The Rebel Faction

“Odd.” Asri said when she looked out the viewport. “Why send guards in here? If they come too far in they may find us….” Once they did Asri knew they would be in all sorts of trouble and likely no matter who Lavality was, or who Trazu was for that matter, would help them much. “I’m starting to think making a pit stop here like this was a bad idea Lavality.”

As they watched them Asri noted the deathsticks in their hands. “Jeez…they are on a smoke break.” Asri grumbled. “Don’t they have an ‘official’ place for that?”

~~~

Meanwhile Trazu was still working on how to get past the guards. Finally he got an idea and dragged the his companion into a near by ‘employees only’ room. He had a hunch and his hunch was right: there were maintenance worker uniforms in here.

“I get what you are planning.” The young Trandoshan said. “But…will there be one your size?”

Trazu scowled at him. “With the Force I can make them believe I’m taller then I look.” He growled as he took off his cloak and stuffed it into the bag with the explosives before finding the smallest uniform and putting it on. With some tucking and rolling, he managed to get it half way decent looking. Once the other Trandoshan had put his on with some assistance, they strode out acting like they belonged there. The guards didn’t even give them a second glance as they passed by.

What poor security measures. Trazu thought. No verifying our identities or anything. A terrorist would have a field day. He resolved to inform his mother on this lack of security when he next got the chance, especially considering the worrying status on some of the Clans his father just told him about.

It was the Force that alerted him to the next trouble: guards had apparently entered the bay their ship was in. How the hell are we going to get on the ship without these guys noticing? He thought. He didn’t need to do anything actually, as the young Trandoshan proved to be quite the actor….

“What are you guys doing in here!?” He had exclaimed, terror in his voice.

“Just getting a quick smoke…that’s all.” One of the guards said causally.

“Idiots! Don’t you know there are flammables in here!?”

“Uhhh….” All the guards looked around nervously.

“Get out! Out before you burn the spaceport down!”

Trazu never seen a group of Trandoshan’s leave the area so fast in his life. “Well, that solved that problem.” He said as he stripped off the uniform, the other Trandoshan doing the same. “Good job.”

“Wasn’t far from the truth either.” The other said, pointing to a crate close by. “That stuff there is really unfriendly to flame, would have had the effect of setting off a mini thermal detonator.”

“Yikes…I’ll let Lavality know to be sure not to let the afterburners hit that thing when we take off….” Trazu muttered as they entered the ship.

“I wouldn’t consider them idiots hun.” Asri said casually. “I say it’s a good idea to get the feel of a new ‘toy’ before going into a battle.”

“Indeed.” Trazu said, nodding in agreement. “Best to know a ship’s, or any weapon for that matter, quirks before you have to use it in battle. Less chance of it surprising you when it a ‘quirk’ occurs.”

It hadn’t escaped Trazu that Asri called Lavality ‘hun’, an affectionate term she had only used on him and the kids until now. This must be related to whatever what was on her mind earlier. He decided, forcing himself not to speculate on it. She’ll tell me when the time’s right.

They arrived at the station with no trouble and Tiosk was happen to have visitors. When they explained (and showed via the hologram) the situation to him Trazu could see the eagerness to join them in the Vice Admiral’s eyes. Tiosk thought only a moment before speaking.

“You plan is a good start.” He said approvingly. “But, one modification: I would not make so blatantly an attempt to destroy that sensor ship from the get go.”

Trazu thought about this a moment before it became clear to him why. “If we did that, Miknak will know we intend to send in cloaked ships and prepare his ground forces accordingly.”

“Exactly. Now, you should ensure it’s at least close to the firefight when it breaks out, so you can easily keep an eye on it. Maybe make it nervous enough to call for reinforcements and thus likely pull forces from the real point of entry for you cloaked ships.”

“Which would be?”

“Here.” Tiosk pointed at the point on the planet that was just on the opposite side of the sensor ships location. “He would likely expect you to send in cloaked ships just beyond the sensor’s ships range.”

“But that would put us far away from his actual base, making any ground troops useless.”

The Vice Admiral chuckled. “The only ones that are going by cloak ship are you three.” He said. “Lady Asri was correct that a small force will be able to infiltrate a base easier then a large force and your ranger skills will come in handy over that terrain. That said, I would send in actual ground troops as well, here.” He pointed at the spot just out side the base. “Their drop ships will have to dodge a lot of fire, but once on the ground they’ll provide the distraction you guys need to pull any ground forces out of your path. I do have one request though….”

“What is that?” Asri inquired.

“Take Tiskus with you.” Tiosk said with a sigh. “Poor lad is going out of his mind with boredom and quite frankly the lack of action is starting to do the same to me as well: his pacing is not helping me keep my sanity!”

"I'm afraid when it comes to fleet officers I can't help you." Tiosk said with a sigh. "Since I am grounded any commands made by me for other fleet officers to lend a hand would draw suspicion, as I am supposed to be out on a hunt. Plus, the whole reason for my current situation is because Admiral Balik doesn't trust your organization: at least that's the excuse he gave me."

"Do you think he could be under Miknak's control?" Trazu asked.

Tiosk shrugged. "If he is that would be a very fast 180 he did since the war." He replied. "No I think something else is going on, like blackmail. But I have no evidence to support that beyond how he delivered his last order to me."

"Ok, so you can't help with the fleet command." Asri said, looking thoughtful. "What about ground troop command? Sha'tor Rissonik did send a few K'Satikur Warriors with you here didn't he?"

"Indeed he did." Tiosk said with a slight smile. "And they are looking as bored as Tiskus, though thankfully they are not being as annoying about it." He went into deep thought. "Hmm...yes they could work...."

"How? Aren't K'Satikur supposed to capable of taking out an army by selves? That doesn't sound like good leader ship stuff to me..." Trazu said.

"Lord Trazu, not to be insulting, but I went through the K'Satikur training, not you." Tiosk said bluntly. "I know from experience that a K'Satikur warrior is trained not only how to be the best there is at fighting, but how to lead as well. Nothing is a better motivator then having a K'Satikur kick a lot of ass with you on the battlefield. You will have to ok it though."

"Why me?"

"You are heir to the Sha'tor postion, Lord Trazu K'Satikur." Tiosk said, his voice calm and serious. Trazu winced at his use of his full title. "And since time is of the essense it would do everyone well that we shave off a few hours of time where we can. I've heard you are not eager to take your father's place, but that's where you're lot lies and you better start being a leader now rather then wait until after your father has joined the ancestors."

Trazu looked very flustered, stubborn, and nervous all at once. "I...don't know how to lead." He protested. "I've always been a loner..."

"Trazu, you already have shown us your abilities as a leader." Asri pointed out. "On Nar Shadda, Hoth, and more recently at the spaceport in Hsskhor. It came to you naturally."

Trazu looked up at Asri, then at Lavality, who nodded in confirmation, then finally at Tiosk who had this irritating looking smirk on his face. With a heavy sigh he realised Asri was right: he had lead them without even thinking about it. "Alright...I'll go talk to them and invite them along." He said, knowing already that just saying it was ok wouldn't have been enough to Tiosk. "Be the way." He said as he started to walk away. "Technically I was 'forced' to lead on Hoth, remember? I would have stayed on that ship if you guys hadn't twisted my arm."

To that Asri just giggled.

Trazu’s mind was muddled as he made his way to the break hall where he was told most of the K’Satikur warriors were hanging out at present time. He wondered what he should say to them, if he should give a fancy speech or just be straight to the point. The warriors would jump at a chance for action no matter how he delivered the command and he knew this, so he was tempted to just be straight to the point. Yet a part of him wanted to be more eloquent about it. Before he had made up his mind on how to tell them he had reached the break room.

There were about ten of them, a sizeable percentage of the Clans elite force, most of them simply lounging around on the various seats through out the room. A couple of them were playing a holo game, while another was chatting with one of the station workers: it didn’t a take them long to notice him standing in the doorway.

“Lord Trazu.” One of them said, raising to his feet and bowing his head in respect. “It’s an honor for you to join us.”

“I am not here for pleasantries.” Trazu stated simply. He felt his mouth go dry with nervousness and he visibly swallowed. The warriors were all looking up at him expectantly now, knowing something must be up: he could see the eagerness in their eyes. For what seemed like an eternity though he could say nothing more, but then words started flowing out of his mouth like it was nothing at all. “You know why my father sent you here, correct?” He asked them.

“Aye, Lord Trazu.” One of them answered. “To assist Vice Admiral Tiosk in preventing Miknak from taking over this station.”

“A job you have performed well.” Trazu said. “But now it’s time to take a more proactive role.” At this every warrior sat up straight and Trazu, aware that not every non-K’Satikur could be trusted, switched to Clan dialect. “K’Satikur Warriors, it’s timo te striko ut tho hoart ef ear doudliost omony! Admiral Lavality hus docido te tuko tho fight te it’s searco.” He said. “Und sho hus roqaostod tho ussistunco ef ear clun fer uro fighting prewoss. It is net seloly ear fighting skills sho noods hewovor, sho noods individauls cupublo ef louding sqaudrens in tho buttlo te cemo. I huvo fall cenfidonco thut yea uro ublitios te falfill this relo.”

“It will be an honor to assist the Admiral in this battle.” A warrior said, the others’ nodding in agreement. “Just tell us when we are leaving.”

Now there was a kicker: he wasn’t certain. He did know Lavality wanted Tiskus on the shuttle with them when they departed. “I believe she wants to leave now.” He said after a moment’s thought. “Did you all come here by one shuttle or in your own ships?”

“Only the two or three that arrived later came by personal ship.” A warrior replied. “Most of us though came with the Vice Admiral on a shuttle.”

“Alright. Those of you that don’t have ship of your own here get the things you need and met me in the shuttle bay in ten minutes. Find Tiskus and send him our way as well: Tiosk personally requested that he come along.” There were a few chuckles among the group: they have no doubt noticed the cyborgs bored pacing. “The rest of you follow us shortly after take off: I’ll ensure Lavality gets you the codes and coordinates of the command ship.”

“As you command Lord Trazu, we will be with you as soon as possible.”

A short time later Trazu arrived in the hanger bay, where he saw Lavality and Asri were waiting. “We have about eight warriors that will be coming along in the shuttle.” He told Lavality. “That’s not including Tiskus. The rest will be following in their personal ships.”

Before they could respond the hanger bay floor started to tremble. The reason was Tiskus, the huge Trandoshan cyborg bounding toward them, a look of pure glee on his face. “I see you got word of the upcoming fight.” Asri said with a grin, to which Tiskus just grinned broadly.

As they waited Trazu noticed how Asri was staring at Lavality, with almost a longing look on her face. He knew it had to be related, at the very least, to what was bugging her before, but for some reason she felt uncomfortable telling him with other people around. She said it was big, but that was the only clue she would give him, besides it having to do with Lavality. He thought back, trying to find more clues she may have unintentionally given him. True this matter was likley strictly between Asri and Lavality, but as far as Trazu was concerned, if it involved Asri it involved him as well.

He recalled a few things on their most recent adventures. One being the revelation from Miknak himself that Asri was the 'second donor', but to what he had little clue. The other was Lavality's apparent extreme dislike of cold, much like his own and other Trandoshans. Asri's rather...motherly...toward her as well. He thought, but he wasn't sure if it just wasn't Asri's subconscious desire to have kids of her own or something more then that.

"What's on your mind hun?" Asri's voice broke into his thoughts.

"Just...wondering what you wanted to tell me earlier." He replied honestly, to which Asri smiled weakly.

"Hopefully before we enter battle I'll have to the chance to both you and Lavality." She said with a sigh. "I'd rather be the one to tell her and have her get over the shock 'before' the battle."

This just got Trazu more interested. "It's something that Miknak could use against her in the heat of the moment then?" He asked.

"Yes. Though Lavality seems certain that bastard isn't smart enough to think of it, I'd rather not take the chance."

"Understandable." Trazu nodded slowly. "Ah, there's the other warriors." He pointed out the two ships that just came into visual range.