The Rebel Faction

When the shooting first began......

The war room erupted into a frenzy panic when the first ships opened fire. Immediatly issues were ordered to protect the vessels of the Tion Cluster, BDE, and Galatic Coalition. To deal with the MC-90 Cruiser, two VSDs, companion vessels of the vessel that was being boarded, and an Imperial Star Destroyer had engaged their shields, and were manuevering to engage the MC-90 cruiser. Shuttles issued from the Messiah ACSS flagship, carrying emergency response force SpecNav Commandoes to deal with the terroists aboard both the Defender Gunship and the Victory Star Destroyer. At least they were assumed to be terroists. And Commodore Braxus ordered two more things, first for planetery defenses to be activated, and for a message to be sent to Admiral Kraken, informing him of the current situation, and detailing what had happened.

Now.....

Several minutes had passed since the shooting first started, and the delegates around the table, as well as Admiral Kraken himself, had just started to notice from the comm chatter what exactly was taking place in orbit above. Then, an Imperial officer, a major, burst into the room at a dead trot and handed Kraken a datapad. Kraken scanned over it, grimaced, and then turned away, dismissing the Major in the process, as he turned to address the delegation.

"There appears to be a situation erupting in orbit, gentleman. Apparently someone has not taken the news of our gatherings in a happy manner, and has decided to do something about it. Ten standard minutes ago an unidentified MC-90 cruiser entered the system and launched a series of shuttles. While we were trying to I.D. the ship, the shuttles hostily boarded an Imperial Victory Star Destroyer, and a Coalition Defender class Gunship, seizing weapons blisters of the latter, and firing on both Imperial and Black Dragon Empire warships. We currently have the situation under control, and am now dispatching relief shuttles to tend to the stricken warships that were damaged. You have a choice of remaining here under the protective measure of the planetery energy shield, and ion cannon networks, or returning to your ships." said Kraken.

Up in space, the MC-90 was locked in mortal combat with the Imperial Star Destroyer Bellicose, and the two Victory Star Destroyers. The shuttles it had launched were now all disabled thanks to a hasty launch and assault of TIE Defenders. The SpecNav commandoes had landed, and were swiftly dealing with the terroists in the manner of snapped necks, slit throats, and disembolwed bodies piling up the floor with their usual efficency at killing. From the surface shot spaceward a multitude of bright lights resembling comets. The Four Planetery Ion Cannon Networks had finally got a target lock and fired, with the MC-90 as their sole target. Blue lightning washed all over the vessel, leaving it drifiting, and crippled. At this time, Bhindi Drayson had arrived in orbit and had ordered all Imperial vessels to cease fire, leaving no Imperial, Coalition, or suspected Terriost vessels shooting at the moment.

The hallways were filled, at first, by Tion crews and officers. Either shuttled down or already stationed here, more likely the former, they all wished to get a glimpse and remain in the prescence of His Highest. It was when the heavily robed dark clad high priests of the Universal Church began marching out from the halls leading to the docking bay that the crowd wained and spread thin, making way for the procession of the Highests' choosen ones. Heads bowed, the holiest priests as well as the devout amongst the crowd, line after line of figures made their way towards the meeting hall.

"<b>Sanctus ... Sanctus ... Sanctus ... Dominus Deus Sabaoth ... </b>"

The holy chants, a throwback of more primitave times, ment to bless and sanctify the area where His Highest would be in earthly form. Occupanied with it was the dropping of flower petals from every world in the Imperium, a significant gesture of not only His Highests powerof creation, but also of his grace and beauty in all things. As the progression moved on a set few members of the onlooking crowd bowed to their knees as, through the doorway, the massive frame of The Lord appeared, followed by still more of his choosen.

"<b>Pleni sunt caeli et terra ... Gloria tua ... </b>"

The first of the choosen priests began entering the meeting chamber just as the last priests were exiting the bay. Rounding the walls of the chamber they encircled it, taking positions so that no section of wall could be seen at table length between them. They continued chanting as The Lord himself stood at the entrance of the room, still. Priests continued to pour into the room from eitherside of him, seemingly passing through him as ghosts as his large mass took up almost the entire door frame.

"<b>Raktus in excelsis ... Benedictus qui venit ... in Nomine Domini ... </b>"

As the last of them entered, His Highness paced around from the doorway to where the Tion representatives sat, heads bowed at his approach. The last priest took his place in front of the door itself, and as it slid close all the priests in the room abruptly turned face and all now faced the walls, looking away from meeting table as if protecting the room from some unseen force. The Lords dark figure made its way slowly around the room, imposing his strength in its esscence on all that beheld him. When he finally became still, facing the rooms center, the priests made their final chant, and then fell silent.

"<b>Raktus in excelsis</b>"

His voice issuied forth, not as a massive and bearing one as would be expected from his stance and size, but rather as that of a calm and subtile negotiator. His voice was low and melodious in nature, carrying with it a soothing and nurturing wind of satisfaction. It was the sort of thing even the hardened heart would find difficulty taking offense in, no matter the tone.

"Too all peoples represented here, whether you be of me or of your own, a transmission has been sent to each of your respective centers of government, a proposal in as much as it is a demand that has been sent. The Black Dragon Empire has desired by friendly relations with all peoples involved here, that the Imperium sphere of influence, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any Galactic power.

It has been stated that a great effort was being made within the Galactic Coalition to improve the condition of the people of those worlds, and that it appeared to be conducted with extreme zeal. It need not be remarked, within current events and history, that the result had been so far very different from what has been anticipated. The events that have occured between ourselves and the coalition, while at one time being hostile in nature, have developed a more humanitarian nature. The peoples of the Imperium take heart in the happiness of their fellow men in this Galactic power.

In the wars of the other powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it concur with our policys so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we make preparation for our defense. With activities in our own region of the galaxy, we are neccessarily more immediately connected. The government of all your peoples are essentially different in this respect to that of The Imperium. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their own respective systems; and to the defense of them, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood an treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole Imperium is devoted. Therefore, we owe it to the amicable relations existing between The Imperium and you, the other Galactic powers, to declare that we should consider any attempt on your part to extend your systems to any portion of The Imperiums sphere of influence as dangerous to out peace and saftey.

With the existing worlds of any galactic power we have not interfered and dhall not interfer with. With any maintained independant power within our territory, that we have dually recognized and on great consideration on just principle acknowledged, could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any other galactic power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the Imperium.

It has become quite obvious to all our peoples that the rest of the galaxy is still quite unsettled. Of this important fact, our policy, nevertheless, remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries from none.

It is impossible that the galactic powers should extend their political system to any portion of either power without endangering our peace and happiness; nor can anyone believe that our southern brethren, in Farfalen, if left to themselves, would adopt it of their own accord. It is equally impossible, therefore, that we should behold such interposition in any form with indifference. It is still the true policy of the Imperium to leave the parties to themselves, in the hope that other powers will pursue the same course...."

With these final words, His Holiest paused to allow the words to sink in with the assembled parties. Slowly he raised his hands up, an indication for all Tion members and deligates to rise and follow, easily understood and obeyed as the same progression of priests began to pour from the room in the same manner in which they had left, this time with additional members in the form of Sully Arne and his associate in General Grievous.

[SIZE=1]*Speech taken from Monroe Doctrine[/SIZE]

"Prissy little fanatics wouldn't you agree?" some functionary said to the Admiral as he saw his dinner being taken away in light of the excitement in orbit. Ibren looked over at his Dragon counterparts as they whispered to themselves, one of them speaking into a personal transmitter.


Chandler remained seated, surprised that the interloper could cause this much damage. Being experienced with fighting and wars, he knew one ship alone could pose no direct threat.


But the damage it would do..? He hoped the Captain of the warship that allowed the terrorist transports to land had been shot.


He noted in his personal journal the experience and recommendations to inspect the fleet to make sure they are complying will all Imperial Military Protocols for Imperial warships were to keep a military force presence in their hangers at all times as well as not allow an unchallenged ship to enter it's bay.


In any event, what surprised him more than this was the look of grim shock on the faces of those Dragons. The meeting area for three major governments with an invitation for more... Did they think their mere presence would stop any one bent on mischief?


And yet they moved with a purpose that belied their looks of shock. As if...


The Dragons were leaving... or running. He supposed it was all in how one looked at it.


Something was amiss and then the transmission of their church leader began stopping most activity. A few bits and phrases were heard but then the transmission died.


Chandler's eyes narrowed and a look of concern spread across those Dragons who stood with some expectation that was not fulfilled. A thin smile spread.
Yes, these Dragons were definitely up to something.


In either case, it seemed prudent to return to the Victory, seeing, with the Dragons beginning to leave bewildered. THAT was there the excitement was happening.

The Admiral wondered what the transmission would have said.




"Admiral on the Bridge.."


"Status?" Ibren snapped and his Exec complied instantly. "We have left orbit, Sir. Shields, weapons, and pilots ready, though it looks that Admiral Kraken has things well in hand with the interloper. Admiral Drayson has arrived, her numbers are here.."


And Chandler briefly glanced at the display. "Very well, then. Prepare.."


The Admiral was halted in midsentence as his Exec interrupted concerned,


"There is something, sir... Transmissions seem to be faltering between the surface and orbit."

Chandler nodded. "I noticed at Admiral Kraken's dinner. In fact, everyone present noticed."

The Exec continued, "We have set up line of sight transmitters and Imperial Protocols for such an occurrance are being inacted by the Fleet. However, sir, there is also ...something else."


The way the man said it prompted Chandler turned to his Exec in intense curiosity and the officer whispered, "We cannot jump! The hyperdrive startup is not initiating.."


"Malfunction?" the Admiral asked in surprise. He had not noticed anything nor had the Engineer's report reported anything amiss during their travel to Vladet.


"Sir, it is the opinion of the Fleet Specialists that we are being interdicted!" the man whispered harshly.


"Are the Fleet Commanders aware?"


"Sir, they seem to be experiencing what we are experiencing and they are taking action."


"Then, move us here... now." The Admiral ordered and in the few moments the Victory moved into position, he saw the Dragon warships opening a wormhole and preparing to leave.


"All of us are scanning the phenomena, sir. It's truly amazing how they have found an alternate means of moving between stellar systems."


Ibren only grunted, pointing to another set of scans, "Look at the gravity radiant. And look at the scans of that other vessel. Its design is unlike the rest. Focus there, and there!"


The Victory banked away from the planet.


And while the Dragons started to enter their wormhole to begin their journey, the Victory, calculations made, began to launch her screening fighters and, with her charges, move out of the planet's gravity shadow.

"Best speed, Helm." and he placed his hands behind his back, "Are transmissions improving?"

"No, Sir. Still failing!"


"Data and sensor dump. Encrypt and transmit a data burst to these departments. Collect all the data from the fleet and see that they go here." Chandler rattled off a series of destinations and the communications people sprang into action.


He walked over to his Probe team and crouched down. "The same order, only these destinations."


"How many, Sir?"


"Ten for the order," He said and called his Communication team over, "but rig twenty more with sensor equipment and line of sight transmission. We will launch them into the system and use them as a temporary transmission net."


He looked at his Comm Team. "Invest all available manpower to this task, all watches! We are going to be the hub."


He turned to his Exec. "Launch immediately when ready.."


His Exec moved to comply and Chandler turned back to stare at the distant star that served as the sun to this system.


He wondered about a great many things. The Dragons missed a golden opportunity for some dramtic statement. I wonder what it was. The last time a transmission tried to be dramatic towards the Empire, Chandler was sent to Corellia. And why did they run at the sight of one interloping Mon Calamari Cruiser?


It was as if their belief in peace was shattered by one ship. And if their belief in peace was so easily shattered, then was it ever there to begin with?


He smirked.


Probably not.


So, when what was up the Dragon's sleeve? An unsettling thought crossed his mind, if they were to move from the nest, would they be settling or merely moving into position?


He had heard the Grand Marshall's words on the holonet upon entering the system.


There will be peace and order in the galaxy. And it will be a road paved with good intentions or paved over the blood of their enemies.


So, as Moff Zell would say, what the fuck was wrong with the system's transmissions? Why were we being interdicted?


If not for an attack?


And the age old adage came up in his mind.


Even though the warship was battle ready, only the standard watch was active and so the Admiral turned to his Exec.


"Inform the ship, all hands to battlestations. Activate all watches."


...and the familiar calm before the storm began to overtake him.




OOC Manifest:

1 Imperator Class Star Destroyer - Victory
[size=1]with full fighter/support compliment[/size]

The preparations for the defence of Vladet had been laid in place long before the coming of any of the guests. The system was to be home to the largest gathering of Imperial and Coalition leaders since the signing of the Pax Imperium. Indeed, with the planned presence of the dignitary of the Black Dragon Empire, security was paramount to Fleet Week.

Ships had been diverted from their regular patrols, Army garrisons strengthened. Technicians from the Imperial Corps of Engineers had come to tune the planetary weapons and shields, and additional soldiers had been posted to the shipyards in the event of an attempted infiltration.

With Fleet Week a priority for the Empire, no cost was being spared to protect Vladet, its people, and the guests, from harm.

The Valhalla and her escort had arrived from Endor late, though these ships were on station merely as the escort of Admiral Drayson, and not as part of the planet’s defence proper. The remainder of Black Thirteen, the Admiral’s personal command, hovered near the edge of the system, effectively out of sensor range of any of the guests’ warships.

“What do you imagine the terrorists hoped to accomplish with their little display?” Bhindi asked, watching the MC90 cruiser continue to take fire from Admiral Kraken’s fleet.

Godridge looked up from his display, unsmiling.

“Hard to say, Admiral. They have to have known that a single ship of that size couldn’t do any noteworthy damage to the gathered fleet… any one of our own escorts could easily dispatch such a ship on her own.”

“And yet they continue to attack. And, what’s more, they attempted (or so it seems) to sow discord among the governments here. Even though it is quite apparent from our sensor records that shuttles launched from their bays and managed to land in those of the ships that fired the first shots, all before said shots were fired.

“It would take level of ignorance far surpassing that which I have seen even in Chaddwick Fearsons to not see that they had some hand in the attack here.”

“Admiral!” A shout came up from the crew pit. “Sensors are reporting a dramatic increase in gravity levels, comparable to an interdiction field being raised!”

And that was the strangest thing of all, since the Empire’s warships were the only ones present with the ability to raise such artificial gravity wells. Unless the Tion ships had that technology aboard, a very real possibility, considering how little the Empire knew of them.

But why would the Dragons be raising gravity wells? Unless they wish to fight us…

No. Even as she thought it the Tion ships began to form, a smaller vessel opening a wormhole, of sorts, and allowing the other ships to make the jump to hyperspace. Or whatever equivalent means of transportation they had of that.

At any rate, evidently, the Black Dragon Empire’s drives allowed them to jump where the Empire could not. Which meant more than they may have known to their observers.

“All Black Dragon ships have left the system, Admiral.” A report came. “All communications are being jammed.” Another.

And why would the system be jammed, and interdicted, if not for an attack? From some direction…

“Alert the fleet. All hands to Action stations. Get working on that jamming, if there’s a gap I want a full report ready for transmit to the nearest Imperial base.”

Already she could feel the ship coming alive. Power surged to weapons systems, the turbolasers swinging around as they warmed up. A few test shots streaked out as the guns were fired experimentally.

The Valhalla was the flagship of the Black Fleet. Her guns were working perfectly.

“Captain,” Bhindi said, now addressing Stremmins Joda, the ship’s commanding officer. “How many probes do we have aboard?”

“The standard compliment, Admiral. Some two hundred… and the Reigns will carry fifty themselves.”

“Launch them all. I want them to record the battle, and be ready to transmit to all friendly stations the moment the jamming breaks or they get clear.”

If Joda was at all confused by the order, he did not show it, because within minutes probes were launching from the Imperial ships, scattering in orbit above Vladet.

“Launch fighters in protective screen.” Bhindi ordered calmly. “Bring the fleet into formation with Admiral Kraken.”

Around them, the other ships presently above the world were doing likewise. It would do, Bhindi mused, to present a unified front to whoever this attacker was.

OOC Manifest: Vladet
Venerator CD Valhalla
Reign SD Avatar
Reign SD Kodiak
Reign SD Tenacious
Reign SD Gemini
Reign SD Pisces
Reign SD Phalanx
(full starfighter/support compliment)
12 Fire LF

OOC Manifest: Off-Station (post one for reinforcement)
Messiah ACSS Conception
Imperial TS Epidemic
Eternal ASD Eternal
Eternal ASD Black Asp
Eternal ASD Night Caller
Eternal ASD Shadowcaster
Eternal ASD Marzullo’s Bane

[size=2]Gliding away from the orbit of Vladet, the Tion Star Destroyers of the Black Dragon Empire pointed their pincer-shaped design toward the direction of its target system: the Tion Cluster. The armada prepared themselves for the jump through the Arbiter's wormhole, which was beginning to form ahead of them as it blossomed into a multi-colored spiral.

"All systems show ready, Admiral," the comm officer reported from the portside crew station. "All ships are reporting their check in."

"Very good, Lieutanant," Admiral Vaako nodded. "Have the DragonClaws flank our Taj's ship to escort it inside the wormhole smoothly."

"Acknowledged," the nav officer said, searching his superior's face for the stress the Admiral must be feeling. The stress he himself was certainly feeling. But if the Admiral was feeling any tension, he was keeping it to himself. "Begin the countdown," he told the officer, his voice as calm as if he were ordering a glass of Altarian wine.

"Yes, sir," he said, turning back to see Admiral Vaako address the group of one-quarter size holographic figures standing before him in the <I>Necro</I>'s aft bridge hologram pod. "Captains: launch marks. <I>Ixion</I>: one minute."

"Acknowledged, <I>Necros</I>," Captain Mykon nodded, his proper military demeanor not quite masking his eagerness to leave these failed talks to its fate.

The holo image sputtered and vanished as the <I>Ixion</I> raised its deflector shields and cutting off its communications. Admiral Vaako shifted his attention to the next image in line. "<I>Solice</I>: 45 seconds. Are your DragonClaws in sequence to the countdown?"

"Yes, sir," Captain Kuge said, cupping his right fist and placing it above his left breast in a gesture of salute as he, too, vanished from the hologram pod.

A bridge officer glanced at his console and made the announcement for the Admiral. "<I>Erebus</I>: 30 seconds."

"We're ready, <I>Necros</I>," replied Captain Adaala, her voice soft. Soft, and just a little bit wrong...

Vaako frowned at her. Quarter-sized holos didn't show a lot of detail, but even so the expression on Adaala's face was easy to read. It was an expression of a woman wanting blood.

"Now is not the time, Captain Adaala," Vaako said, coming up silently to the bridge officer's side. "Despite the attack upon the <I>Erebus</I> and the failure of these talks, it is not an excuse to take advantage and wage war. At least.. when there is no clear reason. We are to leave under the orders of our Taj."

"I understand my duty, Admiral," Adaala said stiffly.

Vaako's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Do you, Captain?"

Slowly, reluctantly, some of the rage faded from Adaala's face. "Yes, sir," she muttered. "My duty is to the Imperium and to Taj Raktus, and to the crews under my command."

"Very good... never forget that, Captain," he warned. "I trust I make myself clear?"

Adaala's cheek twitched as she brushed away a thin braid. She was smart enough to recognize a threat when she heard one. "Very clear, Admiral Vaako."

"Good." Vaako eyed the striking woman a moment longer, then nodded. "I believe you've been given your launch mark?"

"Yes, sir. <I>Erebus</i> out."

The Admiral looked at the nav officer. "Continue, Lieutanant," he said, and turned away.

The officer finished the list without further incident. By the time the last acknowledgement was spoken, the final check-in from their own task force was complete.

"Time marked," the officer announced.

"Prepare for entrance." Vaako pronounced with General Grevious watching at his side.

With a flicker of pseudomotion, the Imperium's fleet was swallowed by the Arbiter's wormhole and vanished into a pinprick.

As another wormhole established itself upon Vladet's ecliptic...

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