The Rebel Faction

The shock on Natira’s face was evident as she scanned the document. Her eyes flicked from Asri to Lavality in apparent confusion and disbelief before finally sighing with resignation.

“”If the Empire is willing to do such horrid things to even ‘one of their own’…what hope do we have for equality?” Asri said softly.

“I get the point…” Natira softly, but with a hint of bitterness in her voice. “Don’t you have something more important to talk about now?”

With a sigh Tiosk took up that task. “We all obviously desire to aid such a Rebellion, but how should we do so?” He said. “I certainly feel we should use ships that don’t immediately point the finger at Trandosha and unfortunately all T’Doshok ships are immediately recognizable as T’Doshok.”

“What about the ISD mimic?” Trazu asked.

Tiosk snorted. “It could pass as a star destroyer and confuse our foes for a moment, but the technology in it is outdated and wouldn’t likely stand up for long against the new ships the Empire has. Even now, the higher ups are considering not making any more and there are talks of building a new destroyer to replace it. Even the Rynok is getting ‘old’ technology wise and the problems with the super laser could prove to be too much of a disadvantage when it goes toe to toe with an Empire fleet. This is all on top of the fact we still are recovering ship numbers wise from the Battle of Trandosha.”

“While that does seem a possibility, I don’t think the ones on Trandosha are linked to the Empire in any form.” Trazu said. “The impressions I got from the one we killed on the Blackblade and the one we interrogated here suggested that they are working under their own accord and resources.” He sighed deeply. “Still, the possibility the Sith may come here is something we cannot ignore. I may escape their notice, since I am at best a Rogue Jedi if that, however Silonik and Mortor would definitely be targets as they have received the bulk of their training from the Academy.”

“We should have some time though, before the Sith turn their eyes toward other possible ‘Jedi hotspots’.” Rane added. “It’s possible they may be content with just taking the former Jedi Order temple, but we shouldn’t hold our breath. If they are serious about wiping out the remains of the Jedi Order, they may come as far as to intrude on Coalition territory.”

“And the Coalition is already on bad footing as is…” Rissonik said with a sigh.

“It’s sounding more and more like we need to step up our efforts to replace our aging ships and develop new tech.” Tiosk said with a sigh. “And there’s none on the drawing board that I know of…”

“Actually sir….” Tiosk’s second in command, Konik, spoke up. “There is one, two technically.”

“When did you come in and why didn’t you knock first?” Tiosk demanded, a bit annoyed at the intrusion.

“I apologize sir, but I wanted to catch Admiral Lavality before she left.” Konik said with a bow.

“What the bloody hell did you want to talk to her about that I don’t know about?” Tiosk snarled.

Konik sighed. “We wanted this to be surprise when this was completed sir, but from the sounds of things, things need to be ‘stepped up’ like you said. Admiral Lavality, your engineers here have been instrumental in solving a problem that has plagued this new ship of ours for years. However, one key element they said needed your approval before we could go ahead with it.” He handed her a datapad. “This has the schematics and stats of the Rikuk Stealth Bomber.” He added with a grin. “I think you can guess what part of that we need your approval about.”

“Stealth bomber!?” Tiosk said, shocked. “How the ziss did this escape my notice!? And why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“It wasn’t easy sir…” Konik said. “Especially getting the prototype to this station without you knowing. As to why…we wanted to keep it a secret because it was inspired by you sir and we wanted to present to you as a gift for your excellent leadership over the years.”

Any anger in Tiosk had melted away now and the old Trandoshan looked like he was about to weep instead. “All that trouble…just to honor little o’ me?”

“You said there were two things, what was the other one?” Rissonik asked curiously.

“The Korko Missile…or rather…the ‘hull buster’.” Konik said with a grin. “The schematics for that are on the pad as well.”

“Quite madam.” Konik said with a smile. “It’s designed to be precision guided ordinance, to be used to strike at critical areas of the ship: think of them as a much larger concussion missile with a bigger ‘punch’. It’s so big that our destroyers will have to have special launchers fitted to accommodate them, so in the mean time the Rikuk will serve as the main launch platform. Once the destroyers are able to use them, they will the primary launchers, though the Rikuk will still be available to use them in special situations.”

“Was that think inspired by me as well?” Tiosk asked curiously.

“As a matter of fact…yes.”

“Goodness…having a ship inspired by me is one thing, but a missile as well? The other commanders will be jealous….”

“Believe me sir, we already got some grumblings from them.” Konik didn’t even try to conceal his grin.

“It would be fine by me, even though I already told you what to expect.” Rissonik said with a shrug. “Besides, I know certain people in this meeting would like to get back home for some deserved rest.”

“Plus I would like to get Natira ‘established’ on the Clan grounds if you don’t mind Rissonik.” Tiosk added. “I won’t be in charge of this station forever and keeping her with me on the Bloodfang would likely drive her insane.”

“Indeed…” Natira muttered.

“Still, it would be good for Naosha to hear about this directly from Lavality, rather then second-hand.” Trazu said. “And I’m sure Silonik would like to see his brother and sisters again.”

“We’ll meet you on the grounds Admiral Lavality.” Rissonik said as he stood.

“Konik, I’ll be going as well.” Tiosk said. “So you have the helm until I return…no making up new secret projects with out me ok?” He added with a wink.

“I wouldn’t dream of it sir.” Konik said with a grin.

Trazu and Asri collected up Silonik and Mortor, much to the relief of the two females that no doubt were eager to get back to their own ship by now. Tiosk, while Natira was packing her few belongings, just had to see the new ship. He whistled in awe when he saw it.

“That is a beauty. How many crew does it hold?” He asked.

“Two sir.” Konik said.

“How fast?”

“I am told it will be as fast as many current fighters sir, but understandably slower when cloaked. It has no hyperdrive though.”

Tiosk made a couple of rounds around it, then spotted a long object that was covered by a large tarp. “What’s under there?”

“The prototype Korko sir.”

Tiosk blinked in shock. He couldn’t believe it until he pulled off the tarp and saw what was underneath: it really was a supersized missile that was nearly the same length as the Rikuk. “Dear goddess! You could put a cockpit in this thing and make it a ship on it’s own!” Tiosk exclaimed.

“Only if you are suicidal sir.” Konik said with a chuckle. “Besides the guidance system it’s practically all fuel and explosive.

Tiosk gave him a look. “You forget whom you work for….”

To that Konik only laughed.

Trazu, Asri, and the two kids arrived at the Hunter’s Way shortly after Rissonik and Rane. After helping Asri to one of the seat’s, Trazu instructed one of the dock workers to return the wheelchair back to Lavality’s ship.

“Silonik!” Varcanna said when she poked her head out of the cockpit during her flight checks. “My how’ve you grown!” She gave the youth a hug. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here, what’s the story behind it?”

“It will be explained when we get home.” Trazu said calmly. “I’d rather not have to explain it any more then needed.”

Varcanna got a worried look on her face. “Something bad huh? Very well, I’ll wait.” She glanced over at Asri. “Pardon the expression Asri….but you look like shit.”

“I feel it…” Asri said simply, her eyes drooping a bit.

“Anyone else coming?” Varcanna asked.

“We are waiting on Tiosk and Natira.” Rissonik replied. “I suspect Tiosk went take a peek at that new ship we have in the works.”

“Ahh, well let me know when they decide to show up. I’m basically done with the flight checks.” Varcanna said before disappearing back into the cockpit.

“Once we get home I’ll get you a large meal and put you to bed.” Trazu told Asri.

“I want to be at the meeting.” Asri said sternly.

Trazu blinked. “You already exhausted yourself too much as is Asri, why torture yourself more?”

“Because I want to hear what is going on for myself.” Asri explained.

“You’re thinking about this Rebellion thing aren’t you?”

“Yes…and no.” Asri said quietly. “While I support the idea of the Rebellion, I don’t think I’ll be apart of it.”

This came as a surprise to Trazu. “But why? You were all but saying you were going to join when you were ripping Natira a new one back there.”

“I said what needed to be said, nothing more.” Asri said calmly. After a moments silence she continued. “If this hadn’t happened to me…I probably would join the Rebellion in a heartbeat. But….”

Trazu caught on what she was trying to say. “You become aware of your own mortality.” He said softly.

“Yes…” Asri said with a nod. “But there’s a bit more to it then that. Before all I desired was revenge and I accomplished that. I remember feeling so lost and unsure of what to do with myself after I succeeded in killing Besk. At the time I only joined your Clan afterward because I had nothing else better to do, no other place to go. Yet it was painful at the same time, for all around me I saw things that reminded me of what I believed I could never have. Love. A family…that is until….”

“You met me.” Trazu finished for her, again catching her line of thought.

Another nod. “At first I was in denial….I didn’t want to believe it could be possible for someone to love me for whom I was. Accepting me as a fellow T’Doshok was a shock I was still kind of recovering from. You were so patient with me though…gradually opening my eyes until I did see…did believe. I was just beginning to feel true happiness…and I nearly threw that all away….”

“No.” Trazu said calmly. “You were only doing what you felt was right at the time and there was no way of knowing you would have ended up like this.”

“Either way…I feel myself…reluctant to fight again. I feel if I did I risked never experiencing some of the things I know are possible for me now.”

“Like?” He prompted curiously.

“Like…being a housewife.” Asri said with a slight sheepish smile. “Before my ‘fall’ in my father’s eyes, that’s all I desired to be. Of course my husband had to be good looking, kind and gentle.”

Trazu made a show of looking himself over. “Well…I’m not sure I fit that bill.” He said with a grin.

“Oh Trazu…I know better then that! At least on the looks part.” Asri said with a giggle.

“Asri.” Trazu said, turning serious as he took her free hand into both of his. “What you decide to do is up to you and I’ll support you either way. Know this though: I do intend to join this Rebellion and I’ll fight with them for the both of us.”

Asri gasped. “Trazu I….I don’t know about that….you could be…”

“I could have been killed many times over on the many adventures I’ve been on, both alone and with you.” Trazu said simply. “But I haven’t. You should know by now that I may be a runt, but I’m a hard T’Doshok to take out like the rest of us, if not harder.” He winked.

“Alright…if you do go…for goddess sakes write me…so I don’t worry so much about you.”

“I promise.” He said. “It doesn’t look like it will be anytime soon I’ll be going anyway, as we have to ‘find’ the Rebellion first. So I’m sure I’ll have time to spend lots of time with you.”

To that Asri simply smiled.

A short time later Tiosk and Natira finally arrived and they departed for Trandosha. Not long after that they got clearance to land on the Clan grounds.

“I didn’t know a Clan could have their own private spaceport.” Natira commented as she watched the approach from a view port.

“Yes. The K’Satikur Clan has had it since it’s peek a couple of generations back.” Tiosk said.

“Why is it so far away from the city itself?”

“For better privacy and to keep a better eye out for rival clans looking to raid the place.” Rissonik replied. “That’s also the reason for the kind of defenses we have.”

“I’ll say…it looks more like a fort then a training ground….”

“Hsskhok is slowly approaching us though. Eventually it will surround the grounds.”

“Not unless those new turrets you had installed on the watch towers change the city planners minds.” Tiosk said with a wink.

“Oh yes…that’s right. I doubt there would be many that would want to have a turret facing their home.” Rissonik said with a chuckle.

They landed a moment later and a form of chaos ensued. The main source was of course Trazu’s other kids, whom rushed to see their father and got really excited when they saw Silonik (with the exception of Trissan of course) and started pouncing and playing with each other. Mortor was so overwhelmed at seeing so many Trandoshan’s closer to his age that he just took to hiding behind Rane’s leg, whom eventually coaxed him into joining the play. Varcanna was given the unfortunate task of rounding up the youngsters and depositing them in the play room, with strict warnings to Trissan not to start picking fights with Silonik, though no one was afraid of Trissan actually harming Silonik.

Meanwhile Rissonik went to get Naosha and inform her of the meeting Lavality wanted to hold. Rane simply explored the grounds for a moment before heading into the manor himself. Trazu helped Asri inside and went to get her something to eat before the meeting to tie her over until it was finished and Tiosk got Natira settled into a spare room in the manor.

“I’ll take you meet your brother after the meeting.” Tiosk said to her. “I’m sure he’ll be shocked to discover he has a sister.”

“I’m sure I would be too if I was in his position.” Natira said softly. “Why do I have to go to this meeting? You already know my ‘stance’ about it and surely I would be safer here then on the station.”

“I know, but quite simply I am not sure how Silliss will react to you if you met up with him by yourself: he’s on patrol right now so there’s a high chance of you meeting him if you went out to explore.”

“I could just not say who I am…” Natira said.

“Wouldn’t work…Silliss knows what you’re mother looks like and you look too much like her. He get’s paranoid about me whenever I’m on the grounds…as the littlest thing that reminds me of your mother can send me into a drinking binge for the rest of the day and night. He’ll likely have you kicked out of the grounds simply due to your resemblance.”

“So…you’d rather not take the chance and introduce me to him yourself.” Natira said with a sigh. “Great….just…tape my mouth shut so I don’t say anything stupid ok?”