“Thank you for joining us ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, we celebrate a monumental event in the history of not only, Abridon; but of the entire Galaxy. As Abridonians, we have always prided ourselves on the fact that we have always stood for peace and justice in this Galaxy.” Hamman Flatt said, as he stood at the podium in front of the large crowd all clothed in formal attire.
“Since the days of the Old Republic, to the rise of the Galactic Empire; Abridonians stood arm and arm with what was true and just. It has not always been easy, but we have always gone out of our way to ensure that we were doing what was right, not only for us as Abridonians, but for the Galaxy as a whole.
“We watched, and we celebrated as the Rebellion put an end to the Galactic Empire. We celebrated in our streets as they too, celebrated in the streets of Coruscant.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for us as Abridonians to once again take up arms and fight for what is right in this Galaxy. The New Order, the Empire incarnate has taken over much of the Galaxy, but they are not the vast Galactic Empire of Palpatine. Yet, if we stand idly by as citizens of this great Galaxy, make no mistake about it; they will forge a path of destruction as did their predecessors.
“So, today we celebrate our membership into the Alliance to Restore the Republic. So that one day, we might celebrate like the days of old when we danced in the streets celebrating the collapse of the Galactic Empire. It is my hope and my goal that one day we will dance in the streets once again friends.
“So I thank Marin Faulker, for assembling this nasty band of ruffians!” Hamman Flatt paused as the gathering crowd laughed. “And I thank our friend, Vance Taesch, who has made his home here on Abridon for so many years with his lovely wife, Cylla.” Hamman Flatt said, smiling as he pointed out the married couple in the crowd.
Vance and Cylla Taesch smiled, raising their hands as the spotlight shone upon them.
“Now, yesterday when the Government Council and I finalized the deal with Vance Taesch to join the Alliance to Restore the Republic, I mentioned to him that we had a surprise for him.”
Cylla looked at Vance, smiling.
“As you all certainly know, Abridon is home to one of the finest starfighter production facilities in the Galaxy. For generations, the Abridon Shipyard located in Sayan has produced A-Wing interceptors for the Rebel Alliance. Our A-Wings were instrumental in helping the Rebels overcome the Galactic Empire at the Battle of Endor.
“To this day, we as Abridonians take great pride in the fine starfighters produced here on our planet. So, just as I had the distinct pleasure of Rebellion with a squadron of A-Wing interceptors before the Battle of Endor, I would like to once again grant that same offer to the Alliance to Restore the Republic!” Hamman Flatt stepped to the side and raised his hand pointing to the viewscreen behind him. Then just a moment later the curtains opened revealing the newest model of A-Wing interceptor.
“This, ladies and gentlemen is the newest in a long line of A-Wing interceptor models designed and manufactured here on Abridon. This, ladies and gentlemen is the NG-1 A-Wing, the latest in a prestigious line of starfighters.”
The 3-D image of the fighter rotated slowly, it was an impressive vessel to behold. It looked nearly identical to previous models of A-Wing but with slight differences. For instance, this model of A-Wing was given a red coat of paint all over the starfighter, making its design look bolder and cutting edge.
“This, ladies and gentlemen is the starfighter of the future. I could go over all of its impressive statistics with you Vance, but I’m sure I’d be talking to the wrong person! I don’t want to bore you to sleep!” Hamman Flatt said, as the collective members of the crowd laughed.
“When you said surprise, I was hoping for a lovely bottle of Chateau Verblanc!! Instead, all I get is this lousy spaceship? I don’t know how to fly one of those!” Vance said smiling from the crowd.
The crowd erupted into laughter as the two old friends exchanged banter.
“Well maybe I should call up Marin Faulker, I’m sure he’d be excited!” Hamman Flatt retorted, smiling.
“I’m sure he would, Hamman. And while you two are gabbing about the future of flight, can someone tell me where I can get a stiff drink around here?” Vance replied, with his arm around his wife Cylla, the whole crowd laughing as they enjoyed the back and forth exchange.
“I would point you in the direction of the open bar, but I’m sure you’re already well acquainted with it.” Hamman Flatt said with a smile as the crowd of onlookers laughed, it seemed that most of them had already made their way to the bar more than a few times.
“In closing, Mr. Taesch I would just like to say thank you for all your hard work in making this happen. I’m sure I speak for every Abridonian in this building, and abroad, when I say thank you for all you do. Not just for us as Abridonians, but for those who are unable or unwilling to fight for themselves. You’ve devoted your life to the service of democracy and freedom throughout the Galaxy, and that’s as noble a cause as there is.”
Hamman Flatt smiled as he stood there at the podium; the large gathering of Abridonians clapped in unison celebrating Hamman’s ringing endorsement of both Vance Taesch and the Alliance to Restore the Republic.
“Speech!” Someone shouted from the middle of the audience.
“Speech, speech, speech!!!” The crowd began to chant.
Vance stood there, smiling. He looked around the audience all clamoring to hear him get up on stage and give a speech. Vance looked around, pointing at himself questioning whether or not they wanted him to get up and give a speech, the audience immediately burst into thundering applause.
Vance leaned over and kissed Cylla on the cheek as he raised his hand, making his way to the podium. As he reached the stairs leading up to the stage he made his way for the podium where Hamman Flatt was standing by. He shook hands with the Nationalist Leader of Abridon, Hamman Flatt as he took the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” Vance said with a glowing smile on his face. “Thank you, thank you very much.” He said, waiting for the applause to die down before he continued.
It took a few moments before the applause stopped, meanwhile Vance stood there smiling waiting for the applause to come to an end.
“Thank you.” He said, the applause still going. “Thank you.”
“First, I would like to thank you all for having me here. Not just today, but for the past twenty-something years. Geez… has it already been that long?” He said, pausing as the crowd laughed. “My three children were born and raised here on Abridon, and my lovely wife Cylla has made quite the home for us here. But, I live for the day when I can return to my true home one day. As many of you know, I emigrated to Abridon after the Empire invaded Coruscant. But my real home, my true home is Chandrila.”
Vance paused before continuing, as he looked down at the podium.
“My parents, my grandparents, my grandparents’ grandparents, and as far back as the line of the Taesch family goes, were all from Chandrila. Looking back, I never had that much pride in my heritage. I was never that proud of my home planet, or my rich ancestry which made their home there for millennia. It’s funny how having your home taken from you puts things into perspective. You see, today my home belongs to the Empire. I can’t visit the graves of my mother and father, of their mother and father, or of Cylla’s family who trace their roots to Chandrila much like my own family.
“Sure, we could resign to Imperial rule and move back to our home. But at what cost? At what point do we draw the line? I’ve seen first hand what the Empire can do to a democratic people. So that is why I fight. No, I don’t fight with a blaster, or with a sword. But I fight. I fight the way that I know how. You see… you don’t need to be a Jedi Knight or a starfighter pilot to fight the Empire. You just need the will to succeed. You need to know in your heart that what you believe in is right.
“I fight so that one day my wife Cylla and I can return to our home, and retire in peace. So that our children can see the land where their ancestors grew up, and hopefully where their children will one day be born and raised themselves. Hope. Hope and faith are what give me the will to fight. Hope for a better tomorrow, and faith that through hard work and diligence, anything is possible.
“The Empire would have you believe that they’re invincible, that they are too massive and wide-reaching to be dealt a deadly blow by such a miniscule force. That, my friends is their fear talking. Their fear that we, the people of this fine Galaxy will rise up and strike a blow against them; a blow against tyranny and oppression. I have lived in freedom, and I know you have as well. Freedom is a funny thing, when you have it you don’t really spend too much time thinking about it. But when you lack it, it consumes your every action. Now, I know Abridon is a free world and for that I am thankful. But some of you, much like my family and I, have come to Abridon from far off worlds. Worlds where the Empire has sunk its cruel teeth.
“So that is why I fight, so that those of you who have made your home on Abridon do not have to lose what is rightfully yours. And I’m confident that together, we will be victorious.
“Look at me! What am I talking about? My wife’s giving me that look.” Vance said, as the crowd laughed in unison. “Honey, am I rambling? I’m sorry folks I have a tendency to ramble when you get me in front of a microphone. Am I just supposed to say thanks for the fighters? Thanks for the A-Wings?” The crowd laughed again, Vance was a natural when it came to public speaking.
“Again, thanks folks. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done not only for the Alliance, but for my family and I. We truly have made a second home here on Abridon and I don’t think that would have been possible without the hard work of each and every one of you. So thank you, all of you.”
Vance said, as he concluded his speech which was met by thunderous applause. It was an emotional moment for Vance and the Abridonian people. His work on Abridon was complete, and soon his work on Arkanis would begin. Very soon.
