The Rebel Faction

Tissuss: Triton

"If it wasn't for the kids, I would be K'Satikur warrior by now." Varcanna said as she offered her shoulder for support, which Lumier accepted. "Not that I don't mind the delay, for the kids needed someone who could spend time with them."

"What happened to their parents...if you don't mind me asking?" Lumier asked as they started making their way out.

"Well..." Varcanna looked a bit sad. "Their mother died during a sudden attack on our Clan by a rival Clan. Their father..." She sighed: it was difficult to bear the worry she had for her brother. "Was torn apart by her death. He seemed to be alright...until the eggs hatched. He lost it then...and fled. I fear the worse for him..."

Trandosha: Warehouse

"If your organization declares war on our people it will only prove what Naosha and many others feared would happen if we didn't change. Sure such a thing make actually get those bastards in the Council to open their eyes...but it would be too late by then." Rissonik said.

"A war would make it difficult to get any outside party to believe there are T'Doshok that want nothing to do with the Councils old views." Russis added. "And lead to the deaths of many of our supporters needlessly."

"Thus it would be imparitive to establish a solid communication link...if not alliance...with your employeers. To help prevent such a disaster." Rissonik said with a grim nod. "By now our governments forces would have been deplited by a significant amount and would not have the manpower to wedge a full war with anyone without forcing non combatants to go into battle..."

Trandosha: Warehouse

“I thank you for your reassurances, however in all honesty...” Rissonik said. “The only way I can think of to prevent a war, whether its with Kysh’s employer or among our own, and without breaking our own rules is to remove Hyossk from power.”

“But how?” Russis asked. “The only way a T’Doshok Councilor is ‘removed’ is either by natural death or assassination: it’s been that way for generations.”

“There is another way Russis.” Rissonik said with a smile. “Naosha told me about it when she was refreshing her mind on T’Doshok laws some years back; she was looking for a way to put my brother Tnossok in jail at the time.” He remembered her frustration when she told him she had found nothing she could use to punish Tnossok for killing her three other daughters, who were of Rissonik's blood. It still burned Rissonik that Tnossok would do such a thing: it's no wonder Besk admired him...

“What is that?” Russis asked, looking interested.

“If I remember right, the Speaker Above All can be removed before he actually dies if the rest of the Council votes for his removal. However, he would have had to do something really bad for that to happen.”

“Like being a total idiot and pretty much fast forwarding what Naosha feared would happen if we didn’t change…” Russis grumbled. “But last I checked, the Council is blind to my father’s stupidity, plus we kind of lack proof of any events that would prove his stupidity. The public may believe us…but the Council is another matter: they are staunch supporters of my father.”

“But are they allied with him because they truly believe in him? Or is it out of fear?” Rissonik asked, a sly smile on his face. As Speaker Above All, Hyossk had the power to oust any member of the Councilor for whatever reason: just like he did with Naosha. Now that Naosha’s ‘prophecy’ seemed to be coming true, the other Councilor’s may be more willing to support Naosha, but fear losing their position if they speak out. Russis slowly nodded when he realized what Rissonik was saying.

“How do we get those Councilors, if any had turned to our cause, to start speaking out?” he asked.

“The public.” Rissonik said simply. “We let the public know about Hyossk’s mistakes and fumbles, show them what proof we have on such. But we can’t do this alone…” He looked over at Kysh and Lissuss. “I mentioned before I heard a rumor that Hyossk had a peaceful convoy attacked, I need to know if that is fact or not.”

Hyossk’s Chambers

“The subject finally stopped sir.” The Sykir said.

Hyossk smiled. The tracking device he had implanted into the kid was finally giving him the information he wanted.

“Good. Have the military do an airstrike on the location.” The Elder Councilor said.

The Sykir looked a bit nervous. “Wouldn’t it be wise to have someone scout the place first…to ensure it really ‘is’ the Separatists base?”

“To scout out the location would risk alerting them to their being discovered.” Hyossk said. “I’m sick of playing cat and mouse and I don’t want to take any chances. Give the order.”

“Yes sir…”

Merc HQ

Besk wandered about, surveying the losses to his group and getting angrier the more he discovered. This group was his pet project, one he had been nurturing for the past two years in hopes of making a full fledged Clan someday. Many of the males here were some of the best mercenaries on Trandosha…now most of them were dead.

As he inspected the place, he found that his men were slain by three different weapons. One was obvious by blaster, a high powered rifle going by the damage and spatter of the fatal wounds. The other two were slash and puncture wounds, from two very different weapon types. The first was a virbolance…the other he had seen the effects of earlier this night: a K’Zur. Knowing how rare it was for his people to use the latter weapon type these days, the K’Zur welding assailant was likely the same one as before. The fact that the few survivors he found all said they couldn’t ‘see’ their assailant only proved it.

Who are you… Besk thought with a sneer. He doubted this individual was with the Separatists, since the Separatists were mainly a bunch of pacifists. Still…he could put the blame on them: who’d know the difference? It would certainly put a dent in the Separatist’s reputation…

He exited the building he just went through and heard the distant roar of fighter ship engines Why are they out? He wondered, recognizing the sound as coming from short distance military fighters. Did Hyossk find out something on where the Separatists are hiding? He smiled at the thought: an airstrike would take out most of the people in whatever hole they were hiding in.

However, something wasn’t right. The sound was getting louder, like they were heading his way. He keep telling himself that it was likely the ships had to pass over to get to their target, but his instincts were screaming otherwise. Off in the distance he could make out the two fighters heading his way, the plasma fire form their engines silhouetting them. A moment later he saw the a brief flash from both of them and now there were two smaller silhouetted dots…growing larger by the millisecond.

Besk felt his world stop, the shock of what was happening overwhelming. He came to his senses within a second, but that was one less second he had to act. Instinctively he ran forward and started to climb the fence that ringed the small compound. When he had reached the top of the fence the missiles struck the building he had just left but a moment ago. The resulting blast blew him off the top of the fence, the flames licking at his clothing and skin, and into a ditch. The impact rendered him unconscious….

Tissuss: Triton

“Lumier!” Varcanna shook the unconscious human, but got no response. Realize she needed to get her to medical help quickly, she picked her up and ran for the hanger: fortunately she didn’t run into any remaining marines. Once in the hanger she beelined for the closest vehicle: a military hover truck, and gently put her down in the back.

No time to find keys, she just hotwired the thing and exited the hanger, nearly ramming into Tiskus.

“She looks very worse for wear…” The Trandoshan Cyborg said.

“Yes yes I know…get in...we need to get her back to the outpost.” Varcanna said. Tiskus didn’t agrue and carefully got into the truck…

Outpost

Meanwhile Naosha was pacing, fraught with worry.

“Madam please…I’m sure your daughter is alright.” Ossik said. “She’s a tough one from what others told me…”

“She is…but even she has her limitations.” Naosha said, keeping up her pacing. Close by Trissan laid low, not wanting to get himself into any more trouble then he feared he was already in. His little game had put his Aunt into this mess and now he was feeling guilty for it. Still, it had been fun fighting with those bad men…

“Something’s coming this way.” One of the warriors on guard announced, squinting. “Looks like a truck.”

There were a few tense moments as they watched the vehicle approach at full speed: was it friend or foe? They relaxed when they recognized Tiskus’ large form in the back of the truck when it came close enough, but had to dodge out of the way when the vehicle went right past them, not stopping until it was right in front of the main outpost building’s door.

“I need a medic! “ Varcanna shouted out of the cab. “Pronto!”

….

“What happened?” Tiosk, who had just finished tending Silliss’ wounds, echoed. “You were shot while we were making our escape out of the Triton.”

“Things have been pretty hairy here as well.” Silliss added. “All those marines Tzhali had locked up in the brig apparently got out and tried to kill everyone. I’d say about 95% of them are dead now…at least the one’s that were harassing us here at the outpost.”

Trandosha: Warehouse

Rissonik closed his eyes and shuddered: it was worse then what he heard. Hyossk didn’t order an attack on a convoy that was just passing through…he ordered an attack on a convoy that conducted business with his people. When he opened his eyes he could see the other members of his group, Russis included, shifting uneasily.

“You have our condolences.” He said. “As much as I hate to use your losses for political gain…we need to in order to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

“The shear fact that he had our fleet attack people that did business with our people will be an outrage as is.” Russis said. “Let alone innocent members of our race.”

“It may be best not to mention the T’Doshok lives that were lost in that.” Rissonik said. “Hyossk no doubt had that convoy destroyed because he suspected members of the Separatist Movement were in it, which isn’t true. As long as we don’t mention the T’Doshok deaths he can’t twist that information to use as an excuse.”

Russis nodded in agreement. “Sick bastard would no doubt do such a thing.”

Everyone jumped when there was a knock on the door. There was a brief moment of tension when one of the warriors went to the door and rapped half of a code on it lightly. There was a pause, then they heard the correct other half of the code and the warrior opened to door just enough to let whom ever it was in.

Stepping in was a Trandoshan marine, looking like he just ran a marathon. “You won’t believe what happened…” He said.

Rissonik quirked a brow. “What would that be?”

“Well, first the Merc HQ was assaulted by some unseen assailants…then got blown up by an airstrike.”

There were blinks of surprise and looks of disbelief all around, though Rissonik’s guests had an idea who the ‘unseen assailants’ were. “Isn’t that place headed by Besk?” One of the warriors asked.

“Yes.” Rissonik replied. “He started that group not long after I retook the Clan and he left it.”

“Obviously we don’t have the assets to pull and airstrike…” Russis said. “This had to be my fathers doing…he has the authority to do such a thing.”

“But why strike at one of his allies? Wait…” Rissonik looked at the Keshir, who realized what was about to be asked. “Just what did you do with that tracking device?”

“Well…” The Keshir said, scratching his chin. “Since we knew the tracking device was likely owned by one of Hyossk’s allies I thought it would be funny to slip it into the pocket of one of Besk’s merc buddies.” He looked around at the blank looks and added with a shrug. “How was I supposed to know the old coot would order and airstrike on the place that thing ended up in?”

There were a few chuckles around, but Rissonik remained serious. “This could be good or bad for us.” He said. “Was Besk in the compound at the time of the airstrike?”

“He was,” The marine said. “But whether or not he survived I don’t know: I beat feet the moment I saw those fighters coming…”

Rissonik nodded. “As I said, this could be good or bad for us. Besk, if he survived, could break ties with Hyossk over this…however Besk is no fool either. He may just figure out the little ‘trick’ we pulled on him.”

“But did he know about the tracking device in the first place?” Russis added. “That would be the key I think.”

Another nod from Rissonik. “I suggest we lay low and quiet for now and see where the cards fall in regards to this…”

Tissuss: Outpost

“Varcanna, member of the K’Satikur Clan and daughter to Naosha, leader of the Separatist Movement.” Varcanna, who had exited the truck by now, responded, crossing her wrists in front of her chest in the Clan gesture and bowing her head. “There is no need to apologize really Admiral: times of stress can bring out the worse in anyone.
As for what happened to Lumier. She got into a tangle with a particularly nasty human cyborg that was locked up in the Triton’s brig. Tiskus here…” She gestured to the Trandoshan Cyborg, who was getting out of the bed of the truck. “Prevented the cyborg from finishing her off and was able to destroy it.”

“I kink landing on anyone from a roughly hundred feet up would finish kem off.” Tiskus added with a chuckle. “Especially if ke king landing on kem is someking as kig as me.”

“Varca!” An all too familiar voice called out and Varcanna winced, knowing what was going to be coming. She turn to see her mother run up to her. “Varca…you’re alight thank gods.” Naosha said as she started fussing over her. “You’re hurt!” She said, blanching when she saw the blaster wounds.

“Nothing serious mother.” Varcanna said, with a faint groan. Then added in Clan Dialect. “Step fuwning evor mo methor…yea uro muking yearsolf leek liko un idiet in frent ef tho Admiral.”

Naosha froze and looked over at the Admiral, whom she only just noticed was standing there, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Like I said…” Varcanna said, with a slight mischievous smile. “Stress can bring out the worse in people.”

Naosha glared at her daughter. “That’s not funny. Now go get yourself patched up.”

“But…”

“Go!” Naosha growled. “Before I carry you to the medic bay myself!”

Varcanna muttered a ‘yes mother’ and started making her way to the medic bay, sulking.

“Kids…” Naosha said with a faint laugh, then switched to politician mode. “A pleasure to met you Admiral. “ She said, bowing slightly. “I am Naosha, former member of the Elder Council and head of our little Movement. I would like to extend my thanks for your fleets assistance in our time of need.”

…

Silliss looked at Lumier, aghast at the shape she was in. His heart felt sick: if Lumier ended up this way…what of Varcanna? Tiosk recognized his distress.

“Easy son. Just because Lumier is like this doesn’t mean Varcanna suffered a similar or worse fate.” The elder Trandoshan said.

Silliss shook his head, his fears overwhelming logic. He stood up and started moving toward the elevator.

“Silliss…yea’ro lotting year ometiens evorwholm yea.” Tisok hissed gently in Clan Dialect. “I andorstund year fours, bat yea uro still u K’Satikur Warrior und huvo thut imugo te apheld.”

Silliss paused for a brief moment to look over his shoulder at his father. “I den’t curo…” Was all he said before running off.

Tiosk sighed helplessly, rubbing his head. “Woe to anyone that hurts the girl he has his eyes set on…” He muttered.

Trandosha: Warehouse

“I suggest we all get some rest.” Rissonik said, rubbing his bandaged leg. “It’s been a long day, and night, for all of us.”

“I better head back anyway.” The marine said. “To least find out if Besk survived or not. I’ll let you know what falls out because of this.”

“Thank you.” Rissonik said.

Hyossk’s Chambers

“Target has been destroyed sir.” A commanding officer from the Trandoshan fighter unit said.

“Good. Have a platoon of marines sound the rubble, with orders to shoot anything that moves with in.” Hyossk said, a smile on his lips.

The Officer blinked. “Even emergency personal?”

“They are not to be permitted on the grounds.” Hyossk said coldly. “I want to minimize the chance of any Separatist surviving the strike.”

“As you wish…sir…” The officer took his leave, flabbergasted by the orders. He was wondering if the Elder Councilor was starting to lose his mind…

Tissuss: Outpost

Varcanna had just stepped out of the elevator on the medic level when she was suddenly rammed by someone in a hurry. The impact knocked both of them into the still open elevator and Varcanna found her on her rear. After shaking the stars out of her head, she opened her eyes to see Silliss on all fours in front and partly over her. The expression on his face looked to be a mix of surprise, relief and anxiety.

“Varca…” He said softly, his voice revealing the same emotions as his face as he suddenly embraced her. “I was worried about you…”

Varcanna could only sit there in numb shock. The Silliss she knew was always so serious and all about business…now he’s hugging her? She expected this sort of response from her family yes, but from someone she hardly knew? A small light lit up in the back of her mind, a light of hope she thought had been extinguished a long time ago.

Don’t get your hopes up girl… She thought. The moment he finds out you’re sterile he’ll forget you…just like all the others...

“Silliss…” She said finally, a slight nervous edge to her voice as she gently pushed him off. “I am a warrior like yourself…you do not need to worry about me.”

“I…” Silliss flushed, looking embarrassed by his actions. “I can’t help it…”

“Never knew you were the sensitive type.” Varcanna commented as she pulled herself to her feet. “Had me fooled…”

“Well I…you’re hurt…” He said suddenly, jumping to his feet when he noticed her injuries.

“Yeah…Mother insisted on getting patched up. Jeez they are not that serious.” She grumbled.

“You should at least have the one on your back checked.” Silliss insisted. “It looks pretty bad.”

“Does it? Aside from being paralyzed temporarily I hardly know it’s there.”

“As far as I can tell ya, but this is terrible lighting to look at it in.”

“Well the docs can look at it, I’m heading there anyway.” Varcanna said as she started walking down the hall.

“All the docs are working on Lumier.” Silliss said, following her. “It may be a bit before they can help you. I can help you though…”

Varcanna gave him a suspicious look. “Didn’t know you were a healer type either…what else are you? A musican?”

Silliss gave a weak laugh. “I’m tone deaf. I know some medic skills because I had to tend myself a lot of times.”

Not so unusual. Varcanna decided, knowing it wasn’t always possible for a certified medic to get to you quickly on a battlefield.

Just at the door to the main medical room they saw Tiosk, who was just leaving.

“Found her I see.” The older Trandoshan said as he passed. “I’ll leave you two alone…try not disturb the docs ok?” There was a mischievous tone in his voice and Silliss’ glare at him in response made her even more suspicious. She brushed it off though with a shake of her head, deciding it must be some inside joke she wasn’t getting.

Once in the room she saw that indeed all the doctors were busy with Lumier. With a resigned sigh she took off her vest and sat on the table.

“Alright Mr. Nurse get started.” She said.

…

Naosha nodded, smiling as she followed him. Both his offers sounded very good to her, since Lavality already told her what their fleet’s mission was. And their mission fit in with Naosha’s view of where Trandoshan society should go very nicely. She resolved herself to wait on any decision for the time being, for she wanted desperately to know what was going on back home first: she needed to know so she could decide which option would be best to take. If things were going badly, a new home would be the best option, so all those that wanted to continue on with her dream could do so. Either way, the Fleet will prove to be a valuable alley.

Trandosha: Former Merc HQ

The scene was a bustle of activity, one group of marines scowering the site to do a body count and another much larger group around the perimeter keeping emergency personal and curious onlookers out.

“I could have sworn these guys were on our side.” One marine commented as he and his partner did their sweep.

“Bah…separatists could be anybody, including those you least expect.” His partner said with a snort. “It be smart of them to use a mercenary group as their front.”

“I suppose.” The marine looked into the ditch as they passed and did a double take. “Hey…isn’t that Besk over there?”

The other marine looked and a smile formed on his face. “Well, well.” He said. “Ain’t this a shocker. Besk a Separatist…”

“I think you are assuming things…” The first marine said as he picked his way over the debris to Besk’s unconscious form. “He may have been surveying the sight when the airstrike hit. Wrong place at the wrong time thing ya know?”

“Perhaps. But remember what I said before: they could be who you least expect.”

“Point. No one would suspect Besk to be a Separatist…” The marine felt for a pulse. “Looks like he’s alive, but going to be sore for a long time.”

“Good. The Councilor can have him interrogated then: won’t he be surprised? Let’s get him locked up.”

…

She had seen the airstrike and had gone to see if Besk had survived the assault: her plot for revenge would be useless if someone killed him for her.

When she got there she remained cloaked and listened to the marines conversation with interest. The news was just too good…too perfect. She had to dash away a good distance before bursting out in laughter at the irony of it all.

She cut her mirth short though. She knew Besk was an intelligent one and would use all his resources to clear him of the accusation of being a Separatist. This needed to be prevented and she believed she knew just how to go about doing it….

Tissuss: Outpost

Naosha turned and looked at her own two guards. “Patrol the area. Make sure we won’t have any uninvited guests.”

“Aye madam.” The K’Satikur warrior said with a bow, before he and his partner separated to take different patrol routes.”

Naosha entered the control center, the Admiral following. There was a lingering scent of death here from the bodies outside, but as a Trandoshan it didn’t bother her that much.

“Your offer is generous Admiral.” She started, running one hand on one of the non functioning control panels. “With our goals being so similar, it would make since for at least an alliance between us to form. However before I can make any decision in that regard, I must know what is going on back home. How deeply intertwined we become will be dependent on how successful my Movement is.
“As for the pirates, I have little doubt that Speaker Above All Hyossk hired them. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if that one has had dealings with them in the past to help fill his own coffers.”

…

Silliss could only gawk at her for a moment, having had to rely on his own imagination in regards to what Varcanna looked like underneath that vest: she looked better then he had imagined. He had to force his mind off of one train of thought to the one regarding tending her injuries. While he got some supplies they listened to what was happening over at the other table, where Lumier was being treated.

“We shouldn’t have split up…” Varcanna said with a sigh.

“What do you mean?” Silliss asked as he started tending her wounds. He started with the one on her back, which didn’t look as bad as he thought it was at first now that he had proper lighting.

“Well, after I met up with them in the Triton, we decided to do a sweep. Tiskis offered to be a destraction while Lumier and I did separate ends of the ship. Lumier ran into that @#%$ cyborg on her end. If Tiskis hadn’t come across them…”

“You couldn’t have known this would have happened Varca.” Silliss said calmly.

“But we know the @#%$ was in there somewhere. Lumier and I should have stayed together…”

“What’s done is done. You can’t change the past. Be thankful you didn’t end up like her.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Varcanna said harshly. “Don’t you like Lumier?”

Silliss mentally kicked himself for the stupid remark. “I do like her, but with how things are at the moment we can’t afford too many casualties like that.” He said. “What would your mother do if she heard you were in Lumier’s place on that table?”

Varcanna sighed, catching the point Silliss was making. “She’d freak…likely be more worried about me then about the Movement.” With a sigh she added. “It’s why I haven’t told her about Trazu…”