The Rebel Faction

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Nostromo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*The remaining Vong survivors of <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Nostromo's<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> aftermath, found their attempts to overrun the ship thwarted rather abruptly, as the mass of Droidekas ripped into them in a hail of heavy-laser fire. They fell where they stood, mainly from the sheer number of the Robots, shredding the enraged aliens into pieces.

Vinda stood on the bridge, observing their progress, via the Closed circuit cameras installed on the ship.

Relieved , he switched it off , as his attention turned to Omar...*

"..options?..."

*Omar turned from his console to face Vinda..*

"..not many, the ships engines are beyond repair , we aren't going anywhere, we're going to have to ride this one out.."

*Vinda nodded grimly..*

"..what <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> do<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> we have?.."

*Omar's eyes quickly scanned down the data-pad he was holding...*

"..45% of weapon systems still operational, full complement of troops, fighters are intact, though we have no way of launching them, scanners and sensors still operational, All fires below deck 6 have been extinguished ...our supplies should last us for some time too..."

*Vinda interjected...*

"..what about communications?..can we call for reinforcements?"

*..Omar shifted slightly ..*

"..actually , Sir, we have already tried, several times...(he paused for a while as if reluctant to explain further...)...they..haven't responded..."

*Vinda's eyes narrowed at this comment, and his face took on a very concerned look..(Omar continued..)*

"..at first I thought it was the communications array, but after running some diagnostic checks on it, it all seems to be in full working order, which leads me to believe the problem does not lie with us..."

*..Vinda hung his head as he sighed heavily, this was not what he wanted to hear. Something was wrong , very wrong, whatever the situation was, it was clear they were all going to have to be very resourceful. He straightened up rubbed his face with his hands briefly , as he considered his next move*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..where in the hell is Achinta?!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*His thoughts were interrupted by a the shout from the Comm's officer..*

"..Sir, you'd better come and take a look at this!..."

* Vinda cut Omar a concerned glance as the two made their way to the Comms console, he gestured for the officer to show his findings. The Officer , who was half-listening on a pair of headphones, flicked a small switch , and the familiar crackle and hiss of radio-static filled the bridge, the room seemed to fall silent as virtually the entire crew listened intently...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...me in, Al..ha T.... Repeat Come.... ..ph..two........in need of emergency assistance ................................................... Invade...
....heavy casualties infl....................so.. kind of Virus......re..st emergency...do...read......urgently.........<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*The young officer turned to face Vinda and Omar...*

"..we've tracked numerous distress calls , coming from several major cities ...at first there were literally hundreds, there are only a few...the numbers falling fast "

*Vinda nodded slowly, his eyes squinting as he tried to make-out the contents of the message ...*

"..good work, keep listening , if anything new arises alert me as soon as possible.."

*Turning from the console, he took Omar to one side, his voice deeply serious...*

"..Virus?.."

*Omar nodded, his voice lowered a little..*

"...could be some kind of Bacterial-warfare, if used to its full effect , could be devastating.."

*Vinda's face sullened and stiffened, as he considered the ramifications*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ... don't know for sure, but I can't afford to take the risk...and with all the Kriff we've all been through , I'll be damned if I'm going to let us all die from some Frankenstein-Flu...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*With what seemed like a renewed vigour to some, or to others simply a foul-mood, Vinda walked swiftly up to the bridge, and addressed the whole crew...*

"...Listen up Gentlemen!..Code-red!, issue everyone with enviro-suits, get the med-team to find out all they can , see if we can find some way of fighting this should the time come, is it airborne?, are there carriers?, Comms, try to contact any survivers, see if we can get first-hand knowledge of this thing...

We need to get into contact with VC-HQ, I don't care how you do it , just <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Do it<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->. Activate the emergency distress beacon! Seal all decks below 6 and 7, weld the doors closed if you have too, no personnel are to leave this ship under any cirmcustances . Do <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> not<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> let anyone onboard this ship unless I directly say otherwise, we are in effect under quarantine protocol...
...get in conact with the core fleet , see if there are any spare fighters to recon the area with.."

*The crew scurried away in all directions as they all struggled to keep up with the tirade of orders Vinda Churned out. He raised his hand to attract the attention of an ensign , who quickly obeyed ...*

"...Try to contact whoever, whatever is the Caprician authorities, we need to know for sure what their status is?..."

*The Ensign shot off before Vinda could dismiss him, shaking his head slightly, he retrieved and lit another Cigarra , Omar joined him at his side...*

"..got another one of those?..."

*Vinda raising an eyebrow , reached into his pocket and handed Omar one...*

"..I didn't know you smoked..."

*Omar , speaking through gritted teeth replied...*

"..I don't , just thought it was as good a time as any to start..."

*A grin crept at the sides of Vinda's mouth as he took a long drag, exhaling a plume of smoke around him...*

"...how long can we hold out?..."

*Omar's eyes narrowed, as he considered this for a brief moment..*

"...as long as it takes, as long as we are sealed in , we can recycle all the air we need...(he glanced up to meet Vinda's eyes)...but its not the virus I'm worried about..."

*Vinda sighed again, and murmured in agreement...*

"..yes, I'm sure we didn't make ourselves popular after parking ourselves on one of their supply stations...it won't be long until they head in our direction.
Lets face it we are , to all intents and purposes a nine-hundred metre long sitting target...we need to get in contact with whatever's left of the Capricians forces, the sooner the better..."

*He glanced up to the flickering View-screen still baring witness to the trail of carnage and destruction the Vinda-Corp vessel had inflicted upon the ground. He turned back to face Omar and spoke, his voice drenched heavy with concern..."


"...if theres any left ..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Road to Antioch..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Hespante witnessed the massive explosion as it climbed higher and higher releasing the Leveller of Empires with quiet dispassion.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> No matter how far civilization decays, we just can't seem to forget, along with our achievements, the ability to destroy. So constant such actions remain.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The relic from the Commonwealth continued his trek into what had been called, a few days before, Antioch.

He stood rather tall, his garments of a seeming royal nature and yet of simple design. His blonde and gray hair blew with the wind as it hit his face.

He was so engrossed in the planet's scars that he failed to notice a Chazrach warrior coming toward him until it was before him barring his path.

The creature snarled, raised his club and charged.

Hespante, overcoming his brief startle and hesitation, shot a hand out toward the oncoming Yuuzhan Vong slave.

Before the Chazrach could respond to Hespante's uncharacteristic lack of fear, he found the Commonwealth man's hand embedded into his throat.

The creature's hate was unmistakeable.

With a twist, Hespante's hand had snapped the Chazrach's neck. The body of the reptilian alien slid down, his hand finally being pulled free of the creature's neck by it's slump.

Hespante kneeled to inspect his assailant and his brows furrowed.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I do not recognize this species.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He stared at the way before him once more and shook his head.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Capricia.. Capricia.. just what have you done?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Bonadan System<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Hyperspace Reversion<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*As <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Transient<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> shuddered into real-space just outside of Bonadan, Richter's eyes widened at the sight of the considerable fleet they had suddenly emerged behind of...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..what the!?...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"..Tellum?, zoom in on those ships..."

(Tellum obliged)

*Gripping his chair-rest tightly he recognised the CSA insignia that had been plastered over the fast-moving ships instantly ...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...they've done it!, they've finally done it!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*Suddenly Sitting straight up in his chair , Richter's voice was one step away from panic...*

"..Code-red everyone!, Code-red, raise shields!...what is their current trajectory?"

(Secretly he already knew, after all, why else would the CSA have any form of fleet here at all...)

*Tellum, who had also been observing the preceedings with alarm , relayed the orders, and replied to Richter , his voice also deep with concern ...*

"..Bonadan , as for shields we don't <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> have<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> any, well, not that can withstand another full-scale engagement"

*Richter scowled at this remark...*

"...Damnit! ready the fighters!..what about short-range Comms?, can we reach Bonadan yet?.."

*Tellum shook his head,*

"still out of range, though I'm sure Bonadan's already picked the fleet up...."

*Richter sunk back into his chair, his mind racing, trying to think of possiblities...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> got to do something damn it!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"...have they picked us up?..."

*Tellum's otherwise placid looking face frowned as he gauged the scanners...*

"..hard to tell, they are jamming all scanners and communications.."

*Richter stood up , and wiped his brow...they were not prepared for this, least of all he. in fact he had just been looking forward to sleeping in his own bed, now that even seemed to be at risk...
The CSA Invading Bonadan was huge, it would change everything, Vinda would be sure to respond..

To be more accurate , he had already anticipated it..

Richters mind raced back to the rather clandestine meeting he had attended almost a two years ago, Vinda had outlined a Course of action if such a situation was to occurr, an Emergency protocol so to speak.
He closed his eyes trying to remember every word...

It looked like now was the time to use it, but first they needed to contact VC-HQ...

Richter turned to face Tellum once more, his voice sounding weary...*



"..I'm open for suggestions?..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia... Antioch Front..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Tallien watched the 'downed' Vinda Corporation's vessel through the transparent membrane of his command ship. He was in such silent contemplation that he barely caught the entrance of an underling.

//Your Eminence. The warriors who have tainted themselves by attacking the abomination have been gathered//


//Fools// hissed Tallien under his breath.


But he would not move the Command Ship. It would not do well to have the

Glory of Yun-Yuuzhan change locations due to a foolish infidel attempt to attack it. It would be a loss of face in front of their enemies.

//Have the Chazrach being their work// he ordered, pleased with the idea that came to him.

Thousands of Chazrach slaves were unloaded from the ship's onboard hatchery to start digging the largest pit that Tallien had ever seen. Already, the makings of it's outline showed all the way around the Vinda Corp. vessel.

Soldiers were giving the ship a wide berth as unloading of materials began some few hunred meters away from where the infidel ship had crashed through before.

10,000 warriors were missing and an untold number of Chazrach.


Tallien would need a sacrifice to match that loss to even begin to have Yun-Yuuzhan to glance their way once more.


//The warriors who tried to board the abomination reported that the infidels are trying to seal themselves in//


Tallien's eyes narrowed.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> These were not Capricians. Why are they here?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


//Have we identified their origin// Tallien snapped in irritation.

//We have, your Eminence. Your creatures have identified the abomination as called <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Nostromo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.. of Vinda Corporation, a maker of many foul abominations. They incur the god's wrath with their very existence.//


//Mercenaries, then.// Tallien spat out the word. //They have no cause here. It should be fairly easy to break their will.//

He smiled ironically at saying the word, "will".


//Your Eminence?//


//Bring me Vuas..and have the warriors bring me prisoners. As many as you can.//


The underling bowed.


//As you command, Eminence.//

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Capricia... Antioch Front <!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Mathias coughed up dirt and dust as his gasp for air was less than successful. As he wheezed he noticed other soldiers in his group hauling themselves up from their anchor along the cliff wall.

When they had realized they'd never get across, they began to anchor bolts into the ground and tie themselves to them as the earthquake hit.

Most of his men did not make it, and as Mathias gingerly touched his rib cage wincing in pain, he wondered if they did not get the better part of the bargain.

A quick glance across the fault showed the turbolaser battery-line in shambles. There was no movement, but the line was at a higher elevation making it difficult to tell if anyone was alive on the other side.

The earthquake had detonated the minefield so whatever it could not flatten, the mines did. Not an invader was to be seen in the massive craters the explosions caused.

And in the distance, the command ship of the aliens hovered over a fallen Victory Star Destroyer.

Now Mathias was not a fleet man but he could tell that whoever the crazy pilot was flying the damned ship, they may not last for long under the shadow of the bloody invader mothership.

He spat out as much to those that would listen to him grumble.

"Sound off." he tried to shout, the dust in his throat making it feel scratchy and dry.

As his men called out, he noted with some sadness the names that hit him by their silence.

"Major!" a call came and Mathias went running over to several troopers kneeling by a young soldier sputtering up blood.

"Frell. Medical pack?" he inquired hastily, but the sad looks on his comrades faces told the fate of the young soldier.


"M.. mmajor?" the young man rasped out, his mouth red.


"Yes, son?" he said, his voice being both firm and soft at the same time.


"I.. I ..want to go home.." he coughed again.


"I do too, Son. I do too." he whispered, placing something soft under the boy's head.

Glancing around, he noted how the greenery of Capricia was suddenly missing, the ground having been broken by artificial as well as natural destructive forces.

Dirt and rocks and dust.

"Tell.. tell my girlfriend... that I ... I..." and the boy's voice
caught in his throat.

Mathias looked on in horror as the soldier exhaled for the last time. A son of Providence had died. One of many that day.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> What are we doing here dying on foreign soil? We have no familial ties with Capricia anymore. So why?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


As if voicing his own thoughts, a soldier came out and asked, "Major. Just what are we doing here?"

But even as his own mind asked the question, the answer settled in his mind as quickly as the person asked the question.

"Saving ourselves, soldier. This is war!" he spat out harshly. "Do you think it's all fun and glory and excitement? People die in war and it's high time you start realizing it!"

He was getting warmed up now, feeling his old gruffness coming back.

"Do you think for a minute that if this planet falls, these invaders will just leave us alone? They already tried once for our homes and failed. Do you think they won't rectify that?"


The realization of what Mathias was saying began to sink into the others.

"Now, let's form up and see what we've got left. I swear to you this, boys: These alien buggers will pay dearly for this day!"


Their numbers depleted greatly, there was no way they'd make it across the fault and, really, they wouldn't know where to head if they did.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Time to fight with what we know..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Mathias took some binoculars and focused in on the Vinda craft. Already many Chazrach were milling around the perimeter but he could not see what they were doing.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> That ship is still operational!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, his mind shouted as he saw a turbolaser swivel ever so slightly.


"Rally point is that VSD." he said, into his comm. It was static at first and slowly, the groups that his men formed started acknowledging.


"Into the inferno, eh Major?" a young Lieutenant came up, sporting a found heavy blaster rifle.


"That's right soldier. Into the inferno."

He took one last glance at the young dead soldier that he had covered and noted already the wind already kicking up dirt and dust over the body.


"Into the inferno..." he whispered to himself.


He joined the small groups of men that descended into the craters to stealthily move back to the area they had attacked before.


Where Leia had been captured.