The Rebel Faction

"We await orders to engage." said the Vlyx's second-in-command, captain Carver. "Just give the order, sir."

Panacka sized up the force opposite, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and said "No. We will not engage."

"Uh... what, sir?"

"We will not engage, captain. Hold our position. If you haven't noticed, we aren't all here yet."

The captain briskly moved to a moniter, which showed the layout of the battle. "Uh... you're right, sir. It's just first division - where are the others?"

"They're coming, Carver, don't worry. As it is, however, we will hold our positions. Are all ships combat-ready?"

"Yes, sir, definetly. Fighters have been launched, shields are up, weapons are ready. Any further orders?"

"Move us into a defensive formation. Anything that makes a move towards us should be caught in overlapping fields of fire. Begin to spread the Stealth Intruders out as well - not into firing range, just spread 'em out a bit. Give us some visuals. Oh, and if the Graviton detectors pick up anything, I want to know. Besides that, hold here."

Carver seemed uneasy, but he followed out his orders.

So the first wave of Teth forces waited, forming a tight knit of the massive Dominators and the Vlyx, a solid rock just out of reach of the enemy. They said nothing, they made no signal, they just sat, and waited.

As they did, Panacka checked the Graviton data with a critical eye. "Here, and here." he said, pointing to two anomalies. "Send these coordinates to divisions two and three." An aide rushed off to comply.

Panacka examined the scanning data as it continued to come in, scratching his head and leaning on the console. "These... no, these aren't Daemun forces. Our information on them is limited, but it seems these are regionals."

"What's the difference?" asked Carver, as he came to join Panacka.

"Think of the Daemuns as the elite, Carver - they run the religion and are more or less the heart of the Black Dragon Empire. There are lesser tyrants and enemies, but it is the church that keeps this beast together. Regionals can be turned, even a fanatic can be converted, which means our primary target is not here." He frowned "This could make things problematic. We couldn't go straight to Dameo without hitting Chandaar first... but if we want to free them of the Daemun's influence, we'll have to avoid destroying them."

"Freeing them of the Daemun's influence, sir? Just what is your plan?"

He smiled, and said "You should have been at my original strategy meeting, Carver. The plan is now a military classified document. Suffice to say that my actions here are going to have to be cautious. Follow my orders, and we'll see this through."


Waiting with her fellow soldiers deep in the heart of the Vlyx, in a Meteor dropship, Rebecca began to feel anxious again. "Why aren't we attacking?"

"Hold on there, missy." said Ishmael "This is an important part of every major battle - maneauvering. We don't just line up across from each other and beat each other until one side gives in. Not now, anyways. Panacka's going to try mind-games, provocation, or circling round the planet, just about anything that'll make them easier to fight. Sometimes a good maneauver means they won't even fight at all, if it means they'll be massacared. You just sit tight and wait. We'll be fighting soon enough - then we'll see how eager you are!"

"Sir, some fire has been registered! Some of the Intruders are hit."

"Sir, you have to give the order to attack!" Carver was antsy "If they rushed us now, we'd be in firing range quickly, and you still haven't given us the order to fire!"

Panacka gestured for him to calm down, keeping two hard eyes on the enemy fleet. "I know you're eager, Carver - I want you to be eager. Be ready. But this is not that sort of battle. You have to think it is, you have to want to fight, but still, you must listen to my orders, or we actually will have that sort of battle on our hands, and then there'll be a whole lot of dead boys and girls in space in an hour or so." This seemed to silence the second-in-command, and Panacka nodded. "We wait."

They didn't have to wait long. Second and third division arrived dramatically, appearing over each portal.

Panacka's data had revealed that the two portals were the primary transportation in and out of the system. Information was scant, but it was estimated that the small seven-meter long vessels near each portal were responsible for their stabalization. Civilian vessels nearby panicked and scattered, but the motion was terrifying and silencing.

With dozens of warships appearing over each portal, not a shot was fired. Targets were certainly acquired - turrets turned, prepared to lay down unstoppable barrages of the heaviest Turbolaser fire on everything and anything around them that wasn't of the Coalition, but not a shot was fired.

The enemy fleet, positioned as it was to block First division, was now surrounded on three sides - more notably, however, was that Second and Third divisions were distant, so distant that they could fall upon the planet and deliver blistering bombardments upon civilian populations, construction facilities, and military installations. The planet could be slagged by cannons from the sky, and there was no way the defenders could spread out fast enough and in so many directions to stop them.

And yet, not a shot was fired. There was silence across space, one deeper and more ominous than any the vaccum had granted it.

Now, Panacka spoke. "Send the enemy fleet a message, I want to determine their commander - if they try and deny the message, have the Sinew try to force the signal."

He cleared his throat, and adjusted his clothing. I'm not just some crafty bugger, I'm a fucking bastard. But... better a fucking bastard than a bloody butcher.. A green light on his comm turned on.

"Defenders of Chandaar - one wrong move, one sneeze of fire, and we will slag everything and everyone our guns can reach, which turns out to include a fair portion of your home's landmass. I don't want to do that, and I'm fairly sure you don't want me to do that, so don't do anything stupid, and I won't have to.

"I want to avoid bloodshed, believe it or not. I know, hard to believe, right? I'm packing the firepower to wipe out civilizations, and I want to talk? Think it's a trick? Itching for a fight? I'm giving up strategic surprise and flanking because I don't want to kill you. I'm extending a chance to save your life, the lives of your men, the lives of your people, as well as quite frankly my own - I admit, you probably aren't feeling much goodwill to me right now, but for the sake of your lives and mine, you have to believe me, all I want to do is talk.

"It's traditional in many of the old wars for two commanders to meet before their forces engaged one another. Call it something like that, if you want. I don't trust comms. Pick a ship, meet me between the two fleets, and don't bring any fighters or such. I'll bring one, and we'll just talk.

"I'm warning you once more, though - you shoot at me or my men, you try and sneak up on me, you bring one of your plague-nukes, and all bets are off. I want to get out of this with everyone still breathing, but my soldiers will defend themselves if they have to, and if I have to choose I will chose the lives of my soldiers over yours. Are we clear? Don't force my hand, and we'll both have a chance."

He sat back, waiting for a response, or a reaction. I'm a fucking bastard, I'm scum beneath a boot. Sometimes, though, you need a bastard to get everyone out alive. Everyone.

"We're not getting a message back... but they're not moving." said Carver, as he appraised a layout of the battle. "Wait... we're picking up one unarmed shuttle detatching from the fleet and heading towards us."

"I'm guessing that's him." said Panacka, grimly.

"Or a bomb." said Carver. "Or... I dunno... fifty solid tonnes of nanophage that they'll just dump on you. Take your pick, really. It could be a ninja, sir, and he'd just break you - with his face."

"Your concern is noted, Carver, which is why I'm going alone - if I don't make it back, carry out my battleplan."

Carver blinked, clearly shocked "B-but sir! Why would you risk your life like that? That's irresponsible command, I mean -"

"Remember what I asked you?" said Panacka. "Just trust me, I'll be coming back alive. Daemuns are fanatics, Chandaarians are people, like you or me. That means they don't want their loved ones to get bombed to hell, which means they aren't about to do something stupid. Besides..." He took a pistol from the arm rest of his command chair. "I'm always prepared."

"Shall we provide a fighter escort, or soldiers to protect your person?" Inquired Carver, but Panacka shook his head.

"No, I'll go alone, but get our guests to the comm room."

"Guests?"

Panacka sighed. "The guests? Hello? You see what happens when you miss my strategy meetings? Okay, have someone go down to A-level, that's the diplomatic level, and have the people recovered from Kessel moved to the comm room, okay? And treat them well, they might be key to the situation. Are our comms jammed?"

"No, sir."

"Good. Get in contact with the High Command and get their full briefing on events in the war so far - especially atrocities. Anything that was a war crime, anything wrong. We're dealing with the Daemuns, there's going to be something. Forward it to my shuttle and I'll read it on my way out."

On his way to the door, Panacka grabbed the ship's comm and sent another message, both to the enemy fleet (All of them) and to the shuttle on the way. "All right, I'll meet you half way out. I'd like a confirmation message from the shuttle before we dock, so I'll be waiting on that. Keep the comm channels free, so we can communicate - We have the means to make them free, but this saves us time. Remember, commander, no tricks. With or without me, my fleet can still waste your world, and I don't want to have it come to that. Come in good faith, or don't come at all - there's something the Daemuns aren't telling you about the war."

He cut the transmission and left the bridge, wondering if he'd see it alive again.


Panacka was climbing into the shuttle when a voice from behind went "Hey."

He stopped, sighed, and said "Cy, you're not at your station. The troops will need you."

"Not if you get killed, they won't." Sergeant Major Cy slung her rifle over her shoulder and joined Captain Panacka on the shuttle. "Carver's good at following orders, but the man couldn't command his way out of an open doorway. I'll make sure you come back alive, you just make sure whatever you're doing is worth it."

"Don't worry, it will be." I hope. Panacka sighed, and said "Okay, if you really think so, get aboard. And put on this vaccum suit, too. Just to be sure, of course."

Panacka got into the pilot's seat of a simple, unarmed transport shuttle, and adjusted his vaccum suit to get more comfortable. The hangar bay doors hung open, and the shield briefly went down. "You are clear to proceed, captain." a mechanical voice informed him, and the shuttle pushed forwards and into space. The shield closed up behind them.

"So..." Panacka started. "You're here to protect me... in deep space... when we're surrounded by massive enemy warships... with your rifle?"

"Yes." she replied, firmly. "Oh, and I've also got a bayonet."

"Oh, well, we'll be fine then." Panacka rolled his eyes. "Let's go."

The shuttle cleared the area where the Stealth Intruders had been hit - those ships were now being tractor beamed in by Coalition warships who briefly dropped shields to let them in, before sealing up again. The enemy had yet to exploit this, suggesting that they were wary of bringing down fire upon their home.

In the distance, Panacka could just see the two collections of warships either side of the planet, which threatened to shut down the enemy's portals and bombard the planet - did he have the heart to do it? That didn't matter. All that mattered now was the meeting he was flying towards.

"When we get close to the shuttle..." said Panacka "We won't do anything until we get some confirmation comms and scans. I'm not a total fool, hopefully, neither is their commander." Beads of sweat were starting to form on his forehead. Panacka suddenly felt something on his shoulder, and turned to see that Cy was resting her hand there.

"Relax, sir." she said "You'll do fine."

He nodded, and steadied his nerves. Weeks of planning, not to mention years of not being dead, were now at stake, but he had to keep it together.

Panacka fixed the distant fleet with his eyes, searching for any hint of movement. Seconds passed like hours until a light began to flash on the dashboard comm controls. Cy glanced at Panacka before flicking the comm on.

"This is Captain Sepid. That man was not operating with my permission, but it does not change my stance - why should I speak with murderers when you attacked out ambassadors at Mon Calamari?"

Panacka scanned down his datapad for the relevant reference. Oh yeah, this one. "Do you want to know what your ambassadors said at Mon Calamari? Here's our recording of the only diplomacy they had to offer." Panacka turned from the comm to Cy, and nodded. "Play the tape."

"By Decleration of The Imperium, and by the Power of its Taj, Mon Calamari will be indoctrinated into the Imperium Proper. Its citizens will from hencefurther be regarded as Citizens of The Imperium, with all privlidges regarded therein."

"This system will be Recompiled and reformed to Imperium living standards and code. Construction is already begining on a DragoNest platform for increased trade and transport to the area, as well as a permanent lines of communication."

"An Arbiter travel platform has been placed at systems edge to incorporate this world into the Fast transit Network of the Imperium. Further communications will be preformed in person on the planets surface, prepare for Ambassadors to be transported to the surface at this time."

The tape clicked, and Panacka leaned forwards. "If anything, commander Isip's response to an outright annexation was practically docile. He ordered his ships to ionize the ambassador's vessel. The instant Ion made contact, the 'ambassador' ship exploded. We have the footage if you want to see it, but frankly, considering we were already in a state of war I don't see how my troops were in the wrong for fending off an attack on their soverignty."

"Why do you lie?" said the Chandaarian commander. "The Taj has declared your actions at Mon Calamari to come from the basest bloodlust and hatred for our way, and the Taj cannot lie to his people. Would you have me believe a film that can be fabricated or a recording that can be edited over my god?"

"No, not that easily," said Panacka, who cracked a dry smile. "Give me a few minutes to talk to you away from his eyes and ears, though, and you might see things differently."

"How can I be sure this isn't a trap?" The voice was laden with contempt, but Panacka's swift ears caught the slightest hint of curiosity. The speaker was still human, after all. "Even if it isn't, what could you possibly tell me that would interest me? My faith is strong."

"If your faith is so strong, then you've nothing to risk with meeting me," said Panacka. "All I'm asking is to speak to you man to man, not pawn to pawn. As for wether this is a trap or not, well," Panacak glanced at the other shuttle where the Daemun glowered, his trap unsprung. "Currently I'm 1-and-0 on traps, so I think you can trust me on that one."

Another long pause followed. Panacka wondered if he'd take the offer, if his gamble was right. Not every faithful follower is a fanatic, all he needed was for this one to be as big a general as he was a believer.

"Your terms are acceptable for now," the captain's voice begrudgingly declared. "We can see no immediate strategic disadvantage with meeting you. I'll be out shortly. Captain Sepid out."

Panacka let out a gasp he'd been holding in. "That was the hard part."

"So he took the bait," said Cy. "What's the plan?"

Panacka leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. "Keep an eye on the sensors to monitor for captain Sepid's approach or any attacker. I'll make sure the presentation's ready on his arrival."

"And what if it's another trap?"

"Another trap?" Panacka just shrugged the possibility off. "Then I was wrong about this guy, and we're caught in the middle of a bloody and brutal crossfire."

Cy frowned, and turned to the sensors. "For someone under so much pressure, you seem to be keeping pretty positive."

Panacka's tone and arms dropped as he faced the Chandaarian fleet. "You have no idea."

Panacka heard the clank of armoured feet above, as Captain Sepid descended a ladder into the cockpit area. The man's clothing was outlandish, in the style favoured by the Black Dragon's followers, but in it Panacka recognized a few traits - the armour was far lighter than the average soldier, and brown robes of some kind were visible just under the plating that protected him. Truly, this was his opposite.

"Please," said Panacka, gesturing to a chair on the other side of the small cabin. "Take a seat."

Sepid glanced at Panacka warily, before sitting down. As he sat, Panacka noticed Sepid's eyes briefly turn to Cy, then back to Panacka. The slightest flicker in his otherwise grim features piqued Panacka's interest, so Panacka reached out and briefly held Cy's hand.

"Are you all right, my love?" he asked. Cy was startled, but luckily caught on to the ruse fast enough to stop herself from giving it away, and nodded. Panacka smiled, and turned back to Sepid. Definetly a reaction...

"All right," said Sepid, who seemed clearly uncomfortable. "You've gotten me right where you want me, now what? What's so important?"

Panacka reached out behind him and tapped in a few commands on his ship's dashboard. "Sepid, I'm here to correct a... mistake. A misunderstanding. The Coalition is at war with the Black Dragon Empire because, at a battle I commanded, a Black Dragon fleet invaded Coalition space and tried to sack Teth."

Sepid was unfazed. "That is more or less known to me. The Taj does what he must to defend his people, even if it appears to others like war - it is not our place to interpret His Will."

Panacka finished punching in commands, and turned back to Sepid. A thin metal line extended from a panel between the two of them, expanding at the tip to form a circular metal sheet. In a moment, that sheet lit up and a holographic display of Chandaar appeared.

"You didn't always believe that though, did you? Tell me about the time under the Cron."

"My people were under the Cron for a while, yes," said Sepid, shifting uneasily in his seat. "That was before the Taj brought enlightenment, brought peace-"

"Peace? What peace?"

"Peace of mind, captain. Peace of spirit. He has given us what our kings and nobles never could, his love and respect. We are like his children."

Interesting choice of words...

"If you are like his children, then I guess that makes us the kids who live across the train tracks that you're not allowed to play with? Why were my people over Teth less deserving of this love of the Taj than yours?"

"The Taj loves those who accepts him into their life - an obedient child is easier to love than one who rebels and steals, and your people have shown hostiliy to the children of the Taj many times. If He must make war to protect that which He loves, then so be it."

Cy wasn't certain of the whole thing. For some reason, Panacka wasn't showing the evidence yet. Every time Sepid spoke, the sallow-faced captain seemed to drink it in as if he were at a lecture in the academy, composing his replies and planning four moves ahead. It made her uneasy, for a soldier's world is hard to reconcile with the world of double meanings and subtle persuasion. Why did he touched my hand?

Panacka steepled his fingers as he considered his reply. "In that respect, he and I have a lot in common. I too am fighting to protect those I love, but I am fighting to protect them from him, not you. Tell me, who are you fighting to protect?"

This seemed to catch Sepid a little off balance, as he considered two answers to the question. "Well... my people, but it is through the Taj that we are protected. Any who threaten Him threaten us as well. You cannot separate the two - my people and the Daemuns are as one."

"I can't?" said Panacka. "Why not? What ties you to them?"

"You should learn to listen as well as talk, captain, I already told you that-"

"No no, I remember what you said - the Taj bringing you peace and all that. What I mean is what ties you and the people you love so much that you're willing to protect this god of yours even though by doing so you're putting you and your loved ones in harm's way, something which you say he specifically works to avoid?"

"You will not win the day with logic wordplay," said Sepid, who rolled his eyes broadly. "Say that it is a debt, then. We owe Him our loyalty as good children for all that He has done for us."

"Repaying a debt he forced on you with conquest?"

"Liberation! Why am I arguing with you here? We are commanders, we are here to make war not-"

"Are you a married man, Captain Sepid?"

The question was perfectly innocent. Panacka leaned forwards, resting his head on folded hands. Sepid seemed surprised, scanning Panacka's face to detect any clue or trick. "...Well, sort of, yes, I suppose."

"Not exactly an enthusiastic reply, but all right." Panacka gave a fleeting smile before pushing on. "Your sort of wife, you love her, do you not?"

"Yes, yes I do."

"And do you have any children?"

"Listen, where are you going with this?"

"Answer the question, please."

Sepid sighed, and looked away. "We're expecting our first soon..."

"Now answer this one - would you give your life for that child?"

Sepid was a little surprised, but eventually, he nodded. "Yes, yes I would. I would give my life for my wife and my child."

Panacka nodded. "Right... like any good father, you want to protect your child. You want your child to know peace, and love, and prosperity. You want to be there for that child, but if called upon you would sacrifice yourself before letting your child go. Do you believe the Taj and the Daemuns love you like that? When you feel the stirring of pride in your heart, when you think about what to name the child, where to raise the child, can you imagine them feeling that love for you? That willingness to risk life and limb before harming you?'

Sepid straightened, his resolve stiff and unyielding. "Of course I do, and nothing you Taj-damned filthy infidels can say will-"

"You'll stay in that chair, Captain Sepid, or by all gods everywhere both of us and every soul we lead will die in fire and be entombed in the void!" His voice was so harsh, his change in tone so sudden, that Sepid and even Cy were taken aback. Beneath the harshness, however, was the unmistakeable sound of pleading. After a moment, Sepid lowered himself back into the chair.

Panacka examined the holographic display of Chandaar as though nothing had happened. Eventually he looked up back at Sepid. "Your faith is strong. I believe that. I know it. All children at least want to believe their parents love them, but nothing is more dangerous than when a parent actually does not. Look at me, Sepid. We're not fools - we both have rank, and have born witness to many things. Have you ever seen anything that, if it weren't for the fact that the Taj gave the order, would have caused you to stop and wonder? To question? Is your faith and your devotion to the thought that all he does is out of love the only sureity you have that you are making the right decision in bringing your people into the firing line?"

Sepid was strong, but his tone was more reserved. "Yes, sometimes... The Taj tests us all in our own ways, to see that our faith in His love is strong. There have been times where I have questioned, but I have never been convinced, never seen an utter falshood or a complete deceit. He is no scheming politician or power-hungry king - His love is real, His forgivness genuine, His guidance just, and I remind myself of these things when I feel pangs of doubt."

"So is that why you fight? Because you have faith in his love? Because you are repaying your obligation to a father for that love? Because as the father you can trust him to protect you and your people, no matter how things might appear?"

Sepid nodded. "I would give my life for the Taj."

Panacka returned the nod, narrowing his eyes to Sepids'. "And what about your child's?"

Silence.

"I... I would..." Sepid struggled to find the words. "I would give my life for my... for..."

"If we follow out our orders, Sepid, you'll have to give your life for something - are you dying for the Taj, or for your kid? If it's your child, then I have no quarrel with you, because the threat to the ones I love is still out there."

Cy was amazed. Sepid had entered stern and solid as a rock, yet now he was hunched, thinking furiously. When had Panacka become so passionate?

Panacka got up from his chair and put his arm around Sepid's shoulders. "I have collected here evidence, some physical, some eyewitness testimony, and more, detailing the things that the Taj has kept silent about his love. I ask you only to watch what I have with an open heart, and if afterwards you're still sure the Taj loves and forgives all, then I'll send you on back to your fleet and I'll fight my way past here by force. If, however, you have any doubts, we can talk about it."

"...Okay," said Sepid. "Show me what you have."

Cy knew that was her cue, and quickly inputted the rest of the commands on the dashboard. The holoprojection of Chandaar expanded several times, become a blue cloud that dominated the middle of the room. Panacka reached in, as if 'rummaging around' in the cloud, before pulling out a clip.

"This," said Panacka, as he arranged the holographic image. "Is footage from the battle of Teth." The footage showed the world of Teth, with an assortment of Coalition vessels in orbit. Quite suddenly, and without warning, a Black Dragon fleet appeared and attacked, catching the defenders off guard."

"How do I know this isn't a fake?" said a suspiscious Sepid.

"Simple - do you recognize all of these ships?"

"Well, the classes at least, yes. They come from all over the Imperium."

"Interesting," said Panacka. "Because I don't recognize them. No one in the Coalition does - we don't know enough about your technology to stage something of this magnitude, we don't even know what your ships look like, never mind their markings or operational perameters."

Sepid watched for a few moments more, before saying "Why didn't they open communications? Why didn't they parley?"

"I'm afraid I don't know," said Panacka, who sighed. "We received no ultimatum prior to the invasion, no explination, no nothing. I happened to be there at the time, and at great cost I was able to defend my world, but if you wonder about the sort of protection the Taj offers, let me tell you that we were offered no chance at negotiation or diplomacy before the attack, and none since."

Satisfied, Panacka pushed the raging battle back into the cloud, and reached back in. After a moment's rummaging he pulled out another scene from the battle of Mon Calamari, the one still raging.

"You've already told me about this one," said Sepid. "Why show me again?"

"So that you can watch it," said Panacka. In due time, the ship was ionized, then of its' own accord blew up. The records sped up until arriving later that same day, when an Arbiter the Coalition had been pursuing opened a portal distant from Mon Calamari, out of which poured forth a teeming horde of Dragon ships, with their dread flagship in the lead. Suddenly the recording fuzzed out into static.

Cy watched the clip with surprise - she hadn't realized Mon Calamari was under attack. She glanced at Panacka, gauging his reaction, and realized that he already knew. His restraint and control was surprising, given the circumstances.

"Our feed was jammed at that point," said Panacka. "Tell me, Sepid, even if I were lying about your ambassador ship being rigged to explode, how could the Black Dragon Empire have had such a fleet ready to spring an attack the moment we turned down their offer? It looks to me like a fleet that size wouldn't be pulled from the frontlines where they'd be needed unless they intended to use it, which means they must have expected us to reject the offer and chose to invade anyways."

Again Sepid was quiet, brooding. His face was twisting more and more into a scowl.

Without comment, Panacka waved the offending clip back into the swirl of smoke, and pulled one more from its' blue depths. "And of course, you've already met the esteemed Captain Raleck."

The man in the hologram was indeed the captain, still giving a worn-out smile. "Hello again, Captain Sepid."

"And to you, Raleck... but how can I be sure it's really you?"

"You can't be," said the captain with a smile. "That's because after the Dragons betrayed the king and took the kingdom, I was 'disappeared'. Everyone else was killed, but I, for my failure, was sent to the deepest, darkest hole in the galaxy to die. I lived on Kessel for the most hellish period of my life, and my identity was washed away, but I still have one thing that anchors me to that place."

With that, Raleck pulled back his sleve, and showed his arm. On it a barcode tattoo stood out, with a series of digits under it. "Prisoner number 8-9-4-5-2-6 dash k," he said. "Maximum security clearance. The Black Dragon Empire thought I was a Heretic - worse than a heathan - because I failed in my work with the king. I failed the Taj, and instead of forgivness, I was damned to the closest thing to hell in the galaxy. I dug spice and rock out of holes in the day, and was locked into a tiny cell at night.

"One day, a band of Jedi broke into the prison to rescue one of their own, and while they were at it they saved my life. The Coalition's sheltered me ever since. I've gone a long way from home, kid, but I'm still a son of Chandaar. Chandaar forgives, the Taj did not."

Sepid couldn't meet his former superior's eye, drumming his fingers on the arm rest. "Any more?"

Panacka shook his head. "No, no more besides rumour and conjecture. I've shown you all that we know, the rest is up to you."

Sepid drummed his fingers again, and chewed his bottom lip. Finally, he met Panacka's eyes, and said "And should I side with you?"

"I'll march by your side, I'll fight to free you from Daemuns, and I'll never, never say that I'm somehow better than you or more right."

Sepid looked away, then looked back. "All right," he said. "I'm in."

One moment later, the circling Daemun assassin rammed the ship.