For a long time, the Utapauan Skyforce's frontline equipment had been sourced from Bupper Torsckil Abbey Devices. To Utapau, BTAD was what Corellian Engineering Corporation was to Corellia.
And precisely because BTAD held that kind of strategic weight, the Utapaun Committee did not want the company falling under outside ownership.
In recent years, Feethan Ottraw Scalable Assemblies had repeatedly tried to acquire and absorb BTAD, which put the Utapaun Committee on high alert.
The Techno Union behind FOSA was not merely an academic association or an industry guild. It was an ambitious political entity with real social and political power.
If the Techno Union gained control of BTAD, it could very plausibly undermine Utapau's defense autonomy, and from there its diplomatic neutrality—dragging the planet and its people into conflicts they had spent generations avoiding.
The Committee did not want BTAD bought out by FOSA. But they also could not stop it with a crude administrative order. If the Committee stopped playing by the rules, the Techno Union could stop playing by the rules too—and a "commercial dispute" could escalate into a political crisis, or worse, a military one, in the blink of an eye.
In the balance between BTAD and FOSA, the Bespin Mandalorian Armed Forces' massive order was a true counterweight—heavy enough to tip the scales. That was why the Utapaun Committee could no longer sit still, and why Deputy Mayor Tion Medon had arranged the private meeting with Max Vizsla in the first place.
"Chairman, your foresight is impressive," Max said with measured sincerity. "The P-38BM is a fine craft, and I look forward to seeing it spread its wings over Bespin's skies as soon as possible."
Through Tion Medon, Max secured an opportunity to speak directly with Fey Nos, Chairman of the Utapaun Committee. After committing to the P-38BM purchase, Max laid out his concept for a non-aligned movement.
"Admiral Vizsla," Fey Nos said, visibly puzzled, "if states form an organization, isn't that an alliance by definition? Wouldn't it contradict the very principle of 'non-alignment'?"
Max immediately clarified. "No, Chairman. The relationship between members of a non-aligned movement is not an alliance. It's cooperation."
"An alliance means two or more states coordinate deeply in military, diplomatic, economic, and other vital domains. Member states surrender a degree of autonomy, and once an agreed plan is set, they must adhere to unified action and deployment."
"A non-aligned movement, by contrast, is a loose international association. It upholds independence, self-determination, and non-bloc principles. Its members are not legally bound by organizational resolutions or documents."
"If members aren't bound by resolutions or documents," Fey Nos asked, still unconvinced, "then what is the point of forming the organization at all?"
"Chairman, the value of this organization isn't for today. It's for the near future. In a few years, its significance will become obvious."
"Oh?"
"Chairman, Utapau has already felt the pressure created by the Techno Union's aggressive expansion, hasn't it?"
"Overbearing," Fey Nos said flatly.
"Right now, there is a force pushing the Techno Union, the Trade Federation, the Corporate Alliance, the InterGalactic Banking Clan, and the Commerce Guild toward convergence. Soon—within ten years at most—the galaxy will see a single bloc powerful enough to challenge the Galactic Republic. When that happens, it will be very difficult for Utapau to remain neutral and untouched."
Fey Nos frowned. "You believe the two major powers will force Utapau to choose a side?"
"They will force everyone to choose a side," Max said. "That is exactly why I want to build a non-aligned movement—so that all nations and peoples who love peace, and who do not wish to be pulled into the war of conquest between schemers and would-be emperors, have another option besides picking a camp."
"An option built on independence, self-determination, and non-bloc alignment."
"Admiral Vizsla," Fey Nos said, extending his hand, "if the galaxy truly develops as you predict—if two opposing military-political blocs emerge—then Utapau will join the non-aligned movement you propose."
"Chairman," Max said, clasping Fey Nos's hand firmly, "Utapau is a star among neutral systems, and a model of independence. I look forward to deeper cooperation across multiple fields, and to seeing Bespin–Utapau relations keep moving forward."
On February 8, Galactic Standard Year 5, the Bespin Mandalorian Armed Forces and BTAD reached a formal agreement for the purchase of 240 P-38BM strike fighters.
The package included 240 airframes, two production lines, a batch of aviation munitions, and corresponding training services, with a total value reaching 200 million Republic credits.
Under the agreement, BTAD would deliver 80 fully assembled P-38BM craft to the Bespin Mandalorian Armed Forces within three months, and within the year assist Bespin Aerospace in establishing two pulsed production lines for the P-38BM. The remaining 160 craft would be assembled and produced by BAE using parts supplied by BTAD.
That same day, Figg Mining also signed a tibanna gas supply contract with BTAD, making Figg Mining BTAD's exclusive tibanna supplier.
On February 9, the Kom'rk carrying Max jumped to hyperspace at the edge of Utapau's gravity well. Next stop: Coruscant.
"Mentor, are you there yet?"
"I'm here. Hurry up."
"Lisa, are you there yet?"
"Big brother, I'm here! Waiting for you!"
Next came the opening of the Crazy Horse Club (the Coruscant intelligence station of the Mandalorian Armed Forces Intelligence Bureau).
Once things here were handled, the next stop would be Ryloth. Max would work with the Twi'lek Jedi Aayla Secura and Senator Orn Free Taa, traveling to their homeworld to hold a large, dedicated talent recruitment fair.
A little early, Max thought. Hera Syndulla wouldn't be born until next year.
The time-traveler wasn't just interested in "collecting" famous names—he was enthusiastic about it. The only reason he hadn't done it earlier was that he hadn't had the chance. Truly capable people were rare, and anyone who left a mark in galactic history—someone a pre-reincarnation fan would still remember—was usually the best of the best in their field.
General Hera Syndulla—join my side.
PS: Fey Nos is not a canon character; he is an original creation by the author. The name is a mash-up: the Fey family are Utapau's rulers during the Imperial era, and the nos monster is an aquatic creature native to Utapau.
PPS: In 1956, amid intense confrontation between two major military blocs that affected many small and mid-sized countries, leaders spearheaded a "non-alignment" proposal. In 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement was founded as a loose international association advocating independence, self-determination, and non-bloc principles.
PPPS: In the series Ahsoka, Hera Syndulla demonstrates the ability to hear voices from the "World Between Worlds," which implies she is Force-sensitive. However, it's possible Hera was not born Force-sensitive, and instead became so later—potentially during her pregnancy with Jacen Syndulla (Hera and Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus's son).
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