The Rebel Faction

The message from Captain Voltaire was as simple as it was short. He is here. The words signified what some in the upper echelons of Command hoped would be the beginning of a new era of Imperial-Sith Order cooperation. Grand Admiral Desaria was never one to nurse false hopes - the Sith and the Empire, despite their commonalities - had exactly the same goal when Time had run its course: unquestioned hegemony over all. Neither would deviate from the course to that end and that could create only one outcome when there were no enemies left to fight - the Sith and the Empire would combat themselves.


And likely destroy each other and the galaxy along with us. Thank the Gods I will not live to see it, for in my lifetime there will always be someone left to fight.


The Grand Admiral sent word that the Sith Master was to be escorted to a large wardroom on the ship's port side. The wooden meeting table had been removed and in its place put a large transparent construct with a void in its center. Some may have thought the quasi-table was the latest in a rage of glasswork-art coming from Raltiir and Yaga Minor, the Grand Admiral knew better...


..as did his guest. Desaria turned behind wehere he was seated to a red-tuniced figure glaring out the viewports at the planet below. " I requested your assistance as a matter of prudence but make no mistake I will not tolerate any alienation of the Sith. The Emperor has seen to their usefulness and we will carry out his order. Is this neccessary?"


The man turned and faced the Grand Admiral, his face thin and guat, his hair as black as the trousers and jackboots he wore. " It is, Desaria. Make no mistake yourself - do not think the Sith will stand idly by and let the Empire grow unchcked. There are moments such as this, subtle moments, when they need to b reminded of their vulnerabilities - and who can strike them."


Baron Desaria growled but hit a button that opened the door at the room's opposite end. A phalanx of escorts waited outside, a single being entering swathed in black robes of a ceremonial nature. The Grand Admiral stood.


" I am Grand Admiral Telan Desaria. I speak for the Emperor here today. This "- the aristocrat gestured- " is the Viscount Ierin del Forza, High Inquisitor of the Galactic Empire."

The Sith Infiltrator descended through the clouds of the planet and into the main atmosphere layer of the planet. They had descended into a heavy forest region, the perfect place to hide the ship until the negotiations were resolved, at which point they may move to the local garrison either by speeder or by ship, depending on whether or not they wanted the infiltrator to be seen by outsiders. Necros stood and walked to one of the viewports in the side of the craft, looking out at the jungle around them. The ship had settled down to a landing in a narrow area, and now it was time to get out and stretch.

Lowering the ramp, the Sith Knight was the first one out of the ship, taking some cautious steps and stretching out with the force to sense if any potentially dangerous animals were nearby. When he sensed none, he beckoned to his comrades that the coast was clear.

The first order of buisness was to set up a basic camp, plus to camoflague the Sith Infiltrator. Walking over to the cargo compartment, the knight removed several layers of camo netting and passed them to the apprentices to be distributed over the length of the ship. With the apprentices getting to work, Necros walked out into the forest a little ways, and pulled out his lightsaber. Igniting it, he swept through the trunk of a solid tall tree, toppling it onto the forest floor with a resounding thud. The knight again stretched out with the force, but the only things alerted by the sound and ground shaking were the non-dangerous animals.

Clipping his lightsaber back to his belt, he walked back torwards the area where the sleeping tents would be erected. Although the infiltrator had sufficent sleeping quarters, Necros preffered the outside of the ship to the inside. That way, if someone launched a sneak attack on the ship, at least not everyone could be killed in a single moment.

"Lord Jas, you will have command of a total of six battalions dedicated to the ending of the insurrection down there. Two battalions of Stormtroopers and four of Army Infantry are at your disposal. I would trust you not to waste the lives of loyal sons of the Empire, but they are yours to do with as you please."

Vance listened, noting the number of troops the Imperials would be supplying, and doing a rough count in his mind as to how best to divide them on the planet surface. The soldiers would suit as peacekeepers, for the most part, which would allow the Sith to use subterfuge and cunning to win over the masses against their corrupt Government. It wouldn’t be too hard a task, as the Sith simply had to extort the current leaders’ mistakes and help to ascend another in its place that was virtuous – insofar as being under the Sith’s control, at least.

"Your autonomy is sweeping, Master Jas. But this is a military operation. If you fail, I will assume control and end this splendid little gambit. I said I speak for the Emperor and I do, so let me caution you: the Fate of your order hinges on what you do here. May the Emperor guide your actions."

The Sith Master narrowed his eyes. Did the Grand Admiral just threaten the Sith Order? Did he have the nerve, nay the disrespect, to assume that the Sith gave more than a passing glance to the pitiful grasp the Empire had upon the galaxy? The brash officer probably needed some lessons in how best to play the diplomat with those who would never cower under such an impressively, powerful Empire…

However now was not that time.

"Good Luck, Lord Jas."

Vance stood, before he turned and walked from the meeting room. He would simply leave the Star Destroyer, descend to the planet Rodia and begin giving orders to those who required them; those that showed promise would know they would need to begin working within the crowd, manipulating them into pushing the Government from power, from their administrative buildings, to make way for the newer leaders…

…leaders that Vance would personally offer to the populace of Rodia.


Sometime Later

Vance sat within the small fighter, shutting down the ships systems and finalizing the landing procedure. The Imperial troops the Sith had been assigned were landing likewise in their own personnel landing craft. The Rodians seemed to be taking an interest in the show of force coming down upon them, though they seemed hesitant to make hasty decisions, such as attacking outright, which told the Sith Master that some of his brethren had at least started the large-scale manipulation that would be needed…

Leaving the fighter, Vance walked to where he felt Recon through the Force. Searching for the old man, the Sith Master smiled. Recon waited out on a balcony, overlooking the masses that stood before the main Governmental building, all anger and protests...

"We have been given nine thousand men," He said simply, looking out over the crowd. "And apparently we are being judged following our results, however I felt the need to mention we did not answer to the Empire's Emperor was not important... they will work it out on their own, eventually, or they will continue to bask in their own ignorance. Either way, we will take this planet, if only to further our own gains in the process.

"What of the Apprentices? Are they beginning to work within the crowd? I expect you've had them busy trying to manipulate the masses into feeling a new Government is needed?"

Looking out over the mixture of species below, Vance let out a long sigh.

"If we control them, we control the planet," He said, folding his arms across his chest. "That was something the Government seemingly forgot. If we can lead the crowd, if we can prove we hold their ideals and concerns above the current Government, then they will eventually come around to seeing our way as the best way... we will need to call upon our contact, and present a selection as potentials for that new leadership."

The Sith Master paused, listening to the raised voices below, relishing in the sense of chaos that emanated.

"Have our Apprentices begin making attacks against the guards protecting the Administration building," Vance said, turning his back to the view presented by the balcony. "We will need to show our interest in giving them what they want, and if that requires bloodshed then so be it... after all, a mob is only as smart as it's stupidest member. The battle will begin, the mob will lose their rationality, and the Sith will be in place to pick up the pieces when they seek our aid."

Walking from the place Recon stood, Vance produced his communicator from within his robes. He needed to bring Quis’an to the fore, the Rodian that had been prepared for the rebellion, and bought for the Sith’s needs; her knowledge of the Government, her race, and generally anything alien on Rodia, meant that she had proven most useful following the Sith’s contact being made.

It also helped that Quis’an had been a failed Governmental candidate, who had lost the election process. This meant she was known, while being able to continue with her past campaign to offer the best treatment of the Rodian peoples as a whole…

…it was all coming together.

Rodia


Perrin watched as his breathren set about making camp and hiding the Sith Infiltrator. From what, Perrin had no idea.

There was an Imperial Fleet in orbit and there were Sith at their door. Whatever advantages these 'rebels' thought they had quickly evaporated with those two circumstances.


What the rebels hoped to accomplish, he had no idea but he also really did not care. Politics was all about trying to get the masses to do what you want.


Well there was an easier way to do that.

But first, you need people.


He left the camp in search of a nearby settlement or town with a half formed plan in the back of his hand. He would seek out these rebels and figure out what exactly their real goals were.

Most who openly defy the Empire were not so against the Empire ideologically as much as they were dissillusioned with their station or position in life.

Perhaps they hoped to simply topple the ineffective government on planet and sit themselves in a better position hoping they could play ball with the Empire. If the rebels were smart, perhaps they had something more lucrative to offer the Empire or perhaps something to show the Empire that they would benefit more from the rebel's oversight than the previous leaders.

But the rebels are not dealing with Imperials. How would they handle dealing with Sith?

If he gained dominance over the rebels, then run roughshod over the rebel leadership to keep their people in line the rebellion might be the best thing to happen to the Sith.

Besides, the stronger survived. If the inept leadership of the former leaders of Rodia couldn't contain this minor insurrection, then they did not deserve their positions.

A city came into view and he passed it's borders with a purpose.

Perrin had no trouble getting into the city. Open fighting had broken out and the capital was divided into sections, the Governor of Rodia holding the largest sectors and fielding the largest number of ground troops. The rebels were scattered though they held their sectors with dogged determination. Civilians caught inbetween the factions remained in their homes and off the streets.

The city, in certain places, had a strange sense of emptiness.


Like a tomb.


He knew the Imperial overlords crushed insurrection without hesitation and without question. To allow a high ranking official become deposed was a threat to all high ranking officials Empire-wide. Still, what troubled the Sith was not the actual rebellion, for if the Imperial overlord could not manage his charges, by rights, he should be brought down! No, what troubled Perrin was that if these rebels had a chance to topple the current regime, how much damage would be brought to Rodia? Would the planet be worth the expense of the Sith Order's investment after it was all said and done?


No. The fighting had to stop and quickly or it would spill out into every city on the planet as cultural, racial and economic divisions threatened to tear each other apart.


The Sith were experts at bringing overwhelming force against their foes which crushed their will and broke their resolve to stand against Sith.

He got the distinct feeling that the Sith Masters wanted this world intact, not some burned out worthless cinder.


The equation was simple. To end this fight, the Sith merely had to back one side or another. But why back the Empire's dog? If the Sith supported the failure of a Governor, could they really expect gratitude and fealty or would his arrogance cause him to assume the Sith intervention was his due? What of the rebels? Did they deserve to be raised?


He was mildly surprised that he saw no anti-Empire slogans or other such graffiti surrounding this rebellion which could only mean the reason for the insurrection were not ideological in nature. Fighting for a 'cause' was weakness. It amounted to fighting over 'opinion' which was something only the old took to heart. Perhaps this was a rebellion of a different sort. A battle between two different organisms vying for superiority.

This was a fight he could relate too.

The force user was, by nature, a step up the chain compared to humans. And the Sith was the most prominent of all force users with none as their equal.

It was time to meet the leader of this rebellion.


Perrin changed his course, walking towards a rebel controlled sector of the city.


As he moved farther into the sector, the damage to buildings and surrounding structures more pronounced. He also saw several corners marked with banners to show who controlled the area. And, as if to provide proof, several stormtroopers were staked on either side of a street on durasteel poles, probably pulled from a captured metal manufacturer or distribution center.

Perrin grinned.


No. Not ideological at all.



This was the reason the Imperial Fleet were surrounding Rodia. This was the reason why they were here!


Because they feared that their Governor might fail!


Just who is this brutal rebel leader that they fear and can he be made to serve the Sith?


If he swore loyalty to the Sith, then the power on this planet would shift from Empire to Sith while still under the Imperial Banner.


The Knight's mind swirled with ideas.


We raise up our own dog and bind him with a collar of our own and control the world right under the noses of the Empire. All they care about is that the insurrection is over and crushed and Rodia no is a problem. Keep the taxes, tribute and reports coming and the Empire couldn't give a damn.


And Rodia becomes our base for our own ambitions.


He sighed. His plan depended on the rebel leader not being quite mad. Cruel was fine. Brutal was fine. But mad? He would be uncontrollable and would need to be put down.


With the other Sith soon moving against rather strategic areas to cripple the rebels, it would be added pressure to sway the rebel leader to recognize his betters and realize that his only chance of success and reward would be on the coat-tails of the Sith Order.


Quietly, of course.


He stopped as several people were coming out of buildings on either side of the street before him with various weapons. They hadn't attempted to kill him yet as he was dressed in white, clean and obviously did not look like a combatant. With his saber tucked away, they saw nothing on him threatenting and so risked open contact.


Probably want to have a little fun with me before they kill me, he smirked to himself.


He walked towards the gathering crowd, his lack of fear causing some to hesitate in slight confusion.