The Rebel Faction

The Core world of Rendili―home of Rendili StarDrive, the largest unaffiliated starship manufacturer in the galaxy―has been admitted into the League of Nations, severing its trade relations with the Galactic Empire as it joins the League boycott against the galactic superpower .
It is believed that . . .

Coalition, Confederation, and independent sources have confirmed a notable presence of Mark III Imperial-class Star Destroyers within Reaver Space―under the control of the Reavers themselves!
Investigations are ongoing, but it appears that a number of vessels belonging to Moff Thorton's Reserve Fleets fell to the Reavers during their initial push into the Imperial Borderland. The reserve force stationed at Troiken is believed to be a total loss, as the swiftness of the Reaver strike there almost certainly overwhelmed the undertrained and inexperienced citizen-soldiers stationed in orbit.

When pressed for comment, Admiral Jonathan Blakeley of the United Cooperative of Peoples had only this to say: “A fleet made up entirely of men and women with less than six week's military experience is no fleet at all. Where I come from, we call it a shooting gallery. Against Reavers . . . I guess they'd call it a feast. The Cooperative mourns these and all the other senseless deaths in Reaver Space, and will not rest until justice is done . . . to all those responsible.”

A report from Cooperative news sources painted a more chilling picture: “It now appears that Moff Thorton ordered substantial elements of his Reserve forces to reinforce local defenders while he made the necessary preparations to retreat with the majority of his standing navy. Data compiled and released by the Cooperative Council of Defense shows that of all Reaver-controlled starships of military caliber encountered within Reaver Space, some eighty percent have been identified as Borderland Reserve ships.”

It is possible . . .

Breaking News: Imperial SS Kommandos report today that they have fingered one of the terrorist organizations responsible for the recent attacks in the Occupation Zone. Commander Nyang, the senior Kommando on duty, refused to release names to the press, but he did indicate that there were ties to the Galactic Coalition.
"It was not a shock," he said, "to find out that the most annoying of the Empire's enemies had resorted to subterfuge and terrorism, not to mention the killing of innocent civilians, in an attempt to bring us down, but it does show the rest of the galaxy that they are willing to stoop to any level to undermine legitimate authority. It also shows that the attempted assassination of Bhindi Drayson by the so-called rogue Coalition leader Joren Logan, at the expense of thousands of GC personell, in order to satisfy his personal need for vengeance, was not an isolated incident. As long as the Coalition remains intact, we can be sure we will see many more such ruthless attacks. We can only hope that the good people, the law-respecting people, of the GC will see how their government has betrayed them and will rise up and overthrow such lawless individuals."

We attempted to reach the Imperial High Command for comment, but they were unavailable. However, Grand Moff Kach Thorton sent a communication indicating that any individuals or planetary governments wishing to defect to the Empire could be assured of pardon for all crimes committed against the New Order.

The Galactic Coalition, of course, has denied any knowledge of the terrorist attacks. Prime Minister Regrad, though, could not be reached for comment. We at INS will continue to keep you updated as this story unfolds.

Coruscant System


"Sir, a message from Moff Thorton. He wishes to speak with you at once."

Colonel-General Vos was already seething; his inability to enter Coruscant had riled him. Dealing with a smuggler-turned-officer-turned politician was the last thing he wanted to do. Still, Thorton was a superior officer, technically, and he couldn't refuse. Besides, he still had a few minutes before they would finish collecting their recon fighters; he might as well speak to the man.

Making his way to the comm center of the Tyrant, Vos stopped briefly to glance at the technical displays. Not only was the system shut off to approach, but whatever the invading force was doing was interfering with long-range sensor scans. He was getting a few spotty images, but nothing definite. Cursing, he continued to the comm and keyed it.

"General Vos," Moff Thorton said as soon as the image appeared. "I don't appreciate being kept waiting."

"Your pardon, Moff," Vos replied. "There were pressing matters to attend. We were conducting exercises in preperation for an upcoming operation, exercises of a delicate nature."

Thorton nodded in understanding. "I know, General. Your...exercises...are what I wanted to talk to you about. In fact, if you are willing to wait a few minutes longer, I can give you some company."

Vos raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Thorton nodded. "I happen to be your neighbor at the moment. And I have some interesting information on the new arrivals in the neighborhood."

Information... Vos nodded. "Of course, Moff. The new residents are becoming bothersome. Any advice you have would be appreciated. I await your arrival."

Not that I have to like it much...


Imperial SS Headquarters
Thoraza


Colonel Selere smiled. "The ruse seems to be working quite well, Commander Nyang. The Coalition's denial of involvement only makes them appear more guilty. Good work."

Nyang smiled. "Thank you, Colonel. I did as you said, and I've been monitoring comm transmissions. We've picked up a sharp increase in several sectors of the city; I have security teams moving in on them now. We should have actual terrorists in our custody within the next hour. Should we begin interrogations, or would you prefer to handle that yourself?"

Selere's smile morphed into a sickly grin, the glint in his eyes showing exactly how much he would enjoy such an interrogation. "I believe I'll handle it myself, Commander. But go ahead and begin softing them up. Teeth out first, of course; it wouldn't do to have them crushing death-pills in their mouths. Then leave them in their cells for a while; I'll be there in a few days to begin in earnest."

Nyang blinked once, then saluted. "Yes, Sir. We'll be expecting you. Nyang out."

Selere sat back as the image of Red Squadron's commander disappeared. Finally, they had a breakthrough on the terrorist threat. When he returned from Coruscant, General Vos would be pleased. Very pleased indeed.

"Do you fear a return by Lupercus?" Gneut asked suddenly, knowing that if he ever saw the man he would personally send him to hell.
Dakkon shook his head, though. "The Empire is shrewd to keep him occupied in his hedonistic pleasures on Corellia. Just stick an able bureaucracy behind him and the Governorship will run itself."

- Ascendancy

Meanwhile...


Lupercus Darksword stepped foot onto the hanger of the flagship of the Commonwealth Fleet and the signal went out to Dakkon Darksword of his brother's imminent arrival on Hapes to deliver the final reunification of the Hapes Consortium.

No other single event since Relephon declared the creation of the Hapan Regency has captured the interest of the entire sector.

Dakkon Darksword, in addition to being Hapes Crown Prince, was a member of the Executive Council as would be his chosen heir until the democratic customs took solid root within Hapan society a few generations from the present time. In a bold move, the architects of the Commonwealth had drafted a clause giving the Darksword family a say in Hapan politics until the end of their line.

As a result, the Ta Chume dealt with these internal Hapan problems from the Cluster's homeworld while Dakkon handled most of the Commonwealth issues offworld.

Opponents of the crown were stirred out of the shadows but they were too few and too weak to create any real threat to the Darksword family claim to the Hapan throne and their royal prominence.

Even so, the Crown Prince decided to make haste and return to Hapes as quickly as possible to be on hand to handle his brother.



Unfortunately...





Hapes


The words of the Crown Prince had been playng over and over as if to remind everyone who held the power behind the Ta Chume and her policies regarding the Executive Council and the Commonwealth. The Darkswords were also competing with Vinda Corporation in the form of the Olanji/Charubah Spaceworks, which was owned by the Darksword Family and produced all of Hapes' military requirements.


Lupercus had kept his own council and remained in his quarters the entire trip to Hapes. He could feel the discipline of the soldiers surrounding him and throughout their fleet as well as their fear.


He was not just a Darksword but the Darksword.


And he felt their preparations as weapons were trained on him during his descent and as he walked down the old promenade that stirred memories nearly ancient in his mind.


How little things had changed since his days as a boy growing up in the backstabbing court.


"Did you have anything to do with this!" came the sharp voice interrupting his reverie and his eyes narrowed at the Ta Chume, Dakkon's wife, who stood before him with soldiers arrayed on all sides.


He raised an eyebrow, "Of course. I am here to present to the Consortium and you the Hapan Regency worlds."


"I MEAN DAKKON!" his wife screamed at him.


"What has happened?" he asked, his voice darkening. His gaze turned to the leader of the guards and the man shifted.


"We lost the signal to his private transport. It appears his ship was attacked by some sort of pirates and the Battledragon on the scene reports debris. We have not confirmed it is his private vessel but it does look likely."


"Did you do it?"


"My lady," Lupercus bowed slightly, "I have done a great many things but I assure you that I did not kill my own brother. I came to you without my fleet and on your own flagship and if you will check, my fleet is still within the Hapan Regency."


"My lady, there was no outgoing transmissions unauthorized by Admiral Wilkar by this man during his trip here. In fact, I believe the Admiral remarked that Lord Darksword made no transmission at all," the Head Guardsman stated. Hapan Royal Guards were nothing if not efficient and quick.


"I say this now, I will personally hunt down those who intercepted and destroyed my brother's ship and their ends will not be pleasant!" Lupercus stated darkly, his mounting rage barely contained.


"No Lupercus," the Ta Chume ordered imperiously causing the Dark Lord to bristle slightly at the tone.


"You came here for a purpose and we shall see it done. Our own people can look into my husband's ...disappearance."


The Dark Lord's resentment turned to begrudging admiration for the woman his brother had married after that fool of a girl he had been banished for.


"Of course, my lady," Lupercus bowed again. "I shall prepare for the ceremony."


With that the Dark Lord left.


"My lady, is that wise?" the Head Guardsman asked.


"The sooner we complete this, the sooner we are rid of him," the Ta Chume retorted.

Coruscant


"This had better be fucking good!" threatened the Regent as the room was cleared.


The civil servant, Ciscero, Moff Jaeder and Zell were alone and the Imperial Intelligence agent gestured for the civil servant to continue.


"My Lord, Coruscant is not designed to withstand a prolonged siege."


Zell grunted, "Once this corridor is up and running, we should have it over and done with in a week.."


"It will be too late. In a week, if you do not act now, you will see half the population of Imperial Center dead."


"What the fuck? What are you talking about?!"


"My Lord, Coruscant, by design, can only withstand a siege for about one week. We have the resources and stores for one trillion people to continue using a military rationing system for one week. After that, resources are used up."

"We've been under siege.." Zell started.

"Yessir. We are well into our second week."

"So your numbers are fucking wrong!" concluded Zell.

"My Lord, we have already lost fifty thousand to starvation. Mid-last week Muunillist stopped trading and all banking centers shut down. People are not getting paid and the capital treasury reserve is being depleted at a frightening pace. Prices for food, for what utilities are still in operation and other services are rising exponentially. The alien attack has cut us off and that means no trading, no transports...no civilian traffic...no word...no nothing with the rest of the Empire which means no relief."


Zell's eyes narrowed, "What are you saying?"


Ciscero cleared his throat, "The extent of your power currently is Coruscant. I am sure taxes are being collected, still be routed through Muunillist and other planets with government agents/recipients taking them in but there is no one directing them."

"So local fuckers are raiding the government treasury on their worlds?" the Regent concluded.

"It's possible. The point is, the money is not coming here and inflation is rising. Without supplies, raw materials and other commodities, the civil authority is breaking down. The aliens on the ground and the attacks from above have effectively hampered repair crews so water, sewage, and power stations remain broken or down and whole sectors are going without. The people flee that sector and overburden the next and it begins the cascade."


"So where are we at? Tell me where to send the Military Engineers?"


The civil servant cleared his throat, "Um.. Sir, we are past that. People were under a more strict rationing system which is why the infrastructure has lasted as long as it has. But you have one day to act and then you will see a real panic. And when that happens, you may defend Coruscant but in that week, you will have a dead capital even if you do win."


"The reinforcement fleets coming through the corridor!" Zell suddenly snapped his fingers. "They can bring supplies..."


"Not for a trillion people, my Lord," Ciscero interrupted. "Zell, the military will only have control of these resources for one more day. Then the populace will take matters into their own hands.."


"We'll shoot the fuckers that don't stay in line.."


"Sir, they are starving and frightened and the military hasn't been doing a bang up job so far."


"Fuck you, you fucking turd!!" Zell shouted.


"Execute me if you want, Lord, but the only commodity Coruscant exports is administration! Well, we also export waste. Administration and shit! That is what Coruscant exports. Everything is brought in to feed and sustain a trillion or more people...one trillion are only those that the Census Bureau could count! What about those below that aren't counted?! We are not a planet high in resources. We are one big, mechanized city and we cannot withstand a siege this long."


"He's right," Moff Jaeder sighed.


"Not you too, Jaeder?" Zell cried.


"Azrael, that's why we had three fleets here. The three that the Emperor took with him. That's why we kept a large fleet presence on Corelia. The fleet that Lupercus took with him! Everything is designed to ensure that, should Coruscant be attacked, the defenses here and nearby would be enough to answer any threat."


"So we stick a gun in the civilian's hands, a fucking spine in their back and a boot to their backside!" Zell snapped out.


"These people are not soldiers. They are our fabricators, our manufacturers, our administrators.... skills that our soldiers do not have. We will win the battle but lose the war and have to abandon Coruscant if these people die!"


"Son of a bitch!" shouted Zell.


"We will not have control for much longer."


Zell frowned lost in thought. Perhaps lost in memories as the weight of a trillion people fell onto his shoulders.


"The military will continue to fight. But I want Coruscant evacuated. Give the order, full evacuation of this world..."


"Sir.."


"I know we won't have enough ships for everyone and I know some will stay no matter what, fucking looters. But if they are going to get out they better do it now. Besides, with them gone, they won't be getting into the fucking way of us blowing these alien assholes back to hell!"


The Regent only wished he felt as confident as he sounded.


Evacuate Imperial Center.... Fuck me!