The Rebel Faction

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


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Somehow Leia had known that was who she was talking to...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

But that didn't matter to her right now. She looked around in fascination as she was given a tour of the colony, and stood silent and quite attentive as Tyscio told his stories, she had not heard but one or two of them, the general ones, in full before. By the time he finished, her fingers had gone numb from the cold and she balled her fists and pulled them up into her sleeves, trying not to shiver too visibly. Concentrating on that task, she was taken by surprise as Mathias turned and addressed her directly, a sudden feeling of warmth around her at least warming her inside as well. She fumbled for a moment before she regained her speaking mind.

"Well, uh, I was asked by the Regency to venture here with the force you have no doubt seen and assessed by now, and help mobilize Providence's defenses in anticipation of a probable Yuzzhan Vong attack on this planet. This includes building up the militaries, building more strongpoints and defense installations, stockpiling supplies, and readying the people in general for the hardships of war. It is my opinion that nothing less than our best will be required to stave off the enemy.

And even then, to be honest, that may not even be enough...."

Leia's voice trailed off, and she swallowed, but continued steadily.

"As I see it, one can either be defeated silently, hopeless, or they can defend themselves to the best of their ability, and give themselves the chance for victory. Perhaps that is why I chose to come to Capricia."

That was a sidethought, and Leia went back to plowing her way through other business.

"The Caprician troops are valiant and capable, I expect yours here are no less. I believe Providence has a very good chance against this inescapable threat. What do you think, Commander?"

Nonetheless the militia leader stood and gestured for the group to follow them.

"I know a good place nearby that should be an acceptable environment to further this discussion"

The group didn't have to walk far, which was to the favor of many sets of tired legs, before they came to a rather plain domelike structure on a sidestreet of the main road. This was the door that Mathias chose to enter, and so everyone else filed in behind. Leia took note of the sign above the door before she entered.

'Squeeky Space Rat Bar and Grill'

That caused a raised eyebrow on her part, though she entered placidly all the same. The interior of the establishment was dim, yet not as dark as some of the holes she had been in in the past. The floor was carpeted with a worn but functional carpet, a commodity that Leia suspected actually put it higher up on the list than other places, as this was a colony that didn't have the resources for much if any luxury.

Well, at least the air was breathable.

The group pulled a few large tables in the center of the unoccupied middle of the dining area, and everyone seated themselves, a few soldiers spreading out for guard. A server appeared to take a drink order, and as he departed they began to erect a small model of the colony in the middle of the table from whatever they could find before them, drawing a few odd looks from the scattered patrons in the place, but these looks were not noticed. In the end, a few upside down mugs marked the colony placements and straws and eating utensils marked the defense ring. Leia smirked as she surveyed their creation, and as the server reappeared with their drinks, to his credit only glancing oddly once at the odd 'thing' in the middle of the table before he continued on with his work.

Mathias still held the center of attention, and as his drink was set before him, he picked it up and leaned back in his chair.

"Now, where was I...." He began, with a look Leia found curious in Tyscio's direction, Leia only noticing the look because she was sitting right next to Tyscio.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Now...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


They were all tired. After 5 months exploring the Mandalorian section of space they were going home.


The <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Avatar<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->, showing the scars of battle, slowed and exited the hyperspace in the Outmarches.


"Avatar, calling Station 12.. Avatar, calling Station 12.." the communications officer droned on as the vessel pierced the blackness of space.

"Nothing sir," the officer concluded.


"Strange," Herridian murmured. "The location of Station 12 is classified. Keep trying."


"Sir! I think you should take a look at this!" the scanning officer shouted over the small bridge.

Herridian walked over and looked at the hologram that appeared to his right.

"What-??" he started.


The Caprician vessel floated into a massive debris field that used to be Station 12.


"Skyler..." Herridian whispered, thinking of his children on Capricia.


He choked back some emotion and briskly ordered, "best speed to homeworld."


"Yes, sir.. making the calculations for an emergency jump."


Soon the <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Avatar<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> winked into hyperspace.

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



The elderly leader of Clan Leantre moved away out of respect for the Regent as he conversed with Tyscio in orbit over Tirus.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Pathogen, unknown, devestating virus...!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The words played across his mind as tidbits of Zier's communication came into earshot.

This enemy was using something new to Capricians. Something they did not expect.


His mind stirred as memories started to come forth... memories of the Clan's exodus from Capricia right after the first invasion.


memories of their return..... the galactic stage they'd heard whispered in the dark places of those forgotten planets, stations... places where it was easy to get lost ....places ripe with information.

At how they were to avoid the corridor at all costs....

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> .. Corridor?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


..and then it struck him! He realized why his mind was taking him back there....

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..a similar report... a similar pathogen... incredibly quick... oh the damage such a thing could do...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He quickly went over to a terminal and poured himself in to the clan archives.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> reports.... Gungan Council... farther back

reports.... Eternal Rogue Order... farther back..

reports....Aron Astrin... farther...

reports... ahhhhh..... and a sidenote.. Quintus...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Pieces were falling into place.


The galaxy was a stage....and though actors and actresses came and went.. the same play went on and on...


..the same plot unfolded while none were the wiser...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The same thread binds us...the same spell entraps us... the same scene unfolds... I wonder, will <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> our<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> destiny remain the same?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He took a copy of the report and went over handing it to his Regent, who was finishing up with Zier.

The leader of Tyscio Clan terminated transmission and Gomorran looked at it. The farther he read, the wider his eyes got.


"Sweet...


Clannus...


Prime.."


He quipped when he stopped reading. He raised his head to look at the elderly clan leader.


"Do you know what this means?"


"It means we have to go back to the past.. and face that which half the galaxy trembled under..."


"The name is a distant memory now, Leantre....something parents scare their kids with as punishment. Eat your vegetables or <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> he<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> will come.... besides, where would we start?"

Leantre smiled grimly, "I know exactly where to start.."


"Sir!" a Lieutenant came up beside the Regent to report. "The <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Avatar<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> has signalled and is on approach!"

"Herridian?" Leantre voiced out in question. "Have all guns track him... it could be a trap." he ordered.

"Yes," agreed Gomorran, "and open a channel.. quickly!"


"Herridian," mumured the white haired Leantre. And suddenly his eyes lit up in question, "Where's Skyler?" he suddenly asked.

Tallien moved quickly down a cold yorik coral hall intent on following the screams that interupted his reverie.


With a quick hand motion, two warriors moved away from a doorway allowing the Master Shaper to enter.

He opened his mouth in surprise for there in the middle, covered in the blood of the infidels was the War Coordinator for the Caprician Campaign, Tslah Vhess. He was without his typical body armor and armed only with a curved, yet jagged, Synthian Blade (a personalized weapon Tallien cooked up exclusively for Tslah).

In various corners were remnants of the humans taken from their mining colony on Minos. He knew Tslah was very disappointed with the operation so far, especially being disappointed at the few number of infidels inhabiting the farthest planet from the Caprician sun.

Several women and men were grouped together, admirably showing some signs of resistance fashioning what crude weapons they could from what was at hand.

Several humans were squirming on the ground moaning rather pathetically, some in motions looking for lost limbs or attempting to hold their insides together.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Yes, the warriors were disappointed at the low numbers inhabiting Minos...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

..and yet, they <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> were<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> on schedule. The genocide (as the infidels called it) was progressing at such a pace as to ensure the Caprician's complete destruction.

At least that was Tallien's justification for the almost lethargic pace they had been implimenting since the beginning.

He could tell, though, that the rather slow pace was starting to grate at the warriors who were thirsty for pain.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Perhaps it was time to quench it.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


//HOW FAR WILL THESE KAP REEESSS EEANS GO TALLIEN?// Tslah hissed, his alien tongue bewildering their captives.

With a howl, not waiting for a response, Tslah charged and a human male stepped up to the challenge.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> When nothing before them is a glimmer of hope..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The other's were moved to action by the bold male and gave a charge of their own.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Perhaps they finally realized they outnumbered Tslah... as if it would make any difference..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


..and yet, Tallien was still amazed at their captive's attempt to rally.


And then, rather suddenly, in the heat of the extreme hand to hand combat...as the atmosphere of desperation thickened..

a Caprician female screamed something incoherent at the mighty Yuuzhan Vong War Coordinator, perhaps in some failing attempt to block a swing of his weapon that would sever her head...

....and Tslah was knocked backward.


So sudden was his rebuffing that Tallien and Tslah's guards were thrown into a momentary confusion.

That was all the humans needed as they charged Tallien and the guards.

The woman snarled something and a guard was thrown off his feet onto his back.

Tslah was moved to catch the fleeing infidels when two maimed humans he had taken for dead suddenly moved and grabbed at his legs.

His blade quickly removed their heads, but Talliien found himself being tackled by the prisoners. They were, however, more interested in getting past him and the guards.


Tallien removed a creature from his shoulder with one motion and mashed it into a human male's face, causing him to cry out. The creature grabbed onto the facial skin and quickly burrowed killing the human instantly.

The other guard used his staff to run another female through..and Tslah caught a male in the doorway from behind, his bladed hand penetrating the human's back and he grasped the man's spine, toss him backward.

The female, with the sudden and surprising ability, narrowed her eyes wild with fear (yet enjoying her newfound ability) at Tallien succeeding in holding him by some unseen forces.


Tallien was sure that she would crush his throat...


..and then Tslah snarled distracting the woman. She turned at his sound only to be impaled by his throwing blade through her forhead.


Tallien fell to the ground, released from her grasp as death struck.


Tslah slowly walked over to the guard on his back, noting that his back was broken, and ran him through with the other's staff.



Tallien and Tslah were silent for a time.


Tslah spoke first. //Prudence be damned, Tallien! Our piecemeal conquest of this system puts the bulk of their forces in front of us. They are expecting that. Our spies indicate that their forces are scattered. A massive strike now at the heart would crush them forever! Tallien....if this ability is one forgotten by these people, we cannot afford them to remember...Yun Yuuzhan's will... would be difficult to achieve.

Tallien? What say you? We must end this threat now!//



The Master Shaper looked at his slight wounds and felt his throat.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Just like that. The conquest might have been thwarted by one frightened female Caprician. She would have killed both the campaign's Master Shaper and probably War Coordinator.

If even one of these infidels gets a handle of this (obviously) latent ability....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

His thoughts raged within him. He felt the impatience as well..but also knew the danger of haste.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..and yet the spies were right! The woman was no Jeedai. He thought back to the last battle of the first invasion...


...when the far ranks of soldiers began to fall, face to face with the Caprician rallying of their population. Someone, some people (perhaps unconsciously), faced with the catalyst of their own fear, their own emotions, brought this ability to the fore. Many warriors fell before we left... the infidels never knowing why, never the wiser for their own chemistry and biology.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Even now, with his experiments he could not find the common denominator with this genetic ability. Why it appeared in some Capricians and not others. However, the ability could be enhanced in the infidels chits.. their young.

He came to a decision.. for he was, after all, the leader of the mission.


//Tslah Vhess, I propose a compromise. We shall send a small detachment out to the remaining colony worlds, retrieve the forces left at Minos and outside this system, and strike at their heart... the infidel homeword of Capricia. Our "Leveller of Empires" (referring to the virus) is working well//

Tslah smiled in grim satisfaction, causing his scars to stretch across his hideous face.

//We shall send a contingent of warriors to ..// his face twisted as he tried to pronounce the planet's name in the infidel tongue // Providence. We shall prevail there overwhelming their pitifully small population of sheep... and while they are dying there, we shall be sinking our teeth into their homeworld. Come Master Shaper, let us plan their inevitable defeat!//