The Rebel Faction

"I do not beleive I have ever seen a Reign-class Star Destroyer before. Perhaps I could come aboard and show you some of ComTech's future endevours, that are in the planning stages."



Captain Gordon Sveli raised his eyebrows.

A Tactical Officer indicated the course corrections the Restoration was making, turning away from the Galactus.

Interesting maneuverings, Kaine mused to himself.

"I would be delighted to have you come aboard the Galactus." Simon stated immediately, tapping several commands into a special consol near him.

After receiving the almost immediate acknowledgement, Kaine turned his eyes back to the holographic projection of Logan. "Being in less than warm waters, our flight crews are on alert status. Therefore, it so happens that we do have a shuttle ready and is being dispatched.

Please be prepared to receive your escorts and their...honorguard."

Kaine paused, smiling slightly.

"I look forward to meeting you."

The transmission was muted, and Kaine turned to the Tactical Officer. "Status?"

"Shuttle is launching, as are a dozen escort fighters."

"Good. Scanning is to maintain optimum ranges. We aren't exactly in Imperial territory."

"Yet." Sveli added. "The compliment of the shuttle would be..?"

"Standard flight crew and a skeleton support of six Spartans and six Stormtroopers."

"What do you think they are doing turning from us?"

"Giving us a good shot at their engines should we want it."

"Tempting but no. There's no reason too. This whole exercise is about Joren Logan.

Intelligence tipped us about the gravesite of his wife which gave us a location to find him. Though finding him now was blind luck, and though our operation can succeed successfully without him, I am curious about the man.

Much of what I find out is conflicting."


"Sleight of hand. A feint. It is working." Sveli handed Kaine the datapad indicating the translation of an encrypted databurst.


"Ciscero is on schedule." Simon turned to Sveli, "Send another databurst to the fleet. Center Control is a go."

Aboard the Restoration


Spartan 1103 looked at the two people walking up the ramp, one human ..the other an alien identified as a Noghri.

Information on the Noghri race was very sketchy at best but they were very well known in high power circles as being one of the best natural assassins.

Spartan 1103 bit back his lip.

The alien's presence had been unforseen (at least to the soldiers on the transport).

But, being soldiers...better yet, being Spartans, they adapted quickly.

Spartan 1101 and 1102 took positions on each side of the two from the Restoration.

Spartan 1103 brought up the rear. Astromech Droid - R5-D9 lowered it's center wheel and proceeded to ride up the ramp as well.

The name designated Joren Logan seemed to take note of the droid's presence and turned a questioning glance to the closest Spartan, 1103 being that Spartan.

His helmet turned to Logan and briefly explained, "We are not a typical compliment of an escort shuttle. Being understrength, when landing in unknown areas, a scanning droid disguised as an astromech leaves the ship first to let out a scanning burst."

Once inside the shuttle, the two Stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp on the hanger deck entered and pushed the commands for the ramp to rise.

Spartan 1103 pointed to a monitor which showed infrared and a digital layout of the hanger deck. "The scanning signal is sent here allowing us to determine if we are landing in an area that can turn hostile fast.

As it turns out, we were not."

Spartan 1101 looked up, and turned to 1103. "We think."

The shuttle began to rise and as soon as it exited the Restoration, it's shields went up.

The rest of the shuttle ride was in silence, as the image of the Galactus grew.

"Hanger Control, this is Envoy 4502 requesting landing clearance."

"Envoy 4502, lower shields for dock scan."

"Shields lowering." the pilot complied.

"Envoy 4502, we are showing one heat signature more than expected. Identify and classify."

"Alien, Noghri. Companion of Admiral Logan. Classification: Guard."

"Envoy 4502... hold."

"Holding."


After a minute and a half, "Envoy 4502, you are cleared for docking procedures."


"4502 Acknowledged."


*


Grand Marshall Kaine watched the holographic tactical projection of their course so far in and around the Almanian System.

Already they were off the beaten path when the exiting warships picked up on the Galactus' presence.

By that time the Galactus was making it's way outside the system and held a slow course outside the solar system until the Restoration caught up.

Two indicators blinked out of the holographic display. Those were the warships accompanying Logan.

The Restoration then abruptly redirected it's course heading.. away from the Galactus.

Something is up..

It seemed as if the Restoration was preparing to get under way. Make the jump to hyperspace?


"What are you doing?" Kaine murmured and motioned Captain Sveli over.

"Sir?"

"Activate the gravity well generators slowly, Gordon. We are far enough away from the typical shipping routes to grap an unsuspecting transport out of hyperspace."

"You think the ship is going to leave?"

"It gives every indication that it was preparing too.. In the middle of conversation too."

"You think Admiral Logan has an agenda?"

"Captain, everyone has an agenda." Simon remarked back.

"Have security take our guests to the conference room. I shall be there shortly."

"Yes, Sir."

"Captain Braxton, this is Captain Sveli of the RSD Galactus. As you have noted, our Gravity Well Generators are indeed rising slowly. Expect the the generators to peak in about half an hour and then lower in intensity. We are running a series of tests on the system. Something that periodically has to be done with vessels whose capabilities are not solely limited to being an Interdictor Cruiser.

If you are desiring to leave, do let us know and the field will be lowered. Otherwise, expect the field to remain in place for approximately 30 minutes.

Galactus out."


Captain Sveli turned to a gaping Ensign. To the bridge at large, "Set the timer people. 30 minutes."


*


The conference room was located on the mid-deck making the distance nearly halfway between the bridge and the hanger.

Marshall Kaine made good time but his guests were already situated in the room by the time he arrived. Nodding to the two Spartan guards outside the conference room, Kaine entered briskly, his eyes taking in the two occupants at once.

Admiral Logan was seated and the alien had positioned himself nearby.

Simon Kaine was not what one would call flashy. In fact, his was of very ordinary height, dressed simply in the black fleet uniform with minimal to no rank pins. He wore no cloak or coats. About the only thing different was that he wore black gloves. His hair was of an ordinary light brown color.

He held out his hand to the alien first in greeting, "I don't believe I know you. I am Simon Kaine."

"Mahk.. Joren." Simon grasped each person's hand. Both handshakes were firm, of which Simon approved.

Sometimes alot could be told from a single handshake.


Simon took a seat opposite Logan.

"Your reputation precedes you Admiral. The battle strategies of the New Alliance were required reading from General Ming at the Carida Academy."

Turning an eye to Mahk, "There was also a mention of the Noghri at the Academy though little is known about you save your existence.

I must say that I have never met one of your race before.

Tell me, Mahk of clan Bakh'tor, how did you come to protect the Admiral? And.. I am curious, what your opinion is of the Empire."


Turning to Admiral Logan, Kaine smiled. "I am also curious as to what brings you and ComTech Industries to this neck of the woods?"

"Chief Executive Officer Logan must have done something very important to your people to warrant a 'life debt'." Kaine commented dryly.

Turning to the CEO, "ComTech seems rather well armed for a company with 'business interests' don't you think?"


Whether Logan answered or not was not important to the Marshall.

We are dancing..


Logan opened his mouth to speak when Kaine leaned back in his chair and interrupted, sighing.


"What the hell are you doing with yourself Joren?"

Unless ComTech is as large as Vinda Corporation, the level of firepower Joren had under his command could not come from a mere company. But sponsorship from whom?