I set course for home. It was actually a shorter distance than the total Imperial City to Tatooine trip, which I looked at as being a good thing. Before I planned to land on Earth, I would contact Bail Organa, and ask him for his help. If the Empire did attempt to attack Earth, I thought it was our right to give them a fight. I spent the trip planning out how we could take out a superior foe (I didn’t think the Rebellion would be able to spare anything very large). I came up with three different scenarios. Number one, they come as they promised and negotiate an agreement between Earth and the Empire. Number two, they come and intend to subjugate us be means of force. Number three, they come and completely annihilate everything living on the planet. Option three was the bleakest, but also the most unlikely. They had no reason, unless they had found out about our knowledge, to do such a thing.
I also spent some of the time preparing a report for my return home. I knew I would have to present what I had learned to the world. This would just give me time to do other things once I made it home.
I arrived in our solar system. I was approximately in Jupiter’s orbit when I stopped and tried to contact Alderaan. After a few minutes, I got a response.
“Yes, this is Bail. Oh, hey, it’s nice to hear from you. What is it that you need?”
“After I left Alderaan, I spoke with a Rebel sympathizer on Tatooine. Someone that had some experience with Imperials. I explained to him my situation, and he told me that based on his past experience, I should not trust the Empire and its word. For this reason, I was hoping the Rebellion could help protect my planet in the event that we come under attack. Can you help us?”
“Of course, what do you think you will need?” Bail asked.
I replied, “Well, since I am not familiar with the resources you have at your disposal, I’ll just throw out some ideas, and you can let me know how it might work out. First, we would need a medium-sized capital ship, preferably with a docking bay. My first thought is a Rendilli Stardrive Dreadnaught, but I doubt you can spare one of those. Second, I think 2 squadrons of Y-Wings would be enough. Third, a ship capable of carrying a large number of assault troops in full battle gear, and that could dock with another ship. The troops themselves are not completely necessary, but any you could spare would be helpful.”
Bail paused for a while, as if he was going over something in his head.
“Well, the Y-Wings and docking-capable ship are possible. I would have to check around for a larger ship though. Most of the one’s we have are defending our important installations.”
I told him, “No problem. Don’t give any orders to come to Earth just yet, though. I still have to inform my superiors of what has gone on. They may have other plans. I will contact you again with updated information.”
With that, I shut down the subspace transceiver, started up the engines again, and headed home. On the way, I explained to Bob that he was in for some unusual treatment. No one on Earth had seen anything even remotely close to the sophistication of a droid. He was probably going to be asked a lot of technical questions about himself, and I wanted to make sure he was aware of that.
Once I arrived in orbit, I cranked up the transceiver again, setting it to a lower frequency so I could transmit to Earth. I had to play around with it for a while, and I finally got what I wanted. It was Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. I requested a connection to the Pentagon, and was granted it after I gave them my clearance codes. Once I was connected to the Pentagon, I asked for a safe location where I could set down. They then called back to Reagan Airport, and got me some special clearance I had never heard of. Basically, they block off windows, remove people from the tarmac and I land in an empty, private hangar. So, that is what I did. When I arrived, the President, the usual Pentagon personnel, plus a couple scientists greeted me.
As I walked off the ramp of the ship, I stopped and gave a salute. It was returned, and I was offered a handshake by all that had come to see me. I returned to the ship quickly, and retrieved the swoop, and with it the blasters I had bought. With Bob walking out with me, I showed the President what the galaxy had to offer. I think he was pleased. I was too. I was home again.
I was taken directly to the Pentagon, where I quickly printed several copies of my report, and prepared for another briefing. This time, I would simply be reading through my report, and answering any questions that came up. It was also at this time that I found myself needing to bring up my discussions with Bail Organa and Momaw Nadon.
“Mr. President, members of the Joint Chiefs, other distinguished members of the government. I have something additional I need to report. Something I left out of my report, in the event that what I wrote should ever be released to the public. I felt it was best that the information be held because it could conceivably cause the same panic and fear that I was afraid of occurring after the first press conference.” I began.
I was asked to continue.
“As you read in my report, a delegation of Imperial ambassadors and diplomats will be coming within the next 60-65 days. What I left from my report was my feelings concerning the Empire and a meeting I had with a rebel sympathizer on the planet of Tatooine. He was once the leader of a large group of his species, probably comparable to a President or King here on Earth. The Empire came to his planet, and made demands of him and his people. Demands that they could not respond to without breaking sacred rituals. They were threatened, and when he finally gave in to the demands, he was banished from the planet. After I explained the Earth’s situation, he told me specifically that the Empire could not be trusted. If they feel we have something of value, they will either take it from us, or wipe us out to prevent others from getting it. I feel that, if they knew about it, our knowledge of the galactic future is extremely valuable. We also do not know if there are any other resources or such they may find here to value. So, to be on the cautious side of things, upon my arrival in the solar system, I spoke with another man I met in my travels. Viceroy Bail Organa, of the planet Alderaan. Despite his planets peaceful and benign outward appearance, he is one of the leaders within the Rebellion. I requested his help in the event that the Empire should attack us. At this very moment, he is probably trying to figure out how he can spare what I asked for. I told him I must speak with you, my superiors first, to make sure it was a wise move.”
Had I overstepped my boundaries? Was my request for support not what the Earth wanted?
I paused so what I said could sink in and be considered.
The President and the joint chiefs pulled together at their table, whispering to each other. Finally, the President sat up, and the other followed.
The President spoke. “This is a difficult issue. On one hand, if you and your contact are correct, having a small defensive fleet would be absolutely necessary for our survival. On the other, if you are wrong, and the Empire finds an enemy fleet orbiting Earth, they will very likely assume we are in league with them, and might destroy us.”
I replied to his statement by saying, “I had a similar thought, but we may be able to work around all aspects of this situation. I see three possible outcomes.”
I began to outline my three plans. To me, each made perfect sense, and I saw only a small risk of Rebel exposure from each, provided everything worked as I planned. As I explained, I could tell that my audience seemed to be warming up to Rebellion intervention. Th