The Rebel Faction

Space, what is space? It is nothing, absolute nothing. But even in emptiness things can happen, planets rotate seemingly oblivious to the machinations of those inhabiting them. Asteroids travel and time moves on. Our story for today focusses on the unknown regions right on the edge of explored space. There a single planetary system comes in too view. Slowly we focus in on the system. The first thing noticible is the star, old for its standerds. It's time in this galaxy almost done, only another million or so revolutions of its attending celestial bodies before either expanding into a red giant or either collapsing in on itself. But the center piece of today's story is not the star but one of the planet's surrounding it. Peculiar in its shape, and size. Almost too large to suggest any life present on this rock. Another oddity was the twin moons. Most peculiar but for most that dwell underneath them inconsecential. Slowly we descend through the thick atmosphere, red in colour, but oxigan based. The colouration sprang from certain gasses that were present, mostly methane but also other exotic compounds that gave this rock in space its blood red colouring. Then we descend faster and faster through the atmosphere, coming to a dead stop a meter or two from the ground. The surface of the planet reveal vast sweeping sands, almost black in colour. Occasionaly a dust devil would dance across this seemingly empty desert. This planet seemed devoid of life. How can life survive in such a place, but appearance can be deceptive. Life has a tendancy to sprout in the most unlikely of places. Without word we sped across the endless seas faster and faster untill finally we come to stop. Below is a series of tents very small, very utilitarian in design. Above us the sun is breaking over the horison as the night retreated and another day begins. A day much like any other but one that will have profound impact on the Galaxy as a whole.

Finally there is a stir of life amongst the tents. A small insectile creature steps out to survey the breaking dawn. This is the species known by the rest of the Galaxy as the Bartokk, but they call themselves "Sh'so, or the 'Hunters' in their language. Round about a meter in height each Bartokk looked almost indentical, but small differences were noticible. Covered in an incredibly hard carpace the species had six limbs. Two were used for locumotion while the other four were used to manipulate their surroundings and each of these limbs ending in very sharp claws.

The Bartokk's, a species that gives new meaning to the expression the sum of the parts.

For the purpose of our tale we focus on one of these individuals. Daragon. A prominent speaker in the Grey Council.

Daragon sighed. The sun rise always had such a beautifull quality to it. And today was no different. He had always made it a point to rise early enough to catch. Quitely he focussed another set of his eyes on it.

"Daragon old friend, you were always a sucker for a sunrise."

His thoughts desturbed Daragon turned around to catch sight of Cass, his most trusted advisor, second in command and one of his oldest friends approaching him from the other side of the camp.

"They are beautifull aren't they. Come join me for a minute and apreciate the splendour of the Galaxy."

A smile played across the mouth of one of Cass's bodies

"I would old friend, but we have received word from the Citadel. The council is about to sit."

Daragon sighed with all of his bodies.

"This is always the case isn't it. Just when I try to get some rest Arator calls the councill to session and tries to oust me from power."

"That is the burden of your position old friend. If you would allow me to call him out I will grind his bones into dust and sprinkle them across the sand."

"Always the force full one, no the Game must be played. Unfortunately it is not the hunt. Then we need not put up with his close minded views. But speaking of the hunt ours went well didn't it. Plenty of pelts to bring home, heh.

"That it did."

"Very well pass the order. We brake camp and return to the Citadel at once."

"At once."

This time Daragon turned all 15 of his bodies heads to the sun. He would enjoy the moment of peace before he returned to the bloody and sometimes dishonourable Game of Politics. Behind him a swarm of Bartokks emerged from the tents each one carrying its orders out in an easy and practiced manner.

The Barabel was a whirlwind of destruction. As he reached the opening door a peculiar creature stepped through, about a meter in height. Glowing red eyes, almost Chiss like in features regarded his approaching doom with an almost suprising lack of interest. As soon as Lyzaar reached the door the small insect almost half the height of the rampaging Barabel seemed to dissappear from where he was standing. Reflexes amongst the Bartokk's have developed to such an extent that it was difficult for most beings to follow them when they didn't want to be seen.

Fortunately Lazaar did not relay on mere visual senses. He stopped dead and spun around, his hand lashing out. Closing his fist a struggling Bartokk was caught in those massive claws. With a cry of pure animal rage he lifted the struggling creature above his head ignoring the scratches the Bartokk's own claws were inflicting on his wrist. Like lightning he gripped one of the Bartokk's legs with his other hand and then with all his might pulled. The Bartokk seemed to come apart at the seems as this foe literally ripped him apart. Ichor and intestines splashed over the head of Lyzaar but he did not care. Tossing the remains into a corner he ran towards his freedom. Unfortunately for him five more guards showed up each one carrying a pair of stun guns. The Barabel regarded them for a quick moment then he vented his rage to the heavens and charged towards the new obsticle to his freedom. He did not get very far as ten beams of stun energy colided with his chest. He went down in a tangle of limbs. Two Bartokk's obviously the leader stepped forward. A slight golden band around their head denoting their ranks. One of them drew a blaster and aimed it at the Barabel's head.

"He is a strong warrior. A pity he must die like this..."

"STOP!!!!" came the shout from behind them. As one their heads turned to reveal four more Bartokk's approaching the scene. However these new comers had golden bands around their wrists as well.

"But sir, he killed one of my guards's drone."

Cass quitely regarded the sub - officer. "Still that does not give you the right to end his life like that. Isolates have only one body, you kill that and they are gone. Place him back in the cell. Restraints this time, and consider your self on report Sergent."

A very mumbled "Yes sir." came from the officer but he looked over to one of his sub-ordinates. Several more Bartokk's came rushing to the scene to pick up the unconscienous Barabel.

In another part of the Complex another door was also opening. Daragon slowly stepped through. It was a rather luxurious room by Bartokk standerds, a bed, a few tables and a few decorations on the wall, mostly the heads of the few animals who call Vallus their home. For a few moments Daragon regarded the creature sitting on the bed. He was humaniond in appearance, with tan coloured fur. Daragon had learned of this strange covering of other species during his travels. Most peculiar. He favoured his own rock hard carpace, most practical in nature. Slowly one of his drones approached the Bothan. Daragon offered a smile. He could chose which of his drones reflected his emotions. So the lone drone smiled. "Greetings, I am Daragon, Speaker of the Grey Council. Welcome to Vallus II homeplanet of our peoples."

Earlier that day

The black gates of the Citadel closed with a deafining boom. Daragon smiled broadly. It was always good to come home again. Cass at his side he started towards the central building of the Citadel. The one where the Council always sit/merge.

"I wonder why this meeting was called. We have no matters of importance to discuss for the foreseeable future." Daragon said aloud. He always spoke his thoughts aloud. A interesting habbit he picked up in his earlier years.

"Perhaps it was as we thought....." but Cass was intrupted in his answer. He never fully understood this habit of Daragon and thought his leader was talking to him.

"Ahhhh Daragon so good you could make it. We were about to begin."

Daragon and Cass turned around. Behind them stood Hastos. The current leader of the Council. Leader in so much as he was the focul point for the merging.

Daragon smiled. He respected this elder member of his species but often thought that he was getting soft in his old age. "Why was the meeting called Hastos, with one of the sitters on a Hunt."

"Its to discuss what to do with our two new guests."

"Guests?" this had somewhat suprised Daragon. The most recent trend in his species politics is Xenophobia, led by his arch rival. This was something of a stupid mistake in Daragon's books, but his group was in the minority for the moment.

"Yes, a Barabel and a Bothan, survivor of a pirate raid our ships came upon."

"I see, well before the Council sits/merge I would like too speak with the Bothan."

"But...."

"No buts Hastos. I am a Speaker and I am in the Citadel. Its WITHIN my rights."

"What shall I tell the Council Daragon." their was a tiny note of panic in Hastos's voice, he did not like his orderly routine disrupted.

"What ever you wish, but you will postpone it Hastos, do I make myself clear."

"Very well, but I do hope that you hurry it up."

With those parting words Hastos hurried towards the Council chambers. Daragon turned to Cass with a broad smile on his lips. "Old friend look after the Barabel won't you, while I speak with the Bothan."

Cass looked very confused. "Why Daragon, lets just release them and be done with it."

"I have a feeling that the arrival of these may herald a shattering change in the future of our species."

One of Cass's drones bowed. "It shall be as you wish."

Cass hurried off leaving Daragon to contemplate.

The room was silent for a few moments. The lead drone slowly lifted one of his hands and began scratching his chin. Thoughts filled its mind, hazy unclear thought, but in conjunctions with the other fourteen of his bretheren they became focussed, clear.

"The Bothan Star Federation, my goodness I have been couped up in here too long. Its unfortunate the Council takes up so much of my time, or else I would travel once again." one of Daragon's drones muttered. He was standing off in one corner.

After a few moments the lead drone lowered its clawed hand and smiled once again. This time Daragon addressed the Bothan. "Askar Vri'kre of the Bothan Star Federation. Welcome."

Daragon took a step a forward. Slowly he raised one of his hands, the palm open. "I believe this is a universal method of greeting."

The tan coloured Bothan looked at the palm then almost chuckled. He gripped the offered hand firmly. They shook.

"But I am afraid I have been a bad host. Why don't you have a seat we have much to discuss. I do hope my sub-ordinates have treated you well."

Daragon took a step back and sweeped his two left arms over the room to indicate the modest amount of chairs. He also included the bed since most of the chairs were designed for the Bartokk anatomy and would be considered uncomfortable for most species as tall as the one before him.

Askar wisely selected the bed and seated himself. Silently six more drones filled into the room. Each one choosing a chair. Daragon was seating himself in a loose circle around the Bothan. Daragon always favoured this arangment since it provided him with a view point from almost every angle. He usually did this with Isolates.

As the last drone seated itself, the drone directly in front of the Bothan's point of view smiled again. "Before we begin can I get you something to eat, something to drink?"

Askar silently shook his head.

Daragon nodded. "Very well. First off it is not a telepathic link. These bodies you see before you share a true hivemind. I am the resulting 'intelligence'." Daragon chuckled.

Suddenly another drone said. "I am Daragon." Then another and another until all fifteen had said so. Then all fifteen said it once. Askar had nearly jumped at the outburst and continually tried to follow the source of the voice but found it increasingly difficult.

"It is most disconcernting and I try not to do it with Isolates such as yourself."

The chuckled died down and the lead drone continued. "Secondly, the reason. you are here and the state of your delegates. A patrol ship of ours found you in the midst of a pirate raid, since my people detest pirates with a savage fury they made short work of the raiders. However the commander of that ship and his crewmen were.... how shall we say a little too eager. After they finished with the pirates they turned their sights on your ship. Fortunately I learned that another ship arrived just in time to prevent the shame. Unfortunately almost all of your party died in the attacks. We managed to rescue two survivors. You and a Barabel." At the mention of this and his train of thought Daragon could not supress another chuckle.

"Your Barabel friend is fine. So fine that he managed to rip one of his guards's drones in half."

At the mention of this Askar's face screwed up in horror.

But before he could speak Daragon raised a hand. "Don't worry. He is still fine, my second in command is looking after him, and he will ensure that the Barabel stays that way, At the moment he is sleeping it off. As for the guard he is also fine. A hivemind presents interesting concepts in life and death. I can 'survive' with up to seven of my drones dead. Although this results in a drop of mental capicity for me which in turns result in a drop of intelligence for me personally."

The drone became silent for a minute and its gaze dropped to the floor. Slowly it looked up. The glowing red eyes glowing more fiercely. In fact each of the drones looked intently at Askar, deep red eyes drilling into him.

"Now we come to the third and final point of this discussion. This is perhaps the most important matter of this dicussion. What do we do with you now. Normally my people don't 'rescue' survivors from a battle. Simply because there are none. So as you can imagine your arrival here has caused something of an upheaval. Especially since you are not of our species. Xenophobia has taken hold in our politics recently, something which I have been unsuccesfull in battling. So our main govermental body is going to sit/merge to decide what to do with you. At the moment the choices before us is either to kill you or force you to do battle in the Ring."

The lead drone sat back. Daragon sighed loudly. "My friend favours releasing you, a thing which I am also in favour of, but something tells me that you might be able to offer me an alternative."

Daragon was stunned. So stunned he remained quite for a few moments. Then he nodded. A smile formed on all the drone's faces. An alliance. Now that was something that he had been trying to form. And something which he had failed at for sometime. Arator always derailed his efforts. But a coalition of species here in the Outer Rim territories, excluding humans that is, would be a force to reckon with. He found the species weak and pitifull, but they stood together and was the dominant species at the moment in the galaxy. But not for long if he had his way.

Daragon nodded the lead drones head. "Please do continue."

OOC
Lol no worries Kal, but as they say one good turn deserves another

A massive sigh came from one of the drones, and then another. One of them looked at the floor. Then another one looked at the roof. For a few moments they remained so until Daragon finally spoke. "You have just come close to uttering the worst insult in our culture imagineable. That we need help in battle."

The drone that had spoken lowered his eyes to the floor again. But then it looked up with a smile. "One thing that you may or may not be aware of is that we have had interaction with the other species inhabiting the galaxy. I myself was for a long time a Traveller. For some reason our services as assassins are highly coveted amongst the billion of sentients that cover our galaxy. So I know something of your species the Bothan's. I was actually hoping that you might explain to me why a species noted for its sly nature is suddenly interested in building a goverment of its own, when you had so many other goverments to play in, so intertwined with the rest of the galaxy...."

The last part of his sentance was interupted by a knock on the door. Several of Daragon's drones turned their heads back to the door.

"Enter."

The door opened and Cass stepped inside.

"I am sorry for the interuption. But the Council meeting is about to begin."

Daragon nodded.

"Understood, leave us for a few moments more."

"As you wish"

The drones bowed and stepped out. Daragon turned his attention back to Askar. Once more three of his drones sighed.

"I had hoped for time, but it seems our meeting is almost at an end. The Council will sit/merge soon and I must attend. However for reasons we can discuss later I am very interested in forming a partnership with your BSF. So I am going to ask that you be allowed to speak to the Council. To tell them of this new 'diversity alliance' but a few words of warning and some advice. Do not mention those benifits again. They are close to insult and we do not receive much benifit from them. Vallus II is a hidden world simply because we kill all those that learn of it. Plus we have our own ships to ferry our warriors in." Daragon chuckled a bit, then he continued

"We are a proud independant people Bothan. Not slave nor servant to any being. We value combat prowess and skill in the hunt. When you speak talk about extending our power and influence. I would also advice that you issue a ritual challenge of Cos'ka. Battle to the death in the Ring. If you or your Barabel friend wins you will have a much greater standing."

At those words Daragon smiled thinly. The expression was reflected on all of his drones. "And I will win too because I am going to be your Cor'sa, champion to your cause. And if I know my enemy he will not stand for this."

Even before these criptic words became cold all of the seated drones rose as one.

"Now Askar Vri'kre of the Bothan's you are about to see a thing very few sentient's have. A session of the Grey Council. Come its about to begin."

Quitely the drones began filling out of the room until only one was left standing in the room, its deep red eyes rested on the Bothan. Clearly Daragon was waiting for Askar to accompany him.