The Rebel Faction

Jargur and Oaxaca stood either side of a computer terminal, as it slowly cranked out a print of the Coalition's information on the Serendivus.

"Here." said Jargur, tearing a section off with a claw and lifting it to Oaxaca "I thought the name was familiar. One of our contacts on Naboo reported the incident through a Jedi, someone named Dolash, I think. This 'Lavality' was seen applying for training alongside the Jedi, and she stood out like a sore thumb. A wookie and a Trandoshan bodyguard. Not only that, but a party of other Trandoshans were with them."

"A long way from home, Naboo." said Oaxaca. "No way someone could run a fleet from there. Okay, so that makes a little sense - she isn't in some sort of irreplaceable command role, maybe the title is just ceremonial, or she'll grow into it."

"That's not all, though." said Jargur, as he ripped off another part of the printout. "The wookie bodyguard apparently turned rogue and tried to take her out - apparently at least two Jedi were wounded protecting her. To hurt Jedi? You have to be able to dish out some serious money to get someone that good."

"Not just that, but they were able to worm the assassin into a trusted mission. It's pretty clear whoever commands the Serendivus wanted their 'leader' put somewhere safe. Naboo is filled with some of the most powerful and isolated beings in the galaxy, the perfect place to be forgotten and left alone. Only the most trusted friends and allies would be put on a mission like that, since she'd be most vulnerable from her escorts, not external assassins, once she gets to Naboo."

"So whatever enemies the Trandoshans, Wookies, and Serens have must be pretty strong." Jargur sighed "Too strong, maybe. Our presence might stop outright violence or uprisings, but if they can sneak an assassin in that close to a powerful figurehead, well, the greater risk is one we can't do much about."

"True." replied Oaxaca "It would take the entire order of White Knights to provide enough investigators and bodyguards to root through the complicated plots at work here. On the plus side, you're right that our presence will stop open warfare and lend credence and resources to the peaceful leaders, even if they are on the ropes right now."

The captain opened the door to their conference room, he had a bored look about him and dropped into a chair. "Find anything yet?"

"A little." said Jargur "I think we can trust the Serendivus - at least, we can trust their leaders. It appears each leader has made some powerful enemies and is at risk of being overthrown by ambitious subordinates. The problem is, neither we nor they have the resources available to track them down. All these attacks today seem a symptom of a much deeper problem."

"Well, that's a great note to end on." said the captain with sarcastic aplomb. "While you're at it, why not throw in a secret black hole in the middle of the system? Geeze, why can't the galaxy ever give us a break."

"If the galaxy was an easy place to live in, it wouldn't be worth living in!" said Oaxaca, with a barking laugh. "Come on, we need to prepare our notes for when the delegates are ready to speak again."

Meanwhile, aboard the Serendivus ships

Angella sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Again.. and again.. and again.. and again.." she said and continued to rub her forehead. "How much longer will we have to wait."

"For what ma'am?" An officer asked and Angella turned to face him. "Waiting on Gold Leaders message, but also for Lavality get back to us... what the hell could she be doing that is so important as to NOT contact me"

The officers there shrugged and turned back to there tasks. Angella sighed again and turned back in her chair and stared out the window, "I wonder what she really IS doing right now."

Wookie Flagship

Tzhali stared at the report that was given to him. "System border?"

"Aye Sir." The officer stated and turned a page and gestured to the number. "About six unknown ships, looks like there just outside the Coalition's sensor range, but within our own. They aren't doing anything right now but it does worry me that we haven't found ANY life signs, scanners haven't picked up any movement either, they're just... drifting..."

Tzhali rubbed his chin slightly and glanced at operations. "Can we send out a sorte to see whats going on?"

"It'll take them fifteen minutes to reach to ships. Although if we send two marine frigates it'll take them thirty, due to there speed." The officer said and Tzhali nodded. "Ok... send Blue and Green squads out along with the Bamon and Kian marine frigates, have them report to us the moment they arrive at there destination."

"Sir.. I'm picking up something..." the sensors officer said. "It's small... VERY small... whatever it is it's approuching the ambassador's flagship." she said and turned in her seat. "I can't make it out, but it's size dictates that it might be an escape pod, but there's something not right about the signature.. it's not human.. it's something.. else.." she said in a quivering tone

"Send a priority message to the Coalition, alert them that there is an unidentified object moving slowly toward the ambassador's ship, inform them that our scanners can't pick up any life signs, but that they are picking something up something odd."

(ooc: still at writers block, best I can come up with =\)

While the Coalition ship was running the small craft slowly moved behind it, not stayed still in the spot where the ship was previously

As it waited four panels broke apart from the main craft and positioned themselves just in front of the sun. As it did this two dish’s came out of the craft and pointed toward both Kashyyyk and Trandosha

“Sir! I’m reading an energy build up on that small vessel… it looks like it’s building up a charge of some type!” An officer yelled aboard one of the drone frigates that was patrolling between the two planets, the ship itself was cloaked thanks to yet another ship that was providing the energy

“Deploy drones.” The tactical officer ordered from his chair. All along the medium sized frigate over a hundred hatches opened up, with seconds the frigate decloaked and over three hundred drones flew out from the place they called ‘home’

The frigate had two types of drones: Combat and Shield. The combat model was used mainly against fighters and thanks to the frigates long range control capability, it made it so that the ship could hide in a nebula or asteroid field and control the drones with ease.

The other types where a little more fragile, requiring the ship to have a direct line of sight. The shield drone was used to protect vital ships and base’s, if enough drone frigates where in the area then the amount of shield drones could easily be capable of surrounding a small moon

In this case, however, only the Bion had shield drones, and only a hundred and fifty. The drone’s moved silently through space, the shield drones moving slightly faster than the combat drones

“I don’t know what that thing is.. but it’s targeting a point on Kashyyyk and Trandosha, I think it’s the main cities or something.” An officer yelled from across the control room, the message was relayed to the tactical officer who gave the order. “Split our shield drones into two groups of seventy five and order them to form up IN FRONT of the beams projected path

“Sir.. the amount of energy that I’m getting will seriously out do what our frigate is capable of providing.”

The tactical officer nodded and turned back in his chair. “Order the ‘Fignon’ and ‘Viol’ to assist, order them to take up positions BEHIND the shield wall once it’s formed and to start bleeding energy into the shield drones.”

“Yes Sir!” The communications officer said and relayed the necessary order

Out in space the shield drones changed course, thanks to the frigates position about half the shield drones got to Trandosha before the other got the Kashyyyk. The drones at Trandoshan formed a triangle while the other group formed a rectangle. Near Kashyyyk the shield wall was a brilliant display of Blue and Yellow, while at Trandosha it was Green and Purple. Roughly five minutes later the small craft fired off its main weapon, a red beam of angry burning light that shot across space and impacted the shield wall.

Angry energy continued to be pumped into the beam that continued to slam it’s way against the shield wall that the SSDV or Serendivus Shield Defense Vessel, had formed up. Behind the shield wall the two other SSDV’s continued to bleed energy into the wall, continuing to intensify the shield wall

“Sir! The beam that hitting the shield wall near Trandosha has gotten stronger!” yelled another officer just as the beam that had been striking Kashyyyk’s wall died out, the beam that been firing on Trandosha had suddenly changed from a red color to orange then yellow then a burning blue then purple and finally a pure white color

“REACTOR OVERLOAD ON THE FIGNON!” Yelled the communications officer just as the reactor on the Fignon, the frigate that was supplying power to the shield wall, breached and the ship blossomed into a brilliant display of light and fire

“Escape pods?!” Yelled the tactical officer but his sensor officer shook her head and he slammed his fist on the ground. “Damn it!” he said and was about to relay more power when he smiled, the combat drones had JUST arrived

The small drone’s moved through space doing different moves in an attempt to catch the crafts attention, the drone’s themselves where considered ‘smart’ as they had there own AI, unlike the shield drone counter parts that didn’t. The drone’s moved and flew across the small craft, along the craft’s lateral lines two small guns appeared that began to fire on the drones, but due to the drone’s high maneuverability the crafts gun’s kept missing

Finally after several more seconds one of the small drones slammed itself against the craft, causing its port thrusters to fire and forcing the ship to spin. The beam that it had fired suddenly moved out of its trajectory and out into space, where it bisected two Serendivus Cruisers that had been standing by to assist, but instead they now needed assistance as the engine’s sections of the two ships suddenly came to life and started moving in the blackness

A few more seconds passed before the small drones tore the craft to pieces, killing the deadly beam and stopping its attack. The combat drones floated there lazily for a few minutes while an observation drone, a drone that had a higher AI count than the combat drones, moved through the wreckage before finding something that caught it’s optical eye. Small arms protruded from the tiny drone’s belly and scoped up the object that had caught it’s attention, with that done the combat drone’s and the observation drone made there way back to there flagship

“Move those shield drones to this position, has them light up.” The tactical officer said. “That’s a pretty big GRID you want us to power up.” Said the officer that was in charge of setting up these grids. “I don’t care, just do it, I don’t know what those other four ships are doing on the system’s edge, but I don’t want to risk anything.” He said and the officer nodded

On board the Serendivus Flagship Angella was having a devil of a time trying to figure out HOW to explain this. “Well.. if the Coalition wasn’t sure about Trandosha being a target they are now.”

“And that ship had Miknak written all over it.” An ensign said and Angella snarled. “Lavality is going to want to hear about this.” She said and turned to another officer. “How many where aboard the Fignon?”

“only twenty five, but it does appear that two escape pods where launched a few seconds before the ship exploded.” Another crewmen said. “Weather the people on board are alive… or pancakes.. is something I can’t answer”

Angella sighed and rubbed her head. “Well, nothing we can about that.”

“Ten minutes before our investigation squad arrives at those four ships.” Another person said and Angella waved her hand. “Ok. What’s the damage report?” she said and was soon told about the two cruisers that had been bisected, something she should’ve been told a lot SOONER. “Why wasn’t I told sooner?!” she yelled and got up. “Order our remaining ships to attend to the injured and to locate any survivors!” she shouted and pushed herself off the chair, the bridge was now in Zero Gravity thanks to the heightened combat alert

Angella gave out another sigh before glancing at the cameras. “Did that beam hit Trandosha at all?”

“No Ma’am, apparently our shield wall weakened it enough to where the atmosphere itself protected the planet. Apparently our combat drones hit something vital because I was picking up a serious decrease in energy.” The officer in charge responded

“Ok.. now here’s the major question: How the hell can a ship THAT SMALL have such a devastating weapon?!” Angella asked and the officer shrugged. “I don’t know.. the weapon itself isn’t powerful enough to destroy a whole planet if that’s what you are thinking, it does however have the power to take out everything within ten kilometer’s of the beams strike point.”

Angella nodded. “Well hopefully this was the only one Miknak had, or else we are in trouble. We already lost one drone frigate I don’t care to lose the other two.” With that said she retired to her new quarters where she prepared a proper response to the Wookies, Trandoshans AND The Coalition, shit, she knew full well one of the two ambassadors would ask them what the hell that was about. It’s also possible that this attack might’ve caused even more diplomatic problems for her

“Lavality get your ass back here….” Angella said and flopped her head on her desk

Angella smiled when the comm. officer read off the message that was sent to her from the Trandoshans. She had just walked back onto the bridge when it had arrived and it was kind of good news, well the first part was. The second wasn't and that gave her cause to worry

"Send one last message to Naosha, in form her that the Tissuss Shipyard was in construction of two frigate class vessels and one prowler. They where just about to launch. Further in form her that Lavality herself was planning on giving a few ships to both governments as a sign of good will." Angella said and rubbed her chin. "Not the shipyard naturally, those are one of a kind. " she added quickly after then smiled slightly. "Miknak might just have infiltrated the Trandoshans, yet the wookiee's seem to be more at peace."

"Is it possible that the wookie's haven't been compromised?" An officer said as she checked sensor data. "I mean, they are warriors and are strong, what is the likely hood that they would rebel?"

She shook her head. "Tzhali is currently in charge of the military. Ragnos, the Wookie Elder, is currently the speaker for most of the tribes. Ragnos and Tzhali go a long way I hear, both have fought the Trandoshans together and have shed blood together. So if someone does try to menipulate the government it probably won't work." Angellia shrugged. "Now.. how do we explain this to the Coalition though." she sighed and shook her head

She sat there for several minutes wondering just WHAT to do. "If Lavality where here she would know exactly what to do." Angella repeated and the officers nodded. "I have a private message from the general you sent after her."

/////////////////////////////PRIORITY ONE//////////////////////////////
////////////////////////////ADMIRAL FOUND/////////////////////////////
///////////////////////////MEDICAL ASTEROID//////////////////////////

Colonal Angella, I'm here to report my findings.

I have located Lavality in the Nar Shaada system, why the HELL she was there is beyond me. I tagged a vessel with Miknaks markings, they had jumped out and according to our scans where headed toward Trandosha

We are at the medical asteroid but it seems to have also been infiltrated by his minions. Most of the crew has those strange bio-organic things that you spoke of that you found on the captains back

Right now, Lavality is currently trying to get to the central core of the base and sever it's link. However I think there is more: I have reason to believe that her and Asri are somehow.. connected.. not just as friends but it's also possible by blood.

I can't explain it but I need you to find out more on Asri, see about getting a meeting with Naosha.

Take care colonal, and be safe.

///////////////////Transmission Ended///////////////////////////

Angella smiled slightly at the message, but also feared some of it. An attached document confirmed her worst fears. "I was afraid of that." she said and looked at the screen and straight at the Coalition Fleet. "We can't do ANYTHING about that until Lavality gets her butt back here."

Council of Elders

Naosha sighed and rubbed her forehead as she waited for the meeting to start. Earlier that day she got another encoded message from the Serens and it seemed her son and Lady Asri were having quite a time trying to keep their Admiral out of trouble and in one piece. She had full confidence in those two’s abilities to keep the Admiral safe, but the influence of this rebel faction within the Serens was spreading and she had little doubt that they were behind the apparent betrayal of Admiral Balik.

No, not quite betrayal. She corrected herself. He’s done nothing yet to prove that. Instead it sounds more like blackmail to me. But what secret could he have that would have given this faction such a hold over him? She knew all to well that whatever personal secrets her people kept was for a very good reason. The very competitive nature of her race almost encouraged the use of blackmail to beat down an opponent if such a secret was discovered about an individual. Indeed she knew a few such folks that had those kinds of secrets that if discovered, could ruin their very lives and others she suspected of having, Asri being one of them.

While the albino made no secret of her parentage, she kept very tight lipped about her past and only a few teasing hints about it she revealed. Like that ‘once worked for a Sith’ thing. There was something very deep within her though that she was reluctant to tell anyone no matter how much she trusted them and Naosha suspected her own lifemate discovered what that was, but out of respect he kept it to himself, not even telling her, his own wife. It must be quite damning. She thought with a faint frown. I wonder if he will tell the Seren’s though.

That same report requested a meeting in regards to the albino and that she delegated to Rissonik on the simple reason that he had far more ‘face time’ with Asri then she did. Hopefully the Seren’s will understand that.

Her thoughts and attention automatically turned to the Council as the chamber finally fell quiet. First came the usual greetings, then came the business. “Today we hope we have a firm stance on the purpose of the Coalition in our air space.” Councilor Niknak said then he and all the other Councilors looked toward her. “What have you discovered Speaker-Above-All?”

“The Coalition have extended an invite of joining them in an allegiance fellow Councilors.” Naosha said with a smile. “Not just us but the wookiees as well. They were honestly expecting to have to open up negotiations between our two species, much as the ill fated Diversity Alliance attempted, and were pleasantly surprised that we have started to patch up relations on our own. They have offered to help use continue to smooth out relations between our two species and provide needed protection while our respective Fleets get back up to full strength.”

“So you were right with your assumption they were here for a possible allegiance.” Councilor Russis said with a nod. “This is good news.”

“However they did express concern about our fleet build up, mentioning that by showing a willingness to build up arms we have made ourselves that much bigger of a target to factions like the New Order. So you could say they came at the right time.” Naosha said, prompting a few uncertain glances.

“An understandable concern.” Another Councilor said. “But one we will have resolve another time. With the Warrior Clans already grumbling about the lack of work, we can’t afford to reduce our military forces without inciting a possible coup.” There were mummers of agreement and Naosha found herself nodding as well. Of all the Clans, the warrior clans were the most likely to react badly to this allegiance.

“There is another concern as well.” Yet another Councilor piped up. “There have been reports of another faction operating within our system. One that seems…confused…at best. It is uncertain whether they are friendly or not and could potentially ruin everything.”

Oh no… Naosha sighed, having a pretty good idea on what this ‘faction’ he spoke of was. It wasn’t that surprising though, the Serens sudden mass appearance could have helped but be noticed by other ships besides the Bloodfang. Still, now she was between a rock and a hard place. If she told them what she knew of the Serens, she risked not only losing the trust of the few trustworthy offices in the Seren fleet but the trust of her own Council as well. Yet if she didn’t tell them, they could decide they were enemies and order their fleet to push them out of the system. With another deep sigh she made her decision.

“I know of this faction.” She confessed. “They were a great help to me and my supporters during my exile months ago and have earned my deepest respects. Without their help we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

The rest of the Council seemed shocked at this confession and it took a moment for one of them to finally respond. “Who are they?” Council Shisha asked.

“A group that has goals similar to the Coalition.” Naosha explained simply. “I cannot say much more then that.”

“A secretive group then…”

“Yes, because they have many enemies that want to shut them down. Unfortunately as of late it seems much of their ranks have been corrupted by those enemies. Only a handful of their top officials I know I can still trust and I fear this same enemy group has started working their way into our own government.”

The other Councilors looked at each other, concern on their faces, but also disbelief. “What evidence do you have of this?” One asked.

“Recently Admiral Balik grounded his Vice Admiral and his crew, under the pretense that he wanted to ‘protect’ them from the influence of this faction. The reality is that if Vice Admiral Tiosk was to take orders or be influenced by anyone of this faction, it would be only from those same few individuals I trust. Plus I know the Vice Admiral on a personal level and thus I know he wouldn’t do anything to harm our people and without good reason. Thus it is of my opinion that Balik’s actions were unjustified and removes an experienced officer from on-duty status when we may really need him.”

“This sounds hardly suspicious Naosha.” A Councilor replied. “Weren’t they due for shoreleave anyway?”

“It was the manner the order was given that is suspicious fellow Councilors.” Naosha explained. “Tell me…what superior officer would give you an order as serious as this without looking you in the eye?” A few Councilors merred thoughtfully. “I admit this could be just a one time event…” Naosha continued. “But we are in a fragile time my fellow Councilors and we need to keep our minds open to possible attack from within. Arrogance and pride is what cost us last time, let us not repeat the mistakes of the past.”

There were a few moments of tense silence as the other Councilors thought things over. “It seems this new faction originally had good intentions, but if what you say is true, it may be too risky to open ourselves to them.” Councilor Shisha said. “I understand they are having trouble within there own ranks, but being we know so little about them we cannot realistically offer any aid to resolve those problems, especially considering the factions within our own society could be plotting a take over themselves. I am afraid we must attend to our own first.” There were grunts of agreement and Naosha nodded in acceptance: that was the best she could hope for in that case.

“Regarding your concerns of infiltration.” Councilor Russis said. “There is too little evidence to suggest it has started, but you are correct we shouldn’t get too comfortable with the status quo. The risk is there and thus we must keep our eyes open for it.”

“On the allegiance with the Coalition, we must, by Ancient Law, call a full Council to decide whether we accept their invitation or not. We shall put out a call and schedule a full Council as soon as possible.”

“When the full Council occurs…” Naosha said with a resigned sigh. “We can safely expect a very long day that day.”

K’Satikur Grounds

Rissonik tapped a claw on the communications console, piecing together what exactly to say in his message to the Serens. Their curiosity about Lady Asri both worried and intrigued him and he wondered what exactly prompted such a request. Guess we will soon find out. He thought as he finally flipped the recording device on.

“Greetings, respective of the Serendivus Fleet.” He said. “I know you were expecting a response from Naosha, my lifemate, but she correctly felt that your request for a meeting regarding Lady Asri would be best handled by myself, for I have had more personal experience with her. To be honest, there isn’t much known about her, for she keeps her past to herself. I am willing to tell you what I do know about her, but not over these channels. Therefore I extend an invention to my Clan grounds to have this meeting: it’s likely the safest place to have a meeting of such a potentially sensitive nature. If you accept, I will have the authorization codes to land at our personal spaceport sent to you.”