The Rebel Faction

To live forever is something that cannot be achieved. It is something that must me be given, in the remembrance of a name. It cannot be received by having had power and force-It is given to those who are truly worthy .Men and Women fight for power till it cost’s them their lives and never get an award. Many people feel they deserve such a thing, but only a true creature of darkness or a hero of the light is allowed to receive such a valuable gift. What they receive it for however, is up to fate. In death the only real reward is to be remembered. But what about in Life?


Deep in the Unknown Regions of the galaxy, a lone Star Destroyer glides through the darkness. Unlike in the days of old, no Tie fighters fly in escort formation around it, no man uses the tracking system in his gun turret to watch for enemies. Even on the bridge a gloomy silence hangs, rather than the traditional buzz of noise to be found there on any usual Star Destroyer. The days of old are long past-as are the rules that existed with them. For example, no man in the Empire of Palpatines day would have ever expected to see an alien Captain in charge of an Imperial Star Destroyer. Yet as Grand Admiral Cas walked onto the bridge of his flagship he did not even bat an eyelid to the sight.

“Captain Kerld, Report please.” The voice of the Grand Admiral was one of authority and power. Traced with a regal hint. He was a tall man that wore his white uniform with pride. It had not been given to him officially of course but he had no doubt that had the Empire seen the challenges he had faced out here they would have given it to him anyway. It was something he truly believed he had earned and deserved. And anyone who had disagreed had been forced to pay the ultimate price. Death. The most recent of these had been his previous Captain- a great man that had failed to comprehend the truth. Cas was a Grand Admiral by nature…and by heart.

“All systemsssss read ready ssssir. The Deforen awaitssssss your command my liege.” The alien who dared to don an Imperial Captain uniform spoke in slightly hissing voice as he looked over to the man he hated so much. Captain Kerld was a Seshian, tall by nature with vaguely human appearances. Their mouths ended in a reddish snout and their skin was leather brown. On average they stood at just over seven foot, but on rare occasions had been known to grow larger. As the Seshian Captain and his Grand Admiral Lord stared at each other, the Seshian could smell in the air, the captains change in perspiration. He was nervous of someone below him. And with good right.

Breaking the Ice steel gaze, Kerld turned and looked out the view screen. The stars shone so brightly that for a moment Kerld was easily overwhelmed. When he had been but a boy, he had dreamed for so long of travelling those very starts and seeing their beauty up close. Yet here he was now-A slave to a Grand Admiral who had no right to hold that rank. A slave to a Star Destroyer so repaired with Seshian technology that it should no longer be considered one. And a slave to the horrendous deeds he was being forced to commit whilst under this “Grand Admiral”. Like the one that would take place in a few hours.

“Captain Kerld-Set course for the Sakathian home world- Engage hyperspace on my command.”

“At your whim my sssssire.” The breaking reply off the Seshian came. Steeling his emotions, he set his mind to the upcoming battle, and the death it would leave behind. One day soon, he hoped, the Grand Admiral would be one of those dead. He hoped even more it would be at his hand.

Sitting down at his chair, he watched the stars in the view screen wink out, and then awaited their arrival-And what he could only hope would be the death of this ship. It was all a matter of planning now.

(OOC Note: I was invited to this thread, this is not me just randomely disrupting someone's story.)

"Captain Panacka. There isn't much time. One of our scout-ships recieved an emergancy communique, and you're the only officer in the region who could hope to respond in time. The information details an attack on the planet Sakath, in the Unknown Regions. Enemy strength seems low, but then again, this information is out of the blue. It could be a trap, but if it isn't then we have to respond fast.

"Your battlegroup is to take the coordinates to Sakath, and immeadietly end any hostilities you might encounter there. I want to make it clear that we know nothing of the situation or the nature of those involved, so we will entrust this mission into your judgement. A unit of White Knights is reported to be aboard your vessels, bring them along - You may need them.

"Good luck, and may the Force be with you."

Panacka had recieved some recognition after the incident at Thisspiass. Officially, his recognition came from his exemplary work in the aide effort, but in truth it was whispered the recognition was more a form of condolonces, sympathy. Panacka had had a much better view of the situation than any Imperial Propaganda spinner, and knew the real motives behind Thisspiass's sudden capitulation to the Empire. The experience had shaken him, but had also given him resolve.

As he travelled through hyperspace to the destination in his orders, he could even now feel their weight. He had to succeed at this mission - had to save someone. "Knight Isip, are you and your fellows ready to lend aide?"

Isip stood behind the captain on the bridge, a broad-shouldered man with no hair on his head, he was renowned like most knights for being a changed man after his training - Before known for his anger and introverted nature, he was now seen as a stalwart and controlled person. He nodded slowly to Panacka and said "We are ready, captain. Should there be battle, give the word and we shall lend aide."

Panacka nodded back. "Good, be ready then. We might be fighting by the time we get out of hyperspace."

That is, Panacka added, to himself If we're not too late.

Everything trembled as the massive star destroyer’s lasers pounded down upon the planetary shields. Vash stumbled to get a good footing on the top of the building. He bent down one knee and rested the Aratech Sniper Rifle on his knee. More storm troopers. He flicked a switch on the rifle and its scope engaged. His right eye could now clearly see the troopers rushing from the shuttle, and his left was free to keep check on the Sakathians guarding the city.

These people were obviously a peaceful race; he doubted they had even been attacked by an outside world before this. Their planetary shields were amazing. They had one on every major city, not to mention the even larger ones covering the major sections of the planet. But these people were just not warlike. He could see how the Sakathians struggled against the veteran storm troopers. He seriously doubted that this planet would survive this bombardment. Not without Imperial help, at least.

A storm trooper came into view on his scope. This one’s uniform was slightly different. His mask was colored on the edges, and he could see several pieces of radio equipment adorned on him. A captain maybe? Vash clicked the rifle again and zoomed into to twenty times the normal sight radius. He could see the captain clearly now. His finger rested on the trigger as the sights lined up square on the captain’s head. Vash squeezed the trigger ever so lightly. The rifle pumped back weakly as the bolt shot out. The aim was true and the captain sputtered backwards before falling limp on the ground. The troopers around him scattered and took positions. He wouldn’t get another shot like that. Vash slung the rifle over his back and jumped to his feet. He sped forward, hurdling a jump of almost ten feet with ease. His massive legs striding easily over the rooftops. He reached the end of the buildings and dove off of the edge, tucking in his legs and rolling into a ball before hitting the ground. He rolled several feet before jumping back into stride.

Vash was now at the entrance to the city. Dozens of Sakath were defending the city, doing their best against the flood of troopers. There were piles of bodies lined up on either side, some still moaning in agony. Vash flipped open his wrist computer and clicked a few buttons before slapping it shut. Two identical guns popped out of their hiding places on his thighs. He grabbed them out of their holsters and raised them.

There was a central arch that the Sakath were holding. The rest of the city was walled in. Several storm troopers had already gotten their repeating rifle’s set up. Stupid aliens, how could they let that happen? Vash took a deep breath, and sprinted sideways. Faster than any bolt could catch; he dashed sideways, firing off the identical blaster pistols. Two of the storm troopers went down; two others took a hit but didn’t fall. He finished his run off with a tucked roll, narrowly dodging several blasts. He came back up panting, and checked to make sure he wasn’t hit. He sometimes couldn’t tell for several minutes if he had been hit, his strange nervous system blocking out the pain so he could go on.

He was fine.

He cocked his neck and took another deep breath. He was about to make another run when something stopped him. A faint whining in the air. Something he had heard before…

Bombers!

Vash scrambled forward, getting as far away from the outer wall as he could. So many Sakath were lined up...it would be almost too easy to take them and the wall down. He knew in a few minutes tides of storm troopers would be inside the city. He was tempted to warn the sakath of what was about to happen, but he knew if they turned to run they'd just be gunned down. Such sacrifices were necessary. He turned just in time to see the first of the bombs hit.

The flashing bomb hovered downward slowly. The Sakath didn't even see it. It seemed to land like a feather, barely touching the ground before exploding in a brilliant flash of plasma and fire. Several of the outside defenders were flying into the wall as more of the bombs dropped. Vash had to stop and watch in awe as bomb after bomb detonated on the walls. They finally buckled and collapsed as the last of the guards retreated to the inner city. Vash sprinted forwards into an alleyway.

"Forward HQ, this is Vash. Tie Bombers have leveled the outer walls. The defenders have been routed. Tell your men to take defensive positions in either the town or the wall to the inner city." Vash said, praying someone would get the message and relay it to a commander. At that second, Vash watched as the light blue aura around the top of the city faded. Tie Bombers screeched overhead.

How did they knock out the generator already? Those troopers must have worked quickly to have already downed the outer generator. Now the outer city was defenseless against bombers. He had to warn them.

”HQ, this is Vash. The outer city’s shields have been downed. Pull all remaining troops inside the inner walls. The bombers have already commenced their runs.” Vash said into the communicator. If those Sakath didn’t get inside quick, they’d be destroyed in minutes. He heard no response from his ComLink, but hoped they heard it. Another bomber screeched over head. He would have to take some out.

Vash grabbed his rifle from over his shoulder scaled one of the smaller buildings. He was in between two massive structures, so he would have some cover from enemy fire. The troopers were already flooding into the city. A few went through the alley that he was just in. He flicked the scope on and zoomed in. He could see a few of the bombers swooping in large U’s around part of the town, probably over an important structure or group of people. He would only have one shot before he was noticed, so he would have to make it good.

Another tie bomber shot past his building, this one speeding much faster than the others. Vash stretched his head out from his position to take a look. The bomber strafed left, narrowly dodging anti-aircraft weaponry before dropping a payload. Direct hit. Vash could see bits of molten metal fly into the air. This one was good. Maybe a commander, even. Vash zoomed in the Aratech rifle again. Tie bombers were very susceptible to AA fire, but not necessarily to normal weaponry. The only weak points were the points were the panels and the cockpit. He doubted he could hit the pilot, so the panels were his only choice. He would have to wait for it to slow down to even have a chance.

For several minutes Vash watched as the bomber bombed multiple targets, never once slowing down. There was no way this one was going to slow down for such a big target, and he couldn’t hit it at these speeds. Vash lay down the rifle and flipped on his communicator. He switched it to an open channel, if the pilot had his radio on, he would be sure to hear it.

”Thissssssss issssss admiral Kirasssss of the Ssssakath. We need protection near the central market. We are transsssssporting a load of weaponsssss and there are too many bombersssss.” He said, mimicking the Sakath tongue. He flipped it off. If the bomber heard it at all, he would have to slow down to make it safely in the tiny gap of the location. Vash took up the rifle and waited. The bomber didn’t stray from its position.

”Come on….come on…” Vash grumbled. Finally the bomber spun sharply, moving with haste toward the position. Vash grinned. It came to a halt over the location. Vash zoomed in on one of the panels, and fired.


Direct hit.

Vash had nailed it as it was moving forward. It spun out of control. Skidding behind a building before exploding moments later. The pilot would be hard pressed to make it from the crash. Vash slung the rifle over his should and turned around. He sprinted off the building and drew hid pistols. Now he had to route the storm troopers. If they got a hold of the inner city generator, this entire area of the planet was lost. And doing that meant finding the commander.

”Thissssssss issssss admiral Kirasssss of the Ssssakath. We need protection near the central market. We are transsssssporting a load of weaponsssss and there are too many bombersssss.”

Lieutenant Hempall of the One Hundreth and Fourty Third Tie Bomber squadron smirked inside his darkened cockpit. How idiotic are these damned aliens? he thought to himself, Do they not even realise we can listen in on the transmissions? He was unsure at first as to whether he should attempt to deal with this threat. If it was real then it would mean a large disadvantage to his enemies. But then again if it was wrong he could be heading into alot of trouble. Surely these pitiful and wretched creatures culd not be smart enough to actually set a trap though.

Making his mind up Hempall veered his craft sharply to the left. If the Sakath really were setting a trap up he'd be able to outfly whatever they threw at him. And if not he would have a nice tally to add to his kill score.

" One Thirty Four, continue on your present course and velocity. I have a small matter I wish to deal with. Commander Peterson, you have command. Keep me informed if any major problems should arise." His only response was a number of clicks on the comm board.

Moments later the Tie streaked across the city on the vector the comm had displayed. Narrowind his eyes to bare slits, Hempall scanned all the areas around him for signs of his important weapons cache. After three passes his sensors and his own eyes had detected nothing suitable for a target save for a small group of huddled Sakathians. A group he had taken much pleasure in killing.

As he half hovered his craft over the main market a thought occured to him. Ever a proud man he could not accept that a trap may have been set for him, instead he thought that his unit was to come under attack. He was such a proud man infact that he felt they would be far too ineffective to fight off any enemies without him. This was his most vital flaw. Turning his ship he bagan to speed towards the area his squadron had been headed.

That was when it happened. It sounded much like a vibroblade being banged against a durasteel door. It's effects however were much worse. In the corner of his eye he saw his left solar pannel shatter into a thousand, carbon scorred pieces. Someone had fred a powerful bolt at his vechile. The remains of his solar pannel smashed into his ship. Some were caught in the ion engine thruster behind. Others sped through his screen and stabbed at him like a million knives jabbing his body. He screamed in pain and came close to losing consciousness.

Hempall wrestled with what was left of his controll board, as his ship spiralled out of controll. Punching buttons and pulling levers in a desperate attempt to try and land the ship rather than crash it. It was a futile effort and as the Tie Bomber erupted in flames and tore into the paved streets he could only throw his hands infront of his face, and die in a fit of screams and pain. The explosion flew upwards, scattering pieces of the craft into the warm air and destroying half of a tower beside it. It had been a very effective trap.

* * * *

Commander Sampson rushed forwards as the Tie Bombers were still flying above his head. Jumping a fallen log he rammed into two Sakathians and shot down a third. He spun around as a laser skimmed his uniform. Firing at his attacker he paused to motion three troopers to follow him.

"There's a small hole by that south wall there," he shouted to them, "were going in it and forcing our way through the ground to the other side. Let's go."

"Yes sir!"

Sprinting towards the area he had designated he continued to fire at the Sakathians, though most were just to cover himself. It surprised him greatly that so many hit. Aliens he thought. As he aproached the wall a large Sakathian jumped infront of him and attempted to steal his blaster rifle. He pushed the larger creature backwards with a hard shove to the alien. As it stumbled backwards it tore at his helmet, ripping it off his head and sending it scattering away across the battlefield. He aimed his blaster at the vile thing and fired two quick shots into it's chest and shoulder, then rushed to the hole. The three troopers he had ordered were already there and fast digging into the dirt.

What seemed like forever but in actuall fact had only been twenty minutes, and had been a constant switching of digging and stopping the aliens who had attempted to beat them away from the hole, they emmerged on the other side of the great shield.

"Head for the generator! We need to get more troops in here!" Sampson ordered as he picked off Sakathian after Sakathian.

Tossing a thermal detonator into a somewhat house he watched three aliens jump out the windows, thrusted by the force of the explosion, causing their mad dives to become the last spiralling moments of their lives. He dashed for the building that had shown the most power output on one of the troopers sensors. As he approached he noted thee Sakathians attempting to stand guard but also keep brave faces as Ties continued their pounding of the shield. He shot at the first one who went down like a ship in a planets atmosphere. The second one evaded his laser bolts but was torn down by a barrage from his fellow men. The third attempted to retreat inside the building and would have no doubt made it if it had not been for the body behind him which he tripped over. Crawling backwards on his feet and elbows he pleaded for mercy. Sampson showed him none as he shot the alien in the head.

Inside the building, Sampson and the three troopers were stunned in awe. They had expected the usual wreck one tends to see when looking at a shield generator. In its place, what they saw was a thing of beauty. The machine looked less like a creation then something that had grown in forests of Alderaan, or emerged in the grasses on the plains of Dantooine. It was simple yet technical all at once. Too bad that it would have to be destroyed. But that was the way of all things was it not? Everything had an end and this machines had arrived.

Placeing mines all around the edge of it the men darted back towards the doorway and leapt through it. They pushed dow on their triggers as soon as they hit the floor and ran for cover. As the mines exploded a shower of sparks and fire was driven into the air. The domed building in which the shield generator had peacefully done its job was sent flying in all directions. Around Sampson, the blue haze of the shield winked a few times before fading. Hundreds of troops rushed into the breached city, and all chaos errupted.

As Sampson rushed to join his men, a Tie Bomber flew overhead. A sudden noise sounded and the ship twisted in the air as one of its solar pannels all but exploded. It plummeted down into the city and turned into a ball of flame vissible behind the concrete buildings that lined each street. Sampson swore to himself. That had to have been that annoying bounty hunter who was proving to be a complete nuissance. Giving his men their orders, Sampson headed down a side street deciding it was time to take care of this scumball who interfered with Imperial buisness.

* * * *

Aboard his Star Destroyer, on the central brige, Grand Admiral Cas stood up so fast from his command chair he nearly toppled over the rail infront of him. Where the hell had those damned ships come from . He gripped the railing before him as tightly as possible. This was completely wrong. He had thought over the battle as hard as he could. He had prepared for it for a year. Every strategy he had ready for this attempt to conqeour the planet had not included ships in them. Who the hell were they, and what were they doing interfeering in his buisness. They had no right to get involved in matters that were no concern to them. He wanted answers and he wanted them fast.

"Hard to port," he screamed at the helm, "I want the starboard side of the ship facing them for as damned long as possible! Recall as many of our Ties as you can, we're gonna need some protection here! Get information on every ship that enetered this system within the next twenty minutes or I shall hold someone responsible for this failure to inform me that we should expect the Sakathians to recive aid! And someone get the damned shields up!"

Cas looked down at his knuckles on his right hand. It was gripped so tightly on the railing that it was begining to turn as white as his uniform. Pain was starting to creep it's way up his arm and into his shoulder. He ignored it. The only thing he could think of at the moment was how his plans could have gone from doing excedingly well to completely wrecked in a matter of seconds.

At the back of the bridge, Captain Kerld silently retreated to a lone comm station away from the noise and clatter. He sat down, making sure no one was paying attention to him and thanked the stars that all eyes were either transfixed to the screens infront of them, or staring out at the new arrivals from which scores of fighters were already being deployed. As he pushed at the unit he was facing he punched up a hailing frequency top what appeared to be the leader of the opposition. Or atleast that is what the Imperials would call them.

"In coming ssssship thisssss isssss Captain Kerld of the Imperial Ssssstar Dessssssstroyer Deforen. I requessssssst emergency help. Mysssself and other captivesssss of the Grand Admiral who commandsssss thissss sssship are about to attempt to ssssseize controll. We will no longer be sssservantsss to hissss cruelty and requessssst you help in defeating him and clearing thessse regionsss of sssspace from his tainted pressence. Pleasssse help usss. I repeat thissss issss Captain Kerld of the Imperial Sssstar Desssstroyer Deforen. I requesssst emergency help. Mysssself and other captives ssssof the Grand Admiral who commandssss thisss ship are about to attempt to ssseize controll. We will no longer be servantssss to his cruelty and requesssst you help in defeating him and clearing thesssse regionssss of ssspace from his tainted pressence. Pleasssse help ussss."

He stared at his screen and waited to see if he would get a response and finally be able to rid the galaxy of the man who was so close to him yet so far away.


OOC NOTE: Apologies for taking a few days to respond. I've been having alot of problems with my computer and it's not been letting me post long replys.