The Inferno (Book 7)

[Akirapryde]

(7.10) Outrage in the Senate!
Lord's Voice Transmission
Transmitting Live
Colony World Hapes
Republic Capital
July 13th, 1938

“This is an outrage!” was the statement issued by a Varl Senator on the Senate floor. “How can the Republic allow such a blatant power grabbing move like this to go unopposed. We the Varl Assembly wish, no,we DEMAND a full apology and admission of wrong doing from the Senator of the Free Worlds Council."

The harsh reaction came on the heels of a statement issued by Senator Xan Zall to the besieged people of Bothawui. Senator Zall stated, “Varl give up claim to the former slave systems.” In the same breath he invited the system, which was clear across the galaxy from the closest Free Worlds Council world, to join the Free Worlds Council. The self serving nature of Senator Zall's actions became even more clear with added statement, “I will except one for the Bothawui to me my right hand person. Give me three to choice from is all I ask.” The unexpected and provocative move has caused many within the Republic Senate to question Senator Zall's motives. There were some that reacted even with harsh and slanderous words.

The harshest cries of condemnation came not surprising from the Varl Senators and those representing their protectorate worlds. They used phrases such as, power grabbing, Imperialistic Expansion, and Undermining the Republic to express their disregard for the statement and its implications. The voices within the Senate came at no surprise once Senator Zall's statement was aired via the Generationship Network or G-Net. G-Net is an off main stream media outlet which serves as a secondary media source between Generation ships and the vast number of systems that they visit. G-Net has been known in the past to air misleading or false reports. Though in this case, neither are being consider. However, since the broadcast was made by Senator Zall somewhere between the Abrion ans the Arkanis sectors. We have been unable to reach the Senator for an interview to confirm these statements as being his or more fabrication that G-Net is sadly known for.

Back to the Senate, not all reactions to the statement were harsh or negative. There were those that stepped or in some cases, jumped to Senator Zall's defense. Senator Bail Hinsa a human from the Republic Outer Rim World of Kilrous issued the following statement, “This statement was made clearly for the well being of the Bothawui people as a whole. We can not see why the Honorable Senator Zall's statement has been taken so harshly. It is the Varl who have shown little to no compassion for its lesser citizens. It is our opinion that if the Reich doesn't finish off the Varl, they might consider dissolving their own Government in an attempt to build a better one in the near future.” The Kilrous was at one time a protectorate world of the Varl Assembly and had fought a bitter revolt against the Varl to gain their freedom. The Kilrous is one of very few Republic member worlds that has refused to fight against the Reich and still holds close ties with the current enemies of the Republic.

With the Senate in an uproar over Zall's statement, a vital military appropriation bill failed to gather the needed votes for passage earilier in the day. The debate seemed to take a life of its own as the day continued and heated words fired across the Senate floor between supporters and antagonists of Senator Zall. Some antagonists have actually called Senator Zall's record in to question noting that he has logged the least number of hours within the Senate since its moved to Hapes. This issue and others that Senator Zall has created has become a lighting rod of attacks and defenses. The fresh wounds regarding the actions Senator Zall took to help his traitor sister escape and deny the justice of his own people came back to light. Even some off hand comments and a rumored investigation by the Justice Ministry went flying. Most defenders of Senator Zall's statement came from his own fellow Free Worlds Council Senators, though there were some none FWC Senators that did come to the Senator's defense.

The harshest defense and attack on the Varl came from the freshman Senator from Alderaan, “How dare the Varl even pretend to act like they give a damn about the people of Bothawui. What hypocrites! The Varl are at the same level of evil and cruelty as Reich and Dorins!” If the Varl expected any measure of compassion from the newly accepted Republic world, it was not found. “One thing that had always brought me to wonder is WHY the Varl were ever accepted in to the Republic. Based on their history, they should have been treated just like the Reich and the Dorins! If it were not for the Chancellor, the Varl would have stood alone and this debate would have never happened.”

By midday of the explosive debate, emotions were running high and tempers were out of control. A third of the Senate walked out of the Senate out of protest over the debate itself. This left several key bills idol. By late after noon, Varl supporters in the Outer Rim's Tion Cluster threaten to cut off support to FWC worlds who were fighting for survival against the Reich and Dorins. This caused the Shana'duna to cancel six supply convoys that were enrout to Varl space. There was even a bare knuckle fist fight between a pair of Senators which was broken up by one of the Kosh sisters. With the Senate at a complete stand still, it was than that the Chancellor brought order back to the Senate. Transmitting from his flagship while in route to the Front, he demanded order from the Senate and that this issue be put to rest.

Acting through his Emergency Powers Authorization, the Chancellor ousted over three dozen Senators on the grounds that they had failed their oaths to the Senate and were causing harm through their actions. He ordered that the world which had their Senators returned home would hold special elections and send replacements at once. At the top of his list was the long time friend of the Chancellor, Senator Micash Tuil. Senator Tuil was number three in the Chancellor's own party till this event. Now his political future seems much more unclear. There was no mercy to be seen in the Chancellor's face when his heavy hand sealed Senator Tuil's fate within the Republic Senate. A number of Varl Senators as well as FWC Senators were cast out due to their refusal to carry out the duties of the Republic. The Chancellor made it clear that the Republic Senate will act in the best interests of the Republic not within the self serving actions of a few “Hot headed children who don't know when to quit!” With the Senate back on order, the appropriation bill and three other pieces of legislation were also passed.

We are being told that we have an actual copy of the Chancellor's message to the Republic Senate. Yes, we do have it. What you are about to hear and see is the actual message transmitted from the Republic Flagship to the Republic Senate on Hapes. Please standby....

---

The sights and sounds of an uproarious Senate flickered to life in vivid detail. From across the aisles, Senators formed parliamentary battle lines and heckled one another contemptuously. The exact words of the libelous accusations being leveled and the counter-claims that were quickly spat back were drowned out by the unruly cacophony. Suddenly, a contingent of blue-clad Senate guards marched onto the floor, pushing back indignant Senators from the center of the Grand Convocation Chamber. Swinging open massive double doors, the Sergeant at Arms stepped out and stood to the side, his gruff voice reverberating as he shouted out to all, “The Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic!”

A hush fell over the haphazardly assembled Senators and their delegations as they hurried to take their places. All eyes fell on the solitary figure passing through the open doorway. His heavy footfalls echoed through the rotunda as he ascended the podium staircase. A bright light from above illuminated the slight Kel-Dor with an inexplicably imposing presence who was indeed none other than Supreme Chancellor Daz Murl himself.

“Senators!” he called out, lowering the hood of his deep purple and black cloak. “I stand before you now, as ever, to remind you that the Galactic Republic will bring peace to a Galaxy in peril! The Galactic Senate is meant to be a beacon of light. Sadly, some of you have failed to uphold your oaths to your own people and the Republic by acting like hot-headed children who don't know when to quit! It is incumbent on me as Chancellor to ensure that the instigators of this shameful discord which is blatantly contrary to the very foundation the Republic is built upon, are dealt with today so that each world represented here will continue to reap the benefits of freedom, justice, and unity!”

The expression on his reddish-orange face was as that of stone, unreadable beneath his breath mask and dark goggles. “Because they have shown themselves to be derelict in their duty to serve their constituents, and because they have deliberately chosen to put their own self-interests before the fate of the Republic and the Galaxy, those men and women whose names are called will exit the Senate floor and leave the Capital at once, clearing the way for their homeworlds to hold special elections to choose new Senators who will represent their people honorably and responsibly, which is no less than any sentient lifeform deserves.”

From within the folds of his cloak, the Chancellor drew out a datapad before continuing. “The following individuals have proven themselves unfit to be Senators: Micash Tuil!” Gasps and murmurs were heard as the Chancellor named one of his closest allies. The list continued until over three-dozen names were read. One by one, blue guards escorted disgraced Senators and their aides from the floor until the Chancellor had read the last name on the list and put away his datapad.

“As for the matter regarding Senator Xan Zall of the Free Worlds Council,” he began, but paused as several Senators jeered at the mention of the name. “Enough!” the Chancellor insisted, raising a hand with authority. “Yes, I was as concerned as any of you to hear the troubling statements Senator Zall unilaterally made. However, with his exact whereabouts unknown, I would not be at all surprised to learn that those words were coaxed out of him under duress. Senator Zall has done the best he can for the Republic, and we, as its citizens, owe him our thanks for his efforts. Let us pray for his safe return to this very chamber.” he added.

“Now, let us put these petty quarrels behind us! We must move forward. You have your duties, I have mine, and together with the citizens of the Republic we will fight on for a brighter tomorrow!”

---

Powerful words Bothers and Sister, from an equally strong and noble leader. Chancellor Murl has once more taken crisis and met it head on. With him at the helm, the Republic will become the beacon of light that we so badly need it to be. This is Father Produs Swish broadcasting live from the Republic Capital on the world of Hapes. My the Lord's blessing go with each of you and may his light guide our way through these dark hours.

[Akirapryde]

(7.11) The Darkness Which We Face
Master Visst's Quarters
The Republic Marauder
Mid Rim World of Lorta
July 16th 1938

Master Visst set in the center of his quarters in deep meditation. The highly skilled Knight Rose from the Church, Canny, sits across from him. He could feel her struggling over focusing her mind to maintain the set of meditation. He remembered their conversation on the way from Bothanwui to Lorta. He had asked her that if she had considered what they had talked about before. If she had a change of heart or not. Her answer was exactly what he had expected, “No, I have not had a change of heart. I am willing to listen and learn more of what you are willing to teach me. I do not know where the will of the Lord will take me. I do think this is important.” She had explained her feelings to him and why she traveled to him now. She told him that this journey for her could change her life for every or ruin it. But she trusted in her heart and followed it where it led. For Master Visst, following ones emotions seemed dangerous. All too often, he had personally seen the horrors of emotions out of control. She told him of her conversation with her former Master and the story he told to her. She expressed that she saw this as a opportunity to learn and grow as both a person and as a Knight. When he looked at her, he saw more than the Church's Holy Warrior. She was something more than that. In Canny he saw something much more. He could sense her emotions as they flowed through her. Unlike the Sabbat, who suppressed their emotions so completely that some managed to not feel any of them. Canny had been taught to have control over her emotions. She was able to have control over her actions without suppress or ignore her emotions. There was something else to her as well. He had seen this before in another Jedi Master.

Master Falynn Drease had deep emotional ties to Jedi Master Urias Chun. It was these emotional bounds that saved Master Chun from the dark side. The two even bore a child together. A love affair and child which was kept secret from the Jedi Order and the Republic. Master Chun had become a Galactic Hero and Master Drease ended up leaving the Order to save guard her child. In the end, Master Chun gave his life to bring down the Sith Queen Rose Sheridan. But it would not be the last time emotions helped save a Jedi from the path of darkness. There was Biggs Saar and Lysire. It was their emotions which furthered their descent down the path of darkness. But it was Biggs lover for Lysire that helped them both pull back. After talking with Master Saar's personality within the Holocron, he realized how important emotions can play in the live of a Jedi. It was his love for Lysire that helped him become the Jedi leader that he did. It was his compassion for others that helped him guide the Sabbat to being the Order that they are today. While they have taken a much more extreme path in dealing with emotions than Master Saar had wanted, they did follow his core principles about helping those in need. He could see wisdom in a life with emotions that are faced and controlled rather than ignored or suppressed. Canny would offer Master Visst a chance to see first hand what Biggs was talking about. Though he knew that there would be dangers. He would have to ask Master Heartman to watch him carefully to ensure that his own emotions did not take hold of his actions as he had seen in the past.

There were volumes of information he would love to share with Canny, but right now, his heart was centered on a more pressing matter. He centered his mind and focused, “Canny, focus on your breathing. Let it flow and listen to your lungs fill and release the air” he said helping her calm her mind as focus on meditating. As a Knight she was taught to seek calm through prayer. While it was calming, Visst wanted to teach her a method of reaching calm through self meditation and not by seeking divine influence. All her life, she had been trained by the Church to use your connection to the Force to hunt down and combat enemies of the Church. Or at least that is how just about ever member of the Galaxy saw the Church's Order of the Rose. During his time with her, Canny explained to Visst that there were many different groups within the Order of the Rose. That not all of them were the same. She explained how the one that she belonged to were well known within and outside of the Church as being healers as well as warriors. Visst was enlightened by her skill and knowledge with the arts of healing, both through the Force and without it. Master Visst also learned that her group known as the Order of St. John were not as devoted to the idea of killing force users for simply not believing in the Church. He was even more surprised to hear that a small group of Caamasi were part of her Order. They were the only Caamasi that ever actively joined the Church and all were part of the Order of St John.

There was so much more he wanted to know about her and her way of life. It was almost a surprise once more to speak his native language. He couldn't help but smiled when she first spoke to him in it. For the first time in a very long time, he was actually speechless. The moment would become a fond memory despite the life and death struggle the two of them shared on that adventure together. During those ordeals, she earned his respect and trust and he earned hers. The parting was one of the hardest things he had to do. He didn't want to lie to himself, he knew that he had duties and responsibilities here. Still her offer to go with her was temping. Looking back on the past two weeks, he almost wished he had taken her offer. But he couldn't take it. Rather he liked it or not, he was locked in a life or death struggle with Daz Murl. It was a struggle that for the longest time, he refused to accept. With the last shots fired could no longer be ignored. The murder of Knight Murl and the events on Lorta. It was clear that Daz had laid a trap for them and meant for them to be killed. Master knew that had it not been for the keystone of Daz's plan being the insane criminal Mythis Creel, the past two weeks could have been very different. Instead of those around him being dead, it was Daz's own lieutenants who were found dead. All of them had been poisoned by Mr. Creel. While the reasons behind Mythis' betrayal of Daz's plan are still unknown, it was very clear that the poisoning and deaths were meant for them. Mythis Creel was another issue but right now, Master Visst focused it mind on Daz.

He couldn't help but wonder why Daz took the road he did. It was something that bothered Master Visst for a long time. Coming to this time in this universe had it own problems and issues but he never thought that he would see own of those he trusted so much become so dark. There was no part of his mind that was not confused by what Daz had become. Nothing seemed to make sense but still the facts of what was happening was around him. Master Visst could not deny the facts as they were before him. Canny had told him when they were alone in that hotel room, that she had been trained to look only at the fact which she had before her and nothing else. While normally Master Visst would disagree with this philosophy. He could not deny that in the act of digging for better understanding in Daz's actions, he had missed opportunities to oppose Daz's actions. While on Korriban, Master Visst had a chance to even put an end to him once and for all. In hind sight, that act would have saved the life of Knight Murl. Once more another fact which was resting heavily on Visst's shoulder. Her life was not just ended, it was ripped from her in such a way that he knew she would not rejoin with the Force. He sensed that her death was so traumatic that the suffering echoed in her long dead body. 'Was it that echo that Mythis discovered which caused him to turn on Daz's plan?' Master Visst question. His thoughts wondered to the Jedi Knight that Daz had murdered. She was a promising Jedi that gave of herself. Instead of going with the rest of her people in to hiding, she decided to lead a small group of healers. They set out to bring comfort to those suffering from the war. 'Truly a needless killing' Master Visst thought.

His eyes shot open as if he realized something critical, “Non magis acus occidentiae” Master Visst said softly as his looked up.

“No more needles killings” Lysire said softly to him. She was dressed in her traditional royal blue Jedi Hunter uniform. Her half cloak hung low and covered her crossed legs as she set across from him. He noticed that her lightsaber was this attached to her belt. He also knew that everything he saw was only a figment of his imagination. Even though she was not real to him, she still welded powers that he was only starting to understand and cope with.

Visst noticed that it was only he and the entity known as Lysire. “you came” he said more as a statement than a question. He knew that she would come. It was one of the things that he actually learned to appreciate, her ability to be there when he needed a higher understanding of what was going on around him. “Was that you?” he asked if she had influenced Mythis Creel.

She shook her head, “No, Master Visst.” she answered plainly. “I have not had any contact with your group.” Her answers were truthful but that didn't make much difference to Master Visst as he knew her words were chosen very carefully. She did add, “Though a Council of Me had visited a member of your group recently. That visit was sanctioned by the Council.”

Master Visst nodded his head in understanding, “Sha?” Lysire nodded her head. He had his suspicions as to way that visit took place. “There is something I need to ask of you.” Master Visst paused to collect his thoughts as she nodded once more for him to continue, “Creel left us a message. He told one of his victims that 'it started in the escape pod'. I know this message is linked to Daz and his fall to the dark side. But there is something I am missing. I can not see through the clouds of darkness to see it. Can you please help?”

As Master Visst's eyes blinked, Lysire went from a sitting position to a standing position. “Each crime has a point in which all actions can be linked. A break point so to speak. The crime before you is not that of Daz Murl.” she said as she waved her arm over the space before them and the walls of Visst's quarters melted away. Visst could see they were on another ship and it was in hyperspace. The first thing he noticed was that they were standing in the center of a great Church. There was yelling and screaming and Visst could easily make out the smaller form of Daz. He was in an argument with a high ranking Priest of some kind. From the flanks unseen by Daz were Knight Roses slowly closing the gap on Daz. Visst went to call out a warning to Daz but stopped himself. His reaction happened as his mind wrap its self around that this was only an illusion. Lysire's powers could bind his reality to be what ever she wanted him to see. Master Visst knew that these events had happened, but they happened years ago. Master Visst sighed as he lowered his hand and watched the argument. He knew that Daz didn't know when to stop or walk away. He had always been too eager to argue with those around him. Master Visst made a effort to think of a time when Daz's eagerness to argue helped them. He shook his head as the verbal argument turned more heated and then to conflict. Daz was out numbered and based off of what Canny explained to him, Daz was out matched by the Knight Roses.

Still, true to Daz's own fashion, Daz fought with honor and pride. Even if it was a losing battle. It was something Master Visst had forgotten that he liked about Daz. That no matter the odds, Daz was still brave at heart. Even if not wise of mind at the time, Daz was still brave. Master Visst watched as Daz and his beloved dog like creature, Kell, fought side by side against the odds. It was Kell that fell first to the Knight Roses. Daz let out a scream of anguish as Kell's body fell to the floor of the Church. Daz fought a bit longer but with the odds even harder against him, it was only a matter of time. With a blow to the back of Daz's neck, he fell right next to the body of Kell. Master Visst couldn't help but noticed Daz's arm which laid across Kell's body as if both were merely sleeping. Master Visst knew that Kell was dead and Daz wasn't. The Priest walked up and knelled next to Daz and picked up Daz's lightsaber. “This will be the last time you will ever defy our Church” the Priest said as he activated the lightsaber and its beam burned through Daz's chest. Master Visst grabbed his own chest as he felt the pain. Daz was near death and Master Visst could feel the heart of Daz beating ever so slowly with each new beat. “Take this garbage of this ship!” the Priest said as he slowly stood up and added, “We will inform the galaxy that the Sabbat murdered him and his lover while they slept.” the man said coldly as he looked down at Daz's face, “Your Republic will be born. Under the soft guidance of the Church and through the hand of God. Not through your ways of blasphemy.” he waved his hand to the Knight Roses, “Go now, before anyone finds out what happened here. GO!”

Master Visst and Lysire didn't have to move as the scene just changed around them. The scene of the Church shifted away as the corridors of the ship took its place. The Knights were dragging Daz while he slowly slipped from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Out of no where came Swip's attack. Master Visst could sense the rage and pain in her heart. There was no level of pain that Master Visst could relate to, which he sensed in her. She moved through the Knights as a true Weapon's Master could have. Anger drove her actions and her refusal to let go drove her deeper in to the dark side. It was in that moment that Visst realized what he had been sensing all along. It was the darkness within Swip that confused what he saw. Her darkness ran much deeper than he had ever imagined. As the last Knight fell before Swip's rage, she rushed to Daz's body. His life was hanging in the balance. She tried to summon up the light side to heal him, but her own dark tainting made that all but impossible. She let out a cry as she reached out with the dark side of the Force. In that second Master Visst watched the blood from the fallen Knights sweep from their bodies and hover over Daz's own body.

It was nothing short of a Blood Ritual in action. The Darkness flowed about the corridor as Swip channeled all of her emotions in to this dark act. Just as Daz's spirit was slipping from the body and starting to make its journey to the Force, Swip's actions barred it from leaving the body. The blood spun over head releasing the energy of the spirits which belonged to the Knights. Swip channeled that energy in to Daz's body. Master Visst recognized some of what Swip was saying and understand that she was using some kind of holding power over Daz's energy. “Her own skills and abilities do not match what is needed to restore life. She is gifted, but not as knowledgeable as she needs to be to finish what she is starting.” Lysire said as she explained what Swip was attempting to do.

Before Swip could finish her ritual, voices came from down the Corridor, “STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” yelled a Knight as he rushed towards Swip with his sword ready to cut her down.

She actually hissed at him as she waved her hand in his direction. Powerful shards of blood crystals fired from the pool of blood above her. The shards hit the Knight knocking him back and off his feet. Her time was running out and the look on her face told this truth. She reached down and pulled on Daz's shoulders. She painfully dragged him from the corridor to an escape pod. The sounds of more Knights closing echoed down the Corridor. Just as she was about to get away a Knight lunged at her. “Don't let the witch escape!” one yelled as the two battled. Swip fought back the Knight with blind fury. The two fought in the access of the escape pod while the others tried to force her back on to the ship. They were yelling out warnings of her darkness and that her evil had to be stopped. It was a life or death struggle that would create a future that could be completely different depending on which side won. In the end, it was Swip who killed Knight by calling on the Dark side of the Force. Even with all of its powers, the Blood rituals that she casts freely troubled Master Visst. Swip fell back in to the escape pod with the man's sword. She kicked the button to trigger the pod. It rocked from the ship, but she was not out of trouble yet.

Once more the scene shifted and Master Visst and Lysire were right there in the pod with Swip and the body of Daz Murl. Master Visst could feel the pure spirit of Daz trapped in the dead vessel that was once his body. Swip's ritual had summoned back the spirit, but Lysire was right. Swip lacked the ability to finish what she started. Daz's spirit was dying within the vessel and Swip could feel it as well. She cried out as she tried everything to bring life back to the lifeless. Nothing that she knew would work. She could undo her ritual and let Daz go, but she couldn't let him go. She cried out once more, this time through the Force. “I know you can hear me. You possessed me before! Invaded my body and nearly killed me. NOW I SUMMON YOU!” She yelled out through the Force. Her mind filled with rage and her heart filled with pain. Even though the summoning took time, Master Visst knew that any darksider could have felt her calling. So it was not a surprise when Makarov arrived.

“Oh little one, it would appear that your love has passed away” Makarov said coldly about Daz's condition.

“SAVE HIM!” she demanded.

“I can not, but someone can” Makarov explained, “But the cost will be high little one”

She cut him off, “I don't care of the cost. SAVE HIM!”

“You will care of the cost.” He threatened, “Very well open the hatch to the pod. Someone wishes to meet you.”

Visst could feel the darkness around them. There was something common about this darkness. He had felt it before. He turned to Lysire, “Lord Murl is Ascended!”

Lysire nodded, “We knew this a long time ago. It was the reason why you were brought here. Since our first contact with him, he has found a way to hide himself from us. We can not oppose him unless he exposes himself to us once more.”

“Were you going to tell us of this threat” Master Visst asked.

She nodded, “When the time was right and you were ready to know” She motioned back to the scene as Swip pulled Daz's body from the pod. Instead of floating in space, the pod now rested on the deck of some large ship. A side from Swip, Daz and Makarov, Master Visst could not sense any other life forms on the ship. He knew that Lord Murl was near but could not locate him. “He has grown very clever in the use of his powers. We did not notice his ascension till it was too late to stop him. When we moved to tomorrow and attempted to stop him there, he had planned for this and protected his real self.”

Master Visst's comment was interrupted by the voice of Lord Murl, “I can do what you ask. But there is a price you will pay to Makarov. When it is the time of my choosing, we will collect your energy and you shall be no more.”

Swip looked down at Daz, “Will he survive and see his dream of rebuilding the Republic come true?”

Lord Murl's voice was cold and filled with hate, “Yes, he will survive and he will build the most powerful Republic that has ever stretched its hands across the galaxy.” There was an eerie red glow about Daz as a small orb that seemed to pulsate with a blackish red glow hovered ever so closer to Daz's body. “As the days pass, he will grow in power and influence. He will bring the Galaxy to its knees and raise the most powerful empire there ever was. Not even the great Sith would be able to challenge it.” The orb hovered over Daz's body. It was clear to Master Visst that the Orb was nothing less then a part of Lord Murl. Much the same way Lysire had split herself in to parts, this is very similar. Unlike Lysire where each of her splits share the equal parts of the whole, This was much smaller and weaker than the whole. “He will be unaware of this, but I will always be in his thoughts and actions” The orb of light passed in to Daz's chest. Daz's body reacted instantly as he grasped for air.

The moment of darkness had descended upon Daz Murl. The light that had once made the man who he was, was for ever diminished. Darkness flowed through his body bringing to life the body and imprisoning the very soul that Swip loved so deeply. There was no more good inside Daz, no more light. Only the darkness that gave him life. Only the touch of Lord Murl which had imprisoned the spirit. For all of his missteps and flirting with darkside, this was never what Daz had ever wanted. This was nothing Daz ever wanted. Swip held Daz close as the body once more took in breaths, “Wait” she said sensing his darkness within. “Visst and the others will never accept Daz now. They will kill him. I know it, I have seen it before with another one who was close to them. They will never allow Daz to survive.”

Daz reached up and touched Swip's face. The action caught her by surprise as she turned and looked down at him. His voice was that of Lord Murl's, “Do not fear that. The others will sense nothing till I am ready for them to sense it” he said coldly. Master Visst could sense so much darkness in Daz that it was not avoidable. However, with that statement said the darkness faded to a point where even Master Visst realized what had happened. Daz turned to where Makarov was hovering about, “The ship must never reach its destination. Ensure this”

Makarov's voice was cold, “Yes My Lord.” As soon as the statement was made, the presence of Makarov was gone.

Swip helped the possessed Daz to his feet. She looked closely in to his eyes, “Are you still there?” she asked.

Daz's voice returned to normal, “What a strange question. Where else would I be?”

Swip nodded, “Come we have to get back in the pod.” She guided a very confused Daz back in to the pod.

Lysire turned to Master Visst who said, “All this time and you knew.”

Lysire nodded, “Yes”

Master Visst felt betrayed over the secret, “Why didn't you tell us?” he looked back as the ship started to fade and all that remained was the life pod, “Why didn't you warn us?”

“Because you were not ready to face Lord Murl” Lysire explained. “If you went after him too soon, he would have destroyed you. We would have to begin a new.”

Master Visst turned and looked over the vast reaches of space. He knew, “I was not the first.”

“No, you were not” she looked at him in surprise, “you can feel the echoes”

He nodded, “Yes, it was Master Damaya Weirn.”

Once more Lysire nodded, “Yes. Lord Murl had grown too powerful for the forces of your realm to contain. We contacted Master Weirn and sought her help. We gave her the full training that we had received. But we had forgotten something.”

He nodded, “The second scroll.”

She nodded again, “Yes. Within it are the secrets that can undo what Lord Murl had done. Because of what we are missing, we lost sight of it. We feared it was lost forever. That was till you found it once more. With the knowledge you have from the first scroll, and soon from the second scroll, you will be able to defeat Lord Murl.”

Master Visst turned to her, “Why can't you do it? He is after all, in your realm. This should be a issue for the Council of Me”

There was a hint of sadness in her eyes, “There was once six on the Council of Me. Lysire was bold and filled with courage. When Lord Murl first made his showing, she was the only one of us that could hunt him down. We did not realize at the time in dividing us, we divided our power as well. When she was destroyed, our powers were forever limited against his. But that did not mean we were powerless to oppose him. When Damaya Weirn was ready, we added her in her battle against him. She was able to weaken him greatly, but the cost to her was near complete. The Council ruled that she should not be asked to give all to this cause. We pulled her before he could destroy her liked he had Lysire.”

He looked back away from her and thought hard, “Now what? When do we stop him?”

She shifted her gaze to the stars, “when you are ready to defeat him. Your learning even now, but not strong enough to oppose this darkness you are.” She said softly than shifted her stance to look at his small frame, “Not yet, but soon.”

He nodded his understanding, “I remember seeing a crystal for a lightsaber, it is meant for Angel I feel, but it is incomplete, will you tell me what the process for uniting the pieces is”

She nodded, “A beacon of light created by the teacher to oppose the creature you know as the Chaos Creature. Bring the pieces together” she said pulling her own lightsaber and hovered it before them. Slowly it came apart, “Much the same way we were all taught as padawans to give our own life to the crystals, as such she must imbue the crystal with her own life.” Lysire's crystal spun and pulsated with life as she spoke. “This way, both crystal and Jedi will become one of heart. The Crystal is not mindless, it will rebel against the darkness that tries to yield it. It will only choose those of pure hearts.”

Visst watched Lysire bring her own lightsaber back together. “I think I have found a way to finally help you to rest. Is there anything you feel you should share before you go?”

She looked out over the galaxy, “When we leave here and go beyond the great boundary, we will wait for you. When you are ready to make the same journey, we will great you. For us, it has been too long of a journey. We miss the company of others. We miss not knowing what will happen yesterday. We miss surprises.” she turned to him with a very serous face, “never under appreciate surprises.”

Master Visst looked up from his meditation and saw Canny still meditating. Her mind had found a place where it could be calm. He could sense her feelings and knew she was at a state of peace. He had only known her for such a short time but he was sure that she was honest in her desire to learn and pursue a new view point on the churches harsh convictions. His movements caused her to look up at him. He nodded to her as he moved for the dresser. She asked, “are we going somewhere?”

He nodded, “Yes” he replied in his native language. “There is much more I need to learn for my final battle.” He saw the scroll and picked it up. He carefully placed it in his cloak, “But first we need to free an old friend.” There was no more conversations to be had. Their course was set and it was time for them to set sail for points unknown.

[Akirapryde]

(7.12) A Rose by any other name..... (Part One)
The Departure Bay
The Republic Marauder
Mid Rim World of Lorta
July 18th 1938

The departure bay had been originally designed to hold a pair of long range shuttles. From these shuttles, covert missions against the Jedi or other force users would be carried out. This large and roomy hanger bay plus training grounds was designed to ensure that maximum efficiency was given to planning, staging and carrying out missions. All true to the operations of the Crusade as a whole to maximize efficiency during operations. It was this concept which made the Crusade one of the most dangerous forces of the Old Republic days. High above the main wall of the bay, written across the wall in bold letters, "Strike Fast from the Shadows, Strike True and Deadly, Fade Back to the Shadows" the motto of the Crusade's most deadly weapons, the Shadow Stalkers. These Shadow Stalkers were the elite soldiers of the Crusade and it was a very rare thing that someone would survive meeting a Shadow Stalker.

Today the Departure Bay has become the base of Operations for the Marauder's Marine Detachment, the 58th Marine Detachment. Below and slightly to the left of the large Motto has been painted the Coat of Arms for the 58th Marine. Over the months a debate has raged within the 58th regarding the Republic. There were those who saw the Republic as the next logical step to unifying the galaxy. Then there were those who saw the Republic as the end of the Free Worlds Council. This debate just about split this elite unit. However like good soldiers, both sides realized the strategic importance of the Republic. Both sides could not deny that the Republic was the best chance the Galaxy had of defeating the Reich and her allies. The ends would justify the means for those who opposed the Republic. For everyone within the 58th, the drive to defeat the Reich and liberate their worlds was a single largest goal they all shared. As a show of solidarity to this goal, they elected to paint a large symbol of the Republic right next to their own Coat of Arms. To outsiders, the two might appear to be the influence of the party, the ship's crew or the Marine leadership. This couldn't be furthest from the truth. The debate, the solution and the painting was all carried out by the enlisted of the unit. Captain Zur had ordered his officers to remain out of the debate.

At eye level hung a freshly created wooden plaque. On the upper right hand corner stood a shadowy soldier over looking a long forgotten battle field. The plaque had been crafted by the hands of the very soldiers who eye it today. The design was selected by vote within the unit. The unit had decided to go with the shadowy soldier figure with no identifying features. The large plaque had more then enough room for hundreds of names. However for the time being, there were only five names on it. Each name had its only brass plate with a symbol of their rank and their job on either side of their name. Currently the name of the five Marines who were lost during the mission to Bothuwia were placed upon the plaque. It was the first combat losses the unit had faced since they were formed just over a year. No one expects those to be the last set of name to be added. The plaque holds as a reminder of who has come and who fell in the name of freedom for the Galaxy. It is a place of honor aboard the ship that few want but all expect to be there at one point in time. Still, they train and wait for that moment when they will be called upon to defend what they stand for. It is this reason why the debate between pro-Republic and anti-Republic had been ended. The mission at hand is to defeat the Reich and her allies. Secure peace and a future for their people. Then they can debate the Republic.

This morning the Departure Bay, like always is a hive of activity as small units prepare for their day filled with training or other duties. Because the ship is landed on Lorta, Captain Marrab has allowed the large loading ramp to be lowered. This gave the Marines much needed space to train and stretch their legs. A platoon of Marines were running up the ramp after a rather long run as Sha walked on to the Deck. As the small unit of Marines ran by Sha, she noticed that they dipped their platoon colors out of respect for her. There was a strong bond between the group and the Marines, this was easily detected by Sha. It was this respect which is why Sha had made plans to speak with Captain Marrab regarding Xan's announcement yesterday. There was so much going on within the party, Sha had almost forgotten that the Marines and the Crew of the Marauder were the main support for the party to achieve their goals. Sha looked around and felt a sense of respect from these professional soldiers. However, she was not here looking for them. She was actually looking for Rose. Sha had went to Rose's room to talk to her before the mission, but had missed her. Rose's next door neighbor told Sha that Rose had gone to the Departure Bay to prepare for the mission. Sha continued to search the large bay as she recalled what happened yesterday.

Yesterday's meeting didn't start out as well as Sha had envisioned. Still in the end, the results were much better than Sha had hoped for. Still Rose had stormed out of the meeting without hearing the best part of the meeting. Even Sha had left the meeting in the middle to have a personal heart to heart between Sha and Rose. The conversation had helped Sha realize something about the group and about Rose as a person. There were still concerns regarding the infiltrator, but Sha also saw a woman in pain and lost. She had hoped that Rose had learned something from the conversation as well. She had not been able to see Rose after the meeting as Rose had pulled one of her disappearing acts. So Sha figured that she would speak with Rose in the morning. This was the reason why Sha found herself in the Departure Bay. There was something about being among these soldiers. Something about the meeting yesterday. Sha had been alone before, she had served with others. But this was most likely the very first time that Sha actually felt like she was among family since THAT DAY. She paused to look at the plaque on the wall. She knew those Marines who had died. Their faces echoed in her memory. These were her brothers and sisters that would never come home. It was a very humbling experience for Sha. It was the first time she actually felt like she was part of something much larger than who she was.

Sha turned from the plaque to continue her search for Rose. She wanted to speak with her and let Rose know that the party had decided to go with her idea for leadership. She wanted to just touch base with Rose. Sha almost didn't want to admit it but she wanted to make sure that Rose was okay before departing on this mission. Sha couldn't explain the feeling that she was experiencing but wondered if this is how her former mentor and commander felt for her troops. Shas continued to walk across the large bay and saw Angels pink camouflaged fighter. The sight actually made Sha pause in mid stride. The fighter was actually painted in different shades of pink all within some strange pattern to give it a camouflaged appearance. Above the fighter in a gantry hung a matching Hyperspace Ring. Sha looked a bit closer and saw a chain around the landing strut of the fighter. “Is that a gold chain!?” She asked out loud. A near by Marine confirmed the sight. It was indeed a golden chain and if anyone dared to take it, the fighter would blast them. The Marine even pointed out a pair of matching studs on the Hyperspace Ring. He explained that the fighter's droid demanded the 'bling'. Sha looked in disbelief at the outrageous appearing fighter. Shaking her head she continued to search for Rose. “I have seen it all now” Sha said softly as she walked away from the fighter.

Sha was starting to feel as if she had missed Rose all toghter. She did however notice Captain Breen, the Marine XO. She knew that if anyone would know where she was, he would. Sha started to cross the Bay towards him. She couldn't help but notice the missing Assault Shuttle which had been destroyed during the last mission. She walked passed where the shuttle would normally be staged. There was actually a sense of longing in her heart as the mission echoed in her mind. Sha realized in that moment that she was starting to see things through the eyes of a commander. With each new moment passes, she felt herself looking at things differently. Her mind had started to expand and take on the role of leader. 'Was this what Rose saw in me?' Sha thought carefully as she closed on the Marine XO and two of his Marines. It was clear that they were getting ready for some mission. She saw that they were packing weapons and civilian clothing. She took noticed of the X-45 rifle and its powerful scope. She also noticed the three heavy slug thrower assault rifles. They were decking out for action. Her instincts told her that this was not some training mission. “Excuse me Captain Breen, I am looking for Rose. Have you seen her?”

The human Captain Breen smiled as he nodded. Captain Breen was no stranger to Sha. She had trained with the Marines to help keep her skills sharp and ready during down time. She found the man to be honorable and respectful. She also noted that he loved his troops as if they were his own children. She knew that he was forth generation FWC Marine and loved the Corps. Though she could never really cut through his strong and thick accent. “Yes Ma'am” he said with his thick accent. “You found her team” He added while motioning to the other two Marines as well as himself. The other two marines were also human. From the looks of it, both were equally well trained as their Captain. Clearly hand picked for this mission. A fact that did not go unnoticed by Sha. She wondered why such a detail had become so clear to her now.

Still, Sha looked confused, “Team? I thought she was going this mission alone?” Sha was surprised but not upset over the change of mission details. Sha had voiced her opinion to Rose the night before regarding the idea of Rose going off on her own without any kind of back up. Sha didn't like the idea of Rose being on her on behind enemy lines at all. 'Had Rose actually change her mind' Sha questioned in the back of her mind.

The two other Marines smiled as the Captain laughed, “Oh so did she! However the last time she went out on one of those missions of ya'lls, she got roughed up pretty badly. Yeah, sure the wounds were all well on their way to being healed, but it was clear what happened. She got jumped by a group and couldn't defend herself. So, I talked to the Captain, see'n how her boss couldn't be bothered nor even noticed what happened to her. The Captain, see, he agreed with me. So next time she was to go out on one of ya'lls missions. She'd have a Marine escort, rather she liked it or not.”

As he explained Sha thought, 'Ah......yeah sure that didn't go over very well' She was actually grateful that someone else had to fight that battle with Rose. It was something she didn't look forward to. Still she was happy that Rose had someone watching her back.

The Captain continued, “She's not all to happy with it. Boy, she is an ornery little lady. But she finally gave in to reason. At first we were going to take a full team of fifteen. You should have seen the fireworks. She was not happy with that at all. She finally demanded only the minimum needed. I said I could protect her with three.” He glanced to the two Marines, “I meant three plus me but that little girl held her ground and held me to the number three. I tell you, I would rather charge a nest of pissed off pirates than argue with her again. I gave in to me and two others. I don't think either of us are happy with this but I think its the best both of us can hope for. She ain't leaving this ship without a Marine escort, not over my dead body. She doesn't need to be so deep behind enemy lines with no help in sight. And my boys and I will stay out of sight till if and when she needs us. Don't worry your little cold blooded heart. We will bring that ornery little girl home alive. I promise you that”

Sha nodded as she listened carefully. She knew Rose was stubborn and most likely had put up a strong argument against the added protection. Still for this strange speaking human to get her to compromise meant there was more between them than met the eye. Maybe he knew more about that happened on that last mission that Rose didn't want to talk about. “Do you know what happened on her last mission” Sha thought of the little she actually knew about what Rose did for Xan. She added, “Where and when did this mission take place?” Sha had thought something happened but didn't have a clue what that could have been. With his report that she had been beaten and or some how injured, this added more to the mystery.

He motioned for the two Marines next to him to head out. They picked up their bags and turned to walk away. Neither said a word out of respect for their beloved Captain. Once they were out of ear shot, the Captain shook his head, “No Ma'am, I don't know what happened on that mission. But I do know that it took place on the world of Byssi just less then eight weeks ago. She didn't talk about it at all. Her loyalty runs very deep, but Rose is also a very private person even once you get to know her. Sure she will talk ya'lls ear off about who she was. Some dark and evil woman, but that was a long time ago. Good luck getting her to talk about who she is now. When she came back from that mission, I really didn't know anything about her other than she worked for that Senator Zall. That night I was called to the Canteen because they thought one of mine had gotten in to trouble. Instead of calling ships security, they called me. Tell you what, that girl got the shit kicked out of her. I don't care what she claims, she got the shit kicked out of her. I knew that it was a female so I brought one of my female Corpsman with me. When I saw who it was, I almost walked away. But something stopped me. I treated her like my own. I paid for the damages and made sure that no one on the ship would report what happened. Sorry Ma'am but some things just need to be left be.”

He looked genuine in his concern of the moment and that this event should remain off the record. “You see Ma'am, I have a good friendship with the ship's XO. I tell him the truth and he makes sure things like this stay off the record.”

Sha couldn't help herself, “I understand discretion and you probably definitely thought in the best interest of Rose. I suppose things could have been worse but not by much from what it sounds like.”

He shook his head, “Ma'am no disrespect to you or ya'lls friends, but don't you think that if she wanted you to know she would have told you?” Sha couldn't deny the good point he raised, “To Rose, what others see in her is more important to her than what is actually there. Or at least that is what she believes. It ain't true, mind you. Trust me, that girls heart is all kinds of in the right place. She just doesn't want to see that. My Corpsman and I carried her back to her room and we stayed with her the entire night. That was when we found the bruises. A few cracked ribs and such. The entire time, she kept apologizing for some kind of wrong. Poor girl was too drunk to realize where she was. It didn't take us long to realize that she was apologizing for wrongs done a long time ago. That was pretty much how the night went for all three of us.”

He looked down as he thought, “the next day she found me training with my platoon. She wanted to learn more about personal combat and how to defend herself. Oh sure she has all these memories of her past life. But these memories didn't really give her the skill she needed to fight the kind of battle that led to her kicking the shit kicked out of her. Two times a day, we would train that little girl. In the morning with my platoon, we would push her to her very limits. During the evenings I would push her past those limits. There were days she would lay on the ground crying. I asked her once why she would put herself through this. She said that she couldn't stay here pushing papers for Zall. She begged me to push her further, so I did. Two months of talking with her, all I know is that what ever happened on that mission really bothered her and nearly shattered her confidence.”

Sha continued to take notes of the party's go to person for intel, “Listen, Rose seems so strong on the outside. That is her mask, her weakness in here” he said motioning to his own heart. “There are them demons eat'n her up on the inside. I heard of all she said she had done and this whole cloning thing just doesn't sit with me all that well. Look, I don't pretend to be so smart like you guys. I see that women here and now. These things of yesterday, well hell they just confuse me. The woman I see here ain't the woman she claimed she used to be. But she ain't up for believing that. Not right now, that is. What she does for ya'll it is down right incredible. I got in to Zall's office and read some of her mission reports. If we had her working for us, I bet those damn Reich boys would have never surprised us. I know she loves ya'll. She talks about ya'll allot. She looks up to ya'll so damn much. But them damn demons never let her go. They wont let her be who she is”

He looked down, “we all wear our scares. Some on the inside, other much deeper. I can not say I know your level of suffering or hers. My father and brothers were rescued by you and your friends. They were part of Convoy 92. It was attacked by Reich ships. You and your friends came to the rescue. If not for you guys, I would have lost everything. Just cause I don't know the suffering first hand, doesn't mean I can't see it. her suffering comes from within. So damn deep” He explained as he looked up, “those demons will not let go of her till she is ready to let them go. I guess she is just not ready to forgive herself for whatever the hell that other person did” he explained.

Sha listened carefully and understood all of what the man was saying. She too had seen signs of those ghosts which haunt Rose's memories. Everything the man said was true and she knew it. Sha knew that Rose was facing demons of the kind that even she could barely understand. Sha just didn't know how to help her with them. “I think this mission will be a very good thing for Rose. I think she needs to be more active rather then pushing papers. Xan can do that.” Sha knew well enough that if one's mind wasn't right, then those around them were at risk. Mental health was a very real concern in Rose's case. Last night had more than proved this fact. Sha also knew that remaining idol could spell an even greater risk to the person.

Captain Breen shook his head. “Yes ma'am, I agree. If she says idle, then I have seen what those demons can do. They eat at her mind and heart while her guilt continues to grows. Yes, she needs this mission more than any might think. It gives her purpose and meaning. It will allow her to face her fears and will help rebuild her confidence. What took that confidence was out there, not here. She needs to face this thing. Trust me, I have been working with her closely. She's ready for this. Once she gets her confidence back, than she can go back to facing those demons of her's. No Ma'am, what worries me is those demons of hers, not this mission.” There was a sense of grave serous in his eyes. “Like I said Ma'am, she just doesn't want to let those demons go, yet. She needs to prove to herself that she is worth forgiveness, or those demons will never leave her be.”

Sha believed that Captain Breen had more wisdom then brains but she thought that was perfect. “I can't do anything about her demons. I hope you can keep an eye out for her.”

His motioned cut Sha off in mid thought as he pointed to the direction of where Rose was coming from. Sha could tell that Rose had recently washed her face and brushed her hair. Sha could tell by the scent that Rose had recently vomited. “I won't stop this mission, but make sure you keep an eye out for one another.”

He smiled back to her, “Ma'am, I promise that little lady will come home. She has like kin to us Marines. We always take care of kin, Ma'am. We will take good care of her out there. But what she faces inside. Well that is up to her and her alone.”

Rose walked up with a sly smile on her face, “Are we ready to leave Captain Babysitter?” She said playfully. She turned to Sha with a wink and a smile. It was clear to Sha that Rose was covering something up through her demenor. What it was, Sha was unsure.

He laughed at the statement, “Yes Ma'am we are ready. Even packed extra diapers. And some boom boom sticks” he said as her motioned to rifles on the soldiers back.

Rose rolled her eyes at the statement which was tossed back at her. “Captain, a moment alone please” she said softly.

Captain Breen nodded as he turned to Sha, “Please remember what I told you.” He looked to Rose once more, “We are wheels up in ten minutes Ma'am. Oh and I already picked the in flight move.” He said with a smile and walked away.

Rose glared back at him, “We are not watching some bull shit red neck movie! SO HELP ME!”

Sha chuckled slightly “He sounds like a lot of fun, I hope you enjoy the in flight movie.”

Rose laughed, “when we got back from Bothawui, the Marines and I did a over night training up in the Heights. All night Sha...ALL NIGHT hillbilly songs. Oh My God!” There was clearly no signs of anger nor resentment from the statement. Only simple humor, something Sha was glad to see.

Sha looked at Rose's bags and noticed a few of them from her room last night. “I'm glad, your mood seems much better, and I wanted to catch you before you left. I thought you might like to know what took place after I returned to the meeting. Everyone was surprised when I came back, but wanted to make sure that all that hard work didn't go to waste. It seems that everyone agrees and looks forward to the coming leadership, thanks to you. Oh and before you leave did you happen to find anything on the video?”

Rose smiled at the comment, “Thanks Sha. It does mean allot to me, to know that I can contribute to the party. I have not looked at the data chip. But I promise, I will look at it during the flight. This way” she yelled the rest of the statement to Captain Breen who was across the bay, “GO INSANE FROM HILL BILLY MOVIES!” the two Marines standing with the Captain started to laugh at the statement. “Once I find anything, I will let you know.” There was a smile on Rose's face though it turned to surprise. She gave a slight burp which had that tell tail scent of vomit on it. “One reason why I will be glad to be away from here. I don't care how good you say he cooks, the food here as really taken a dive.” Rose explained covering her mouth.

“I've never had the food here, I could never trust someone else to handle my food, I suppose I have too much instinct to change that” said Sha.

Rose almost laughed if not for the clear sign that she was in discomfort by the odor on her breath, “Be grateful Sha. I used to love the cooking aboard. I don't know why I can't stomach it anymore.” Rose took a deep breath as she turned to Sha. “I am sorry Sha. But This food has not set well for me lately.” She took out a breath freshener and popped it in her mouth. “Look, I was doing some thinking late last night. I had a chance to be where you and the others are right now. I blew that chance because I fell for greed of power. Looking back, I can not believe how far I had fallen in to darkness. But now, I am lucky enough to have a chance to make up for those mistakes. To help you guys do what you have to do. I don't think many people ever get this chance that I have now. I can not tell you how grateful I am to just be here now free from the darkness and able to live free again. But what you guys have given me. That is like wow!” she said. Sha had heard Rose talk before and even heard her speak truthfully. But this was the first time Sha ever realized Rose was speaking straight from the heart. In this moment, Sha knew what Rose was saying was nothing short of Rose's heart speaking. “don't ever forget how grateful I am to be a part of all of this.”

This level of honesty was uncommon for Sha. She was still a bit confused over what Rose was talking about. “Be part of what Rose? What are you talking about?”

Rose smiled as she laid a hand softly on Sha's torso. Her voice filled with pride and courage as it lowered, “Being among heroes.” In that moment, Sha felt something that she never felt before. She couldn't explain it, and worse yet, it almost brought a tear to her eye. In that moment, Sha felt something that she never imagined. She felt that level of respect that is powered by the kind of love that comes only from family. For that moment Sha felt once more at home.

[Akirapryde]

(7.13) A Rose by any other name..... (Part Two)
Night Club, Mich
Southern City of Sish'Quish
Colonies World of Byssi
July 23rd 1938

Encode Mission Update for Upload

Recipients: Captain Jaastal Zur, Captain Marrab, Lut Sha, Makaw Y'drit

Already Ladies, The Sitter is in position. Comm Check!
Vics is in position within the club, by the fire place. I do not have eyes on the baby. No sight of targets either.
Reosh is in the pipe, five by five. I have clear sight on the baby. We are moving north east towards the club on foot. No sight of the targets
Reosh, I have you in my sights, you are following too close. Fall back about ten more meters. Give the baby some space. I have sight on the baby as well. That is not the outfit that we agreed on. Reosh?
Understood, falling back ten meters. Oh, sure blame me. Vics gave the idea about the damn bells. I was not about to argue with her again.

The City of Sish'Quish had always been the culture heart of Byssi. Long before the Free Worlds Council took shape, Sish'Quish was the destination for thousands of artists and musicians. With the fall of the Free Worlds Council and the Reich Occupation, the City has actually exploded with a flood of Core World visitors looking to expand their own knowledge and share their wisdom. Even though the Reich's 101st Infantry Division was stationed just outside of the city limits, this has not stopped both Core World visitors and others from coming to the city. Every once in a while, the heartbeat of the city is brought to a pause by conflict between the 101st and local rebel forces. The treaty fostered by Senator Xan and the Reich Governor of Byssi still holds. But tensions are still very high between locals and occupiers. Though, one could never tell this by using Sish'Quish as the standard. Walking its narrow streets and passing through its open air markets, one could never tell that there ever was a war on Byssi. This is thanks to the wisdom of the Commander of the 101st. He worked out a deal with the local authorities which allowed them to police their own limits. As long as peace was maintained, they would remain outside of the city limits. A concept that seems to have spared Sish'Quish the harsh destruction that much of the planet has seen already.

Another benefit to this arrangement was the influx of new business to Sish'Quish. One such new arrival was the Club Mich, owned and operated by Steve "Sic" Evans van der Harten, more commonly known as Sic. Sic had opened his club in hopes of bringing Core World culture to Byssi and to the heartland of the FWC. This was no easy task for Sic as he was already on a special watch list due to his political views and social activism. Despite his negative record back in the Reich, Sic was also very popular among the youth and young adults due to his musical talents. When he arrived on Byssi four months ago with plans to open up a club, he was visited by several members of the Secret Police. Thanks to his contacts within the Estates General, he was allowed special permission to open his club as long as he didn't violate any laws. Getting the Club to officially open was even more difficult than getting the special permission. The local authorities didn't wish to risk their special relationship with the 101st due to Sic's actions. For weeks they blocked his attempts to build his club. Finally, he was able to convince all of his critics that sharing the Core Worlds Heritage with the people of the galaxy had its own rewards. Finally he was able to build his club, and in July the building was finally done with the grand opening taking place this night.

To celebrate the Grand Opening of his club, Sic invited his own band, Omnia to perform live before a packed crowd. With hundreds of guests, the night was all that Sic had wanted. Even members of the 101st were in the club enjoying sounds from home. There were even large numbers of locals that came to the club. During the time Sic was fighting with the locals to get permission to build his club, he made a number of strong contacts within the local underground and in the black market. Sic had no illusions, he knew that there were secret police patrolling his new club. Due to this he paid his new friends a heavy price to ensure that the secret police would have no reason to close his club down. With the club packed to near capacity, Sic knew his club would be a success. A number of Reich groups were going on and coming of the large stage to the roar of the crowds. The local Reich soldiers loved the music as well as the locals. He and his band took the stage next and it was time to step up the message. It was something that the band had spoken about yesterday. They started their set with a powerful song called En avant blonde. This song was written by one of the strongest voices for change in the Reich. A song writer so feared by the Reich that he was murdered and his music was forbidden to be played within the Reich.

(Narrator Note: Sit back and listen to this video to set the mood for the rest of the intermission. This is only the beginning of their set)


I have eyes on the Baby. She is moving across the dance floor and oh my god. I did not know she could bent backwards like.

Hey, Captain, your girl is really flexible!

Keep the channel clear you two. Get your head in the game guys.

As they performed, Omnia was no stranger to controversy. They made it a habit to speak out against what they felt was wrong within the Reich. With only their popularity protecting them from retaliation from the Government. Tonight was no different as they introduced themselves to the world of Byssi and played a song that had not been played in Reich space for nearly a hundred years. With the crowd worked up by the surprise and uplifting song, Omnia continued to fire up their message to their audience who ate it up. If any of the Reich soldiers found the music to be not to their tastes, none of them showed it as they screamed with the rest of the club for more. Omnia continued to play more forbidden songs that could have landed them in jail by this point back in Reich space. A fact that set just fine with each band member. As their set started to come to an end, Sic and Omnia had one more surprise for the club patrons. But they needed time to set up for it. To slow things down and expose the guest to another forbidden taste of Reich Culture, they performed a piece which was modified to fit their own style. They took a poem written just after the Great Liberation of the Reich by an out spoken activist. The Poem set the stage for what was coming next and spoke of a demon bird taunting a man.

Target! I have the nine of clubs walking in from stage left. Looks like he is packing heat under his jacket.

I have the Jack of Hearts and the Queen of Diamonds walking in the front door. Both are armed.

understood, be advised I have both the Ace of Clubs and the Ace of Hearts out front. It does not look like they are going to enter.

While the poem turned song was underway. Sic's stage crew went to work on the large dance floor in the middle of the stage. While the floor was cleared, a large black cauldron was moved in to the center. The cauldron was so large that it could easily double as a large hot tub for those who wished. Almost half of the humans knew what song was coming. Written during the great liberation war to make a mockery of the Galactic Church's claims that the Reich was filled with nothing more than Witches, Heathens, and Pagans. During the war, the song helped ease the pains of so many slaves being excommunicated by the church only for seeking freedom. When the war ended, the song was lost to history. It was discovered just over seventy years ago and struck a cord with the hearts and minds of the youth and young adults within the Reich. Due to its age, the actual title of the song has been lost, it is only known as Witch's Brew. And it has taken on a life of its own with its own dance to accompany it.

The Song became nearly a mainstay for a movement within the Reich. It screamed out to leaders of all levels by the youth and young adults demanding change. What many leaders had thought would be a short live movement, became a massive cultural rebellion for the disenfranchised youth and young. It was even rumored that this single song changed the course of the Emperor himself and even saw real changes coming to the Reich. That was before the war came to the Reich. That was before their Empresses was taken from them. Now the song has once more been called to stand before the faces of leaders and critics alike. As people started to gather around the cauldron, it was clear that only those that knew the dance dared to attempt it. Those who were not taking part of the dance backed up and made room. It was clear that the non-human guests had no idea what to expect. Some even showed visible signs of concern as they saw symbols on the dancers which the Church label as evil. Though none turned to leave, the mystery of the song and the excitement by the humans drew even a few non-humans to drew ever closer.

(Narrator Notes: Set the Mood and enjoy this song next as the Dance Floor is set up. Imagine the humans gathering around the large black cauldron while the non-human watch the set up)


As the poem/song continued to play, Rose walked across the floor. With each step her ankles rang out as the twin bands of bells giggled. Her light purple skirt which hung down to the floor flowed about her legs as she walked. There were hand sawed metal disks across the skirt that reflected the light as she continued to walk. Her light gray shirt had a some kind of ornate red designed sawed in to it. The center front of her shirt had been pulled up over her chest and pulled back down between her chest and the shirt. This caused the shirt to expose her belly but still covered her firmed thirty six, C cups. Her hips swayed from side to side with each new step as she worked herself towards the dance floor. Her hands took her long red hair as she rolled it in to a tight bun. She used some kind of wooden hair pin to secure her hair.

As her arms pulled upward on her shirt, it exposed a medium tattoo in the small of her back. There were three symbols laid out to form a triangle. The bottom two symbols were of potential and knowledge. At the top of the three symbols was the one that stood for evolution. In the center of the symbols was a eye looking ever forward. Rose walked passed a woman who stopped Rose for a quick hug. On Rose's right shoulder blade was a very deceptive tattoo of a pentacle. There was much more than the mission as to why Rose fit in to this world. The woman who gave Rose the hug was dressed similar to her and shared similar tattoos as well. Rose shared more with them than with anyone else in the entire Galaxy. Rose felt at home among these people. As she continued to walk the floor bare foot, Rose held a level of confidence that only a woman of nobility would hold. There was a sense of peace over Rose's heart which she wore for all to see. Here she was accepted, and why not, she was after all the Countess Sanna Dystra from Vandor.

My god Captain, your girl is one hot piece of tail. My target has been joined by the ten of spades. I am not sure if she is armed or not.

understood, on both counts. Keep eyes on those targets. I want to know as soon as they attempt to make contact with the baby.

The poem song was coming to an end and it was time for the dance to begin. Rose knew she had two choices. Not take part and been seen by those around as someone who was not part of this underground movement. She knew that this could cause her problems in the future. Not that she couldn't over come them, She could easily play off why a Countess from Vandor would not be part os such a movement. Still, the less her problems the easier her mission would be now and in the future. The only other opinion was to take part in the dance. This will allow her a image from those within here which would take her years if not decades to build. She had already worked closely with a few of them and had a reasonable relationship with some of them. If she could pull this off and impress Sic, than she would be able to use this experience to build a lasting contact with him. Something that she had badly wanted to do since she heard he had come to this world. Having a contact like Sic could open up missions in to the Reich itself. And that opened up the party for a new level of possible goals. Something Rose was willing to give them.

She had seen the dance performed before on a holorecording while doing her research on Sic. He and his lover were experts in the dance. She had studied the dance and found the steps of it were pretty easy to understand and follow. The beat was a bit challenging as it sped up and slowed down during it. There were also points were the beat almost exploded and the dancers were expected to keep up. Physically, Rose knew she could do the dance with little trouble. For this, there was no doubt in her mind. It was the other parts of the dance that she had doubts over. She had to know the words, when each word was coming and know how that word played in to her actions within the dance. During the trip here, she had vested more time in studying the dance and song. While this was going to be the first time she attempted the dance, she had to convince those watching that she had been trained from birth to do the dance. This moment had been set up as a secondary objective that she alone created. She knew that the Marine babysitters would not understand the need to create a new contact in Sic. She left them in the dark as she plotted out how to get herself here tonight. Luckily for her, she didn't have to do anything. It was her normal contact that made this night possible.

Be advised, The Ace of Spades has made contact with the Ten of clubs. A piece of paper was passed. It looks like the Ten of Clubs will be the messenger. Do not intercept unless given the signal by the Baby.

understood

understood

She had not been able to make contact with Joff, her normal contact on this world. It was the first thing that she did when she arrived. She did everything possible to make contact with him but he was avoiding her. She heard from the streets that he was still on world and still trafficking information. She had ensured that he knew she was in the market for some detailed information. She also made it clear through his foot soldiers that she had top credits for this information. She didn't blame the guy for avoiding her. After all, he and three of his goons were the ones that had assaulted her the last time she was here. No matter how much she wanted him dead, she needed the information he held. Sha needed this information if they were to rescue Xan's sister. Regardless of what happened last time she was here, she would get that information. Rose made a promise that she would not leave this world without that information.

With the floor well in the process of being set up, small bands of humans started to gather around the cauldron. They started to spread out around the cauldron as they joke and carry on playfully as they wait for the song to begin. Each spaced themselves out around the cauldron in a male, female, male, female pattern. Strange items were brought and laid out around the cauldron at equal distance apart. A stage hand with a torch led out a large plate filled with coal. The plate was placed next to the cauldron between the dancers as the cut off their movement from side to side. A fire was lit under the cauldron and on the large plate of coals. The fires were kept low by the control of fuel as the last dancers took up their places. Sic took Jenny by the hand and led her from the stage as they walked to the cauldron. The lights in the area flashed as the drums sounded off as they were beat signaling the coming storm in the distance. The speakers started to echo the coming storm as the wind started to howl. Sic and Jenny walked up to the cauldron and exchanged hugs with some of the dancers. Then they took up their places along the cauldron with the rest of the dancers. Rose waited till Jenny and Sic had taken up their places to take up hers. She made sure that she was directly across from Jenny. This would give her a good sight of both and both of them good sight of her.

The singer is pretty hot also. Love that long red hair of her's

Nah, the baby still takes her. Hands down

The rest of the band took their places as they got ready for the song to begin. Rose noted each of the dancers were all human but the non-humans were paying very close attention to the coming dance. To her left stood a male soldier. Based on his uniform, he was a robot pilot. To her right stood a male nurse. On the nurse's neck, Rose noticed a pentacle. As she was looked at his tattoo, he noticed hers. The two smiled at one an other. It actually made Rose feel more comfortable with what she was about to do knowing that she really did belong. This was not just part of her mission to gain an in road in to the Reich underbelly. With the last of the preparations done, the sounds started to fade. All Rose could hear was the pounding of her heart and the bells at her feet. 'This is it. No matter what, Rose you can do this. Have faith in yourself again' she attempted to reassure herself as the band motioned that they were beginning.

I have eye on the ten of clubs.

Where? I don't see him.

Walking along the back wall. Doesn't look like he will be making contact till after the song.

Okay I have him. It looks like the Queen of Diamonds doesn't like human music. Sitter, she is heading out the front.

It was Mich, the drummer, who started off the song, “Thrice the brinded cat has mewed!”

Then another band member called out to the dancers. "Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined!"

Rose knew that the last line would mark the beginning of the dance. 'Its now or never' she thought as she let go all fears and embraced the moment. A calm fell over Rose as she knew she could do this. The last line echoed across the floor as the storm started to build “Harpy cries: 'tis time! 'tis time!”. The lights were all dashed as a single spotlight filled the area above the dance floor acting as a full moon. A pair of last minute girls joined the line, one giggled as they took their place. Sic and Jenny started the song as everyone else joined along with them. “Round about the cauldron go,” Rose's test just begun.

The dancers started working around the cauldron in their rhythmic fashion. Each of the dancers sung loudly enough so that on looker could hear the words clearly “in the poisoned entrails throw”. With the first lines sung, some dancers were able to pick up the strange ingredients laying around the cauldron and tossed it in. The others continued to dance as the music filled the air. The cauldron started to bubble as white smoke started to flow from over the edges of it. Other smoke generators around the area started to add to the scene by filling the floor with white smoke. As rose approached the plate filled with coals and ambers she watched the dancers ahead of her leap across them with style and grace. Rose didn't want to push herself just yet so she mirrored their actions as she leaped across the fiery obstacle. Her skills in dancing was not great but her passion for the song and the moment helped push her own performance that much higher. Rose was many things but tonight her passion allowed everyone to see her heart as she worked her way around the cauldron once more. Rose give unto herself in to the dance which only adding more style and allowed herself to stand out even better. She was already starting to gather the attention of many observers.

It was in the timing and ability to know where you were which made this song so difficult. Each time a ingredient was called out, as the next line. “Skin of toad and spike of bone,” the dancers had to know if it was their turn to add to the cauldron. This added more dimensions to the song and dance. Luckily for Rose she was not within reach of any of the ingredients when they were called. She truly didn't think she could pull off both actions without messing up her attempt at the dance. Still Rose sung loudly with the rest of the dancers, “sharpened on an eagle stone” as they all danced around the cauldron. Some dancers were taking high leaps others were spinning and howling like banshees. Rose watched Jenny go over the ambers with a side slip that gave her an almost angelic appearance. Rose knew in that moment she had to impress Jenny as well as Sic. Rose started to plot as she danced ever closer to the ambers once more. Closer the ambers came as the dancers continued to mover around the Cauldron. Rose thought she had a good plan for crossing of the ambers. She had seen it in a video, and knew that it would work to serve her purpose. However a misplaced foot fouled her planned move and only allowed her to spring across the ambers slightly better than the rest.

Oh damnit, she almost had it.

Come girl, you can do this.

I have eyes on the Queen of Diamonds. She and the Ace of Hearts are leaving the area to the east.

Understood

Understood

Without any warning, the music came to a sudden stop as the dancers fell to their knees facing their cauldron. They bent down as if to worship the dark vile mixture in the cauldron. The storm now much closer as the drummer banged out the thunder and the lights flashed over head. Slowly the music returned as the dancers raised and lowered their bodies on their knees. They sung to the cauldron, “Double double toil and trouble, Fire burn and cauldron bubble, Double double trouble you, Bubble in a witches' brew” They waved their hands upward as if their own bodies were the very flames of the fire. The dancers, from their knees waved their arms and beckoned the flames higher as they sang to the cauldron. “Double double toil and trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble, Double double trouble you, Bubble in a witches' brew” Slowly the fires of the cauldron grew higher and higher as the smoke around the area grew thicker. Then as the drummer hammers the drum and lights flash signaling the storm at its peak, the dancers once more explode up from their knees as the next set of lyrics calls them around the cauldron once more. “Round about the cauldron go” the dancers took off once more as some took to high leaps in to the high. Once more they repeated the same lyrics from the first part of the song but the pace was much faster.

Think she will try that leap again?

I think so. Come on, you can do it.

As the beat picks up, the dancers moved in their seductive danced calling on the flames with their bodies while they continue to add the ingredients to the brew. Faster and faster their movements are demanded by the beat of the drum. Rose saw the ambers once more closing on her. Once more she attempted her flip. She made sure that her feet were placed perfectly this time as she vaulted herself in to the air and rolled on to her back over the Ambers. She rolled her head back and saw Jenny's eyes on her as she soared through the air. She cleared the leap with the appearance of ease as she started to land. Rose felt the weight of the galaxy wash from her in that moment nothing ever felt more liberating for her in this very moment. She continued her flip as she brought her legs back towards the ground. As she landed she felt the pain rip through her body as she could feel and hear the crunching sound of her ankle giving way under the poor foot placement. Rose might be an excellent spy, but she was not a professional dancer. Her desires and passion had pushed her body past its very limits and past her own skills.

Oh damn!

Hey Sitter, stand by we may have to call the mission. Baby just twisted her ankle

Damnit, what is she thinking. I told her to play it safe! What's going on?

She stumbled a bit as the pain crashed over her like some massive internal wave. Rose saw Jenny watching her, 'did she noticed the mistake?' Rose feared. Rose closed her eyes and by sheer force of will, she pushed the pain back to the darker places of her mind. 'Hold on to the moment, Rose. You can do this' Rose once more reassured herself. She refused to give in to the pain as she continued her dance with the others. She had hardly missed a beat and quickly recovered from the mistake, despite the pain surging from her now twisted ankle. Rose didn't let the pain slow her or hamper her ability to sing out the last of the lyrics. She followed the lines of the song word for word with out any further mistakes. The beat continued to speed up as the song played out. The last lyrics were song as the special effects storm raged over head. The drummer hammered the drums so hard that many thought they would break. The beat continued to increase as the dancers continued to dance with more elaborate moves and leaps in to the air. The lights flashed as wolves called out from the massive speakers.

She is not falling out of the dance. I am not sure what she is doing.

She is going to try the leap again. Got to love her lust for punishment but hate to be her doctor.

Keep an eye open. This could get ugly fast. Watch those targets and the messenger.

Over head, shadowy spectors started to circle as if to answer the desires of the dancers. Those watching the show from the sidelines seemed to watch as if they were locked in a trance set by the dancers themselves. Harpies from beyond this realm called out through the speakers with their laughter as the dancers continued to dance around the cauldron. Mich beat his drums calling for more and more speed in the beat as his sweat flew from his arms. Still the beat increased as the dancers crafted their way around the couldren. And once more Rose started to come up to the ambers once more. Her ankle screamed in protest to the punishing dance. Her will held its ground as Rose once more lined up for the flip. 'This time, I will get it prefectly' she promised herself. As the beat reached its peak, and the chaos of the storm raged above the floor, Rose sored through the air as if she had been meant to fly from birth. Her sideways back flip over the ambers was as prefect as any professional teacher would expect from their prize student. Just as if Rose had planned it this way, the music stopped just as she landed. Her arms streched out for balance her eyes fixed on Jenny's. Rose fought for breath as the crowds went wild with joy over what they just watched.

SHE DID IT!

Oh wow Captain, you have to see the video of that. Simply amazing.

Hold, The message was just delivered. I am getting the signal that she has the message

Okay hold your positions. Lets see what the baby wants to do next.



With Omnia's set over, Rose walked up to the bar with a slight limp. The man at the bar had been watching her since she walked in to the place. She knew him well, it was Staff Sergent Reosh from the Marauder. “I never noticed those tattoos before. What do they mean?” he asked her softly under the music of the next band.

It was Jenny who answer as she walked up from behind them, “Silly man” she said playfully, “They mean that by her relaying on what she knows and understanding her own abilities, that she would see her own improvements.” Jenny smiled, “Evolution over Knowledge and Potential?” Jenny questioned as she slipped in between Rose and Sergent Reosh, “Am I right?” she asked softly just over the background music as Rose nodded, “I have a message from Sic, you can dance with us any time Lady Dystra.” Jenny moved in and gave Rose a kiss on the cheek, “We are meeting after this band's performance for drinks. Join us” Jenny paused to look in to Rose's eyes, “please.”

Rose smiled at the kiss and saw that Sergent Reosh looked jealous, “I would love to but I have plans that I can not miss.” The disappointment on Jenny's face was clear, Rose added, “What do you think of breakfast?”

Jenny returned the smile, “Breakfast it is then. Till then, sister, walk in the light of the full moon”

Rose nodded and replied, “Thank you sister, we all shall enjoy the full moon till the coming of the waning moon.”

Jenny nodded once more and turned as she walked away. Rose turned to Sergent Reosh who just shook his head, “Thats it, I am going on more of these missions with you.” He said half playing and half looking around. “So what plans do we have?”

“Our offer has been accepted” Rose said as she pulled a piece of paper from her shirt, “I am meeting Joff by the water front in two hours” She explained while passing him the paper as she reached for a drink.

Great news, find out which of you two will be going with her so we can set up the over watch.

Reosh nodded, “The sitter wants to know which one of us will you be taking.”

Rose shook her head, “none. I have to do this alone.”

Absolutely NOT! You tell her that this is it. IT is way too dangerous for her to go forward alone.

Reosh looked worried, “The sitter doesn't like this plan. Its too dangerous.”

“Listen, I know Joff. He wont carry what he need on him. If he thinks its a set up, we get nothing even if you kill him.” Rose explained. “This guy is a snake, but one that I can handle.” It was her turn to look around. She knew that Joff have people in the club so she didn't want to be seen talking to Reosh. “Look you guys are just going to have to trust me on this one.”

NO, tell her I don't care what she thinks she has to do. We saw that the Ace of Spades did to those Reich Officers. Sorry but no. She will take one of you.

Reosh nodded as he got up from his stole on the bar. “The sitter still doesn't like this plan. But he will move and set up an over watch position.”

Reosh, I swear you will be on the shit list for years. You don't let her go on this alone!....Reosh!”

He turned to leave, “You might want to get that looked at before the meeting” he said motioning to her angle which is starting to grow in size. He turned to walk away as he made his way through the crowds. Sitter, she is going to do this her way no matter what we say. I saw that look in her eyes. She has this. Lets trust her.

---

Editor Notes: I found this great band called, yeap you guess it. Omnia, here check out their web site
Omnia's Website

And more of their music.

[Akirapryde]

(7.14) Attention....All Hands
The Departure Bay
The Republic Cruiser Marauder
Tempered Wastes, Lehon system,
30th July, 1938

The emergency trip to Ilum from Naris cost the ship as much as the crew. Pushing the hyperdrive harder than it has been pushed before as only added even more stress to an already stressed engine. As the Marauder ripped in to the Ilum System, the battle was joined as the Marauder slipped from hyperspace and fired her twin heavy ion cannons on a pair of Dorin heavy Cruisers. The raking fire crippled the two larger ships leaving dead in space. Using her speed to the fullest of her advantage, the Marauder slipped behind the two crippled Cruisers and targeted her next set of targets, a pair of Dorin Corvettes. This time, the Marauder unleashed a storm of fire from her twin Turbolasers and a four Assault Concussion missiles. The volley of fire tore the two ships to shreds and left them burning and their orbits decaying. With the approach clear, the Marauder turned to the Ilum and pushed her main engines beyond their limits.

Blasting from Ilum after the successful rescue of Rose's team, the Marauder turned her full attention to the two remaining Heavy Cruisers in orbit. No longer flatfooted, the Cruisers were more than ready to deal with the Marauder as she rocketed from the planet's surface. The in coming fire raked the Marauder's shields and haul as the Marauder stretched her legs while the atmosphere slowly gave way to open space. With her main engines reaching their red lines, the Marauder opened with a full spread of fire against the two larger ships. The skill of the Marauder's crew and the tactics of her captain, placed the Marauder in the right position to once more disable one Heavy Cruiser. While leaving the second cruiser burning and following the same fate as the two corvettes. Less than ten minutes from the moment the Marauder slipped from Hyperspace, she rocketed back in to hyperspace as the text book Covert Ops Recover Mission was completed. Leaving behind two destroyed Corvettes, one Heavy Cruiser, one crippled cruiser and a number of dead Dorin troops and a path of destruction where the recovery mission took place. It was the first time the Marauder truly got to stretch her legs to the fullest and let loss her awesome weapons payload. Everything preformed as it was designed and all of it contributed to the success of the mission. With all hands accounted for or on board, the Marauder used her long legs to sprint from the Ilum system. But the hunt had just begun, as the Dorins were hot of their trail.

The two day journey to the Lehon system was a test of both nerves and patiences. As the crew focused on running repairs of the Marauder's damaged systems. Getting in and out of the Ilum system seemed to be only the start of this running battle. Twice after the battle, the Dorin ships managed to get ahead of the Marauder and plotted her cruise. Twice, Captain Marrab put his own skills of captain against the skills of the Dorin Captains. It was clear to Master Heartman that the Dorins were calling upon the Force to help locate the Marauder so she used her own skills to successfully mask the Marauder through the Force. While that prevented the Dorins from locating the Marauder, when they did stumble upon them, it was up to Captain Marrab and his crew to keep the ship out of harms way. It was a long and bitter run from Dorin space. But in the end, the Marauder did manage to escape her pursuers and find safe haven in a region of space called the Tempered Wastes. Here without stars to illuminate the area, the Marauder with her various black camouflage patterns was able to drift powerless past Dorin warships as they searched for her. Even without her powerful cloaking device, the Marauder could still hide very well in plain sight. A fact that no one on the ship had ever considered. Though the situation was much more dire than the Captain was letting on to the Crew. The ship was badly damaged and lack of proper maintenance had left the ship in a critical condition. Finally she would give out under the stress that the prolonged hunt would put on her.

The Marauder's Hyperdrive was the first major system to suffer a malfunction and the one which forced the ship to seek safe harbor in the Lehon system. There were other ship systems that were also damaged, mainly across the ship's shields and engines. What hurt the Marauder the most was a hit to Engineering Deck 6, the Cloaking Device Control Room. The Marauder had lost her most valuable defensive weapon during her departure from Ilum. If there were any spoken words of second guessing the Captain's orders to transfer power from the Cloaking device to the hyperdrive, it would be nearly impossible to find. With only minutes to spare and lives being held in the balance, the Captain's orders for more speed had brought the Covert Ops Team home and got the entire ship out of the system safely. The Engineering teams still remain confident that once they reach the battle lines of the Azgardians and the Dorins, the Cloaking Device will be repaired. However, without a hyperdrive, those lines seem almost impossible to reach. Though the battle damage was not only limited to the Marauder's systems. Six members of the Marauder's crew gave the ultimate sacrifice to help rescue the embattled covert team. Within the ranks of the Marines, the sense of loss was even higher. The loss of the well respected and admired Master Sargent Ephin Reosh. When asked, nearly all would described the man as the older brother anyone would have wanted.

With their dead respected and honors given, the dirty task of repairs started as the Marauder made planetfall on the world of Rakata Prime. The crew's focused and even the Marines lending help where they can, the Party finally had a chance to do some other dirty business. It was time to come clean to Rose regarding the extent of the damage that she had suffered on the mission. It was something that neither Sha nor Makaw had been looking forward to. But the Chief Medical Officer felt that it was time for her to know the truth. The news hit the infiltrator like no other blow. Not even Sha's harden face could resist the agony that Sha was witnessing. The look of disbelief across Rose's face and the cries of pleads for second opinions quickly turned to suffering and agony ripped tears from Sha's eyes. Sha had wanted so badly to turn and walk away but she knew she couldn't. Something held her there and made her watch the suffering of this young woman. Sha saw a Rose who was so vulnerable and so helpless. Sha had sworn secretly to herself that she would make this right. She didn't know how, but she would do something about this.

For Makaw, he had memnii of suffering and pain. These things were not uncommon for Makaw. These things were rare within what was passed down. Makaw saw this as an opportunity to record the true cost of this war. The personal cost of the individual. He knew that in the pages of History, missions like this will be recorded and numbers of who died listed. But this is the personal cost of this mission. He felt her pain as it ripped her soul to shreds. He could sense her dreams and hopes slowly vanish as the realization washed over her. Like Sha, he refused to look away. It didn't take Rose's strength long to fade as she slipping laid in her hospital bed whimpering like a child who no longer had the strength or will to do anything else. He felt a horrible sense of depression from her. Nothing like before, now her mind had become lost in the chaos of this medical reality. There was nothing within the Force that could help her, he knew this. It would simply be the fact of who she was now. Makaw felt a great sense of loss from this horrible situation.

Before the Chief Medical Officer broke the news to Rose. He explained to the Captain, Sha and Makaw the nature of the wounds. They had been able to locate twelve over all wounds. Judging from five of the wounds, she had been shot on the lower right side of her body which had easily penetrated her body armor and traveled the length of her body sideways. These rounds lacked the penetration to exit the body armor and were deflected back in to the lower body cavity. Based on what they can see. When these five rounds were fired, she most likely would have been protecting something or someone on her left side. A blunt impact had shattered her left femur and a blunt impact cracked the right side of her skull just behind the ear. What we can tell from these wounds is that they were done while she was standing in forward motion as if in mid attack. Mostly they were done with the butt of some kind of rifled weapon by someone much stronger than she was. This attack had most likely knocked Rose back down to the ground on her back. We believe that this is when she took the sample that you recovered from her. Because we can see that most of her right side ribs were crushed in ward as if someone stepped or stomped on her chest. The only reason we could find for this wound was to hold her down and in place to in sure a clean kill shot.

It had to be during this time that she grabbed the sample you have. I can only speculate that she was thinking that her death was at hand. So by getting that sample would be a clue to her attackers were. While she was helpless under foot, her attacker looked down at her at a nearly ninety degree angle The wounds support that the attack had to have taken arm at her as if to ensure she was going to die during this next attack. A defensive wound on her right arm shows that she had been shot through her right hand as if she tried to defend herself from the shot. The round shattered her hand and her radius and lodged in her humerus. A second round passed through her right shoulder shattering her clavicle, the round exited her shoulder and armor. The last shot was fired at a more sharper angle then the first two as if the firer was in motion just before he pulled the trigger. The fact that the round clipped just above to the left of her left eye socket indicates that the firer was interrupted just as this last round was being fired. The force of the round cracked the left side of her skull but because of the angle, it did not penetrate the skull. Instead it passed through the left ear and exited the skull and shattered against the metal floor.

We found metal fragments lodged in the back side of her skull. Some fragments match the type of round used by her attackers, the others had to have been a metal floor of some kind. There was also a blunt force wound to her left side. This was done while she was laying on the ground, most likely unconscious. The blow impacted her lower rib cage and soft origins. The blow caused even more internal bleeding and broke four of her left ribs. Had this blow been two inches higher, the broken ribs would have penetrated her lungs and she would have never survived the attack. The fact that she did take all this damage and survived is a testament to her strength of will and the training of Captain Breen's men. They were able to stop enough of the bleeding to ensure that they could get her out of the base. According to the Captain's reports, they had to give her a number direct blood transfusion right there during combat. While this blood was not her type, it did help keep her alive long enough for the rescue to reach them. They also used the snow and ice of Ilum to keep Rose's body temperature low and slow the internal bleeding. Though this did result in frost bite around much of her body, it also played a key role in her surviving the battle. It is our recommendation that if Captain Breen and Master Sargent Darillian had not taken such measures that Rose would have never survived the battle.

Despite the fact that Rose had been badly wounded, the two days they were on Ilum gave Sha and Makaw a treasure trove of information regarding the world. Sha had suspected for months that her people were being held on Ilum but never had any proof to drive the party to pursue this. Rose had managed to get a guided tour of the entire facility and her hidden sensors were all recording. Through Rose's charismatic skill, she was able to discover that over a hundred thousand beings were being held in a large domed town near the facility. All of them were being held against their wills and being used in some breeding program for the Dorins. For the first time both Sha and Makaw had solid proof that both of their peoples, as well as many others were being forcibly held on Ilum. Its weaknesses and its defenses were all part of Rose's investigation. She played the base commander like a musical instrument and got everything that they needed to come back and possible perform a large rescue operation. Though the scope of the breeding center was far larger than both had suspected. Rose had uncovered that the Dorins had been running this center for over thirty years trying to develop their own telepathy. She also found the prefect advance base of operations. An old abandoned sky resort which over looks the dome complex and its massive anti-ship weapon positions. Rose had to have known her time was running out as she took her tour. So she had the commander even show her the bases power plant and its command center. With this vital information, a mission back to Ilum was beyond probable.

Well after the scene in Medical played out, Captain Marrab slowly climbed the stairs of the stage that had been set up. He walked in his best uniform over to the podium. He looked over at his crew and the Marines all standing looking up him. He turned to Sha and Makaw and gave them both a nod. Behind them the Captain smiled to the rest of the party who had been invited to this meeting of the crew. After all, as far as he was concerned they were part of his crew as well. Captain Marrab turned back to his crew and the Marines and took a deep breath. “Attention, all hands” he sound loudly and with confidence. “The past seventy six hours has been something of a wild roller coaster ride for all us. We have seen this ship perform at its very best and even well beyond our wildest dreams. We have seen our friends, our family fall in to harms way. We have paid last respects and honors to our fallen. Lastly we have picked up the pieces of our broken ship and have started to repair her. Now, we are facing a long road through enemy lines just to reach safe harbor. We are still deep in enemy space and we know that they are out there looking for us. Our cloaking device is damaged and we are not able to hide from our enemies. We have met the enemy, we have bloodied the enemy and trust me, they are looking for revenge. This is the reason why I have issued the all silent order. There will be no communications from this ship or within it. If we are discovered right now, our enemies will make short work of the Marauder. These are the facts of our current situation, so make no mistake of where we all stand right now.”

He took a breath to let the situation rest on them. “Our mission to Ilum was a broad success. Yes we lost some of our own. But what they gave their lives for will ensure that we enjoy more victories. Let their memories go forth and be forever linked to the success of what we did here. We have found will ensure that thousands of enslaved souls will be soon set free. Never forget that this is what our debt is, to help free those in slaved. This is what they gave their lives for. Be proud for them, honor them. Cherish their memories as we move forward from this battle in to the next one ahead of us.” Once more he paused and allowed this to sink in to their minds before he continued.

“I am told that our resident covert agent, Rose Sheridan has passed the worse of her condition. I am told that she will make a speedy recovery and will be returning to work in the next few weeks. I ask all of you to take a moment and pray for her recovery as we also pray for those we lost. Now, I have heard the rumors about a spy aboard. I have heard the rumors that this spy was responsible for Ms. Sheridan's mission being a failure. Well first off, let me be the one to tell you. Her mission was not a failure. According to her mission objectives, she had successfully completed all of them and some. In my book that is a job very well done. I can confirm that there was indeed a spy aboard this ship which posed a significant threat to this ship and her crew. It is probable that this spy is linked to an attack which has crippled our ability to conduct operations. As many of you have heard, crewman Creev Laal had collapsed unexpectedly at the end of his shift back on the morning of the 26th. Many of you have heard that he was kept in the bridge. This was for his protection as our medical teams were working on him. What I can release now is that our fellow crewmen had been drugged. It is unclear to us how long he will remain in his current condition. What is known is that this could have been conceived as a two prong attack against us.”

He continued with out a pause, “Crewman Laal, as some of you might know, is one of very few of our engineers who works on the cloaking device on a daily basis. It could be seen that by drugging him could have weakened our ability to repair any future damage to our cloaking device. We have found a bomb on board that could have been part of this plot to cripple the Marauder's ability to hide so that we might be captured. The very same drug which now has laid Crewman Laal out was found in other locations of the ship. Do not worry, our medical and security staff as assured me that this drug no longer posses a threat to the ship. We have every reason to believe that the spy had come aboard the ship sometime ago and hid in plain sight. From what our evidence has indicated, this traitorous spy has slipped off of the ship while we were on Hapes. I can assure you that I, personally have taken steps to ensure that this spy will never threaten my ship nor my crew, nor anyone aboard.”

“After a complete security sweep of the ship, I have been informed that the situation is safe for us to return Crewman Laal to the medical bay so that he may continue the vital treatment he needs to survive. I have instructed the chief Medical officer to open up his room for visitors. His medical condition is stable and despite our best intentions, we can not wake Crewman Laal from his current state. But that doesn't mean that you, his friends and crewmates can't comfort him while he is in this sad state. There has been enough loss on my ship, I will not suffer one more. Crewman Laal will receive the very best medical attention we can find for him. I want Crewman Laal returned to his duties as soon as possible. His work for this ship to this date has been priceless, and I want to return to you, his friendship. Please go, sit with him during your off duty hours. While during your duty hours, work to fulfill your duties as best as you can knowing that the sooner we can move forward, the sooner we can get Crewman Laal and Ms. Sheridan to the very best medical attention.”

He paused and looked around once more, “God Bless, and may the Force be with all of us.”

The captain stepped down from the podium and gestured toward Sha. She graciously accepted and took her place on the podium, peering out amongst the crew she could tell many of them had been affected deeply by the loss of life, which was weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of the crew. Sha then placed a sheet of paper upon the podium and looked down as she read aloud. It obvious that she had never really given a speech before and it certainly felt uncomfortable.

“I’ve only recently come aboard the Marauder, and in only a short period of time, I’ve seen the brotherhood among this crew. I’ve seen you honor, not only yourselves as soldiers, but you take care of one another, and you look out for each other. You are committed and even in the face of despair you all still have the strength to lock and load. It was this diligence that made the rescue of Rose and her team possible.”

Sha paused only for a moment to look up at the crew but lingered when she saw how attentive they were. She briefly looked back at the sheet of paper, and saw the carefully chosen words that felt so unnatural to her. She grasped the piece of paper and crumbled it into her hands, placing it on the podium.

“Unfortunately we lost Reosh….. and I can see that he was loved very much by everyone on board this ship. There is no doubt in my mind, that he went down like a true warrior, and I think you should all know that. He honored himself and all of you, for I look out amongst this crew and what I see are true warriors. You are brothers and sisters, and you look toward one another for support, frankly this reminds me of what a family feels like…. Like I said I’ve only been on board for a short time but this is what I’ve seen. I’ve seen you honor your dead; the ceremony I saw earlier is befitting the crew and the family of the Marauder, and is proof that it is real. The lives lost at Bothuwai and Ilum are never to be taken lightly. I thought I should say that out loud, and I think that this ship has a great purpose. I don’t intend to simply lick my wounds, but I also believe, that we may have some trying times ahead of us. I believe that there is a great battle coming. I don’t know when or where, but I’m certain that we will play a part…. You all did a stellar job during the rescue mission on Ilum, and never forget that Rose is alive because of all of you, and I encourage all of you to support her, as well as each other, and Crewman Laal…. I also would like to say that personally, to serve with such excellent men and women, to serve with warriors of honor, is an honor in itself, and I will never forget how that feels, and I shall honor all of you.”

Sha finished with a great amount of gratitude toward those she had spoken to. Despite tramping across the galaxy, for those we did not know, they did so with true valor. Sha had never given a speech before but felt good about it. It was honest and straight forward, which is exactly who Sha was. She finally stepped down from the podium and reclaimed her position on the stage.

As Makaw stepped forward, shepherd's crook in hand, Nod flitted from his shoulder to alight at the podium's edge. She puffed herself up and flapped her tiny wings for a moment as if to impress the crewmen and Marines assembled before her.

Despite its golden trim, Makaw's simple light blue tunic, worn belted over his dark green undershirt and matching trousers, stood in stark contrast to Captain Marrab's formal dress uniform and Lut Sha's tactical apparel. Reaching the microphone, he smiled fondly at the courageous men and women of varying races who now did him honor with their attention.

"Greetings," he began, "As you might know, my name is Makaw Y'drit. Though I am not a creature of war, I stand before you as a brother-in-arms. We fight for ideas greater than ourselves because our hearts are true and our cause is just. The bravery and virtue within each of you makes our fire shine that much brighter. As we go forward, let your light illuminate the Galaxy! Together, we will usher in a new era of peace through liberty, equality, and justice. Thank you for being everything that makes you who you are." Makaw bowed in gratitude. Placing Nod back upon his shoulder, he turned from the podium and made his way back to his place beside Sha.

[Akirapryde]

(7.15) Betrayed
Provisional Capital of the Free Worlds Council
Colonies World of Carida
30th July, 1938

The cloaked figure set in the back seat of the land speeder sedan as it drove through the night time streets of Carida. He looked out the window as if in deep thought. He reflected on the actions which brought him to this ride and how things could have been different. The only other person in the vehicle was a masked man watching him carefully. A droid piloted the land speeder through the sleeping city streets. There was no doubt in his mind that the masked man was a highly trained Reich officer meant to ensure that the meeting went off without any trouble. The cloaked man knew that there was a generally high level of respect for the Reich intelligence network and how they got things done. And today, a secret of just how their inner workings was just getting unfolded.

“I will ensure your safe travel to and returning from Trais” Said Lord Hitosh via the holo-transmission to the Cloaked figured. “I know you are looking forward to this trip, but there is just one little thing I need you to do for me. That is before you depart the region. And don't worry, its along the way for you. We have a little problem with this one spy issue. Something that our own network can't seem to resolve.”

The cloaked figure spoke up, “If the most skillful intelligence network in the know worlds,
the Reich intelligent network, can't fix this problem, than what would a lone person like me be able to do? Go find the problem and take care of it? This does not sound like a problem that I can help with.”

Lord Hitosh laughed, “oh trust me. There is so much more you can do for us than I think you give yourself credit for. What I ask of you now, requires much less effort than killing anyone. In fact, your hands will be clean of any blood shed. All you need do is have a few meetings with some select Senators and Department heads back on Hapes. That is when, well. Allow me to introduce you to your new partner.” Lord Hitosh's bluish image said as he waved to the small box next to the holo-communicator device.

The small box opened up to reveal the smallest droid the cloaked figure had ever seen. The cloak figure thought it was a child's toy at first. The small black driod appeared humanoid in general appearance. It had two little arms and legs with a small body and head. It appeared to be wearing a very small little black suit with a mask over it's head. There was a small backpack on its back and had a coiled rope over its shoulder. It made almost no sound as it attempted to climb out of the small box. Once it was free from the box, the droid stood not even six inches tall. “This is XM D4, he is one of our most advanced droids that we have ever created.” The little droid saluted the cloak figure who nervously waved back, “he is armed with the most advanced security sensor suites available. Yet his most dangerous weapon is” Lord Hitosh spoke as the little droid pulled a small backpack off its back to show off the USB Drive it carries as a backpack, “The best code breaking technology in the Galaxy. He will do all the work while you have your meetings. That is all you have to do. Get him in to the offices and let him do his job”

There was a moment when the cloaked figure thought about smashing the little droid and just taking the USB drive, once he was safely away from the sedan. Then the realization of what would happen if he did that. The cloaked figure sighed deeply as if accepting the situation for what it was. His back was against the wall and he felt as if he had no other options. Rather he liked it or not, he was becoming a spy for the Reich. The thought of refusal did cross his mind, as did the repercussions of what would happen after that refusal. He closed his eyes in defeat. There was no other option for him but to accept his new role as spy, “Who do I meet with?” He asked as he opened up his computer case for the little droid to climb in. The little thing fit perfectly in a pocket filled with wires and a small pointer device. Once the droid was settled it was hard even for him to noticed the little droid hiding in the bag.

Lord Hitosh smiled, “you will be meeting with Senator Oo'ish Ta. The Senior Chair on the Republic Intelligence Committee. The others will follow in that same day. One days work and you will be back on your way for your visit. Trust me, you are doing a great service to bringing peace back to the Galaxy”

Crushing this XM D4 droid was not even an option because they were expecting the little droid to return from its mission. The cloaked figured watched the little droid for a moment as Lord Hitosh talked about peace. He didn't feel like a peace maker. In fact he felt like a traitor, plan and simple. He was that guy who simply had no other options left to him. Or at least that is how he felt about this who situation. He knew his actions would hurt the Republic. His actions might even cost a few people their lives. But all this was small compared to what the Reich has offered to do for him. Would they really follow through with all that they promised? the cloak figure still did not trust the Reich. Was what he was getting, really worth price he was paying. History is written by the winner, he hope he was choosing the right size. He only hoped that history would not judge him too harshly. He looked out the window as the spaceport came in to view. 'This is going to be a long journey' he thought no matter what he decided to do in the end. the land speeder turned in to the private entrance of the spaceport and beyond it he saw the ship he would be traveling on. He noticed the near all human crew and suspected that it was manned by Reich soldiers. His path was laid before him now and there was no turning back.

---

Core World of Metellos
Second Reich of Humanity
6th August, 1938

It was another long and rainy day ahead of those heading to work. Dealing with the population issues was always a problem. The rains just made it that more depressing. Inside offer little comfort as everyone was grated with long lines of humans trying to file through the security check points in the main entrance. At the head of each of the six lines were teams of Reich Security officers watching each person as if they were the enemy of the Reich itself. Along catwalks were Reich soldiers searching the crowds for any sign of trouble. A sign high above the lines and supported by the catwalks read “Department of Armed Resources”. If there ever was a more sensitive location within the Reich, this was it. The Reich took their security here very seriously as combat droids moved up and down the lines with interrogator droids. Nothing was left to chance in this secured facility. Which is why today was so important. The chief of the security division for this facility had just been fired over the news. The guards were already informed as to who to look out for. It was just a matter of time before the spy would show his or her face.

As the line moved forward Sasha U'shta moved forward to ran her card through the reader just like she did every morning. It was the day to day life of a normal every day woman, wife and mother of two. Each morning she would kiss her husband and wish him a good day. Hug her children and go off to work. Her worked put her in contact with dispatching and processed hundreds of Convoy reports a day. For her, the war was a very real thing. Something that she read about every day. Which is why she made the choices that she did. At the end of the day she would make a dead drop on her way home. She had been working for the Republic since the invasion of the Ponji. It wasn't like she was ashamed of being human or even favored the Republic over the Reich. She was ashamed of what the Reich had turned in to. She hated the idea that the Galaxy now trembled in fear because of her government. She wanted to do something to stop the madness. So she reached out to the Republic and started passing military convoy reports to the Republic. She and some unknown partner of hers had been helping the Republic battle the Reich. They had been personally a credited with helping liberate Alderaan. Her handler had told her that she was a famous person back on Hapes. She did care for fame. She just wanted to stop the war before more innocent people died.

Sasha ran her card through the reader as she had thousands of times. She never once considered that she would be caught being a Republic spy. After all, she had been doing it this long and never got caught. Her handler had promised her that only a very few would even know who was helping them. She felt safe to continue her work for the Republic. But when the reader displayed a red background behind her name and a flashing light alerted the security teams, she was truly shocked. They rushed forward with their weapons out and ready. Someone grabbed her from behind and twisted her arm behind her back so hard that she screamed out loudly. She was pushed down and bent over the security desk as a plan clothes officer stepped up behind her, “There appears to be something wrong with my card” Sasha said confused as she tried to fight back the pain. Tears were already starting to flow from her eyes as the situation started to set in.

He shook his head, “no, not with your card. The problem is with your morals by betraying your own people.” He said as an officer started to hand cuff her. He turned to those watching, “This woman has decided to betray her own people and turned on you all. She is a traitor.” he yelled out then turned back to Sasha. He spoke more calmly, “Sasha U'shta, you are under arrest for espionage.” there was a smile on his face, “I will greatly enjoy digging in to your mind and finding out what you know.”

Sasha's mind raced as to how they found her. 'Was it my partner? Was it my handler? Who? How?' her mind raced as they continued to search her for weapons. Her mind shifted to her family and those that will be wondering what happened to her. Those who would hear those horrible things about her. She closed her eyes as if this was a horrible nightmare. Her eyes snapped open as she heard the alarm going off once more. Sasha saw another flashing light going off further down the lines. Her mind filled with horror as she heard the man speaking again, “Oh, don't worry you wont be alone. So is he.”

---

Inner Rim World of Kiribi
Free Worlds Council
7th August, 1938

The florist walked up as Steven Hancle was searching through the different flowers. He never really knew what to get on times like this. He knew that there were those flowers to buy and those not to buy for just a female friend. Still, he didn't want to seem insensitive. “Something for your wife” the Florist asked pleasantly. While it was a busy afternoon, there really was not too much traffic on world. It was something that he was grateful for. He last run deep in to Occupied Space had taken its toll on him. He was listed as a secure courier for the Republic. Due to his non-political background and his nature in business, he was able to slip past enemy lines with hardly any problems. Which helped the Republic out allot. Thanks to Mr. Hancle, the Republic was able to coordinate rebel activities and plan for supply runs. This made him essential to maintaining the rebels behind enemy lines. A fact that he made sure to express to his handler every time he wants a pay increase. After all, this lifestyle does come with a cost.

He shook his head, “No my assistant” He said speaking of his handler. He really wanted to impress her so that she would let her guard down and allow him to, well, get to know her better. “Its her birthday and I really couldn't do what I do without her.” He joked with a smile.

The woman laughed, “oh I know just the arrangement.” She turned to grab a set of flowers. She felt a spray across the back of her neck as she reached behind to touch was had caused the warmth and wet feeling. She turned to see the man she was just talking to holding his throat as blood jetted from the fresh wound that linked both ears. She let out a scream as the man fell to the ground. The entire street came to a stand still as the murder became apparent. The screams of the woman carried in to the distance. Mr. Hancle laid dying on the ground as the authorities were called. He would never know that his own handler was already dead in her apartment. Shot behind the head by a professional assassin.

---

Colonies World of Jagga-Two
Reich Occupied FWC Space
7th August, 1938

With the last rebel attack fading in the distance, life in the former capital of the Free Worlds Council was slowly returning to normal. That was the nature of life here after the invasion. The Rebels would attack the Reich positions and the Reich would respond. Lately, the Rebels had been getting very lucky with their attacks. Hitting Reich supply sites at just the right time to do the most damage. This was causing more and more Reich soldiers to be deployed to the world. What most didn't know was that the truth behind the luck was anything but random luck. A group of businessmen had banded together to help the rebels to toss out the Reich occupies. These men had found a way to work closely with the Republic to help bring in supplies and even personal to help train the rebels. Before, the rebels were on the verge of near chaos and completely not effective against a highly organized professional army like the Reich. These men had been nicknamed, The Jagga Crew by their Republic handlers. Each had their own reasons for getting involved, but all served the Republic and opposed the Reich.


In a small apartment over looking the former government district, a family was just getting ready to sit down for dinner. Unlike elsewhere, here limited electricity was provided by the Reich so that people's lives can return to normal. It was all part of a plan to attempt to win the hearts and minds of the locals. It had mixed returns for the Reich. Most families fled the city for the safety of the Southern Mountains. Some decided to remain where they were with hopes of toughing it out till things returned to normal. Dinner was the one time that everyone in this little apartment took the time to stop and just be a family. It was something that they still held on to from before the invasion. Laughter filled the small apartment as jokes were told and they did everything possible to just forget the hardships of the war. With food scarce due to the fighting with the rebels, what was available had been turned in to stew. No one dared ask what was in the stew, as they just gave thanks for the fact that they were able to eat tonight. Large pieces of wood and stacks of sandbags covered the windows for protection. The mother had used colorful sheets from what remained of their belongings to add a bit of brightness to their home. It was all the family could do to keep some level of normal in the little apartment. Terror filled the main room as a knock at the door caused the family to become alarmed. Most of the building had evacuated months ago and that meant that there were very limited options as to who was knocking.

The father rose and waved everyone to calm. “I got it. Everyone please be calm.” He said as he walked to the door. He looked to his wife to see the worry on her face. He couldn't hide his worry from her. He nodded to her and slowly opened the door. To his shock he saw the armed Reich soldiers in the hallway and the man dressed in a suit. The man in the suit had a weapon at his side and a look on his face that he meant to get what he came for. The father knew that they were here for him. He had been recently recruited for the Jagga Crew and had been working for the Republic for the past few weeks. He had finally chosen to work for the Republic so that they would get his family off world. He hadn't even had a chance to tell his family that the Republic had sent a special ship for them and it was coming next week. There was that moment in his life when he knew that it was his family or him. He raised his hand and silently pleaded to the man in the suit, “please. Not in front of my family.” There was genuine sorrow and defeat in the father's voice. “Not like this. I beg you”

The wife and mother questioned, “who's at the door?” She asked tying to get a better look.

The moment hovered like it had become stuck in time. It could be a fire fight that would lead to the deaths of the entire family. There could be a chance to turn the situation. Many options presented themselves before the Reich Intelligence Officer. And this was the very reason why he was sent in command of this mission. Unlike the others he had to do tonight, where they ended in the murders of the spies and their families. He knew that this would end up turning out better for everyone. The Intelligence Officer nodded with a sense of sympathy for the Father and the situation they were in as he waved his men back. “I am Samuel, ma'am. I am from work” he said half asking half stating. While he might not have known what to answer with. He was convincing enough for the task at hand. After all he was himself a spy.

The father nodded almost with a sense of gratitude in his eyes, “yes, Samuel. From work.” It was a lie but the man was grateful. “Samuel was telling me that there is something wrong at work and I need to go help them out.” The Father didn't know what was going to happen, but his children didn't have to watch him get gunned down like an animal. For that he was grateful.

However the wife was not stupid. She knew that their office had been bombed out five months ago. She saw the man in the suit and knew right away what he was. Tears started to drip from her face as the realization set in as to the fate of her beloved husband. She had heard about midnight raids where people had just disappeared from their homes. They had no weapons, had not broken any of the rules, she couldn't possibly think of why they had come for him. She shook her head as this had to be some mistake. She went to speak but the father cut her off.

“Shhhhh don't keep my meal for me. I am sure to be late.” He said with that look that only a father could have when he knew it would be the last time he would see his family. He turned to his two kids as he hugged them both tightly, “Please remember that I will always love you guys. You are my heart and soul.” He was a strong man, but in this moment he was a father and a husband. He did everything he could to keep a normal face but the moment was written across his face. Half way to the door he paused, “I love you guys so much” he said before turning and following the Reich Intelligence Officer out the door.

The two men walked in to the hallway as the Reich soldiers remained out of sight from the door. However once it was closed they took hold of the man but before they could handcuff him the Intelligence Officer waved them off. “He has gone this far on his on. Show him some dignity. The men nodded and backed off. As they walked down the hallway, all the Father could think of was the danger that his family was now in due to his actions. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were going to be arrested too. “What will happen to my family? Will I ever see them again?”

The Intelligence Officer didn't bother to look at the man as he answered, “That depends greatly on you and what you are willing to do for us.” he said coldly. He finally turned to the father, “They are safe for now. And we know why you did this. We too can protect them from the war. But what happens to them, WILL depend on you.”

---

Colonies World of Hapes
Shana'Duna World and Capital of the Galactic Republic
7th August, 1938

No where in the Galaxy could one feel safer than in the shadow of the Republic Senate. High above the streets is the statue of Chancellor Murl reaching out to all those in need and calling them to the Senate and to have their voices heard. It was the famous Green Zone, here no one dared mess with the Republic. The elite 10th Republic Guard stood watch over the Senate and those who came to be heard. You could not look in any direction on the street and not see Royal Blue uniforms of the 10th Republic Guard on patrol throughout the zone. Casting their shadows broadly were the Republic Cruisers on patrol just in case someone got an idea to crash a ship in to the mighty Senate building. Between them flew patrols of air speeders and fighters ready to render aid to anywhere in the Zone at a moments notice. Chancellor Murl had chosen this world for the Capital of the Republic due to how closely it resembled Coruscant. Indeed, here was a place where anyone could feel safe.

The small street side cefe' was filled with patrons as servers moved about the lines of tables. This was always a busy restaurant as members of the Senate would come to have lunch while working out deals. Along the walls of the building were photos of Senators that have left their likeness on the walls. Among them was a picture of the famous Senator Xan Zall from the Free Worlds Council. He has always found time to catch a drink or one of their famous flat bread sandwiches. He was actually one of the Senators which made this little hole in the wall cefe' famous. A small white metal fence separated the tables from the busy street. A patrol of Royal Blue dressed soldiers walked by within the group of people. The sun was shining and the air was filled with a sense of hope as the Senate was in session working on how to defeat the evil Reich. Still, the war couldn't be further way than here on Hapes. Not one bomb had fallen on this world during the war. Here no one thought of the war as they moved about tending to their daily lives.

Pluish Ruw, one of the best Field Operatives for the Republic, had been waiting for this meeting for months. He joined the Republic's Intelligence Agency when his world, Vaal, joined the Republic last year. He had been a spy for as long as he could remember and his expertize in turning assets made him a value to the Republic. They devoted an entire department to supporting his operations alone. Today he was about to make good on that devotion. He had spend months working on recruiting the pirate Bensel Sho in to service with the Republic. Mr. Sho was one of very few pirate captains who knew how to slip in to Reich space and more importantly, back out again. Mr. Sho made it a very lucrative business of smuggling in to and out of Reich space. Mr. Sho would finally be able to allow the Republic to get spies in to and out of Reich space. It would be a game changer for the Republic. And one that Mr. Ruw was not about to allow to slip through his fingers. The meeting had been going pretty good so far and Mr. Sho was playing it cool. Ruw knew that the cost would be high, but it would be well worth it.

“As I have told you, Sugar” Mr. Ruw said using the name that this rather colorful pirate seemed to enjoy. Mr. Ruw bent over to pulling a large envelope from his satchel as he continued talking, “We are more than willing to pay you for your services....” he stopped at the glass Mr. Sho was holding simply shattered in his hand. Mr. Ruw watched with strange surprise as Mr. Sho's shirt filled with a greenish stain that could only be blood from the alien captain. It was only then did Mr. Ruw realize what had happened. He leaped to his feet while calling out for a help. His words were cut off as he felt a pinch in his between his shoulder blades. He fell forward uncontrollably as the force of the impact tossed him across the table. He could hear the screams of someone near by calling for help. He even could make out the sight of Royal Blue uniforms rushing through the tables. His eyes started to blur as he felt a coldness wash over him. He never felt the second shot rip through his head as his head was splated across five tables and their occupants.

---

Zall’s Family Estate
Colonies World of Byssi
Reich Occupied Space
8th August, 1938

The office of the Military Governor had always given some level of protection regardless of the crime. However there was whispers on the wind of the harsh hand of the Intelligence Office coming down. Governor Vanda knew that it was only a matter of time before they came here. He had heard of the murders across his world already. Sixteen in total, and not one of them were authorized by him. In fact he didn't even know the IO had a team on this world till last night, when an old friend had come through on a favor. He looked across his desk and saw all of his work that had been laid out for today. He knew that he would get to none of them. Once more he looked out the window which over looked the drive and saw the two airspeeders which brought the IO team to his home. He pulled out a small locket and opened it. A deep lonesome sigh slipped his lips as he saw the image of Lady Dystra. “Oh how I miss your soft touch” he said as he remembered her unannounced visit just a couple of weeks ago. Though she said nothing was wrong, he could tell that something in her eyes had changed her. She pulled away from their embrace much too soon than she had before.

He found it odd that he knew in just moments he would be arrested, but his heart worried for her well being. If it was not for her, he would have never seen the mistakes of this invasion. He would have never realized the suffering that his government was causing. “You truly are someone of remarkable heart and goodness” he said aloud fondly. He thoughts were interrupted by the door being kicked open as a large group of IO soldiers rushed in to his large office. His own staff were following behind them. 'I shall be as strong as you are my Lady Dystra' he thought as he stood up to face his actions.

Just as she spoke so passionately about a galaxy free from terror and war, he too spoke. “Gentlemen” he said to his staff and aides, “Do not fear. What I have done, I have done to bring peace to our worlds once more.” Through the help of Lady Dystra and her friend Senator Zall, he had helped to create that place of peace here on Byssii. He closed the locket and returned it to his pocket. There was no fear in his heart as she had shown him what he had lost since the day his own wife had died. “You may arrest me, but I promise you. Peace will triumph over darkness” he said quoting Lady Dystra. She had spoke so beautifully that night along the river banks. It almost brought a tear to his eye as he remembered that night with her just watching the stars. He actually hoped that he would see her after the war. Maybe he would put a ring on her finger and together they could create a family.

The leader of the IO team smiled as he spoke, “you mistake us Governor.” There was terror from the staff and aides as the soldiers raised their rifles toward the Governor. Even Governor Vanda was taken by surprise from this. He had suspected that they would arrest him. Everyone froze in terror in that moment. “We don't arrest traitors like you” the shots echoed throughout the house as Governor Vanda was gunned down by the Reich that he loved and hoped to serve again one day. The killings would continue as the Reich continued to clean house. Next on their list was the now infamous Lady Dystra!

---

Republic Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Republic Senate Building
Colonies World of Hapes
Shana'Duna World and Capital of the Galactic Republic
10th August, 1938

There was much commotion and concerns as the reports kept coming in. In the past ten days, the Republic had been dealt a very powerful blow. Not that many would even have realized it. But across the entire Occupied Zone of the Free Worlds Council, the Republic had been blinded by the Reich's own counter-intelligence service. It was not just informants and traitors that were turning up missing or dead. It was also Field Operatives, handlers, and even Field Commanders were also turning up missing or dead. Never before had the Reich been so lucky and most were starting to fear that it was more than just luck. Some how, the Reich had been able to infiltrate the RIA with their own operatives and target some of the most important assets. One assassination was even within the safety of the Green Zone. A slap in the face to the RIA and a serious black eye to the Republic. This was the only real possible reason as to how the Reich was able to get so successful in such a short time. As the list grew of victims, it seemed clear that the Reich had focused its efforts on blinding the Republic in this theater only. However, the second shoe was just about to fall.

Deep within the Tund system, the Varl were testing their latest Cruiser model. It was to be a prototype using some technology borrowed from the Shana'Duna and taken from the Marauder. The test was to be flagged as a political triumph. The Varl had invited political friends from the Senate and the Shana'Duna to view the tests. It was all staged as an attempt to ensure that the Republic didn't give up on the Varl when they needed them the most. It was a who's who of the Varl leadership and their VIP Guest lists were equally long. Everyone had gathered for the formal dinner in the main hanger bay of the Cruiser. Large models of the ship lined the high ceiling as to show that the Varl were still a might to be reckoned with. However during the dinner, an explosion rocked the ship causing panic to run ramped through the guests aboard. While some were able to reach the escape pods, most didn't. The ship was destroyed and the lost of civilian lives rocked the Senate. Eight members of the Republic Senate were among the dead while another five had been able to reach escape pods. Among those lost aboard were the leading scientist from both the Varl and the Shana'Duna. However no of the losses were felt among the common people of the galaxy as the CEO and Owner of Kosh Industries, Skawn Kosh. Skawn Kosh was well known for his charitable projects and beloved drinks which are sold across the galaxy.

It didn't take the Varl long to discover that it was sabotage which destroyed the ship. They sent their evidence to the RIA for further analyst. The top minds of the RIA concluded with the Varl that the saboteurs were human and most likely Reich. The fact that the Reich was now targeting political leaders and civilians outright sent shock waves across the Senate. With everyone demanding to know how the Reich had managed to pull of such a powerful count-intelligence operation and the sabotage plot without even the hint of signs for the RIA to pick up. Heads were already being lined up to roll from these horrible acts. Chancellor Murl had to face the change in the war and behind closed doors accepted the Shark Missile Program as a more viable means to end the war. With his blessings, and the disruption in Free Worlds Council space already, the last bit of funding finally got approved and the Shark Missile Program was well on its way to changing the scope of the War once more. This time in the favor of the Reich.

Still, everyone wanted to know who was responsible for the advantage the Reich had been able to find. It was Senator Oo'ish Ta who was quoted in saying over both the G-Net and the Lord's Voice, “What happened was tragic. How it happened was nothing short of betrayal on the level that has never been seen before. We will find who was responsible. We will capture them. We will bring them to justice. I don't care where you are. We will find you! Whom ever you are, Traitor!”

---

Five Minutes Out From Grafenwohr
Core World of Trais
Second Reich of Humanity
10th August, 1938

“Senator Zall”, the soft voice of the young human stewardess filled his ears as if an angel called his name from some unseen cloud. She gently touched his shoulder and stirred him from his slumber. “Sir. The Captain has asked me to inform you that we will be landing shortly.” She added with such softness and measure of respect that Xan had actually forgot what it felt like to be treated as such. The journey from Carida had been a long and hard one. The pirate vessel that smuggled him to Reich space had been everything Xan would have expected from a pirate vessel. However, his Reich handler had ensured that as much comfort was extended to him that was possible. What made things more complicated was the searches from Republic and Shana'Duna warships. Xan had not thought how hard it would be slipping through enemy lines. The Reich handler and his associates helped Xan hide himself from the scanners and search parties. He could really have a great deal of respect for the professional work these men and women did for him. That was if they were not the enemy. He still didn't fully trust them yet, but he couldn't deny the lengths they went to ensuring his own safety. It was something that was not missed by him.

Once they were safely in Reich space, they had transferred to a Reich warship and were speeding on to Trais. The tripped seemed to go faster and faster the closer they got. He couldn't deny that he was looking forward to see his sister once more. It was a reunion that was long over due as he had missed her and had done so much to ensure her safety. He looked out over the country side of Trais and found it so lovely. His mind wondered as the thought of after the war, if they would allow him to resettle here. He almost laughed as he pictured himself running a small winery along one of those rolling hills. It was a silly thought, but something that brought a smile to his face. He turned to the young woman who had been waiting on him hand and foot for the past three days. “Thank you, Rebecka” he said feeling refreshed from his long nap. Traveling on a private shuttle really made him feel like the man he used to be. It was a life of luxury that he had been raised in. While it might not be what he was seeking, it did bring back memories of a life that was much more simpler than today.

[Akirapryde]

(7.16) Innocents
Cargo Bay Six
The Republic Cruiser Marauder
Tempered Wastes, Lehon system,
5th August, 1938

“The great huntress Tess moves through the wilderness stalking her pray.” Tess softly whispered as she moved through the darkened aisles of the Storage bay. Her face painted up in traditional style for a hunter. The sounds of a very live and activity jungle echo around her. The sounds however were coming from her small droid friend, Kataryla. Both small creatures wore face paint and ribbons which told all that saw them of the serous hunt that they were on. Both carried small spears that had been fashioned from scrape metal and wood found in the recycling plant. It was Tess's very first time being allowed out of her room without Sha's direct supervision. “Sisters, no Blood Sisters” Tess whispered to the small life like droid who smiled and nodded, “We hunt the very fierce and monstrous, the legendary Nod'Kullosh. Devourer of entire villages and the object of fear and mystery.” she said with a very serous look on her face. The four Marines working in the area took notice of the two little hunters moving between the boxes and nodded as they decided to work somewhere else.

The noises of the jungle continued as the two little hunters moved between the boxes as they sought their pray. Tess looked to Kataryla as they paused their hunt, “Did you hear that? It sounded like a scream for help! Hurry sister!” Tess said as they rushed down the path. Tess leaped over boxes as Kataryla took flight. Faster they run, “Hury Tess, I see them. It is Sha! The Nod'Kullosh has her cornered!” Kataryla said as she climbed higher to get a better view.

The pair rushed to the aid of their elder sister Sha, “Kataryla do something! Help her!” Tess yelled as she leaped over a small group of boxes that had been staged in her path. Faster Tess pushed her self to rush down the line of boxes. Above Kataryla swooped in from above together with spears in hand they rushed to the rescue.

Kataryla hurled her spear over a group of boxes as she yelled out, “Take that you monster!”

Tess leaped over the boxes to see the horror of the battle. Boxes lay tossed about with sprays of red all over the place. Tess dropped her spear and rushed over to the body laying on the deck. “NO!” she cried out as she picked up the Marine uniform that had been sown together and dripped with red liquid. The stuffing of the body was squeezed out as Tess held the body close to her, “NO SHA!” she cried as Kataryla swooped down and joined the morning of the defeated warrior. “Sha! Sister, I shall avenge you. The Nod'Kullosh, WILL Pay for this. I PROMISE THIS!” Tess stood up and grabbed her spear. She waved the wooden and metal spear in the air, “YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, Nod'Kullosh!”

Kataryla leaned over and licked the wounds of the stuffed uniform. Tess looked to her, “We don't eat our dead!” Tess commanded, “We are not savages like the Nod'Kullosh”

“But, we made the blood so yummy!” Kataryla protested with reddish blood across her face.

Tess took an knee next to Kataryla and licked the blood of their fallen Sha, “Yes sister, you are right. Sha was a brave warrior.” Tess said in a bit of morning, “Clearly the spirits have offered us Sha's blood so that we may share her strength and courage” Tess said as she too continued to lick up the sweet red liquid that they had made from the kitchen earlier today. The two little hunters enjoyed their feast as the memories of the Nod'Kullosh slipped from their minds.

However as the last of the reddish liquid was licked up the two hunters picked up their spears once more and headed out on the hunt. Tess looked around, “Sister we must seek higher ground if we are to find the demon monster Nod'Kullosh.”

Kataryla nodded as she looked around, “There!” she said pointing to a large stack of boxes with a rope hanging from it. The rope was painted green as if it were a vine.

Tess nodded, “Good eyes sister” she said as she rushed to the base of the pile of boxes. “We shall climb up this ro....vine and reach the summit of the grand mountain.” Tess explained as she took hold of the rope. She started to work her way up the stack of large boxes while Kataryla used her wings and hovered next to Tess. “This mountain must surely have been created to test only most brave and courageous hunters, Sister.” Tess continued to climb as she cleared the top of the boxes around her. The boxes were very stable thanks to the work done by the Marines in preparing this artificial jungle for Tess and Kataryla. A point of disagreement between Second Platoon and the ships cargo master that would be going before the Captain in a few day. Still, Tess climbed her way to the top of the box mountain using the green rope. Her little body shook as pulled herself up over the edge of the last box. Tess let out a might roar as she stood up and waved her spear. “I have conquered the greatest mountain on this world!” She said as her spear tip waved very close to the ceiling. The members of second platoon were keeping a watchful eye of the hunt as it continued. Tess might think that she was alone, but she was never without someone watching over her.

Kataryla landed next to Tess as Tess continued to celebrate her victory over the mountain. Tess was filled with so much energy, “Not even the might Lut Sha could reach the heights of Spirit Mountain” She said to Kataryla as she named the mountain which had caused so much problems in the cargo bay. Recruiting the help of the Marines for such a dangerous hunt was nearly impossible till Kataryla had an idea. They asked the Marines if they would like to be part of the glorious hunt for the mighty Nod'Kullosh. Kataryla and Tess had promised the Marines a portion of the wealth and riches from the beast's lair which it had stolen from local villages. Kataryla translated for Tess as Tess explained how menacing this monster was. And that if they did not best the monster that it was only a matter of time before it turned its monstrous eyes on their village in the Departure Bay. The even invoked the power of the Spirits as the two little hunters explained the destruction of what the monster was capable of. They showed detailed (hand colored) holo images taken by the most advanced Republic warships (large color paper, drawings) of the paths of destruction that Nod'Kullosh had laid to other worlds. They begged the Marines for their help in stopping this monster before another world were to fall.

Tess and Kataryla looked from the peak of the mountain and saw the crew members below moving crates around as needed supplies were being moved to the repair areas. “Look Sister, Those poor villagers don't even know how much danger they are in. Nod'Kullosh must be close. I can smell the monster on the wind.”

Kataryla nodded and asked, “Should we warn them?” Kataryla dropped to all fours as her wings folded behind her back and she crawled up next to Tess and watched the crew members at work. “What shall we do?”

Tess shook her head, “No Sister, if we warn them of the monster, they will surely panic and laugh at us. Like before. No, we can not risk tipping the Nod'Kullosh off that we are getting close. Sha's death will not be in vane. I will avenge her!”

Kataryla nodded as her thick tail waved behind her. “Okay, so if I were a monster where would I be lurking.” She pointed out over to the far side of the bay, “Oh there! Maybe there?”

Tess shook her head and pointed to the large moving exo-loader operated by one of the crew members. “No Sister. See the Skul'oush.” she said speaking of the exo-loader, “That is a natural predator of the Nod'Kullosh. No, the beast would not lurk there. Though I would not be surprised if the beast would be stalking that large beast as an attempt to slay it before it can slay the Nod'Kullosh. Tess searched the cargo bay once more, “There, I am sure of it.” she said pointing to a large pile of trash that had been moved in to the bay, (Against the requests and orders of the Cargo Master) “If the beast is anywhere.” Tess said, “Its there!” Tess looked around to form her plan to finish this very dangerous hunt. She knew that failure would mean both of their deaths at the claws of such a powerful foe. She saw all that she needed to, to form her plan. “We will take that vine” she said pointing to a rope bridge that looked like a group of vines with leafs tied to it. The bridge lead to a large stack of boxes next to the trash heap. “Then find a place along that low mountain” she said pointing to another stack of boxes. “Then we shall sneak up on the beast and slay it!” Tess said holding her little spear, “We will take its head back to the Republic Senate and be hailed heroes of the Republic.”

Kataryla clapped her hands in excitement, “Do you think they will give up sweets and, and, and let us meet the Chancellor?”

Tess smiled as she rested a hand on Kataryla's shoulder, “Oh, there will be sweets” Tess said softly with determination in her voice and glimmer in her eyes. “So many sweets that all young hunters like us will never want for sweets again. The Senate will pass a law, they shall call it Tess' Law. Sweets for all hunters young and old. And as for the Chancellor, He will bring us Sweets personally. And more importantly than that. He will give us that hot...um....sweet.....what was it that our Marine allies gave us before the hunt? You remember at the fire just before the hunt. What was it called?”

“Um, On...yeah that was SOOOO Yummy! Um...what did they call it. Oh I remember, cocco. They called that drink, Hot Cocco. Will the Chancellor bring us Hot Cocco?”

Tess nodded, “Yes Sister, the Chancellor will bring us this drink of the spirits, this Hot Cocco. And we shall be hailed heroes for slaying the mighty Nod'Kullosh.” Tess turned to the trash heap and lowered her voice, “But we must, Sister, We must slay that monster first. We must bring peace and safety to those poor unaware villagers. For we are hunters, and hunting is what we do. We hunt monsters.”

Kataryla laughed, “Oh and the hunting is soo good.....which leads to sweets” she couldn't contain her excitement from her words as she spoke of sweets.

Tess took her spear and tied it to her back and made sure that it was secured. Kataryla moved to take flight but Tess stopped her, “No sister. We have to do this the hard way. We can not afford to tip the beast off that we are coming.”

“You are right” Kataryla said nodded as she did the same with her spear.

The two little hunters started down the rope bridge that had been set for them by the Marines. Slowly they moved down the bridge high above the crew members working below them. The two hunters could feel their fears raising but they had a goal and they would not stop till they reached that goal. Slowly and surely they continued down the rope bridge till Tess loss her footing and slipped through the spans between the bridge's supports. She let out a cry as Kataryla grabbed her. While Kataryla's wings flapped as per her programming, her repulsers were dialed up to pick up the added weight of Tess' body. Far below them, neither of them saw the two Marines acting with out pause to toss a net under Tess should she fall. With Kataryla's help, Tess was able to recover her footing once more and stabilize herself. The moment had passed with more tension and fear than actual risk of injury. Still Tess and Kataryla played out their hunt as if all around them was in fact their little world.

“Are you ok?” Kataryla asked as Tess stopped to catch her breath.

Tess' heart raced, “Yes....” she said trying to catch her breath, “I am...thank you, Sister.” Tess took a moment to catch her breath as she looked down to the deck below. The Marines had vanished as fast as they had appeared. Tess' and Katarlya illusion was still intact as Tess nodded, “This is a dangerous hunt” Tess commented as she started to make her way down the rope bridge. “This might be the most dangerous hunt of our lives” Tess added as she looked back to Kataryla.

Kataryla nodded, “Yes I agree.” She placed a hand on Tess' shoulder, “Think of the sweets and Hot Cocco. We must remember what is at the end of this hunt.”

Tess nodded as she was reassured of what they were doing. “Yes sister, the Hot Cocco. But we must not forget the innocent villagers that we are protecting from them monster, Nod'Kullosh” the pair continued down the rope bridge without further issues. The climb was hard for them but together, the little hunters finally reached the bottom of the bridge and the safety of the Crate mountain. They took a moment to look back over the massive span they had crossed. Tess nodded as she pulled her spear, “Lets finish this hunt Sister. Then we shall enjoy Hot Cocco and Sweets.”

Kataryla, “Oh I can't wait. Oh the sweets....” With spears at the ready the pair slipped to their bellies and started to crawl towards the edge of the large stack of boxes. They were as silent as possible so not the alert the Nod'Kullosh of their location. “There I see the monster. Feeding on its latest victim.” Kataryla said as she pointed towards the trash heap.

Tess shook her head with great sadness, “A brave man, he surely was. This monster must be stopped. Get your net ready. On my command Sister, leap down there and toss your net over the beast. At the same time, I will leap from that ledge and land to its side. If we work together, you will render the monster helpless, and I shall slay it.”

Kataryla nodded with excitement, “And then we shall have sweet and Hot Cocco delivered by the Chancellor himself!” She pulled out her net and made it ready.

Tess turned to her with all the serous of her heart and mind, “Yes Sister” she said with confidence. “We shall have our sweets and Hot Cocco delivered to us by the Chancellor. We will be hailed as the greatest hunters of all the Republic!” Tess smiled as she could taste the end of the hunt at hand. “Go over there, Sister. Wait for my signal.” As Kataryla started to move Tess stopped her, “Not before I give the signal!”

Kataryla nodded her understanding as she turned and moved silently to her position. Tess also moved to her position. The pair moved together like a well oiled team of hunters. Below was their pray waiting to for the finally act of this hunt to play out. Tess watched the beast with her own eyes as it ripped its latest victim apart. She felt a great sense of sadness over the needless loss of life. One more innocent man had fallen before the Nod'Kullosh. “It is time for your evil reign of terror to come to an end.” Tess whispered as not to alert the monster. She noticed the signal from her sister and Tess nodded back that she too was ready as well. Tess took in a deep breath as to clear her mind and to prepare for the battle that was to come. Tess said a soft prayer to the spirits asking for Sha's spirit to be with her during this moment of truth. “I shall avenge you Sha” Tess whispered as she slowly rose up to start her attack. She waved to her sister and gave the signal as both little hunters leaped down from the creates screaming their battle cries! “FOR THE SWEETS!”

Kataryla swooped down with grace and speed while she tossed her net out wide over the trash heap. Nod let out a little cry in alarm as the two larger hunters leap out at her. She grabbed a mealworm in both of her little claws. Nods small frame and skill made it more than easy for her to fly through the large openings in the net and to the safety of the air. Nod had her little wiggling delights and a pair for eating later, she knew it was time to leave. She watched Tess land and swing the large spear point at her. Once more Nod easily dodged the attack as Tess cried out once more her battle cry which Nod didn't understand. Kataryla attempted once more to catch Nod under the large net though only catching Tess instead. Nod puffed herself up and flapped her tiny wings for a moment as if to impress the two little hunters of her might and terror of what she can bring. With mealworms in both hands Nod turned to fly away. Half way from the door, Nod turned back towards both little Hunters and stuck her tongue out at their failed hunt.

Tess cried out, “NO!” she was helpless from under the net to stop the monster from fleeing. “Stop the beast, Sister!”

Kataryla attempted to give chase but Nod was simply too fast and more agile than the larger Kataryla. Moments later Kataryla landed next to Tess who had managed to free herself from the net. The disappointment was thick in the air. “No Sweets and Hot Cocco?” she asked as she freed the last of the net from Tess' tail.

Tess turned to her sister, “Oh, the hunt is not over Sister. The beast has bested us this time. But the Republic is counting on us to defeat this monster. We can not let the Republic down. We have to remember those who have fallen here today. And yes Sister, there will be Sweets and Hot Cocco before this hunt is over. That beast will pay for this defeat.” Tess said standing up slowly she waved a fist at the long gone Nod, “Nod'Kullosh you have won this hunt, But we will not give up till the Republic is free from your evil!”

---

With the safe return of the two little hunters, the Marines of Second Platoon through a grand feast in honor of the two returning hunters. There was much sweets and the Hot Cocco flowed like a great river in Tess' and Kataryla's honor. It was the Twi'lek Lieutenant Tol Distombe who raised his mug of Hot Coccor, “While not all missions end the way we hope. When we return home to our families, than all can consider that a successful mission.” It was Lieutenant Distombe's idea to help the pair on their hunt. He is the Commanding Officer of the Second Platoon and much like a father figure to the rag tag team of misfits. He added, “To the honor of our hunters, Tess and Kataryla. May your next hunt be as successful and rewarding as this one was.”

An hour later Tess and Kataryla found themselves walking back to their room. Their little bellies full of sweets and Hot Cocco. They had made new friends, enjoyed a grand adventure together. And more importantly, they have faced off with the monster known as, Nod'Kullosh and have survived where others had fallen. In all, it was a very eventful and fun day outside of the room. Kataryla ask before they opened the door, “SO what do we do tomorrow?”

Tess stopped and turned to her adopted Sister, “Tomorrow Sister? Have you not heard? The vile pirate Nod has been raiding Republic supply ships. We have to stop this pirate at all costs!”

The two were laughing as they walked in to the room to see Sha waiting on them. “So what have you two been up to?”

The pair looked at each other and smiled as they gave slight little nods. Sha noticed the unspoken gestures. They looked back to Sha and laughed, “Nothing much” as they skipped past the much larger Sha. It was time to plan out their mission to stop the vile pirate Nod.

---

Narrator's Note: Innocents is a beautiful thing. The Innocents of children is what keeps this world and our culture young. I wish and hope that each of you will find and hang on to that innocent over the next few days. I want to wish each of you a Marry Christmas.......

[Akirapryde]

(7.17) Lambs to the Slaughter
Six Hours out of Toprawa (Galactic Coordinates O-7)
Twenty Degrees off the Hydian Way
Deep Space, Outer Rim
16th August, 1938

The secret journey from their anchorage at Bandomeer was long and trying. They had to avoid all space lanes and any ship to ensure surprise. Their plan was as near to perfection as any Fleet Commander could have hoped for. The remaining forces of the Free Worlds Council navy was on the move. Not only did the fleet make up the last remaining hundred plus warships that belonged to the Regular Navy, it also contained the might of the corporate sector as well. In total, nearly two hundred warships and thousands of fighters that were taking part the plan to destroy the Union navy in anchorage over Toprawa. It would be their first glorious step to break away from the Republic and secure a lasting peace with the Reich. But for many of the sailors and pilots within the fleet, this was all pay back for the invasion of last year.

The Union Navy was made up of three important former Reich units. The core of the navy had been built around the elite Panzer Haar III and its infamous commander, Field Marshal Erich Von Kessler. Also known as the Star Fox for his cunning and brilliant tactics. The heart of the Navy is the 6th Haar who has served loyally with the Star Fox during his mission to secure the Seswenna Sector for the Reich. However, no unit has earned more hatred among the Free Worlds Council soldiers and sailors alike is the Tenth Hoplight under the command of Field Marshal Walther Model. It was the Tenth Hoplight which had launched a surprise attack against the Jagga-Two the Capital of the Free Worlds Council. The attack was so fast that few of the worlds defenders were able to reach their positions before the world was taken. If not for the assistance of the Azgardians, the Free Worlds Council would have completely fallen on that day. It was the Azgardians who saved the FWC leadership and helped them escape the Tenth's trapping maneuver. A black eye in pride of both the army and the navy and now it was time for pay back.

The guise for peace was just to get support for the attack among those who were on the fence. The war had had its toll on soldiers and civilians alike. It had only been a year but the cry for peace was starting to grow louder in the ears of the remaining senate members. But this attack was for more than peace. It was to ensure that the Free Worlds Council would survive the war as intact as possible. Now the long dark road appeared to be coming to an end. The fleet was just one jump away from fulfilling its part of the treaty with the Reich. And that was to destroy the Union Navy! Reich Traitors who feld the Reich to join the Republic. Admiral Jever Zelerus paced across his flag bridge. He watched his fleet beyond the massive windows of his bridge. He knew the numbers and knew that they had a nearly one to one odds against the Union navy. With odds like this, victory was far from assured. But they had surprise on their side. The Union Navy was not expecting an attack, let alone from their allies. He looked at the latest intelligence and noticed that most of the Union ships were still conducting shore leave and general maintenance on their ships. The intel report was twenty four hours old but he was still sure surprise was on their side.

Due to changes in the mission, he had to change up his plan for a complete surprise attack to send in scouts before his fleet arrived. It was a risk that he had to take to ensure that they had surprise on their hand. He had to catch the Union Navy as off guard as possible. He checked his old pocket watch and calculated that if his timing was right than the first of the scouts should be reaching their positions within minutes from now. He had sent five scout ships from different angles to ensure that he could get a complete image of what was going on there. Soon they should be receiving the last intel update from the system. Soon they would give the final order to attack or withdraw from the attack plan. The waiting before the battle was the worst part of the battle. “Just remember, regardless of how detailed and brilliant this plan seems to be. No plan survives first contact with the enemy” He said to his bridge crew.

“Sir first imagines coming in” Captain For'bus said.

The Admiral quickly walked over to the tactical table. Holographic images of the entire fleet hovered over the table. “We had been warned that they might know an attack is coming. It is the time of truth, let's see what they are doing. Show me” the Admiral said softly. The reports this morning were sketchy at best. There was a urgent call to the President suggesting that the plan had some how been compromised and the Union Navy were aware of the coming attack. The President's orders were simple but far from clear. 'If there is reasonable doubt that the Union is unaware of the coming attack, call it off at once. If there is reasonable belief that surprised can been assured, continue with the attack.'

“Split the image and show us both today and yesterdays images” Rear Admiral Xeniatos asked. He was the fleet's XO.

The image changed as the staff officers slowly went over it. “Look” said Captain Fur'Bus, “they moved their larger capital ships closer to the yards and pushed their smaller destroyers and corvettes out further. Clearly they are setting up a fighter screen.”

“Hmmm” Xeniatos mumbled, “yes, but we are not seeing any evidence of power on any of the ships. Look, the moorings are still in place on all ships. Plus look at their carriers. If they knew an attack was coming they would have cleared the yard's arms from the carriers allowing them a chance to flee once the battle started. Also look at Kessler's flagship, her armor plating has been removed around the engines. They are overhauling the engines as part of routine maintenance. I highly doubt Kessler would take such a risk with his own flagship.”

The Old Admiral sighed, “all are valid points. By moving their smaller ships outward could be a sign that they are preparing to repel a fighter based attack. This could be a sign that they are aware of a coming attack. Kessler is a cunning and wise leader, the carriers and yard arms as well as the moorings are not compelling one way or the other. However none of their ships show any signs of power It would take hours to bring a ship from zero energy to full power. That is a clue we can not ignore. One can't not hope to repel an attack without power. The armor plating is the key, no Commander in their right mind would leave their ships unsecured in such a way if he was expecting an attack. Not even the StarFox himself, not Field Marshal Kessaler. Give the order, all ships enter hyperspace for the final jump. Once we are back in real space we will launch all fighters and bombers. By this time tomorrow we will have destroyed the Union Fleet.”

---

Toprawa Anchorage (Galactic Coordinates O-6)
Toprawa Republic
Outer Rim World of Toprawa
17th August, 1938

The Free World Council fleet slipped from hyper space just as they had planned and before them laid their unsuspecting pray, the mighty Union Navy. While many of the details behind this attack remained a secret. One thing was clear, success on this raid meant peace for the Free Worlds Council. Not a single sailor or pilot misunderstood what was at stake during this battle. For families back home, loved ones in POW camps, for Worlds that were under the boot of the Reich, this battle was for it all. There was not a person aboard that knew what was at stake. To bring an end of the Union Navy meant bringing home loved ones and family members. With minutes before the battle, there was a sense of calm and surreal about everyone. It would be the first time that the Free Worlds Council would fight on behalf of the Reich. Final briefings were given as wave after wave of fighters were launched. The bombers followed shortly behind them.

As the fleet made its approach on the anchorage, the entire solar system's defensive network lit up with alarms as the fleet refused to identify themselves. This sent cheers through the Flag Bridge as it told them they had achieve the surprise that they desperately needed. The order was given to form up on their attack vectors and the order for the the fighters and bombers to start their attack runs. Within minutes the Union channels were filled with sounds of alarm as they attempted to contact their supposed allies. The Admiral cast off the deception and ordered no reply. He was not about to conceal his intentions any more. Admiral Zelerus gave himself a chance to smile as he watched his forces spreading out in to their attack vectors. “I have you now, Fox” he whispered speaking of the most hated and feared Reich Officer, the Star Fox.

“Sir, Our attack wings will be making contact in three minutes. They are passing lunar orbit now. We will be in firing range in ten minutes.” one of the bridge officers announced.

“Exillent, maintain speed and course. Inform all ships once they are in firing range hold till we fire first. I want Kessler's flagship to go down in flames” Admiral Zelerus said coldly. The last time he and Kessler crossed swords, Kessler had blown Admiral Zelerus' own flagship out from underneath him. He ran his hand across the command console of his station, “It time to avenge your fallen sister” he said with as much kindness as possible.

“FIGHTERS SIR!” Cried out one of the Ops officers.

“Fighters?” Admiral Zelerus questioned. The Union had deployed their fighters a lot faster than he had expected. Still it was too late for Kessler. His fighters would never reach the FWC fleet in time to stop them. “The from the carriers? How many so far?”

The Opd Officer ran his hand over his controls, “No Sir. not from the carriers. From a lunar launch site. And I think their entire complement”

'Lunar launch site? Thats not possible' Admiral Zelerus thought in horror. That could only mean that they didn't have surprise. “No” he mumbled, “how long till they are on top of us?” He asked then turned to his communications officer, “inform the fleet to change course and....”

“Sir they are not heading for us, they are engaging our own air wings” The Ops Officer corrected.

The Admiral waved his hand, “Hold that communication” he turned to his holotable to confirm what he was being told. It was true, Kessler had made a tragic mistake. By engaging the fighters, Kessler has allowed the FWC capital ships a chance to close to firing range. “Com, send to our CAP” He said speaking of their own Combat Air Patrol. A large group of fighters held in reserve to protect the ships from enemy fighters and bombers during a counter attack. “Inform them to move with purpose to assist our embattled air wings. Free them up so they can continue their attack. Inform all ships, advance to flank speed. Let's close this gap while we have a chance. Once in range, fire on that fleet Carrier. She is our prize today. Let us cripple the Union Navy!”

The Free Worlds Council fleet moved closer to the Union Navy which still showed no sign of movement. Between the two massive fleets small flashes of light light up the space. Each light told the story of lives being lost. The battle was joined by the pilots of both navies. Each fighter and bomber danced in a dance of death with one an other. Those few that managed to get through were cut to ribbons by the fast attack ships of the Union Destroyers and Corvettes. A hard line had been drawn and the fighters couldn't push through. Not one of the Free Worlds Council attack wings had been able to push past the line of Union Fighters. None of that would matter in two minutes as the massive guns of the Council's warships were closing in on the helpless larger ships of the Union navy. Sensor showed that the ships were attempting to build power to move but time was ticking against them. Kessler had gambled heavily on his fighters and screens of smaller ships. Would that gamble pay off now? It was just a matter of time till this battle was over. If the Large guns of the FWC fleet could be brought to fire on the Union Fleet it would all be over. If Kessler's ships could build enough power to move than they could escape the battle. But there was still one last unit to move on to the battle field.

“Admiral! Hyperspace events!” Another Ops officer called.

The ship rocked as it took a near point blank shot. Everyone held on as the ship rocked more as more shots hammered away at the ship. “Where!?” The Admiral called.

His answer came as the entire bridge lit up with a bluish glow and a shadow of a massive ship was starting to be cast from the glow. Admiral Zelerus rushed to his observation arm of the bridge and looked around the near by space. There were as many as fifty of these blue holes in space. Each brought a large ship of unknown design right in to the middle of his fleet. Along each unknown ship were swarms of fighters. Then the largest of the holes opened up right above his own flagship. Slowly came forth was the largest warship he had ever seen. Over three kilometers long as it hammered away at his own flagship. His ship rocked by the near by explosion of one of his ships being blasted to pieces. Still that monster of a warship above his flagship kept firing down on them. He tried hopelessly to wave off a set of red bolts that rained down on his ship. They hit across the bow blasting massive holes across his ship as the ships jerked and shook against the hits. Terror filled his eyes as Admiral Zelerus watched his own sailors being sucked out of their ship and in to space. He cried out for his men but there was nothing he could do to stop this attack.

As he continued to watch the battle around him, he could hear his officers calling out for orders. Admiral Zelerus was frozen in the moment as he just watch this massive ship slip in to real space above his own ship and pound away at his beloved flagship. He could easily make out the large silhouette of a black dragon across its haul. 'The Azgardians have come to their aide' he thought as he watched another of his ship vanish in a bright flash. The ship was replaced by a field of derbies. Once more the cries for orders echoed in the back of his mind as he watched that massive ship continue firing down on his flagship. He watched helpless as bright red blast leaped from the ship above and hammered his own ship. “We had surprise” his voice was lost in the explosions as he felt his XO pulling on his arm. Admiral Zelerus face glowed red as he looked up and saw a giant red bolt rushing down to him. “Damn you! We had the surprise” he yelled out while waving his fist at the massive ship. Then he was, no more. The bridge exploded under the impact as more blasts ripped the rest of the spine FWC flagship appart.

---

Free Worlds Council Senate Building
Free Worlds Council
Colonies World of Carida
20th August, 1938

The folder was slammed closed as the sound of Sabilia Zall disapproval snarl was heard. “I can not believe that with all you were given. You were able to loss one hundred and eighty six warships. And for what? Ten enemy ships?” She tossed the fold filled with papers back in to the face of the President of the Free Worlds Council. He tried to catch them but they flew from the folder and scattered across his body before landing about the floor. “You are no more competent than my grandson. Both of you are failures.” She moved right in to his face and stared the man down till he looked away from her eyes. On that she gave a smile, “I don't have to kill you to disown you. You have that going for you. For the moment.”

The President carefully backed up. He had heard stories of Sabilia Zall. The kind of stories best left behind closed doors. He looked over at the lovely Orthana who watched silently. His own personal guards knew better than to interfere with what was going on. On the surface, she had all the abilities to be just like the grandmother she appeared to be. However, deep beneath the surface laid the demon its self. A spawn from hell was what she was and the President knew better than to cross her. She had built a corporate empire that rivaled all other during her life time. The wealth that the Zall family enjoyed today was all made by her. She turned a small regional family in to a galactic name and force to be reckoned with. She had brought in the best trained mercs to build her own security force to protect this empire. There was not a person who knew her, believed that she didn't have her skeletons. And like the rest, if there were skeletons in her closest, the President didn't want to know. “I....I warned them that their attack had been compromised...I....”

“I...I....I...” she mocked with venom in her voice. “Oh shut up, you fool!” She snapped even causing his own guards to question rather they should shotting her or not. Still it was fear that held them in their place. She was not just dangerous, she could unleash a nightmare on someone. The kind that lives long after she was done with you. “Your situation is not completely lost” she said turning and walking towards her grand daughter. “It was a good thing that you returned my call and decided to seek my help.” She smiled and nodded to her granddaughter who handed her a datachip. “Luckily for you Mr. President” again her voice still filled with mocker and sarcasm. “I watched my grandson create this mess. I set back knowing this would blow up in his face. This was the very reason why I forbid his father from allowing him in to the Family Business. His incompetence was noticed at a young age.” She explained while looking at her Grand daughter as she ran a hand through Orthana's hair, “his parents should have drowned him when he was a baby, like I suggested. Oh but his mother cried and screamed at how much of a monster I am.” She further explained she finally turned to face the President once more. “I never liked her either. Like mother, like son. Both of them failures at everything they did. She was drug addict and slut who had my baby rapped around her finger.”

She walked forward towards the President once more, “You know I tried to have her killed but the little slut survived. Oh she knew I was behind the attempt. It was my only moment of failure that I regretted. She paused and turned back to her granddaughter and smiled, “But than she had you. Oh my love. You were the only thing that slut ever did right. So prefect. So filled with promise. Not like your other failures of siblings. So much like me.” The lovely Orthana smiled and nodded at the compliment. It was clear that the guards hated her. There this vile woman stood insulting the dead mother of this young woman. Sabilia turned back towards the President and handed him the chip. He took the chip and started to read them as she spoke. “Read this carefully and follow the instructions carefully. Do these things and your Presidency will be spared the disgrace of this attack and the actions that will surely come soon enough. Trust in my guidance and you will survive the foolish actions of my grandson.”

He looked up in shock, “how could you know these things?”

She smiled and looked over her glasses, “Your father and I had a very long and very profitable relationship. And I expect nothing less from you boy.”

“This will ruin your grandson, Xan, and many of the Free Worlds Council leadership. Why would you do these things.” There was clear shock in his voice. “Why” he question with disbelief.

Once more she moved closer and looked in to his eyes, “I have watched my Grandson ruin the empire I built with my own hands. He wasted valuable resources and personal. And the end result was as expected from him. Failure! He is lucky I have only time to ruin his life and nothing worse. But I will not be finished with him for some time. I will ensure that his name will known for the failures that he has laid.” There was almost a hint of glee in her voice and eyes at that statement.

She turned to look through the one way mirror to see General Hushner in the interrogation room. His hands shackled and his uniform stripped of all honors and rank. He was a broken disgraced man. Gone was the proud officer of just a few days ago. “The rest of them, those bureaucrats, are loyal to other corporations. If they don't want to be in my pocket than to hell with them. Let them burn in the fires of reconstructions. You WILL welcome the chancellor with open arms and show true gratitude for the Chancellor's help in cleaning house. The Free Worlds Council will fall to the Republic. But in its death will raise a stronger union. At its heart will be your leadership.”

The President stepped forward and joined her at the window, “And you will be there to reap the contracts and profits to be had. All for you...right?”

She only nodded at his statement. She didn't even bother to hide her true goal. She had found that it made things move along allot smoother. Simply let people know where they and you stand. She motioned towards General Hushner as she paused for a moment. Then she said plainly, “you will release him. I have plans for him and his troops.”

The demand was beyond his authority and had pushed her last hand. “Now that is too far. I can't just release him. The charges against him are too server. He has to stand trail for what he did. Hell woman its all over the Lord's Voice. There would be an outcry against that” the President protested.

She turned her gaze right in to his eyes, “I don't care what you have to do. But he leaves with me.”

Finally Orthana Zall decided to speak up. Her voice was soft and gentle but there was that same hint of darkness that filled Sabilia's own voice. “Gran Gran” she said with affection and love in her voice, “how do you know he will choose to serve us?”

Sabilia turned and ignored further protests from the President as she smiled to her granddaughter, “trust me, child” she said as she walked toward the door. “Follow me and learn how to turn a man's loyalty against those he serves” she commanded her granddaughter. The younger woman followed behind her silently.

The General didn't look up at those who entered, still Sabilia spoke clearly. “You served with my husband many times. You served him loyally for years. This is the only reason why I am here today. To give you a chance for revenge. To give you the opportunity to repay my Grandson for the betrayal he attempted on your own troops.”

“Why would I betray Xan Zall. He has shown me nothing but loyalty to me this whole time. I won't betray him.” General Hushner said without looking up. Sabilia knew that the man was not lying, but still there was a chance to turn the man.

“I know you face a hard choice right now.” She placed a holocommunicator on the table. “I know you love your troops and I know what you would do to protect them. They are your family. So all I ask is to listen to your own troops. Hear that they have to say to you. Their leader. Three soldiers and a pair of pilots. Listen to what they have to tell you. Listen to how my Grandson gave the order, not once, but five times to blow the shielding in the landing bay. To murder your own troops while they fought for survival. While you fought along side your troops and was even wounded my Grandson hid and ordered mass murder. These brave men and one woman disobeyed that murderous order even though they knew that betraying Xan could have meant death. They did the right thing, and they should have their voice heard now.” She released the device before the general and nodded. He only looked at the device as she smiled, “I will be waiting outside that door. You have one hour General. For your years of service to my husband, I will give you one hour to decide where you should rest your loyalties. After that, I will never speak your name again. I will never lift a finger on your behalf. One hour General” she said softly. She turned and started to walk out of the room but paused and looked over her shoulder, “listen to your own soldiers, General. Hear what their loyalty to Xan got them.”

---

The President and his men had left while Sabilia and Orthana were in the interrogation room. As they walked out it was Orthana who spoke up, “Why do we need this General, Gran Gran? You have so many others that you can call on.”

Sabilia turned to her granddaughter and smiled, “Your brother has skeletons. It is only a matter of time before he comes after me. He will want your fathers ledger. I will not give it to him. The President will ensure that your bother is creditless. He will ensure that your brother had no value at all. His friends will dry up. His influence will vanish. It will not take Xan long to realize that it was my hand which caused this. So he will come after me for both the ledger and for revenge. We need General Hushner to find Pessk. Pessk knows about all of Xan's dirty little secrets and where the bodies are. Pessk is the key to truly destroying your bother once and for all. Pessk is the key to it all.”

Orthana nodded, “Is that why you sent Pessk the warning of Xan's betrayal during the battle?” Sabilia nodded, “So what is your next step?”

Sabilia's smile grew, “Its time to leave retirement behind and to rebuild our empire. Piece by piece. And this will be the corner of our new corporation” she said as she activated a holoplayer. Hovering between them was a bluish image of the Marauder. Its secrets all unlocked and ready for construction.

“How did you get those?” Orthana asked in disbelief.

“Honey” Sabilia said softly, “One can get so much more with honey than with vinegar little one. I merely spoke polite to the scientists. Once the chaos started I offered to hide them so that the military wouldn't discover these plans. The cloaking device isn't part of these plans but there is more than enough to create a powerful warship.” she turned it off and handed it over to Orthana, “Take this to Hapes and speak with the Kosh Sisters. Tell them we are ready to fulfill where Xan has failed at. Show their lead techs these plans. Then have them contact me to seal the deal. Understand?” Sabilia rested on her cane as Orthana nodded her understanding.

[Akirapryde]

(7.18) The Kingdom of Lorta
The Kingdom of Lorta
Mid Rim World of Lorta
20 August, 1938

Lorta is commonly known for its deep blue oceans that nearly covers the entire world. A large number of of large islands dot the oceans as well as a series of large man made islands. Its capital city rests on the largest of man made islands, called Joff. The island is named after the pirate/slaver turned entrepreneur and local hero to Lorta. The entire island is one massive series of floats that has been Terra farmed to hold a wide range of tropical plant and animal life. Nearly two centuries prior to the fall of the Republic, Joff and her sister island AnaIel boasted some of the most luxurious resorts in the Mid Rim. A massive entertainment industry grew from these resorts and Lorta saw its largest growth during these years. While rumors persisted of illegal activities going on within the walls of the resorts, the well paid for authorities kept a safe distance from the Resorts to allow a reputation to build. That reputation was that for the right price, anything can be enjoyed on Lorta. Joff, the owner of the resorts even went as far as hiring hundreds of Zeltron to work within his beloved resorts. This only bolstered the reputation of the resorts. These years are known throughout Lorta as the Golden Years of Lorta.

Joff was many things, but he knew how to keep the locals happy. As long as they turned a blind eye to his Resorts, he invested millions of Galactic Credits in to the local economy. He funded new schools, roads, community centers, and space ports. Using his contacts deep within Hutt space, he set up factories which paid above local standards. These goods were shipped back to Hutt space to be sold. He helped created one of the best trade routes in the Mid/Outer Rims, the Joff's Twist. Along this trade route, Lortian goods were shipped to buyers across the region while tourists traveled back the trade route to Lorta. Once there, these tourists enjoyed the luxury of the Resorts and sampling the Lortian markets. Within years, the entertainment industry on Lorta exploded with off world cash flow. Even two holostudios were set up and both were owned by Joff. It was a known fact that had been largely ignored that the Resorts were filled with mostly slaves. Most Lortians opted to simply turn a blind eye to the rumors of rape and assault against the slave workers that took place within the walled Resorts. However, it all almost came crashing down around Joff when a pair of local teens were kidnapped as they were walking along the beach near one of Joff's Resorts. They were brutally raped over and over again by a group of Resort guests. The two teens were left for dead on the sands of the very beach they lived on. Once word broke out, protests nearly shut the Resorts down.

It was said that if this had been anyone else, the Resorts would have been shut down and Joff would have lost his head over the crisis. However, Joff was more than just anyone to let this cash cow out of control. By the time the reports of the rapes turned to crisis, those who were responsible for the rapes had fled Lorta. Demanding to take the lead on this, Joff sent his own daughters to hunt down the men responsible and bring them back to Lorta. He also raised two million credits for each victim and ensured that each victim received the very best in counseling to help them over come what he called, “A horrible, nightmarish event.” he turned the two young women in to poster images of a new campaign to help lower crime on Lorta. He funded two new Police Academies, offered to accept higher taxes on his Resorts to pay for new police officers on the streets and even set up Rape Awareness Programs. Joff took a early lead in the investigation and ensured that those who actually did the crime paid for it. The men were found guilty through a trial that turned in to a media event across Lorta. Joff took on the mantel of Bringer of Justice for all Lortians. By the end of the trial, which Joff made a point to over see from the visitors seats, public opinion of Joff had actually risen rather than was hurt by the rapes. In the eyes of the Lortians, Joff was seen as a public hero and defender of the weak.

When a group of Jedi Hunters arrived to arrest Joff for crimes against the Republic, the out cry actually forced the Hunters to back off. It appeared that Joff had a deeper darker secret than just his resorts. In fact, Joff who was a well known slaver from the Core Worlds and wanted on almost all of them. He was a criminal master mind who the Jedi had been hunting for some time. While Lorta was a member of the Republic, they outwardly refused to allow the Jedi to arrest their favorite stepson. It was a complete shock to the Jedi when they learned that Joff was on Lorta. He had been arrested nearly a decade prior and imprisoned on Korriban. It raised questions as to how he managed to escape Korriban. More importantly, the Jedi were faced with a crisis of their own. Lorta was defending and refusing to turn over the convicted criminal mastermind. Joff was known for praying on the children of the wealthy, powerful and influential. He would kidnap their children and either ransom them back to the families or sell the children in to slavery. For over five years, Joff terrorized the nobility of the Core Worlds till they finally put pressure on the Jedi to finally stop him. Even though he was not a force user, the nobility demanded that the Jedi unleash their hunters upon this monster. Joff was cornered by a team of Jedi Hunters and was arrested. The trial was short and he was sentenced to fifty years in carbonite. The Jedi Grand Master and his padawan Tra Via over saw the sentence carried out personally.

Now, that very Padawan turned Jedi Hunter/Knight Tra Via was locked in a struggle with a different kind of enemy. He was finding that the legal system of Lorta was much more difficult than any other enemy he had faced before. Even though they were shown the reports of Joff's past and suspected current crimes, the people of Lorta saw the action of the Jedi to be in direct violation of their sovereign rights. Twice the Jedi Hunters attempted to seize Joff at his home and twice they were forced back by the citizens of Lorta blocking their path. The crisis continued to grow out of control when a small fleet of three Jedi cruisers arrived in orbit as a show of military might. This only continued to inflame the situation. Still Lorta dug their feet in and refused to yield the the Republic or the Jedi. It was not that they believe that Joff was innocent of those crimes. Their prospective was that Joff had been sentenced for his crimes and considered his released to be debt repaid. A passionate plea from the two teenage girls who were in the center of a major trial and media event last year, came out and spoke on Joff's behalf during the height of the Crisis. There were even candle light gatherings where the Jedi had set up their base of operations. Songs were sung in hopes of showing the Jedi that their operation on this world was unjust. A deal was even offered by the government of Lorta to allow Joff to remain on Lorta as part of his sentence. The Jedi nor the Lortians were not giving in, and the smoke of conflict was seen on the horizon.

As the Lortian Reserves were called up at the hight of the crisis, it was clear that either a solution was found or Lorta was going to go to war with the Jedi. The solution came from a very surprising source. It was Joff himself who offered a compromise. He was not about to turn himself in, but he was not about to allow his beloved friends of Lorta pay for the 'Jedi's overreach'. He offered the Jedi the best deal they could possible hope for. He gave a speech which is still remembered in lore today across Lorta. “When I came here, I found a people that is more than deserving of respect and honor then I have ever found before. Before I was a criminal, this I do not deny. Here, I found a new life. Here, I found a life free from crime. I had believed that my past was behind me. But now that past has come back to hunt not only me, but those to whom I respect and honor. I can not allow one drop of blood to be shed in my name. Even though this overreach conducted by the Jedi is wrong. Even though our freedoms are being trampled upon by the Republic and the Jedi alike. Even though they have no right to do this. Even though we have every right to stand up and fight. I ask everyone, I ask everyone simple to, not to. I can not allow needless loss of life. I know what will happen. We may win this battle, but more will come. More after that and more after that. Till we will not be able to fight anymore. It is too much to ask of my friends. I offer the Jedi this, I will board my ship and leave Lorta. I will not enter hyperspace till I am out of system. All I ask is that when I am gone, leave my friends here in peace. IF you can catch me before I reach hyperspace so be it. IF not, and we all know you wont, then come find me.”

It was a double edged offer for the Jedi. Joff was right, catching Joff's famous ship, the Star Adder, was nearly impossible even for Jedi Starfighters. But unless they accepted Joff's offer the alternative was a great deal of needless death. The Jedi finally accepted the offer to allow Joff to flee the world in peace. Once he was in space, all bets were off. Joff's departure was filled with all the fanfare as if they were celebrating a hero's departure. The Jedi were also there watching very closely to make sure that Joff didn't pull any surprises. Jedi Starfighters circled in high orbit waiting for the Star Adder to break orbit. Everyone watched as Joff crossed the tarmac of the space port. He paused at the foot of the ramp to the Adder. He turned and waved to the people of Lorta. There was a great cheer as many waved back to their local hero. The Star Adder slowly lifted off once Joff was aboard. The cruisers moved in to seal the trap in space. However, the Star Adder would prove to be more maneuverable than the Jedi had predicted. She easily slipped passed the fighters and raced for orbit. The Cruisers moved in to cut the Star Adder off from deep space. It would end up being a foolish move as the Star Adder was as nimble as a fighter and dodged the maneuver. Once the Star Adder broke through orbit, the race was on.

Within minutes, the Adder had a comfortable lead on all of the Jedi ships. As she gained distance on the Cruisers, the Star Adder seemed to actually preform for the number of media ships attempting to follow the race. Every bar and pub on Lorta was watching the chase live as they cheered on their local hero. With each twist the Star Adder made to avoid the attacks of the Jedi, the locals rose their glasses and celebrated with cheers. There were count down clocks showing the distance that the Star Adder needed to reach before Joff could keep his word of going to Hyperspace. Some locals even shouted out to break his word and flee now. Nonetheless, Joff kept his word and remained in real space as the Star Adder raced for the boarder of the system. It almost looked as if Joff was going to make it to the edge of the system. That was till a Jedi Cruiser hyperspaced ahead of the Star Adder and hammered her with a pair of twin Ions. The hits had to of knocked out her hyperdrive engines as the Star Adder turned back for Lorta. Once more the chase turned in to a dance of acrobats as the Star Adder fought desperately to return to the safety of Lorta. However, another pair of Ion blasts from another Jedi Cruiser crippled the Adder and left her dead in space.

With media cameras watching, the Star Adder was towed back to Lorta orbit and boarded. The Leaders of Lorta watched helpless as the Jedi boarded the ship. The mood across Lorta slipped from cheers to sadness and even a few call to arms as they watched helpless as the Star Adder was boarded by Jedi Hunters. Shortly there after the Leaders of Lorta were allowed to board the ship also. What they found sent the entire world of Lorta in to cheers. Joff was no where to be found aboard the ship! His two lieutenants and daughters Anastasya and Arial were arrested for adding in Joff's escape. However, the Leadership of Lorta demanded that they be handed over to Lorta. They claimed that the Republic's arrest warrant only covered Joff, not his two lieutenants. It would become a long standing mystery of Lorta of how Joff escaped the Jedi Hunters.

Joff would late be captured and killed by Jedi Master/Hunter Tra Via two years after his escape from Lorta. His body would be brought back to Lorta by agreement within the Republic Senate for burial. Though his guilt was never in doubt, he would always be remembered in the hearts and minds of Lorta for the day that he stood against the entire Republic. His legend would long out live what crimes he was guilty or suspected of. Joff would become known as a folk hero for what he did that day. For that day, he represented the entire spirit of Lorta. It is this spirit that drives the people of Lorta as they survived the dark years after the fall of the Republic. Even with their own fall in influence, they would still turn to the folk tails of Joff. Criminal, Hero, Legend. And still 'Lorta's Favorite Stepson' as it is worded on a statue in his honor located at the steps of the Parliament building.

During the fall of the Republic, Lorta found herself in the mist of one of the most critical battles of the war. A major battle for control over the region was fought between Republic Forces and the Azgardians along the Corellian Trade Spine. During the final hours of the battle, the fighting spilled over in to the Lorta system. While none of the fighting reached the planet itself, the space battle was clearly visible by the citizens of Lorta. As the war drifted further up the Corellian Trade Spine, Lorta was soon forgotten by the rest of the Galaxy. Left alone to fend off raiders and pirates Lorta formed strong bonds and military alliances with her galactic neighbors. As the two Galactic super powers hammered away at each other, Lorta and her allies fought against a raising tide of raiders and pirates who were drawn to the world by rumors of Lorta's wealth. It didn't take Lorta long to become the heart of the Senex Military Alliance. Which was formed originally by twenty other worlds and systems near Lorta and within the Senex Region of space. The Alliance was more than enough to a match for the raiders and pirates. But they would be put to the test soon enough.

Well after the fall of the Republic and the retreat of the Sith out of the Core Worlds, raids across the Alliance grow sharply. Normally most of the raiders or pirates that the Alliance had to face with were home grown. However, these raider were different and gave concerns. These ships were not recognized and the level of death was not normal for pirates. Anger over the raids continued to grow and a emergency meeting was called on Lorta of the Alliance members. The mandate of the Alliance had been carefully drafted to act solely as a defensive pact. The Alliance was faced with the very real situation that they would have to go on the offensive. A move that many members of the Alliance stressed a need for, but worlds like Lorta, Javin and Isis deeply opposed. The Alliance finally reached common ground that allowed for the members to take a more offensive role against the Raiders, but not so much to break with Lorta's traditional views. A task force of five capital ships had been assembled with the Lortian Princess Laxi Phanan was placed in over all command of the task force. Coming from a long line of military leaders and schooled in Lorta's famed Military Academy made the Princess a logical choice for Task Force Commander. Within the compromise, the strong independent nature of Lorta would govern the mission. Princess Laxi would ensure that the mission didn't cross the line of infringing on rights and independence of other worlds.

The Task Force followed a small group of raiders to the world of Sump and the natives of this sad little world. The battle between the highly trained professional navy of the Alliance and the raiders of Sump was short lived. After the largely one sided victory, it was discovered that the natives of Sump, the Nuknog were behind the raids and had held a deep routed resentment for Lorta and the other Alliance worlds. Even though they had been soundly defeated, they demanded that the Alliance care for them and provide them with food and employment. Princess Laxi listened to the arguments and views of the rest of her Command Staff. It was clear that the Nuknog posed a very clear threat to the Alliance if something was not done to lessen their suffering. However, Princess Laxi could not over look the fact that the suffering of the Nuknog was self inflected. If the Alliance did nothing, the Nuknog would be able to rebuild their battered fleet in a matter of months. However provided the needed support for the Nuknog would go against what the Lortians valued so dearly. The ability for anyone to form their own success through their own hard work. In the end, Princess Laxi had convinced the captains of her Task Force that the only way to bring a true end to the Nuknog threat was to ensure that they do not repair their fleet or build a new one. This would give the Nuknog reason to focus on their own world instead of craving after what others have.

Princess Laxi hand delivered the decision of the Task Force to the Nuknog leadership. She informed them that in two hours the ships in orbit would blast the Nuknog's remaining ships, support facilities and space ports to dust. She advised them that they needed to evacuate those locations which had been deemed part of the support for the Raids. The Nuknog leadership blasted back at the Princess calling her names and demanding that she reconsider. They claimed that she had an obligation to support the Nuknog. The situation fall so sharply that the Lortian Royal Guard had to use force to remove the Princess from the meeting. Back aboard her ship, Princess Laxi waited an hour beyond their original deadline in hopes that the Nuknog would take her seriously. When it became clear that they were refusing to evacuate the sites, she reluctantly gave the order to fire. Within hours, Sump's ability to conduct space flight had been completely destroyed. Factories which built parts for their raider ships, space ports, the only three shipyards on the world, and hangers were all laid to waste. Even though Princess Laxi gave the Nuknog more than enough time, the loss of life was still very high. There were follow up bombardments to ensure that the task was completed. Once the inspectors ensured that not one facility remained capable of being repaired, the fleet turned and returned home. Just as her flagship was prepared to leave the world, Princess Laxi looked down from her observation windows with great sadness. “I feel that the anger of these people will never match their envy and resentment of other races who are more successful than them. I fear we will be back here repeating these events again.”

Princess Laxi returned to Lorta with a hero's welcome. The Alliance had faced off with its first foreign threat and bested it. Even though the Nuknog had the Alliance ships out numbered five to one, it was the superior training of the Alliance crews and the natural leadership of Princess Laxi which won the day. Princess Laxi would go on to lead other missions from beyond the realm of the Alliance and return home as a hero. She would help negotiate the membership of Subterrel in to the Alliance and would later follow her father to the Throne of Lorta. As Lorta continued to thrive and grow during the dark years after the fall of the Republic, other members of the Alliance benefited as well. The Alliance grew strong within their own ties and built a strong unified military that would protect their boarders. However it was the strong influence of Lorta which kept the Alliance military from growing so strong that it would be seen as a threat to their neighbors. During her last year on the Throne of Lorta, Queen Laxi met with King Elzian of the world of Tibrin. She met with the King for six days talking about the goals of the Alliance and the views of the Lortian people. It was the strong independence of Lorta which drew the Tibrin King in to negotiations. After the six days worth of talks, Tibrin became the last world to join the Alliance. It would become Queen Laxi's Great Grandson, Prince Bron Phanan, who would face Queen Laxi's fears of the future.

Once more the Alliance would be threatened by raiders. Before this, only a few daring pirates would dare challenge the military excellence of the Alliance. They have long since earned a reputation of being one of the finest combined militaries of the region. It was Prince Bron who started changes within the Alliance military that would have lasting effects on their over all battlefield performances. He set forth changes that would demand that the Alliance military would train together nine months out of the standard year instead of the current two times a year for one week. Three years after these changes had gone in to effect, the Alliance military would be tested once more. The world of Lutrillia would call upon the Alliance for help against raiders from beyond the Alliance. It wouldn't take long for the Alliance to learn that these Raiders matched the similar ship designs of the Nuknog. Their raids against the nomadic people of Lutrillia were uncommonly brutal. The slaughter of innocent men, women and children sent a rash of new fears through the Alliance. Once more a mission back to Sump was put together. Once more it was Lorta who was called upon to lead the mission. This time, it would be Prince Bron who would command the mission. Nearly all felt that this would be a reenactment of almost two hundred years ago. However, the Nuknog had other plans.

A fleet of seven Cruisers and a number of Corvettes made up the Alliance Fleet. And once they arrived in the Sump system, they were jumped by hordes of Nuknog raider ships. The trap had been laid with a sense of cleverness that was uncommon for Nuknog. Prince Bron ordered his ships to withdraw once the first of his cruisers were blasted from the skies above Sump. Beaten but not licked, the Prince decided to make changes to his attack plans and plotted his return to Sump once more. He knew that the Nuknog were not accustomed to victory in such endeavors, he bet on the fact that the Nuknog would over react to news of their victory. He sent a non-coded message home reporting of the disastrous encounter with the Nuknog and over inflated his losses. He even sent his location and requested tenders to help tow the remaining ships back home. With his own trap laid, he waited for the Nuknog to come to finish the job. He positioned his capital ships in deep space where they would be able to see the Nuknog coming from lightyears away. Sure enough, they came. However not nearly as many as there had been during the first encounter. The Prince sprung his own trap and destroyed the Nuknog raiders with little effort. He turned his attention back to Sump and pressed his advantage. Once more the Alliance ships arrived over the world and were greeted by the Nuknog raiders.

With their numbers cut by Prince Bron's trap, the Nuknog still fought hard against the Alliance ships. At first it seemed like they were defending the world but soon it was realized that the Nuknog raiders were attempting to flee the system. Prince Bron ordered his faster Corvettes to pursue the fleeing raiders. Once the battle was once, Prince Bron repeated the actions of his Grandmother and orbital bombarded the shipyards and facilities of the Nuknog. However, the Prince didn't stop there. He targeted any facility that could be used in the future to rebuild the Nuknog raider fleet. He captured a group of captains during his trap and the interrogations had been very fruitful. The Alliance learned of a major cash of Raider ships hidden on Sump's moon. The Prince ordered one of his Cruisers to the moon to locate the cash. Just as the Nuknog were preparing to launch their second wave against the Alliance ships, the Cruiser opened fired on their lunar hangers. Not one of the raider ships was able to lift off before being blasted to pieces by the heavy laser fire from the cruiser. Prince Bron spent nine days ensuring that Sump would never threaten the Alliance again. When the Alliance ships left the system, the fires from factories and ship yards could be seen from orbit. The Prince logged the following comment, “Lets see them rebuild their pirate fleet now” As his ships entered hyperspace.

Soon after the battle, Prince Bron ascended to the Throne of Lorta. A month after he took on the crown, he convinced the Alliance members to start a annual mission to Sump. Each year, a group of five Cruisers and escorts would travel to Sump. They would search out any signs of space travel and destroy it. A detailed report was kept of the level of destruction caused to the world of Sump by Alliance ships in an attempt to prevent them from reaching space travel once more. The Alliance ensured that these reports were made common knowledge as a means of ensuring other raiding cultures would be warned of attacking Alliance member worlds. King Bron Phanan was well known for being a much more harsher leader than most throughout Lortian History. He did see the largest expansion of Lortian influence across the region. He saw the creation of the Lortian Defense Force, A stand alone military that matched the Alliance's own combined military. While this did cause some strife within the Alliance, much of that strife was reduced when King Bron opened up the Lorta's Military Academy to all Alliance members. He also opened up Lorta's shipyards to building ships for any Alliance world.

During the time of his rain, much of his leadership choices were seen as very aggressive. However long after his death and the effects of his choices became known, they were seen as some of the riskiest bluffs ever. King Bron never had any intention to undermine the Alliance or threaten their neighbors. What King Bron did, was to increase the demand for Lortan products on the open market within the Alliance. During his time as King, hundreds of ships and fighters were built on Lorta for member worlds. Now those ships and fighters needed repair parts which were also built on Lorta. As the military leaders of the Alliance started to grow in influence within their own worlds, they would insist on young leaders attending the Military Academy on Lorta. These were only two areas that benefited from King Bron's rule. As many historians look back, most have decided to give this brash and cunning leader of Lorta a second look. Some have even rewritten the history books and removed the label of Military Tyrant from his tags.

With the coming of the Reich to the Seswenna Sector, it was Lorta who directly opposed the Alliance signing a nonaggression pack with the Reich. The debates were so intense that Lorta actually threatened to leave the Alliance should the Alliance move forward with the pack. Lorta's main issues with any pack with the Reich is that it could drag Lorta and the Alliance in to a war that they do not want to be a part of. In the event that a pack was signed and war came, the Alliance might be forced to side with the Reich. Or worse yet, be forced to the sidelines due to the previsions within the pack. It was King Keyan Phanan skill as a negotiator that kept the Alliance from signing any pack with the Reich. When war did finally come at the hands of the Reich, the Alliance was one of the first powers to step forward and defend their neighbors against the Reich. The Alliance had learned that the Reich had planned to invade the non-Alliance world of Virmeude. While the world offered little interest to most worlds, Virmeude was a trading partner with the Alliance. It was clear that no other world would come to the aide of Virmeude. The Alliance sent a large number of ships to Virmeude led by King Keyan's own son, Prince Arwen Phanan. It would be the first time any major power stood up to the Reich within the Seswenna Sector.

The Prince banked on two things for his plan to work. One, that the Reich did not want to loss its current reputation by going to war with the Alliance over such a small interest world like Virmeude. Two, that the distance that the Reich fleet was from their bases would mean that they would think twice before engaging in a major battle. To the surprise of Prince Arwen, his fleet beat the Reich ships to Virmeude by nine hours. Little did the Prince know, the Reich fleet got hammered by a Force Storm while in route to Virmeude. The Reich ended up returning to their bases as a result of the Force Storm. Neither fleet ever saw each other, but Prince Arwen was credited with successfully defending the world. Spies and reports came back that the Reich fleet had been torn to shreds. It is a common belief that Prince Arwen was responsible for the damages and the defeat of the Reich. No one knew that the Reich fleet ran in to a Force Storm along the way. Several months later, a small task force of five Reich ships ended up capturing the world of Virmeude as the Galactic war engulfed the Galaxy. And Lorta would play a key role in keeping the Reich in check within the Seswenna Sector. Working through the Alliance, Lorta would help arm rebels fighting against the Reich, offering save harbors for raiders that are attacking Reich convoys, and training rebel leaders at the Military Academy on Lorta.

[Akirapryde]

(7.19) Family United
East Gardens
Northern Palace
Kingdom of Lorta
22 August, 1938

With the departure of Dia, Angel took a moment to recenter herself on the moment and the Garden around her. The conversation with Dia had not gone as well as Angel had hoped when she first saw the teen walking in to the Garden. Still, Angel did her best to explain to Dia what she felt was important. There was still this lingering feeling that there was someone out there within the Garden. Someone just beyond Angel's vision, and still Angel felt no fear or dread from this person. Placing this in the back of her mind, Angel's focus drifted over to Tess and Kataryla. Angel was able to feel Tess' struggle within her mind and heart. There was so much for young Tess to learn. So much that Angel was looking forward to teaching this young Tiss'shar. It was something that Angel was actually looking forward to being part of. As Angel searched Tess' feelings, she could easily see that Tess is a very gifted Force User. Teaching Tess control over this gift would be Angel's shining achievement. Angel slowly opened her eyes and looked at Tess. A smile crossed her lips as felt Tess' heart and good nature. Endless possibilities of light laid before Tess. Given the right teachings, Tess would become a great Jedi Master one day. Maybe even as great as Master Visst.

But for now, Angel had to teach Tess. “Tess” Angel said softly, “I feel your heart and know your struggle.” Angel caught Tess' gaze, “Tell me what troubles your heart”

Tess sighed deeply as she tried to put in to words what she was feeling, “Its Sha” Tess finally said with a heart sigh and pain in her voice. Tess found it so hard to speak what was in her heart. It just didn't seem as easy as Tess first thought it would be. It was something that had bothered Tess for some time. “She is always so angry and filled with pain. I know she hides it deep inside but I can feel it.” Tess' father had taught her about people like Sha and had warned her of what trouble comes with those kind of people. 'Those who hold tightly to their anger will always bring pain to those close themselves' were the words of Tess' father which echoed in to Tess' mind now. Tess looked from Angel's eyes, “I don't know how to stop her pain or ease her anger”

Angel nodded, “pain and anger are hallmarks of suffering. They come hand and hand with each other and Sha's suffering is fueled by guilt. Though I do not pretend to know the deep workings of Sha's emotional being, I am sure that the suffering within her is fueled by her own sense of guilt. It is something that only Sha will be able to resolve when Sha is ready to address it. We can stand ready to help her when this time comes, but Tess, it must be Sha who wants us to help her. We can not force this upon her. Emotions like this are very tricky. As your training continues, you will learn more about controlling your emotions. But it is important for you to know why this training is so critical.” Angel sighed as if she was looking for the right place to continue. “Here, allow me to explain from the beginning and why its so important that we keep our emotions in check.” Angel said softly as she moved to make herself more comfortable.

“It was Master Odan-Urr and Master Homonix Rectonia who wrote the most common mantra of the Jedi Code. Within it, emotions are addressed by the line, 'There is no emotion, there is peace'. Tess, you must not mistake this. We are all beings of flesh and blood. We all have emotions. The original mantra stated, 'Emotion, yet peace. While it might appear that these two statements do not support one thought, they actually do if you take the time to look deeper in to the meanings of them” Angel took a breath as to ensure that the young Tiss'shar was following along. “At first, the common mantra is believed to mean that we must deny our emotions. But this is not the correct understanding of the mantra. What is meant by both is that we must not allow our emotions to control our actions. Feel with your heart, but do not allow it to govern your actions.”

Angel paused as she considered the lesson and its importance. Emotions have always been the foremost cause of a Jedi's fall to the darkside. Because of this, Angel knew that this conversation was so very important. “IF we try to deny our emotions. IF we set ourselves on the path of a emotionless state, we set ourselves up for failure. We can not ignore our emotions. Even the great Master Visst during his time with us felt emotions that were so strong that they risked influencing his own actions. He was able to resist these emotions but the fact that he felt them is a lesson unto its self. We can not deny the existence of our emotions. Emotions Tess, are very strong and can seem innocent at the time. But, they can lead a Jedi down the dark path before that Jedi even knows it is happening. Just me, I know this is true because it happened to me before.”

On that Tess brightened up and looked up at Angel, “Can you tell me what happened?”

Angel nodded, “Daz Murl was more than just a friend to me. He is as much my brother as any flesh and blood being can be. We grew up and studied the Force together. He was my very first friend and my most trusted. My sister and I always looked out for him when others bullied him.” Angel smiled fondly as the waves of memories wash over her, “Though he would most likely argue the need for such protections.” Angel's smile slightly faded as her memories continued, “There was a underclassman by the name of Lysire who Daz was fond of. Not in terms of a romantic relationship but in terms of friendship. Lysire choose to follow and adventure with an upperclassman by the name of Biggs Saar instead of Daz. Daz saw that Biggs was leading Lysire down a dark path. This drove Daz's emotions of guilt for somehow letting Lysire down. Also there was the emotions of anger at Biggs, though Daz would argue that he held such emotions. You see Tess, when we ignore our emotions we become blind to how they are effecting us and those around us. This is what happened to Daz, he refused to see the pain that his emotions were causing.”

Once more Angel paused to allow Tess to follow the lesson. She reflected on the actions of the past and even wondered if she could have done something to change the outcome. She was sure that if she had acted sooner, maybe Daz would still be with them now. “These emotions ran unchecked and drove Daz to allow his emotions and attachments to govern his actions. You must understand that I can truthfully say that Daz never once meant to do a single dark act. But because his emotions controlled his actions, the path that he took was a dark one nonetheless. This path washed both of our hands with dishonor, disgrace and blood. My own loyalties to Daz blinded me to the path I was following him down. I can not claim any measure of innocents. I knew what we were doing was wrong. I could not turn my back on Daz. He was family and I loved him like a brother. Emotional attachments are by far some of the hardest to break. Think of my conversation with Dia. Could you feel her attachments?” Tess softly nodded at the question.

Angel's smile had long faded from her face as the memories of happier days were replaced by memories of those dark days on the run from the Jedi, the Republic and her own people. “I lied to by own people, betrayed the Order, the Republic and most of all, my own principles. All because, I allowed my emotions to govern my own action. The road I was trapped on was a road filled with darkness, death, suffering and betrayal. I even placed my name on a contracted that called for the murder of Biggs Saar. Tess, you must trust me when I say, emotions can lead us to do horrible things.” Angel ended her lesson and allowed Tess a chance to think of what was said. Angel knew that there were other lessons that could be linked to this but she also knew that in time all lessons well be explained. She had to make sure not to overwhelm the young Tiss'shar

Tess looked down for a moment as she thought of the lesson. There appeared to be something that confused her. She looked back up once more, “Wait, you said that emotions can lead us to do horrible things. But you also said not to deny them. Please explain.”

Angel nodded, “This is where the second part of that line within the mantra comes in to play. The answer to your question is found in this simple statement of the original mantra, emotion, yet peace. We can not deny our emotions, because this is not possible or piratical to do so. Take love, you love Sha” Angel asked and waited for Tess to nod. “Love is a powerful emotion. Most likely the most powerful emotion of them all. It was love that helped both Lysire and Biggs save each other from the darkside of the Force. It is love that binds all of us to our fellowship. It is the love that you hold for Sha and your sister, Kataryla” she said motioning towards the winged droid sitting next to Tess, “that allowed you to save them when you were trapped aboard that sunken ship two days ago.” Angel thought for a moment than moved on, “on the other side of this spectrum, it was Daz's love for Swip that drove him completely over to the Dark side. Because Daz could not accept the loss of the woman he loved so much. This drove his anger, fueled his hatred and led him right to the Dark Side. But what was behind all of these emotions was the grief caused because of Daz's love for Swip and her death. You see Tess, we all feel emotions. But when they govern our actions, this is when we do bad things. But when we feel with our hearts, and think with our minds through the moment we find clarity. Emotions can be a great source of encouragement as well as a equally great source of smoke that can blind us. Sometimes when we deny our emotions, we could miss out on that encouragement. We have emotions, we feel emotions.”

Angel once more paused so to allow more of the lesson to sink in. She smiled once more, “we must also have peace in our hearts from them. We must be at peace with our emotions so that they do not control our actions. For it is from this peace of heart that we ensure that our emotions do not control our actions. I personally feel a loss for Daz. My heart cries for the horrors that my brother has committed, but my sadness does not control my actions. I do not feel guilt over what has become of my brother. I have accepted that Daz's actions are his own. I have become at peace with myself and my emotions.” Angel once more paused as she sensed the person near by. “It is through this peace of our hearts that we can find the clarity which allows us to see what is really going on. Through this clarity can we sense the Force around us as it moves through us and helps guide us. And more importantly, this peace and clarity allows us to see our own actions and what will come from them. Does this answer your question?”

Tess nodded as Angel looked around. It was clear that something was spooking her Master, “Something wrong?” Tess asked as she also started to look around as well.

Angel continued to search the surrounding garden as she slowly stood up, “Tess, Kataryla, I want both of you to remain on that rock and don't move” Angel commanded as she noticed that the high wall that surrounded the Garden was devoid of any guards. 'Where are the damn guards!' she cursed in her mind. Her senses were pushed to their limits as they reached out for the source of trimmer in the Force that was calling her attention. She called upon the Force to heighten her strength and her combat focus. Carefully she moved from her place next to the pound as she continued to search the surrounding area for the person that she could feel through the Force. She slowly drew out her lightsaber but did not activated it. Then without warning the bush next to her exploded as some attacker leaped at her. His red lightsaber flesh against her own as she reflexively activated her black lightsaber. The sound of lightsaber combat filled the air as the two Masters fought against each other. Angel was driven back by the rapid series of attacks that she struggled to deflect over and over again. Angel's first concern was the protection of the two children which to their credit remained where they were told to be. Angel retreated allowing the combat to fall further from the rock that they were siting by. But she knew that this was only a delaying tactic. She had to find a way to deal with the attacker and protect her padawans. For the moment, she knew that as long as they remained away from this combat they would be safe.

Her attacker was a human male, of middle age dressed like a Palace Guard. Angel knew that he as no palace guard and doubted that he was even human. His speed and agility were as good as her own was, but her strength was clearly better than his was. She was able to easily deflect his attacks while working herself in to a better position to turn the table on him. Angel's mind raced as the battle continued with a third series of rapid attacks from her attacker. Still Angel was unable to shift off of the defensive and on to the attack. However, in a moment she saw an opening to his left side. She twisted her body and shifted her stance to press her attack. However, what she thought was an opening was nothing more than a faint. Angel never saw combination of attacks coming till it unfolded right before her eyes. Within a second, her black lightsaber de-actived as it flew through the air. It landed on the ground near where Tess was sitting. “Your form is still sloppy but finally you are starting to use your mind when it comes to your defense” Mythis Creel said as he backed up and de-activated his own lightsaber.

Angel looked in to Creel's eyes, “Tess, Kataryla, allow me to introduce me my Grand Father, Mythis Creel.” It was clear that Angel was not pleased with this unannounced visit. She reached out through the Force and her lightsaber whipped back to her waiting hand, “As for my form, what do you mean?”

Mythis turned to the two children sitting on the large rock, “It is my pleasure to meet both of you” he said politely with a soft bow to them. He turned back to Angel as he softened his stance but didn't lower his guard, “I was mistaken in my terms. I should not have called it a form at all. It more resembles the combat agility of a drunken janitor welding a broken mop handle.”

Tess leaned over to Kataryla, “I thought Sha was mean, this guy beats her any day.”

Kataryla nodded and whispered back, “wait till Sha finds out what you did with her weapon cleaning kit. I bet this guy would look much nicer than Sha would.”

Tess turned her head is shock as she had forgotten about their failed kite experiment just two days ago, “Oh, I forgot to get those rods back to the kit before Sha found them missing. Dag!”

Angel heard the conversation between the two but decided to address Creel, “where are the guards!?” Angel demanded.

Creel only waved his hand as he dismissed the hint of any wrong doing, “They will wake up in time. With not even a hair out of place. They are only sleeping, nothing more” he said with a smile. He motioned his head over to the two children who were clearly involved in a conversation regarding some urgent crisis, “Your padawans, I take it?”

Angel nodded keeping Kataryla's secret, “Yes, I am training them both to be Jedi.”

He shook his head, “A poor example you are setting for them” he said and before Angel could react he snatched her blaster from its holster through the force. It flew through the air and landed on the ground, “A proper swordsman only needs carry one weapon. That is her lightsaber” He continued to remove her other weapons and tools from her and let them fall about the ground by the blaster.

“HEY!” she protested but did nothing to stop his actions, “Those have been useful in many situations.”

“I watched you on the boat yesterday. Remember? The problem with you, is you allow the situation to control what weapons you use and how you fight. Instead of controlling when and how you strike with your own weapon. As for your dagger, I know its family, so keep it. However as for the rest, you are forbidden to carry them any longer. If you choose to be a duelist, than you will fight like a duelist” He explained. He smiled at her, “have you given your padawans their lightsabers yet?” The change up in conversation jammed Angel's mind for a moment.

Angel frowned, “Not yet” she was not sure where he was going with this but decided to let it ride out.

“Do you mind” he said motioning to his pouch. Angel looked confused but nodded her head, “This was given to me as a gift from your grand mother. It was my first lightsaber which was built for me.” he explained withdrawing a dueling lightsaber from his pouch. It was sleek in design with a forty five degree curve two thirds of the way from the emitter. The black clothed padding only covered parts of the flashy sliver frame of the hilt. The weapon showed the mastery that only a Jedi Weapon's Master could have in its construction. Angel noticed the details used in the construction and compared it to that of Master Chun's own weapons. He held the weapon for Angel's inspection, “Before this one, I only used sabers that I had stolen from fallen Jedi. I was surprised that my lair remained untouched all these years. Do you mind if I give this to one of your padawans as a gift?” He sighed as he continued, “I am sorry but I only of this one to give.”

Angel could not hide the surprise in her eyes, “Tess is my best student” she said truthfully, “However she needs to master the use of the Lightsaber before employing such a weapon.” Angel motioned for Tess to move forward and claim the gift. Angel watched Tess walk over and she paused long enough to let Creel speak with Tess about the weapon.

Tess walked forward as Creel turned to face her. He dropped to a knee with a smile on his human face, “You will find that this weapon is perfectly balanced.” he said softly to Tess, “Noticed how the hilt fits in your hand” he said as he showed her the proper way to hold the weapon. He moved her hands to the proper position as the weapon activated. The red light of the blade casts its glow across their faces.

“Red?” Angel said once more in protest, “Really Creel!” Angel wanted to know something. “I want to know something. Tell me of my grand mother. Tell me of how you two met. How a Jedi Hunter would fall for, well, a criminal like you.”

He smiled as he turned off the blade and placed it on safe so that Tess will not hurt herself with it. “It is a Rizonan crystal. Not a Sith crystal.” he motioned Tess back to the rock, “Pay attention little one, Learn from what you see.” he directed his attention back to Angel, “I would have thought that you of all people would be more open to other possibilities.” he activated his own lightsaber once more as he raised it in front of his face as to salute her. Angel activated her own lightsaber and did the same, “Your Grandmother” he said, “She was much like you” he said as he moved in for the attack. Their lightsabers clashed once more, “She was strong, fast and brilliant. She loved to fly just like you do.” he said as the two Masters continued their dueling dance. Tess this time was watching very closely and listening to what was being said. “But it was her heart that I loved so much. Her passion and”

“And” Angel said as she made sure to take notes of his actions and how he defeated her the last time. She pay close attention to the way he was attacking and how his movements flowed from one attack to another.

“Though I have to admit” he said dodging her attack, “Your blade is by far much faster than her own was. Still you lack form, this is your weakness. The first time we, your grandmother and I, crossed blades, we had crashed landed on a world. At the time, her Jedi Hunter team was hunting me along with a group from the Republic. She had used her own ship to force my ship down on to a horrible jungle world deep within the mid rim. I don't know how she got separated from the rest of her group but she did. I found her wounded by her crashed ship, but she was far from helpless. She nearly took my life that rainy night. But in the end, I proved to be more than a match for her in her current condition. Still, I hardly think if in a fair fight I would have won the upper hand so easily. I remember looking down at her as she waited for me to end her life. You Azgardians are so stupid when it comes to death. You treat it like some great reward. She was magnificent even in defeat. Just like you are, I see her eyes within your's. I had never seen someone so lovely or filled with such desires as she was. How could I end her life so easily. I spared her that night.” he laughed as he twisted and ducked to dodge Angel's attacks, “Oh sure, she swore that I would live to regret that mistake. And she would try to make me regret capturing her many times during our lives together.” he laughed, “You Azgardians also have a bad habit of never letting things go either. But the truth was, I guess I fell in love with her that night. How could I kill something so beautiful, courageous, and dangerous. Oh how she was so much these things and more.”

He nearly removed part of Angel's arm as she nearly avoided his attack. “you need to watch my eyes and focus on what you feel in the rhythm of my attacks” he said correcting her mistake.

Angel noted the mistake and nodded her head, “So what happened next?” As she corrected her mistake and righted her position.

“That night I fled with my hostage deeper in to the jungle” he continued. “I could hear the search parties of the Republic military overhead searching for us. Still she was wounded, and I knew how to make her better. For the next day I nurtured her back to health. And one would think that she would be grateful, but nope. At the first chance, she tried to make good on that promise of her. She failed. I guess she knew that she would fail, but it never stopped her from trying. Truthfully it did make things interesting. That is how the rest of the day went, and well, the rest of our lives together. Though the night brought something far worse than either of us could have foreseen. I never knew of what a Savep was till that night. These creatures hunt through the Force and are nearly invisible when they moves. A horrible creature that must have been born through someone's nightmares. There was a search party who was getting close to us. We heard a pack of Saveps descend upon the them. I have never heard such a horrific way to die, till I heard their screams for help. There was no helping them through the ambush laid by these beasts of nightmares. Before we even were able to see what was going on, the pack of Saveps were finishing off the group. So I took her deeper in to the jungle as we fled these killers. Day two, her strength was returning and she was actually starting to become more sociable. Well, more sociable for a captured Azgardian Warrior can be, that is. I guess when dealing with different races, you have to know what you are dealing with and place things in to prospective.”

“When did you win her heart?” Angel asked as she twisted through the air and landed a sound attack. However his blade was simply too fast for her attack to be successful.

“The third night, the pack of Saveps were on our trail.” He said as he moved back to allow her a chance to rethink her next attack. “It would appear that they were being drawn by your Grandmother's condition. She was still too weak to defend herself alone. He rescue teams had moved back due to the Saveps activities. It had become aware to us that had she remained at the crash site, the Saveps would had killed her long before her team could have rescued her. I tried to explain that it had to be the will of the Force that I found her and spared her life that night. She only laughed at my suggestion, she had her own suggestion as to what the Will of the Force had intended. Still using my skills in poisons and with traps I was able to fend the pack off that night. But only barely, as I had never faced a foe like this before. I don't know how they were sensing her condition but they refused to let us go. The next day I was able to move us to a more defensible location along a narrow cliff ledge. With the coming night, the pack had grown in size. It would be the second night that I had been with less than an hour's sleep. I guess I had drifted to sleep, because she woke me up. I suppose I must have forgotten to check her bonds. She had become free and now it was my turn to look up at her waiting for my own death to come. She held her lightsaber trained on my head. Even in that moment, I could not see anything but the lovely woman that she was. If I was to die that night, I could think of no better way than by her hands.”

Angel almost managed to disarm him as she started to pick up on his form. She knew that he was employing the rare Lightsaber form called Fencing Saber Form. She was starting to get the hang of the form and how it worked within the duels. “So clearly she did not kill you. So what happened?”

He easily dodged her attack and pushed the advantage against her with a series of rapid attacks, “No she did not kill me. In stead she said that our debt clear and she owed me nothing. She handed me back my own saber. This night we waited for the Saveps together. We would fight back to back against these monsters. And once more they did come, and in greater numbers. Their numbers were great but we fought side by side on that ledge. More than once, I was taken by the way she fought behind me. It was if she had been forged in the image of the Goddess of Beauty herself. We fought the beasts back each time they pushed against us. With the coming light, she jokingly promised that if we got out of this alive, that she would consider going out on a date with me. I laughed and told her that I would hold her to that promise. Our spirits were sinking because this time, the coming light did not bring the safety as the days before. We could hear the Saveps amassing once more. They could sense our fatigue and knew that their hunt would be over soon. We didn't have much time left. She told me that it was her honor to die by my side that day. I told her it would be my honor to not let her die on this day. I pulled from my backpack a beacon and activated it. The surprise in her eyes was clear. She had questioned my metal state as she reminded me that her fellow Jedi Hunters would follow it right to where they were. That I would be captured. I simply told her that I would be captured, but she would still be alive. I could live with that. One thing about the Jedi, they were quick. They arrived with their gunships and blasted the hell out of those Saveps and within an hour, I was captured.” He laughed, “well only for the time being.”

“And? What happened next?” Angel asked as she watched Creel back up. He only smiled at her.

With a nod he said, “That will have to wait till our next lesson.” he turned to Tess and Kataryla, “remember, think with your mind of what your opponent is doing. Feel the rhythm of their attacks through your heart, little ones” He walked over to the bush that he had leaped out from, “My time is up, the guards will be recovering soon.” He put his jet pack on and gathered his things.

“Wait” Angel demanded, “why did you return now?”

He doubled checked as he ensured not to leave anything behind, “At first I didn't think you or your friends wanted me around. So I stayed away.” He once more turned to Tess and Kataryla, “Be well little ones, and mind your Master's teachings. After all, she comes from a long line of excellent Jedi Masters. Despite who I am.” He turned back to Angel once more with a smile, “It was by chance that I was on Isis when I discovered you reaching out to me yesterday. So I returned as quickly as I could. After all, you are family, Angel.” On that note he activated his jet pack and rocketed in to the heavily overcast sky.

Angel watched her Grandfather leave with her heart longing to know him more. She smiled and nodded as she allowed the moment to fade, “Tess, come here” she said directing her attention to Tess and motioning her forward, “I hope that you were paying attention to what my grandfather was teaching you. Cause its time to show me what you learn. Slowly activate your lightsaber and we will work through your motions.” Angel smiled as she looked to Kataryla, “What? Going to sit this out?” Angel drew out the lightsaber she had made for Tess. “Come on, you too” she said tossing the lightsaber to Kataryla. “Next time he shows up, I expect all three of us to show improvements.” The three activated their lightsabers and Angel continued the lesson that Creel had started. She slowly walked them through step by step of Lightsaber combat.