The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

2930. A temporary measure

Mon-Mosma said sternly, "We have many ways to handle our relationship with the Fourth Reich, but direct confrontation is the worst possible strategy! Do you really think that starting a full-scale arms race for a power that may not even be our enemy is the right path for our future republic?"

She pointed directly to the data provided by Bel-Gamm-Ibris and said, "Are we going to start an arms race that we're destined to lose?"

Borsk-Felia's tone turned icy. "So you mean, as the successors and rebuilders of the Galactic Republic, we're just going to watch half of the territory that originally belonged to the Republic be cut off?"

“We can try to coexist with them, but that’s all we can do,” Mon-Mosma said. “Does accepting those warlords who have defected from the Galactic Empire mean we can win this war? No! This war with the Fourth Empire is neither possible nor necessary!”

"Does our national security depend on the other side not attacking us first? That's absurd!" Bel-Gamm-Ibris exclaimed angrily.

“Accepting a blood-stained warlord like Serben will not make us stronger! On the contrary, it will make us weaker because such a person has caused us to lose our own beliefs!” Mon-Mosma retorted sharply.

Bel-Gamm-Ibris had long disliked Mon Mosma, and he jumped up, ready to retort, but Padme Amidala raised his hand, stopping everyone from arguing.

As the founder of the rebel alliance and a highly respected "leader," even Borsk-Felia had to keep quiet, looking at her holographic image without uttering a word.

Bel-Gamm-Ibris, like an enraged beast, his chest heaving violently as he glared fiercely at Mon Mosma.

Padme Amidala said, “Gentlemen, we must not forget why we came together and overcame countless hardships to get to where we are today. The source of the Rebel Alliance’s strength is our belief… It is because of our firm belief that people recognize us and help us.”

She looked around and continued, “We are different from the Galactic Empire, and different from the Fourth Empire. What we want is to seek the well-being and freedom of every citizen under our banner. If the people cannot trust us, then they will no longer help us, and at that time, the only thing that can protect us will truly be our cold fleet and our cold industry… Then, what difference will there be between us and the Galactic Empire, and the Fourth Empire?”

Borsk-Felia wanted to retort on the spot, but Padme Amidala gave him a cold look, and he reluctantly sat down.

“However,” Padme Amidala changed the subject, “the situation is different now. The Galactic Empire is inevitably heading towards decline, division, and demise. Therefore, we do need to face those who have switched sides from the Galactic Empire to join us. We cannot simply reject them all, nor can we accept everyone. I reiterate once again that faith is the foundation of our Rebel Alliance and the ideological basis for our future reconstruction of the Republic.”

She tapped twice on her desk and said, “Without conviction, there is no righteous alliance, no republic. Because if we are not even ourselves, what right do we have to talk about freedom, about revival?”

Bel-Gam-Iblis muttered to himself in a very low voice, "That's great. Let's go talk to the Fourth Empire's fleet about conviction."

Mon-Mosma heard him and looked at him with an unfriendly gaze.

Padme-Amidala continued, “Therefore, we will implement a screening and reformation mechanism. Every person intending to join the Rebel Alliance will be rigorously screened to ensure they have not committed any unforgivable crimes. If so, their fate will be determined based on the specific crimes they have committed—whether they receive ideological education or face trial. And those who have committed heinous crimes—like Serben—we will absolutely not allow them to join.”

Borsk-Felia raised his hand defiantly and then spoke: "So, if a warlord like Serben surrenders voluntarily, we not only won't allow it, but we'll also have to fight his four hundred Star Destroyers face to face, is that what you mean? That way, it's very fair to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, is that what you mean? After all, everyone has a belief now."

Padme Amidala said firmly, “Faith is above all else! If our faith requires us to make sacrifices, then we will do it! This ‘we’ includes myself.” “I understand what you mean,” Borsk-Felia said, closing his eyes.

Mon-Mosma then produced the meeting agenda and continued, "The next topic concerns the Targ Sector... The three thousand habitable planets in the Targ Sector are gradually being annexed by the Fourth Empire. Our agenda is: what actions should the Rebel Alliance take in this process?"

……

After a long meeting, dozens of topics were discussed and countless arguments took place, Padme Amidala turned off the holographic projection and leaned back on the sofa, looking utterly exhausted.

C-3PO came over, massaged her shoulders, and said, “Oh, Ms. Padmé, I can see that your heart rate is much higher than normal. I think you should relax a bit.”

“Don’t speak yet, C-3PO, let me have some peace and quiet.” Padme Amidala interrupted the etiquette robot, looking at the ceiling.

R2-D2 slid over and spoke for a while in the machine language unique to navigation robots.

“I know what you mean, R2-D2…” Padme Amidala said, “but what I’m worried about isn’t the success or failure of our endeavor, but that if we succeed… but also change, then can it still be called a success?”

C-3PO said, "Perhaps my program doesn't support my understanding of such complex human language, but Ms. Padmé, what I don't understand is, since we've all changed, shouldn't this be called a failure? Why do you still call it a success?"

“Hahahaha…” Padme Amidala suddenly laughed. “You’re right, C-3PO, you’re right.”

She sat up straight and said to R2-D2, "R2-D2, connect me to an encrypted communication... um, the New Jedi Order... Master Shakti."

……

Meanwhile, outside the conference room of the USS Liberty superstar destroyer, Mon Mosma and Bel Organa walked together.

Mon-Mosma looked at Borsk-Feria and Bel-Gam-Iblis from afar, shook his head, and said, "We can't let them continue like this... First they brought in the Zane Foundation, and now it's the Imperial Twelfth Army. If this continues, why don't we just change the entire Galactic Empire's color and make the leader the emperor?"

“This joke is not funny at all, Ms. Mosma,” Bel-Ogana said. “At least we should see that His Excellency Iblis genuinely wants us to go further, and in my opinion, he is just afraid of failure.”

"And what about that Bosa man?" Mon-Mosma coldly stared at Borsk-Felia's retreating figure.

Bell Organa sighed and remained silent. (End of Chapter)