supreme Commander," Kil said to the Sullustan admiral. "They have also surrendered and are currently restrained. I don't think we should send them to Mon Cala though..."
"I agree," Sien Sovv replied. "Keep them restrained on Korriban for now. I shall speak with Chief Omas on setting up a place to hold them."
"Oh, so now we're the Republic's pets?" one of the Sith warriors barked. "Are we just animals that can be locked up forever?"
Kil glared at him coldly. "In a way, yes."
He turned back to Sovv and said, "Very well. We shall await your decision."
The Sullustan nodded. "Good. Admiral Sovv signing off."
As the holographic figure vanished, Kil turned to Jacen and the other Jedi, who were just finished with binding the Sith.
"Return to the Valiant," the Besalisk Jedi Master said. "I'll have Captain Tomas send more troops down to help Commander Krotan's men watch over the Sith."
"Shouldn't we stay?" Donhran Remker asked. "I mean, if the Sith break free, Krotan and his men won't be able to fend them off."
"I wouldn't be worried about that," Kil muttered, glancing at the Sith. "If worse comes to worse, I could just order Captain Tomas to bombard the planet."
Zarin Kal gave an uneasy chuckle. "Uh, I don't think the others on the Jedi Council would like that idea..."
Kil grunted. "Then let us hope it doesn't come to that. Now get going. I don't think any Jedi can stay on this planet for nearly a day and not fall to the dark side."
"What about you?" Jacen asked as he and the others headed back for the awaiting gunship.
The four-armed Jedi Master did not turn to look at him as he said, "I can look after myself."
* * *
The sound of roaring engines filled Anakin Solo's ears as he walked through the streets of Coronet City, the capital of Corellia. For nine years had Corellia served as the temporary capital of the Galactic Alliance, while Coruscant was being repaired after the damage done to it at the end of the Imperial-Sith War.
However, said repairs had been finished for many months now. When Chief of State Cal Omas announced the move back to Coruscant, thousands of Corellians, including Senator Chelch Dravvad and Governor Aidel Saxan, protested angrily and almost violently. As such, in order to prevent a separatist movement or possibly another galactic conflict, Chief Omas and the Senate agreed to remain on Corellia.
To this day, many people wondered, why did the Corellians force the Alliance to stay? After several weeks of research, a handful of historians finally found what they thought was the answer to the question and possibly a way to solve the situation.
And Anakin's father, Han Solo of all people, was going to present the information to the Corellian Council and the Senate, at the behest of his wife and certain members of the Defense Force.
"I can't do this," Han said for perhaps the tenth time, as he walked alongside Anakin and fellow Corellian Jedi Master Corran Horn. "I'm a captain, first and foremost. General, sure. But I wouldn't touch politics with a ten-foot pole."
Corran Horn gave him an aside glance. "For the last time, all you're doing is making a speech to present the research, inform the Senate why the Corellains reacted the way they did, and help them reach a possible compromise."
"Yeah, and then people who disagree with my suggestions will start rioting at my front door step," Han said bitterly. "Seriously, why couldn't you have gotten Wedge to do it? He's from Corellia and is just as experienced as I am."
"But you're more well-known," Corran replied, patting Han on the back. "I mean, all of those adventures you had with Master Skywalker and Leia Organa eventually led up to the downfall of the Empire and the foundation of the New Republic and Jedi Order. I'm sure they'll all listen to your voice."
Han grunted. "If you say so." He looked down at the portable datapad that held all of info that the researchers had found.
"Not sure if they'll appreciate my wooden narration though."
* * *
The Senate Chambers, which housed the members of the Galactic Senate, were all decked in colors of blue and green. The room itself was also very wide, large enough for most of the senators and members of the Corellian Council to sit comfortably.
Standing in the center of the chamber was Chief of State Cal Omas, along with Governor Aidel Saxan of Corellia and the Chair of the Senate Zana Arda. Upon seeing Han, Anakin, and Corran, Cal Omas beamed.
"Ah, greetings, Captain Solo," the grey-haired man said. "We are all anticipating the information you have to present."
Han noticeably tensed. "Er, right. I'm not surprised you are."
Noticing his father's reluctance, Anakin nudged Corran with his elbow.
"Are you sure about having him do this, Master Horn?" he asked, gesturing pointedly to Han. "I know my dad; he really doesn't like making speeches."
Corran arched an eyebrow. "Really? I thought that, given how he likes to boast a lot, this would be a dream come true for him."
Anakin shook his head, frowning as he watched his father slowly approach the center of the room. "I don't think he can handle the pressure."
To his surprise, Corran strode past him and over to Han, taking the datapad from his hands.
"Actually, Chief Omas, I shall present the information. Captain Solo here gets...very stressed by public events such as this."
Omas gave the Jedi Master a curious look but gestured for him to continue.
Clearing his throat, Corran held up the datapad and began reading aloud. "Seventeen thousand years ago, the planet of Alsakan began competing with Coruscant over predominance of the Old Republic, starting a conflict that would repeat itself several times over the years.
"In the seventeenth and final conflict, Corellia entered the struggle and declared war against the Republic. The Republic was soon defeated and Supreme Chancellor Vedij was forced into a peace-treaty by..."
Corran's green eyes widened. Silence briefly hung over the Senate Chambers until the Corellian Jedi Master finally found his voice.
"By Prince-Admiral Jonash e Solo."
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