The Rebel Faction

Tissuss: Triton

“Tzhali’s gone?” Naosha said, not believing what Merendez just told her.

“Yes, he took a shuttle and just left, no explanation, no warning whatsoever.” Merendez replied, shrugging helplessly.

“Wonderful…” Naosha grumbled sarcastically. “I have a meeting with a few Captains in a half hour…I was hoping he would attend. We need a Wookiee representive.”

“He’s not exactly liked by his own people at the moment….”

“I know…” Naosha said with a sigh. “I hate to think I caused a rift among his people like I have with mine…”

“Somehow, I don’t think that can be helped with things like this.”

“True, considering our two races have been at each other’s throats for generations.”

“Madam.” One of the officers said. “We have several inbounds from orbit. Three shuttle class and several fighters.”

“Sounds like the other attendees. I better get the kids…” Naosha said with a faint smile.

“Why the kids?”

“One of the attendees is someone they haven’t seen in a while and I am sure they’ll be glad to see again.”

…

The shuttle from the Bloodfang was the first to land and Naosha waited patiently on the ramp, her grandkids waiting beside her. The first to exit the shuttle was Tiosk. Though he was an older Trandoshan he still looked to be in good shape and rather imposing: his coloration and other physical features reminded her of Silliss. The next off, was a familiar tall lean dark rust colored female and with a smile Naosha let the kids go, who immediately bum rushed Varcanna. Her daughter was knocked to the ground and smothered in hugs from her nieces and nephew, but Varcanna happily hugged them back.

“Family reunions are always joyful events aren’t they?” Tiosk said with a chuckle, performing the Clan gesture and head bow in respect to Naosha, who returned the gesture. “Councilor Naosha I presume? A pleasure to finally meet you face to face.”

“Same to you Captain Tiosk. It was a brave thing to turn against the Council.” Naosha said.

“Some things…just needed to be done.”

Naosha could only solemnly nod her head in agreement.

Ossik and Rista arrived next, from the Fanggore and RedClaw respectively. Both the Captains were slightly shorter then the average Trandoshan, but other then that had no other real defining features. Naosha could tell by their body language with each other though that they were more then just ‘good friends’, but she kept that to herself.

Last to arrive was Vice Admiral Lavality in her own fighter.

“Looks like everyone is here.” Naosha said after Varcanna managed to peel the kids off herself and pass them on to a sitter. “Let’s go inside shall we?”

Tissuss: Outpost

“Yes.” Tiskus said. “If ke Imperials kould kappen to return…I want kem to find noking to continue on wik.”

“Did any of them make it off the planet?” Lumier asked.

“I don’t believe so.” The creature shook his head. “Kut no doubt key kad superiors kat knew of kis place.”

“So it may be just a matter of time before they come check up on this place…”

Tiskus simply nodded.

Close by, Silliss was looking over the hangers ships. They all looked to be in flyable condition, save for a couple of the experimental ships, and some of the marines were working hard to get the hanger doors open. Looking into one of the Sprayrays, Silliss noticed something.

“Tiskus…was this your ship?” He asked, looking over to where Tiskus and Lumier were standing. “I can tell the controls have been modified for T’Doshouk hands.”

“Most likely it is.” Tiskus replied, striding over to the ship. With his organic hand he brushed away some of the grease and grime off the bow. “Yes…kis was my ship. ke Gory Teek. Seems key decided to repair ker. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to fly ker…”

“Many of us K’Satikur have some piloting skills Tiskus. One of us will be able to at least fly her back to the Triton and give her a new owner. If…that’s what you want…”

Tiskus nodded. “I owe kis ship much…ke least I could do is ensure she gets a new owner kat will take good care of ker.”

Tissuss: Triton Briefing Room

Naosha looked around at the attendees, five Trandoshans, including herself, and two humans (Merendez she invited to attend since Tzhali was...unavailable), with a faint expression of disappointment. She wished the attendance wasn’t so unbalanced, with the absence of a representative from the Wookiees the meeting was almost pointless. Still, some things can’t be helped and to solidify the support she has she needed to proceed anyway.

“I’ve called for this meeting to discuss what to do in our present situation as far as the Separatist Movement goes.” She started. “But first, I will explain why I started the movement in the first place, for the benefit of those that don’t know, or have only heard the Council’s propaganda.”

Everyone nodded and Naosha took a deep breath to calm her nerves before proceeding. “For many generations now, our people have used fear and intimidation to get our way with other races, using our famed hunting skills and fighting prowess earned a reputation based on such. It has worked well for us: there are not many that would openly oppose us.
“However, times have changed in this galaxy. Other races are getting bolder and many political factions are getting stronger. The reputation that has served us well for so long will, if it hasn’t already, start to be used against us, for we have any races that despise us, even outright hate us. It would be only a matter of time before those races joined together to rid the galaxy of our race once and for all.”

“And Speak Above All Hyossk’s antics seem to be racing us toward that fate…” Rista grumbled, the other Trandoshans in the room nodding in agreement.

“The purpose of the Separatist Movement is to change our reputation to one that isn’t so…hated.” Naosha continued. “It’s not an easy task, hatred of our race runs deep in the veins of many species, especially Wookiees. Compounding that are individuals like Hyossk that are unwilling to let go of old prejudges and traditions. Most of those unfortunately are in positions of power and don’t want to lose that power.”

“The more our people realize change is needed the more those in power lose control over them.” Tiosk added. “Hyossk is getting desperate not to lose that power, thus his recent order to attack that convoy full of innocents.”

There were a couple of growls and a gasp from Merendez at that: Naosha just looked shocked, this having been the first she had heard of that incident.

“He needs to be removed….” Rista hissed. “Before any more innocent lives are lost to his stupidity!”

“An outright assault on the Council is the last thing we need.” Naosha cautioned once she got her wits back. “Too many lives have already been needlessly lost. Violence should only be last recourse.”

“But the positions on the Council are not voted in, they are inherited.” Ossik protested. “And we have no clue what their successors political views are.”

“But there is one on Trandosha that is likely already working that angle, along with the rest of our supporters.”

“Who would that be?”

Naosha smiled. “My mate, Rissonik, who is Sha’tor of the K’Satikur Clan. However…” Her smile faded. “The problem is establishing communications with him.”

“And Hyossk, from last we heard, has commanded the fleet to shoot down any unauthorized ships in Trandosha space and cracked down on communications.” Ossik hissed. “This won’t be easy…”

Trandosha: Councilor of Elders Courtyard

“Good day to you Besk. Going to get your daily ear full from my father I take it?” A voice said.

Besk stopped in his stride and turned to regard the speaker. It was Russis, Hyossk’s son and heir to his position. He was tending to one of the beds of plants that served as a courtyards garden.

“Indeed I am…” Besk said sneering slightly. “Why don’t you leave the gardening to the females and the males that have yet to earn their teeth?” Personally, Besk felt that any respectful adult male would be out fighting like warriors…not…tending plants. This little habit of Russis made the mercenary worry a bit about the youth.

“Besk, Besk, Besk…you are starting to sound like my father…” Russis teased. “Allow me my vices…please.”

Besk strode over, grabbed one of his wrists and yanked him away from the planter. “A male in your position should be out gaining points for the goddess.” He growled. “Lest you lose your chance to gain a clutch mother to carry on your line…”

“Times are changing Besk.” Russis said calmly. “Many T’Doshouk these days don’t follow the old ways, nor desire to.” He twisted out of the older Trandoshan’s gripe and turned back to his plants. “You only have to look out on the streets to see that. I don’t need to be a warrior to prove my worthiness to a female.”

“It sounds like you’ve been listening to that Separatist crap.” Besk growled warningly.

“So what if I have?”

Besk grabbed the younger Trandoshan by the shirt and with his other hand placed a thin blade up against his throat.

“If I were you…” Besk said warningly. “I’d watch what I say. Especially if I still desired to inherit my father’s position as Speaker Above All…”

“So you still side with him.” Russis said, unfazed by the threat. “In his madness.”

Besk chuckled. “I believe your father is a fool and not thinking clearly, but I much prefer Hyossk’s ‘madness’ then Naosha’s soft hearted vision.” He removed the blade, slipped it back into it’s sheath and turned to start walking away.

“And if Naosha is right?” Russis growled at his back, rubbing his throat.

Besk stopped and looked back at Russis over his shoulder. “Then the T’doskouk is no more.” He said bluntly. “But not without a bloody fight…”

“I do not believe…” Russis said quietly to himself. “Our people will allow ourselves to end in such a fashion…” He stooped down and picked up a sprig of a native plant, one of the few that can survive in the arid environment. “We will…we must adapt to the changes around us…if we are to survive.”

Not far away, the partly hidden figure of a K’Satikur Keshir silently slipped completely into the shadows.

Nearby basement of a house

“You sure about what you heard?” Rissonik asked the Keshir a short time later.

“Yes Sha’tor.” The Keshir said.

“And he said this to Besk?” A nod. “Then we must act quickly. No doubt as we speak Besk is informing his father about his views and as paranoid as Hyossk is these days I wouldn’t put it past him to have the youth eliminated on the spot.”

Tissuss: Triton Briefing room

Naosha had been unnerved slightly by the minor confrontation. She held little doubt that that particular marine was once a member of the Old Empire…or perhaps working as a spy for the New Order.

We should have held this meeting else where… Naosha thought, frowning slightly. But…the New Order’s reach is long…and likely have spies in many places of interest. After all, her people were once allied with the Empire when the Emperor was still alive: it wouldn’t be a surprise to her if the New Order was keeping tabs on a former ally. The question was though: who’s side would they be on? She knew one thing for sure though, she would not ally with the New Order: from all that she has heard the New Order was just as evil as the Old Empire…and not a faction that would do well for her movement.

While Naosha was lost in her thoughts, the other Trandoshans were looking over the charts Lavality had set out. Tiosk found the information somewhat disturbing.

“You’ve been…’watching’ both T’doskouk and Wookiee.” Tiosk said, a slight accusing tone in his voice. “Why?’

“Isn’t it obvious?” Varcanna said. “She said her fleet served as protectors and peacekeepers. Our two races have been at each others throats for so long that its…inevitable that innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire. No doubt the recent fighting has attracted their attention, thus why they seem to be taking an interest in our fleet numbers.”

“But at least we know where we stand in terms of our opposition’s fleet strength.” Naosha said. “However as I said before, reestablishing contact with our supporters back on Trandosha should be top priority.”

“But how?” Ossik asked.

Naosha thought a moment, then smiled. “Before I was forced to leave the planet, Rissonik and I established a network of spies and contacts in the capital city Hsskhor and beyond. I have no doubts that that network is still intact and that some of those contacts are on the moon Rahkk.”

“The shipyards.” Ossik said, smiling. “They have no choice but to have regular transports to and from Trandosha and receive regular material shipments from elsewhere. If we can install spies there from our end we may establish contact with our allies on the homeworld.”

Trandosha: Streets of Hsskhor

Russis walked along the street, deep in thought yet jumping at the slightest sudden sound. He had been tense ever since his ‘debate’ with Besk and feared he made a grave mistake. While he stood firmly by his beliefs, Besk was right: his views were on the fast track to getting a knife in his back if his father found out.

He glanced around at the people that were out on the streets, many bemoaning the recent crack down and griping about the Council in general. They were feeling oppressed, Russis realized, but there was little he could do to help them at the moment. He was not yet Speaker Above All…and if his gut is right he may not get to be Speaker at all: you can’t help your people if you’re dead.

“Russis.” A commanding voice said behind him. Russis turned to see a trio of heavily armed marines approaching him: his stomach tied itself in a knot. “You must come with us.”

“Why?” Russis said, trying to keep calm.

“Your father wants to speak with you.” It did not fail Russis notice that all three marines had there weapons trained on him. There was no question as to why his father wanted to talk to him…

“I think not…” Rissus quickly ducked into an alley, the cry of ‘after him’ heard behind him. He did not have the stamina of a warrior, thus could only hope he could lose them before his body gave out…

***

Not so far away, Besk was interrogating a kid he found snooping around.

“I’ve seen your face too many times today kid…” The mercenary growled, holding the youth up by the collar of his shirt, his little legs waving in the air futilely. “Following me are you?”

“No sir…” The kid whined, trying to pry Besk’s fingers open with no luck.

“Perhaps even…spying on me?” Besk pressed, not believing the kid’s denial.

“No sir!” The kid said, more frantically this time.

“A spy of Rissonik’s?” Besk closed his free hand around his neck. Even though the kid was shaking his head frantically, this time genuinely, Besk started to squeeze. “One less spy for him then…”

There was a whishing sound in the air and Besk suddenly saw stars floating in his vision when a rock connected solidly with his head. Staggering back, Besk dropped the kid, who only took a moment to reorient himself before taking off.

When Besk regained his senses and turned to threaten the one who struck him, he found he was in a bit of trouble. Starting to surround him was a rather pissed off looking group of Trandoshan citizens.

“First you people kick out a Councilor who was only trying to point out a potential problem…” One of them, a female growled. “Then you restrict communications and travel. Now you are threatening the lives of our children for simply being kids!” She threw a rock at him, which he easily ducked. But others started chucking things at him as well. Outnumbered and still recovering from his recent space battle, Besk did want any wise mercenary would do: run.

***

A blaster shot whizzed by dangerously close to his head and Russis feared he would not survive this day. He was running with all his might, his lungs burning with exertion as he tried to lose the marines behind him, who were gaining on him. Oh how he wished he had taken some training in the warrior arts right now! It would be only a matter of time before one of those shots hit him and unless some miracle happened he would be dead soon after.

As he rounded a bend he felt sheering pain in his shoulder in side as two shots connected. He screamed and tumbled to the ground, right at the feet of the crowd that had chased off Besk moments before. The crowd quickly turned on the approaching marines, the situation turning into a riot and sparing Russis from immediate death.

However the pain he was in was intense and could only whimper where he fell, tears of pain blurring his vision. It wasn’t long until a pair of strong arms grabbed a hold of him. Unable to resist, he allowed the unknown party to bare him away from the scene.

***

“Hey kid.”

The kid, who had just had a close shave with Besk, jumped startled, whirling around to see an older individual sitting on a trash can five feet away from him. “What do you want?” He asked nervously.

“I think you should come with me.” The Keshir said, but not in a threatening manner.

“Why should I?”

The Keshir leaned close. “Because who you spy for may be of help to who I spy for…”

Tissuss: Triton Briefing Room

There were growls from a few Trandoshans in the room, Varcanna especially.

"That bastard nearly shot me out of space..." She growled.

"And he was the one that found our old hide out back on Trandosha...and nearly succeeded in sniping my grandson and myself." Naosha added with a snarl, the memory still bitter in her mind.

"Besk was once a member of the K'Satikur Clan." Tiosk explained. "He left the Clan when Rissonik reclaimed Sha'tor position of the Clan with the help of his son, Trazu. From what I've heard...he's been Speaker Above All Hyossk's personal lacky ever since.
"He works as a mercenary, speciallizing in recon, sniping, and knows how to use a K'Zuta very effectively."

"What the hell is a K'Zuta?" Merendez asked.

"It's a large curved bladed weapon, welded like a staff. It's blade is lined with hooks and it's three feet long. It's name means 'shedder'."

Varcanna was clutching her chest, remembering the pain she endured when her father struck her with such a weapon. "Trust me...you don't want to be on the receiving end of one." She said softly. "I barely survived such a blow a few years ago. I was in the hospital for a month..."

"If your contact is tracking Besk...the little one is putting himself at a great risk." Naosha said. "It will be only a matter of time before he notices he is being watched...if he hasn't already. Lets hope some of our supports are close by when that happens.
"But anyway, we are getting off track. I understand Vice Admiral your position in regards to being a part of a major faction. I myself, am hesitant in joining any such faction or group these days...for they almost always have some ulterior motive I wouldn't agree with. You are not obliged to help us, though any assistance you can provide will be apprecated."

"If we succeed in our mission." Varcanna added. "This system will be a much safer place for everyone as a result."

Trandosha: Basement of a house

"Sha'tor."

"Yes?" Rissonik turned around to regard the Keshir that had just walked in. Immedately he noticed the young lad that was behind him. "Who is this?"

"He's someone's spy I believe Sha'tor Rissonik. Who's I do not know, but whoever it was had in interest in Besk." The Keshir replied.

"Besk?" Rissonik looked concerned. He knelted down so he was at eye level with the kid and beckoned for him to come closer. "You walk on a dangerous path spying on that one if that is true young one."

"I know..." The youth said, rubbing his neck. "He nearly got me..."

"Why are you spying on him?" Rissonik asked, gently. "No worries...he is no friend of mine. Far from it."

"My...contact has only heard rumors about him and wanted to know more."

"I see. Well there is only one thing you really need to know about that one. Stay away from him...unless you can kill him in one shot."

"How is our other 'guest' Sha'tor?" The Keshir asked.

"Russis? Finally asleep. That lad is obviously not a warrior in any shape or form..."

"Russis...isn't that..." The kid started.

"Yes...Hyossk's son."

"Why do you have him? As a hostage?"

The older Trandoshan chuckled good naturedly. "No little one. He is a Separatist like the rest of us...and his father wants him just as dead. We were lucky that mob stopped those marines when they did..."

Tissuss Orbit: Bloodfang

“You sure about those readings?” The 2nd in command asked.

“Yes sir. Multiple hyperspace signatures. No idea who they are, but ETA is 10 mins.” The comm. Officer said.

“Wonderful…go to battle stations and get in contact with the Captain.”

“Aye sir.” The comm. Officer typed at his control panel a moment. “Sir, there is too much interference, I can’t get through.”

The 2nd uttered a few Doshian curses. “Ask the Fanggore and RedClaw if they can contact their Captains: they need to be informed on this.”

“Aye sir.”

Tissuss: Triton Briefing Room

“Not again…” Naosha grumbled as she drew her blaster and ducked behind her chair as cover.

Varcanna stood up and brought up a foot long cylinder, as she edged toward the door. After pressing a button it extended into an eight foot long staff. “It’s boon uwhilo sinco I’vo boon in u scrup.” She muttered in Clan Dialect, sounding more eager then concerned.

“Don’t get cocky Varcanna.” Tiosk warned. “We don’t know what we are up against.” He had flipped back his vest, revealing a line of knife sheathes long his belt and a bandolier filled with more. Most of them were throwing knives, though he had a couple of long thin knives on his belt for close combat. Like Naosha he used his chair as cover, two throwing knives already in his hands, ready to be thrown.

Ossik and Rista also drew their blasters and adopted similar positions. “Varca, don’t you have a blaster?” Rista asked.

“I only have a sniper rifle, no good in close quarters combat like this.” Varcanna asked. “Besides…it’s back up on the Bloodfang in my ship…”

“We’ll try to leave you some then.” Tiosk grinned.

“Don’t worry about it…my main concern is to ensure none of them hurt my mother…”

“I think we have another problem.” Ossik suddenly said, who had one hand to his ear hole and looked to be straining to hear something. “Just got a message from my ship, but I had a hard time understanding it.” He quickly added. “My unit is receive only, I cannot send.”

“What did you make out then?” Merendez asked.

“Something about multiple hyperspace signatures…couldn’t make out the rest, too much static.”

“And Dosh and static sound a lot a like at times…” Tiosk grumbled. “But I know my ship can detect incoming hyperspace signatures up to 10 minutes out…”

Tissuss: Outpost

Meanwhile the hanger doors were finally functioning and many were finishing up maintenance checks on the ships.

“These ships are in good condition despite having been cooped up in here for who knows how long…” Lumier remarked as she looked over the Lambda.

Silliss who was familiarizing himself with the Gory Teeth’s controls, nodded in agreement. “Considering their isolation, I bet the Imperials here had no choice but ensure all their equipment stays in good shape.”

“Key kad to ke self efficient.” Tiskus said. “Okwise key would kave keen detected ky our people long ago.”

“Yeah…constant supply ships would have been nice red flags wouldn’t it?” Silliss grumbled. “Would explain those wacky ion cannons as well.”

“Ke ion cannons are experimental. In fact…if you kept kem on for to long…key ran kisk of blowing up ke moon itself.”

Lumier looked at Tiskus with a surprised look, so did many of the marines that were near by. “Why?” She asked.

“Ke cannons are powered by a previously unknown natural gas found deep in ke crust.” Tiskus explained. “key found it to ke an powerful energy source, in fact ke whole compound is powered ky it. Kut it’s highly flammable. Extreme heat would set it off and one spark in ke wrong place…”

“The whole place goes boom…” Lumier said, blanching. “Ok people…if any of you guys smoke…you are quitting as of right now.” A thought occurred to her. “Why didn’t you tell us this before? Those charges we used to destroy the lab…”

“Were far enough away from ke main gas lines.” Tiskus reassured her. “ke gas lines run only to ke generators at ke main compound, kis kanger, and each of ke ion cannons.”

“How do you know all this information?” Silliss asked.

Tiskus shrugged helplessly. “ken you kave only klood kirsty mutts to talk to, you tend want to read anything kat is legible. I’ve memorized ke klueprints for kis place out of sheer koredom…”


Trandosha: Hsskhor, in a house basement

Rissonik watched the spectacle out the window with the kid and frowned. He only heard half of the kid’s conversation with his contact, but could safely guess some of it. He looked over at two K’Satikur warriors, who immediately straightened up.

“Go make sure that pilot gets away safely and guide him or her here if possible.” He said to them. “There is a possibility we will have to relocate, so if we are not here when you return go to point G. Understood?”

“Yes Sha’tor.” The two warriors said in unison, before turning and running out.

Rissonik then looked at the Keshir. “Take one other and keep a look out around this building. If any marines look like they are zeroing in on us I need to be informed immediately.”

“Aye Sha’tor.” The Keshir bowed and left as well.

The kid looked a bit worried.

“Can they be trusted?” he asked.

“A K’Satikur warrior will obey his Sha’tor’s orders without question…else his life is forfit. That’s the way it has always been in our Clan.”