I apologize for this taking so long. I don't like making excuses, but I recently acquired a new job, which has been taking up most of my time. And my internet likes to go out from time to time, especially with those fires hitting my county of recent. Anyways, enjoy this chapter. Like the previous, it is mostly filler. But exciting things are coming, I assure you.

Chapter 4

Baleen-class heavy freighter

En Route to Bebel Gas Company

A sick laughter gave chills to every spine of the people kneeling on the floor of the cargo room. The captured crew slowly breathed, trying not to shake in sight of the pirate's that quickly invaded the freighter.

"Well well well, looks like this here lot forgot who's turf they've been crossing." The ugly pirate smirked as he confidently looked down upon the kneeling crewmen.

"Ha, seems they forget to pay tribute before crossing." Another pirate laughed to himself.

"Oh I'm sure they can find a way to pay for our troubles." Their leader rubbed the chin of one of the kneeling workers, a young woman, who was shivering in fear of the ugly alien.

"Lotta unprocessed gases in here!" One of the pirates finished reading the ship's manifest. "The boss will reward us for this score."

"What about the crew?" The leader was asked by a short, much fatter pirate.

"Waste 'em!" He ordered. The dozen kneeling crewmen shook in an attempt of resistance, all of whom were quickly blasted away by the gang of pirates. Echoes of screams and drunken laughter filled the ship, until the victims fell to the floor, skin seared by the hot refined plasma of the blaster bolts.

The pirate's greedily took whatever they wanted, from the tanks of gas, to the mere shiny watches off the dead humans of Corellia and Earth. But not one noticed the silent cameras in the ship, and not one could or would ever know where the live feed was being sent to.

Consular-class space cruiser

Radiant lll

"Your drink, Mr. Chairman." The service droid placed the plate gently on the side table that extended from the man's chair.

He nodded, waving for the small droid to leave. It only responded with a nod before walking out of the man's room, a makeshift office out of a sleeping quarters. Galjen rubbed his eyes, going over the small speech he threw together on the trip to Earth, whose lack of central government made it harder on formalities and trading directly. His tablet checked off the ships arriving at their destined worlds, the gas mines proved to be a very good investment, he'd have to see how Edwin was doing with his raise of status.

Odd. One of the freighters failed to show up on the list, making Galjen raise an eyebrow before his holopad started to beep; he was being called by the head of the most powerful of the nations on the planet Earth.

"Greetings Mr. Chairman." Colin greeted with a warm smile. "I hope your trip to our world has been enjoyable."

"I'm always glad to have a reason to leave the office work on Corellia, especially when dealing with good business." Chairman Galjen replied with an equally professional and friendly smile. "Although, I didn't know anyone would speak to me before I arrived at your selected meeting place."

"Let me just get straight to it." He cleared his throat. "My advisors tell me your planet builds starships. It would be in our best interest that we can further our negotiating by making some serious payments regarding space faring technology."

"As long as you can accommodate me, I see no reason why I can't send someone to help you out."

"Of course." Colin smiled before ending the call.

Galjen sighed, remembering what he was doing before the call. He reopened the tablet and found the screen with a small flashing of red. One of the heavy freighters were way past schedule. It was stopping by a system with recent pirate activity. But then again...

Air Force One

EN route to Area 51

Colin yawned, leaning back again in his chair in a quick attempt to ease the tension in his back. He groaned at the pain around his spine before returning to a normal position. He glanced at his notes, a pile of calculations and plans for what he dreamed of.

The flight was almost over, a mere twenty minutes passed. Yet he felt as though it were a few seconds. Time really does fly by when you're busy. He has hardly even looked at the plans he was constructing. There wasn't the time.

Whatever his Vice had told him to go to Nevada for had better been important, he was going to miss the UN meeting in New York. A call by the major nations to settle trade disputes with Corellia and over the usual dangers presented by the rise of various nations.

But he would make the trip as worthwhile as possible. Even though his curiosity was otherwise occupied, why would anything of importance be in a back up base in the desert?

Orbit of Jabiim

A dozen V-19 torrents soared passed the now wrecked munificent class frigate, with a squad of y-wing bombers going right behind them. A Jedi starfighter flew to the front of the formation of fighters, it's pilot eager to face the enemy.

The last Venator star destroyer was trading hits with the Separatist cruisers that recently jumped into the system. The much weaker Munificent-class frigates were having trouble facing a single Venator. The ships weren't very well equipped, and often overwhelmed by the impressive skill of the Y-wing bombers.

Anakin cursed under his breath, yet another squad of Vulture fighters circled to meet them. The third since they took the offensive on the droid attack.

"Carbon-4 to lady bird, my boys are chipped but flying."

"Red leader to Carbon-4, Sev and I are right on your path."

"Copy that Carbon-4." Ahsoka sighed heavily. "Master, we have a line to the leading Separatists ship."

"I see it snips, all fighters, converge on the enemy flight squad. Standard Vulture droids, nothing too difficult." Anakin replied with a bit more confidence.

The torrents created a path for the Y-wings, carving through the Vulture droid advance like a scalpel. Perfectly precise, small, but just enough to get through and deal the needed damage.

The Munificent rippled with explosions from stem to stern, and was quickly disabled. Another enemy ship down, and the Republic's superior fighters once again providing a victory. This was enough to give a tired Anakin a small smile. Things seemed to be going well.

Seemed.

UN Council Room

New York

The Consular cruiser touched down on the large airway, a mere few miles from his place of meeting. Galjen was accompanied by two aides who acted as security while in the city, but had little worry of the Earth trying anything against him. Now that just would be bad for business.

Naturally, Galjen was quite surprised in learning how diverse the world was. So many ethnic groups and cultures often caused tension and issues, thereby creating a strange need to spread apart from each other. So different from the majority of the Galaxy, Galjen would have to learn about some history when he would return to Corellia.

The building, or say, twin buildings, were quite tall. A sense of, untouchability radiated off the World Trade Center. It felt perfect for him. The World Trade Center had now converted to a full UN council over trade with Earth and anything it made contact with, and had an understandable amount of security. A positive nod to the now cooperative state the planet was in.

But now his speech was not of anything positive.

He swallowed, soaking his tongue around in saliva to keep it from being dry. This was important, and any chance of him making a pronuncial mistake would be very bad when he was practically addressing the entire world. "Approximately eleven hours ago, one of our gas shipments was attacked and raided by a gang of alien pirates while stopping near the Codian system of the Outer Rim. The pirates attacked, stealing the ship's cargo and murdering the crew, video surveillance was sent back to our diplomacy station on Corellia, and to one our deep space exploration shuttles."

Cameras zoomed in, pictures taken at an even faster pace. People immediately began taking notes and recording his speech for their articles.

"Pirate activity is growing in the regions near our trading posts, scavengers and raiders constantly picking on undefended freighters to snatch on any goods the innocents carry."

National representatives of the world looked in awe, completely unsure on what to say.

People mourned over the loss of life and the resources lost to the pirate clan. Soon, millions wanted vengeance, even though most weren't actually affected, the very idea of aliens attacking was enough to motivate a major reaction.

A defense fleet was called for by nearly every country now, even the ones hesitant at first were now jumping on board. Earth needed to be prepared in case the pirates attacked again.

Most quickly forgot the growing threat in asia, and focused on this enemy from space. People wanted action, they wanted security.

Naturally, a conference was called for all the leading nations of the world to determine their future actions. The decision on making a space command was an idea growing in popularity, and when the call for the creation of such a military coalition was first addressed, it was a nearly unanimous yes. Countries would start their efforts by doing what they were best at. China and Japan would lead in the manufacturing of needed equipment and raw materials to maintain a space navy, European countries such as Britain would be in charge in organizational structure, and the US of course being the backbone of the armed forces.

Debates over how much power this new space military of the UN could have, and how long it would last were all over, becoming the new hot topic of the year. Protests already started before a final act was proposed and accepted.

Corellians were glad to see the Earth boldly expanding, especially since the people lacked the means to produce a credible amount of ships, and they would need to purchase them from the nearest supplier. Corellia herself. The Corellian Engineering Corporation quickly approached the UN once they saw the opportunity to sell starships they manufactured. Earth could not refuse, Corellia was their only 'ally', and many had little idea of how dangerous the galaxy was, or the war drawing close to their doorsteps.

Alright, Earth is now getting on the offensive. As always, feel free to leave a review or three. I hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter.

See ya next time!